MINUTES. October 18, 2011 Meeting

Transcription

1 MINUTES October 18, 2011 Meeting Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Liaison Present: Guests Present: Toby Berla, Scott Carter, Dan Clever, Jim Dunlop, Ninna Gagnon, Greg Garneau, Ken Kaye, Erik Landfried, Jonathan Leach, Mathew Palmer, Merry Rabb, Dwayne Taylor, Lars Trost Lou Goetz, Teiji Kimball Dale McKeel Rachel Raney, Jack Warman A. Introductions B. Approval of Minutes Merry pointed out that in the motion to extend the meeting, Lars seconded the meeting (the word seconded was missing.) Lars moved and Dan seconded to approve the minutes as corrected. Motion passed unanimously. C. Adjustments to the Agenda Eric ed earlier in the day a resolution to support a full time bike-ped staff person. Discussion on this item was added to the agenda. On the event list, the Salvation Army date is October 28 th. Clean Energy Durham has an event on October 23 rd. D. Announcements Steven Lee has resigned from the commission, and the County has advertised the position for the Duke liaison. E. Public Comment Jack mentioned that Venture Cycling has published a report on the summer trip to Falls Lake. No other comments. F. Committee Reports 1. Development Review Committee Report (Dan Clever) First Thursday, 6:30 pm, Sunset Grill Meeting held October 6 th : In attendance were: Dan Clever (chair), Jim Dunlop, Linda Smith, Jack Warman 1

2 Development Plan review- The committee reviewed two development plans, 1) Alexander Park Townhomes (on T.W. Alexander Drive west of Page Road) and 2) a small development plan for 2125 Guess Road.: For the Alexander Park Townhomes, the committee will state that the project would better serve the needs of the community if 1) the section of Page Branch Creek Trail that runs through the site is developed by the applicant per the vision of the adopted Durham Trails and Greenways Master Plan and 2) right of way is provided along T.W. Alexander to allow for future bike lanes per the Bike Plan. The committee had no comments on the other development plan Initial review of responses to BPAC s Comprehensive Plan recommendations. We reviewed some of the items that were included in staff s recommendations on Chapter 8. I followed up with Laura Woods of the Planning Department, and she said that public comment would extend into early December, and that the Comprehensive Plan will probably go to the Planning Commission in January. Therefore, BPAC s subcommittees will have a chance to review and recommend responses at BPAC s November meeting. I will send out an to the commission in advance of the October meeting with a summary of which BPAC comments were included and which were not. 2. Bike Plan Implementation Committee Report (Greg Garneau) Second Thursday 6:30 pm, Geer Street Garden Meeting held October 13, 2011: In attendance were: Lou Goetz, Carl Sundstrom, Branson Kimball, and Greg Garneau (Convener). United States Bicycle Route 1 United States Bicycle Route 1 (U.S.B.R. 1) was discussed. This route was promulgated in 1972, established in 1982, and exists today as a signed corridor from the South Carolina border near Southern Pines to Norlina and the Virginia border. Designed as an adventure cycling route - it parallels U.S. Highway Route 1, the first Federal Highway and the original postal highway from Maine to Florida. The Durham County connection was effectively lost when the expansion of the Raleigh-Durham Airport and the connecting road network was completed. The Virginia route is complete. The Bicycle Plan Implementation Committee recommends that U.S.B.R. 1 be connected again through downtown Durham via portions of the American Tobacco Train (East Coast Greenway). We understand that the East Coast Greenway Alliance is in accord with this routing. The implementation of this route connects in a practical fashion to the existing, signed portions of U.S.B.R. 1. There are few towns and no cities along the existing route. The Bicycle Plan Implementation Committee has invited Branson Kimball to a future meeting of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission to make a presentation and answer questions. Orange Barrels in the Bike Lanes on Cornwallis Road near the T.W. Alexander Construction Zone and the Future Width of the Bicycle Lanes when the Corridor is Complete NCDOT's Michelle Gaddy has responded: "I have requested that the contractor review the traffic control devices and ensure that the bike lanes are clear. It should be done today [October 13]. As for the bike lanes on Cornwallis, the final traffic pattern will have 5 foot bike lanes 2

