HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Packet November 2013
Page 4 of 4
To: craig; 'David Chapman'; Mike Faught; graf@sou.edu; shawn; Corinne; dyoung@jeffnet.org; carol; April Lucas;
tbrownpc; rpkaplan46; Debbie Miller; Melanie Mindlin; Bill Molnar; mike; tmpeddicord
October 31, 2013
Dear Commissioners,
After speaking with Senior Planner Brandon Goldman, I have modified
recommendations for your consideration in the Normal Ave Neighborhood Plan.
Following staff guidelines for the Normal Ave Neighborhood Plan, locating similar
densities of development across from established neighborhoods has been a
primary objective since the Charrette process. North of Creek Drive, and west of
Clay Street, the zoning plan has been changed from NA-03 to NA-02 because the
proximity and density of the higher multi-family housing type would put too much
traffic out onto existing (NA-02) single-family neighborhood street frontage.
I believe this should hold true for the existing (NA-01) neighborhood along the
current Normal Avenue as well. The proposed new Normal Ave. (main collector
road traversing north/south) should have the most density along this “spine” road,
thereby retaining the single family dwelling (NA-01) neighborhood character where
it already exists along the current Normal Ave. If the housing density is shifted
towards the new Normal Ave., then the need for the problematic egress across the
Wetlands #9 is eliminated. The better alternative egress for a centrally located
density would be to direct residential traffic DUE NORTH to E. Main (see option #2
below). The closer you have the higher density zoning (NA-02, NA-03) to the new
main neighborhood collector road, the less vehicle miles people will have to travel
through neighborhoods to egress onto a major arterial like E. Main St. The City’s
goal to preserve its natural areas, especially its largest designated wetland, will
then be possible.
In considering alternatives necessary for the project area connectivity to E. Main St.
from the west side, there are two options.
1. If connectivity is proposed by extending the current Normal Ave. through
to E. Main St., the following problems are encountered:
a. The connector road would be a pretty tight fit restricted between
existing structures, and even necessitating the demolition of some.
b. The potential intersection with E. Main St. from the existing Normal
Ave. would suffer the consequences of its proximity to the blind curve
hindering line of sight of oncoming E. Main traffic from the west, and
making for a very dangerous left turn onto a main arterial.
c. The City planners have made great efforts to create a road that
doesn’t produce a straight shot through the project (from the RR tracks
to E. Main). Connecting traffic would see a straight line through the
current Normal Ave to continue directly to E. Main, where speeds could
increase to 30 mph (similar to the problem on Faith St.). Without that
straight line connection, a more central “spine” route using the new
Normal Ave., with its circuitous design, will require behavioral
modification as it slows vehicular speeds, making it safer for cyclists,
children, and even cars passing each other. The new sinuous Normal
Ave. will be more obvious as the main collector going through to E.
Main, and will be seen as access to the development, rather than a cut-
through for non-residents.
2. If connectivity is proposed by extending the “spine” road (new Normal Ave.)
through to E. Main, you solve a multitude of problems:
a. There are no structures which would need to be demolished and, due
to lack of nearby existing buildings, the road would not need to be a
tight fit or restricted in its placement.
b. The intersection onto E. Main would have twice the visual clearance
distance since it is further away from the blind curve in the road (along
Temple Emek property) than option 1’s hazardous egress.
c. With the zoning density more centrally shifted, this egress option is
closer and more accessible for residents, with less vehicle miles
required to reach the main arterial of E. Main.
d. The visual straight shot North/South road is eliminated and through
traffic will more likely be development/resident related and safer. The
current Normal Ave. will retain its neighborhood feeling and safely
encourage pedestrian/cyclist multi-modal use to open space and school
zones.
The City has housing types which it needs to provide for all types of residences, as
well as simultaneously achieving density goals for the Normal Ave Neighborhood
Project. Rezoning the land and its uses into the center of this project will
allow for economy of scale, with full block lengths accommodating multi-family
dwellings and their required parking areas. Transitioning out from this core (NA-03)
zone, cluster cottage-type housing (NA-02) around common greens can develop.
The single family (NA-01) character can then be retained in the existing
neighborhoods on the edges of the project area. The overall density of the project
will remain with approximately the same number of dwelling units (450) as outlined
in the most recent iteration of the Planning Land Use Zone Map.
Please review the attached version of the alternative connections and zoning
recommendations I have identified. I hope you will consider these as viable options
in your final plan for the Normal Ave. Neighborhood Project.
Thanks for your thoughtfulness and time. I would also like to thank Brandon
Goldman, Senior Planner, for all his expertise and patience in explaining and
working with me to find viable solutions that will retain the goodwill of the
community involved in this project.
Sincerely,
Sue DeMarinis
145 Normal Ave.
Ashland, OR 97520
suedem@charter.net
cc: Brandon Goldman
Submitted Illustration by Sue DeMarinis:
Page 1 of 4
Memo
Transportation Commission 11/14/2013
TO: Ashland Transportation Commission
FROM: Brandon Goldman, Senior Planner
Brandon.Goldman@ashland.or.us
RE: Normal Avenue Neighborhood Plan
Continuation of September 26th and October 24th, 2013 Transportation Commission Discussion.
