WCA Meeting Minutes 1/22/02

Call to order by Ellen Jones at 7:30 PM.

Program

The first speaker was Charles Denny, AICP, Bicycle & Pedestrian Program manager.

• 1986: the Arlington adopted five classifications of streets a.) Limited access, b.) principle/primary access, 3.)minor arterial, 4.)principle neighborhood, and minor access.
• 1970-1990's: many concerns came to the forefront such as cut-through. This brought up many topics and lead to the Residential Traffic Program.
• Mid 1990's:Traffic calming became a prime subject and topic. County embraced the idea of looking into traffic calming issues. The county set up a task force to study these issues. They also set up a committee to adopt an application process and qualifications for traffic calming. This was set up to lead to eventual county funding. All neighborhood streets are eligible for traffic calming.

By contrast, arterial streets are not eligible for the Neighborhood Traffic Calming program. The County is currently studying what sort of a program is needed for this category of streets.

There is still some resistance to the concept of traffic calming. Therefore this will slow down the process for arterial street. Arterial streets may be reclassified mainly to reduce speed.

Pedestrian Help: Bump-outs for parking to inhibit speed, painted lines, enhanced crosswalks and count down lights. The county should get about 100 of these lights. These things are currently being studied to se if these things work. Arlington is trying to balance all the systems for walking, biking, and driving. The process is under way for studying the calming of arterial streets. There is a "tool box" of measures that will be tried. Some of these are in place within the county. The calming of arterial streets could be in place by 2004/2005.

The second speaker was Officer Cabrales from police district #1..

The new police chief is implementing new systems. Arlington has 4 districts. Our district is #1 and the largest. Police roster is about 35 officers short. Recruits are currently in training. It was emphasized that the police force is extremely short staffed.

The laser beams are used as often as possible on Wiliamsburg Blvd. Police are aware of additional speeding problems at Williamsburg & Westmoreland, and Sycamore in general has a sped problem. Officer Cabrales likes to catch speeders as frequently as he can.

The county has 20 uniformed officers working the streets but this includes details such as presidential traffic control, funerals, etc. If there is an accident officers will be pulled from their street duties. Officer Cabrales stressed how our county is extremely short staffed.

There were several questions of both speakers from the floor.

Business

The business part of the meeting was initiated by Ellen Jones. The treasurer gave her report and the minutes from last meeting were available on line or prior to the meeting.

Chris Nixon, from the County's Neighborhood Conservation office, tells us that the Little Falls project was on the fast track and linked with the safe schools project. Phase 2 of this project is scheduled for approval at the February 23rd meeting. Chris showed the plans for this project. If there are any concerns please get in touch with Chris Nixon. Construction should begin in the spring of 2003.

We need to find a 4th project for the spring. The one proposed is an extension of the East Falls Church project on Williamsburg Blvd. from the circle towards Westmoreland St. The county has already agreed to bike lanes, landscaped median was okayed by the residents as part of the EFC traffic plan. There will be a meeting at 4 PM on January 29th, 2002 to decide if this plan should go forward.

Traffic calming on N. Powhatan proceeding well and is on its way.

The update on the house on Sycamore is that county code enforcement says it is not in violation, and that there is no time limit on construction. The county board refused any new variances on this property. This was an overriding vote to the county staff. On Dec 14th the owner requested an appeal. Mr. Pavlow will report on this situation next meeting.

Delegates needed for Civic Federation Council, volunteers are welcomed. W can have 4 delegates and 4 alternates. Please let Ellen Jones know if you are interested. Meetings are held at the Hazel Auditorium.

Nottingham school design has been agreed upon and will go forward.

The flag pole project proceeds. Joe Donohoe has raised $600.00 to this point.

Williamsburg circle has caught the eye of the county . Rebecca Felberg from the county is in the process of redesigning the plantings. She will also take into account the flagpole project that may include three flag poles when it is finished.

A meeting participant from the 3600 block of John Marshall reported that her son was brutally beaten on that street recently. This is something that most had not known about until now. Officer Cabrales told us he was in attendance shortly after the beating and is closely watching this case. It appears that the victim is making good progress.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20.