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M E M O R A N D U M
Date: June 22, 2000
To: Helen Reinecke-Wilt, DRPIT Steering Committee Chair
From:  John M. Byrne, Chair and Robert Puentes, Vice-Chair, Citizens' Advisory Committee On Transportation
Cc: CACT Members; Kathleen Clarken Buschow, City Clerk
Re: Development Review Process Improvement
The Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Transportation (CACT) has reviewed the Development Review Process Improvement Team’s (DRPIT) reengineering report.  We applaud the City for recognizing the need for such an effort and appreciate the time and energy expended by the DRPIT in the project’s development.  An overly burdensome review process is certainly detrimental to the aggressive economic development goals set forth by the City and the desire to streamline this process is, of course, understandable.
 
However, we were quite struck by the fact that the CACT appears nowhere in the final report.  To be sure, we were not surprised that the CACT appeared nowhere formally under Step 1: Mapping the Current Process.  Transportation-related issues oftentimes seem to be an afterthought – and dismissed altogether if they happen to hinder the approval process.  This comes at a time when issues related to safety, mobility, accessibility and environmental quality are garnering more and more consideration throughout the City and the region.  Empirically, transportation-related issues (particularly those related to pedestrian activity and parking) appear repeatedly in the focus group and questionnaire responses from stakeholders in Appendix #4.  Design issues related to trees and architecture are certainly important and significant issues in the City of Falls Church but appear to be disproportionately highlighted in the current and revised plans.

Cognizant of the worthy goal of streamlining the design review process, the CACT proposes the following:

  • During the Conceptual Phase of the Project (p. 25) applicant should be made aware that the City and its residents are deeply concerned with all modes of transportation in the City and the effect that increased traffic has on the quality of life of the residents, businesses and commercial interests of the City.  This should be made clear at some point during the preliminary discussion and should permeate the entire process.
  • A recognition of transportation impacts should be included on the checklist.  Depending on the size and complexity of the plan, this could be as simple as one type-written page outlining what consideration will be made to alternative modes – i.e., walking, bicycle, electric bus/Metro bus access.  Should the proposed development be appropriately large (such as the Anderson site) the applicant should continue to be required to submit a traditional traffic impact study (TIS).  However, the CACT believes the TISs that are presently being submitted are unacceptably vague and give no consideration to alternate modes.  The CACT will be happy to work with staff to design a template for a TIS in order to reduce the burden on the applicant.
  • The CACT should be included in the joint worksession along with staff, the Planning Commission, ARB, BZA and Tree Commission – currently proposed as the third step in the Conceptual Phase.
  • If a TIS is required, a public meeting should be held to clearly explain to interested residents sand businesses what the impacts of a proposed development would be on the City.  This could conceivably be done in conjunction with the ARB public hearing proposed for the third step if the Development Review Phase.
Finally, we would like to reiterate that we understand the desire to create a more friendly atmosphere with the ultimate goal being to attract more business to the City.  We are seeing many communities throughout the nation that are experiencing strong, sustainable economic growth while still maintaining a high quality of life for its residents.  These are all locations that are consciously working to make their communities more oriented to alternative transportation modes.  Indeed, the March 2000 issue of Washingtonian Magazine listed its 10 best places to live in the region.  Not surprisingly, each of these places boast safe neighborhoods, good schools, parks, vibrant downtowns, town square areas – and a sensible transportation network.  Aside from the last element, our City has the other pieces already in place.
 
Thank you for your consideration.  We are available to discuss these issues in further detail. 

 
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