Summary
On September 26th and October 24th the Transportation Commission took public testimony and
reviewed the Final Draft Neighborhood Plan for the 94 acre north Normal Avenue area. Following
staff questions and the close of public comments the commission continued their discussion and
deliberation to a special meeting scheduled on November 14th, 2013.
Background
During the October 24th Transportation Commission meeting individual commissioners raised a
number of issues that warranted further consideration before providing a recommendation on the
Normal Avenue Neighborhood Plan’s mobility framework. To provide a factual basis to help the
Commission evaluate these issues the scope of work undertaken in the Future Traffic Analysis
prepared by SCJ Alliance which was presented to the Transportation Commission on September 26th
has been amended to provide data and an analysis relating to the following:
An evaluation of future traffic impacts along East Main St. and Clay Street at the intersections
of the proposed access points to the plan area.
o The amended Future Traffic Analysis will include a graphic (map) that shows projected
traffic volumes at all site access points at full build out.
o A summary of the site access traffic control and any mitigation needs relating to East
Main Street.
A summary explanation of the multimodal travel assumptions used in developing the analysis.
An evaluation of the feasibility of a new road connection at the location of the existing
driveway used to provide access to both the school bus turnaround and Grace Point Church.
o Traffic counts at this intersection were collected between October 31 through
November 3rd , 2013.
o Intersection turning movements at the peak PM hour were collected on November 5,
2013.
o Traffic modeling will be completed for this potential intersection including conducting
an operational analysis for this location projected to the year 2038.
Page 2 of 4
An evaluation of the feasibility of a new local road extension of the existing unimproved
Normal Avenue due north to intersect with East Main Street immediately adjacent to Temple
Emek Shalom.
o Potential traffic volumes for this potential intersection projected to the year 2038.
o An extension of the existing Normal Avenue local road is not presently proposed in the
current draft plan presented to the Transportation Commission and Planning
Commission for consideration (dated Sept 24, 2013). Staff is awaiting full commission
reviews and recommendations prior to developing any alternate scenario as part of
development of a final plan. However to provide the Commissions with data relating to
projected volumes, were such a connection to be made in lieu of the school bus drive
location, the consultant traffic engineer has been charged to provide peak hour forecasts
and an operational analysis for such a potential extension.
Due to the compressed time between the Transportation Commission’s October 24th meeting and this
special meeting the above noted additions to the Future Traffic Analysis were not completed as of the
date of writing this memo. However with all traffic counts now completed it is anticipated that these
revisions will be completed by Tuesday November 12th, to be provided to the Commission
electronically in advance of the meeting, and to be distributed at the special meeting on November 14,
2013. Further the consultant Traffic Engineer, Anne Sylvester, from SCJ Alliance will be available
during the meeting via conference call to address any specific questions from the Commission.
At the October 24th meeting Transportation Commissioners requested that staff provide the following
analysis:
Review of Capital Improvements Plan, funding mechanisms, and cost estimates relating to
East Main St improvements..
o The Public Works Engineering division is preparing cost estimates relating to future
East. Main Street improvements as necessary to meet the City standards for an Avenue
as noted in the Transportation System Plan. These estimates will be presented at the
special meeting.
Address the proposed 90 degree turns as shown on the Draft Plan for the new Normal
Neighborhood Collector to ensure flow of traffic is not impeded and that the neighborhood
collector retains it’s identity as the primary connection from the rail road crossing to East Main
Street.
o With a formal recommendation from the Transportation Commission refinements to the
street network to illustrate such objectives can be incorporated into the final draft plan.
Potential Motions
Staff is awaiting formal recommendations from the Transportation Commission and the Planning
Commission prior to further modifying the proposed plan originally presented to the Transportation
Commission on September 26th, 2013. The project objectives included providing for a local street grid
Page 3 of 4
that includes connections to existing and planned street, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities outside the
project area to more fully integrate the project area into the City transportation system, to provide for
pedestrian and bicycle routes and facility improvements within the project area that will provide safe
access to local schools, and to ensure the proposed mobility framework has adequate capacity to
accommodate future development within the project area.
Upon finding the proposed plan achieves these transportation related objectives , including any
suggested changes, the Transportation Commission can forward a recommendation to the Planning
Commission and City Council that the Transportation System Plan (TSP) be amended accordingly.
ATTACHMENTS:
Transportation Commission Minutes 10/24/2013
Packet materials provided on 9/26/2013
Normal Avenue Neighborhood Plan
o Draft Final Plan
o Land Use Zoning Map
o Street and Open space Network
o Pedestrian and Bicycle Network
Draft Future Traffic Conditions Report - Technical Memorandum (SCJ
Alliance Consulting)
Transportation Existing Conditions Memo
Letters Submitted to Transportation Commission 11/14/2013
o DeMarinis letter and Exhibit submitted 10/31
Letters presented to the Transportation Commission on 10/24/2013
o DeMarinis letter and exhibits (10/8)
o Meadowbrook Home Owners (Anderson) letter and exhibits
o Ashland Meadows (Skuratowicz) letter
o Koopman letter and exhibits