The Observer Newspapers | Singh Responds to Criticism

August 22 , 2008

Singh Responds to Criticism

To the editor:

The Planning Commission in their response to my column of Aug. 8 has tried to wrap itself in Herndon's flag by stating that the vote in favor of the Diamond Properties hotel project was about pride in the town. Among other things, the letter asked, "Where were you, Mr. Singh, while the rest of the community was discussing the merits of this proposal?"

Perhaps the commission members did not notice me or do not remember it, but I participated in the commission's public forum in June, public work session in July, and public hearing in July. Further, I reviewed every paper written by the staff, examined the applications submitted by the developer, talked with several residents about public interest issues involved in this proposal, discussed the proposal with the town staff several times, analyzed the so-called proffers offered by the developers, visited the Westin hotel in Reston because the developer said the proposed hotel would be of equal quality, talked with the staff of the Marriott Resident Inn in Herndon because it is an extended stay facility, reviewed the minutes of past commission meetings and estimated that the site would be economical even if the hotel were a bit smaller.

I did all this and more to define the public interest issues illustrated by Diamond Properties' proposal and understand how we can make better development decisions in the future.

Perhaps I do not understand the work of the Planning Commission. It is a technical body. One of its tasks, supposedly, is to obtain public input, but it is not expected to substitute its expertise with public opinion, especially when only about 40 people (out of the total population of 22,000) regularly participate in the town's affairs. Its deliberations should provide guidance for making future decisions; yet, in this case, the record provides little or no guidance.

In spite of almost 12 months of deliberations, the developer's proposal has not changed much, if any. In fact, it has become more and more complex. The fact that the Town Council is now struggling issues related to the hotel development calls into question the advice provided by the commission.

Issues the Town Council is now debating include the size of the hotel, economic viability of the site, adequacy of parking, adequacy of the proffers, conversion of private easements into essentially a public road behind the hotel, awkward movement of 40-foot trucks along Lynn Street, the Nachman easement and Pine street properties, temporary parking of delivery trucks along Lynn street, and implication of this project for the height of future downtown projects.

Was the Planning Commission supposed to address such issues for the long-term interests of the town? If it wasn't, then who is?

Jasbinder Singh

Herndon