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Candidate Response for Paul
C. Smedberg
1) Please provide a detailed bio, including your educational
background, employment history and civic involvement.
See resume attached.
Paul C. Smedberg
975 Powhatan Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Democratic Council Candidate
703-684-8795 - hm and fax
SmedbergPC@aol.com
2) Please identify the major planks of your platform as a city
council or mayoral candidate.
We all agree that we can achieve the quality of life we want in
Alexandria by giving our children a good education, maintaining
the safety and integrity of our neighborhoods, encouraging diverse
and sustainable economic and employment growth, and intelligently
redeveloping our city with an eye to easing congestion and creating
open space. These are not issues that divide us - I believe they
are core Alexandria values. These are goals we all strive for. All
of us want to achieve these goals. This upcoming election is about
selecting new leadership, vision and ability to get us to where
we all fundamentally want to be. We will also accomplish these goals
through strong fiscal management and constructive resident participation.
3) Please comment on ASG's Vision for Alexandria. Also, please
state whether you agree or disagree with each ASG goal and related
strategies. Briefly explain your disagreements.
Goal No. 1: To develop a comprehensive vision and plan for
Alexandria's future--the Alexandria 2025 Plan.
4) If supportive of creating an Alexandria 2025 Plan, what
steps would you propose to develop it?
I am in favor of long-term planning built on community consensus
and the ideas driving the Alexandria 2025 Plan. However, the City
already has a plan - the 1992 Master Plan. In general, the 1992
Plan includes many aspects of the proposed Alexandria 2025 including
an important transportation component. This is not surprising because
the 1992 Plan was developed with a great deal of effort on the part
of city staff, the Planning Commission, residents, neighborhood
associations and City Council. The problem many people have with
the 1992 Plan is not the Plan itself, but the fact that certain
development projects have strayed from the Plan's guidelines and
general intent for a given area. One example I am personally familiar
with was the proposed Old Colony development, which was finally
defeated after considerable resident and neighborhood association
effort. Instead of abandoning the 1992 Plan, we should review areas
of the Plan, particularly the small area plans, in light of recent
approvals of development concepts in the Potomac Yard and Eisenhower
Valley.
5) What do you think are the major strengths and deficiencies
of the current Master Plan. And, would you want the City Code amended
to mandate that every land-use decision complies with the Master
Plan? If not, why not?
I believe it is the responsibility of the Planning Commission
and City Council to determine strengths and deficiencies in the
master plan as development and redevelopment issues are considered.
I am aware of concerns that there is a need for guidelines on how
development transpires in order to ensure it compliments the area
and the fabric of the community. Some of the small area/neighborhood
plans are quite good - where others are rather weak. As to the second
part of the question, I am not sure if law would allow amending
the city code to mandate that every land use decision strictly comply
with the master plan because of its connection to zoning laws. Not
being able to modify a land use plan to the benefit of the community
and neighborhoods would concern me a great deal.
6) ASG supports strengthening diverse neighborhoods and more
affordable housing. In addition to the voluntary contribution developers
provide to the Housing Trust Fund, what other measures would you
propose to ensure that Alexandria continues to house low-income
wage earners and their families?
I believe the most important aspect to executing successful affordable
housing program(s) is strong and sincere community support and commitment.
Not just words, but a real commitment to exploring opportunities
to make this happen. I believe we also have to define as a community
what we mean by affordable housing - is it based on income, or,
actual thresholds? Many innovative housing programs have been successfully
implemented throughout the country in small and large urban communities
alike. I do not see why some of these programs could not be implemented
in Alexandria. I do not understand why the City Council - with strong
community support - can't do more to insist on having affordable
units on site rather than allowing contributions to the Housing
Trust Fund.
7) Do you believe that preserving and improving the quality
of life in existing neighborhoods should be given the highest priority
for every land-use decision. If not, why not? In this regard, what
three (3) policy initiatives would you propose to preserve and improve
existing neighborhoods?
Yes, but we must recognize that Alexandria has several unique
neighborhoods which may define and place varying degrees of emphasis
on quality of life factors. I believe it is the Council and Planning
Commission's obligation to consider and evaluate these varying definitions
in land use planning. As a council member, I would refine small
area plans placing an emphasis on innovative pedestrian and traffic
management plans, open space criteria and strong architectural guidelines.
