Chairman Candidates Discuss Infrastructure Funding and Low-Income Housing

The four candidates running for chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors answered six questions by email for Patch.  Following are the unedited responses to questions five and six.

Incumbent Democrat (website, Facebook, Twitter)

Independent (website, YouTube)

Independent (Facebook, YouTube)

Republican (website, Facebook)

Question #5: The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority weekly reports in its newsletter the relocation of mega-firms into the county.  Would you move to require contribution of private sector money to support the investment tax payers have made in the county's infrastructure?  Explain. 

Sharon Bulova

Fairfax County does not put tax or financial incentives on the table to encourage firms to re-locate here.  We offer instead great schools, safe neighborhoods and our excellent quality of life.  When industry moves to Fairfax County, they bring with them jobs for our residents and real estate taxes from the homes they purchase.  Young people graduating from Fairfax County high schools and Virginia universities can find employment here, rather than moving to some other part of the country.

Our corporate neighbors contribute very generously into foundations that support our Schools, Parks and Libraries.  They are also partners in helping to address our affordable housing needs.  I think the tax payer is already receiving a tremendous benefit from our business community.

Christoper DeCarlo

No, I would not require the contribution of private sector money to support prior investment in the county's infrastructure.

Will Radle

As a representative on the Land Use and Transportation Committee since 2004, I possess practical, real-world experience working with traffic mitigation, storm water management, soil conservation, land use, zoning ordinances, and the comprehensive plan.  Half the candidates for Fairfax County Chairman do not possess this essential experience.  I do.

In Fairfax County we developed a comprehensive process.  We have regularly scheduled area plan reviews to encourage broad community participation in defining permissible density and zoning of parcels.  The comprehensive plan is a visioning guide whereas our zoning ordinances comprise the actual relevant law.  Community leaders and county staff work extensively to ensure the two remain consistent.  Landowners wanting to develop their property consistent with existing zoning ordinances may do so by right with proper permits.

When a landowner seeks to develop their property in ways not consistent with existing zoning ordinances, they may apply for an out of turn amendment.  Magisterial districts have slightly different processes.  Ideally, the neighboring property owners are informed and their written consent to proposed modifications is sought.  A local committee of informed residents reviews the proposed changes and makes a recommendation for approval or disapproval.  The Planning Commission then conducts a public hearing and makes a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.  Then the Board of Supervisors conducts a public hearing and makes final decision of approval or denial of the application.

Fees are paid for the application to help cover process costs.  If our community does not want a development, we can deny the application.  The community, working with the applicant, develops proffers to help address concerns raised by the increased density or changes in zoning.  We have developed specific formulas as well for one-time contributions to schools and parks to help ensure the process is fair and consistent for applicants.

Of course, applicants pay real estate taxes on the enhanced value of their property.  Mega-firms and all other owners of parcels zoned commercial or industrial in Fairfax County actually pay a higher real estate tax rate.  Currently, for example, while residential property owners pay $1.07, owners of properties zoned commercial or industrial pay $1.18 per $100 of assessed value.

Michael "Spike" Williams

The most valuable contribution a Mega-Firm can make to Fairfax County is the addition of job opportunities. I would not seek to slow the flow of corporations to Fairfax County by shifting the burden of our poor leadership onto their ledgers. As Chairman I would seek to shrink the budget, reduce taxes, and ease regulations that make it hard for businesses to open their doors in Fairfax County. By realigning county spending with the core functions of government: safe communities, educational excellence and improving transportation, all of which will attract jobs, we will alleviate the pressure imposed on taxpayers by misguided spending. Fairfax Taxpayers paid for the transportation infrastructure for several reason, to improve their commute, to increase the value of their property and to make Fairfax County more appealing to employers. I am dedicated to maintaining Fairfax County’s reputation as a great place for corporations to find a home. In order to do that Fairfax County will need a strong leader to prevent $17 round trip tolls on the Dulles Toll Road, to make the most of the opportunity that the BRAC project offers for revitalization in the Rt. 1 corridor, and to prevent county wide taxpayers from paying the lion’s share for the Tysons transportation infrastructure. I am that leader and I hope Fairfax voters will come out on November 8th to give me the chance to prove it.

