People Active in Community Effort Walkable Community Workshop Report May 1, 2008 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. The WCP is modeled after a national program that encourages communities to design a comprehensive and coordinated system that is safe and more welcoming to pedestrians and cyclists. Goals of our local Walkable Community Program are to: 1) Educate residents and public officials on the advantages of embracing walking and bicycling as viable modes of transportation. 2) Help the community identify infrastructure improvements that encourage walking and cycling. 3) Serve as a communication forum between the community, the MPO s Transportation Policy Board and MPO partner transportation agencies. The People Active in Community Effort (PACE) Association participated in the process that included three meetings. The third meeting will be to present this report. MPO transportation partners represented at the workshops included Alamo Area Council of Governments, Bexar County, City of San Antonio, Texas Department of Transportation and VIA Metropolitan Transit. Having staff available from partner agencies increases the resources and encourages even greater participation. The workshops provide the opportunity for residents to meet and discuss issues that limit mobility within the community. The WCP is developed as an education process explaining the benefits of using alternative modes of travel such as bicycling, walking and transit. The MPO s Walkable Community Program contributes to planning for a safe, walkable and bikeable community.
Study Area Description and Background Information The study area for the workshop includes the boundary of the PACE Neighborhood. PACE boundaries begin at the intersection of Loop 410 and Old Pearsall Road, then Northeast on Old Pearsall Road to its intersection with Military Drive West, then Northwest on Military Drive West to its intersection with Five Palms Drive, then following the boundary line of Lackland Air Force Base South to Medina Base Road, then continuing West along Medina Base Road to the East of Loop 410 access road, then North to its intersection with Valley Hi Drive to its intersection with Ray Ellison Drive, then South along Ray Ellison Drive to its intersection with Covel Road, then South along Covel Road to its intersection with Old Pearsall Road, including the Nelson Gardens Landfill and the Covel Gardens landfills, then along Old Pearsall Road to the point of beginning. South San Antonio (South San ISD), Southwest and Northside (NISD) Independent School Districts are represented within the boundaries. Schools from South San ISD include South San Antonio High School West, Alan B. Shepard Middle School, Five Palms Elementary School, Neil Armstrong Elementary School, and Frank Madla Elementary School. Schools from the NISD include Valley Hi Elementary School. The area is primarily residential, with single-family detached homes and some multifamily apartment complexes. There are a few small businesses (i.e. motels and restaurants) interspersed throughout the study area. VIA Metropolitan Transit service routes include 550/551-Looper skip, 611-Valley Hi/Kel-Lac, 614-Hidden Cove/Kel-Lac, 616-Sky Harbour/Kel-Lac, 619- Indian Creek/Kel-Lac. VIA s Kel-Lac Transit Center is in close proximity of the neighborhood s boundaries. Miller s Pond and adjoining park and community center are included within the boundary. There is quite a bit of undeveloped land within the boundary. From a planning standpoint there is opportunity in the PACE boundary to retrofit development using the Urban Design concepts. A Land Use and Zoning Map is included in the report for future planning purposes. The community is included in the larger San Antonio United Southwest Communities Plan through the City of San Antonio Planning and Community Development Department. This report could serve as an update for a portion of the larger plan if it is determined appropriate by all concerned.
Community Outreach Ms. Michelle Perales, President of PACE, submitted the application on behalf of the residents. Ms. Perales did extensive outreach to the residents, businesses in the area and schools in the area. There are two examples below of the written material. Ms. Perales, contacted residents and schools by email, flyers, phone and in person to gather support for the workshop.
Walkable Community Workshop The first of three events was held on January 31, 2008 from 7:00 8:00 p.m., during the regularly scheduled PACE meeting at Knights of Columbus Hall located at 5763 Ray Ellison Boulevard. The hall is centrally located within the boundary. The neighborhood association provided refreshments. MPO staff provided a presentation explaining the importance of a transportation system that encourages walking, cycling and transit. Staff from Representative Leibowitz, Commissioner Rodriguez and Councilman Cortez offices attended the workshop and expressed support for the process and the potential outcomes. Councilman Cortez addressed the participants at the close of the meeting. Maps were presented for display and information. The participants were provided a Walkability Checklist and a Bikeability Checklist and asked to use the forms during the next month to prepare for the mapping exercise on February 28, 2008. The checklists give residents the opportunity to use the information discussed in the presentation in the community. On February 28, 2008, MPO staff and transportation partners returned for the mapping exercise. The success of the workshops is influenced greatly on the support of partner agencies. Agencies present at the mapping exercise included Alamo Area Council of Governments, Bexar County, City of San Antonio, VIA Metropolitan Transit and Texas Department of Transportation. Maps were presented for display and information as well as tools during the workshop. The mapping exercise began with a short review of the previous meeting. Then participants were asked to break out into four groups. Each group consisted of a map of the PACE boundary and two facilitators. Participants were asked to consider the Walkability and Bikeability Checklists provided at the previous meeting to help identify concerns in the community. There was a strong representation from the schools within the area at the February 28 th meeting. Each group reported their top five observations to the entire audience for improving the walkability of the community. Representatives from the staff of all elected officials were represented at this meeting. Representative Leibowitz addressed the participants at the close of the meeting. Participants at both workshops displayed a sincere desire to be involved with planning in their community. There was interest in planning that avoids urban sprawl and advocates compact, transit-oriented, walkable and bicycle-friendly land use. This type of planning preserves and enhances natural and cultural resources and promotes public health. Each table at the February 28 th meeting identified areas in the community they would like to see developed as green space and possible walking and biking trails.
