WCA November Meeting (11/27/01)

Board Members: Don Gross, Ellen Jones, Ann Lunson, Dede O'Donnell, Jim
Toronto
Committee Members: Don Gross, Joe Donahoe, Suzanne Graham
Guest Speakers: Bob Chase and Gerry Procanick
Items Distributed: (1) Meeting agenda, (2) Handout from the Arlington Coalition for Sensible Transportation, (3) Constrained Long Range Plan, (4) Variance Hearing handout, (5) Newspaper article on the Sycamore/27th Streets house, (6) Item from The Washington Post on the house

The meeting started at 7:30 p.m.

Program - The Interstate-66 Expansion Discussion

Bob Chase, a member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, and Gerry Procanick, from the Arlington Coalition for Sensible Transportation presented opposing views on whether or not I-66 should be expanded inside the beltway. Mr. Chase, who favors the expansion effort, provided numerous statistics on traffic in the area, the mass transit argument, and other issues related to support expansion to one additional lane in each direction. Mr. Chase provided a copy of his notes separately. In the end, Mr. Chase encouraged residents to get involved and get the facts regardless of which side of the argument they were on.

Mr. Procanick, a civic association president, land surveyor and a member of the Arlington Planning Commission, opposes expansion of I-66. He discussed the original plan for I-66, which would have made it similar to Shirley Highway (395) and explained that I-66 is not just another road. It is a corridor into the District of Columbia. Mr. Procanick suggested that improvements and expansion of the mass transit system, specifically Metro, is an acceptable alternative to expansion. He suggested that emissions would increase, that expansion would probably not make a big improvement in shortening the commute for people, and that the additional lane of traffic would likely add 2000-3000 passengers per hour in each lane. He finished his discussion stating that transportation must be in concert with the community.

The discussion was ended and opened for questions and answers.

Q. Can Metro rail capacity be improved with additional cars?
A. The current system does not have 2-track capability. The power system barely supports the 8-car trains today so to increase capacity Metro would have to upgrade the power source. It would cost about $10B to upgrade the current system. Also, Metro is currently looking at the configuration of the seating to see if it can be improved. However, a lane of highway can move more than a fixed rail system can. Also, the fixed rail system is expensive to build and even more expensive to operate. 65-70% of mass transit is work related travel. The road systems are work related as well. You have to look at where you can get the best return for the money invested.

Q. Wouldn't you have a lot of displacement of property by widening the road by one lane?
A. No. A lane of traffic is 12 feet wide. There is room as I-66 exists today to add 12 feet without taking down the sound wall. Bon Air Park is the one are of encroachment anticipated by expansion. It will mean there will be limited room to pull off.

Q. Is there a breakdown of the type of usage of I-66 and the rail system?
A. None that the speakers were aware of. Remember that no trucks are allowed on I-66 inside the beltway. The traffic analysis will be looked at. It is important to remember that I-66 is part of a regional transportation commodity.

Q. Is there any parallel between this and the Bay Bridge project?
A. I don't know the history or background of the Bay Bridge project.

Q. Will expansion address the problem of I-66 that is requiring this to be looked at?
A. The road is under-designed in terms of construction. The choke point is primarily leading up to Glebe Road. It should be noted that of 13 jurisdictions, only one wanted to immediately widen I-66.

Q. Mr. Procanick. Do you represent the Planning Commission?
A. No. The Commission is made up of individuals. I am not representing the position of the Commission.

Q. We heard there is consideration of a Westbound ramp for I-66 at Williamsburg Boulevard. Is that true?
A. The County staff is reviewing this concept.

Q. Couldn't you increase HOV to have more passengers?
A. Possibly, but studies show that as you increase the size requirement of HOV, carpooling becomes more problematic and less desirable. By the way, the area is the national leader for carpooling and #2 nationally for the use of mass transit.

Business Meeting

Review of October WCA meeting and Treasurer's report. Ellen reported the items were on the web site.

Schedule of Upcoming Meetings: The upcoming programs were listed on the meeting agenda. Residents were encouraged to pick up a copy of the agenda before leaving.

Neighborhood Conservation Plan Projects:

• Little Falls Project: The Little Falls II project was submitted as the neighborhood's Fall 2001 project. This was split from our initial plan last Spring. It remained a top project for the residents and therefore was submitted. It will be presented to the NCAC in December.
• Minor Hill: Don reported nothing much new had happened on the Minor Hill project. Jill Utan was in the process of putting a cost proposal together for a detailed survey of the area. We have also put together a small list of items that should be addressed by the County and completed by Spring. There is consideration of installing a higher (12 ft) fence for security. One meeting participant suggested that there was a true need to talk to the County about the water supply and protecting it. There is more to the problem than kids getting into the tanks. There is a risk that someone could put something into the tanks through the large pipes that are completely unprotected.

Traffic Calming: Ellen reported there was nothing new on the issue of traffic calming. There is a letter that was sent to the County on pedestrian safety on the web site.

Zoning/Infill: On the subject of zoning infill (the house on Sycamore and 27th Streets), the variance hearing on November 14th was positive in favor of the neighbors. The Board of Zoning Appeals denied the variance. The owner will have the option to appeal this decision with the Circuit Court within 30 days. The position of the Court is to rule on whether the BZA acted correctly not whether the variance should be granted.

Williamsburg Circle Flag Project: Joe Donahoe stated he had collected $250 toward the flagpole at Williamsburg Circle. He also said he would be expanding by seeking contributions from the businesses.

Nottingham School Project: Suzanne Graham reported there had been two meetings for the Nottingham School renovation project. The schematic design has been approved. The service entrance will remain as is but the loading dock will be moved to help with safety concerns. She reported:

• There are plans to have equal development in the front and the back of the school, a courtyard will be part of the design.
• Traffic will be re-routed for dropping off/picking up students.
• Small parking lot will be located in the front of the school.
• An amphitheater will be designed for the school which will be used primarily during the day but will be lighted at night for security reasons.
• The playground will be shifted slightly.
• Trailers will be needed as the renovation occurs.

Suzanne said the construction is scheduled to be in three phases. The schedule is aggressive assuming a completion for September 2004. The blacktop area will continued to be in front of the school. The funding for the project is not guaranteed. To date, the only funding that has been approved is for the design. There will be a meeting on January 15 in which the design is presented to the School Board.

The meeting adjourned at 9:10.