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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 04/21/1999Draft minutes to be approved by the Transportation Board at their May 19, 1999 meeting. REGULAR MEETING MINUTES of the TRANSPORTATION BOARD City of Fort Collins - City Hall (CIC Room) April 21, 1999 5:30 p.m. FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Staff Liaison: Administrative Support: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Mark Egeland Sara Frazier Dan Gould Steve Hanna Bruce Henderson Tim Johnson Brent Thordarson Heather Trantham CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Eric Bracke Tom Cook Gary Diede Susanne Edminster Randy Hensley Mark Jackson Cam McNair Ron Phillips Kathleen Reavis Cynthia Scott Peter Wray Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT (on regular agenda items) None Tim Johnson ...... 416-0821 Randy Hensley ... 416-2058 Cynthia Scott ...... 224-6058 ABSENT: Alan Beatty Ray Moe Chris Ricord GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE: Bob Felsburg Chris Fasching Corinne Peck Vicky McLane Mary Warring DRAFT Meeting Minutes Transportation Board April 21, 1999 Page 2 PRESENTATION A) Status of 1-25/SH 14 Interchange Study - Reavis/Consultant Kathleen Reavis gave a brief overview of the Study to date. There have been two Open Houses and one more scheduled for May 24. The daily traffic projections will be on dislplay and are as follows: 33,000 1-25 to North 44,000 1-25 to South 28,510 1-25 to West 10,120 1-25 to East In going through the evaluation process for the interchange, nine criteria were used for screening. They are: • Traffic operations • Traffic safety • Transit accommodations • Ped/bike accommodations • Access to development (West side of 1-25) • Right-of-way • Impact on businesses • Ability to phase • Construction cost The oversight committee came up with three alternatives: Diamond; Single Loop; and Roundabout. The Diamond came out on top. There was a lengthy discussion on specifics of the three alternatives above, costs and public outreach, which was reported to be very good. B) Status of 1-25/Harmony Road Interchange Project - Reavis Reavis reported that the recent bridge construction was an awesome sight. She mentioned that the Colorado Department of Transportation has done a great job of managing the project. The project is on schedule and should be complete by mid- year2000. DRAFT Meeting Minutes • • Transportation Board April 21, 1999 Page 3 PUBLIC HEARING — MASTER STREET PLAN AMENDMENTS Chair Johnson announced the opening of the Public Hearing on the proposed Master Street Plan amendments. Mark Jackson, City Transportation Planner, spoke of the ten proposed amendments to the Master Street Plan and where applicable, revisions to the Fossil Creek Area Plan. The first proposed amendment concerns the Mail Creek/Roma Valley Drive Connection. The Master Street Plan (MSP) currently depicts a connection of Highcastle Drive due south over Mail Creek where it connects to Fossil Creek Parkway (Reference change #1 on "existing" map). Staff recommends that in lieu of this extension over Mail Creek, a connection be made between Mail Creek Drive and Roma Valley Drive (reference change #1 on "proposed" map). Mr. Jackson stated that the rationale for this change is: The primary purpose for this connection is to provide a street connection for the Miramont neighborhood to get to the front (west side) of Werner Elementary School. In addition, there are other multiple destinations (shopping, health club, churches, private school, two public parks, three senior housing projects) that necessitate an internal connecting street network. It has long been a City policy to connect neighborhoods with an internal network of streets so that arterials do not have to be impacted when making internal neighborhood trips. There already exists a bridge/culvert crossing of Mail Creek on Mail Creek Lane, thus saving an additional bridge crossing of a riparian zone and saving as much open space as possible. Mr. Jackson added that this change was presented to the Planning ft Zoning Board on April 1, 1999. They recommended approval to the City Council by a vote of 5 - 0. Of the three neighborhoods involved, (Miramont, Huntington Hills, and Fossil Creek Meadows), the strongest opposition is from the Miramont area. They have safety concerns for their children going to/from school. Miramont residents also believe that a connection would create more traffic through their neighborhood because motorists would find it convenient to cut through to get to the shopping areas. For the Public Record, Mr. Jackson presented the Secretary of the Board with a letter he received from Sandra Winters who is opposed to the amendment. Also, submitted for the record was a facsimile from a number of neighborhood residents who are proponents of connecting the Miramont neighborhood with Huntington Hills and Fossil Creek Meadows area. They feel a connection is in the best interest of that region. DRAFT Meeting Minutes Transportation Board April 21, 1999 Page 4 Chair Johnson opened the floor to public comment. PUBLIC COMMENT: Brian Schumm 813 Fossil Creek Parkway Stated that he lives south of the proposed crossing of Fossil Creek on the Lemay side. Mr. Schumm said that. he supports the Huntington Hills Apartments. As part of this, these Master traffic issues have to be addressed. He