| Rezoning
on Coppermine Would be Detrimental |
|
To the editor:
|
| With the downturn in the economy, developers are seeking
to rezone land designated for commercial office into zoning
for high density apartments and townhouses. |
| A proposed development of 600 such units on Coppermine Road
near Centreville Road would have adverse consequences for
area residents if approved by the county planning commission.
This development would worsen traffic problems and school
overcrowding. |
| Within the last several years, traffic on Centreville Road
and the Dulles Toll Road has become increasingly congested
as a result of high density residential growth. |
| More stoplights have been added on Centreville Road, significantly
delaying everyday travel. At evening rush hour, dangerous
backups now form at Exit 10 of the Dulles Toll Road. Additional
high density residential units will only exacerbate the problem. |
| In comparison, commercial office space would not increase
traffic congestion as workers would enter the area at morning
rush hour as residents leave and vice versa in the evening.
Best of all, office workers would not be present on weekends. |
| School overcrowding would also result from this development.
The developers have offered land for an elementary school.
Taxpayers are expected to pay for the school's construction
and on-going operational costs. While a short-term benefit
would be to relieve overcrowding at McNair Farms Elementary
School, the long-term detriment is substantial to all area
parents and students. |
| The proposed elementary school would feed into Rachel Carson
Middle School causing overcrowding at one of the few schools
not operating at capacity. The new school would also feed
into Westfields High School which is already at overcapacity.
|
| Another unfortunate aspect of this development is that it
will open the floodgates to new high density residential development
in the immediate area. Previously rejected rezoning applications
would now likely be approved due to the supposed increased
school capacity. |
| In summary, this high density residential development would
adversely affect the quality of life of area residents. The
planning commission should reject this application leaving
the land zoned for commercial office. |
| Thomas M. Gilmore |
| Herndon |