3 throughout the work zone area on Cornwallis and T. W. Alexander. This does not include any curb and gutter areas. In places where there is curb and gutter, the distance would be 7 foot to the face of curb." Dale McKeel asked in his query that: "... you [NCDOT] confirm that the final marking for these bike lanes will be 6 feet from the face of curb (two foot gutter and four feet of asphalt)?" Draft Sharrows Press Release Dale McKeel has circulated his draft press release (attendant to the introduction of sharrows in Durham). Our suggestions have been forwarded to Carl Sundstrom who will produce a final draft for Dale next week. 3. Pedestrian Plan Implementation Committee Report (Erik Landfried) First Tuesday of month, 6:30 pm, location TBD Meeting held October 4, 2011: In attendance: Erik Landfried, Dale McKeel, Greg Garneau, and Honor Gifford The Committee received a presentation by Dale McKeel regarding the Revised Sidewalk Corridor Rankings and Proposed Sidewalk Construction Priority List and discussed the details of the presentation. Mark Ahrendsen of the City of Durham Transportation Department has requested that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission review the contents of the presentation and recommend any changes it sees fit. The Pedestrian Plan Implementation Committee has developed some initial recommendations (see below) to be discussed and finalized at the October Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission meeting. 4. Communications Committee Report (Merry Rabb) Second Wednesday, 7 pm, Beyu Caffe Meeting: Tuesday October 11, 2011, 7pm City Hall Joint meeting with DOST Trails Committee BPAC CommComm attending: Merry Rabb, Ninna Gagnon & Dale McKeel The purpose of meeting jointly with the DOST Trails Committee was to discuss an official opening event/ribbon cutting for the Third Fork Creek Trail. This would be a low key event with little or no budget. We discussed potential dates, locations activities, special guests/speakers etc. Proposed dates (to be checked with public officials) were Saturday November 5 or 12 th. Also this past month: Bull City Open Streets was held on October 9. Events coming up: Benefit for Clean Energy Durham October 23, 2pm to 6pm at the Casbah. Bike Day - October 28 10am to 2pm sponsored by Northeast Central Durham Livability Initiative/Salvation Boy s & Girl s club. They are looking for volunteers to help with activities. G. Updates from Liaisons 1. NCCU Jonathan Leach Preliminary discussion about Persontown trail, and how to route it through campus. No decisions have been made at this time, but hope a decision will be made by the end of the year. 3

4 2. Duke University No report. 3. DOST Toby Berla Presentation by Steve Medlin, Planning Director regarding Durham Open Space Plans. The plan is on hold until Steve can determine how much time his staff can devote to it. Discussion on Durham County Transit Tax proposal. John Kent, New Hope Creek Advisory Commission, presented concerns about routing of the light rail route in the New Hope Creek area. The current corridor is going through open space in the creek area, and that concerns the commission. They would like to move the corridor closer to US corridor. H. Old Business 1. ATT Phase E Update (Dan Clever and Dale McKeel) Current schedule indicates going out to bid end of October, bid opening mid-december. Contract would be awarded early spring I. New Business 1. Update to the Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans (Dale McKeel) Dale had intended to collect information on purpose and timeframe for updating the plans, but has not been able to so at this time. Bike Plan Committee and Ped Plan Committee were asked to look at existing plan to see what areas need to be updated. 2. DurhamWalks! Plan: Revised Sidewalk Corridor Rankings and Proposed Sidewalk Construction Priority List (Dale McKeel) Dale made a presentation regarding revising corridor rankings. This presentation was given to the Ped Plan Committee earlier in the month. The corridor rankings should be updated every couple of years. The last ranking was in Memorandum to city drafted by Pedestrian Plan Committee was discussed, and modified as needed. Memorandum is attached. Jack suggested separating the memorandum to first support the methodology of the rankings, and second, identifying specific projects that may not be ranked appropriately due to other factors. Motion from the committee to approve the memo. Dan offered a amendment and Jim seconded to remove the sections recommending advancing sections (such as Wellons Village and Old Oxford) on a subjective basis. The amendment failed 4-8. Eric amended his motion to not specifically recommend advancing specific corridors, but point out that the two sections mentioned illustrate some deficiencies in the rankings. The motion carried 11-1, with Dan voting no. 3. Transportation Improvement Program Regional Priority List (Dale McKeel) NCDOT has provided their objective ranking of projects listed by the MPO. The MPO will release the ranking at their meeting next week, and will open a public comment period. Further discussion may be appropriate next month. 4. Resolution to support a full time bike-ped staff person (Eric Landfried) 4

5 Eric asked if this was the appropriate method for requesting this position. Scott will discuss this with Mark and Mike Woodard and report back next month. J. Staff Report / Questions / Announcements No reports other than what was covered in specific agenda items. K. Adjournment Toby moved and Dan to extend the meeting by 15 minutes. The motion passed unanimously. Dan later moved and Lars seconded to extend the meeting to 9:30. Ken moved and Lars seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously and meeting was adjourned at 9:17 PM. 5

