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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/06/2016 - Minutes - Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory BoardCIT1' OF COW rce STATIoS Home oJMai ,l 0,41 ilairenrry' MINUTES BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN, AND GREENWAYS ADVISORY BOARD Tuesday September 6, 2016 3:00 PM College Station City Hall Council Chambers 1101 Texas Avenue College Station, Texas, 77840 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Blanche Brick, Brandon Boatcallie, Tina Evans, Molly Fierro, Phillip Lasley, Andrew Middleton STAFF PRESENT: Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Senior Program Manager Venessa Garza, Assistant Director of Planning and Development Services Molly Hitchcock, Transportation Planning Coordinator Danielle Singh, Senior Planner Jessica Bullock, City Engineer Alan Gibbs, Public Communications Manager Colin Killian, Board Secretary Amber Johnson AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Call to Order. Chairman Brick called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Hear Visitors There were no visitors present to address the Board. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Consideration, discussion, and possible action to Minutes. Board Member Middleton motioned to approve the meeting minutes from motion was seconded by Board Member Evans and was approved (5-0). approve meeting July 5, 2016. The AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Presentation and discussion regarding an update on The Retreat at College Station Rezoning. Senior Program Manager Garza presented this item to the board. The applicant for the project has submitted an application for a public access easement separate from the rezoning. The rezoning will not be contingent on prior requirements because the easement has been submitted as requested. Board Member Lasley joined meeting at 3:02 p.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding a recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Commission on proposed changes to the City's Comprehensive Plan - Thoroughfare Plan and the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan in the vicinity of Royder Road, Greens Prairie Road and South Dowling Road. Transportation Planning Coordinator Danielle Singh presented this item to the board. This item is proposed to change to the Comprehensive Plan which includes both the Thoroughfare Plan and the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan (BPGMP) specifically in the area of Royder Road, Greens Prairie Road, and South Dowling Road. There are many changing conditions in the South College Station area, including the proposal of two new schools within close proximity of an existing elementary school, expanding residential developments, the planned closure of railroad crossings at Wade Road and Straub Road by Union Pacific Railroad in the extra -territorial jurisdiction (ETJ), and the addition of a railroad crossing at Greens Prairie Trail which is currently under construction. The City currently has Capital Improvement Projects for Royder Road and Greens Prairie Trail which are in preliminary engineering phases. In order to appropriately respond to these changing conditions, Kimley- Horan and Associates, Inc. were hired by the City of College Station to analyze the Thoroughfares in this area. Based on the results of their analysis, staff is recommending the following: 1. Modify the Thoroughfare Plan to include a railroad crossing for Koppe Bridge Road; 2. Realign Royder Road to align with the proposed Koppe Bridge Railroad Crossing; 3. Upgrade the classification of Koppe Bridge Road from a Minor Collector to a Major Collector including bike lanes and sidewalks with the upgraded classification; 4. Remove South Dowling and Greens Prairie Road Railroad from the Thoroughfare Plan west of I&GN and east of Wellborn Road. Associated changes are proposed and an amendment is required to the BPGMP since there are bike lanes, bike routes and sidewalks along these thoroughfares. Board Member Middleton asked if bicycle lanes and sidewalks would be present on Koppe Bridge Road. Ms. Singh stated that they would like to add bicycle lanes and sidewalks even though the property is currently in the ETJ we are hoping to view the property for the possibilities in the future. Specifically the proposed bicycle lanes and sidewalks are being considered due to the construction of several new schools in the vicinity. Chairman Brick asked what the nearest crossing to the North would be. Ms. Singh stated that the next crossing to the North is Capstone Drive and Barron Road. This location is one of the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) that has not been completed. The project includes the realignment of the roadways and the installation of signals. Board Member Lasley asked if there was a drawing available that shows the current bicycle master plan for the area. Ms. Garza stated that what is being depicted on available maps is the most recent plan for the area. However, there will need to be a discussion and potential amendment to the BPGMP to determine if certain areas should be changed from bike routes to bike lanes in the future. The board held a general discussion regarding potential roadway changes in the area. Board Member Evans motioned to support staff's recommendation for the South College Station Thoroughfare Plan and Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan Amendments. The motion was seconded by Board Member Fierro and was approved (6-0). AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Presentation