Positions on Issues
of Deborah A. Vollmer, Candidate for
Town Council,
Town of
Mansionization. The builders and developers, and the real estate agents who represent them, have entirely too much control over our Town. We need to have a Town Council that is willing to stand up to development interests, to protect the unique character of our Town. Existing ordinances simply do not provide sufficient protection to residents living in existing homes from the ravages of teardowns and new construction in their neighborhoods.
Many good people put in many long hours and a lot of hard work to craft the new building ordinance that went into effect several years ago. Yet, while I submit that the new ordinance was a positive step forward, I do not believe that it went far enough. Homeowners are completely helpless, when a builder/developer decides to build next door, with total disregard to for the rights of the owner of the adjacent property. The PrePAC meetings are of little help, as the homeowners on adjacent land have no real input into the decision as to what is to be built next door to them, but can only listen to the plans as set forth by the builder/developer.
Our tree canopy is being destroyed bit by bit; the neighbors of the new huge houses are being deprived in some instances of sunlight and in some instances, the established use of shared driveways is seriously impaired by the new construction. Storm water issues often arise, when new construction results in more impervious surface area. We are also losing much of our history as, one after another, older, well-built, modest-sized houses are demolished to make way for huge monstrosities. One would think that this trend would have been curbed by the downturn in the housing market, but in fact, the trend continues, to the detriment of our Town.
Some of the changes to the
building code that I have in mind include: procedures to
give homeowners of properties adjacent to contemplated new
construction more of a voice in opposing projects which have a
negative effect on that homeowner’s right to quiet enjoyment of
his/her property. I would strengthen provisions protecting
our tree canopy, and I would codify the right of a homeowner not
to have sunlight blocked unreasonably by new construction.
I would reaffirm in the code the right to unobstructed access
via shared driveways, and ban the construction of such
abominations as a two-car garage fronting at a right angle to a
six foot wide shared driveway, to replace a one-car detached
garage. I would strengthen the rights of a homeowner to
oppose building permits that have an adverse effect on that
homeowner’s rights, and on the environment, generally.
I have a few specific thoughts as to how to implement these changes. It would start with the Pre-PAC (pre-permit application consultation). That is now nothing more than an informal opportunity for neighbors to meet with the homeowner or developer planning to build. I would strengthen the rights of neighboring homeowners at the Pre-PAC, providing that they could announce to the permit applicant at the pre-PAC an intention to appeal any permit that might be granted based on the plans under consideration, on specified grounds, which would include at least the following: anticipated deprivation of significant sunlight, removal of trees creating damage to the Town’s tree canopy, significant removal of green space, negative impacts on drainage, negative impact on easement rights, including but not limited to those with respect to a shared driveway, and any other anticipated diminishment of the value of the neighbor’s property. If the applicant failed to meet the concerns of the neighbor, the neighbor would have a right of appeal with regard to any building permit issued. The appeal would be heard before the entire Town Council, with a balancing of interests, in the same manner as occurs in a variance hearing. (Many residents may be unaware that a Town resident does now have the right to appeal a building permit. However, it is somewhat unclear as to just what issues a resident may raise in such an appeal.)
Historic Sites. I would develop a program
for designating properties within our Town to be historic
structures, worthy of preservation. Residents would have a
procedure whereby they could petition to have well-built, older
homes with historical significance preserved. This would
supplement the already existing procedure for historic
designation in
Appointment of Commission to Study and Make Recommendations: re: Affordable Housing. Many of our older homes, if they could be preserved, just might be affordable to some of the folks we like to have around, but who cannot afford to live here. I am thinking of people like school teachers and firefighters, who do not happen to be independently wealthy. We should make it possible for people like this to rent or buy within our Town, and the older homes that have been well-maintained just might be suitably affordable to some of these people. The Commission would study just how such a program might be implemented, and make recommendations to the Town Council.
Voting rights in Town Elections. To be eligible to vote in
Town elections, a person must be a
Dog Parks. During the 2009 election
cycle there was a lot of interest in this Town for the
establishment of a dog park, where dogs could be allowed to run
free, while their human companions socialize. Opponents were concerned about
such issues as dog poop, trampled grass, and fencing.
Proponents say that all of these problems can be addressed, and
that dog parks can be kept clean and enjoyable. I would
encourage the proponents to gather relevant information
regarding the feasibility of having a dog park in our town, and
having it managed in such a way that it is an asset to our
community. If elected to the Council, I am willing to work
with the proponents toward the end of establishing a dog
park. As park land in our Town is limited, I would explore
the option of having fixed hours, allowing for multiple uses of
the chosen park.
Green Space. Whether or not dog
parks may be a part of the answer, we definitely should set
aside more land within the Town to create more green space,
small parks, which would just be small green and/or forested
areas that residents could enjoy, as they walk by, or stop to
sit on a bench. This
will be of direct benefit to our tree canopy and the
environment, and also provide small refuges within our Town,
soothing to residents going about their busy lives.
Restrictions on Pesticides.
Many people pride themselves on having green and
weed-free lawns, but such maintenance has a negative impact on
our environment, especially the health of bees, birds, and
butterflies, and the quality of our water. Pesticides, which
include both insecticides and herbicides, can be swept away in a
storm onto neighboring property and onto the Town right of way. While I generally
support allowing residents to do what they want on their own
property, when it comes to the application of pesticides, what
someone does on their own property can affect us all. I would step up the
educational campaign by the Climate and Environment Committee of
our Town, so that people will understand why it is important to
voluntarily limit their use of pesticides. But I would also
follow the lead of
Saving the Trail. I support the efforts of
our Town Council to save the
Some consideration should also be
given to the fact that the consolidation of Walter Reed with
Naval Medical (BRAC) may well mean that it would make more sense
to have any transportation link be with the Medical Center Metro
rather than downtown
In the long run, I would be open
to considering an underground Purple Line, but only if the need
in terms of actual ridership is established, and only if the
political will exists to spend the money necessary to make it
happen.
With respect to the particular issue of whether the Town should take a lead in opposing the current alignment of the Purple Line, including litigation to stop the project, my answer is a resounding yes! Legal challenges should include the environmental challenge, based on the need to protect the amphipods—tiny, blind, shrimp-like creatures that are important not only because they are endangered, but also because their presence is an indication of good water quality.
These are just a few ideas that I
have, that I would pursue if I am elected to the Town
Council. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at dvollmer@verizon.net,
or by telephone at (301) 652-5762 if you have any questions or
comments. Thank you.
Deborah A. Vollmer
Candidate for Town Council,
Town
of
Maintained by Imad-ad-Dean, Inc.