LCCSS Candidate Questionnaire
Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run)
No, I do not support reinstating a taxpayer-funded PDR program. I have a record of supporting the rural economy and keeping western Loudoun rural for those who desire that lifestyle. My problem with the PDR program is that taxpayer dollars are used for the purchase of easements, but public access to these lands is virtually never allowed. With the great demand for parks in the county, I believe tax dollars would be better spent on park land.
Yes, I do support preserving and encouraging a sustainable rural economy. I support having farmers markets and encouraging local restaurants and grocery stores to buy local produce.� As chair of the Economic Development Committee, I have visited many innovative rural businesses in Loudoun, including a hydroponic greenhouse, and I believe that these kinds of businesses are perfectly located in western Loudoun and add diversity as well as increase our commercial tax base.�
I already have a record protecting rural western Loudoun.� With a goal to keep western Loudoun rural for both residents choosing that lifestyle and for rural economy businesses, I worked across party lines for nearly two years on the Clem-Burton Plan after the Virginia Supreme Court reinstated A-3 (one house per three acres) zoning.� After many hearings and meetings, I recognized that the Clem-Burton Plan was the right one to keep western Loudoun rural, was in the best interests of my constituents from a traffic and tax perspective, and was the Plan embraced by the majority of western Loudoun residents.�
2. Carbon Emissions and Environmental Standards
As a member of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Climate Change Steering Committee, the region is exploring ways reduce carbon emissions.� The scope work of the committee can be found here:� http://www.mwcog.org/uploads/committee-documents/uVdXXVs20070620144344.pdf
At the conclusion of this steering committee, counties will have a framework to measure, implement, and catalogue local and state greenhouse gas reduction activities.� This committee report would also provide some of the necessary data and research needed to discuss how Loudoun County could develop an energy conservation plan.�
I am interested in learning more about the Cool Counties Initiative.� It makes sense from an environmental perspective as well as a tax savings perspective to use more energy efficient materials in the construction of county facilities, to purchase hybrid vehicles, to even replace regular light bulbs with energy efficient ones, and to install sidewalks and trails.� One this last point, many residents are surprised to learn that their children cannot walk to school, even though the school may be right down the street from their homes. I often hear this complaint for Cedar Lane Elementary School and Belmont Ridge Middle School in my district. The Board of Supervisors and School Board need to work together to identify where sidewalks could be installed in order to permit children to safely walk to neighborhood schools. Such an initiative would cut down on the number of school buses the county would have to buy and maintain.
Yes, I support reducing our reliance of County Landfills. I supported the land use application for a construction waste recycling center proposed in the Route 606 corridor. Instead of these materials going to the land fill, they can be recycled at this facility.� Recycling of household garbage has become easier with many companies not requiring presorting of metal, paper, and plastic into separate bins.� Some homebuilders are even incorporating �Clean and Green� areas in homes, which provides cabinet space and bins that makes recycling even easier.� This was a huge selling point for my new home. Given how much can be recycled, I personally would prefer the regular garbage truck to run only once per week while the recycling truck to come twice per week.��
Yes, I would support drafting green building standards to create incentives for public and private investment in green buildings. Especially for public facilities, advanced planning for green buildings is needed in order to keep costs under control.� Encouraging LEED certification (even at the lowest level) would be a good start. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute�s Janelia Farm and Research Campus, which is located in the Broad Run District, is an example of facility building into the landscape and incorporating green building technologies.� This facility has inspired others in the private sector to explore green building.
While the School Board would be ultimate decision-maker on a Sustainable Schools initiative, which would include decisions on facilities as well as curriculum, the Board of Supervisors and School Board can work together to identify projects in the 6-year Capital Improvements Plan that could be designed to include green building technologies. Both Boards could also work together on a Cool Counties type of initiative as discussed earlier, especially in regard to increasing walk zones for schools.�
The County�s Comprehensive Plan currently calls for building schools in or near towns in Western Loudoun. I agree with Mr. Burton and the Western Schools Task Force that this policy may need to be revisited.� Land acquisition is becoming quite challenging, and the cookie-cutter designed school approach is in some case driving up school costs.� This is another reason why the Board of Supervisors and School Board need a more consistent and positive working relationship. I supported establishing a permanent joint School Board and Board of Supervisors Committee to work throughout the year on this types of issues.�
As discussed earlier, yes, I support including green building technologies in county and school facilities. However, �green� building concepts cannot be used as an excuse for driving up construction costs.� When the School Board proposed spending $114 million for a 500 seat Monroe Tech Academy, I checked with other county leaders in the region, and they were shocked to hear such a price tag for a �green� building. While some materials may costs more, we can contact others who have already done green school buildings to get a reality check on designs and costs.