HomeMy WebLinkAboutAir Quality Advisory Board - Minutes - 04/20/2009AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 20, 2009
DATE: Monday, April 20, 2009
LOCATION: 215 N. Mason Conference room 1-A
TIME: 5:30 -8:00 P.M:
Dinner is served starting at 5:15
For Reference: Eric Levine, Chair - 493-6341
David Roy, Council Liaison - 407-7393
Brian Woodruff, Staff Liaison - 221-6604
Board Members Present: Dave Dietrich, Greg McMaster, Kip Carrico, Dennis Georg, Katrina
Winbom, Hugh Mackay, John Schroeer, Eric Levine, Dale Adamy
Staff Present: Brian Woodruff, Alexis Hmielak, Lucinda Smith.
Guests: Deborah Booker, Kandace Majoros, Kathy Nix, Teresa Beal, Christine Dianni, Susan
Sunier, Carol Tunner, Joe Tunner
Since Chair Eric Levine was not yet present, Vice Chair Greg McMaster called the meeting to
order at 5:35 p.m..
Mountain Vista Subarea Plan
As there were several citizens present at the meeting to discuss this issue, Vice Chair Greg
McMaster asked that any citizen who wants to speak to limit their comments to the issues of air
quality. He also pointed out the Air Quality Advisory Board does not have the power to change
City Plan and acts only in an advisory capacity to the City Council.
Senior City Planner Pete Wray and Transportation Planner Matt Wempe stated they last
presented to the AQAB in December, 2008. The focus of tonight's presentation is more about
City Plan policies as they relate to air quality in general and how that corresponds to the latest
draft plan.
City Air Quality Vision:
• Reduce tailpipe emissions through clean technologies
o The City will reduce total motor vehicle emissions of high priority pollutants by
focusing on both technology (tail pipe emissions) and behavior (driving patterns).
• Reduce rate of vehicle miles traveled (VMT)
o City will slow growth of VMTs by employing strategies that reduce trip rates,
reduce trip length, and increase vehicle occupancy.
o The City plans to create a more compact urban form throughout the city.
Therefore, as part of the City Plan, the Mountain Vista Plan carries forth that goal.
to establish a higher density, more compact development pattern
o Mixed -use development
o Close proximity to where people live, work, shop, learn and recreate
o Healthy balance of jobs and housing
o Integrated network of street connections between destinations
o Regional trail system
o Transit connections to key service areas
• Promote multi -modal transportation system that offers choices
o Mountain Vista Plan provides a mix of housing, commerce, and jobs in close
proximity and provides increased street connectivity
o Integrated network of multi -modal street connections between destinations
o Pedestrian oriented development
o Regional multi -use trail system
o High Frequency Travel Corridor
o Park and Ride facility adjacent to I-25 Corridor
• Continue to invest in transit, walking and cycling capacity
o Reduce trip length by locating schools, shopping, parks and work near
neighborhoods and by providing increased street connectivity
o Integrated network of multi -modal street connections between destinations
o Pedestrian oriented development
o Regional multi -use trail system
o High Frequency Travel Corridor
o Park and Ride facility adjacent.to I-25 Corridor
• Encourage use of alternative travel modes that reduce air pollution and traffic congestion
o Increase vehicle occupancy by providing ETC Corridors incorporating multi -
modal travel and a Park and Ride facility adjacent to I-25
o Integrated network of multi -modal street connections between destinations
o Pedestrian oriented development
o Regional multi -use trail system
o High Frequency Travel Corridor
Pete Wray and Matt Wempe explained the Mountain Vista Area maps from the 1999 City Plan,
the existing street network and the 2009 Draft Framework Plan.
• 1999 City Plan
o ..Shows existing and future land use for light, medium and heavy residential,
industrial, employment, school, neighborhood centers and community park
b Shows 2- and 4- lane proposed roads and local level road network
• Existing Network
o There is approximately 1500 acres of vacant land with limited existing street
network.
o Street alignments and networks not developed resulting in residents having to
drive further to get to destinations.
• 2069 Draft Framework Plan — based on input to date with plan alternatives and some
refinements to land uses from original plan.
o Will have some expansion to industrial
o School and community park are roughly the same.
0 30 acre commercial center will be smaller than originally planned and is intended
to serve the immediate area of residential and non residential and not compete
with I-25 corridor retail.
o Some multi -family along two enhanced travel corridors.
o Realignment of Vine because of adverse impact to current neighborhoods
o Extending Country Club Drive to I-25
• Next steps
o Refine preferred framework plan map
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o Final transportation modeling/market analysis
o Update plan document
o Public open house — April 30, and sometime in June, 2009
o Boards and Commissions review
o Transportation Board recommendation
o Planning and Zoning Board recommendation
o City Council hearing July 7, 2009.
