HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/04/2013 - Minutes - Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board
MINUTES
BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN, AND GREENWAYS
ADVISORY BOARD
Monday, February 4, 2013 3:00 PM
Council Chambers
1101 Texas Avenue
College Station, Texas, 77840
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Blanche Brick, Vice-Chairman Sherry Ellison, Greg Stiles, James Batenhorst and Philip Lasley
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jean Gould
VISITORS PRESENT: Gary Ives
STAFF PRESENT: Greenways Program Manager Venessa Garza, Transportation Planning Coordinator Joe Guerra, Staff Planner Teresa Rogers and Board Secretary Kristen Hejny
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Call to Order.
Chairman Brick called the meeting to order at 3:05.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Hear Visitors
Visitor Gary Ives addressed the board with his concerns on the Lick Creek Greenway Trail and his support of the funding of this project.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Consideration of absence requests.
Jean Gould ~ February 4, 2013
Board Member Batenhorst motioned to approve the absence request. The motion was seconded by Board Member Lasley, and was approved (5-0). (This item was voted on after Agenda Item #4,
with Mr. Batenhorst unavailable to vote on item #4).
AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve meeting Minutes.
Board Member Ellison motioned to approve the meeting Minutes from November 5, 2012. The motion was seconded by Board Member Lasley, and was approved (4-0).
Board Member Stiles arrived to meeting at 3:07.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Presentation and discussion regarding an update on the following item(s):
Program Manager Garza discussed updates on the following items:
Dexter Sidewalk Project
Dexter Sidewalk is going to bid in February with possible completion in June.
Lick Creek Greenway Trail
The design contract for the Lick Creek Greenway Trail has been approved by Council. A schedule will soon be available.
2818 Trail Phase II
Ms. Garza stated that design is nearing completion and construction should begin soon.
Lincoln Sidewalk Project
Ms. Garza explained that the sidewalk from Munson Avenue to Texas Avenue is complete.
University Drive Pedestrian Improvements Phase II
Ms. Garza stated that this project will extend from Lodge Street to College Avenue. The next public meeting is being scheduled.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding an upcoming item for the Planning and Zoning Commission:
Rezoning: Copper Creek Condos – 301 Southwest Parkway
Staff Planner Rogers presented updates and information on this rezoning.
Ms. Rogers explained that the applicants are proposing to rezone the property from a Planned Development District (PDD) to a Planned Development District (PDD) and amend the previously
approved concept plan.
Ms. Rogers explained that the applicant submitted a new concept plan proposing revisions to the number of bedrooms allowed and parking. They are proposing that the building, office,
pool and dumpster be located in the floodplain. They are also proposing a modification to the floodplain itself. Staff is recommending denial as proof has not been presented that there
will not be negative effects to the adjacent buildings and development.
Ms. Garza explained that previous concept plan required the design and construction of the trail through the site that would eventually connect to Tarrow Park.
The rezoning will be going to the Planning & Zoning Commission at their next meeting on February 7th.
Ms. Garza explained that staff’s concerns include the impact of the proposed change to the design and maintenance of the trail itself. Staff has requested a drainage report showing how
the surrounding areas would be disturbed in order to further understand what is being proposed. Staff will be meeting with the applicant before the next Planning & Zoning Meeting.
Ms. Garza informed the Board that concerns with the proposed concept plan included the height of the retaining walls, the removal of vegetation, and the need for the trail to connect
at the driveway intersection to cross in the future. Staff is recommending lowering the retaining walls below 2.5 feet in height and replacing vegetation removed with native species.
There was general discussion amongst staff and the board.
Board Member Stiles motioned to approve staff’s recommendation of denial. Ms. Ellison seconded the motion, the motion was passed (4-1), with Board Member Batenhorst against the motion.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding Capital Improvement Program (CIP) sidewalk projects and priorities.
Ms. Garza provided an overview of the process that was used to prioritize about 130 miles of proposed sidewalks with the adoption of the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan.
