Thursday, October 6, 2011

Peter Katz - Mr. Mega-Dumb Growth - Fired by Sarsota County Hired by Arlington County

Hello,

Heard who was just appointed Arlington County's Planning Division Director? None other than Mr. Mega-Dumb Growth, Peter Katz.

Peter was/is America's prime proponent of massive Smart Growth aka Dumb Growth aka Resegregation Through Gentrification aka Massive Urbanization. He was the lead proponent of Arlington's Dumb Growth 'planning', including the Pike's Form Based Charades and Pike Revitalization, aka Pike Plenary Charades.

Peter moved to Sarasota County, Florida three years ago to inflict mega-infill mayhem on Sarasota County, as Director of Smart Growth/Urban Planning. Peter's 'vision' for Sarasota County was mega-infill beyond anything yet seen in Arlington. Peter was a very Bad Kitty and managed to anger just about everyone - affordable housing activists, environmentalists, slow-growth advocates, and so on. Everyone except the developers, REITs, and mega-infill 'planners' who he couldn't do enough for. Peter is not only Mr. Mega Dumb-Growth, he's also Mr. Mega-Arrogance. Peter's mega-infill 'planning' was such that Sarasota County residents were told they should use bus transit to avoid congested streets and roads, even though the buses would be stuck in traffic.

After three years the Sarasota County Commissioners had enough and told Peter his services were no longer required. Sarasota County's loss was the Arlington County Board's opportunity to totally urbanize Arlington. So the County Board hired Peter without a second thought. After all, the five urban village idiots on the County Board are only slightly less arrogant than Peter.

Susan

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Clement Won CivFed Debate

Hello Yupette,

I attended the Civic Federation County Board Candidates debate this evening at W-L High School.

It's obvious that Arlington voters will have a choice this year - more of the same with Mary Hynes and Walter Tejada, or a change to 'back to basics' with Audrey Clement.

I will vote for Audrey Clement.

It's also obvious that Audrey is about positive change and Mary Hynes and Walter Tejada are for more of the same, aka "Don't Worry, be Happy, the County Board Knows What's Best for You".

I don't want the stupid and outrageously expensive Zimmerman Trolley. I don't want a County where the entire middle class has been "gentrified out". I don't want a County where 500 homeless humans wander the streets while the needs and wants of the canine population are addressed. I don't want a county that's so paralyzed by gridlock in 2016 that everyone HAS to walk or ride a bicycle. I don't want a County Board that's in the pockets of developers.

Audrey Clement was eminently sensible tonight. All I heard from Walter Tejada and Mary Hynes were platitudes.

Audrey Clement is the best candidate. I'm voting for her, and only for her, on November 8th.

Barbara

Monday, October 3, 2011

Closed Door Planning for Massive Re-Development of Shirlington Continues

Hello Yupette,

The closed door re-development planning of Shirlington's industrial sites by non-residents continues. Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan, County Economic Development Director Terry Holzheimer, Planning Director Bob Brosnan, and County Planning Staff headed by Richard Tucker (all non-residents) are coordinating an effort with several developers and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce to massively re-develop what's referred to as the Shirlington Crescent (bounded by Shirlington Road, I-395, and south of S. 24th Road).

Phase 1, the Lower Shirlington Special Study began with closed door meetings in late September to develop policy guidelines for re-development of three industrial sites - the concrete batching plant, the lumber distributor and Rosenthal's vehicle storage yard. Phase 1 planning will continue until February 2012. Phase 2 of the planning effort will entail development of a comprehensive Shirlington Crescent / Four Mile Run plan, which will commence in early 2012 after the Special Study process is concluded. Phase 2, which will last for 2 years will develop site plans and zoning along the lines of Shirlington Village with the addition of at least two major retail outlets. At least 1,000 vehicle parking spaces will be constructed, there will be little or no affordable housing, and the open space will consist of small plazas and medians.

BTW, the County Board's ward heelers in the Shirlington neighborhood civic associations know all about the 'planning' for Shirlington's industrial sites but are only allowed to talk with residents about 'big box' zoning.

2100