ATTENDING: Ann Bennett (At-Large), Walter Brodtman (WABA), Joan
Edwards (Clifton Horse Society), Michael Shannon (Springfield), Kevin
Brugman (Mount Vernon), Tony Matos (Lee), Bruce Wright (Hunter Mill), Bill
Niedringhaus (Dranesville), Chet McLaren (Braddock), Deborah Leser (Sully)
Karen Lanham and Jenny Pate (FCPA), Mark Trostle, NVBIA, and Clay Peters
(FCCCA)
STAFF ATTENDING: Sheng Jieh Leu and David Marshall (DPZ).
GUESTS: Charles Smith (Occoquan Watershed Coalition).
Chairman Michael Shannon called the meeting to order at 7:44 p.m.
MINUTES: The minutes were approved unanimously after a motion was made by
Mr. Brodtman and seconded by Mr. Brugman.
TRAIL PLAN REVIEW:
The committee continued its review of the Trail Plan Review for the Out of
Turn Plan Amendment. Mr. Niedringhaus presented a new plan for Dranesville
District on Sheet 4 of the new Worksheet prepared by Mr. Leu. Mr.
Niedringhaus pointed out that Item 9 on Sheet 4 is an entirely new item.
Six other new items were presented on Sheet 5 of the worksheet. These items
are an alternative on-road bicycle route that would involve signage only and
possibly construction of shoulders in the future.
Extensive discussion ensued. The primary issues were:
- The need for asphalt trails in the center of Great Falls due to the
commercial nature of the area.
- The need for sensitivity to historical and environmental concerns.
- The question of who will maintain the stonedust trails in light of Fairfax
County's Maintenance division's policy of providing only tree removal and
similar service.
- A discussion of the suitability of the proposed alternatives on Sheet 5 as
an on-road bicycle route. It is a winding, hilly and narrow series on
roads.
- The recognition of the tremendous effort made by the Great Falls Trail
Blazers and the funds and time they have devoted to this proposal.
MOTION: Mr. Peters moved that Items 1 (Georgetown Pike), 2 (Georgetown
Pike), 3 (Walker Rd.) and 4 (Colvin Run Rd) on Sheet 4 be changed from
"equestrian and bicycle" to "stonedust" and that Items 1 (Towleston Rd.), 2
(Peacock Station Rd.), 3 (Georgetown Pike), 4 (River Bend Rd.), 5 (Beach
Mill Rd), and 6 (Springvale Rd) on Sheet 5 be designated as "on-road bicycle
routes" except that Beach Mill Road be extended to the Loudoun County line.
Mr. Niedringhaus seconded the motion.
Ms. Bennett proposed an amendment to the motion to include delete the
changes to Sheet 5 and to add asphalt to the section of Georgetown Pike that
intersects with Walker Road. Mr. Peters did not accept the amendment.
The vote was:
| YES | No | Abstained |
| Mr. Niedringhaus | Mr. Trostle | Lanham |
| Ms. Edwards | Mr. Brugman | |
| Mr. Peters | Mr. Brodtman | |
| Mr. Matos | Mr. Wright | |
| Mr. Shannon | Ms. Bennett | |
| Mr. McLaren | Ms. Leser | |
The motion failed.
MOTION: Mr. Brugman moved that Items 5 (Captain Hick Run), 6 (Jefferson
Branch), 7 (Nichols Run), 8 (Loran Rd Extension), and 9 (Captain Hickory
Run) on Sheet 4 be accepted as proposed. Mr. McLaren seconded the motion.
The vote was:
| YES | No | Abstained |
| Mr. Niedringhaus | Mr. Brodtman | None |
| Ms. Edwards | | |
| Mr. Peters | | |
| Mr. Matos | | |
| Mr. Shannon | | |
| Mr. McLaren | | |
| Mr. Brugman | | |
| Mr. Trostle | | |
| Mr. Wright | | |
| Ms. Lanham | | |
| Ms. Bennett | | |
| Ms. Leser | | |
The motion passed.
Mr. Wright described the changes in the Hunter Mill District.
MOTION: Mr. Wright moved that Item 1 on Sheet 6 (Sunrise Valley Dr.) be
changed from no designation to Minor Paved. The motion passed unanimously
with Mr. Matos absent.
MOTION: Mr. Wright moved that Item 2 on Sheet 6 (Sunset Hills Rd) be
changed from no designation to Major Paved. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Mr. Wright moved that Item 3 on Sheet 6 (Pinecrest Rd) be changed
from no designation to Minor Paved. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Mr. Wright moved that Item 4 on Sheet 6 (Garrett St.) be changed
from no designation to Minor Paved. The motion passed unanimously.
After discussion concerning items 5 through 7 on Sheet 6, Mr. Wright asked
the committee to defer these items until the next meeting.
Mr. Wright described the items on Sheet 7 to the committee members. All
items are being recommended as on-road bicycle routes. Some have concrete
sidewalk and some have asphalt trail already. All are already being used by
cyclists as bicycle routes.
MOTION: Mr. Wright moved that items 1 (Glade Dr), 2 (Twin Branches Rd.), 3
(Town Centre Pkwy), 4 (Bennington Wood), 5 (N. Village Rd), and 6 (N. Shore
Rd.) be designated on-road bicycle routes. Mr. Brugman seconded the motion.
