Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 09/18/2019TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR September 18, 2019, 6:00 p.m. Conference Room A, 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 9/18/2019 – MINUTES Page 1 FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Indy Hart Vice Chair: Council Liaison: Nathalie Rachline Kristin Stephens Staff Liaison: Paul Sizemore 970.224.6140 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Hart called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM and announced the concurrent meeting of the Women on the Move Panel. 2. ROLL CALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Indy Hart, Chair Nathalie Rachline, Vice Chair Eric Shenk Jerry Gavaldon Valerie Arnold York Karl Ayers Cari Brown BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Ellen Boeke CITY STAFF PRESENT: Rebecca Everette Aaron Iverson Joe Olson Kyle Lambrecht PUBLIC PRESENT: Kaitlyn Brody TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9/18/2019 – MINUTES Page 2 3. AGENDA REVIEW Sizemore noted the Board has been provided the BAC Work Plan and stated there were no changes to the published agenda. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Kaitlyn Brody introduced herself and stated she is working on a bicycle injury prevention project as part of her nursing degree. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – AUGUST 2019 Gavaldon made a motion, seconded by Rachline, to approve the August 2019 minutes as amended. The motion was adopted unanimously. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Transportation and the Development Review Process – Rebecca Everette, Aaron Iverson, Joe Olson Rebecca Everette, Development Review Manager, provided a general timeline of and discussed how an application moves through the development review process. She detailed the types of project approval processes. Everette discussed the various documents that provide transportation policy and guidance for development review and outlined the staff members and departments that participate in the process. Gavaldon asked about the use of the term 'lower level' in reference to various decision makers. Everette replied the level of review and the standards to which projects are held are the same regardless of the review process; however, there are three categories of review: basic development review which allows for a project to be approved or denied at a staff level, type I reviews which go before a hearing officer, and type II reviews which go before the Planning and Zoning Board. Joe Olson, City Traffic Engineer, stated traffic is a major concern for developments and noted the impact of traffic is somewhat subjective. He stated the City uses the criteria in the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards to define traffic impacts. He detailed the level of service standards, or levels of delay at an intersection, utilized in traffic impact studies. He noted Fort Collins also has bicycle and pedestrian facility standards including connectivity. Olson discussed the components of traffic impact studies and their included assumptions based on the type of land use. He noted traffic impact studies do not TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9/18/2019 – MINUTES Page 3 include value judgements, neighborhood impacts in the context of livability, or parking standards. Everette noted there are Land Use Code requirements related to neighborhood compatibility and stated neighborhood impacts are considered at neighborhood meetings and through public hearing testimony. Olson stated the developer will be asked to provide detailed traffic estimates if concerns arise at the neighborhood meeting. Arnold stated it may be helpful to have traffic numbers included as a requirement. Olson replied some individuals may feel any additional traffic will have a negative impact whereas the added traffic may not impact intersection delays which is the criteria. Gavaldon asked if developers can opt out of neighborhood meetings. Everette replied neighborhood meetings are either required or not based on the Code but noted they are encouraged even when not required. Rachline asked about the process to include new standards. Olson replied there are no Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards related to traffic volumes on street segments nor are they included in traffic impact studies; however, traffic volumes are considered through other means. Rachline asked about the criteria for the City to decide to include traffic volumes as part of traffic impact studies. Olson replied the difficult part is determining the criteria. Everette replied staff is constantly considering updates and improvements to standards and noted there is sometimes a tension between connectivity, safety, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing traffic through neighborhoods. She stated the process for Land Use Code changes is based in City Plan or at the direction of Council. Olson noted not increasing traffic in one area may lead to other problems elsewhere but stated traffic impact study requirement changes could be discussed. He stated mitigation can be required if standards are not met, but only to the extent that it is proportional to the impact. Additionally, developers cannot be required to address existing deficiencies; however, they must pay into the transportation capital expansion fund which is used to make larger scale arterial improvements. Olson stated the Master Street Plan is in the process of being updated. York asked if transit infrastructure is being considered. Olson replied in the affirmative. Rachline asked if there is an equivalent to the traffic impact study from a transit perspective. Aaron Iverson, FC Moves Senior Transportation Planner, replied the City's multi-modal level of service standards include a transit portion that lays out required elements of a traffic impact study. He noted the multi-modal level of service TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9/18/2019 – MINUTES Page 4 standards are currently being updated. Everette noted there is a transit planner who reviews all development proposals. b. Linden Street Redesign – Kyle Lambrecht Kyle Lambrecht, City Civil Engineer, discussed the history of this project noting it was part of the Old Town renovations. He discussed examined alternatives and detailed the funding stating construction is set to begin in 2020. Lambrecht stated data indicates the intersection of Linden and Walnut is pedestrian focused whereas the Linden and Jefferson intersection, only one block away, shifts back to being vehicle focused. He detailed project goals of creating the connection between Old Town and the River District, creating a flexible space that functions as a roadway for the most part while also supporting multi-modal use, and supporting economic vitality. Brown asked if Linden business owners are supportive of the plan. Lambrecht replied there are concerns about the removal of parking. Gavaldon stated it is important to have the support of businesses. Chair Hart noted the Board's purview does not include parking. Lambrecht discussed the available parking in the area, including the new parking garage. He stated a petition has been circulating against the preferred alternative which reduces parking spaces and discussed possible solutions considered by staff. Keith Meyer, Ditesco