August 8 , 2008
| Citizen Input Needed on Hotel |
| To the editor: |
| In our Heritage Preservation District, we occasionally waive ordinances to preserve irreplaceable pieces of our history. New construction doesn't justify such bending or breaking of the rules. Further, each rule broken sets a precedent for future ignoring of our carefully crafted ordinances and guidelines. |
| When developers seek to rezone, the town is in a particularly strong position to require the developer to comply with each and every ordinance, and in the case of our Heritage Preservation District, to create unique, quaint improvement for the benefit of those of us who live here. |
| On Tuesday, Aug. 12, the Town Council is scheduled to vote on a five-story, modern-style transient lodging building on the highest hill in our historic downtown. The corner of Monroe and Elden streets is frequently congested and will become even more so when the thousands of vehicle-trips of the many approved-but-yet-to-be constructed projects are fully occupied. |
| For example, hundreds of trips will be generated by Timber Ridge alone. The corner of Monroe and Elden must be widened with a possible turn-lane. If it is not possible to make the improvements now, the frontage for the eventual widening should be set aside, as has been done elsewhere. Parts of Station Street and Park Avenue have set aside thousands of square feet for eventual widening. |
| Furthermore, the applicant must be held to our democratically established ordinances regarding loading and parking spaces, forward-moving vehicles, and distance between the parking area and the building. |
| In addition to addressing our ordinances and set-asides for road widening, our Town Council, with our citizen input will determine if our quaint Heritage Preservation District is where we really want to rezone to have a five-story, modern-style transient lodging building looming on the highest hill. |
| Some say "Do it right now or it will never happen." I say "do it right!" |
| Ann V. Null |
| Herndon |
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Call The Observer at 703-437-5886 or e-mail the editor.
Call The Observer at 703-437-5886 or e-mail the editor.