HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Minutes August 2017ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
August 23, 2017
Transportation Commission
August 23, 2017
Page 1 of 5
CALL TO ORDER:
Graf called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Joe Graf, Sue Newberry, David Young, Corinne Vièville, and Kat Smith
Commissioners Absent: Dominic Barth
Council Liaison Present: None
Council Liaison Absent: Mike Morris, and Rich Rosenthal
SOU Liaison Absent: Janelle Wilson
Staff Present: Mike Faught, Scott Fleury, Brandon Goldman, and Tara Kiewel
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Minutes: July 20, 2017
Commissioners Newberry/Young m/s to approve minutes as amended.
All ayes. Minutes approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
Joanna Foster 915 Bellview Ave. #1
Read from attached document.
Gabriel Lipper – 923 Bellview Ave. #1
Gabriel said the 2013 study on Bellview was due to complaints about speed. He has lost 3 different cats on this
street. Since the last study he has had a child and there are more children living on the street. He said that most of
the neighborhood supports installing speed bumps. Gabriel said that Tolman Creek Rd. was the intended route for
the neighborhoods main traffic flow, but traffic is actually routing down Bellview. There is a long straight away on
Bellview toward Siskiyou where there is an issue with speeding. He thinks where the speed study is happening is
where people are slowing for the stop and where the alleys are merging onto Bellview. Gabriel thinks speed bumps
would be awesome.
Louise Shawcat -870 Cambridge
Louise asked for a follow up on the bicycle education program and the two grade schools that didn’t want to
participate. She inquired if we could work with Chamber of Commerce to advertise the Zagster bike program. She
announced that Southern Oregon Climate Action Now is having a master climate protector course the Monday after
Labor Day in Talent. Louise is also interested in having the commission follow up on the cars idling issue.
NEW BUSINESS
Planning Type III Roles and Responsibilities
Brandon Goldman, Senior Planner, explained Type I planning actions are administratively approved, Type II are
approved by the Planning Commission, and Type III are approved by Council with recommendations from the
planning and other directly related commissions. Goldman explained that the Normal Neighborhood Plan was an
example of a Type III planning action that came before the Transportation Commission due to the planning of a new
street system, identifying which streets would be arterials, and the establishment of a shared street type. Goldman
explained a privately initiated action such as annexation or rezoning are also examples of planning actions that would
involve the transportation commission. Goldman added that the privately initiated actions have a pre-application
ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
August 23, 2017
Transportation Commission
August 23, 2017
Page 2 of 5
process which is a way to address issues that may arise and to provide feedback to the applicant.
Newberry asked if the only way the planning actions come to this commission is to be put on the agenda or if there
are any public involvement hearings. Goldman explained that public hearings are part of the Planning Commission
and planning actions would come to the Transportation Commission as part of the pre application process.
Young remarked that with the Normal Neighborhood Plan the Transportation Commission was not involved early
enough in the process and was not represented on the Ad Hoc Committee. Young stated that the entire process was
a challenge.
Newberry asked how we could have a better communication between commissions because there are often shared
and overlapping missions. Goldman mentioned that formal or informal liaisons attending other commission meetings
might be helpful. Newberry used the visibility issues on Bellview as an example of where the commission could have
made a recommendation. Newberry said she would have recommended bulb-outs on the sides of the alleys for better
visibility. Newberry asked if they had been attending those meeting would they have been able to comment on those
types of things. Goldman said in that particular situation probably not because the street was already in place and
approved before the development was built. Goldman added the developer had met the requirement of automobile
access, and they are developing their private parcel and public improvements like streets are not typically included in
these types of plans. Goldman went on to say that vision clearance issues could be raised to the planning
commission for consideration and that bulb-outs would be a street design issue. Faught said Public Works is in
charge of the street standards and once they are in place then Planning must follow those guidelines. Newberry
mentioned that she would like to see a traffic calming program created.
Young stated that we should be looking at holistic approach to planning that should require interconnection between
commissions. Newberry remarked that Ashland is mostly built out and that each change that is made affects another
area of town. Goldman said that for individual planning actions a balance must be struck between reviewing each of
them and having clear criteria so that an applicant can fill out a proposal. Goldman added that we cannot change the
standards after an application is submitted and we must look to the master plan and legislated decisions before
applicants apply.
Young asked if there is a number of units for a development that sends a planning action to the Transportation
Commission. Goldman explained that Type III planning actions are the only actions sent to the Transportation
Commission. Goldman stated that a larger scale development would have recommendations from the Engineering
and Public Works staff if a traffic analysis needs to be provided as part of the application.
Graf asked for clarification about the process for Type III planning actions. He asked if at the pre-application stage
applicants are told to see the Transportation Commission and if they don’t the application is rejected. Goldman stated
the application would be incomplete and not approved. Graf asked about the process when the City decides to make
changes. Goldman explained there is no pre-application if the City initiates the changes. Newberry summarized for
clarification the ways Transportation Commission is engaged in the planning process is the Type III planning actions
and changing standards. Goldman elaborated that Type III actions can be private or public and the private
applications have an accelerated timeline which is why there is a pre-application process.
TASK LIST
Discuss current action item list
Citizen requests for speed and volume analysis on Bellview
Fleury explained that a traffic study was done in 2013 and 2017 on Bellview in the same location. Fleury
ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
August 23, 2017
Transportation Commission
August 23, 2017
Page 3 of 5
acknowledged that the locations of the studies may not be optimum for the highest speeds and said the studies
showed the specific times of day people are speeding and the information was then sent to Officer MacLennan for
enforcement. In addition the speed trailer has been put on Bellview. Fleury stated the studies showed that volume
decreased from 2013 until now by over one hundred vehicles. Fleury told the commission there is a fifteen foot vision
clearance requirement for the alleys and it should have been required for the developer to do curb striping, but that
would also impact the limited parking. Fleury said we’re now trying to fix an issue after the fact. He added that bump-
outs would create vision clearance, but that would be a capital infrastructure cost. Fleury told the commission that we
are currently collecting data from higher up the street on Bellview.