said that this Board missed out on all the discussion that Planning Et Zoning Board had about how this connection was proposed. The benefits in terms of saving crossing at Mail Creek, the benefit of gaining additional open space where the Natural Resources Department can tie that in with a future trail system and also the 100 acre community park site. He added that the Huntington Hills Apartments is a wonderful project. He heard at Planning Et Zoning that it's taking 14 months to get to this point, which seems to be very excessive if you look at the negotiations and discussions that are going on and the quality of this project. Mr. Schumm said that he not only supports the project, but added that this is the last piece of Huntington Hills that kind of takes care of those issues that have not been resolved. He asked that at the bridge across Fossil Creek, there be a "sharing" of the traffic if you will. He feels that that can only be done if there is a connection made with Miramont. The major objection from Miramont is safety. All neighborhoods should be concerned about the safety of children, but as it was pointed out by staff, there are benefits that will be added by implementing the proposed amendment. Enforcement should be a focus at the school drop-off site. In conclusion, he stated that this is a very good project and there really isn't much need for debate on this. It eliminates the bridge, preserves natural areas, and makes a more logical connection from Fossil Creek Parkway to Miramont. Sandy Winters Stated she is opposed to the connection from Roma Valley Drive to Mail Creek Lane. She lives in the Miramont subdivision and has two children that attend Werner Elementary. This school is overpopulated by 200 children and parking is a major safety issue, She said that sidewalks are non-existent on Mail Creek Lane and in this proposal, no one is taking the responsibility for building sidewalks. Also, parents are the ones that have to volunteer to assist with school crossings. She added that dropping kids off at the back of the school is safer than at the front because of all the buses lined up and traffic. DRAFT Meeting Minutes • • Transportation Board April 21, 1999 Page 5 Trish Allot Miramont resident Stated she has three children and walks them to school along Highcastle down the hill around the blind curve and it is not a good situation for cars going up and down the road. What's happening on Mail Creek is that it is not designed to handle all of those cars and there is no exit to the north of the school. Stated she feels trampled by the process and hopes that citizen input does some good. Asked that the Board consider it carefully. There are a lot of people who think there is a better way to do it. David Osborne Huntington Hills Homeowner's Association Stated he is a representative of the Huntington Hills Homeowner's Association. For the record, the P Ft Z held a four-hour meeting at which they debated and then approved the amendment, and stated that no appeals have been filed against their decision so that matter is nearly complete. Secondly, as part of the overall process of the park development site, the developer made two previous provisions with the City, one of which was to give the City 20 acres to enhance the natural areas. The developer also agreed to extend the sidewalk clear up to Werner Elementary School. There is strong support of the Planning 8 Zoning Board, strong support of the City Staff, and the Huntington Hills Association. looking at this overall, it achieves neighborhood connectivity, and an east/west corridor, which is much needed. There being no other comments from the public, Chair Johnson asked for Board Member's comments/questions. BOARD QUESTIONS/COMMENTS: Hanna: What's wrong with the current Master Street Plan? Doesn't it provide connectivity to the school? Bracke: In staff's opinion, the amendment provides better connectivity and saves the natural area. Reavis: I would like to clarify a couple of things. Regarding the sidewalk that was mentioned along Mail Creek, the developer has agreed that there will be a 10' sidewalk, not just regular sized. There will also be a raised crosswalk on Fossil Creek Parkway. 25 mph school zone will be put on Fossil Creek Pkwy at the intersection of Mail Creek. There are many improvements associated with these connections that are related to the school. DRAFT Meeting Minutes Transportation Board April 21, 1999 Page 6 At the back of the school, the City will be providing crosswalks across Highcastle to Milan Terrace going to South Ridge Greens Blvd. and a ramp on the bike lane where the students arrive into the back of the school. From the City's perspective, we do want to maintain the opening in the back of the school. We just want to make sure it's operated in a safe manner. The comment made earlier about enforcement is important. There is a driver behavior issue along there. Thordarson: Would the completion of these improvements reduce the requirement for the amount of buses needed for the school? Reavis: Yes Thordarson: Any idea of the number of children that are impacted by that? There are about seven buses now. Johnson: If you built the connection, people would use it, which would decrease traffic in some ways and increase it in others. Perhaps this would cancel each other out? Bracke: With the connection, traffic is going to increase. However, there are