An interesting sidelight of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s press release announcing the Sub-Cabinet on Community Investment is a defense of his track record on transportation and land use issues. I have broken out that passage from my previous post in order to give it more emphasis here.
Over the last two years, the press release stated, Kaine has worked with the General Assembly to improve coordination between land use and transportation planning, including:
- A standardized process for traffic impact analyses for new developments
- Stricter connectivity standards for subdivision streets
- Improved traffic flow through access management standards
- Designation of urban development areas
- Expanded ability to issue road impact fees
- Local administration of construction projects
Some of these initiatives originated from Kaine’s policy shop, and some of them from the Republicans. Regardless of whose ideas they originally were, Kaine embraced them at some point and was instrumental in passing them into law.
I’ve been pretty tough on Kaine for his tax proposals to boost transportation funding and falling short on campaign promises. But the fact remains, he has done more to elevate the critical link between transportation and land use than any governor in Virginia history.
