Smart Growth needs common sense
Review of planning fundamentals is properly following the report on the ineffectiveness of the Smart Growth policy. Part of that review must address misapplication of the policy because of incorrect assumptions.
Even proponents of Smart Growth admit that the increase in traffic after construction is not limited to Metro or other public transit. That is, development requires an increase in private vehicular traffic.
The policy's critical assumption is that the roads around Metro stations can handle more cars. For the areas around some stations, the assumption is patently false.
As reasonable as the general policy appears on the surface, Smart Growth is no substitute for examining current transportation capacity and the potential for increasing the infrastructure at specific stations. If roads are at capacity, further development of the area must be avoided.
David C. Montgomery, Chevy Chase
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