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Director's report: traffic‑calming, West Falls timing, CIP and ADU activity
Summary
The director's report covered quarterly planning items, neighborhood traffic‑calming progress, clarification on speed cushions, status updates on West Falls Phase 2 and the Andale/Maple roundabout, and a note that a South Lee townhouse proposal appears headed for withdrawal; a tree canopy zoning amendment keeps a 10% baseline.
At the Falls Church City Planning Commission meeting, the director's report summarized planning and zoning work completed in the last quarter and highlighted several projects and program updates commissioners asked to follow up on.
Mister Matusic opened the report by pointing to a quarterly summary prepared by Emily Bazemore and a monthly neighborhood traffic‑calming update compiled by Jenna Brahman that shows recent milestones across active projects. Commissioners then pressed staff with specific technical and scheduling questions.
On traffic calming, Speaker 2 asked whether "speed cushions" are the same as "speed humps." Speaker 5, citing long CACT experience, explained the distinctions: "Speed bumps are what you see in the parking lots... Speed humps are the gradual ones... A speed cushion has those two slots for emergency vehicles... A speed table is kind of flat on the top." The clarification was offered to help commissioners evaluate recent installs and neighborhood designs.
Staff told the commission that a decision on West Falls Phase 2 is expected in a few weeks, with a formal update likely in early March, and that the Andale and Maple roundabout is weather‑dependent but expected to proceed in spring or summer once conditions allow. The Yacini project has no date set and has been quiet lately, and the report indicates the South Lee townhouse concept (South Lee 106108) is expected to be officially withdrawn under current plan and zoning constraints.
Commissioners also discussed parking restrictions in the Founders Road–Madera area: staff plan a limited Zone 3 rollout following overnight occupancy surveys and police coordination covering a small set of blocks near Madera and parts of Ellison Street; the sign hours and administrative steps will be confirmed in a future director's update.
On accessory dwelling units, Speaker 7 flagged a denied ADU application at 906 Madison Lane and asked zoning staff to compile data on inquiries and applications; staff said they received one formal application last summer and will prepare a one‑year summary report on activity under the by‑right ordinance for council and commission review.
Why it matters: the director's report aggregates operational details that shape near‑term approvals, CIP timing and neighborhood projects. Clarifications about traffic‑calming devices, project schedules and ADU application patterns will influence residents and developers preparing applications and neighborhood engagement.
What happens next: staff will return with more detailed timing on West Falls, parking sign hours and an ADU activity summary; the CIP is slated for discussion on the upcoming agenda and binders are expected to be available to commissioners next week.
