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Minutes of the Fairfax County Trails and Sidewalks Committee

October 13, 2009

Call to Order - Meeting called to order by Chairman Smith

Members Present - Rob Airaghi, Roger Diedrich, Dennis Frew, Jenny Pate, Doug Pew, Ann Pimley, Robert Michie, Jan Reitman, Wade Smith, Lisa Willey

Staff Present - Jeff Hermann (FCDOT)

Review of Minutes of September 2009 Meeting - Minutes of the September meeting were approved as presented.

County Staff Report:

• County Police are enforcing “Street Smart” [Pedestrian Safety Campaign] the first two weeks of October 2009.
• There will be a County Board item on Oct 19 to discuss Commercial and Industrial Tax Funded items.
• County Board has approved 13 intersections for the posting of “Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalk $100~$500 Violation Fine” signs.
• Washington Metro Area Transit Authority is doing a Metro access study to identify pedestrian and bicycle issues and apply lessons learned from studies.
• There has been an initial meeting on the “Bike Plan Directive” to begin estimating funding needs. The plan may need a phased approach.

Old Business:

• An internal Staff meeting was held to discuss the Form on the County website for pedestrian/trail questions from the public. County IT discussed the possibility of expanding the form to capture more information, and how to set-up an “IQ” database to assign tasks to appropriate County Offices, obtain site reviews, and track progress. [Committee members asked that a list by District sent to Committee Representatives when available.]
• Preliminary discussion with Steve Aitcheson regarding “Trail/Sidewalk Volunteer Program” has begun. A similar idea has already been posed by the “Great Falls Trails Blazers”. No further information.

New Business:

• “At Large” Committee Member: The position is vacant and we are seeking a volunteer.
• Cross County Trails
  • Discussion ensued on the need to review their 2009 trails project list with an eye to improve Our Cross-County Trails System. Each Member could identify Cross-District trails that are “priorities” for the District and their connectivity to other District Priority Trails.
  • The Chairman proposed that we ask Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling to submit some input on preferred cross-county commuting trails.
  • The general sense of the Committee was that Members will send ideas to Rob Airaghi for consolidation.
  • The following Priority Trails were identified by this Committee in 2003-2004:
    • Columbia Pike – Powell Lane to Lake Barcroft Dam
    • Cross County Trail
    • Fairfax County Parkway [needs signage]
    • Gallows Road to Annandale Road to Backlick Road to Amherst Rd Trail from Tysons Corner to Springfield
    • Lee Highway Trail from Fairfax City to Fall Church City
    • Lewinsville Road Trail from Route 123 to Route 7
    • Mason Neck to Gunston Road Trail from Route 1 to Mason Neck Park
    • Old Keene Mill Road Bike Route from Commerce Street to the Fairfax County Parkway
    • Route 1 Corridor Trail
    • Route 123 Trail from Town of Vienna to George Washington Parkway
    • Route 7 Trail from the City of Alexandria to Loudon County
    • Route 28 Trail from Walney Road to Willard Road
    • Route 28 Trail from McLearen Road to Frying Pan Road
    • Route 29 Trails from West Ox Road to Prince William County
    • South Lakes Drive Trail from Colts Neck Road to Olde Crafts Drive
    • Tysons Corner Area Trails

Potential Issues for 2010 Committee Discussion:

• Bicycle Issues
• Bicycle Destinations
• Bicycle Commuting
• Trail Connectivity
• Horse Trails, Maps and Equestrian issues
• Metro Station Access
• County Trail & Sidewalk Maintenance funding and issues
• Process to let Developers to get off-Bond without completing a project
• Develop a Trails Manual
• Review the Committee Website
• Examine the Design Standards for Stream Crossings
• Review Public Transit & Bus Stop Access and Usability [To include disabled access]
• Examine the Suitability of Existing Bus Routes
• Identify Major Commuting Centers in the County [needing better trail access]
• Examine Usability of Existing and Planned Park & Ride Sites
• Obtain more info on ICE-T Grants [for transportation enhancements]
• Provide Committee Input/Comments on County Board Budget

Service Roads: Need more information on County policy on how planning for placement of a sidewalk or trail may affect an existing or planned Service Road.

Next Meeting: November meeting is canceled due to a Holiday. December meeting is planned for 7:30 PM December 9, 2009.