Greater Harmony Hills Neighborhood Association Walkable Community Workshop Report June 30, 2012 In support of a balanced and inclusive transportation system, the San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has developed the Walkable Community Program (WCP). The program recognizes the need to plan for everyone and all modes of travel, whether young or old, motorist or bicyclist, walker or wheelchair user or bus rider. A system that plans for pedestrians incorporates their safety as a natural process which, in the end, has been shown to benefit all roadway users. The WCP is modeled after a national program that encourages communities to design a comprehensive and coordinated transportation system that is safe and more welcoming to pedestrians and cyclists. The program is designed to engage the community in the planning process for their neighborhoods. Goals of our local Walkable Community Program are to: Educate the public, as well as public officials on the advantages of embracing walking and bicycling as viable modes of transportation. Assist the community in the identification of infrastructure improvements that encourage walking and cycling. Serve as a communication forum between the community, the MPO s Transportation Policy Board and MPO partner transportation agencies. The program specifically supports the MPO s goal to improve the opportunities for alternative means of transportation that diminish the growth in single occupancy vehicles and improve air quality by providing bicycle and pedestrian facilities. As the region s transportation planning organization, the MPO provides a foundation municipalities and counties can build on. The MPO s transportation partners are engaged and supportive of the process. They include but are not limited to: Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG), Bexar County, City of San Antonio (CoSA), Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), VIA Metropolitan Transit, and other municipalities in the region. There are three possible activities a community may apply for within the program. Each activity can be adapted to meet the particular needs of the community. The activities include a bicycle/pedestrian safety class for children and adults, support and/or facilitation of a bike rodeo and development and facilitation of a citizen workshop. Ms. Nina Nixon-Mendez applied for the workshop on behalf of the Greater Harmony Hills Neighborhood Association.
Study Area Description and Background Information Per the Walkable Community Program application, Ms. Nixon-Mendez explained the purpose of the workshop was to increase safety in the area for the children who walk and ride their bicycles to the schools in the area. Parents and staff from both Eisenhower Middle School and Harmony Hills Elementary School were invited to participate in the workshop. Members of the local Cabana Club were also invited. The workshop was held at the Cabana Club. The area is primarily residential with neighborhood commercial activities at major intersections. VIA transit service is provided along the boundary of the neighborhood. The boundary of the neighborhood association includes Rhapsody Drive to the North, San Pedro Avenue to the East, Lockhill-Selma Road to the South and West Avenue to the West. The study area is located within Bexar County Commissioner Court Precinct 3 (served by Commissioner Kevin Wolff) and City of San Antonio Council District 9 (served by Councilwoman Elisa Chan). The neighborhood is also included in the San Antonio International Airport Vicinity Land Use Plan. Figure 1 is a replica of the map used at the workshop. Figure 1. Map of the Study Area 2
Community Outreach The MPO supported Ms. Nixon- Mendez outreach efforts by developing a flyer and an interactive imap online application which was available to the community for two weeks before the workshop and one week after for those who were unable to attend the meeting or wanted to make additional comments. The information gathered from the map is included in Table 1 of this report. Participants were also encouraged to call the MPO with additional concerns that may come to mind if they did not have access to a computer. Ms. Nixon-Mendez distributed the flyer within the neighborhood association and to the schools in the study area. She also posted the flyer throughout the area. To involve as many participants as possible a press release was developed as well as placing the information in the MPO s FastTrack Newsletter. Walkable Community Workshop The mapping exercise workshop was held at the neighborhood s local Cabana Club on Saturday, June 30, 2012. The location is centrally located and is used by the neighborhood association for other social events. This allowed for easy access to everyone within the boundaries. The workshop was attended by concerned residents of the area. Attendees were extremely engaged in the process and were encouraged by the opportunity to voice their concerns. A great deal of information came from a middle school student who walks and rides a bike to school regularly. As participants arrived they were able to provide input into the MPO s Safety Study as it pertains to their neighborhood. Information gathered from that discussion has been incorporated into Table 1 and shown in Appendix 1. A common thread during the safety discussion was that sidewalks and crosswalks make people feel safer. Most residents viewed the speed limits for highway travel about right, for residential streets about right or too high. Studies have shown that a lower speed limit on local, residential streets fosters a sense of safety and tends to encourage people into the community. 3
