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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 06 07 WSCity of Springfield Work Session Meeting MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD PLANNING COMMISSION HELD TUESDAY, June 7, 2016 The City of Springfield Planning Commission met in a work session in the Jesse Maine Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 6:00 p.m., with Commissioner Nelson presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Chair Nelson, Vice Chair James, Commissioners, Landen, Dunn, Koivula, Moe and Vohs. Also present were, DPW Director Anette Spickard, Current Development Manager Greg Mott, Current Development Planning Supervisor Jim Donovan, Senior Planner Andy Limbird, City Attorney Mary Bridget Smith and Kristina Kraaz and Management Specialist Brenda Jones and members of the staff. ABSENT • None WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT 1. Virginia-Daisy Bikeway Project Preliminary Design Concepts- Emma Newman Transportation Planner and Michael Leibler Transportation Engineer, started the work session by discussing the Virginia-Daisy Bikeway Project preliminary design concepts which are in large part a result of the collaboration between staff and consultants at Alta Planning & Design. The project and design concepts are currently in the middle of the first round of outreach soliciting the community’s feedback and preferences. Staff would like to combine the community input on the options and treatments proposed in the Preliminary Design Concepts with the feedback and suggestion s provided by the Planning Commission and the City Council’s work session to help inform the next round of revisions which will lead to a final concept. Commissioner Vohs asked if this project has dedicated funding for the project. Emma Newman answered that they do have preliminary funding which has been secured but at some point will need additional funding. Commissioner James Emma Newman Emma continued with the staff report discussing the projects preliminary funded through a grant by the ODOT Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee Transportation Enhancement Program. The project is located on Virginia Avenue and Daisy Street at 32nd to Bobv Straub Parkway. A full description of the project background ws invluded in the May project update. City of Springfield Planning Work Session Minutes June 7, 2016 Page 2 The Virginia –Daisy Bikeway Project established the following principles to guide the project from start through to completion. Emma referred to Attachment 1, Maps showing the Virginia-Daisy Bikeway Preliminary Design Concepts and explaining what the scope of the project will be and information she has received by the residents that will be impacted. Commissioner Koivula asked about the safety in this area which he is concerned about the safety of this type………….pedestrian safety………… Michael answered that all of the applications for a roundabout show that this is a more safe application rather than ……………….. Michael added Commission Moe how far away from traffic will the pedestrians be from traffic. Michael answered that its at least one car length, but wanted to make it clear that they are just in the design phase of the project…… Commissioner Nelson explained his experience with the Round-about on Hayden Bridge. Michael answered that there are design elements that show ………..side flasher or not. You don’t want to give them the opportunity to be seen by the traffic coming. By adding the Yellow and Red warning’s defeat the concept of the round-about and cause other issues. Commissioner Vohs is it common knowledge that the bicycles going Commissioner James agrees with what has been presented and agrees that he likes roundabout more than other devises. Commissioner Landen, as a bike rider he has to determine what device he will use to cross the road or a round-about depending on the area and the speed of the vehicles, and would like to see more round-about. Commissioner Koivula agrees that the roundabouts have Commissioner Dunn really like the roundabouts more than anything especially when….. The project hosted the first open house on May 25th at Mt. Vernon Elementary School. Approximately 35 people, mostly corridor residents, attended this open house and provided a variety of thoughtful responses to the design concepts as well as identifying neighborhood concerns. (A full summary of the Virginia-Daisy Bikeway feedback received from the open house is included in Attachment 4). The most frequently mentioned issues or preferences focused on the following elements: o Overall, the neighbors along the corridor indicated that the Preliminary Design Concepts are on the right track. Initial feedback included concerns about on street parking being removed, but after discussion with staff and understanding that most of the parking is being maintained, many people felt comfortable with the preliminary design concepts. o 42nd and Daisy is recognized as an intersection that needs safety improvements, specifically with the poor visibility created by the curve leading into the intersection City of Springfield Planning Work Session Minutes June 7, 2016 Page 3 from the south. Opinions varied about the preferred treatment, but feedback favored either a roundabout or full traffic signal design option. o People expressed concern about the tree wells with regards to visibility and maintenance. In addition to community outreach, project staff met with Fire and Life Safety and Police to review the design concepts and identify any potential impacts on the provision of emergency services. All of the designs treatments and options under consideration enable emergency vehicles to respond and the traffic calming elements could assist police officers working along the corridor Commissioner Nelson asked why they Emma explained by putting the bike lanes further out and the trees Michael added Greg Mott asked if the ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Minutes Recorder – Brenda Jones ______________________ Nick Nelson Planning Commission Chair Attest: ____________________ Brenda Jones Management Support Specialist