Discussion involved questions of usefulness of the designation as well as a
recommendation that this designation may be more appropriate to the existing
trails map rather than to the Trail Plan.
The vote was:
| YES | NO |
| Ms. Lanham | Mr. McLaren |
| Mr. Shannon | Ms. Bennett |
| Mr. Wright | Ms. Leser |
| Mr. Brodtman | Mr. Matos |
| Mr. Brugman | Mr. Trostle |
| Mr. Niedringhaus | Mr. Peters |
| | Ms. Edwards |
The motion failed.
Mr. Brugman discussed the proposed changes in the Mount Vernon District
listed on Sheet 9.
MOTION: Mr. Brugman moved that Items 1 and 2 (Gunston Hall and Gunston Cove
Rd.) be designated Major Paved Trails. Mr. Brodtman seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Mr. Brugman moved that Item 3 (Furnace Rd) be designated Major
Paved Trails. Mr. Brodtman seconded the motion.
The vote was:
| YES | No | Abstained |
| Mr. Niedringhaus | Mr. Trostle | None |
| Ms. Edwards | | |
| Mr. Peters | | |
| Mr. Matos | | |
| Mr. Shannon | | |
| Mr. McLaren | | |
| Mr. Brugman | | |
| Mr. Brodtman | | |
| Mr. Wright | | |
| Ms. Lanham | | |
| Ms. Bennett | | |
| Ms. Leser | | |
The motion passed.
MOTION: Mr. Brugman moved that Item 4 (Rolling Rd) be designated Major
Paved Trails. Mr. Brodtman seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
MOTION: Mr. Brugman moved that Item 5 (Pohick Rd) be designated Major Paved
Trails. Mr. Brodtman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Mr. Brugman moved that Item 6 (J Kingman Rd), 7 (Gunston Rd), and 8
(Theote Rd.) be designated Major Paved Trails. Mr. Brodtman seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Lanham left the meeting at this time.
Mr. Leu requested that the committee note on Sheet 11, Springfield that the
future trail plan map note that all current equestrian trails be constructed
as natural surface. Ms. Edwards was concerned that this would preclude the
use of stone dust when appropriate. No action was taken.
MOTION: In light of the late hour, Ms. Leser moved that all Sully District
items on Sheet 12 (Compton Road, Colonial Gas Line Easement, Little Rocky
Run Stream Valley, Old Centreville Road, McLearen Rd, Willard Rd., Route 28,
Walney Rd, Utility Easement between Old Mill Rd and Union Mill Rd,
Government Center Parkway, and Shirley Gate Rd. and Shirley Gate Extension)
be changed as listed on the sheet. Ms. Bennett seconded the motion. Mr.
Shannon asked if any of the items on the sheet were in the R-C zoning
district. Ms. Leser stated that parts of Items 1, 2, 3, and 4 were probably
in the R-C zoning district. Mr. Shannon stated that he had a problem with
paved trails in that district. Ms. Leser asked Mr. Shannon to show on the
map which trails he was concerned about. Mr. Shannon did not identify any
specific trails but reiterated his opposition to paved trails in the R-C.
Ms. Leser expressed her disappointment that a member of the committee would
oppose a trail without familiarizing himself with that trail and due to
outside influence. A question arose concerning the description of Item 13.
Shirley Gate Rd. is described on the sheet as from Braddock Rd. to Braddock
Rd. After consultation with Mr. Leu, the description was changed to from
Shirley Gate Rd. to Braddock Road. Ms. Leser called for the question.
The vote was:
| YES | No | Abstained |
| Bennett | Shannon | Niedringhaus |
| Wright | Edwards | |
| Leser | Peters | |
| Matos | Trostle | |
| Brodtman | | |
| Brugman | | |
| McLaren | | |
The motion passed.
The committee agreed to continue the review at the regular meeting on
October 11.
Mr. Brugman asked the committee to discuss the Infill Task Force
recommendations due to the fact that that committee's report would be acted
on next week also. Mr. Brugman asked the committee to write the task force
and recommend that major paved trail, as discussed in TR 4 A of the report,
replace sidewalks. He also asked that all areas zoned r-2 be required to
have minor paved trail (sidewalks). Mr. Trostle stated that NVBIA would
oppose the requirement that major paved trail be constructed on all
collector roads that could be bus routes - which is the requirement under
discussion.
MOTION: Mr. Brugman moved that the committee contact the Infill Task Force
and ask that all areas zoned R-2 be required to have minor paved trail. Mr.
Wright seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Mr. Brugman moved that the committee contact the Infill Task Force
and ask that the report recommend that all collector roads that could become
bus routes be required to have major paved trail.
The vote was:
| YES | No | Abstained |
| Mr. McLaren | Mr. Shannon | Ms. Leser |
| Mr. Wright | Mr. Matos | Ms. Bennett |
| Mr. Brodtman | Mr. Trostle | |
| Mr. Brugman | Mr. Peters | |
| | Ms. Edwards | |
| | Mr. Niedringhaus | |
Ms. Bennett asked Mr. Leu whether the changes to the cluster development
process would limit the construction of trails. Mr. Leu stated that he
thought that the trails would still be required under the subdivision
process.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 PM.
Deborah Rimmer Leser, Secretary
