1. Public Comment Period Brad Hess and Carrie Klabunde, residents at 301 Silver King Lane in King Farm, spoke about the Celara (COPT) development at the northwest corner of MD355 and Gude Dr. a. They expressed concern that the USE permit for the development was approved in 1983, prior to City policy that a USE permit is valid for only two years. The USE permit is therefore still valid. b. A developer wishes to build two additional office buildings on the site, as approved in the 1983 USE permit. During a meeting with the community on Jan. 6, 2006, the developer stated they do not wish to implement off-site or on-site improvements, which are not included in the USE permit approval. c. Mr. Hess and Ms. Klabunde are concerned about the multimodal impacts of the development. They have gathered signatures from 55 King Farm residents requesting an updated transportation study. They have also submitted an email to Mayor and Council expressing these concerns.
d. Staff relayed that they have requested updated trip generation rates (using LATR methodology) from the developer. e. Mr. Hess and Ms. Klabunde inquired about the T&T Commission’s support. Commissioners expressed concern and suggested that the community continue to contact Mayor and Council about the issue.
2. Review and Approve Minutes a. December 2005 minutes were approved with minor modifications.
3. Staff Report and Updates (Weekly) a. Staff presented highlights from the weekly report, noting in particular the pilot program for safety near schools item and the Shady Grove Transportation Management District resolution. b. Chair Oberg inquired about the pedestrian safety at intersections items requested to SHA more than a year and a half ago. Staff relayed that they have repeatedly been in contact with SHA about these items, and that the City Manager and Director of Public Works are scheduled to meet with SHA Administrator soon.
4. Development Status Updates a. Staff provided an updated on active development projects in the City. b. Commissioners inquired about the Chestnut Lodge site, particularly pedestrian access on the west/northwest portion of the residential area leading to Bullard’s Park. Commissioners will draft a memo to Mayor and Council to express the Commission’s desire to provide connectivity, including reference to the City’s Pedestrian Policy. c. With regard to the Celara (COPT) development, Chair Oberg pointed out that the CTR states "A Transportation Report under the CTR is not required in connection with any application implementing a development approved prior to the adoption of the CTR, unless said implementing application increases the amount of traffic estimated in the original traffic analysis for the entire development by 30 or more automobile trips. Subsequent implementing development applications are subject to a site-specific transportation analysis." He inquired if the development is therefore subject to CTR review (i.e., if trip generations submitted by the developer show more than 30 new trips).
Staff will speak with Planning and Legal Dept. regarding this matter and provide an update to the Commission. 5. Capital Improvements Projects (CIP) and Budget Discussion a. Staff presented the summary pages for the proposed CIP. b. Commissioner Klein inquired why Traffic Controls is at “$0” for FY09, and is that a year that the City will apply for bonds? Staff relayed that that may be the case, but that it likely is to balance the budget for that Fiscal Year.
6. Zoning Updates: Sidewalks and Parking a. Ms. Kelly presented highlights from the Sidewalks and Parking white papers that will be discussed Feb. 2 with Mayor and Council. b. With regard to the Parking paper, commissioners expressed that they support allowing flexibility in the updated Zoning code. c. Commissioners also expressed that parking in the City is often not adequate, and that it is difficult to find parking at shopping centers such as Woodmont and Congressional Plaza. d. Commissioners will provide any further comment to Ms. Kelly via email prior to Feb. 2nd.
7. Transportation Demand Management Strategic Plan Draft Ms. Kelly presented two topics for discussion with regard to TDM and how these might affect the TDM Strategic Plan: Shady Grove Transportation Management District (TMD) and the Town Center Shuttle CIP. a. Ms. Kelly outlined the process for establishing the Shady Grove TMD. Once the TMD is established, Rockville will need to consider what it’s contribution will be: financial, space for a TDM employee at the Fallsgrove RRTC, or other. i. Commissioner Klein inquired what are Montgomery County’s sources for funding TMDs? Staff relayed that TDM fees are the main source. ii. Commissioner Resnick stated that he prefers the option of the City preserving funds in the TDM CIP and contribute space to house a TDM staff person. Other Commissioners agreed. iii. Chair Oberg stated that he prefers that the City’s TDM Strategic Plan to be completed, including cost estimates for what the City’s TDM priorities might be, before making this determination.
b. Ms. Kelly provided an update on the Town Center Shuttle CIP and explained that there are a few options that staff is researching for how to implement this CIP. i. The City has federal funds earmarked for transit services that serve Town Center. The funds only cover capital costs, not operational. ii. Some options discussed for use of the funds include purchasing a shuttle (or shuttles), purchasing additional transit amenities such as bus shelters or real-time kiosks, or funneling the money to Ride-On so that they can purchase three Clean Natural Gas buses for use in the City (though routes would not change). iii. Ms. Kelly inquired if the Commission has an opinion on the maximum percent of TDM funds that might be used to cover operational expenses for a set period of time, if shuttles were purchased. Commissioners stated that they would like to see cost estimates before making that determination. iv. Chair Oberg reiterated that he prefers that the City’s TDM Strategic Plan to be completed, including cost estimates for what the City’s TDM priorities might be, before making this determination. v. Mr. Walker said trolleys might be an option. They would provide transit and be a tourist attraction. vi. Commissioner Crane inquired if a Business Improvement District (BID) might be established, and if so, could they contribute to operations? vii. Commissioner Levine said that he wouldn’t support the CNG option, that the future is really in hybrids. viii. Mr. Walker mentioned that Southeastern PA Transit Authority (SEPTA) was giving away old trolleys. ix. There was discussion about charging fares for a shuttle. Consensus was that a cost-benefit analysis would likely show that it would not be worthwhile to charge a fare, since the fare would have to be minimal to “compete” with Ride-On. The staff costs for managing the fares would outweigh fare income.
c. Chair Oberg expressed that he feels the TDM Strategic Plan should be a top priority of the Commission.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 P.M. | 