Question #6: Why has low income housing become central in your debates, and how do you plan to address the need?

Sharon Bulova

A lot of information about the County’s strategy for encouraging housing that is affordable to our residents and workers can be found at the County’s website at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rha/housingblueprint.htm. The Board’s Blueprint for Affordable Housing was adopted unanimously by the Board following a Board Retreat in June of 2009. 

I can’t say why my opponent brings this issue up at debates.  I will say, however, that a lack of affordable housing close to employment causes workers to live farther away, contributing to our traffic congestion, as well as our clean air and water challenges.  The Chamber of Commerce and our Board’s Economic Advisory Commission lists a lack of affordable housing as one of the chief impediments to economic development. 

Christopher DeCarlo

I have not been invited to any candidate debates, let alone any debates that discussed low income housing, but I believe the inventory of low income housing is adequate.

Will Radle

The Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University reports Fairfax County needs an additional 37,700 affordable homes by 2025.  We need an average of 2,900 new units per year for the next 13 years.

We are going in the wrong direction.  The incumbent failed.  Rather than expanding, the number of affordable homes has shrunk in the past four years.  I know people in Fairfax County working full time jobs who are homeless or sleeping on friends’ couches despite working full time jobs.

Meanwhile, only one Board of Supervisors candidate advocates we take no responsible action in addressing this crisis: Spike Williams.  He will have great difficulty finding support for his position on the Board of Supervisors.  Pat Herrity (R-Springfield), John Cook (R-Braddock) and Michael Frey (R-Sully) have been advocating responsible fiscal management – not a failure to act.

My focus remains creating solutions.  I possess relevant experience including at the age of 19 I was the organizing chairman of a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.  We will meet community needs by managing costs and optimizing our results on the investment of limited resources.

Our community challenge represents exciting opportunities for landowners, private developers and the construction industry.  The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors must review the comprehensive plan and strengthen our collaboration with private industry.

We cannot afford to continue carrying a perpetual cost for each unit of affordable housing we gain when we need to develop 37,700 new units in the next 13 years.  Early in 2012, I will lead a review of our existing programs to expand affordable housing and develop new strategies.

We will expand the density in targeted areas of Fairfax County including Tysons, Dulles corridor and the Route 1 corridor.  We will design these areas and others as accessible, pedestrian-friendly districts with local businesses, shops, restaurants and all ranges of housing developments sensibly planned with parks and green spaces.

As Fairfax County chairman, I will ensure the most effective use of limited resources in addressing our housing affordability crisis.  We owe accountability to our taxpayers and to our people on waiting lists.  I plan to deliver.

Michael "Spike" Williams

Low income housing has become a symbol for what is wrong in Fairfax County, were agendas drives spending instead of population growth. The most egregious concerns I have about tax subsidized housing have to do with the manner in which we lend a hand and then how we determine who deserves that help. After our debates I received responses from county residents who were astonished to learn that while they are struggling to make ends meet, and failing more often than not, making less than $30,000 per year with people counting on them, others were living in subsidized housing earning as much as $100,000 per year. Many of the properties that our tax dollars subsidize are in luxurious communities with access to spa facilities, billiard rooms and are appointed with stainless steel appliances. Most of these units come with hefty condo or HOA fees that our tax dollars par for, last year to the tune of $1.5 Million. The reason this has become central is because the current board majority has adopted this cause with little to no regard for the implications it will have on the core functions that have and will continue to be neglected as a result.

Following are links to all the questions and responses in this five part series.

Question #3 - Virginia Railway Express CEO Dale Zehner says the system is at capacity, and money is needed to "maintain the service levels we have today in cleanliness, customer care and mechanical maintenance, while at the same time working toward adding more cars to the trains and more trains to the system."  How will Fairfax County support VRE's maintenance and expansion?  Explain.