Council Planning and Public Works Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Planning and Public Works Committee met on May 8, 2012, at 1:00 p.m., with Bill Farmer presiding. The committee addressed four agenda items during the session, including a first reading of the Downtown Traffic Management and Revitalization Study and informational updates on three ongoing projects. The committee heard five public comments and took one vote during the meeting.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on April 3, 2012:

• Bill Farmer
• Chuck Ellinger
• Linda Gorton
• Steve Kay
• Chris Ford
• Tom Blues
• Diane Lawless
• Julian Beard
• Doug Martin
• Peggy Henson

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The body approved a contract for the Downtown Traffic Management and Revitalization Study on first reading. 7:46

The motion was made by Bill Farmer and seconded by Chris Ford. The vote was conducted by voice vote, with no recorded abstentions.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included approval of grant funding for a Downtown Traffic Management and Revitalization Study. Stantec was designated as the recipient of $465,000 in grant funding for this project.

Public Comment

Five members of the public provided comments on downtown street conversion proposals during the meeting.

Tom Blues opened public comment by asking about the historical context of downtown street conversions 8:17. He noted that Main and Vine streets were converted from two-way to one-way traffic during urban renewal in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and asked how and why these changes were made.

Linda Gorton requested clarification on two points 14:09. She asked for a definition of "enhancing the sense of place" and whether the policy advisory group would include neighborhood representatives.

Doug Martin expressed concerns about traffic and logistics 33:21. He worried that converting streets to two-way traffic could create gridlock during rush hours and questioned how deliveries would be managed given limited right-of-way space.

Diane Lawless indicated support for further study of the proposal 40:35. She stated that many downtown business owners support a pilot project or study and emphasized that poor parking signage is a major deterrent to downtown visits.

Julian Beard raised implementation concerns specific to Main Street 53:30. He questioned whether the street's right-of-way could accommodate two-way conversion, citing concerns about turning movements, parking garage access, and the lack of space for turn lanes.

Contested Items

Conversion of One-Way Streets to Two-Way

A heated discussion emerged regarding the potential conversion of downtown one-way streets to two-way traffic. The debate revealed sharply divided opinions on the proposal's impacts and feasibility.

Those opposing the conversion raised several practical concerns: - Potential for increased traffic congestion in the downtown area - Complications for delivery logistics and commercial operations - Reduced parking access and availability - Questions about whether the conversion could be physically implemented within existing right-of-way constraints

Supporters of the conversion emphasized different priorities: - Improved pedestrian safety through reduced traffic speeds - Enhanced livability and walkability of downtown areas - Potential for downtown revitalization and economic benefits

The discussion highlighted a fundamental disagreement between those prioritizing traffic efficiency and commercial operations versus those emphasizing pedestrian-oriented urban design and community livability. The polarized nature of the debate indicated that participants held strong convictions on both sides of the issue, with little apparent middle ground during the discussion.

Downtown Traffic Management and Revitalization Study

Chris King of Planning presented the status of the Downtown Traffic Management and Revitalization Study 0:00. The study aims to evaluate the impacts of converting downtown one-way street pairs to two-way operation.

Study Scope and Components

The study will include the following elements:

• Traffic modeling to assess the effects of converting one-way streets to two-way operation
• Public engagement to gather community input
• Development of a Downtown Mobility Plan

Consultant and Funding

Stantec was recommended for contract approval to conduct the study. The project is funded by a $465,000 grant and is expected to take 12–14 months to complete.

Outcome

The agenda item received a first reading.

Oliver Lewis Way Project Update

Mike Grunwald provided a progress update on the Oliver Lewis Way project 1:00:44.

Project Overview and Costs

The Oliver Lewis Way project is estimated to cost $83 million, with funds programmed beyond 2014.

Phase I: Mitigation Area

Phase I is currently underway and focuses on the mitigation area. Construction activities include rental housing development and the installation of noise walls.

Phase II: Design and Right-of-Way

Phase II design is 50% complete. Right-of-way acquisitions are ongoing as part of Phase II implementation.

Phase III and IV

Phases III and IV remain in the planning stage.

Carver Center Renovation

The Carver Center renovation is in the design phase.

Outcome

This was an informational update with no action items or decisions required.

Todds Road Widening Phase II Update

Mike Barrett provided an update on the Todds Road Widening Phase II project 1:07:32.

Project Status

Design work is currently 60% complete. A contract modification is pending to finalize the design phase.

Timeline and Next Steps

The project schedule includes: - Right-of-way acquisition planned for FY13 - Utility relocation planned for FY13 - Construction scheduled to begin beyond FY14

Budget

The estimated construction cost for the project is $10 million.

This was presented as an informational update with no action items or decisions required at this time.

Items Referred to Committee

1:09:13

The committee reviewed a list of items referred for further consideration and action. The referred items included the following topics:

• Utility pole regulations
• Repaving programs
• Stormwater management
• Building permit extensions
• Zoning ordinance reviews

The committee determined that a subcommittee would undertake work on these issues in preparation for the next meeting. This item was presented as informational in nature, with no formal action taken during this portion of the meeting.