2013-10-14 Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Mattli stated that her comments were on behalf of the UCYS (University City Youth Society), nothing that the idea to build a bike trail was an amazing idea. It would encourage families to become more active. It would provide students a safe way to get to and from school and it would ultimately create productive citizens, as people will then have access other parts of the community. Although we understand this plan may require excessive planning and funds, we believe its benefits will be worthwhile. It will give people a chance to socialize, bond and have tons of fun while keeping their bodies healthy. Mark Schlanski, 6925 Kingsbury Mr. Schlanski stated that he was speaking both as a citizen and trustee of a private subdivision, Ames Place. He stated that as a private citizen he would like to thank the members of Council who have been supportive thus far in moving in the direction of developing a Comprehensive Bicycle Plan. This is a real quality of life issue and if he had to list the things that he liked about where he lives, having good places to walk and cycle are certainly high on the list. Mr. Schlanski stated that he has been monitoring the evolution of the plan and understands that there has been a little push back on some aspects of the plan. He understands there are many people who are very concerned about the possibility of bicycle facilities that may seem somewhat threatening to their neighborhood, but personally he feels that the safety of his home and family is enhanced by the very high level of pedestrian and bicycle traffic on his street. On the other hand, his neighbor feels that it presents a danger or a liability for someone backing out of their driveway. He stated that he had had a conversation with Mr. Wilson, and the message was that there are some trustees, such as himself, that would support entering into some type of an arrangement to provide access if there is a proper give and take. Janet Baum, 6819 Pershing Avenue Ms. Baum stated that as an agent of Ames’s Place she can report that they have not made any formal decision with respect to their participation. She noted she has attended many of the commission meetings on this plan, which have been responsibly conducted and understand that this is a Master Plan, a living document that will change over time. Ms. Baum stated that she wished to offer her support of this plan on the basis of public health, as she taught public health at Washington University and Harvard University for the past 30 years, and walking and bicycling are two of the best things that we can provide for our citizens in order to maintain good health for our kids and well into our senior years. Sarah Hanly, 7050 Washington Avenue Ms. Hanly stated that she is one of the members of the Task Force and wanted to take this opportunity to address some of the issues that have come up tonight. Just to reiterate what Mayor Welsch said, part of the reason for the urgency of this is to move forward and to be able to access outside funds immediately, rather than wait until the new Comprehensive Plan is adopted. We can make great strides and then include the Bike/Walk Master Plan in the new Comprehensive Plan when it is available. We have been at this now for three years and although we would love to see the new Comprehensive Plan come forward, it also will take time. She stated that someone had questioned why none of the major arteries in UCity were addressed in the Master Plan, and the reason for that\ was, because they are not UCity roads, they are County roads. But the task force members firmly believe that’s going to be very important for UCity to be able to have a strong advocacy role with the County, and part of that will be having a Master Plan that states explicitly that walking and biking are extremely important. Once that is accomplished pressure can be applied to the County to improve those roads and make them more accessible for all. She stated it is so important for everyone to realize that this is not a plan that is against people who drive cars. But rather all forms of transportation will benefit because having a good infrastructure is good for everybody. Paul Schoomer, 7 Princeton Place 16