some benefits, for example, if you live in Oakridge and your kids go to this school, and for whatever reason, you need to drop them off at the front of the school, you would be forced to go to College and Harmony to get there. They used to cut through Fairway Estates, but that has been barricaded off. The connection does give more people options to balance the traffic flows. Egeland: From a safety perspective, what is the difference between the current and the new? Reavis: The traffic along the back of the school along Highcastle will remain the same, regardless if the connection is made via Roma Valley or if it is a more direct shot to Highcastle down to Fossil Creek Parkway. That's why, from the City's Safe Route To School Program, we are looking at improvements to the back of the school. Those improvements will go in with either one and the impact traffic wise will be about the same, but the proposed alignment is less direct, therefore it will discourage non - neighborhood cut -through traffic. Thordarson: Is there any possibility of using traffic calming measures? Reavis: The elements that were mentioned are the types that made sense: crosswalks, school zones, improved signage and striping in the area are planned. DRAFT Meeting Minutes • • Transportation Board April21, 1999 Page 7 Egeland: What about a school crossing in the back of the school? Reavis: As far as a flashing zone is concerned, that hasn't been considered at this time, but staff will continue to monitor that. There is a flashing school zone on Boardwalk. The current speed limit behind the school is 25 mph (all the time). Chair Johnson asked Board Members for their final comments/questions. Egeland: Didn't really have time to read Ms. Winters' letter, but it seems to me that this is primarily a safety issue and the two choices are a wash from a safety standpoint. I don't have an objection to the proposed change. Thordarson: I think the proposed amendment is preferred especially in terms of keeping traffic speeds down. It would be good to monitor closely what kind of safety features are incorporated into that and make sure that it becomes an acceptable situation. Trantham: I think that the current Master Street Plan looks like a more direct route and forcing a connection with Roma Valley, seems like you're forcing all these jogs and turns into what's supposed to be a collector. It doesn't make sense to me. I think the Master Street Plan should remain the way it is now. Gould: I think it's really a wash in terms of dealing with problems at the school. The other benefits that have to do with this site development probably add, for me, that extra value and I support the change. Henderson: I agree that from a safety perspective the two alternatives seem to be a wash. In either event, we should try to work with the school to build a better access on the eastside. I support the change primarily because I like the idea of not having this major connector that close to Fossil Creek Park area. Hanna: I think this area is way too mature to be changing the Master Street Plan now. People go and check the Master Street Plan and make decisions about buying houses, etc. and I think it's really unfair. I think for that reason we should stick with the current plan. That way when people look at it, they know what's going to happen when they make decisions for their future. I don't see the proposed connection as doing any good. Frazier: I agree that either alternative has its problems with safety. It seems the school could come up with better plans for picking up/dropping off the children. I would concur to leave the plan the way it is. Johnson: I am in favor of making the change. DRAFT Meeting Minutes Transportation Board April 21, 1999 Chair Johnson called for a motion. Page 8 Egeland moved to accept the proposed changes to the Master Street Plan. There was a second by Gould. Vote: The motion carried 5 — Z with 1 member abstaining Mr. Jackson resumed the floor and said that the next nine revisions were all related to the Fossil Creek Area Road Network. He provided the following background information: The Fossil Creek Area Plan was adopted by the City Council and the Larimer County Planning Commission in March of 1998. In the year since its adoption, staff has taken a more detailed look at the planned road network in this area. This second look has allowed staff to incorporate better knowledge of the existing conditions in the southeast portion of the city. As a result, staff has recommended a series of amendments that will allow the southeast area road network to operate better as a whole. These changes are relatively minor in scope, consisting of reclassification and realignment of selected roadways below arterial level. Mr. Jackson then went over revisions 2-10. A brief question/answer period ensued in order to understand specifics of the revisions. Chair Johnson then asked if there was any public comment on the proposed revisions. PUBLIC COMMENT: Erin Richmond Stated that she has a question regarding Trilby/CR 9. Ms. Richmond asked if staff took into consideration the proposed elementary school, assuming there will be reduced speed limits along Timberline in that area, which would create more traffic going on other streetsbecause people aren't going to want to drive through the 20 mph school zone on their way to work. She asked if those considerations were taken into account