Environmental Sustainability Council

Environmental Sustainability Council/Energy Transition Subcommittee Meeting Minutes November 17th, 2022❖7:30pm 300 Park Ave, Dogwood Room, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call Attendees: ESC Members: Joseph Schiarizzi (Chair), Mike Trauberman (Vice-Chair), Jon Ward (ETS Chair), Jennifer Tabola, John Ferris, Andrew Crawford; Amy Crumpton (Chair HRTG); Planning Commission Liaison: Tim Stevens; Student Liaison: Gia Khan, City Staff: Andrew Young (ESC Staff Liaison); Cameron Gabres, (City Planner); Debra Roth, Human Services Advisory Board. 3. Approval of 10/20/2022 ESC Meeting Minutes Jon Ward moved to approve the meeting minutes of October 20, 2022, with Mike Trauberman seconding. The motion to approve (6 ayes to 0 nays). 4. Introduction of new ESC Member Chris Behr Joseph Schiarizzi welcomed the new member of the ESC, Chris Behr. Gia Khan introduced herself as a student representative from Meridian High School. Joseph also noted that there is a vacancy on the ESC. 5. Public Comment Period ESC received one public comment, from the Broadway Condominium Association T- Zone Task Force regarding the proposed ESC’s draft comments on the City Council’s T Zone proposal. Joseph noted that density is related to environmental sustainability and that the ESC is making comments to the City Council regarding parking because it is related to environmental sustainability. ESC is requesting City Council to include as special exceptions such requests as LEED Gold, Stormwater management, green space and energy efficiency. Jon Ward appreciated their comments and stated that they provided good comments additions. Jon added that the ESC is not providing an up or down vote on the T Zone proposal, rather providing City Council comments on environmental sustainability impacts of the proposal. Jon further noted that the lots are primarily T-1 zones (4 or 5 lots were T-2) which would have residential potential and setback/stormwater requirements. Mike noted that the commenter is not opposing density but they are stating that these kinds of buildings should continue to have oversight and citizens input. 6. Draft ESC 2023 Legislative Input  Andy provided a background on the City’s legislative agenda request for the State of Virginia Legislature and that the ESC can provide input. Andy reviewed the legislative proposals from neighboring jurisdictions. Andy sent a draft memorandum to the ESC members for comments prior to the meeting. Joseph stated that his request is to include parking minimums, development, and bike lanes. Whenever transportation is brought up, it should include micro mobility. Andy reviewed Arlington and Fairfax’s input from 20/21. Mike requested time to review Arlington and Fairfax’s draft input for 2023. Mike believed consistency of message would be beneficial. Chris noted the lack of discussion on stormwater, water quality and Chesapeake Bay. Mike noted Arlington had language in their draft. ACTION: Andy proposed to finish this virtually over the next week. City Council plans to act on the legislative proposal on Nov. 28. By end of Nov. 18, Joseph to add discussion on microbility and bike lanes, Jennifer to add text regarding income incentives and the Inflation Reduction Act, Mike to add language on water quality, and Andy will make other small changes. Andy to send out new draft after receiving input. 7. East End Small Area Plan Presentation – Cameron Gahres, Planner Cameron Gahres gave a presentation on the East End Small Area Plan (see Agenda for presentation). The city is looking for community feedback on the proposed plan. The plan is considered policy guidance to look 10 to 30 years out. The city has 8 such planning areas. This East End area includes the Eden Center and surrounding 7 corners areas. The city is looking to complete the play by February 2023. In response to a question, Cameron noted that the city has a 49% tree canopy and the importance of tree canopy for mitigating heat island effect. Amy Compton noted that this area currently has a 17% tree canopy, which would raise equity issues. Joseph noted that the Eden Center is the largest Vietnamese commercial center in the Eastern US. Advised to make written materials available in Vietnamese. City is working to get written materials in Vietnamese. ACTION: City requests any ESC recommendations on the environmental section and public input in the plan. Comments are due to Andy by COB Nov. 30. ESC can also add comments as the city goes through the public review. 8. Draft T-Zones Input from ESC Joseph summarized the draft comments and reiterated that this is not a yes/no vote on the T-Zone proposal. Rather, ESC is providing a list of items to the city council to consider as the City Council moves forward with the proposal. This document includes what ESC would be support with these developments.  Joseph noted that he would be in favor of text from the Urban Forestry Commission’s comments for comments on green space. Chris noted the benefits of walkable neighborhoods including increased property values. Increasing density provides benefits for neighboring areas as well. Increasing density improves walkable neighborhoods for everyone. Jon noted several comments on his draft, including comments from the Broadway Condominium Association, so he recommended clarification on commercial and that this applies to special use permits. Some of the draft text was meant for explanation and not meant to go to City Council. Mike noted that developers will need to build to the state building code but would want to include more insulation and air tightness. The comments on the T-Zone represents what is most important to the ESC for new development. ACTION: Joseph committed to continue working on the draft over the next week. ESC will submit its recommendation by December 7 to be used by the planning commission. ESC agreed that an updated draft will be circulated via email and members will have one week to review and approve. 9. Zoning requirements for parking minimums This topic was skipped due to lack of time. 10. Subcommittee and Liaison Reports • Planning Commission – Tim Stevens 1. City staff provided the Planning Commission a report on the status of Capital Improvement Program projects. Available on the Planning Commission website. 2. 4 electric vehicles have been delivered to the city. 3. Virginia Tech is to brief the Planning Commission on their findings on the Bike Master Plan in the Planning Commission’s next meeting. • Habitat Restoration Task Group – UFC Chair Amy Crumpton 1. 4 invasive species removal sessions have been conducted this year. 134 individuals volunteered 268 hours to these sessions • Energy Transition Subcommittee – Jon Ward 1. No report this month • Staff Liaison Update – Andy Young 1. The Energy Action Plan request went to the Council of Governments for contract proposals. Intent to have proposals by December 8. 2. Working with city buildings on energy efficiencies in preparation for the Energy Action Plan. 3. 4 potential areas of collaboration were discussed with educators from the secondary school campus, including Eco-tip of the week, recycling/composting, energy and composting.  4. Operation Earthwatch kicked off this week. 11. Adjourn