FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (TAC)
Meeting Summary
Regular Meeting – October 21, 2014 at 7:30 PM – FCDOT, 4050 Legato Rd, Fairfax, VA 22033
TAC Members in Attendance: Chairman Jeff Parnes (Sully), Vice Chairman Jenifer Joy Madden (Hunter Mill), Secretary Roger Hoskin (Mason), Alan Young (At-Large), Kevin Morse (Braddock), Mike Champness (Dranesville), Frank Cohn (Mt. Vernon), and Eric Thiel (Springfield)..
TAC Members in Abstance: Harry Zimmerman (Lee) and Micah Himmel (Providence).
Others in Attendance: FCDOT staff: Calvin Lam, Kris Morley-Nikfar, and Stuart Boggs. Liz Hagg, Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization (OCR). Mason District Representative: Carol Tucker and Jon Clark. Ravenwood Neighborhood Association Representative: Mark Hayes and David Smith.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Parnes at 7:35 p.m. The minutes of the September 16, 2014 meeting were adopted by unanimous voice vote.
Note Taker: Eric D. Thiel
Main Topics Discussed
Seven Corners Proposed Plan Amendment
Kris Morley-Nikfar (FCDOT) and Liz Hagg (OCR) presented a 54-slide briefing on the progress of the Seven Corners planning process. Seven Corners derives its name and structure, from the multiple roads intersecting at a single point with a history going back to the 1800’s and was a premier shopping district in the 1960’s. The last major review of the area was in the late 1990’s associated with the area being declared a Commercial Revitalization District in 1998. This study was initiated by Supervisor Gross in 2012 and has a planning horizon out to 2050.
Community meetings and discussions with residents indicate that the area is divided into three “villages” by the lack of local connectivity driven by the local road structure. Part of the planning process involves improving this lack of connectivity via elevated “spine bridges”. This initial process does not include final detail, but instead is intended to establish overall guidelines and methods for density control, key issues such as parking and soccer field locations, and key transportation modifications. Primary goals are to maintain the current mixed use of the area, improve local connectivity, control density, and improve the local economy and transportation.
Current transportation service through this area is often at level F and this negatively impacts both residents and non-residents of the area.
TAC members asked about safety improvements and a recent pedestrian fatality in the area. The briefers indicated that local pedestrian safety was a key issue and will partially be addressed by the new spine bridges which will separate pedestrians further away from traffic, multi-use trails on both sides of Route 50, and the overall goal of a more walkable urban environment. Further details will be included as the planning process continues.
Six options for modifications and additions to vehicle, pedestrian, and local infrastructure were studied, with three going forward to detailed analysis. Of these Option B appears to be the most likely to be chosen (see slide 36 of the presentation for details). It provides improved connectivity between local transit centers, a simplified 7 Corners Interchange, increased connectivity across Route 50, and a pedestrian “grid” for local access.
TAC Commissioners asked about new office towers in the context of overbuilding elsewhere in Fairfax County. Briefers indicated that old office space is being torn down and replaced, but that overall density is not going to change dramatically. The TAC also asked about dependence on neighboring planning processes in Arlington. Staff noted that since this really does not fundamentally change, other than improve, transportation throughput, the plan does not require, or depend on, changes by other jurisdictions. TAC members inquired if bikes and pedestrians could be fully separated. Staff indicated that this would be challenging and the details still need to be worked out.
The briefing indicated that detailed planning is in work to become part of the County’s Comprehensive Plan.
TAC members asked how parking density was being controlled, and also how the process was being initiated in terms of roads, zoning, and properties. The briefers indicated that better local connectivity reduced some parking demand and that businesses would have to provide much of the parking as part of their operations. Detailed parking density numbers will be part of the more detailed planning as the project proceeds. The process as currently structured will define the roads and pedestrian trail structures, followed by zoning changes, and finally property owner proffers, and plans. However, some elements of development will occur before, and in parallel, with transportation modifications.
Following the briefing, Mark Hayes, a representative of a group of local citizens from Ravenwood Neighborhood Association, asked to present a brief rebuttal. Mr. Hayes indicated that 350 residents have signed a petition objecting the plan. Primary reasons are because they believe development occurs before the transportation infrastructure modifications, the County will not get cooperation from local developers, and there will be an additional 6,000 residents added to the area. Further, the reduced block size, some as small as 500 feet, will create gridlock.
Staff responded by noting that both VDOT and consultants had reviewed the plan and had not found these issues to be likely. The added transportation capacity will improve the local environment, and added residents are unlikely to significantly impact the already high traffic flows in the area.
There was an extended discussion of the order of key events in the plan. The discussion closed with two key points. The plan as shown is an “end state” or goal, not a detailed implementation plan—this still is in work. Also, this is not a Tysons scale problem and it is not attempting to replicate or create a new Tysons.
Discussion about the Transit Rider’s Advisory Commission (TRAC)
The TAC reviewed and approved by voice vote the attached comments on the anticipated relationship between the TAC and the TRAC. The resolution has been forwarded to FCDOT staff for their consideration.
Other Business
Staff handed out the Plain English Statement for 2014 Bond Referendum
Comment & Feedback on Previous Meeting’s Presentation:
• Countywide Transit Network Study and Route 1 Multimodal Alternatives Analysis – none
Planned Agenda for Next Meeting
• November 18, 2014: Columbia Pike Streetcar Project (Leonard Wolfenstein, FCDOT)
Topics for Future Meetings:
• December 16, 2014: Legislative Update (Noelle Dominguez, FCDOT)
• January 20, 2015:
- Silver Line Bus Service Update – Nick Perfili (FCDOT)
- Citizen’s Comments – Transportation Access Issues (Stuart Whitaker)
• February 17, 2015: I-66 Corridor Improvement Project (Bob Kuhn, FCDOT)
• March 17, 2015: Route 7 Core Widening (Tad Borkowski, FCDOT)
• April 21, 2015: Comprehensive Plan and Transportation staff and Planning Commission discussions with TAC on what their vision is for future development and any changes in planning and zoning guidelines that may be needed to account for future work environment given the pace and impacts of technology advances (including guest speaker to explain impact of self-driving/smart cars, buses and trucks on traffic, roadways and intersections)
• May 19, 2015: Comprehensive Plan and Transportation staff and Planning Commission discussions with TAC on how planning for areas currently planned for future rail stations reflects the designation of the areas as future rail stations
• June 16, 2015: CTB Determination of Corridor of Statewide Importance through Loudoun/Prince William Counties
Annoucement:
Vice Chair Madden urged Commissioners to attend the October 7 work session with the Trails and Sidewalks Committee. As an incentive to attend, dinner will be served at the meeting.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned as 9:55 p.m.
Upcoming Events:
December 9, 2014 10:00 am Board Transportation Committee Meeting
Upcoming Meetings:
November 4, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
November 18, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
December 2, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
December 16, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
January 6, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
January 20, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
February 3, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
February 17, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
March 3, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
March 17, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
April 7, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
April 21, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
May 5, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
May 19, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)