Discussion:
• Dennis asked what was the change in balance of commercial and business from the original
plan to the new plan. Pete Wray stated there would be a slight increase in industrial
employment, commercial is smaller and slightly more multi -family residential. Also, single-
family residential is reduced, based on increase of employment designation of 1 job per 1.53
houses.
• In answer to a question by Dennis Georg, Matt Wempe stated the proposed roads will
accommodate the land uses and are the same model the North Front Range MPO uses.
• Hugh Mackay asked if this area was laid out to be amenable to solar power. Matt Wempe
stated the developers pay attention to alignment for solar but nothing in this plan will
preclude solar.
• In answer to a question by Greg McMaster, Mat Wempe stated the community park is a key
piece of this project.
• Greg McMaster pointed out the proposed roads in this area are not in a grid pattern like the
rest of the City. Matt stated there are utilities and canals and other things that need to be
circumnavigated that preclude a typical grid pattern. They worked with engineers to design
appropriate curves to maintain safety, traffic flow and provide transportation options.
• To answer a question from Kip Carrico, Pete Wray stated there are no primary streets
planned to go through the community park because the school and park will share parking
lots, athletic facilities and drainage. They do plan to connect the regional trail network
through the school and park locations.
• Eric Levine pointed out this is the first big development in City Plan. He asked how the
Mountain Vista Subarea Plan aligns with the City Plan's intent to maintain neighborhood
character, livability, drivability. Pete Wray stated the City Plan took existing zoning and
overhauled the land use designations in this area. Most of this area is vacant. This is an
opportunity to implement the City Plan policy from the ground up, unlike any other area in
Fort Collins. For a long time the northern area of Fort Collins wasn't up to City standards and
this plan is an attempt to integrate it with future uses. The challenge is to provide
connectivity and best integrate it with future growth and use.
• In answer to a question by Dale Adamy Pete stated Larimer County will maintain the roads
outside the City limits.
Citizen input.
• Local residents, Kathy Nix, Candace Majoros and Susan Steiner spoke and had the following
comments:
o They have not seen the new proposal presented tonight.
o In November, 1999, all the districts of Fort Collins voted down the Vine bypass with
a 2:1 margin.
o Because this is a low basin, residents are concerned about pollution remaining in the
air from trucks.
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o Her group wants the City to not let this become a truck bypass route. Their research
showed that 55% of trucks going through this area fall below the 55,000 pound truck
weight limit and would not be eliminated by that restriction. Also, since this would
be a quicker route for truckers, they will most likely use it no matter what restrictions
are posted.
o They are not against growth, but caution the City to do it wisely and keep traffic to a
minimum. They would like to see some roundabouts or other traffic calming devices.
o She gave the group copies of the studies they have done.
o This plan would cause neighborhoods in the area to be negatively impacted with air
and noise pollution affecting environmental health and quality of life.
o They are also concerned about pollution to the lakes.
o Suggested Vine not go all the way to I-25 like Horsetooth. Dennis Georg pointed out
Mountain Vista is an existing interchange that was built to entice Anheuser Busch to
build their plant there.
Discussion
o Eric mentioned that in 1999 he investigated the fact that Emporia, Virginia put in a
non -through truck road zone and could the City also do this at Mountain Vista. Matt
Wempe pointed out the City would be unable to enforce this because of lack of
resources.
o Dennis stated it is hard to evaluate this plan without knowing the anticipated increase
of traffic and how it will impact air quality. He also suggested the AQAB look at the
big picture for air quality as a whole, not just as a result of trucks.
o Hugh pointed out this plan would increase the amount of trucks not only in the
northern part but also through the City. It would also affect our Climate Action Plan.
o Dale would also like to know what other options the City has such as lowering the
speed limit, adding speed bumps, weight limits, etc..
■ Matt Wempe stated traffic calming is generally on collector level roads and the
traffic engineer will make the call: Typically there are not any traffic calming
devices on arterial roads.
o In answer to a question by Dale Adamy, Matt Wempe stated some measures they take
to reduce air pollution are retiming a light such as on game day and putting in right
turn lanes because if traffic stopps too long at lights, it create more pollution.
o John Schroeer asked if the City can lower the weight limit on roads. Matt will -
investigate.
o Eric summarized the air quality issue seems to be the subarea plan and the unintended
consequences from the truck route. Matt stated a truck bypass study is not part of the
Mountain Vista Subarea Plan but they have done truck bypass studies separately.
