The Observer Newspapers | Hotel Traffic Will Bring Downtown to a Stop

August 15 , 2008

Hotel Traffic Will Bring Downtown to a Stop

To the editor:

On Tuesday, Diamond Properties presented its proposal for an overly tall hotel on the hilltop of Elden and Monroe streets. For perspective on building heights, I recommend looking at the Atrium building across from the Herndon Centre shopping center and picturing a five-story building (without a parking buffer) right up against the sidewalks and narrow street across from Anita's.

The traffic report card is an even larger concern. The town's traffic consultant and Diamond Properties presented projections of "E" and "F" traffic conditions. And that is without taking into account the thousands of vehicle trips generated by Timber Ridge and other approved developments that are yet to be built or occupied.

Allowing this structure without substantial set-asides to correct the traffic flow will result in gridlock, hampering future development of the Pines Shopping Center and other property subjected to "F" traffic levels. The town's cost of land for street widening and turn lanes must be factored into revenue projections.

Further, those set-asides must be addressed now, while all four corners are open to evenly share the encumbrances. Each corner developed right up to the sidewalk shifts and increases the burden with only three remaining corners.

I personally aim for an "A-plus." Diamond Properties and our Town Council should aim higher than an "F."

I urge all who drive through Herndon to support integrating this beneficial project with our town's street requirements by providing your opinion to the town clerk's office at 703-435-6804, or by e-mail to town.clerk@herndon-va.gov, and by attending the Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Bob Miller

Herndon