8) There appears to be subtle and not-so-subtle changes to
the role of the Board of Architectural Review (BAR). Several recent
developments do not fit with the character of the historic district,
to wit: the Saul Center on N. Washington Street and the Small Mall
on King Street. What three (3) measures would you propose to bring
BAR's role back in line with its mission, which is to permit only
appropriate architecture in the historic district?
It is my understanding that the laws and guidelines covering the
Old and Historic District are clear. Adherence to the guidelines
and preservation of the Old and Historic District is important because
in many ways it is how we define and market our city. I believe
the most important thing that a council member could do to preserve
the historic district is to encourage residents who live in these
areas to apply for vacancies to the BAR when they are up for renewal.
Goal No. 2. Transportation: To support policies and programs
that increase usage of metro, bus, bicycle and pedestrian transportation
modes and decrease auto traffic and its impact on residential neighborhoods
and schools.
9) In order to mitigate traffic impacts from new developments,
Transportation Management Plans (TMP) are required. What three (3)
measures, if any, would you want implemented to ensure these plans
are effective? Would you support the recreation of the Transportation
Management Committee and give it oversight of TMPs?
Because transportation management plans are part of the SUP process,
I believe the best way to handle the impact of traffic on our community
is to set strict guidelines and principles for each development
given its scope, purpose and proximity to mass transit. We must
also factor in the logistical limits of the surrounding neighborhoods
whether they are residential or commercial in nature and the TMP's
of surrounding developments. I am not sure that we need to recreate
the transportation management committee if we can establish TMP
areas and develop plans that have proven to be successful in communities
like Alexandria in the metro region. If we have strong guidelines,
accountability, principles and a true community commitment to transportation
management plans that are required, I do not see a reason for another
layer of process in this area.
10) A major concern throughout the city is traffic: increased
cut-through onto neighborhood streets, pedestrian safety, and traffic
back-ups that will grow exponentially with the build-out of the
PTO, Potomac Yard, and Eisenhower Valley. What three (3) measures
would you propose to decrease the use of autos and increase the
use of transit, bicycles and walking? Do you think that we need
a parking policy to govern the number of spaces available at Metro
Stations in Alexandria? If not, why not?
I believe the city should explore measures and programs such as
shuttles to and from Metro stations and major bus stops, Express
DASH buses from neighborhoods like Old Town, Del Ray and Cameron
Station Area to Metro stations within the city, actively engage
with employers and developers to educate and encourage employees
to use mass transit, encourage employers to stagger morning office
hours, support the Alexandria Ride Share program and work to create
pedestrian and bicycle friendly paths and walkways to and from the
Metro stations.
11) Do you support building new roads connecting Duke Street
and Eisenhower Avenue? If so, where, what size and why?
I believe the Council did the right thing in taking the four-lane
connector off the table. At this time there is no information that
suggests any need to change the small area plan for additional roads
given the current level of development along Eisenhower Avenue and
Duke Street. I believe city staff should not enter their new review
process of examining alternatives to the four-lane connector with
any preconceived notions. They should be open to all innovative
approaches to traffic management and planning. As a member of BFAAC,
I have known for some time that the public safety aspect of this
debate has been of high importance to the Police and Fire Departments.
We will have to address this issue given the current level of residential
development on Eisenhower Avenue. It is one of a council member's
main responsibilities to consider public safety and health in the
decision making process.
Goal No. 3 Open Space: To preserve, increase and upgrade open
space in Alexandria.
12) Since there is overwhelming support among residents for
more open space and recreational facilities, would you favor creating
an Open Space Fund? Please discuss operation and funding sources.
What policies do we need to put in place to get more open space?
I do support the creation of an open space fund or like program
which would not only enable the city to possibly purchase land for
open space, but as just as important to help maintain and beautify
the existing open space we have today, making it more appealing,
accessible and neighborhood friendly. Several communities including
one local community, Fairfax City, because of their strong community
commitment to open space actually proposed a special assessment
to the property tax to raise money for the purchase of open space.
In terms of policies for more open space, I believe one of the most
effective ways we can work on creating and maintaining open space
is through the review of small area/neighborhood plans. There are
always many things that I believe the city planning staff could
do in consultation with neighborhood associations and developers
with regard to open space and beautification projects.