6 TO: Mark Ahrendsen, Director, Transportation Department, City of Durham FROM: Scott Carter, Chair - Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) RE: Revised Sidewalk Corridor Rankings and Proposed Sidewalk Construction Priority List DATE: October 18, 2011 A draft of the Revised Sidewalk Corridor Rankings and Proposed Sidewalk Construction Priority List was presented to Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission s (BPAC) Pedestrian Plan Implementation Committee on October 4, 2011 and to the full BPAC on October 18, BPAC appreciates the opportunity to review the document before it is presented to Durham City Council. We fully support the methodology used to make changes to the Sidewalk Corridor Rankings. We also support the inclusion of the Proposed Sidewalk Construction Priority List (Attachment C) to better guide future investment in new sidewalk projects, BPAC recommends that the following projects be listed higher on the Proposed Sidewalk Construction Priority List: Project: HollowayA1, RaynorPW, Liberty2 Reason: The area around Wellons Village is a heavily-used pedestrian corridor with high transit use, several recent pedestrian crashes, and poor road design. We feel that pedestrian access in this area needs to be improved as a whole and would request that these projects be bundled together and placed higher on the construction priority list. We would also request that the City coordinate closely with NCDOT to ensure that any improvements made in this area are consistent with designs for the East End Connector project. Project: Old Oxford Reason: Pedestrians are often seen using the dangerous stretch of Old Oxford Rd between Meriwether Dr and Dearborn Dr. This project is adjacent to, but not directly on, a shopping center, high-usage transit stops, and a Durham Housing Authority housing complex. BPAC recommends that the following projects be listed lower on the Proposed Sidewalk Construction Priority List: Project: Broad1 Reason: The missing piece of sidewalk on the east side of Broad Street between Main Street and Markham Avenue is on Duke s East Campus and is adjacent to an existing walking trail. In addition, there is no bridge on the east side of the bridge over NC 147. The nursing home facility on the east side of Broad between NC 147 and the railroad was not required to construct sidewalks as part of their site improvements due to difficulty in construction, and because there was no continuation across NC 147. Implementation of such a project would require extensive coordination with Duke University and sidewalk already exists along the entire west side of the project corridor. There also is no sidewalk on the west side of Broad between Main and Pettegrew. Project: HWY 54 PW2 Reason: The majority of this project falls within RTP. Please let us know if you have any comments or concerns about the recommended changes to the Plan. 6

7 TO: Mayor Bill Bell and Durham City Council Members FROM: Scott Carter, Chair, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission RE: Full-time Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner Position DATE: October 18, 2011 In 2006, the City Council adopted the Durham Bicycle Transportation Plan, which calls for two bicycle and pedestrian planners to implement the recommendations of the plan. In 2006, the City Council also adopted the DurhamWalks Pedestrian Plan, which lists a variety of new and much needed pedestrian improvements in the City. At this time, Durham has one half-time bicycle and pedestrian planner. His salary is paid in part by the MPO and his time is divided between the City and the MPO. With the creation of a full-time dedicated bicycle and pedestrian planner, the initiatives set forth in the bicycle and pedestrian plans have a higher likelihood of being accomplished. The investment by the City in the bicycle and pedestrian plans showed wisdom and foresight. We know that the budget is tight. However, now that the nation is finally recognizing the benefits of biking and walking for recreation and transportation, the City must make these benefits available to our citizens. A full time bicycle and pedestrian planner will assist the Transportation Department in several key areas: Helping to coordinate special projects such as the pedestrian/bicycle improvements associated with the Durham County Bus and Rail Plan, Bull City Open Streets, and the North East Central Durham Children s Initiative Bike to School Project; Assisting in the various TIP and CIP projects devoted to bike and pedestrian infrastructure; Updating bike and pedestrian educational materials and maps; Coordinating with federal, state and local officials to assist with implementation of the Plans; Communicating with other transportation groups such as the MPO, NCDOT and Triangle Transit to insure that the Plans are adhered to whenever possible; Enhancing the ability to coordinate planning/implementation of pedestrian/bicycle projects with neighboring counties and municipalities; Expanding community relations and partnering with businesses and non-profits; Working with the citizens to expand and improve non-automotive transportation; Providing staff support to BPAC; and Generally promoting more biking and walking in Durham as a transportation alternative and as a path to a healthy way of life. BPAC would also like to emphasize that a full-time pedestrian and bicycle planner would be extremely useful in identifying and completing competitive grants for bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects such as the Safe Routes to School program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program. It should be noted that comparably-sized cities in North Carolina such as the City of Greensboro and City of Raleigh already have full-time bicycle and pedestrian coordinators, giving these cities an advantage when competing for scarce bicycle and pedestrian funding sources. BPAC would be happy to work with you to create and shape this new position. In support of this, we have adopted the attached resolution in support of funding for the additional bike and pedestrian transportation planner. Please contact me if you should have any questions or concerns. cc: Tom Bonfield, City Manager Mark Ahrendsen, Director, Transportation Department 7