Fairfax County Transportation Advisory Commission
Meeting Summary

Date: Regular Meeting – January 2, 2007

TAC Commissioners in Attendance: Chairman George Barker, Vice Chairman Janyce Hedetniemi, Jennifer Joy Madden, Jeff Parnes, Roger Hoskin, Harry Zimmerman, Bob Adams and Eric Thiel.

Others in Attendance: Fairfax County Staff: Calvin Lam, Bob Owolabi, Bruce Taylor, John Friedman and Jay Guy.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman George Barker at 7:15 pm

Meeting Minutes: Approved minutes from November and December Regular TAC meetings.

Main Topics Discussed

Board Referrals:
There were no new referrals from the Board of Supervisors.

Main Topics:

Countywide Community Parking District (CPD) Discussion: Bruce Taylor of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) presented the six options that were discussed at the December 2006 TAC meeting. The TAC asked staff to prepare a list of options with pros and cons for implementation of each. There are six main options:1. a Countywide CPD; 2. Retain the existing program; 3a. implement CPDs based on density similar to Prince William County with set boundary or “border”; 3b. implement CPDs based on density clusters at specific locations; 4. implement CPDs by magisterial district; 5. implement a countywide CPD with an option of communities to opt-out; and 6. retain the existing system with modified rules for easier qualification and implementation.

Mr. Taylor reported that of the options presented, it appears that the most viable options would be to keep the existing process or go to a Countywide CPD. The other options would be much more staff intensive and would appear to require additional staff. Specifically, it appears that option #4 would require some kind of voting. #5 would still have the need for signage, which would not provide any benefit over the existing system. In option #6 there would be only a few things that could be eliminated from the current process to make implementation any easier. #6 would still require a public hearing, per the County code, and eliminating the petition process and/or doing away with the petition fee could be options, though they would be difficult to gain support for.

Harry Zimmerman noted that option #1 would be easy to implement, but would be very difficult on those people living and working in Fairfax County that need work trailers and need to park them in the County.

Janyce Hedetniemi asked if the CPD restrictions were a Countywide issue. Mr. Taylor noted that the majority of complaints come from the Mount Vernon District, and this is why Supervisor Hyland asked the TAC and staff to review the CPD program.

The TAC next received a brief report on Low Impact Development (LID) and any impacts that LID would have on the CPD program.

Upon further discussion, Jeff Parnes moved that the TAC only consider options #2 and #6. Ms. Hedetniemi seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Chairman Barker asked that any variations to the current system should be proposed at this time, with staff reporting back next month. The TAC will consider the following 7 options for recommendation at the February meeting:

1. Impose annual fees on residences in CPDs instead of one-time fees.
2. Retain the current petition fees.
3. Re-evaluate petition fees to determine if fees should be tied to the size of the CPD
4. Reduce the overall support requirement for a CPD to less than the current support level of 60%.
5. Eliminate block-by-block requirements for CPD consideration (strictly go with verall support requirement).
6. Eliminate the petition process. Such as when an HOA acts for the residences participating in the HOA.
7. Raise petition fees to help offset cost of program.

Way-finding Signage: After discussion with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and FCDOT staff, way-finding signage will be put in around Springfield Mall, and VDOT will be asked to fund the signage out of existing budget.

Legislative Report: Staff gave the TAC an update of the Virginia General Assembly activities and progress of transportation issues.

Tyson’s Plan Status: Though the Tysons team had not held its first meeting of 2007, there was discussion of the Tysons tunnel at the Board Transportation Subcommittee meeting in December. The Board wanted to pursue a decision from the federal government on whether it would consider a tunnel option through Tysons Corner for the Dulles Rail project if the costs would be comparable and could be done without extensive delay.

Other Business: Staff indicated that the Transportation Area Plans had been distributed and that staff would like any comments by Friday.

Upcoming Agendas: Transportation Area Plan update (if needed), Countywide Community Parking, County Legislative update, Route 28 PPTA presentation.

Announcements: Jennifer Joy Madden noted that there is a movement in Europe to charge higher toll fees to “gas guzzlers” and that we may see more of that here in the future.

George Barker noted that the state budget surplus has been discussed to offset HOT lane costs in Northern Virginia.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.