Fleury explained that speed bumps would not be installed in the right of way, but rather speed humps, tables, or
cushions are design measures for traffic calming. Fleury mentioned the Albany, Oregon traffic calming program
which requires neighborhoods to do outreach and be involved partners with the city. Fleury encouraged outreach to
explain speed issues and impacts on neighborhoods.
Smith asked who would take financial responsibility for a traffic calming program. Fleury explained that it depended
on the program and that Albany puts some on the financial responsibility on the neighborhood for data collection. If a
neighborhood requests traffic calming they would be ranked according to a set criteria and then it would be budgeted.
Graf asked what would be the next step. Fleury said collecting the next set of data and then discuss developing a
traffic calming program.
Hersey/Wimer Signal
Road diet will be presented to Council by staff in September.
Super Sharrows
Faught showed the commission different examples of the proposed sharrows from the Kittelson & Associates, Inc.
report and said he will be recommending the solid green super sharrows in the middle lane to Council. Smith asked if
there are any planned modifications for bike lanes to have green markings through intersections. Faught said this
was something to look at in the future, but this current project was connecting the missing links in the bike lane. The
report had also recommended installing a stop sign at Oak and E. Main and to change the speed limit through
downtown. Faught explained that our traffic engineer does not agree with these recommendations, and he will not be
recommending to them to Council. Graf mentioned that the report is recommending additional signage and Faught
added that if this is adopted by Council we will make recommendations on what we would do. Fleury mentioned that
the Kittleson report recommends public outreach education.
Vièville mentioned that trucks unloading in the bus stops continues to be an issue. Diamond parking needs to be
contacted regarding this issue. Fleury mentioned that he would reach out to RVTD.
Nevada Bridge Extension Project
Faught told the commission that a new grant application needs to be submitted and that staff is working on it. Faught
told the commission this bridge could be important in the case of a Cascadia event and that it was discussed at the
last Council Study Session.
Iowa Street Safety Concerns
Smith asked if the walking audit is scheduled for Iowa Street. Fleury said that it will be scheduled after school is back
in session. Newberry asked if the scope of the audit will include collecting crash data. Fleury explained it will include
turn count movements, peak hour volume at all of the intersections, a walking audit, and a public hearing at a
commission meeting.
ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
August 23, 2017
Transportation Commission
August 23, 2017
Page 4 of 5
Main Street Crosswalk Truck Parking
Young asked for an update on providing alternative truck parking on Main Street where trucks have been blocking
crosswalks. Fleury mentioned that ODOT has a signalized light at Water Street in the Statewide Transportation
Improvement Program (STIP) which would remove parking from that area. Fleury is waiting to hear from ODOT for a
timeline on this project.
Faith Ave. Street painting
Smith announced that Faith Ave. will be closed for street painting and a block party August 26 and 27. Smith
described to the commission that the street will be painted in a twenty eight foot area with a colorful pathway that will
include; cedar waxwings, gold finches, robins, California poppies, sunflowers, and bees. This is the first street
painting permit issued in Ashland and Fleury mentioned that Smith has been diligent in following the permit to the
letter and has contacted the appropriate emergency departments.
OLD BUSINESS
None
FOLLOW UP ITEMS
Downtown Parking Plan
Faught explained the downtown parking plan was taken to Council and accepted which means it will move forward.
Faught added that Public Works will be managing the Parking Plan with existing staff and we will keep collecting data
so we can make plans. Graf asked about the expanded parking enforcement area. Faught explained that we will
work with Diamond Parking and that some business have requested more enforcement. Faught is mentioned he is
pleased that it is moving forward.
Transportation System Plan Update-Selection Process
Fleury stated the solicitation closed on August 1, 2017 and that one proposal was received. The grading team is
finishing the grading process which should be finished by the next commission meeting. Fleury was concerned that
only one bid was received and said staff will make a next step recommendation after the grading process has been
completed. Graf mentioned that we want to do it right and we may want to consider other options.
Zagster Bike Share Program
Fleury updated the commission that three bike stations were currently installed and that two additional stations will be
installed at Safeway and Growler Guys at the end of September. Young asked about stations at SOU and Ashland
Hospital. Fleury mentioned the hospital doesn’t currently have funding but are interested and SOU will be installing
soon. Faught shared with the commission he saw people using the bikes the day after the stations installed and
talked with the riders who were from out of town and they were very excited.
Vièville mentioned that the bus stop between Clay and Glendale had a gravel pad and that after the bike rack was
installed someone has removed the gravel and it is now a dirt pad. Fleury said he would talk with the Street
Department to put the gravel back.
Smith told the commission that she had contacted the 4J School District and the Springfield School District to get
information on their car idling policies. Newberry said that Ashland does have an ordinance that the commission
should review.
COMMISSION OPEN DISCUSSION
Newberry discussed commission goal setting and wanting to get community input and suggested doing this charrette
style. Fleury mentioned Council will be going into their planning and it might be beneficial to see what the Council
ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
August 23, 2017
Transportation Commission
August 23, 2017
Page 5 of 5
goals are and inviting commission chairs.
Vièville asked about using a wheelchair for walking audit on Iowa street. Newberry mentioned that walking audits
work best when all groups are represented.
Next Meeting Date: September 28th, 2017 Meeting
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting was adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tara Kiewel
Public Works Administrative Assistant