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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Minutes April 2015Transportation Commission April 23, 2015 Page 1 of 5 AASSHHLLAANNDD TTRRAANNSSPPOORRTTAATTIIOONN CCOOMMMMIISSSSIIOONN MMIINNUUTTEESS APRIL 23, 2015 CALL TO ORDER: Chair David Young called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street. Commissioners Present: David Young, Joe Graf, Corinne Viéville, Danielle Amarotico, Alan Bender and Shawn Kampmann Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: Mike Faught, Scott Fleury, Brandon Goldman, Bill Mollnar, Tami De Mille-Campos, and Whitney Dennis Council Liaison Present: Michael Morris (absent) ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Dave Young welcomed and introduced new commissioner Danielle Amarotico. Amarotico explained her background as working at Standing Stone, a restaurant and brewery in Ashland, for the last 18 years and an Ashland community member for the last 20 years. Chair Young also welcomed and introduced new administrative support City staff member, Whitney Dennis. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes – February 26, 2015 No objections noted; minutes were unanimously approved PUBLIC FORUM Jan Vidmar of 320 Meadow Drive - Handout was distributed to discuss the Normal Avenue project area (attached Exhibit A). Vidmar spoke to the crowding on East Main and the difficulty of getting onto Ashland Street from Clay Street without stop signs. The photographs within the attachment represent the troubles. She advocated for changes to Normal Avenue and East Main. Vidmar highlighted prior flooding on Clay Street as a concern. She mentioned that she is also speaking on behalf of Brice Anderson, who was not in attendance. NEW BUSINESS Normal Ave. Neighborhood Discussion Brandon Goldman, City of Ashland Planning & Bill Mollnar, Community Development Director – Goldman began his presentation with a brief summary of the review process that has taken place with the Normal Neighborhood Plan (NNP) explaining the following: 1. ose to a year ago. 2. The NNP was then given to The Transportation Commission reviewed the NNP cl the Working Group, comprised of two (2) Planning Commissioners and three (3) City Councilors. The Working Group made revision ing Commission and the Transportation Commission before being considered for the final ap P) an described the first modification to the existing TSP, as s to the transportation system within the plan. 3. Upon City Council’s review of the revised NNP on December 2, 2014, the Council recommended that all revisions of the Working Group be reviewed by both the Plann proval process with the City Council. Goldman displayed a diagram of the existing major connections within the current Transportation System Plan (TS before revisions (presentation attached Exhibit B). Goldm Transportation Commission April 23, 2015 Page 2 of 5 a request to modify the plan by adding East Main Street back into the planning. Goldman reviewed the history of the ections of the development be eliminated, with nly one connection remaining to East Main. Mike Faught, Public Works Director explained that in 2013 he did not g st Main from Walker to Clay Street to include bike lanes and sidewalk on the south side prior any annexation or development. Additional example recommendations were presented including a future transit e with n reviewed the recommendations of the Working Gr ned with bike lanes, sidewalks, gutters, concurring with the recommendation of the Planning Commission s be made to East Main 3. Standardized grid with more alignment with East and West connections Railroad crossing be improved to be in concert with n continued with a before and after slide and describ t tion of the streets could shift as development begins d ow the two can influence one another. He explained that more new east/west ions that run through the property have been recom nges to the land use density areas. He described that the changes in densities were hosen to mirror other areas Single Family and Multi residential use zones around the City. Young asked for ’s recommendations were given, including escription of the phased approach to development, railroad crossing information and the recommendation of full existing TSP, showing the original land use and street framework. Goldman outlined the recommendation of the Transportation Commission in November 2013, explaining that the Transportation Commission requested that the East and West conn o agree with only having one connection to East Main and followed through with that recommendation to the Plannin Commission in 2013. Goldman explained that in April 2014, there were recommendations by the Planning Commission to include improvements along Ea to stop being located adjacent to the higher density zone on East Main and a railroad crossing at Normal Avenu the following conditions: 1. Additional crossing can be created without closing original crossing in town 2. A finance plan must be developed and approved by City Goldma oup as the following: 1. East Main Street should be maintai 2. Multiple connection 4. Bicycle and