Bike and Walkability TF - Meeting Minutes 060711

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Draft Meeting Notes – University City Bike and Walkability Task Force June 7, 2011 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Location:University City Centennial Commons – Meeting Room Attendees: Ward 1—Carol Wofsey, Sarah Hanly, Nick Frederiksen; Ward 2—Margaret Johnson, Linda Fried, Beverly Jane Spudich: David Shane; Shannon Hayes; City—Lynnette Hicks; Visitors—John Sweeney; Kevin Neill, Trailnet; Angelica Gutierrez, City; Stephen Kraft, City Council Invited Speaker: Andrea Riganti, University City Planning Dept. General Meeting Notes and Discussion: Prior to all other business, Ms. Riganti made her presentation on Planning for Olive Boulevard, as she had another commitment and needed to leave early. A copy of her PowerPoint presentation is attached to the minutes. Additional points/questions made during her presentation were as follows—The presentation is based on the 2005 Comprehensive Plan which is due to be updated by the Planning Dept., with approval by the City Council. Funding for the plan is available from the Sales Tax Fund which is for both Loop and Olive development; the Sales Tax Board makes recommendations to the City Council for expenditures. The first project under the 2005 plan was the development of the Value City site and is currently stalled. It will still have a large front parking lot but will have better landscaping. Sarah Hanly asked whether the fish market on that site could have been moved closer to the street; Andrea replied that she could not force the developer to do so. Lynette added that the site is in the flood plain and there are issues of soil stability and permeability. The Planning Dept. did encourage use of permeable paving but cost was an issue. Sarah asked whether Modot had approved the nodal intersections shown in the plan; Andrea noted that Modot saw the plan but would still need to sign off on it, but had shown some flexibility in these matters. Sarah asked about traffic counts on Olive and whether it was at capacity at various points; Angelica explained that the determination depends on various factors (width, connectivity, etc.) and that she can ask Modot about this. She clarified that the measurement is daily, rather than peak. Margaret asked how we would find out which roads are at capacity, and reminded the group that we need to know this for Midland, North&South and Jackson as well, all for bike lane planning. After Andrea left, Angelica gave some information about implantation of the plan, stating that the city is seeking and has sought grants for some items, such as sidewalk ADA compliance and lighting. ADA compliance is currently being addressed with the sidewalk construction currently going on along Olive. Margaret asked about upgrading signals; Angelica explained that this is Modot’s jurisdiction. She also explained that sidewalks are in Modot’s jurisdiction and Right of Way but that the City maintains them. Thus, directional ramps would mostly be subject to the limitations of the right-of- way. Angelica noted that directional ramps are preferred but not necessary for ADA compliance. Angelica and Kevin then discussed the Heman Park sidewalks on the north side of the park (south side of Delmar) Kevin and Angelica confirmed that those will be widened to 7 feet, with separation of bikers and walkers, but due to budget constraints and Modot issues will be right next to the highway on a raised shoulder/curb, so cars could roll onto the trail once it goes in. This is a potential danger, as is crossing Olive across form Centennial Commons. Kevin raised another Olive issue, which is that Olive is slated by Great Rivers Greenway for bike lanes on both sides of the street all the way out to Clarkson. There will be designated bike lanes in U city and possible narrowing of lane widths if this plan is implemented. This might eliminate medians. Kevin referred us to stlbikeplan.com for