As part of the formal presentation, an MPO representative explained the benefits of a Walkable Community and the concept of Complete Streets. The benefits include, but are not limited to: Transportation Benefits: reduced traffic congestion, improved safety, calms traffic, preserves road infrastructure. Economic Benefits: increased retail sales (restaurants, lodging establishments, retail stores), job creation, and enhancement of nearby property values. Environmental Benefits: improved air quality and energy conservation. Social Benefits: quality-of-life benefits from living in communities with more open space and greenways and that provide more opportunities for walking and cycling. Health and Fitness Benefits: it is well recognized that individuals benefit in many ways from living in communities with more open space and greenways and that provide more opportunities for walking and cycling. The MPO s transportation partners supporting the workshop included members of the MPO s Pedestrian Mobility Advisory Committee: AACOG, Bexar County, the City of San Antonio and Texas Department of Transportation During the mapping exercise concerns were identified and possible solutions proposed for consideration by the respective agencies. Participants provided suggestions for improving the walkability and bikeability of the community. The overarching and common themes focused on the desire to improve connectivity throughout the area with increased pedestrian amenities such as sidewalks, more street lighting, improved drainage and traffic calming. These improvements would lessen the need for motorized vehicles as well as increase active mobility and improve the health of the community. Another common request was to incorporate concerns from this workshop into future implementation strategies such as the City of San Antonio Bond Program and the Infrastructure Management Program. Potential Funding Sources There are no guaranteed funding sources for projects identified through the Walkable Community Program. Nonetheless, good planning has its own rewards in that the affected community begins working together with transportation agencies to identify and prioritize their transportation needs for cars, buses, walking and bicycling. This report represents the community speaking with one voice to assist elected officials and potential funding entities in seeking solutions to their transportation needs. Sharing project costs among several funding sources may be the best opportunity for funding above mentioned projects. 4
Potential funding sources might include: Bexar County Special Road and Bridge Fund Farm to Market and Lateral Road Fund Future Capital Projects Bond Fund City of San Antonio Council Neighborhood Access Mobility Program Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) Program City Street Maintenance Program Advanced Transportation District (ATD) Program Future Capital Projects Bond Program Infrastructure Management Program San Antonio Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization Surface Transportation Program Metropolitan Mobility Texas Department of Transportation Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program District Discretionary Funds Category 2 Metropolitan Corridor Projects Safe Routes to School Funds Federal Enhancement Funds National and Private Funding (examples) Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit National Trust Community Investment Corporation National Trust Loan Fund The Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation Texas Main Street Program The Meadows Foundation Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 5
Next Steps Copies of this report are provided to the following organizations and businesses: Greater Harmony Hills Neighborhood Association Bexar County Commissioner Precinct 3 Office and Bexar County Public Works Department City of San Antonio District 9 Office, Capital Improvements Management, Planning & Community Development, Parks & Recreation Departments and Public Works Departments Alamo Area Council of Governments HEB Grocery on West Avenue and Blanco Road Northeast Independent School District San Antonio-Bexar County MPO Transportation Policy Board Texas Department of Transportation VIA Metropolitan Transit This report is also available on the MPO s website at www.sametroplan.org. Planning for the future is a dynamic process. Planning for an environment that encourages safe and active transportation ensures a healthy community. The MPO supports the efforts of the cooperative endeavor that is taking place among the residents of the neighborhood association, the surrounding businesses and the schools in the area. This report highlights the public involvement process and can be used as a tool for the Greater Harmony Hills Neighborhood Association in discussions with the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas Department of Transportation, VIA Metropolitan Transit, the Northeast Independent School District. MPO Contact Information: Lydia Kelly Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Planner San Antonio Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization 825 S. St. Mary s St. San Antonio, TX 78205 Phone: 210-230-6911 Fax: 210-227-9321 E-mail: kelly@sametroplan.org Website: www.sametroplan.org 6
Table 1 List of Community Concerns Identified Sidewalk: Harmony Hills Elementary School: no sidewalk access on the west and south sides of the campus; streets leading to all schools in the area require sidewalks to be built or better maintained to the property so students can have the option to walk to school Streets along the perimeter of the neighborhood boundary necessitate sidewalk gaps filled so residents can access the nearby businesses; streets include Rhapsody Drive, San Pedro Ave, Lockhill Selma Road and West Avenue Blanco Road, which bisects the neighborhood, has narrow sidewalks near West Avenue which makes it unnerving for pedestrians alongside fast moving traffic Limelight Drive: sidewalks needed from Ramsey Road to Patricia Drive Rendezvous Drive: sidewalks needed from Tango Drive to Fantasia Drive; this would allow better access to businesses Gap completion within the local/residential streets was a general concern with some having sidewalks and others not o Streets identified in particular included: Booth Drive: sidewalks needed Cabana Club: sidewalk access needed for pedestrians from Patricia Drive, Raindrop Drive, Fantasia Drive, Reverie