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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/05/2012 - Minutes - Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board MINUTES { m ""`t ` s` BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN, AND GREENWAYS . ..... , tit.. . ,., ADVISORY BOARD Monday, November 5, 2012 3:00 PM City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room #1 1101 Texas Avenue College Station, Texas, 77840 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Blanche Brick, Vice-Chairman Sherry Ellison, Greg Stiles, James Batenhorst, Philip Lasley, and Jean Gould MEMBERS ABSENT: Marcy Halterman-Cox VISITORS PRESENT: Mike McIntyre STAFF PRESENT: Greenways Program Manager Venessa Garza, Transportation Planning Coordinator Joe Guerra, Assistant City Engineer Danielle Charbonnet, and Board Secretary Kristen Hejny AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Call to Order. Chairman Brick called the meeting to order at 2:58. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Hear Visitors There were no visitors who wished to address the board. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve meeting Minutes. Board Member Stiles motioned to approve the meeting Minutes from October 1, 2012. The motion was seconded by Board Member Lasley, and was approved (6-0). AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Presentation and discussion regarding an update on the following item(s): • Dexter Sidewalk Project • Lick Creek Greenway Trail • 2818 Trail Phase II • Lincoln Sidewalk Project Program Manager Garza discussed updates on the items. There was general discussion regarding the 2818 Trail Phase II regarding the direction of the improvements toward Southwest Parkway and the funded portions. Ms. Ellison asked if the project would be following the existing creek. Ms. Garza explained to the board that the trail is proposed along the creek. There was general discussion regarding the Lincoln Sidewalk Project. It is projected to be completed in December 2012. Ms. Ellison inquired if the sidewalk would be six feet wide. Ms. Garza stated the sidewalks for the project will be six feet wide. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Presentation and discussion regarding University Pedestrian Improvements Phase II: Project Manager Charbonnet and Consultant McIntyre were available for discussion on this project and for the upcoming public meeting. There was general discussion regarding the sidewalk in front of the 717 University Drive project and whether or not there will be a sidewalk. Ms. Garza reported that there will be a sidewalk as per ordinance. There was general discussion as to whether or not there will be a sidewalk along College Avenue. Ms. Garza stated this area will be discussed along with other projects and other entities to collaborate for improvements along this corridor. This area could be changed to an urban cross section. At this time there is a multi-use path proposed from College Avenue to the City limit line. Improvements possible may include making sidewalks wider along the University Corridor, raising medians, creating safer intersections and crosswalks, and landscaping. Chairman Brick discussed enlarging the sidewalk along Tauber Street and whether or not demolishing buildings will be an option. Mr. McIntyre expressed future plans to make standard sidewalks available in this area. Mr. Lasley discussed concerns regarding sidewalks around the Shell Station and Bike shop in that area where there is no room for sidewalks and as to whether sidewalks will travel behind the businesses or in front of the businesses. Mr. McIntyre shared that they are still in the planning phases of their project and that has not been determined yet. Mr. Lasley questioned whether right-of-way had been purchased from the Shell Station. Mr. McIntyre stated that at this time, no purchases have been made. Chairman Brick asked Mr. McIntyre if the project would include trees and landscaping as part of their pedestrian improvement project. Mr. McIntyre explained to the board that arborists have been hired to discuss and evaluate the impact and placement of trees. There is projected to be minimal to no impact on the existing landscaping in the area. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Presentation and discussion regarding the South Knoll Area Neighborhood Plan: Ms. Garza discussed updates on this plan. Mr. Lasley inquired as to whether this area is a candidate for traffic calming. Ms. Garza stated that this issue will be one of the topics discussed through the planning process. Mr. Lasley asked if the trail extension in that area was tabled and whether or not the extension or the path will be funded. Ms. Garza stated that the extension had been tabled at this time and funding for one of the projects will be determined at a later date. Board Member Gould requested to be added to the South Knoll Plan NRT email list and group. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Presentation and discussion regarding the Wellborn District Plan: Ms. Garza discussed updates on this plan. There was general discussion amongst the board. Ms. Ellison asked how an area in the Wellborn District Plan can be categorized as restricted suburban and also be high density. Ms. Garza explained to the board that restricted suburban is a higher density than rural, but not the highest density over all. Ms. Ellison inquired as to bike lanes and sidewalks along a section Greens Prairie Road were removed. Ms. Garza explained to the board that this area mirrors the Thoroughfare Plan and discussion with the Neighborhood Resource Team lead to the compromise of not having that connection. Mr. Lasley asked why the connection was not wanted by the NRT. Transportation Planning Coordinator Guerra explained to the board that there was concern from a landowner in that area that her property had thoroughfares on two sides of her property in a rural area and a North to South connection would be better served in the area. Ms. Ellison asked where the suburban commercial areas will be. Mr. Guerra explained that the suburban commercial areas will be kept along Wellborn Road. Mr. Guerra explained to the board that there are three proposed land uses the restricted suburban, 15% suburban commercial along Wellborn, and rural/estate. He explained that the majority of land uses will remain rural in nature with open ditches on each side of the roadway. Ms. Ellison asked where people would cross Wellborn Road. Ms. Garza explained that wherever the railroad crossing area is placed that is where pedestrians and bicyclists will cross Wellborn Road. Mr. Guerra explained to the board that most of the bike/pedestrian accommodations are on the east side of Wellborn Road. AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Presentation and discussion regarding funding opportunities and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO): Ms. Garza discussed updates on this item. Mr. Guerra explained to the board if an amendment was made to the long range plan to include the master plan there are projects within the plan that reside in Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) right-of-way, funding can become available for those projects added to the project list. AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: Presentation and discussion regarding the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board calendar of upcoming meetings. • November 5, 2012 — South Knoll Area Plan " Neighborhood Resource Team Meeting — College Station City Hall, Planning & Development Services Hallway " 6:30 p.m • November 5, 2012 " University Drive Pedestrian Improvements Public Meeting — A&M United Methodist Church, Annex Fellowship Hall (corner of Cross Street and College Main) " 7:00 p.m. • November 7, 2012 — Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee Meeting — Brazos Center — 3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan TX " 8:45 a.m. • November 12, 2012 ^, Wellborn District Plan Neighborhood Resource Team Meeting — Greens Prairie Elementary School " 4315 Greens Prairie Trail — 7:00 p.m. • November 13, 2012 — Wellborn District Plan — Area Plan Meeting " Wellborn Community Center — 4119 Greens Prairie Road West "— 6:00 p.m. • November 15, 2012 " Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting ". Council Chambers " 6:00 p.m. • November 26, 2012 '— South Knoll Area Neighborhood Meeting ^, Issues and Opportunities Meeting "' South Knoll Elementary School " 1220 Boswell Street " 7:00 p.m. • December 3, 2012 N Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board — City Hall " Council Chambers — 3:00 p.m. • December 3, 2012 " Wellborn District Plan ". Neighborhood Resource Team Meeting — Greens Prairie Elementary School ". 4315 Greens Prairie Trail " 7:00 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. No future agenda items were mentioned. AGENDA ITEM NO. 11: Adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m. A, OVED: T ST: , ° Blanche Bric , Chairman rist n Hejny, Bo 'r ecr t ry