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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Minutes January 2022ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MINUTES February 17, 2022   CALL TO ORDER:  Commissioners Present: Mark Brouillard, Joe Graf, Linda Peterson-Adams, Katharine Danner, Holly Christiansen Commissioners Not Present  Corinne Vièville, Derrick Claypool-Barnes, Council Liaison Present: Paula Hyatt Staff Present: Scott Fleury, Elizabeth Beckerich Guests Present: Amy Gunter, Robert Kendrick, Kelly Sandow, Micah Horowitz   ANNOUNCEMENTS Vièville will not be present for this meeting.   Brouillard stated that he had a positive interaction with Officer MacLennan and noted that Ashland Police Department officers are doing a great job.     CONSENT AGENDA Danner motioned to approve the minutes from last month as written. Brouillard seconded. All ayes, motion passed.     PUBLIC FORUM No one present for public forum. Commissioners were emailed by Gary Shaff regarding the Grand Terrace Annexation which was discussed later in this meeting. Peterson-Adams stated that all ideas from the public are taken into consideration and encouraged the public to continue to communicate with the Transportation Commission.     CRASH REPORT Officer MacLennan was not present to give the crash report.   Brouillard mentioned that a pedestrian was hit near Ashland Street and Washington Street. The mayor asked Fleury if any plans were being made to improve the crosswalk at that location either by the city or ODOT. Nothing has been planned in the TSP but Fleury asked ODOT and they stated that they are investigating that pedestrian crossing currently. Commissioners discussed the possibility of doing more in that area to improve the pedestrian crossing as pedestrian traffic is increasing there.   Graf stated that according to this month’s data if someone rear-ends stopped traffic, they have a 50% chance of not being cited, and it looks bad for the city. Peterson-Adams stated that perhaps the Transportation Commission should write a letter to the Ashland Police Department Chief.     NEW BUSINESS Grand Terrace Annexation Amy Gunter, Robert Kendrick, Kelly Sandow, and Micah Horowitz were in attendance to give a presentation on the proposed 8.5 acre annexation at 1511 Highway 99N. The property is currently zoned as Jackson County rural residential. Just north of the property is zoned as Jackson County commercial. The property is within the urban growth boundary for the city. The plan is for 10 two-story structures each containing 23 units for a total of 230 units on the property. Each unit will be 500 square feet.   A Transportation Impact Analysis was done and the intersections that were studied included Highway 99N at South Valley View, Highway 99N at Jackson Road, North Main Street at Maple Street, and Highway 99N at the projected access points. It was found that the property would not cause a substantial increase in traffic or queuing conditions. All proposed site driveways are projected to operate safely and efficiently. The Traffic Impact Analysis recommends that Highway 99 be restriped to include a left turn lane for vehicles entering the site. The analysis concluded that the Transportation Planning Rule has been demonstrated to be met, that the Minimum Intersection Site Distance and Site Stopping Distance requirements are met or exceeded, and that the queue length does not cause impediments to other drivers on the roadway. Additionally, a new transit supportive plaza and southbound bus stop are proposed along the project frontage. The bus stop has preliminary approval from RVTD.   A safety evaluation was also done of the area. Highway 99 currently has buffered bike lanes along the development frontage and bike lanes on both sides of the road. The development proposal includes bike lanes in accordance with city standards as well as 2 multi-use path connections to the site. There are currently no sidewalks on Highway 99 at the proposed site so the applicant will provide sidewalk improvements in compliance with ODOT. A high visibility crosswalk would be put in place across Highway 99 in the form of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon and would be between North Main and Schofield near the bus stops. ODOT did a speed study in the area and found that 45 mph was appropriate and average for that stretch of Highway 99.   Also in the proposal is a sidewalk at the railroad bridge including a vertical barrier between the sidewalk and the street. This area was also discussed as an evacuation route and how the barrier/width of the road in that location may affect that option. The issue of bicyclists feeling unsafe in that area was also discussed at length.   Robert Kendrick touched on environmental concerns and stated that the buildings will include solar panels and bike racks behind the buildings to encourage bicycling. The buildings will also be built off-site and transported to discourage construction waste. There will also be a multi-use trail that will be lit at night and will be ADA accessible.   Graf mentioned that one parking spot per unit may not be enough as some people have more than one vehicle. Gunter explained the parking capacity requirements that they followed when planning out the parking lot.   Fleury commented that if this project does continue and gets built that he hopes that traffic stress, specifically in terms of bike traffic is accounted for when looking at potentially reducing the speed limit in that area. Micah Horowitz with ODOT explained the speed re-evaluation process.   The main concerns of the Transportation Commission for this project included reducing speed, implementation of better bike lanes and sidewalks, and safe and accessible transportation options.   Safe Routes to School Planning Grant Graf moved that the Transportation Commission recommends to the City Council that they authorize Public Works to move forward in conjunction with the Ashland School District on a Safe Routes to School Grant Project Identification Program Grant Application. All seconded. All ayes, motion passed. OLD BUSINESS Parking Program Fleury stated he wants the Transportation Commission to establish a programmatic plan to present to council and figure out what Public Works would need to do as well as what consultants would need to do so that the strategies detailed in the Parking Program Discussion memo could be implemented. Fleury would also like for cost and a funding strategy to be established.   Graf stated that he would like to gather more data, but that it’s impossible to do so accurately during COVID. Graf also mentioned that if some of the Parking Program could be added to the TSP that it may help with funding. The relevance of Rick Williams’ parking study done pre-COVID was discussed.   Randy Street Traffic Analysis The speed on the street was studied and discussed. It is believed that the curve on the street is causing people to not see pedestrians and not be able to turn well. There is currently no center line painted onto the street but painting one may help alleviate some issues.       FUTURE AGENDA TOPICS 2022 In-Person Meeting Discussion Planning Department Presentation Crosswalk Policy      ADJOURNMENT: @ 8:00pm   Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Beckerich, Office Assistant II **Full Video Available by Request**