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Home My WebLink About12/04/2000 Work Session City of Springfield Work Session Meeting . MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDA Y, DECEMBER 4, 2000 The city of Springfield council met in work session in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, December 4, 2000, at 6:00 p.m., with Mayor Leiken presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Leiken, Councilors Ballew, Fitch, Lundberg and Simmons. Council-elect David Ralston was also seated with members of the council. Also present were City Manager Michael Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Joe Leahy, Administrative Coordinator Julie Wilson and members of the staff. Councilor Hatfield was absent (excused). I. Draft Development Code Amendments - Bicycle Parking and Improvements. City Planner Collin Stephens introduced this item. He explained that the AIS packet was missing pages 10 and 12 of Attachment 3. Mr. Stephens also provided handouts of the missing pages. These pages were provided to council. Mr. Stephens introduced Mia Birk of Alta Transportation Consultants. The council is being asked to consider Development Code language amendments that are intended to implement portions of the adopted Springfield Bicycle Plan. The portions of the Bicycle Plan under consideration are those that . . relate to development activities regulated by the Springfield Development Code. The Springfield Bicycle Plan, adopted by the cpuncil in June 199,8, prescribes a safe, convenient and functional bicycle system that the city intends to implement over the next 20 years. The Bicycle Plan states that a key component for implementation of the Bicycle Plan is to: "Adopt implementing ordinances, codes and standards necessary to carry out the plan. The ultimate effectiveness of the Plan hinges on this step." The Springfield Development Code contains the codes and standards to which both public and private development within the city must be constructed. Therefore, it is necessary to amend the sections. of the Development Code that relate to bicycle parking and circulation in order to take this important step in the implementation of the Bicycle Plan. The city has received a grant from the State's Transportation and Growth Management Program that has provided funding to hire Alta Transportation Consulting to craft package of proposed draft code language (see staff report information). The draft language will update the Code so that it agrees with the standards recommended in the Bicycle Plan. The Planning Commission held three work sessions to refine the draft language and voted at their November 22, 2000, public hearing to recommend the amendments to the council. The council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the adoption of the amendments on January 16,2001. Ms. Birk provided a slide presentation on the bicycle parking and improvements plan. The draft Development Code amendments are intended to implement portions of the Springfield Bicycle Plan that . relate to site development and bicycling in Springfield. This will help the city reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMTs) ." as required by the Transportation Planning Rule 12 and Trans Plan. The Code amendments will have the following <-.-J specific outcomes: City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2000 .e2 . Separates bicycle parking requirements from vehicle parking requirements. . Requires a portion of bicycle parking spaces to be sheltered from the elements. . Clarifies and illustrates installation and location standards for bicycle racks so that racks are not placed where they are difficult to find or cannot be properly used. . Reduces the existing access way width from 20 feet to 12 feet when emergency access is not required. . Provides clear standards for the size and placement of shared-use paths. · Requires showers and changing rooms for new businesses having 50 or more employees. Ms. Birk provided a review of the Development Code amendments. See the Agenda Item Summary report and attachments for detailed information regarding the bicycle plan implementation. The group discussed the issue related to exemptions for government and/or public facilities. Colin Summers stated that many people engage in sports activities during the lunch hour and a shower is a nice feature for use. Mayor Leiken asked how many employees are located within city hall. The information referenced noted about 50 employees at city hall. Ms. Birk further reviewed standards language for new sections along with photos as examples for reference. The following points were reviewed: . Bicycle racks · Short-term bicycle parking - examples of poor rack placement · Short-term bicycle parking - examples in Springfield . Bicycle racks with fewer spaces than claimed Bicycle Parking Standards · What works · Photos of what worked well . Hanging racks used in home garages ~-. : u Ms. Birk reviewed possible recommendations and discussed the following: · Standards, new section 31.210 . Long term / sheltered areas · Bicycle parking examples of covered parking (Eugene examples, Springfield examples). · Standards, new section 31.210 . Bicycle racks examples · Wheel-bender rack (used at schools). Damage to bicycles as well as theft. · An example of a bike rack in which bicycles are better stored if lying down. · Racks needing to be fixed. . Long-term parking . Locked bicycle cage . Attended booth Bike parking room in Portland Eugene Albertson's Store example . Pedestrian clear zone. City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2000 ee3 . Numerical standards . New section 31.220, new table specifying requirements per usage . Bicycle commuter facilities . Parking reduction credit Mr. Stephens discussed development examples in which there is not adequate parking space for a development but the developer may have the ability to increase bicycle parking to increase parking potential. He discussed the expense related to placing auto parking in built-up areas, and said if bicycle parking is included then the builder does not have to go through a variance request. He provided additional information regarding a variance request. City Attorney Joe Leahy provided additional information regarding variance and modification of provisions. The group discussed square footage and how this relates to multi-level buildings. Mr. Stephens provided information regarding the calculation of square footage, and also referenced development that is constructed at different times. Mr. Stephens provided information regarding employee shower exemptions. Councilor Simmons raised the issue of conforming to ADA standards when constructing a shower. Council members noted the importance of being supportive but it is important to understand that there is cost involved. The group discussed incentive, how this relates to the TransPlan, reduction of vehicle miles, the benefit to the community and the organization stepping out as a leader. The group discussed the importance of clarifying what the public interest is related to this matter. . Mr. Stephens said about 4-5 city employees ride bicycles to work every day. Council discussed SDCs, parking requirements and trade-offs as well as tax credit incentive issues. Mr. Stephens summarized council discussion and said he understood that they do not want a requirement in the Development Code, but would like formulation of a policy that will encourage it by incentive. Councilor Ballew interjected that some type of cost-benefit should be included. The group discussed the fact that it is difficult to place a count on the number of employees when you are relating to shift work or similar type businesses. Mr. Stephens discussed working toward implementation. Dan Brown provided information regarding the public hearing scheduled this evening regarding SDCs. Councilor Fitch reminded council members to complete city manager performance evaluation forms and submit to her by tomorrow. . City Council Meeting Minutes December 4, 2000 .e4 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7 :00 p.m. p.m. Minutes Recorder - Julie Wilson ~. KimKreb~ City Recorder . . r