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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation and Planning Meeting January 2012 Page 1 of 3 PLANNING COMMISSION TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION January 12, 2012 Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street Minutes Planning Commission Attendees: Mick Church, Michael Dawkins, Eric Heesacker, Richard Kaplan, Pam Marsh (Chair), Deborah Miller, and Melanie Mindlin. Transportation Commission Attendees: Tom Burnham, Shawn Kampmann, Steve Ryan, Corinne Vieville, and David Young Absent: Brent Thompson, Colin Swales Council Liaison: David Chapman, absent Staff Present: Mike Faught, Mary McClary, Jodi Vizzini Ex Officio Members: Maria Harris Phone: Susan Wright, Consultant CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm. by Chairperson Marsh. She explained to the Commissioners at that present time they were lacking a quorum within the Transportation Commission. She took the opportunity to introduce and welcome the newest member of the Planning Commission, Richard Kaplan. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES Set aside until Quorum present with both Commissions. Chairperson March summarized a meeting she attended at the Chamber of Commerce that morning, along with Mike Faught, the Public Works Director, and Commissioner Miller. They discussed some of the recommendations for the citywide elements in the TSP. Mike gave them a brief power point presentation about some of the road concepts that were in the plan, and they also discussed roundabouts. Mike expressed the continued relationship with the Chamber was highly valued and thanked the Commission members for attending the meeting. He believed open communication was important to discuss concepts, for example, roundabouts. General concepts the Commissions are familiar with, are new to most other people, therefore, he placed a lot of importance on dialogue to also help create support for the Commissions. PUBLIC FORUM Chairperson Marsh suggested they move next to Public Forum. She called upon Shery Smilo to speak. Shery Smilo/215 Tolman Creek Rd spoke to the Commissions stating she had attended Commission meetings for over 1 year and has put over 60 hours of work into her quest to not have a road placed/built in back of her home. She had also represented her neighbors and at times, they have attended the meetings also. The area considered for a road, and is of their concern, was Clay St. to Tolman, next to Snowberry and through the YMCA and right in back of their homes. She wanted to show the Commissions a thank-you card and gift certificate her neighbors gave her in acknowledgement of her hard work toward this issue. She felt this experience has taught her a lot about local government and really appreciated the opportunity to create a change for the better. Page 2 of 3 (Time Stamp 8.28) Zach Brombacher/642 Tolman Creek Rd expressed his frustration in attending the Commission meetings and not knowing when they would be discussing his particular issue. He expressed his constant attendance and felt if he was not in attendance he would miss the issue he was concerned about. He did not receive any communication regarding the Commissions proposed change from the beginning and therefore does not understand how effectively to deal with the issue. Commissioner March explained the agenda’s are issued and all the meetings are regularly noticed. She explained they would not address significant issues that were not on the agenda. She then explained the packets of recommendations would be submitted to the Planning Commission and viewed through public forums. In addition, he could communicate with staff prior to any meeting to find out when his issue would be addressed. Mike Faught offered to inform Zach and Shery when this issue would be addressed. He explained the process would be about 2-4 months before they would be addressing and making decisions on the issues at hand. He said he would also make it clear on a future agenda so they would know when their issues would be discussed. Commissioner Miller explained his issue would be under the road connections section on the Agenda. (Time Stamp 15:29) Commissioner Dawkins agreed it would be helpful if the agenda would be red flagged specifically for Shery and Zach, remarking it was easy to get confused with what was discussed at each meeting. Commissioner Miller explained the process is not decided in one evening, the Commissions come to a consensus and then it goes through about (3) three more processes. The Commissions had now reached a quorum and could move forward to any regular business items. Commissioner Ryan made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Church. Voice Vote: All Ayes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. Chairperson Marsh announced the motion was carried. FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS ON THE DRAFT PREFERRED AND FINANCIALLY CONSTRAINED PLAN FACILITATED BY MIKE FAUGHT: In preparation for the meeting, a review of Draft Technical Memo 9 – Preferred and Financially Constrained Plans is suggested. The Draft Preferred and Financially Constrained Plan is available for download at: http://www.ashlandtsp.com/statics/draft_documents Road Intersections, Railroad Crossings, Transit, and Sidewalks Groups: Group A: Debbie Miller, Eric Heesacker, Colin Swales Group B: Tom Burnham, Steve Ryan, Pam Marsh Group C Michael Dawkins, David Young, Melanie Mindlin, Richard Kaplan Group D: Shawn Kampmann, Mick Church, Corinne Vieville (Time Stamp 22:05) Mike Faught briefly went over the scope of work for the next portion of the meeting and explained the color codes for the different sharpie pens. Black—delete or remove Orange—non-consensus Yellow—unknown, (need more information) Blue—use for comments He further went over areas of concerns with more details to enhance the discussions. Commissioner Dawkins asked about the status to connect Helman and Oak Street with a walk bridge. Mike Page 3 of 3 replied this project was in an unfunded category, but would recommend it stay in capital projects. Commissioner Dawkins remarked before this area was developed there were funds to create the bridge. Chairperson Marsh addressed the Commissions stating that was an opportunity to correct their processors if needed. The next and interesting challenge of this process would be to prioritize the long list of projects: sidewalks, bikes, streets, and intersections. The Commissioners adjourned to the small groups to further work on the maps. (They reconvened at tape stamp 26:25) Chairperson Marsh reminded the Commissions they would meet again in two weeks at 6:00pm not 6:30pm. Mike recapped their work, and stated areas that would be brought back for the next meeting. In addition, at the next meeting he wanted to encourage diverse discussions regarding the proposed underground or over ground crossing at the SOU Campus. Chairperson Marsh stated a summary of the small group activities would be helpful. Mike recommended discussing the summaries in the small groups. He would like the Commissions to take as much time as they need to discuss thoroughly each step and not worry about a time deadline. Commissioner Mindlin felt it was very important to have public hearings about the issues, because they had significant comments that should be heard. The Commissioners discussed when the public hearings would take place in the process. Commissioner Church felt it would be useful to have an overview from staff about the logic for some of the recommendations before breaking into small groups. Commissioner Young reminded the members, himself included, that they represent the community and at times that might conflict with their own personal opinions. He discussed there were a number of specifics that would take some discipline to move beyond personal points of view or lifestyle. He added it was a general statement not specific to any one issue. The Commissioners discussed how representing citizens they have learned to represent the whole community and all views and opinions. In addition, they discussed keeping the public informed. Mike talked about the Commissions establishing a consensus on issues before projects were represented to the public. He believes the overall project was not yet at the point for public input. Chairperson Marsh stated she looked forward to the master map which would include the road projects, the sidewalk improvements, and the bicycle, looking at the whole project. The project’s success with end with a truly multi-mobile design plan that includes all the different ways people move in town. Commissioner Ryan moved to adjourn. NEXT MEETING DATES: February 9, 2012 (6:30 – 8:30 pm) February 23, 2012 (6:00 – 8:00 pm) ADJOURN: 8:45 PM Respectfully submitted by: Mary McClary, Administrative Assistant to the Electric Department