Goal No. 4 Small Area Plans: In conjunction with the Alexandria
2025 Plan, continue the existing small area planning projects and
initiate small area planning processes for Eisenhower West, the
Old Town waterfront and other neighborhoods.
13) The Washington Street Guidelines were created to protect
the redevelopment of Washington Street. Would you support the adoption
of Waterfront Guidelines for the same purpose? If not, why not?
If so, what three (3) critical elements would you suggest be included.
The Waterfront is an important area to the City for many obvious
reasons. It would seem appropriate that any development along the
Waterfront should consider elements such as connectivity, passive
recreation possibilities and public access. I would have to learn
more about plans for the Waterfront before I could make a recommendation
on the establishment of a Waterfront Task Force. However, if there
were a solid consensus from city staff and the surrounding neighborhoods
that a task force would be helpful then the Washington Street Task
Force would certainly be an excellent model.
14) Assuming you support creating a vision for Eisenhower West,
how do you propose the City create such a vision and land-use plan?
What do you think are the critical components of this vision? In
your opinion, does a connector fit into this vision and plan?
I do support a special visioning or land use process for Eisenhower
West. I believe that the model for this should be something similar
to the Eisenhower East process. One important difference between
a land use plan for Eisenhower West vs. Eisenhower East will be
the critical redevelopment nature of that area. Other important
aspects of this visioning would include bringing a sense of place
to Eisenhower West, mass transit plan, pedestrian orientation, encourage
recreational development given the existing bike paths and recreational
parks currently in that area. I believe to be intellectually true
to a visioning/land use process all aspects of development/redevelopment
should be on the table, including transportation issues.
Goal No. 5: Public Participation: To encourage meaningful public
participation in the vision and planning process and implementation
of City policies.
15) A recurring complaint among civic associations and residents
is the lack of meaningful public participation. How do you feel
about these complaints? What three (3) initiatives would you promote
to make the decision-making process more inclusive?
I believe Alexandria has a proud history of civic involvement
and public participation and city government generally does a good
job encouraging public participation. I also believe in the past
couple of years a more concerted effort has been made to actively
engage city staff, neighborhood associations and other segments
of the community to address important issues such as youth policy,
teenage pregnancy, budget issues and land use planning for Eisenhower
East and upper Potomac West. I believe one of the best ways we can
strive for meaningful and constructive public participation is to
encourage neighborhood advocates with ideas and a commitment to
the community to apply for and serve on important commissions. It
is also incumbent on the numerous neighborhood and civic associations
to disseminate information and educate their constituents. The City
and members of Council also have a responsibility to inform residents.
We might want to explore monthly electronic updates to neighborhood/civic
associations.
16) Alexandria often relies on task forces to assess potentially
contentious issues and make recommendations to Council. Do you think
this is appropriate? If not, why not? Please provide your ideas
on how to reform the use of task forces or alternative processes
you think would be more appropriate and effective.
At times, I believe task forces can play an important role, generating
ideas and innovative approaches to decisions that require neighborhood
and community consensus. One good example I can think of is the
Washington Street Task Force, which worked very well and would serve
as a good model. Ultimately, it is incumbent on a member of council
through interactions with the community to know the issues and make
tough decisions. It is the job of a councilmember to not shy away
from potentially contentious issues.
Goal No. 6. Legislative Remedies: To empower Alexandria's communities
to exercise greater control over land-use issues, such as requiring
financial, environmental and neighborhood impact statements that
accurately assess the costs and benefits of development projects,
requiring developers to pay for certain infrastructure costs and
reviewing current provisions in State law available to local governments
for controlling development.
17) What three (3) initiatives would you propose that would
lead to Alexandria being better able to control local decision-making,
especially policies related to land-use, developments, transportation,
taxes and education?
I believe that this is the job of a council member and this is
why I am running for council.
Yes, there are some strong property laws in the Commonwealth,
but we can handle this by knowing what we as a community want for
development/redevelopment, land-use, transportation management and
making these parts of small area/neighborhood plans and the overarching
master plan. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult for local
jurisdictions to determine an appropriate diversification of funding
streams that would help us achieve our agreed upon goals. The Council
must continue to work very closely with our state delegation and
surrounding jurisdictions to address these important issues - education
funding, mass transit/transportation, revenue diversification -
because of the very nature of legislative process in the Commonwealth.
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