Members Present - Bruce Wright (Hunter Mill, chairman), Greg Galligan (at large), Wade Smith (Dranesville), Robert Michie (Lee), Kevin Brugman (Mt. Vernon), Mary Flowers (Clifton Horse Society), Walter Brodtman (WABA) and Dennis Frew, Dan Igalhaut (NVRPA), Becky Cate (FCFCA), Paul Johnson (NVBIA), Jenny Pate (FCPA)
Staff Present – Sheng Leu (DPZ); Ahmed Rayyan (DPWES)
AGENDA:
Call to order – Bruce Wright called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Approval of Minutes for April 13, 2005 – Minutes were approved unanimously as modified (Bruce was representing the Pedestrian Task Force in his proposal for new members on the committee)
Staff Reports – Sheng Leu handed out a new member roster and introduced the new member representing WABA, Dennis Frew (as of May 23 rd). He also distributed the annual summary of action on waivers and gave district reps new street atlases. He is redoing the existing trails map, using current GIS data and that will be available for review soon. The north county APR process will hold a public hearing and the south county process is still accepting nominations. He attended the Governors’s Conference on Greenways, Blueways, and Trails in Richmond the first of the month, as did Jenny Pate.
Transportation Plan – Bruce had previously sent out e-mail versions of his comments on the county transportation plan and a lengthy discussion of those remarks ensued. There was discussion of the term “on-road bike route”, which occurs frequently in his additions. Bruce will add a definition of the “on-road bike route” in Table 1 – the ROW requirements for roads. This definition will point out that three options exist – a wide curb lane, a paved shoulder, and a dedicated, striped bike lane. Conditions will determine which of the three should be provided. Under Objective 4, in policies “d” and “e”, replace the first “and/or” with a comma; in “g” remove “conservation easement” – use only open space. On Objective 2 – update date and Bruce will ask the question about the current numbers. On Objective 6 – policy “e”, modify to say more positively instead of the negative. Wade Smith made a motion to accept the comments as modified, and Jenny seconded. Unanimous approval.
On-Road Bike Routes – Priority list for VDOT – VDOT requested the committee prioritize the on-road bike routes. After discussion, the Committee decided that a more efficient course would be to let VDOT know that we will review the VDOT maintenance list and respond in a timely manner as to priorities of projects. Bruce will send an e-mail to Fatemeh with a cc to Chris Wells and Ahmed Rayyan stating this opinion.
Chair Report - The Virginia Department of Health is starting to look at the relation of physical activity to health and obesity. They may become allies with the trail community in working for additional trail facilities.
A question was raised about the status of the W&OD buffer issue. It seems to be surfacing as a staff assignment.
New Business - Wadeand Bruce are representing the NMTC on a study committee for Tysons Corner Transportation and Urban Design issues. It is unclear what the role of this committee will be – coordinate citizen comment? Revise the Tysons part of the Comprehensive Plan? There will be a lot of public outreach.
Bob Michie is meeting with Dana Kauffman to develop a list of trail projects for Lee District . Bob would like input from neighboring districts ( Springfield , Mason, Braddock, and Mt. Vernon ) about important projects that might span the districts. He is also looking for a way to expand private trails for public access.
Kevin Brugman will investigate a report that bicycles are being allowed to use the trails through Ft. Belvoir without the need to possess military ID.
Old Business – Ahmed Rayyan spoke briefly about his concerns about how to handle requests from citizens for new trail projects. Ideas included a check with the Supervisor’s office, consultation with the NMTC rep, and a simple statement that there is currently no funding, but the idea will be added to the list to consider when funding again becomes available.
Adjournment – 9:05 p.m.
Meeting minutes by Jenny Pate
