Transportation

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our office is open 8:00 AM-4:30 PM M-F
703-877-5600 TTY 711
4050 Legato Road, Suite 400
Fairfax, VA 22033
Gregg Steverson
Acting Director

TAC Meeting Minutes for November 18, 2014

FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (TAC)
Meeting Summary

Regular Meeting – November 18, 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), Harry Zimmerman (Lee), Frank Cohn (Mt. Vernon), Eric Thiel (Springfield) and Micah Himmel (Providence).

Others in Attendance: FCDOT staff: Calvin Lam, Leonard Wolfenstein and Noelle Dominguez.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Parnes at 7:35 p.m. The TAC moved to accept the minutes from the previous meeting as modified per Commissioner Champness..

Note Taker:  Micah Himmel

 

Main Topics Discussed

Columbia Pike Streetcar Project

As was reported earlier this day, the Arlington County Board cancelled the streetcar project. The rationale that Arlington Board Chairman Fisette stated was the victory of Arlington Board member Vihstadt, who ran against the streetcar. Cost was the basis of Vihstadt’s opposition ($333 million in total project budget).

Commissioner Zimmerman asked about reallocation of funding as a result of cancellation. Ms. Noelle Dominguez noted that the money from NVTA for the Columbia Pike project was for road improvements, not a streetcar. The $65 million from Virginia would need to be reallocated.

Commissioner Morse asked if anyone was upset the rejected of the project. Chairman Parnes pointed out how Skyline will be negatively impacted due to the lack of connectivity that streetcar would have afforded commuters. Commissioner Himmel concurred that the loss of the streetcar would adversely affect the transportation options of commuters and other citizens who depend on public transportation.

A question was raised about BRT. Mr. Leonard Wolfenstein noted that there is no plan for dedicated lanes to support BRT at this point. Plans are largely unchanged including that the current plan would preserve neighborhood character by concentrating density along Columbia Pike.

Commissioner Champness asked whether it is truly dead. Wolfenstein noted how unreliable a partner Arlington is now as a result. He noted the cost of the existing order.

Commissioner Young noted the level of congestion of buses, so a streetcar that would operate without a dedicated transit lane was insufficient.

Commissioner Champness raised a point about budgets vis-à-vis the project: Budget experts often are more conservative than “mission operators.”

Chairman Parnes concluded the discussion of the topic by noting that “Vihstadt rode the streetcar to success.”

Legislative Update

Noelle Dominguez briefed the commissioners. She noted that when HB2313 passed, it had statewide and regional provisions. Statewide, an increase of the sales tax was allocated to transportation. Also in HB2313, if any new transportation revenues were used for non-transportation purposes, then all revenues would go away at end of the year (the “kill switch”).

Other points she noted included:

• Scoring of $450 million in projects will go forward under HB2.
• Regarding transit bond funding, in 2018, transit funding is expected to decline precipitously (60%).
• Roads are unsafe. Secondary and local road conditions are worst in state. Statewide secondary roads are in rated at 60% condition. Fairfax County roads are more like 30%. The need for improvement is recognized. The interstates have improved (which have the benefit of federal support), but the other roads have declined to terrible conditions.
• Regarding secondary road devolution, the BOS opposes it.
• The BOS has reaffirmed its position supporting protecting pedestrians.

She addressed federal funding and legislative principles. The topics she highlighted to be mindful of regarding federal policy include Metro capacity and sustainable funding for the national transportation program. She also pointed to the loss of Representatives Wolf and Moran as leaving Fairfax in a weaker position.

Fairfax’s priorities during the 114th Congress will include continued federal consultation with localities, Dulles Phase 2 funding, funding for WMATA, transit benefit tax treatment parity, support for TIGER grants, and more coordination with USG in general. To that last point, commissioner Champness spoke about BRAC. He recommends making sure that community impacts are part of what the BRAC Commission oversees. He expressed support for DOD paying for all costs associated with BRAC activities. He expressed disappointment in the manner in which former Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld managed the BRAC process, particularly to the imposition of costs by DOD on Fairfax County.