Mulberry is a state highway and the City is not planning to change that route. The
northern roads are local.
o Pete Wray pointed out the original plan shows expansion of Vine Drive to I-25. They
are precluded from expanding it because of existing development. City Council is
concerned about impacts to existing neighborhoods. The challenge is to address
future development in the existing plan. The Transportation Board has been working
with them on this. .
o Dennis would like to see a macro level quantitative assessment of the air quality
impact of vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Matt stated they have average daily traffic
numbers in this plan.
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o Greg wondered about the transit center planned for this area and the resulting impacts
to air quality.
o Eric pointed out in addition to air quality issues from VMT, there are also "hot spot"
pollution in this area.
• Ins summary, the AQAB agreed they do not have enough information to make a
recommendation at this time. The AQAB will email any more questions to Matt Wempe and
Pete Wray through their staff liaison Brian Woodruff.
Transit Strategic Plan
Transfort Assistant General Manager Kurt Ravenschlag was present to update the Board on the
Transit Strategic Plan (TSP), including recommendations from the funding committee. New
planner Scott Weeks also attended. Kurt stated the first half of his presentation is the same as
when'he previously presented to the board several months prior. To summarize:
• The Transit Strategic Plan (TSP) is a partnership between Fort Collins, Loveland and the
Poudre School District.
• The purpose of the plan is to:
o Update the 2002 Transfort Strategic Operating Plan
o Address specific City Policies and Objectives
o Foster a Dialogue With the Community and Region
o . Review Existing Service and Performance Standards
o Examine the Existing Four Phased Approach to a Grid Transit Network
o Address the Financial Solutions Required.
• Project goals and objectives
o Goal 1: Develop an expanded transit system focused on productivity and
performance to serve the Fort Collins area that meets City Plan Policies. They will
focus on the high schools to see if Transfort can be an option for them.
o Goal 2: Meet and exceed the 2008 Climate Action Plan Goal for Transportation COz
reductions by 2020.
o Goal 3: Provide enhanced mobility for seniors, youth, disabled and transit dependant.
o Goal 4: Develop a public transportation system that reduces roadway related costs for
maintenance, right-of-way acquisition, and construction.
o Goal 5: Provide funding recommendation to fully implement the Transit Strategic
Plan.
o Goal 6: Stimulate the local economy through investment in public transportation
infrastructure and operations.
• The process is to:
o Collect input from the community. They will have seven open house meetings in
Fort Collins and Loveland; four PSD open houses and 30 stakeholder
briefings/interviews.
o Examine existing Strategic Plan goals and objectives
o Examine Existing conditions
o Develop system build -out to meet project goals
o Financial planning
• Most frequent comments from public outreach
o Increase hours of service (evenings and weekends)
o Increase frequency to a minimum of every half hour
o Need to implement a Grid System
o Establish regional connections between Fort Collins and Denver Metro
o More transit coverage throughout community and region
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• Draft Build -out phases
o Phase 1 - Modest service growth.
o Phase 2 - Transition to grid network and regional service
o Phase 3 - Full grid network and additional regional service
• Costs
o The annual operating and maintenance costs for phase III for Fort Collins is predicted
to cost about $22 million; $10 million for Loveland and $5 million for regional
service. They anticipate shortfalls�for each
o They also anticipate a $13 million capital shortfall to implement the plan for Fort
Collins; $5.7 million for Loveland and $6.6 million for regional. They are pursuing
grants.
o Operating expenses to implement the plan in Fort Collins are:
■ Existing: $8 million — 72,000 service hours and 23 busses
■ . Phase 1: $11,773,084 — 96,100 service hours and 27 busses
■ Phase II: $18,012,894 — 141,000 service hours and 38 busses
■ Phase III: $22,551,179 — 162,800 service hours and 41 busses
• Financial Planning
o Developed Financial Plans for each Expanded Service Phase
o Citizen Financial Advisory Committee convened bi-weekly for 6 months to develop a
funding recommendation for the expanded service for Loveland and Fort Collins.
Their recommendations were:
■ Immediate Creation of a Regional Service Authority
■ Increase Funding For Phase III Implementation with the Following Sources:
Maintenance of Effort; Fares; General Sales Tax; Transit Utility Fee; Negotiated
Agreements and Special Improvement Districts
• Why a centralized service provider
o Meets Partners Objectives
■ Most direct and effective means of achieving coordinated transit service
■ A service provider avoids confusion with other regional transportation
infrastructure efforts.
