More on Proffer Problems

Another problem with Fairfax County's failure to track and monitor developer compliance with their proffers and zoning conditions is that the County has been well aware of this problem for years and has not addressed it. Citizens groups, including the McLean Citizens Association and the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Organizations, have complained about this issue for a number of years to deaf ears. Also, the currently effective county budget includes a $124,472 expenditure for two positions to handle developer defaults. (Fiscal 2007 Adopted County Budget, Vol. I, page 347.) In fact, the same document states in justification for the new spending: "Due to the increasing volume of developer projects going into default, these positions are necessary in order to bring projects to completion in a timely manner."

So why the surprise on the part of the planning staff or commissioners? Do they try too hard to please the developer community instead of trying to track and enforce the bargain for citizens of the county? This problem needs to addressed now. Wouldn't it be a better use of taxpayer money for the county to fund a system of proffer and zoning conditions than to pay $6.8 million for the Economic Development Authority's advertising for more businesses and people to move to Fairfax County?