pedestrian pathways developed 5. development Goldma ed traffic flow and the framework. He also warned tha the loca . There was continued explanation of how the street an land use framework can change and h connect mended. Goldman described the cha c clarification on what the expectation of the Transportation Commission is in regards to the amended plan. Goldman explained that comments and recommendations from the Transportation Commission are needed in regards to the presented revisions. Faught spoke about the information provided in the packet and explained financing options with the proposed revisions. Additional examples of the Working Group d improvements upon connecting to East Main. Kampmann asked for clarification to describe when East Main would need to be fully developed based on developing progress on Normal Avenue. Faught answered that full development would need to occur when any other road is connected into East Main. Faught continued with the financing options and Goldman described additional grading and connections for the first phase. Discussion continued around the financing options and the phasing of development. Transportation Commission April 23, 2015 Page 3 of 5 to develop erns about the high density housing location affecting the revised plan. Kampmann advocates for the roject to be done as one project and not in phases based on System Development Charges (SDC) due to the nknown timeline and disjointed patchwork that can accompany multi phased construction affecting the aesthetic uality of East Main. Graf questioned the process going forward. Faught clarified the process, explaining that in Young stressed that there should have been a Transportation Commissioner as part of the original Working Group to give input on the revised plan earlier on in the process. Young recognized the rights of the property owner but voiced conc p u q order for the revised plan to be approved, there needs to be an amendment to the TSP. A full recognition from the Transportation Commission, Planning Commission, and the Working Group to accept the revised Normal Neighborhood Plan as an amendment to the TSP would go forward to City Council for approval. The Commission discussed proposing a formal motion to include areas from Walker to Clay Street on East Main. Discussion continued about approving the plan as it exists or adding input to changes. The group continued to discuss the effects of parking options, shared streets and local streets. MOTION: Accept the presented revised plan as an amendment of the TSP with the following conditions: 1 :) Should e development occur along East Main, at a minimum, a sidewalk is to be developed between Walker and Clay ISCUSSION: th Street. 2 :) Should the development occur along the railroad tracks, at a minimum, the railroad crossing needs to be completed. D Graf discussed amending the motion to read multi-use path instead of sidewalk. De Mille-Campos Walker to Clay Street. asked for additional clarification of motion. Graf described the intention of the motion was to provide safe access for pedestrians, especially school children if development was approved. Amarotico questioned if the improvements were to go beyond Walker to Clay and expand to Tolman Creek. After clarification, the group agreed to at a minimum of Graf motioned / Viéville seconded. The motion was passed unanimously. MOTION: Full street improvements are to be completed for East Main prior to any development creating access along East Main. Kampmann motioned / No second. The motion died for lack of second. owntown Plan Discussion about the traffic systems, extension of the existing road diet, additional loading zones and the edians that would be present. Faught presented a draft of the plan and highlighted that there are currently no al, explaining that the new plan would ake the final connection of the bike lanes through the downtown core. The proposal outlined extending the road lvd removing the Helman Street traffic signal and placing a rapid flash pedestrian Faught discussed truck parking in the plaza. He described a traffic accident that occurred due to the current street loading practices. Faught described creating an ordinance that would prevent trucks from parking D Faught presented the Downtown Parking and Multi-Modal Circulation Plan explaining the multi-modal connection system and spoke m bicycle lanes through the core of downtown. Faught continued with the propos m diet, from North Main to Siskiyou B beacon in its place Faught highlighted the additional details in the plan: 1. Clear bike lane to be created on North Main going south into town. 2. Clear bike lane to be created on Lithia Way going towards Medford 3. Advanced signage to prompt a divide of the traffic and bike lanes into left and right lanes allowing the dedication of the right lane for all northbound through traffic and the left lane for downtown oriented traffic. Transportation Commission April 23, 2015 Page 4 of 5 where to unload. Temporary loading zones were dis l ading needs. the plaza area. He detailed sidewalk restructuring that would save the trees within plaza; include a new bike