■ Each entity provides its own funding and contracts with the service provider
for transit service at whatever level it wishes
• Can be designed so that additional jurisdictions could join now or later.
o Governance
■ Simplifies administration and improves accountability
■ Strengthens regional partnerships
■ Better leverages State and Federal funding.
o Operational Efficiencies and Economies of Scale
■ Shared overhead costs, staffing, and facilities.
o Long Term Opportunities
■ Fully achieving long range visions for Northern Colorado mobility requires
the formation of one regional transit provider.
• Staff Recommendation
o Staff recommends that a Regional Service Authority Feasibility Study be completed
by January 2010 as an addendum to the Transit Strategic Plan with the following
scope of work: Background Analysis; Stakeholder Interviews; Peer Analysis;
Alternatives and Cost/Benefit Analysis
• Benefits —based on ridership projections
o Reduced dependency on oil
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o Reduction in CO2 and
o Transit reduction in VMT and CO2
o Relieves congestion
o Benefits to seniors and low income individuals
o Builds strong economy and saves money by having one less car/family
■ Greg McMaster suggested they be clear with this argument
o Increased real estate values and development
o Reduces investment required for expansion of streets
• Summary — demand will increase in next few years — need to prepare now
o Economics — increase in oil increases commodities and cost of living
o Aging population
o Environmental concerns — city council goals CAP
• Next steps
o April - June: Meet with City Boards and Commissions
o April 28th: City Council Work Session
o May - June: Documentation
o July 7: Council Regular Session for Adoption
Discussion:
• Greg McMaster asked where the BFO process fits into this plan for the next 2 years. Kurt
responded that the Citizen Financial Advisory Committee recommended to target revenue
that may or may not come from the general fund such as sales tax dedicated to transit or from
a future tax initiative for overall City improvements. They are prepared with projected costs
and options.
• Eric Levine pointed out the 2008 Scorecard in the AQAB packet predicted a $5 million
revenue shortfall for the City and asked, if that is not remedied, would Transfort services go
down. Kurt pointed out at the beginning of 2009, 50% of the fleet was past its useful life and
will need to be replaced..Transfort got stimulus funding to replace 5 busses but they need 10
more and will also need to make facility and fueling upgrades. The dilemma is that increased
ridership will require more busses to provide more convenient service. They will also focus
on the densest corridors to make the system more productive.
• In answer to a question by Eric,Levine, Kurt Ravenschlag stated the 2020 goal to reduce
transportation CO2 by 14,000 tons over the 5 year expansion period will require multiple
solutions. Increases in ridership would be tied to the reduction of vehicle miles not traveled
and corresponding reduction of COz.
• In answer to a question from Dave Dietrich, Kurt explained the capital costs projected are for
purchase of busses only.
• Dennis stated he was not ready to take action until this plan was reworked to be more
productive and several AQAB members were concerned about the expensive cost per ton of
COz, reduced. Kurt stated that this was a satisfactory framework from which to develop
further actions and funding.
Greg McMaster moved and John Schroeer seconded the following motion:
From an air quality perspective, the Air Quality Advisory Board supports a phased
transit plan, managed by a regional service authority, that will productively and
measurably reduce overall vehicle miles travelled (VMT) in Fort Collins and throughout
the northern front range.
Motion passed unanimously.
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Election of officers:
Kip Carrico nominated and Dave Dietrich seconded a motion to appoint Eric Levine as
Chair of the Air Quality Advisory Board
Vote was unanimous.
Eric Levine remained Chair of the AQAB.
Dale Adamy nominated and Dave Dietrich seconded a motion to appoint Greg
McMaster as Vice Chair of the Air Quality Advisory Board.
Vote was unanimous.
Greg McMaster remained Vice Chair of the AQAB.
Approval of minutes
Hugh Mackay pointed out his name had been misspelled and Dale Adamy asked for a minor
correction.
Hugh Mackay moved and Dale Adamy seconded a motion to approve the April 20, 2009,
minutes of the Air Quality Advisory Board minutes as amended.
Motion passed unanimously.
Climate Plan Committee
Lucinda Smith addressed the board to state that City Council will not have a work session before
they vote on the Climate Plan in June, 2009. She suggested the AQAB may want to make a
formal recommendation to Council in May. Eric Levine and Brian Woodruff had discussed
having the AQAB form a subcommittee to talk about bringing a recommendation to Council.
She is willing to meet with the subcommittee for guidance._ The group tentatively agreed on
convening a subcommittee May 12 or 13`h from 5:30 — 7:00 pm.
Adjourn
Greg McMaster moved to adjourn the meeting.
Eric Levine adjourned the meeting 9:39 p.m.
Submitted by Alexis Hmielak
Administrative Secretary I
Approved by the Board on
Signed
A/7
Administrative Secretary I Date
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