when calculating the traffic volumes on that intersection. Bracke: The school will be taking the access off the main collector road. I haven't seen the site plan yet, but it is certainly something to consider. Reavis: As developers come in, they are required to meet alternative mode improvements. Chair Johnson called for final Board Member comments/questions. Frazier: I like quite a few of the changes, but I have a concern with the growth of the city. Hanna: I am in favor of the amendments (2-10). DRAFT Meeting Minutes • • Transportation Board April 21, 1999 Page 9 Henderson: I am in favor of amendments 2-10. Gould: All these make sense. I think we should prepare for the worst -- Level of Service to decrease. Be more conservative. Trantham: I think the proposed Master Street Plan changes look good. I hope the model has correct numbers. Thordarson: I agree with a lot of the member's comments. I like most of the changes I see here. It provides some very good alternatives for people to choose to use another mode of transportation. I am concerned about the Trilby extension. It looks inviting in the future for people coming out of HP. I would also like to voice some objection to the off -set on #10. Perhaps something to the north of CR 36? Johnson: I too favor the changes except for that off -set. Chair Johnson asked for a motion that would support all the changes except for the off -set in #10 and to have staff come back to the Board with a plan that may deal with that. Henderson made a motion to approve the changes with the exception of the off- set between Trilby and the extension, #10, and have staff come back with some alternatives. Vote: 8-0 motion carried unanimously If. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There was a motion and a second to approve the March 17, 1999 meeting minutes as presented. Chair Johnson asked that on page 3, under "board response" the words, "east to College" be removed. The minutes were unanimously approved as amended. DISCUSSION ITEMS: III. MASON STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT UPDATE - Edminster It was announced that this item will be on the Board's agenda for every Transportation Board meeting from now on. Ms. Edminster shared the following highlights with the board: A second meeting of the lead team was held and they are now working on the visioning process for the corridor. A questionnaire was mailed out to 3, 200 people. Most are supportive of a railroad corridor. There will be an Open House on May 12 at the Lincoln Center from 4-7 p.m. DRAFT Meeting Minutes Transportation Board April21, 1999 Page 10 Staff recently went to the North Front Range Transportation It Air Quality Planning Council (NFRT £t AQPC) to ask for their consideration of awarding the project $800,000 in federal/state funds. The Mason Street project is competing with the widening of CR 17 between Berthoud/Loveland. Ms. Edminster suggested that the Board members send a -mails of support for Mason Street to the NFRT &AQPC members. There was a consensus among the members to do so. IV. NE TRUCK ROUTE STUDY UPDATE - Diede Mr. Diede informed the Board that there would be another neighborhood meeting tomorrow night (4/22) from 7 - 9 p.m. The item goes to a City Council Study Session on April 27 and is scheduled for a regular City Council meeting on June 15. V. ELECTION RECAP/NEXT STEPS/WEB SITE - Johnson Chair Johnson asked each member to express their thoughts on the election. Most of the comments were that people didn't want to pay for buses that no one rides. People didn't understand the comprehensive plan. It was agreed that the Mason Street Corridor project is a good tool to show how the system might work. The board talked about allocating time at each regular meeting to work on the next steps or holding a separate meeting instead. It was decided that Chair Johnson will attempt to keep the Transportation Funding Committee alive and invite the Green Light folks as well. Time will be allotted at the next meeting for this issue. VI. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS • Thordarson: At the last meeting, I reported that gas prices were at an all- time low. Now prices are at $2 per gallon in California, which has a lot of people upset. Although congestion is up, people still want to drive! Trantham: Reported that she attended the NE Truck Route Open House. The general feeling among those citizens who attended feel the proposed route is being forced upon them. Gould: Said that at the last meeting, he talked about the Spring Creek Trail problems compared to the Poudre River Trail at Timberline. There is now a temporary trail. Thanks to who ever took care of that! Street parking is created by creating diagonal parking rather than parallel. This is more dangerous for bike riders. Young bike riders need to be educated for safety's sake. DRAFT Meeting Minutes Transportation Board April21, 1999 Page 11 • Henderson: Reported that he read an article on sprawl, showing a graph on Portland. Stated that he should spend time studying successes in other places. Report/research ideas. • Hanna: Nothing at this time. • Frazier: Red shoes/slogan - "We walk our talk" VIL NEXT AGENDA - Transit Issues - Cities for Climate Protection Plan - Budgeting Process OTHER BUSINESS There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. C� �'�u.�uai�lDL6U Cynthia L. Scott Executive Administrative Assistant