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The PUD location is NOT that well served by transit. Support the project on its own merits, but let's not pretend that the bus lines which pass it qualify it as "transit oriented development." It is over one mile from a Metro stop. The principal bus lines that pass it are the 30s series. I commuted (or should I say, "tried to commute") on the 30s buses for three years, and gave up in frustration. They have completely unreliable schedules and are notorious for their bunching (when several late buses arrive at one time). And when buses are late, which was pretty much always, drivers always blame the traffic congestion on Wisconsin Avenue. I finally gave up in frustration and started driving. By the way, I didn't see a lot of McLean Gardens commuters on the bus, which maybe a good proxy for likely PUD transit usage since it's right next door.

Don't get me wrong: there are things I like about this proposal: mixed-use, a hopefully livelier street scape, the big box grocery hidden behind other stores, the townhouses on Idaho (wish there were more of them). Some people will walk -- I walk to the decrepit Giant now. I do wish it were more appropriate in scale. But there will be increased traffic -- 550 more added vehicles in the Saturday peak hour alone, according to Giant's own traffic study. Let's not pretend that we will live in Holland, where everyone is going to walk and bike, especially to fill those SUV-sized grocery orders that Giant is counting on. Instead, let's figure out how we can get some life in those blocks, with more density, yes, but trying to solve for the problems that will be visited on those who live close by. Figuring out a better location for that loading dock proposed on Idaho, for one thing. Even those I know who otherwise really like the PUD feel for those homeowners who have reason to be upset that Giant wants to build an access for big rigs across a residential zone. One of the elements of the ANC's resolution of conditional support is an escrow for traffic calming of at least $500,000 rather than the paltry $100K that Giant is offering.

by AEO on Feb 22, 2009 5:55 pm • link • report