Staff explained the second level of decision making used to set priorities which include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requests/needs, opportunities through other projects underway,
Neighborhood Plans, and all other projects (short, near, and long-term).
All requests up to 2010 have been prioritized using a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) model. The model could be reevaluated before an update is made to the Bicycle, Pedestrian,
and Greenways Master Plan in 2015.
Ms. Garza also offered suggestions on how the prioritization of projects could be improved.
The Board advised staff to rerun the model used for the initial prioritization of projects due to changes in existing conditions to see where projects fall.
Staff will be taking this item back to the Board at their next meeting in March for additional discussion.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Presentation and discussion regarding bicycle and pedestrian components as they relate to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
Transportation Planning Coordinator Joe Guerra presented follow up on two initiatives to the MPO. One, an amendment proposed to the long range plan that would include projects identified
from the City of College Station’s Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan. Two, a proposal to set aside funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects along Texas Department of
Transportation (TXDOT) Right-of-Way. Both were rejected by the MPO, however, in the update to the long range plan items will be included from the City of College Station’s Bicycle,
Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan
Furthermore, the MPO has formed a bicycle and pedestrian subcommittee that will include representatives from area entities and the general public. The boards goals include to discuss
set aside funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects and to come up with bicycle and pedestrian standards to be adopted by the City of Bryan, City of College Station, TXDOT and the
County.
The MPO plans to come up with a regional connectivity plan specifically on TXDOT corridors to make sure our facilities connect to the City of Bryan, Brazos County and Texas A&M University.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: Presentation and discussion regarding education and encouragement opportunities such as Earth Day and May is National Bike Month.
Ms. Garza presented upcoming opportunities for participation in Earth Day and National Bike Month.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 10: Presentation and Discussion regarding the South Knoll Area Neighborhood Plan and Wellborn District.
Ms. Garza presented updates on upcoming meetings for each neighborhood plan.
Ms. Garza shared that staff has heard mixed comments for the removal of parking if bike lanes are placed on Glade Street. There will be an upcoming meeting on bicycling and walking that
will include this discussion.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 11: Presentation and discussion regarding the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board calendar of upcoming meetings.
Ms. Garza presented updates on the upcoming meetings:
February 7, 2013 ~ Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting ~ City Hall, Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
February 11, 2013 ~ Wellborn District Plan ~ Neighborhood Resource Team Meeting ~ Greens Prairie Elementary School, 4315 Greens Prairie Trail ~ 6:30 p.m.
February 12, 2013 ~ South Knoll Area Plan ~ Topic Meeting: Biking and Walking Facilities ~ South Knoll Elementary School, 1220 Boswell Street, Cafeteria ~ 7:00 p.m.
February 18, 2013 ~ Wellborn District Plan ~ Design Charrette ~ Wellborn Community Center, 4119 Greens Prairie Rd W~ 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
February 19, 2013 ~ Wellborn District Plan ~ Design Charrette ~ Wellborn Community Center, 4119 Greens Prairie Rd W~ 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
February 19, 2013 ~ South Knoll Area Plan ~ Topic Meeting: HOAs and Neighborhood Associations ~ South Knoll Elementary School, 1220 Boswell Street, Cafeteria ~ 7:00 p.m.
February 21, 2013 ~ Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting ~ City Hall, Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
February 26, 2013 ~ South Knoll Area Plan ~ Topic Meeting: On-Street Parking ~ South Knoll Elementary School, 1220 Boswell Street, Cafeteria ~ 7:00 p.m.
March 4, 2013 ~Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board ~ City Hall, Council Chambers ~ 3:00 p.m.
April 20, 2013 ~ Earth Day Celebration ~ Wolf Pen Creek ~ 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 12: 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.
There will be further discussion regarding the CIP sidewalk projects and priorities at a later meeting.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 13: Adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 4:38 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
____________________________ ____________________________ Blanche Brick, Chairman Kristen Hejny, Board Secretary