The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce's legislative agenda for the 2003-2004 fiscal year is packed with familiar priorities that businesses have lobbied for over the years, and as usual transportation improvements are high on the list.

"Obviously, everyone's talking about traffic," said Anne Martin, chairwoman of the chamber's Economic Development and Government Relations Committee, which puts together the annual legislative agenda. "[Traffic] affects quality of life."

The Purple Line, a project now known as the Bi-County Transitway, has been discussed since the 1980s as a way to link the Bethesda and Silver Spring Metro stations. It would help commuters who work and live within Montgomery County get to work on time and avoid traffic headaches, supporters of the project have said.

Many Bethesda and Chevy Chase residents, along with several politicians, have opposed the project, saying it would destroy the neighborhoods without improving traffic.

The Intercounty Connector, known as the ICC, which would link the region's two north-south interstates, and the enlargement of the Montrose Parkway have also been opposed by groups worried with the environmental and residential impact of such projects.

Still, the projects' supporters say these projects will help development in the region while relieving traffic congestion.

With traffic improvements, employees can get to work on time and potential shoppers would not be discouraged to drive to Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Martin said.

The chamber's agenda includes plans to support alternative modes of transportation such as shuttle service, bikeways and pedestrian paths.

Improving transportation, she said, has "always been one of our priorities."

The chamber will continue focusing on more local issues in the next year.

The chamber hopes the county will lift a 50-foot height restriction in most of Woodmont Triangle.

Lifting the height limit would make development in that area more viable to builders, Martin said.

A height increase would allow developers to pay for special amenities such as underground utilities, landscaping and street lights, she said.

The Planning Board's staff is meeting to discuss the issue, she said.

Other priorities in the coming year include monitoring affordable housing programs and improving Bethesda's street lighting as well as securing money for public safety, recreational facilities and parking.

Renovation of Garage 11, which is located at Woodmont Avenue and Old Georgetown Road, is also on the agenda. The project should be coordinated with the county government, according to the chamber's legislative agenda.

The garage's Woodmont Avenue entrance will be closed during renovations and 750 parking spaces will be lost, Martin said. The 750 parking spaces will be closed in March and the remaining ones will become short-term spots with meters.