FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (TAC)
Meeting Summary
Regular Meeting – September 16, 2014 at 7:30 PM – FCDOT, 4050 Legato Rd, Fairfax, VA 22033
TAC Members in Attendance: Vice Chairman Jenifer Joy Madden (Hunter Mill), Secretary Roger Hoskin (Mason), Kevin Morse (Braddock), Mike Champness (Dranesville), Harry Zimmerman (Lee), Micah Himmel (Providence).
TAC Members in Abstance: Chairman Jeff Parnes (Sully), Frank Cohn (Mt. Vernon), and Eric Thiel (Springfield).
Others in Attendance: FCDOT staff: Calvin Lam, Tom Burke, Nick Perfili, Stuart Boggs, and Leonard Wolfenstein.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Parnes at 7:38 p.m. The minutes of the August 19, 2014 meeting were adopted by unanimous voice vote.
Note Taker: Mike Champness
Main Topics Discussed
Route 1 Multimodal Alternatives Analysis
Tom Burke, FCDOT, presented the results of the Route 1 multimodal alternatives analysis. A copy of the briefing that was presented is attached. The purpose of the analysis is to “provide improved performance for transit, bicycle and pedestrian, and vehicular conditions and facilities along the Route 1 corridor that support long-term growth and economic development.” Various options for multimodal alternatives were presented, of which the following four refined transit alternatives were reviewed in the analysis: bus rapid transit—curbside, bus rapid transit—median, light rail transit (LRT), and Metrorail-BRT hybrid.
Commissioners were told that the community surrounding the Route 1 corridor strongly prefers a Metrorail option because they desire to reap significant economic development benefits. After much discussion, some Commissioners urged the multimodal study group to attempt to manage the expectations of elected officials and community leaders that Metrorail is not a viable near-term option because the Metro Board has stated that it will not consider adding additional Metrorail capacity in Virginia until capacity upgrades to the core system can be completed.
The third public meeting regarding the multimodal analysis will take place on October 9 from 6-8 p.m. at the South County Center. The alternate date and location for people unable to attend this meeting will be on October 8 at Belmont Elementary School in Prince William County. The study should be complete within a few months, after which time the study team will return and brief the TAC on its final results.
Discussion about the Transit Rider’s Advisory Commission (TRAC)
Nick Perfili, FCDOT, joined the Commissioners in a discussion of the TAC position on the BOS plan to establish the TRAC. Commissioners reviewed a compilation of their comments prepared by Commissioner Champness, and discussed comments made by Commissioner Cohn, but in the end decided not to act on the document at this meeting. Instead, Commissioner Champness agreed to incorporate Commissioner Cohn’s comments into the proposed TAC position paper and send the updated paper to Calvin Lam within one week for distribution to the TAC so that the paper can be discussed and voted upon at the October TAC meeting. Commissioners were asked to provide line-in/line-out comments back to Commissioner Champness. Mr. Perfili was invited back to join the discussion of the TAC position paper at the October meeting.
Other Business
TAC Letter in Support of Bicycle Master Plan
Commissioners discussed a proposed letter from TAC Chairman Parnes to BOS Chair Bulova in support of the Bicycle Master Plan. The TAC made edits to the letter as a group and adopted it unanimously by voice vote. The final version of the letter is attached to these minutes.
Comment & Feedback on Previous Meeting’s Presentation:
• Wayfinding/Signage in Fairfax County - none
Planned Agenda for Next Meeting
• October 7, 2014: (Work Session with Trail & Sidewalk Committee) Keynote Address (Video) from Walkable Communities expert Mark Fenton at the County’s Active Transportation Summit
• October 21, 2014: Seven Corners Revitalization Project
Topics for Future Meetings:
Commissioners asked for an update on changes to bus schedules made in response to the opening of the Silver Line be added to the October meeting.
Commissioner Champness requested that Stuart Whitaker be allowed to address the TAC for 15 minutes regarding a resolution he wants the TAC to support at its October meeting. Commissioners agreed to the request.
Commissioners decided that even though the October meeting agenda was getting full, they wanted to proceed with the Seven Corners Revitalization Project briefing regardless.
• November 18, 2014: Route 7 Core Widening
• December 16, 2014: 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)
• January 20, 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
• February 17, 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 10:15 p.m.
Upcoming Events:
December 9, 2014 10:00 am Board Transportation Committee Meeting
Upcoming Meetings:
October 7, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
October 21, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
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)