Environmental Sustainability Council

Environmental Sustainability Council/Energy Transition Subcommittee Meeting Agenda November 16, 2023❖7:30pm Senior Center, 223 Little Falls St, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 • Call to Order and Roll Call Atteendees: ESC Members: Joseph Schiarizzi, (Chair), Jon Ward (Vice-Chair, ETS Chair), Michael Trauberman, John Ferris, Christopher Behr, Matthew Cunningham, Sarah Baylon , Jennifer Tabola (via video), City Council Liaison; Debbie Hiscott (via video) Planning Commission Liaison: Tim Stevens, Student Representatives: Gia Kahn, Wendy Abstone, Clementine Kim, Lilja Anderson, Hayden Kusic, Serena Binkowski City Staff: Andrew Young (ESC Staff Liaison). Amy Crumpton (Chair-HRTG), Public. David Stile, Ivy Anderson Joseph Moved per ESC virtual participation policy that Jennifer Tabola be allowed to participate virtually. Chris Behr second. Motion to allow Jennifer to participate virtually passed unanimously. • Bicycle Master Plan Update – Kerri Oddenino, Principal Planner Kerri Oddenino provided a presentation on the tentatively scheduled for review February 2024 meeting for addition. This presentation focused on existing conditions analysis and potential improvements. Future meetings will focus on plan document, priority improvements and route design. Falls Church Workplan call for an update of the Bicycle Master Plan that was adopted in 2015. Scope of work for the update includes using the Virginia Tech Student Study as a beginning point, including safe routes for school. Adding additional right of way. Looking for adoption of the new plan in April, 2024. [See FC Bike Plan November Meeting Presentation] Joseph noted that there are no on-street protected bike lanes in the City of Falls Church. Joseph noted there may be inaccuracies in the Existing Bicycles Facilities map and Andy agreed to review. Chris and Joseph noted the “What Routes are Used Today” slide is solely based on Strava data and that the scaling may be off. Chris noted the potential benefits of integrating business interests (restaurants, coffee shops, etc.) to increase buy-in to the plan. Prior to the approval of the plan, ESC is asked to comment on the priorities of the list of routes/spots for improvement. Joseph noted the benefits of painting roadways to enhance safety. Joseph noted that the city has a program to install the green bike rack in front of businesses. Kerri noted that there are some bike racks left, but Operations currently does not have staff available to install more. Jon Ward noted that the southwest section of the bike map is most bike ability due to low stress routes. Jon asked if there was data to identify the bike usage in that area. Andy noted that the City does not have the data. John Ferris offered to compile broader/more general comments on behalf of the ESC and provide them to Kerri. It was agreed that a compiled list will be discussed in December ESC meeting. • Environmental Stewardship and the T-Zone Ordinance – Jon Ward, Mike Trauberman Mike presented a draft memorandum that included a compilation of environmental considerations /criteria to be used when the City is considering Special Use Permits. The criteria would provide a definition of “environmental stewardship.” The draft Memorandum gives more detail to what is already in City Code (Sec. 48-867, Part 1). Debbie to check with the calendar to determine if this proposal can be added to the existing SUP process. Matt added some clarification language. It was also recommended that bullets 2 and 4 as minimum but 1 and 3 above minimum level. Mike and Jon to email the draft to the ESC. There was discussion about stormwater retention and other environmental requirements not included in this memorandum because it was address elsewhere in code. Adding other considerations such as building material selection could make it more difficult to pass. • Subcommittee/Liaison Report-Outs o City Council – Council Member Debbie Hiscott Debbie briefed the group Quinn project will be on the agenda for the next City Council meeting. Debb Budget process starts in January.  o Planning Commission – Tim Stevens. No Report o Habitat Restoration Task Group – UFC Chair Amy Crumpton The Urban Forestry Commission identified potential recommendations to legislative committee, including banning gas powered leaf blowers and allowing localities to set goals for tree conservation Amy recommended the ESC review the Stratford Project. Dominion Brewery will rent the property. It is in the first design phase. Crew members from the city have been added, so hopefully by January there will be additional projects including seed planting. See Washington Post on seed collection in Virginia. o Education Task Group – Sarah Bayldon Operation Earth Watch is up and running. Encouraging recycling in the Solid Waste Plan. o Energy Transition Subcommittee – Jon Ward Community Energy Action Plan was approved on Monday. Now includes net zero/100% reduction of carbon by 2050. o Staff - Liaison – Andy Young City has a posting for an environmental staff member. Kerri to come back in February to discuss the Bike Master Plan. Lonny to come in March to discuss the Solid Waste Management Plan. • Adjourn