Falls Church Council adopts pedestrian-protection ordinance after public hearing

Falls Church City Council voted 7-0 April 28 to adopt ordinance TO25-07, amending chapter 26 of the city code to add Article 8, "Pedestrian Protection," after a public hearing.

City staff told the council the text before them reflected a recommendation from the Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation and included a last-minute change to remove language that would have allowed diagonal, or "scramble," crossings. Staff said the city does not currently have the road designs or technology to implement diagonal crossings citywide and that the change could be reconsidered if designs and infrastructure change.

At the public hearing one resident said she had observed a temporary scramble-style signal at the Founders Row intersection for about a week and found it effective. Council members on both sides of the dais said they supported exploring diagonal crossings in the future if the city can ensure the right road design and enforcement.

Councilmember Mister Snyder moved to adopt TO25-07. Roll call recorded seven yes votes and the motion carried.

The ordinance was read and the public hearing opened and closed during the same meeting. The council did not set a separate effective date in the hearing; no effective date was specified in council discussion that evening.

Votes at a glance: TO25-07 (Ordinance to add Article 8, "Pedestrian Protection," to chapter 26 of the Falls Church City Code) — adopted 7-0.

The council asked staff to continue studying pedestrian-safety options and to return with implementation recommendations if and when the city’s road designs and signal technology would support diagonal crossings.