I just want to be loved, is that so wrong?

Not much love out there for cyclists, from a couple of links on GGW this morning.

Montgomery County cut 100% of the $100,000 bikeways maintenance budget, but cut only 0.5% of road maintenance. On street bike facilities will continue to be maintained.

Some Fort Washington residents don't want a bunch of walkers and cyclists in their neighborhood.

Talk of mass transit expansions took a backseat to discussions of land use for the extension of the Potomac Heritage Trail. The trail crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Oxon Hill and straddles roads through Accokeek. The preliminary master plan includes a proposal that would rescind land easements needed to extend the trail along private properties abutting the Potomac River.

Residents opposing the trail said it would cut through the backyards of private properties, degrade property values, threaten personal security and cause pollution along the river.

The easements were approved as part of the deal to build the homes in question. So before ground was even broken, people knew the trail would pass through the back yard they didn't yet own. Trails have been found to raise property values and do not bring crime. And you know what really causes pollution along the river - houses. Maybe you shouldn't have a built your house so close to it if polluting the river is offensive to you.

"Public recreational trails do not belong on private property," said Fort Washington resident Punitha Kelly, whose property could be used for the trail if it is extended. "We're not against biker trails, we just don't want them in our backyards."

Again, the county owns easements to build this trail, so it's not exactly like private property.

Kelly added that she fears for the safety of her three children while they play in the backyard because of access to the trail.

Oh good gravy. Does she fear for the safety of her children when they play in the front yard because of access to the road? That seems more dangerous than a trail. 

The Planning Board will allow mail-in comments until Nov. 2. The County Council is scheduled to vote on the plan by Nov. 20

You might recall that they attempted to pass a law making the easements difficult/impossible to use, but it didn't go anywhere.

Here's the rest.

But trails advocates fired back during the meeting, telling the council that public land easements existed on the private properties for trails long before subdivisions were built and that the land was already frequented by hikers and cyclists before the housing boom in Fort Washington during the past decade.

"Nobody owns the views," said Donna Warren of Fort Washington, referring to the views of the Potomac River from the trail. "I understand that people have concerns about safety; a trail is not a magnet for crime."

Fort Washington resident David Turner, chairman of the county's Historic Preservation Commission, spoke against extending the trail along private property and said the debate over a trail throughout Fort Washington goes back to the 1960s, when federal planners wanted to extend a commuter trail from Washington, D.C., to Charles County, bisecting private property in Oxon Hill, Fort Washington and Accokeek. But a coalition of farmers, civic associations and property owners thwarted the plan, Turner said, adding that the trail currently being discussed would pave through historic properties in south county, including Livingston Road in the Broad Creek Historic District.

The trails "can't just be anywhere. They have to be carefully placed," Turner said, suggesting that trails could be placed along service roads closer to Indian Head Highway.

Jim Hudnall, a trail advocate and Fort Washington resident, said trails help beautify the community, lessen road congestion and give residents more commuting options by allowing them to ride bikes to work.

He said residents who bought land along the Potomac River knew the land would be used for future trails because those were conditions put upon the developer by county planners.

"Park and Planning needs to have flexibility in having a trail between National Harbor and Fort Foote Park," he said. "We think people who stay at the National Harbor and come across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge would like to walk to Fort Foote Park."

Other community members said they were torn between the two sides.

Carter Farrington, president of the Tantallon Citizens Association, said he favors the trail along wide roads, such as Fort Washington Road, but wonders if there is enough space for trails to intersect smaller rural roads, such as Livingston Road.

"My community has mixed fillings about this trail," he said.

Comments

[CyclingFool]

Sounds to me like the residents shouldn't have a leg to stand on on this one, but I have this eerie feeling that these NIMBYs might win out, easement or not...

It's kinda like people that move into neighborhoods near airports and then complain about all the noise...

[Mark]

The ironic thing is that the people fighting this tooth 'n' nail are the same ones who will absolutely love the trail once it goes it. Funny too that they should cite safety concerns for their children. Where do their kids play now? At least with the trail they'd have a place to bicycle safely.

[Jonathan Krall]

On the positive side, this morning parts of the Potomac Heritage Trail north of the Wilson Bridge were being repaved. This is the trail that runs through Oxon Hill Farms.

As for the PH Trail south of National Harbor... It is sad that people are so ill-informed and so fearful of change that they'll gladly pass up a great outdoor exercise facility in favor of continuing to drive their Ritalin-drugged little porkers around in their minivans.

[Eric_W.]

"their Ritalin-drugged little porkers around in their minivans"

Who did not have to think of that great article in Bicycling magazine when reading this line?

[John]

Let's see: Mount Vernon Trail = good. Capital Crescent Trail = good, W&OD Trail = good, North Central Rail Trail = good, C&O Canal towpath = good, GAP Trail = good, Potomac Heritage Trail = bad.

Makes sense to me.

I don't often take ADD drugs, but when I do prefer Concerta.

[Ron Alford]

It says the PG county council is taking comments until the 2nd. Do they take email comments? Anyone have an address?

[Washcycle]

No email, Snail mail only.

"Written testimony and/or exhibits will be accepted in lieu of, or in addition to, oral
testimony. To be accepted into the record, written testimony or comments must be original, signed
documents. E-mails or faxes will not be considered, unless followed by originals mailed to the Clerk
of the Council. Written comments may be submitted to: Clerk of the Council, County Administration
Building, Room 2198, 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772. The
public record period will close on November 2, 2009."