and discussion regarding the 2016 Citizen Survey. Public Communications Manager Colin Killian presented this item to the board. A citizen survey was sent out in April that was conducted and administered by a third party firm, National Service Research. There were 8,000 surveys that were mailed out to random addresses in four geographical areas. A total of 2,015 responses were received which is a 236% increase from the 2012 citizen survey. The board held a general discussion regarding the survey results. Board Member Boatcallie asked how the City Council may utilize these results into policy changes. Chairman Brick stated that these types of results promote support for budgeting for projects. Board Member Lasley stated that because College Station is a smaller city, bicycle and pedestrian facilities can have a significant impact on traffic conditions specifically related to the areas with dense student populations. Mr. Killian stated that traffic congestion overall was one of the biggest priorities. Mr. Lasley stated that as the city transit service is not as complete as the Texas A&M transit service, students have few options other than biking. Board Member Fierro stated that the implementation of the bike boxes that were previously discussed by the board may impact the scores specifically with the younger demographic. Manager Garza stated the bike boxes are more of a safety tool that doesn't necessarily greatly address the connectivity component. Mr. Lasley stated that the existing bike routes as currently designed do not stand out to the general public as a viable transportation alternative. Education and awareness may be needed to encourage the public of the potential use of these methods of transportation. Chairman Brick added that the City should be receiving a report soon of a survey conducted by the by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) regarding public transit. Mr. Killian added that the Public Communications department is also attempting to spread information to the public regarding the bike lanes with the continual distribution of bike maps. Chairman Brick stated that it may be beneficial to create a video produced for Channel 19 showing the bike trails being used. Mr. Lasley stated that signs could also be created and placed next to major commuting corridors to promote the usage of the bike trails. Ms. Fierro asked if there has been any collaboration with Texas A&M Transportation Department to provide bike route information. Ms. Garza stated that she would get into contact with Ron Steedly with Texas A&M in regards to providing some information on theft webpage. The board held a general discussion regarding the survey and the potential distribution of the results to the public. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding Crowdsourcing. The board held a general discussion regarding crowdsourcing ideas. Manager Garza stated that Survey Monkey is currently used to collect data. Manager Killian stated that Facebook advertisements have been very beneficial in promoting things such as the citizen survey. Board Member Lasley stated that Minnesota Department of Transportation created user groups that represented a percentage of the state who they would poll and then reward responses with points or gift cards Ms. Garza presented the survey tool called WikiMapping to the board. AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding an update to the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Master Plan. Manager Garza presented this item to the board stating that the update will most likely begin in January. Items related to the update such as priorities would come in the next few months in preparation. AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: Presentation and discussion regarding the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board calendar of upcoming meetings. • September 15, 2016 ry Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting " City Hall, Council Chambers ry 6:00 p.m. • October 3, 2016 N Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board City Hall, Council Chambers nj 3:00 p.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 10: Possible action and discussion on future agenda items - A Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board Member may inquire about a subject for which notice has not been given. A statement of specific factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given. Any deliberation shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agenda for a subsequent meeting. Board Member Fierro suggested a discussion regarding collaborating with the community and Texas A&M regarding the promotion of bike routes as well as Facebook advertisements. Specifically the potential creation of a contest to promote the existing bikeway facilities to allow students to create advertising for the City with no monetary reward. Manager Garza stated that she will speak with Ron Steedly with Texas A&M regarding coming to speak with the board again regarding current projects underway. Board Member Lasley suggested a future discussion regarding a new committee that was created on Transportation Technology and Infrastructure where students can submit project ideas for the University to consider in collaboration with the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI). Chairman Brick suggested speaking more to potential advertisements on Channel 19. AGENDA ITEM NO. 11: Adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 4:12 p.m. APPROVED: gAL,A< /141/ Blanche Brick, Chairman ATTEST: witi1/444 Amber Johnson, d Secretary