Fairfax County Trails

Bruce Wright

Chairman, Fairfax County Non-Motorized Transportation Committee (NMTC)

Outline

• Non-Motorized Transportation Committee
• Trails Plan
• Other Trail and Sidewalk Requirements
• Funding
• Safety

Non-Motorized Trans. Comm.

• Comprised of citizens and government staff
• Supervisors appoint representatives
• Interest groups appoint representatives
• Clifton Horse Society, Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations, Fairfax County Park Authority, Northern Virginia Builders Association, Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Washington Area Bicyclists Association
• Meet monthly, second Wednesday, Government Center
• Web site: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nmtc

Trails in Fairfax County

• Surface: Paved (asphalt, concrete, pavers), stone dust, natural surface, social
• Different users, runoff characteristics, maintenance properties
• 1400 miles of trails and sidewalks
• Mapped by Fairfax County Dept. of Planning and Zoning using GIS
• Map of Existing Trails
• Existing Trails: North and South, each with East and West sides

Trail and Sidewalk Requirements

• Trails Plan
• Designates trail surface, width, and location
• Part of County Comprehensive Plan
• Zoning Ordinance
• Subdivision requirements in Public Facilities Manual
• Includes sidewalk requirements for developments within specified radius of school

Trail Plan

• Trail Designation:
  • Major Regional - Cross County, W&OD, Fairfax County Parkway, Potomac Heritage, Mt. Vernon, Rt. 1 Bikeway
  • Onroad Bike Route - New in 2002 Plan
  • Major Paved - 8 to 10 feet
  • Minor Paved - 4 to 7 feet 11 inches
  • Natural Surface
  • Stone Dust
  • Stream Valley - Various surfaces

Trail Plan (Cont.)

• Changes require Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor Public Hearings
• Major update in 2002
• Plan guides trail construction for new developments
• Waiver/Modification process
• NMTC recommendation
• Approval, denial, modification, escrow

Subdivision requirements in PFM

• Lots averaging 13,000 sq ft or less
• A sidewalk shall be constructed on both sides of all streets, except in some cul-de-sacs
• Lots averaging 13,000 sq ft or greater
  • Sidewalks shall be constructed on one side of a street except in some cul-de-sacs
• Review of requirements underway based on In-Fill Study recommendations

School Requirements

• A sidewalk shall be constructed on all streets of the subdivision boundary where a subdivision is within
• 1 mile (1.6 km) of an elementary school
• 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of an intermediate or high school.
• Separate school waiver process