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Nov. 13, 2009

Council Approves Rail Tax District

By Leslie Perales Observer Staff Writer

The Herndon Town Council Tuesday night voted unanimously to approve the creation of the Western Alliance for Rail to Dulles's Phase II tax district, which will tax commercial property owners to fund rail stations at Reston Town Center, Herndon-Monroe and Route 28.

"They've chosen to support in difficult times and show their commitment to the future of the area," said Peter Johnson, president of WARD. WARD's general council, Lee Fifer said the petition is good because it provides protections to area landowners, such as a slow increase in the tax, a maximum cap and a timeframe in which the project must be completed.

Fourteen residents and business owners spoke during the public hearing. The majority said they were in favor of the Council approving the tax district. Three were not in favor, including one Herndon resident and two members of the Dulles Corridor Users Group.

Herndon resident Tom Kellner said he does not support the measure. "I don't think it would take one car off the road from what I've observed," he said. He said millions of dollars in the project have been disbursed and are unaccounted for and he is concerned about who is in charge of the project. He said the town should insist that the money is accounted for.

Herndon resident John De Noyer said when he was on Council they had to say "no" to rail but now is the time to say "yes." He said it is a disgrace that Washington, D.C. is one of the only large cities across the globe to not have rail connecting the heart of the city to the international airport.

Representatives from Reston Association and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and many residents spoke in support of the tax district. Resident Lisa Merkel said Herndon was built on rail and now the town is coming full circle. Jasbinder Singh said having rail will help him recruit more staff from the D.C. area that would not otherwise agree to the commute to Herndon.

Mark Bredesen, owner of Auto Scandia, said he found out Monday his business was included in the tax district. He said during the meeting his questions were answered and he is proud to be a part of the district and would like to see it go forward.

Councilman Dennis Husch said he wanted to correct the Council's role in the decision. He said without the tax district the rail would still be built and the toll rates would still go up. "What we're charged with doing is looking at what's best for Herndon," he said. He said Council's role is whether to approve the district so Herndon can have rail stations along the tracks.

Councilman Charlie Waddell said, "Herndon owes its existence to rail. The return of a train to Herndon has great potential."

The plan to include rail to Dulles began when the airport was built, Councilman Richard Downer said. He said this is not the usual way to finance a transportation project but it is the only choice to pay for the stations.

Councilman Dave Kirby said that although he voiced concerns last week about the level of support within Herndon it seemed obvious that most of the area's commercial landowners agree with the district. He said it was Bredesen's testimony that comforted his fears most. Councilman Bill Tirrell agreed. Councilwoman Connie Hutchinson said the airport has been a large part of what has shaped Herndon, and Metro will too.

Mayor Steve DeBenedittis said he would like to see the issue of transparency addressed when it comes to the rail's funding, but he agrees with the rest of the council. He said rail will not be a solution to all the area's transportation needs, but it will offer a good option. He said the airport is a huge benefit to Herndon's economy and rail will be as integral to the town's success as the airport was.

Prior to the council's discussion a number of local officials testified in favor of the project. Sharon Bulova, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, said the project is the result of years of effort and she is proud of the commitment local commercial landowners have made.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will vote on the Phase II tax district at its December public hearing. If approved the tax will take effect in January. The Phase I stations are set to be completed in 2013 and Phase II stations are scheduled for completion in 2016.