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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 12/16/20151 MINUTES of the CITY OF FORT COLLINS TRANSPORTATION BOARD December 16, 2015 6:00 p.m. Community Room 215 North Mason, Fort Collins, CO 80521 FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Olga Duvall Vice Chair: Eric Shenk Staff Liaison: Paul Sizemore 970.224.6140 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT: Olga Duvall, Chair Gary Thomas York Tim Sutton Sid Simonson Pat Jordan Annabelle Berklund ABSENT: Boardmember Greg Oakes Boardmember Eric Shenk Councilmember Ross Cunniff Paul Sizemore, FC Moves Program Manager Aaron Iverson, Senior Transportation Planner Mark Jackson – PDT Deputy Director Pete Wray – Senior City Planner Joe Olson – City Traffic Engineer Rachel Prelog – FC Moves Intern Amy Lewin- Senior Transportation Planner 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Duvall called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm with a quorum. Sizemore stated Boardmembers Shenk and Thomas reapplied for positions on the Board and thanked Boardmember Simonson for his service as he is term limited. Mark Jackson, PDT Deputy Director, commented on Boardmember Simonson’s service. Boardmember Thomas commented on Boardmember Simonson’s thoughtful opinions over the years. 2. AGENDA REVIEW Sizemore stated there were no changes to the published agenda. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT Meg Dunn complimented the work done at Shields and Vine. 2 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES York made a motion, seconded by Jordan, to accept the November 2015 Board minutes. The minutes were approved unanimously. 5. COUNCIL LIAISON Councilmember Cunniff was unable to attend but Chair Duvall discussed a letter received from Council acknowledging the Transportation Board’s recommendation for the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards. 6. BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT – York York stated a trails update was provided and the West Elizabeth Enhanced Travel Corridor Plan and the 2015 bicycle and pedestrian counts were discussed at the previous Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting. 7. DISCUSSION/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS • West Elizabeth Enhanced Travel Corridor Plan – Amy Lewin/Rachel Prelog Rachel Prelog, FC Moves, defined an Enhanced Travel Corridor as a uniquely-designed corridor planned to incorporate high-frequency transit, bicycling and walking. She discussed the West Elizabeth plan area and stated the plan is estimated to take 18 months to complete. Prelog went on to detail the public outreach efforts and results thereof, which include the high demand for Transfort, difficulty in making left-hand turns, and inconsistent bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Amy Lewin, FC Moves, discussed the highlights of the vision for the future, noting the corridor varies from east to west. She also discussed the importance of various modes working well together and detailed the various suggested approaches, including short- term transportation systems management and two longer-term design approaches focused on traffic calming and potential bus rapid transit. She stated the approaches will be refined and further evaluated ultimately leading to a recommended design. Lewin reviewed maps showing areas of concern and recommended improvements, and discussed connectivity of the low stress network in the study area. Thomas asked about existing transit ridership. Lewin replied it is estimated to be 10,000 riders a day in the area. Thomas suggested that number is too high. Staff indicated they would investigate this statistic and get back to the Board. Sutton asked how many people have given an opinion on this topic versus how many people use the area. Lewin replied staff has made all possible efforts to reach the users and noted various survey instruments were used. Berklund asked about the use of a roundabout at Ponderosa. Lewin replied a main reason for that roundabout is for a bus turn around and to help facilitate crossing. Lewin discussed the importance of adequate parking and stated a parking lot at the Equine Center is likely. Sutton asked if any comments were received regarding not having enough spots for bikes on the buses. Lewin replied that this had not emerged as a significant concern as 3 a part of this planning process. Lewin stated there is interest in a grade-separated crossing in the vicinity of Elizabeth and Shields, and that feasibility was being studied via a parallel effort. She stated staff will return with additional information regarding the plan for the corridor in the near future to solicit further input and involvement from the Board. • Old Town Neighborhoods Plan Update – Pete Wray/Aaron Iverson Pete Wray, Senior City Planner, stated any potential land use changes are related to rezonings. He discussed the two main corridors in the Plan area: Mulberry from Riverside to Taft Hill, and Shields from Laurel to Vine Drive. He discussed public outreach efforts which have been completed and noted the importance of connectivity. Additionally, Wray discussed the neighborhood greenways and sustainability efforts and detailed various constraints in the area. He noted there is strong interest in looking at bike and pedestrian improvements, including improved crossings, along the corridors. Sutton asked about the number of cars per day used as a guide for incorporating a “road diet.” Joe Olson, Traffic Engineer, replied the upper limit is around 15,000. Thomas asked if the middle third lane improves left-turn conflicts. Olson replied in the affirmative. Wray stated the updated plan is expected to go before Council in April. Thomas asked if the property value increases in the area factor into this Plan. Wray replied there are no significant land use changes being considered which would warrant changes to the Master Street Plan and stated property values are not necessarily included in this particular Plan. Thomas asked about next steps. Wray replied it would be beneficial to come before the Board again prior to April. (**Secretary’s Note: The Board took a brief recess at this point in the meeting.) • Annual Report Draft and Revisions – Paul Sizemore Sizemore stated he wanted to ensure he has captured the Board’s vision for the changes to the Annual Report. He stated the Report contains the mission statement, activity summary, and highlights. Thomas commended the new format and suggested the letter from the Mayor regarding the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards be referenced. The Board suggested clean-up items and supported the changes. 8. ACTION ITEMS None. 4 9. REPORTS • Boardmember Reports Simonson reported on his time on the Board and various educational and travel experiences he has had in that time. He thanked Jackson and Thomas for their support over the years and expressed gratitude for the experience. Thomas reported on the Regional Issues Summit which was organized by the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance. Jackson also discussed the Summit and transportation issues covered. Jordan asked if Bustang comes to the Downtown Transit Center. Jackson replied a couple mid-day runs each day come to the Downtown Transit Center. York stated he asked the Bicycle Advisory Committee if they wanted to include anything on the Board’s Work Plan or Annual Report; however, he has not received any feedback at this point. He reported on the Built Environment Working Group meeting, the Climate Action Plan review meeting, and the CSU/Sheeley Neighborhood meeting. Additionally, York asked about the snow removal process on the protected bike lanes on Laurel. Sizemore replied he has yet to hear a report. Berklund stated snow plowing on the Remington greenway should be examined. Chair Duvall noted bad weather provides a good opportunity to use transit. • Staff Report Sizemore stated the Mulberry bridge, Horsetooth and Timberline intersection, and North College project are all substantially complete. Additionally, he stated the College resurfacing will start again in April. He discussed upcoming meeting topics and reviewed Winter Bike to Work Day. Berklund asked how the Winter Bike to Work Day was advertised. Sizemore replied there were press releases and signage. Berklund suggested future signage include date information. 10. OTHER BUSINESS None. 11. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m., motion by Simonson, second by Thomas, passing unanimously.