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TC 11-23-15 Meeting MinutesCOUNTY of FREDERICK Department of Planning and Development 540/ 665-5651 Fax: 540/ 665-6395 107 North Kent Street, Suite 202  Winchester, Virginia 22601-5000 TO: Board of Supervisors FROM: John A. Bishop, AICP, Deputy Director - Transportation RE: Transportation Committee Report for Meeting of November 23, 2015 DATE: December 1, 2015 The Transportation Committee met on November 23, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. Members Present Members Absent Chuck DeHaven (voting) Mark Davis (liaison Middletown) James Racey (voting) Gene Fisher (voting) Barry Schnoor (voting) Blaine Dunn (voting) Gary Oates (liaison PC) Lewis Boyer (liaison Stephens City) ***Items Requiring Action*** None ***Items Not Requiring Action*** 1. Capital Improvement Program Staff presented last year’s transportation component of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and noted that with the exception of some format updates the Board’s adopted priorities had not changed. Staff also noted that since certain projects, such as Exit 310, were still underway it was not yet time to remove them from the CIP. Mr. Oates asked whether it might be prudent to suggest promoting Redbud Road further up the priority list it might be beneficial since Snowden Bridge Boulevard MEMORANDUM is going to bid. Staff noted that since the projects above Redbud are on the Primary or Interstate system they were not typically competing for the same money and that the higher ranked projects still represented greater needs. 1. Long Range Plan Update – Complete Streets Discussion Staff noted that as part of the transportation section update of the Comprehensive Plan that questions had been raised about the use of the ‘Complete Streets’ language. Staff outlined how they had been making use of the language in working with Applicants and Developers in order to ensure that the needs of all users are met. The Committee was also provided educational literature from the Complete Streets Coalition. The Committee noted that parts of the literature seemed to have a political agenda and that use of the complete streets terminology may be tying the Comprehensive Plan into more than the Committee and Board really desire which could lead to unintended consequences. However, the committee noted the importance of supporting the different user groups and was supportive of the items such as bicycle and pedestrian accommodations that staff was targeting with use of the complete streets terminology. The Committee requested that staff draft new language that met the goals of supporting the different user groups but that did not make use of the specific complete streets language in order to avoid unintended consequences or interpretations of the Board’s policy. 2. VDOT Updates on Route 37 and Exit 310 Mr. Chris Colson and Mr. Scott Alexander of VDOT attended the meeting to update the Committee on the progress of the Route 37 and Exit 313 studies. Regarding Route 37, Mr. Colson noted the recent efforts have been primarily focused on the southern area and that they soon expected to begin Interchange Justification Reports for the future Route 37 interchanges with Warrior Drive and Route 522. Mr. Colson noted that right-of-way analysis for road sections was sufficiently completed for the entire eastern corridor that would allow the County to request any proffered right-of-ways that circumstances might dictate. The Committee asked about what mechanisms were available to potentially limit construction or development within future right-of-way sections that were not yet owned or proffered. Staff and VDOT clarified that the County cannot prevent any development that is allowed under current zoning on the property when the County or State does not own the right of way. However, it was noted that, if a property was in the process of being rezoned, the Applicant can proffer to reserve right-of-way. Mr. Colson also noted that he will be providing the County with electronic CADD drawings of the work completed to date. Mr. Alexander noted that after delays created by the need to update the regional transportation model that the Exit 313 study is moving along well. He noted that the County should receive scenarios for input in late winter 2015 or early spring 2016. The Committee had significant discussion on potential maintenance of traffic issues and different construction scenarios. Mr. Alexander noted that improvements to the bridge would likely be done in a phased construction in which the westbound or eastbound lanes of the new bridge would be built next to the existing facility and then traffic shifted to that roadway before completing the other half of the new bridge. There was also discussion regarding the expected length of construction once the project was underway. It was asked whether there was a scenario in which it could be done in one year. Mr. Alexander noted that, while he would need to consult with the bridge section, it would more likely be a two year construction timeframe. 4. Other Staff gave a brief update of the County revenue sharing projects.