FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
MEETING SUMMARY

Regular Meeting – April 3, 2007
7:15 PM - Room 7, Government Center

TAC Members in attendance:   Chairman George Barker, Vice Chairman Janyce Hedetniemi, Harry Zimmerman, Mack Rhodes, Jenifer Joy Madden, Eric Theil, Roger Hoskin

Others in Attendance:  Fairfax County Staff:  Jay Guy, Bob Owolabi, Calvin Lam, Mark Canale
The meeting was called to order at 7:38pm by Vice Chairman Hedetniemi

Main Topics Discussed

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

Main Topics:

BRAC Transportation Discussion
FCDOT provided a briefing on current BRAC transportation and traffic mitigation plans.  The schedule for the draft EIS and comment period were presented.  A Draft EIS Public Hearing will be held on April 17 from 7-9 pm at Mount Vernon High School.  The publication of the Final EIS is expected in June.  Staff listed the current land-planning options: Preferred Alternative, Town Center, City Center, and Satellite Campuses.  Each alternative is estimated to cost approximately $650 million with a 2011 timeline. Although there are traffic mitigation measures for every alternative, there is no plan by the Army for implementation. It was noted that the proposed cost estimate contains little or no funding for transit-related measures such as a shuttle service or an extension of Metro.  It was further noted that a new EIS may be needed to cover new or improved interchanges with the Fairfax County Parkway.

 
The TAC chairman recommended that TAC members attend the public hearing and that advice/comments be prepared for the BOS concerning the need for a comprehensive transit plan with a timeline beyond 2011.

Citizens may comment at the public hearing or online.  BRAC-related information and the draft EIS may be viewed at:
http://www.belvoirbrac-eis.net/ 
http://www.tetratech-ffx.com/belvoir_braceis/eis.htm 
http://www.belvoirnewvision.com/

2007 Legislative Update
Staff provided the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s letter to the Northern Virginia Delegation and Virginia General Assembly regarding Governor Kaine’s Substitute for HB 3202.  NVTA was generally supportive of the Governor’s plan and recommended approval.  However, the letter noted that, although the governor’s plan represents a great step forward, it serves only to make congestion more manageable and does not fix the problem in the long term.  A table comparing Transportation Funding Packages was presented regarding revenues, expenses, land use, VDOT reforms and enactments.  The Funding Sources of the various legislative packages were compared in a second table.  
The TAC Chairman asked staff to compare the provisions in the Governor’s package with the plans which were rejected by the Virginia delegation in 2004 and 2006.  The information will be useful in an analysis of the adequacy of the 2030 Transportation Plan.

Tysons Area Plan Study
TAC members who also serve on the Tysons Land Use Task Force reported that 6 public workshops with approximately 300 participants were held the week of March 19 to explore  various options for Tysons Corner development. The suggested approaches, centered around the four planned Metro stations, were surprisingly uniform and useful in building a body of understanding moving forward.  The consultant will now take all the data and develop defined alternatives that will be vetted through county staff.  Staff will seek public input on the proposals.

The TAC Chairman noted that the county’s current zoning classification does not necessarily apply in the case of the type of transit-oriented development being considered for Tysons and that new models must be developed. 

Agenda for Upcoming TAC Meeting (May 1, 2007)
TAC role in 2007 County Transportation Bond; 2007 Legislative Update; TAC position on the EIS for BOS; Analysis of differences between present Comprehensive Plan, the 2030 Plan and current needs; Tysons Area Plan Study update

Other Business
A TAC committee is finalizing its recommendations for outstanding employer/employee.

Announcements
One of the world’s foremost transportation-planning experts, Robert Cervero, will be the featured speaker on the topic “Making Tysons Work” at the Capitol One Auditorium at 1680 Capital One Drive in McLean 7-9 pm on April 17.  More information is available at  http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/calendar/show_event.asp

Meeting Adjourned
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15pm