Commissioner Morse asked about state of transportation funding. Ms. Dominguez noted funding for primary and secondary road systems and will not happen until there are $500 million in the trust fund. The current Virginia governor is not interested in letting secondary funding flow. Sequestration has led to dampening effect on transportation-related sales tax. HB 2313 was dependent on Congress passing Marketplace Fairness Act (MFA), which has not been enacted yet. MFA-related funding on order of 60% or so would go to transportation. The gas tax will go up on January 1, 2015, because MFA will not pass in Congress in time (currently 3.6% at wholesale level).

Other Business

Chairman Parnes announced the 2013 TAC Award presentation at Board of Supervisors meeting on December 2, 2014.

Comment & Feedback on Previous Meeting’s Presentation:

Seven Corners Revitalization Project

The commissioners offered their comments on the Seven Corners plan that was presented at the previous meeting. Commissioner Hoskin is pleased with the plan. Vice Chair Madden appreciated the inclusion of a walk study in two of the plan options. She noted that one was more favorable to pedestrian and bicycle safety. She further hopes that inclusion of this type of analysis will be trendsetting.

Commissioner Champness said that there appears to be only one model in use for transportation and land-use planning: the Arlington “blueprint.” He doesn’t think that the Orange line model applies to Seven Corners. Commissioner Thiel noted a contingent of citizens speaking critically of the plan.

In response to Commissioner Champness, other commissioners noted opposition to the points he raised. Commissioner Hoskin pointed out that there are concerns rather than opposition. Those concerns center in particular on school crowding. He stated that Seven Corners exhibits a fair bit of connectivity in its transportation network. This plan would further improve connectivity. Traffic flow, cooperation from developers, the proposition of 6,000 new residents, and gridlock from reduced block size are concerns from citizens.

Commission Young appreciated the plan. He heard that what the citizens are concerned about is not that plan is a problem, but rather that the plan would be difficult to implement in the face of developer resistance. Commission Champness countered that he heard that they were opposed to density. Commissioner Cohn responded that he heard that citizens were concerned about the timing of transportation project delivery and increase of density.

Vice Chair Madden asked whether there is funding for Seven Corners. Mr. Wolfenstein said that there is about $3 million in seed money for preliminary design as a placeholder. Funding for project implementation does not exist yet.

Mr. Wolfenstein expressed that he was pleasantly surprised with the plan, calling it an exciting process. The consultant was creative and helped a lot to incorporate citizen input. They worked with the taskforce and narrowed down options. At a Mason District Council meeting, 20 people spoke and 18 of them spoke about schools. Only a couple raised transportation.

Commissioner Thiel noted that in comments there was opposition to the Seven Corners plan as a plan as opposed to the vision. He pointed out that people assume that what is presented is a plan instead of a visioning document. Vice Chair Madden and Commissioner Champness had an exchange about the phasing of the vision and partnering with developers. Commissioner Hoskin added that redevelopment of Sears is likely.

Commissioner Hoskin talked about need for grade separation for Route 50. Reconstruction of 4-lane section into 6-lane section will be a nightmare. Eighty percent of traffic is pass-through. So, smoothing that traffic would be a way forward.

Follow-up discussion from the joint meeting with Trails and Sidewalks Committee

Vice Chair Madden talked about lack of funding for sidewalks and trails. Commissioner Himmel suggested seeking out Bill Schell of DPWES to understand how great the deficit in funding has been for maintenance for a considerable time.

Planned Agenda for Next Meeting

• December 16, 2014: I-95/495 Express Lanes Update

Topics for Future Meetings:

• 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:

We are awaiting for suggested dates from the Planning Commission’s Transportation Committee Chair, Janyce Hedetniemi, to hold a joint TAC/PCTC meeting.

Commissioner Parnes suggested invited Trails & Sidewalks Committee members for update about trails maintenance and spending.

Commissioner Parnes announced a Sully District transportation meeting.

Vice Chair Madden announced a Safe Roads Safe Kids Summit on 12/11 hosted by Safe Kids Worldwide.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned as 9:45 p.m.

Upcoming Events:

December 9, 2014           10:00 am        Board Transportation Committee Meeting

Upcoming Meetings:

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) 

Fairfax Virtual Assistant