Lane Firefly: south side of street/maintenance needed Lockhill-Selma Road: West Avenue to Blanco Road Lorene Lane: Ramsey Drive to Lockhill-Selma McCarty Road: Lockhill-Selma Road to San Pedro Avenue Moonglow: fill gaps leading to school and connection with Ramsey Road and Patricia Drive Mt. Boracho Drive: needs sidewalks for access to the track at Eisenhower Middle School Patricia Drive: from West Avenue to Mt. Perkins Drive Revere: sidewalk maintenance needed because of buckling from cactus overgrowth Sandman Street: Rhapsody Drive to Patricia Drive Silver Sands: from West Avenue to San Pedro Avenue Tammy: sidewalk maintenance needed West Avenue: Rhapsody Drive to Lockhill-Selma Road Connectivity: Alleys present an opportunity for safe connectivity if they could be used as hike & bike facilities; unfortunately they are being taken over and blocked by residents. Crosswalk access o Streets identified in particular identified: Mt. Perkins/Crestpark Drive: dangerous crossing for children San Pedro Avenue/Sahara is dangerous and confusing W Silver Sands Drive and Raindrop Drive 7
McCarty/Lorene: high rate of crashes in this area; crosswalk would make pedestrians more visible W. Ramsey/Moonglow Drive/Lorene Lane: confusing intersection for motorists and pedestrians; pedestrian crossing treatments requested W Ramsey/Blanco Road at Holy Spirit Catholic Church: confusing intersection for motorists and pedestrians; pedestrian crossing treatments and signage advising motorists the proper actions requested Street Lighting: There was consensus of the participants that additional lighting is needed in the study area. Residents do not feel safe walking in the morning, evening and at night with the limited lighting at the intersections. Transit Interest: The transit stops along Blanco Road were identified as good examples of the type of transit stop the residents would like throughout the area although they would like to see traffic calming to slow motorists down Bus stop on Blanco just before Lockhill Selma Road turn does not allow the bus driver sufficient time to cross three lanes of traffic to maneuver the left hand turn onto Lockhill-Selma Road Bus stops at Tammy and Blanco Road need a shelter; stop is frequently used by middle school children Drainage: Participants want to stress the need for sidewalks be included in the West Avenue Drainage Product in the 2012 Bond Drainage leading to Salado Creek needs improvements School: Heavy congestion around both Harmony Hills Elementary and Eisenhower Middle Schools, especially on Patricia Street to Memory and along Tammy and Mt. Perkins. Motorists hamper connectivity and neither area is safe for children walking or cycling to school Miscellaneous: Silver Sands: speed bumps are outdated; request updated traffic calming treatment Patricia and Tammy from San Pedro Avenue to West Avenue: traffic calming treatments requested other than speed bumps Holy Spirit Catholic Church: patrons use grass, sidewalks and street to park; consider partnership with Eisenhower Middle School s parking lot Bike Parking requested at the HEB located at 11551 West Avenue 200 Block of Patricia: pavement on the north side of the street is in poor condition Bicycle Accommodations: IH35 N. at Loop 410 N.E. to Potranco Road at Talley Road; area needs an east/west connection 8
Appendix 1 Greater Harmony Hills Neighborhood Association Transportation Safety Observations Summary June 30, 2012 Concerns from the residents include mobile phone use while driving, running red lights, ignoring speed limits and warning signs in school zones, concern when walking and/or biking to a destination, distracted driving, speeding, lack of sidewalks and bicycle facilities, potholes, poor lighting, faded roadway markings and drunk driving. Most residents viewed the speed limits at about right for highway and residential speed limits. School zones were also viewed at about right for speed but several comments expressing concern were made that school zone speed limits were often ignored by drivers. In addition, the lack of sidewalks along many of the streets within Harmony Hills was noted by many residents. The primary forms of transportation included use of a vehicle (including carpooling) and walking. Intersections with the highest safety concern noted by residents: Memory Lane at Patricia and Tammy Streets Silver Sands and Sandman West Avenue from Blanco to Rhapsody West Avenue and Blanco Road Loop 410 exit to San Pedro Written Comments: Hardly anyone actually stops at a stop signs Trees overhang too low over sidewalks and along curbs and are hazards for walkers and cyclists. Street pavement in some areas have potholes and shifting- hazard for cyclists. Aesthetics are very poor especially around Blanco/Eisenhower/Churchill and the commute in between. Rude drivers are often encountered when walking, maybe stop signs would be helpful for crossing the streets. Thankful for existing crosswalks. Improvement of crosswalks at Ramsey and Lorene, San Pedro Ave at Sahara and San Pedro Ave at Tammy Continuous sidewalk linkages to schools churches and major intersections are needed. Safety would be improved by adding a sidewalk along Raindrop. Speed humps need to be upgraded on Silver Sands. Sidewalks are overgrown with foliage and street signs are obstructed by tree limbs. 9
Resident Comments from the Crash Data Safety Map At the intersection of Patricia and Reverie there is a blind spot for motorists possibly caused by a combination of overgrown bushes and street design. During school pickup and drop off times at Harmony Hills Elementary there are too many parked cars on the street creating a very narrow passage. 10
Too much traffic on Patricia Street from Blanco to San Pedro: 11
The missing gaps of sidewalks on Rendezvous need to be constructed. People feel unsafe walking along San Pedro to get to the convenience store located at the corner of San Pedro and Rhapsody or to other locations. A complete network of sidewalks would provide a safer journey. Convenience store located at San Pedro and Rhapsody. 12