TC 01-28-08 Meeting MinutesCOUNTY of FREDERICK
Department of Planning and Development
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FAX: 540/665-6395
MEMORANDUM
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TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: John A. Bishop AICP, Deputy Director - Transportation
RE: Transportation Committee Report for Meeting of January 28, 2008
DATE: February 6, 2008
The Transportation Committee met on January 28, 2008 at 8:30 a.m.
Members Present
Chuck DeHaven (voting)
Gary Oates (liaison PC)
George Kriz (liaison PC)
Lewis Boyer (liaison Stephens City)
Dave Burleson (voting)
Phil Lemieux (voting)
James Racey (voting)
Members Absent
Donald Breeden (liaison Middletown)
***Items Requiring Action***
none
***Items Not Requiring Action***
1. 2008 Meeting Calendar
The Committee adopted a change in the 2008 schedule. The February 18 meeting at 8:30am
was changed to 8:30am on February 28, 2008.
107 North Kent Street, Suite 202 a Winchester, Virginia 22601-5000
2. Date and Time for Review of Rt. 37 Access Management Study
The Committee agreed to hold a meeting open to the public in the Board Room on Friday,
February 11, 2008 at 7:00pm to review the Route 37 Access Management Study. The
general public, as well as members of the CPPS, the Planning Commission, Board of
Supervisors, and representatives from the city and town will also be encouraged to attend.
3. Transportation Impact Fees
Staff recommended to the Committee that a working group for the study of Transportation
Impact Fees and Transportation Authorities be formed consisting of core volunteers from
the Committee and an open invitation to the Committee at large. The first of the weekly
meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 4:00pm in the Planning
Department Conference Room.
While discussion of the issue focused primarily on establishing a working group for the
issue, staff did offer an update on the potential changes being considered by the state
legislature that would affect both transportation impact fees and the locality's ability to
accept proffers (see item 7). The Committee expressed concerns regarding the difficultly of
evaluating the effectiveness of Transportation Impact Fees at a time when the program's
final form is still undetermined. Members of the Committee requested that the scope and
outcome of neighboring counties' evaluations of the program be considered in the work
session, including Prince William County's analysis of the fees.
4. Transportation Authorities
In anticipation of the Committee working group's first session on February 12t", members of
the Committee were asked to familiarize themselves with the State's enacting legislation for
transportation authorities. In addition to evaluating Transportation Impact Fees and at the
request of the Board of Supervisors, the working group is tasked with investigating whether
to request that the General Assembly consider creating a Transportation Authority in our
area.
5. Triangle Area Land Use Plan
Staff provided an explanation of the Route 277 Triangle and Urban Center Study,
referencing maps included in the Committee's agenda package. Staff outlined the five key
areas of the study which incorporate mixed uses, and higher densities into an improved
transportation network including the future I-81 exit 307, and the construction of a parkway
to the south of 277.
The Committee discussed the value of roundabouts as a means of improving traffic flow.
Members also discussed the need to carefully consider traffic movements and road design at
the intersection of the future parkway and Rt. 277 so as to accommodate the changes in
usage that will occur throughout the phases of the area's development. Particularly,
members discussed the need to design the road in a way that would allow cars to intuitively
navigate the intersection while 277 remains the more heavily -traveled of the two roads, and
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over time, as the parkway becomes more dominant.
Finally members discussed their concerns regarding Warrior Drive, and the need to
anticipate its ultimate, ideal function by reclassifying the road now. This would help guide
future access decisions.
6. Consideration of and Recommendation on a Limited Access Break at the intersection
of Rt. 11 and Rt. 37
Staff provided an overview of the proposal to the Committee by a pending site plan
applicant on parcel 75 -A -10A. The transportation system proposed would allow for access
to Route 11 via a new limited access break, which requires a County resolution of support.
After working with the applicant's representatives, staff recommended to the committee that
a positive recommendation be made to the Board of Supervisors.
Committee members expressed concern that blessing the further study of the access break
may be misconstrued as a blessing of the access break itself, regardless of the study's
outcome. Members were also reluctant to offer support of the study without input from the
existing property owners on Commonwealth, since the proposal would require the removal
of the signal at the Commonwealth intersection with Rt 11, and would limit traffic to right -in
right -out movements. The Committee asked the applicant's representative to return in
February with input from the Commonwealth property owners and from the hood property.
After clarifying that the members need only act to support further study, and that such a
motion was not an act of support for the proposal itself, the Committee Chairman offered to
entertain a motion to support further study. A motion was made by Mr. Lemieux, seconded
by Mr. Racey and passed unopposed.
7. Legislative Update
Staff provided an overview of pending legislation that may impact Frederick County.
Senate bill #768 would remove proffer authority from localities and replace it with
transportation fee capped at $5,000 per parcel. Committee shared concerns that this would
severely limit the county's ability to improve transportation infrastructure.
Also under consideration at the state level, is a revenue sharing bill which staff described as
a potential net -positive for the county. The bill would allow the county more flexibility by
which to reach the requirements for matching funds from the state. If it were to pass, and
assuming transportation proffers are not restricted by the afore mentioned legislation, the bill
would allow the funds from a locality to consist of proffers worth up to 90% of the total
required, rather than the current limit of 50%.
8. Article Review
9. Other
No other comments or items were raised, and the meeting was adjourned.