County Board Talking Points

[Hanna, K. Mike]

All – for any interested in testifying at this Saturday’s Board meeting – here are some potential talking points.

 

1. Arlington – which has been seen as a leader in thoughtful planning, mass transportation and moving towards a walkable, bikable community for many years, has fallen behind some of our neighboring communities
2. Though much progress has been made, much more is needed for a truly safe, sustainable transportation system.
3. In 2022 the Board of Supervisors adopted the “Carbon Neutral Transportation Master Plan” the first goal of which is “Reduce reliance on single occupancy vehicles (SOVs)”
4. On February 22, 2025 the Board of Supervisors adopted the “Climate Action Resolution” – in which is stated: “the two most significant contributors to GHG emissions generated by Arlington activities are from the building and transportation sectors”
5. We were (I was) thankful that staff included numerous stakeholder groups in the Visioning Arlington’s transportation future process.
6. We were (I was) somewhat disappointed in the Vision and Goals which came out of the Advisory Group and public input process.  The Vision and the Goals did not seem to be much of an advance past the current MTP adopted nearly a decade ago and did not reflect the much more ambitious goals included in the Carbon Neutral Transportation Plan and the Climate Action Resolution. It contained only some rather weak statements about people not having to depend on a car, and moving more people with less traffic.  We (I) believe that meeting the goals set by the County will require much more drastic and transformative goals than those expressed in the existing MTP or those that came out of the Advisory Group process.
7. However, we were (I was) shocked (concerned, surprised) when even the weak sentiments of the current MTP were watered down even further by the Planning and Transportation Commissions by removing any reference to reduction in car traffic.
8. I (we) recommend that the Board not adopt these proposed Visions and Goals and ask that staff and the relevant Commissions be asked to develop goals that reflect the significant commitments made by Board in the Carbon Neutral Transportation Master Plan” and the “Climate Action Resolution”.

 

(I have included the evolution of goals below for reference):

 

 

Goals in the current (2017) MTP

1. Provide High-Quality Transportation Services

2. Move More People Without More Traffic

3. Promote Safety

4. Establish Equity

5. Manage Effectively and Efficiently

6. Advance Environmental Sustainability

 

Vision and Goals Developed Through Advisory Group and Public Process

Vision:  People of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can move safely, comfortably, and seamlessly in Arlington. Everyone can rely on a variety of quality, sustainable transportation options to get them where they want to go, when they need to be there, without having to depend on a car. Arlington focuses on making travel an enjoyable experience for people, connecting them with nature, friends, family, and opportunities.

1. Equitable and Inclusive: Create a welcoming, affordable, and accessible transportation system for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, while working to eliminate historical disparities in transportation policy and investment.
2. Livable Create a transportation system that maintains and improves quality of life, affordability, economic vitality, physical health and mental wellbeing, and sense of community
3. Reliable Provide an interconnected transportation network that is dependable, easy-to-use, and well-maintained, enabling people and goods to seamlessly reach their destinations in the County and region.
4. Safe Prioritize a safe and comfortable travel experience for all people and eliminate transportation related deaths and serious injuries.
5. Sustainable Develop a transportation system that moves more people with less traffic; minimizes overall environmental impacts; and advances climate protection, adaptation, and resilience.
6. Transparent and Accountable Clearly prioritize and communicate competing demands within the transportation network and responsibly manage public resources to deliver and maintain an exceptional transportation system.

 

Vision and Goals being Presented to the Board

Vision:  People of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can move safely, comfortably, and seamlessly in Arlington. Everyone can rely on a variety of quality, sustainable transportation options to get them where they want to go, when they need to be there, without having to depend on a car. Arlington focuses on making travel an enjoyable experience for people, connecting them with nature, friends, family, and opportunities.

1. Equitable and Inclusive: Create a welcoming, affordable, and accessible transportation system for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, while working to eliminate historical disparities in transportation policy and investment.
2. Livable Create a transportation system that maintains and improves quality of life, affordability, economic vitality, physical health and mental wellbeing, and sense of community
3. Reliable Provide an interconnected transportation network that is dependable, easy-to-use, and well-maintained, enabling people and goods to seamlessly reach their destinations in the County and region.
4. Safe Prioritize a safe and comfortable travel experience for all people and eliminate transportation related deaths and serious injuries.
5. Sustainable Develop a transportation system that moves more people through multiple options; minimizes overall environmental impacts; and advances climate protection, adaptation, and resilience.
6. Transparent and Accountable Clearly prioritize and communicate competing demands within the transportation network and responsibly manage public resources to deliver and maintain an exceptional transportation system.

 

 

Mike Hanna, P.E.* | Client Director, Water Division

Black & Veatch | 1776 Wilson Blvd, Suite 400, Arlington, VA 22209

301-556-4380 p | 301-556-4452 f   Han...@BV.com

*Licensed in Virginia and Maryland

Building a World of Difference.®

 

[Chris Slatt]

Mike - the vision and goals being presented to the Board for their endorsement are here.  They differ in several respects from what you posted.  I'll do my best to highlight the differences below.

People of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can move safely, comfortably, and seamlessly in Arlington. Everyone  can rely on a variety of high-quality, sustainable transportation options to get them where they want to go, when  need to be there, with choices beyond using a car. Arlington focuses on making travel an enjoyable  experience for people, connecting them with nature, friends, family, and opportunities.

1. Equitable and Inclusive Create a welcoming, affordable, and accessible transportation system for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, while working to eliminate historical disparities in transportation policy and investment.  

1. Livable  Create a transportation system that provides enjoyable spaces and improves quality of life, affordability, economic vitality, physical and mental wellbeing, and sense of community.  
2. Reliable Provide an interconnected transportation network that is dependable, convenient, and well-maintained, enabling all people and goods to seamlessly reach their destinations in the County and region. 
3. Safe Prioritize a safe and comfortable travel experience for all people and eliminate transportation-related deaths and serious injuries. 
4. Sustainable Develop a transportation system that moves more people with less traffic; supports a cleaner and greener environment; and advances climate protection, resilience, and adaptation. 

1. Transparent and Accountable Clearly prioritize and communicate competing demands within the transportation network and responsibly manage public resources to deliver and maintain an exceptional transportation system. 

I think it's less clear than the previous language, but better than if the language had been stricken.  I think it's well worth telling the Board that what we've heard people want is to end car-dependence and actually doing so will be much harder than writing that down in a document.  If the Board isn't willing to put it in a plan, are they willing to have staff's back when it's time to actually make it happen on the street?  The board could endorse this language as-presented, or it could make changes.  Those changes could be to return to the "without having to depend on a car" language or it could be to adopt the Planning Commission's recommendation, or something else entirely.  It's valuable to speak up for what you want, no matter what language is being presented to the Board.

Make Cars Optional,

Chris

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[Hanna, K. Mike]

This is great to see – they changed that language back after being approved by the Commissions.  Not sure how that works exactly since the Commissions voted on approval based on the other language.  I would soften my testimony slightly, might even tentatively support the language, with the caveat that the implementation must be much stronger than the language implies.

 

From: arling...@googlegroups.com <arling...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Chris Slatt
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 9:37 AM
To: arling...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Arlington BAC] County Board Talking Points

 

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