The Washington Post explains what happens when developers are allowed to run amok. This is exactly why local authorities need more power - and more cojones as well - to rein them in.
UNLESS THE FORCES of reason somehow prevail, a stampede of developers is on the verge of pillaging Loudoun County beyond repair. Banking on a Board of Supervisors that swoons at every application, developers swooped in during the final hours of 2005 with proposals to build more than 21,000 houses, townhouses and apartments in a strip of Loudoun west of Dulles International Airport. Will the supervisors roll over again and let the wrecking go unchecked?
Good question by the Post. Oh, and:
...Just how easily might the residents of the county take to this influx, which would jam their roads and run up a huge tab for schools and other necessities such as parks?
Another question by the Post. So what are the answers? And, by the way, why should we listen to real-estate developers with regard to land-use planning and transportation in general? Isn't it obvious that these people have a huge vested interest in making tons of money without regard to the effect their developments have on quality of life, the environment, etc? And yes, that last one was a rhetorical question. Heh.
[UPDATE: The comment below by "Not Mick Staton" is a good one. "This is the work of the out of control Loudoun Board of Supervisors. Great reason to vote for Mark Herring." I couldn't agree more. Go Herring!]