lane, and the relocation of t f aught briefly outlined newly proposed traffic signals to be placed at Oak Street, East Main and Lithia Way. The ce e Viéville questioned if parking spaces would be removed within e plaza to accommodate the bike path. Faught outlined that the parking spaces would remain, and the current ed that the esignation currently is set to end at 4pm, maximizing parking spaces. Faught explained that the designation ue leury added that the new proposed lights at Oak/Lithia/East Main will be synced with the downtown core of with Ama Dow tification Project Discussion Fleu ghlighted a new safety improvement at the corner of Winburn to replace the pedestrian bench and add a bum Park SINESS any cussed. Faught explained that he has met with severa trucking companies to discuss lo Faught continued to describe the he current bus stop. He outlined that at the crossing o East Main from Oak there would be a multi-use path that would provide transit into the plaza. F design would include one truck loading zone on each side of the street for every block. This plan would displa twenty-one (21) parking spots to accommodate the loading zones and bike path. Graf questioned what th restricted parking enforcement would look like. Faught explained that the City would work with Diamond Parking to also monitor the proposed parking restrictions. th right-of-way allows enough space for a modified sidewalk. Amarotico asked for clarification about time limits on loading zone designation. Faught explain d may change to an earlier time. Faught is also recommending an ordinance to the City Council to address the no loading or double parking on East Main. Faught recommended applying with the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) to assist with funding of the project. He explained that the letter of interest is d in the next month or so, and that applications are due in August. Faught acknowledged that he is going to move forward with the application process noting that at anytime if the plan is not approved that the application can be withdrawn. F lights with audible pedestrian signals. Concern of the liquor store driveway by Lithia Way was discussed, the following details: 1. ODOT is redesigning a new location and is working with the property owner 2. Property owner has requested to have designated 30 minute parking spaces for his business rotico commented about how exciting the project is and that it is major for Ashland. ntown Beau ry hi p out for visibility. Graf cautioned that it may be premature to focus on beautification prior to the Downtown ing and Multi-Modal Circulation Committee making a final recommendation on the Pioneer Parking Lot. OLD BU None FOLLOW UP ITEMS Council Presentation stions from City Council. Graf discussed presenting talking points provided by Fleury with no additional que Audible Pedestrian Signals Fleury outlined an update on the installation of the following signals: 1. Walker Street signal has not been installed Transportation Commission April 23, 2015 Page 5 of 5 2. Main Street / Lithia has been installed t/ Pioneer has been installed explained that he will be ordering materials to finish the project. 3. 2nd Stree Fleury INFORMATIONAL ITEMS nd definitions. According to Fleury, the application is still in the development stage, but a tutorial will follow at a later ate. Traffic Crash Mapping Fleury announced that the GIS department has developed a web application which will display traffic crash heat map a d COMMISSION OPEN DISCUSSION None FUTURE AGENDA TOPICS Kampmann spoke of taking out future agenda items due to lack of interest from ampmann stated he has added many future agenda topics which still remain o the Transportation Commission. n the list, such as: multi-modal public on Siskiyou Blvd & 66, and a review of metering (traffic study). Young explained that een discussed and are going to be addressed at a later date. Fleury explained that a oke of some public outreach options. Young explained that a direction for public outreach or education is ortunity for outreach and education with the Downtown Parking and Multi- esignation, noting that he has lived in Ashland his whole life and would like to see a so K outreach & education, traffic e bmany of these items hav corridor study is slated for later depending on grant funding. He explained that the original corridor study was to include Sherman to Ashland, and Ashland to Walker but that funding prevented the pursuit of the study last year. Bender sp needed. Amarotico discussed the opp Modal Circulation Plan. Kampmann announced his r commission that is little more diverse. Young acknowledged his resignation and appreciated his service. Bender al appreciated his service and his knowledge of the City. Young stated he would be out of town for the Mayor’s brown bag lunch on Friday, April 24th at noon. Graf said he would try to make it in Young’s absence. DJOURNMENTA Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm Respectfully submitted, hitney Dennis, AdministWrative Assistant Attachments: xhibit A - Clay / East Main / Normal E Exhibit B - Normal Neighborhood Plan Presentation