Services, discussed the space allocation and pedestrian experience design. He noted the petition mentioned does not represent most people in the area and was started by Walnut Street business owners. He stated the Bicycle Advisory Committee and Downtown Development Authority have both expressed support for the full parallel parking alternative; however, it does eliminate 30 parking spaces. Rachline noted there were several speakers opposed to the plan at last night's Council meeting. Meyer replied only one of the nine was a Linden Street business and the others were Walnut Street businesses. He stated their main concerns relate to a loss of business due to a lack of parking. Arnold discussed the importance of ensuring business support as there will not be a need for the project if the businesses do not survive. She stated better communication with the businesses is key. Meyer detailed the proposed preferred alternative design. Brown asked how the surface changes will be navigated by blind individuals. Meyer replied there will be truncated domes to distinguish the difference between the travelled way and pedestrian way. Brown asked if the Commission on Disability expressed concerns. Lambrect replied TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9/18/2019 – MINUTES Page 5 the Commission requested assurance a fully ADA compliant paver type will be used. Gavaldon asked how handicapped spaces will be accommodated. Meyer replied the plan is to keep one central accessible space and two at the edge. Gavaldon asked about bike rack locations. Meyer replied bike racks will be incorporated into the wider side amenity space and one parking space would be eliminated for bicycle parking. Meyer detailed proposed urban design concepts: a garden street concept and a festive street concept, which is more curvilinear. Lambrecht stated outreach will be finalized by the end of September after which staff will provide Council a recommendation, summary of outreach, and the parking loss mitigation plan. The plan is then to hire a contractor prior to the design finalization and begin construction in the spring of 2020. York asked if major utility work is expected. Lambrecht replied in the negative. Chair Hart requested an informal showing of hands for the option most boardmembers favored, as feedback for staff. Most supported the festive rather than the garden design. Ayers asked if back-in diagonal parking is being considered. Lambrecht replied in the negative. Gavaldon asked if the parking will still be 2-hour. Lambrecht replied in the affirmative. c. Harmony Gateway Project – Cameron Gloss Cameron Gloss, Planning Manager, discussed the standards and guidelines for the Harmony Gateway noting the focus is to be on transportation, land use and character, and natural resource elements. He stated the floodway and floodplain on the west side of I-25 along Harmony provides a complicating factor. Gloss discussed the public outreach efforts and land use mix and detailed the resulting ten design elements including a naturalistic river valley landscape, denoting the area as a mobility hub, and a regional trail corridor. He stated staff is working to decrease the intensity of the design based on Council feedback. Gloss detailed four scenarios for the project. Arnold asked about the geographic boundary for the gateway. Gloss replied it is both sides of Harmony from I-25 to Lady Moon Drive. Gavaldon asked if the existing businesses in the area will remain. Gloss replied they are approved uses and most owners have been willing to consider updates and changes. TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9/18/2019 – MINUTES Page 6 Arnold asked if there is a budget for the project. Gloss replied private developers would be responsible for most improvements and developers are participating in conversations. Brown asked if there is concern about negative impacts on these areas should Timnath not properly mitigate flood prone areas. Gloss replied Timnath is downstream and I-25 provides a natural roadblock. Gloss asked the Boardmembers for feedback regarding preparation for the project workshop occurring in two weeks. Gavaldon suggested staff needs to consider possible rail service on I-25 so as to not eliminate Fort Collins from various options. d. 2020 Work Plan Action – All Boardmembers noted the consensus at the last meeting was to leave the Work Plan as is with the addition of a budgeting item. Chair Hart noted the Board's entire purview may change as a result of the 'reimagining boards and commissions project.' Brown made a motion, seconded by Gavaldon, to accept the Work Plan as drafted. York asked about the inclusion of the BAC Work Plan. Brown and Gavaldon withdrew the motion in order to allow members the opportunity to read the BAC Work Plan. Ayers stated there were few changes to the BAC Work Plan and the general thought was to be less specific. Gavaldon made a motion, seconded by Brown, to approve the Transportation Board 2020 Work Plan including the BAC Work Plan. The motion was adopted unanimously. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Gavaldon stated he wanted to ensure the City is on the right path with the electric scooter pilot project given recent injuries. Rachline stated the Planning and Zoning Board will be discussing the Hughes Stadium property rezoning tomorrow and she will be absent from next month's meeting. Chair Hart reported the Parking Advisory Board discussed the Linden Street redevelopment and had a discussion about parking in the city and how it can be supportive of other modes. York reported on the Tour de Fat event noting traffic seemed to be improved in the neighborhoods given the schedule change to have the concert immediately after the parade. He reported on his neighborhood block party that utilized the City's block party trailer and stated the Planning and Zoning Board discussed the Hughes Stadium property rezoning at its last worksession. He stated the Board also discussed the exterior lighting TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 9/18/2019 – MINUTES Page 7 Land Use Code updates and the Harmony Gateway project. 9. OTHER BUSINESS a. Bicycle Advisory Committee Report Ayers reported the BAC received a trails update and an update on the I-25 crossing that will be partially funded by CDOT. He stated the Lincoln Middle School project should be done by November and the Shields and Magnolia project has been delayed until spring due to infrastructure issues. He also stated the back-in diagonal parking pilot on Howes Street between Maple and Laporte will begin soon. Ayers announced he and his wife will be moving to Berthoud so he may only have one more meeting remaining. b. City Council 6-Month Calendar Review Sizemore stated Council will be discussing northeast Fort Collins planning at an upcoming worksession, will consider the Montava PUD, will discuss the Harmony Gateway plan and City Park improvements, and will consider the Hughes Stadium property rezoning. He stated Council will hold a mobility worksession on November 26th. c. Staff Liaison Report Sizemore reported Planning, Development and Transportation Director interviews will be held Monday and stated the electric scooters will likely be deployed in mid- October for the pilot project. He announced the September Open Streets event on Seneca. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m. by unanimous consent.