By Kathleen Kust, Alexandria (File photo)

To the editor:
Dick Platt was right to criticize the approved plan to transport toxic soil from the Robinson Terminal North property by trucks (“Robinson Terminal North approval shows council puts profits over people,” November 5), for reasons of public safety and for placing the future costs of infrastructure damage on taxpayers, not the developer.

And who thinks that increased bus service will keep traffic levels from surpassing its already unacceptable level at the intersection of Beauregard and King streets, once the recently approved Gateway development is built there?

These two issues encapsulate both the cause and effect of the frustration that many Alexandrians have with city council. Overly permissive development approvals increasingly impact our environment, traffic levels and cost of living. Not enough natural open space is set aside, not enough realistic traffic studies are prepared, and not enough affordable housing is required before projects are approved.

It is reasonable to require developers to mitigate and pay for the negative impacts created by their projects, especially when they are allowed increased density. It is not reasonable to pass these costs and impacts on to citizens.