HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/01/2002 Work Session
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City of Springfield
Work Session Meeting
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, JULY 1,2002
The city of Springfield council met in work session in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street,
Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, July 1,2002, at 6:20 p.m., with Mayor Leiken presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Leiken, Councilors Ballew, Fitch, Hatfield, Lundberg, Ralston and
Simmons. 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.
1. Lockhaven & Guy Lee Neighborhood Traffic Diverter.
Traffic Engineer Brian Barnett presented the staff report on this issue. Staff is seeking
council directive to conduct public involvement concerning relocation of the diverter that
separates the Lockhaven and Guy Lee neighborhoods.
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Council action in the late 1970's caused the diverter to be installed in conjunction with the
Lockhaven subdivision. Council action is necessary to authorize Public Works to relocate the
diverter south on Don Street so that the residential neighborhoods are connected while
continuing the separation of industrial traffic from the residential areas.
The Council was reminded that in 1999 and 2000 during the discussion of Gateway area
traffic conditions and in 2001 during discussion of realigning Laura Street that the Council
directed staff to consider relocating the Lockhaven traffic diverter. At that time Council
suggested that relocating the diverter to the south, so the Shelly Street industrial area was
separated from the Lockhaven area, while joining the Lockhaven neighborhood to the Guy
Lee neighborhood would benefit traffic circulation and the neighborhoods. Moving the
diverter south will continue the isolation ofthe industrial area from direct access to Harlow
Road and Gateway Street thereby continuing to protect the neighborhoods from industrial
traffic. Providing Lockhaven access to the west and north will connect the neighborhood to
the park and school and to Harlow Road, eliminating the need for inconvenient out of
direction travel eastward to Laura Street. The Lockhaven neighborhood generates about
1,200 trips on an average weekday (ADT) and the Guy Lee neighborhood generates about
1,550 ADT. It is not expected that the averages will change substantially ifthe diverter were
relocated.
Staff plans to hold drop-in open house type meetings to inform the neighborhood's residents
of the proposed project and its purpose, and to receive feedback. The meetings will include
aerial photos of the area, traffic count data, comparative trip lengths, etc. Staff will evaluate
and respond to the comments. Staff will return to Council in a work session to present
options to move the diverter based on technical analysis and citizen input and later a public
hearing for fmal action.
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Work Session Meeting Minutes
July I, 2002
Page 2
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Brian Barnett answered questions regarding lot lines and parcels. He referenced a wall map
to point out different areas.
Brian Barnett said there have been no complaints received from residential or commercial
property owners.
Councilor Lundberg discussed traffic issues and flow patterns for drivers. The School
District is also interested in improving traffic flow issues.
Brian Barnett discussed traffic peaks at 5:00 p.m. and school operational hours.
Brian Barnett and Dan Brown discussed council conditions of approval for the Lochaven
subdivision project.
Council discussed the public participation process schedule. It was noted that this process
should occur prior to the fall and reference was made to operational hours ofthe school.
Brian Barnett answered questions regarding curb removal necessary to complete the project.
Councilor Fitch agreed with Councilor Lundberg and suggested the public involvement
process occur as soon as possible.
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Staff will provide project updates to Councilors Lundberg and Ralston. Councilors Lundberg
and Ralston have council proxy to authorize/direct staff to proceed forward, as appropriate.
This decision to provide proxy to the two councilors was made due to the fact that the council
will be on summer recess August 1 - September 8, 2002.
2. Median Policy and Local Street Standards.
Transportation Planning Engineer Gary McKenney presented the staff report on this issue.
Staff is seeking City Council direction to propose amendments to the Springfield
Development Code which will help determine when and where raised medians should be
installed, revise existing street design criteria, and remove unnecessary and cumbersome
proVIsIons.
Amendments to the Springfield Development Code (SDC) are needed to establish policy
guidance for the use of raised medians on congested streets.
The issues outlined below were included in the council agenda item summary packet briefing
memorandum. Funds to accomplish the proposed code amendments have been included in
the Public Works and Development Services departmental budgets.
MEDIAN POLICY
The City Council has previously directed staffto develop a policy to guide the installation of
medians without requiring Council involvement on each individual project.
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STREET STANDARDS
Amendments to the street standards in the Springfield Development Code are needed to
address several issues:
Work Session Meeting Minutes
July 1, 2002
Page 3
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1) Requirements of the Transportation Planning Rule, which implements Statewide
Planning Goal 12 (Transportation).
2) Property owners who would be assessed sometimes reject plans to improve the street to
current minimum standards due to perceived high costs.
3) Additional residential street classifications are needed to better define the role of collector
streets in neighborhoods.
4) Managing the quantity and quality of storm water runoff from local streets.
5) Influencing neighborhood livability through the use of appropriate street widths, block
lengths, connections, and alignments.
REMOVE CODE PROVISIONS
Certain provisions in the Springfield Development Code need updating to improve efficiency.
Councilor Hatfield discussed TPR issues, page 2, number 1, of the agenda packet. He was
not in favor of reducing our standards, which could eventually drive up maintenance and
operation costs. He discussed life cycle of streets and how we reduce "overall" operating
costs. Gary McKenney answered questions regarding the TPR language.
Gary McKenney discussed issues that will be addressed through this process.
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Councilor Simmons discussed reduction of standards noted in the agenda item summary
packet. He said the language sounds like we are easing the standards for development on a
general basis. He provided an example of the South 52nd Place project. He said the language
reflects that standards will be reduced. This could be a problem at a later time. He said this
appeared to. be a "generic" change. Mr. McKenney said council would review any proposed
changes. He said essential provisions will remain in the Development Code.
Councilor Simmons discussed development code changes and the process related to code
amendments.
Mr. McKenney answered questions related to city maintenance (responsibility) of
unimproved roads.
Dan Brown provided information regarding service levels available/reduced, with the new
fiscal year. Previously, the city may have provided pothole patching on streets that don't
meet city street standards. This may no longer be the case given reduced resources/funding.
Councilor Lundberg understood the "flexibility" we are attempting to achieve with
modifications to the code. She agreed with the proposed concept, recognized the importance
of flexibility and indicated some support for the proposal.
Councilor Hatfield said he would like to see a proposal that defines some of the
modifications.
Councilor Ralston did not want to see lower substandard street requirements.
Councilor Hatfield would like to review a written proposal.
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Mayor Leiken discussed the medians at/near the 58th Street shopping complex. Staff replied
that accidents have been reduced, as well as a reduction in complaints received for that area.
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Work Session Meeting Minutes
July 1, 2002
Page 4
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Councilor Simmons said the median strip at 58th Street is functional. Councilor Simmons
referenced the area at 52nd Place, across from bank and discussed problematic signage.
Councilor Fitch supported removal of cumbersome code provisions. She would like to
review the design criteria and supported use of raised medians within reason.
Staff will bring back the following items/proposal for council review: median policy, local
street standards and removal of minor code provisions.
3. July 8, 2002 - Council Meeting
The July 8, 2002 council meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be provided.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Julie Wilson
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