An Alexandria neighborhood is protesting the creation of the city’s first special tax district, designed to fund the $270 million construction of a Potomac Yard Metro station.
The tax plan could create two tiers of additional property taxes in a designated area around the station’s future location, west of Jefferson Davis Highway behind the Potomac Yard Shopping Center. Commercial properties in the area would be taxed an additional 20 cents for every $100 of assessed property value, and residential properties would be taxed an additional 10 cents once the station is completed, no sooner than 2016.
The Potomac Greens neighborhood, which falls within the tax district’s boundaries, has been distributing hundreds of signs and fliers with the message “Just Say No to Any Special Taxes.” They’re also planning a morning rush-hour rally on Nov. 1 at the intersection of Slaters Lane and Potomac Greens Drive.
Under the name Citizens for Common Cents, the neighborhood opposes not just its own tax district, but also the use of any kind of “arbitrary” special tax districts in Alexandria.
The city has never used this kind of tax plan before. But Deputy City Manager Mark Jinks said it’s a common financing method for transportation projects.
“It’s recognized in funding transit as a way of paying for transit as people who live closest to it, or work closest to it, or own property closest to it gain a greater benefit than the general public,” Jinks said.
The tax could result in up to $2,000 in property taxes each year for residents in the district, said neighborhood spokesman Mark Anderson. Jinks disputes that figure.
Residents think it’s an unfair burden for Potomac Greens and others in the district to pay more for a station that benefits
the entire city, said Anderson.
“The Metro is not specifically designed for us,” Anderson said. “So if you want to impose the entire city with a special tax, we’re not going to oppose that.”
The proposed tax plan has not been approved by the City Council. Councilman Frank Fannon said he opposes the creation of special tax districts in existing neighborhoods, but is fine with the city creating a district in areas it wants to redevelop.
