Like a blind squirrel finding a nut, Virginia adopts a smart policy with respect to future development:
Virginia is taking aim at one of the most enduring symbols of suburbia: the cul-de-sac.
The state has decided that all new subdivisions must have through streets linking them with neighboring subdivisions, schools and shopping areas. State officials say the new regulations will improve safety and accessibility and save money: No more single entrances and exits onto clogged secondary roads. Quicker responses by emergency vehicles. Lower road maintenance costs for governments.
Although cul-de-sacs will remain part of the suburban landscape for years to come, the Virginia regulations attack what the cul-de-sac has come to represent: quasi-private standalone developments around the country that are missing only a fence and a sign that says “Keep Out.”
Good move. I hope this becomes a national standard.
tx2vadem
Baby steps. I want a luxury tax on all homes greater than 2,000 sq feet of livable space. And toll the interstates. Implement mandatory escalating blocked rates for water and electric usage. We should move to something akin to activity-based costing in government. Those people that are the highest cost to serve in terms of infrastructure need to be burdened with the greatest share of its cost. I’m not against people electing to have a big house on a big plot of land, but the resources consumed to maintain that are a luxury. And people should pay for that luxury. People who choose density and to live closer to where they work and play should overall pay less.
Multi-Family Residential Units for everyone! =) Oh wait, add mixed use.