The third meeting will be to present this report and has not been identified at this point. The MPO will contact Ms. Perales and request to be on a PACE regularly scheduled meeting to present the report. Comments by participants included topics not specific to transportation infrastructure. All topics are being included in the report based on the concept of a Walkable Community. Common discussion included the desire to have more green space in the community and better facilities for pedestrians. Table 1 List of Infrastructure Improvements Identified Area of Interest Identified Concern A. Road/Sidewalk 1. Ray Ellison Rd in bad repair between Loop 410 and Old Pearsall Road; drainage and flooding concern 2. Roadways not walking and bicycle friendly needing sidewalks along entire route include Ray Ellison Drive Five Palms Road Medina Base Road 3. Miller s Pond: Sidewalks leading to Miller s Pond requested 4. Sidewalk conditions in the North Pace and East Pace area are poor 5. Speed bumps needed at the 6100 block of Apple Valley Road
Road/Sidewalk (Continued) 6. Speeding occurring near entrance to Lackland AFB at Valley Hi Elementary 7. Need pedestrian crosswalk at Ray Ellison Drive and Apple Valley Road 8. Sidewalks requested at the 6100 block of Apple Valley Road B. VIA Metropolitan Transit 1. Transit stops in low traffic areas seem to always be vandalized Review transit stop locations; some stops are located where there are not homes/shops, etc 2. Consider alternatives to the large vehicles on the neighborhood streets. Residents are concerned with the noise and road maintenance associated with the large vehicles 3. Many of the transit stops have no amenities at all; consider including cement pads, benches, covers, etc for all stops C. Park/Recreation Amenities 1. Bicycling/Walking path incorporating the abandoned railway and drainage system linking the neighborhoods to Miller s Pond 2. Interest in more pocket parks within the PACE Boundary
Park/Recreation Amenities (continued) 3. Gateway Terrace was planned for a park and the project stopped; would like it reconsidered 4. Two swimming pools were in the geographic boundaries in the past; both have been closed. No local area for children or adults to swim without driving D. School Concerns 1. Planning in the community should focus on ways children can bicycle or walk easily to school throughout the area. 2. Crosswalks are needed at Shepherd Middle School and West Campus High School 3. School Zone signage is not placed correctly at Five Palms Elementary School 4. Five Palms Elementary School needs sidewalks on adjacent side of Five Palms Road 5. Safe bike parking at all schools in the area 6. Stray animals wandering near all school grounds E. Code Compliance Issues 1. Graffiti on houses and privacy fences abutting Loop 410 Access Road from Ray Ellison Drive to Old Valley Hi Drive
Code Compliance Issues (Continued) 2. Retention pond behind Apple Valley Road at the Lackland Heights subdivision needs brush removal and mowing 3. Front and Side Yard parking on 100 block of Rock Valley 4. Illegal dumping at Five Palms Road and Elm Valley Road 5. Illegal dumping at Elm Valley Road, near drainage channel 6. Illegal dumping along Medina Base Road from Loop 410 to Old Pearsall Road
Potential Funding Sources The third meeting is scheduled for March 26, 2009 to review the report and explain the next steps. There are no guaranteed funding sources for projects identified through the Walk able Community Program (WCP). 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. 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 San Antonio Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization Surface Transportation Program Metropolitan Mobility (after 2012) Texas Department of Transportation Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program District Discretionary Funds Category 2 Metropolitan Corridor Projects Safe Routes to School Funds Private Funding (examples) San Antonio Area Foundation The Meadows Foundation Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Private Companies
Next Steps Copies of this report are being provided to the Alamo Area Council of Governments, Bexar County Commissioner Precinct 1, City of San Antonio Council District 4, City of San Antonio Planning and Community Development, City of San Antonio Public Works, San Antonio-Bexar County MPO Transportation Policy Board, Texas Department of Transportation and VIA Metropolitan Transit. We encourage the PACE Neighborhood Association to consider the recommendations in this report in planning for funded projects in the future. The future is forever becoming the past. Planning for the future is a dynamic process. Planning for a healthy environment ensures a healthy community. The MPO supports the PACE Neighborhood Association in planning for the future. 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