Planning & Public Works Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Planning & Public Works Committee met on February 11, 2014, at 1:00 p.m., with Farmer presiding. The committee addressed five agenda items during the session, taking eight votes and hearing two public comments.

The committee approved the January 14, 2014 Committee Summary. Two items were deferred for future consideration: the Downtown 2-Way Traffic Study and the Greenway Manual & Plan. The proposal for a 4 Way Stop at Glendover & Valley was tabled. The committee also received an informational update on the Todd's Road Widening Project.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on February 11, 2014:

• Farmer
• Mossotti
• Gorton
• Ellinger
• Kay
• Ford
• Lawless
• Beard
• Clarke
• Henson

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

All motions brought before the committee on February 11, 2014 passed unanimously. 3:01

Approval of the substitute November 12, 2013 Committee summary — Motion by Gorton, seconded by Ellinger. Passed unanimously with all ten committee members voting in favor: Farmer, Mossotti, Gorton, Ellinger, Kay, Ford, Lawless, Beard, Clarke, and Henson.

Removal of the issue of merging Streets & Roads with Traffic Engineering from the Committee Referral List — Motion by Mossotti, seconded by Gorton. Passed unanimously with all ten members voting in favor.

Motion to move Design Excellence text amendments to the full Council — Motion by Kay, seconded by Gorton. Passed unanimously with all ten members voting in favor.

Removal of Utility Poles in Right-of-Way from the Committee Referral List — Motion by Clarke, seconded by Gorton. Passed unanimously with all ten members voting in favor.

Removal of Re Paving program from the Committee Referral List — Motion by Clarke, seconded by Gorton. Passed unanimously with all ten members voting in favor.

Removal of Working with Fayette County Schools to Sustain Road Salt Services from the Committee Referral List — Motion by Ellinger, seconded by Gorton. Passed unanimously with all ten members voting in favor.

Removal of Alternative Fuels from the Committee Referral List — Motion by Gorton, seconded by Mossotti. Passed unanimously with all ten members voting in favor.

Removal of Performance Bonds from the Committee Referral List — Motion by Gorton, seconded by Ellinger. Passed unanimously with all ten members voting in favor.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included discussion of funding for a Greenway Coordinator position and associated maintenance programs. No specific dollar amount, resolution number, or vendor/recipient information was provided in the available meeting materials.

Public Comment

Two members of the public addressed the meeting regarding safety concerns at the Glendover and Valley Road intersection.

William Wester 1:39:26 testified about dangerous conditions at the intersection. He described the location as extremely hazardous, citing frequent speeding, the absence of crosswalks for children, and multiple accidents. Wester presented survey results indicating that 70% of neighbors support the installation of three-way stop signs at the intersection.

Scott Dreyer 1:42:52 spoke about the need for safe crossing infrastructure for school children. He emphasized the danger faced by students walking home from Glendover School, noting that they are forced to jaywalk across a busy road that lacks sidewalks. Dreyer requested the installation of a safe crosswalk to address this hazard.

Contested Items

Greenway Program Management and Funding

A heated discussion emerged regarding the city's greenway program, with debate centered on several interconnected issues. The primary point of contention was whether the city needed to hire a dedicated Greenway Coordinator to manage the program. Additional disagreement arose over how to allocate the greenway budget across different city departments. A significant concern was raised about the city's practice of accepting land from developers that may not be usable for greenway purposes. Participants also expressed frustration about long-standing inaction on greenway initiatives and questioned the lack of accountability for delays and incomplete projects.

Safety at Glendover and Valley Road Intersection

Community residents testified about serious safety concerns at the intersection of Glendover and Valley Road. Their primary complaints centered on frequent speeding in the area, the absence of crosswalks, and multiple accidents that had occurred at the location, with particular concern about incidents involving school children. Residents demanded that the city install a three-way stop sign and implement other intersection improvements to enhance safety.

The city's position on this matter was constrained by federal standards. Despite the residents' safety concerns and accident history, the intersection did not meet federal warrants for a three-way stop installation. This created a conflict between community demands for immediate safety measures and the technical requirements that typically govern traffic control decisions. Residents continued to press for improvements despite this technical barrier.

January 14, 2014 Committee Summary

3:01

The committee reviewed the substitute November 12, 2013 Committee summary during this agenda item. The summary had previously received approval from the full Council.

Following discussion among committee members Farmer, Gorton, and Ellinger, the committee unanimously approved the substitute November 12, 2013 Committee summary.

Downtown 2-Way Traffic Study

Tom Creasy of Stantec presented updates on the downtown two-way traffic study 3:33. The presentation covered progress on three areas: north, core, and south sections of the downtown district.

Key Findings

The study identified the feasibility of converting North Limestone and North Upper streets to two-way traffic. Creasy detailed potential traffic impacts associated with these conversions and presented analysis relevant to each geographic area under review.

Speakers and Discussion

Multiple council members participated in the discussion, including Farmer, Lawless, Mossotti, Kay, Ford, and Beard, alongside the presenter.

Next Steps

The study requires input from stakeholder and policy advisory groups before proceeding further. Creasy indicated the study is expected to conclude by summer.

Outcome

The agenda item was deferred.

Greenway Manual & Plan

Chris King presented on the Greenway Manual and Operational Handbook to the committee 57:11. The presentation included proposals for establishing a Greenway Coordinator position, updating acquisition policies, and implementing maintenance plans.

Committee members Mossotti, Akers, and Stennett participated in the discussion. The committee determined that the matter required further consideration and stakeholder input before moving forward. Budget review was also identified as a necessary step in the decision-making process.

The committee voted to keep the issue in committee rather than approve it at this time, allowing for additional input from stakeholders and a thorough examination of the financial implications of the proposals.

4 Way Stop Glendover & Valley

Councilmember Beard presented a proposal for a three-way stop at the intersection of Glendover and Valley Road. 1:29:21

Presentation and Concerns

Beard cited safety concerns as the primary justification for the traffic control measure. Public comments during the discussion emphasized dangers to children at the intersection and noted the lack of crosswalks in the area.

Committee Discussion

The following council members participated in the discussion: Wester, Dreyer, Gorton, and Woods, in addition to Beard.

Outcome

The committee voted to table the issue pending further data and cost estimates. The proposal will require additional information before the council can make a final determination on whether to implement the three-way stop.

Todd's Road Widening Project Update

1:47:46

Stinnett provided an update on the Todd's Road Widening Project, reporting on the current phase and timeline for completion.

Project Status

The project is currently in the right-of-way acquisition phase. Offers are expected to be issued this month.

Timeline

Utility relocation work is scheduled to begin in March. The project start date has been revised to fall, moving back from the previously projected May start date.

Outcome

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