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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesBICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES August 21, 2014 PRESENT: Caroline Panske, Adam Bellcorelli, James Michelson, Benjamin Rennert ABSENT: Vicky Redlin STAFF: Benjamin Krumenauer, Assistant Planner CALL TO ORDER Chairman Michelson called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Panske moved to accept the minutes of the July 17, 2014 meeting as provided. Mr. Bellcorelli seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-0). NEW BUSINESS 1. Committee Recommendations on Circulation Plan Route Adjustments Mr. Krumenauer led the discussion by explaining the process that was followed bringing us to this point. He explained the importance of regular plan recommendation discussions and updates. The process helps to keep a plan relevant to its surroundings and allows the document to become fluid and adjustable to our changing environment. Mr. Krumenauer continued by explaining the purpose of the attached documents and the specific portions included. Mr. Michelson started the discussion by requesting that item 1 and item 11 be discussed in conjunction. He continued by stating the direct relationship between the two items and how additional discussion will likely take place between the two. The Committee felt this was appropriate. Item 2: Arboretum Trail/River Mill Drive Mr. Krumenauer gave a description of the intended discussion and how the WIOUWASH Trail designation starts at River Mill Drive. He stated that the addition of River Mill and Arboretum Drives as a section of WIOUWASH Trail will help designate a complete routes system. The trail has signage at Summit Avenue and New York Avenue as well as at River Mill Drive, but does not clearly state that the route crosses Congress Avenue. With the continuing goal to provide clear concise routes, additional designation and signage will help to fix the problem. Mr. Michelson felt that the roads were already designated within the WIOUWASH system. He stated how he was part of the trail planning process and believes that the section was designated as a road portion of the route. Mr. Krumenauer said that Winnebago County signage states that the route is part of the WIOUWASH trail, but state maps do not continue that designation and that there is no clear signage that helps to identify the gap. Mr. Bellcorelli agreed that one cohesive route would help identify the trail. He also asked if it would help the intersection improvement study. Mr. Krumenauer said yes it would help with funding and development options. Item 4: Oshkosh Avenue Mr. Krumenauer explained the route concepts and the missing section of Oshkosh Avenue would help to connect the south end of the Tribal Heritage trail to the rest of our designated routes. He explained that Oshkosh Avenue will likely be replaced soon and additional designations will help the construction process. Mr. Michelson asked if we should also include the section of N. Koeller Street from Oshkosh Avenue to Rath Lane. Mr. Krumenauer said that yes that section will be included as it provides the connections necessary for Item 5. Item 5: Mary Jewel Park/Golf Course Trail Mr. Krumenauer explained the location of a trail that would connect Graham Avenue to Rath Lane and provide a second trail option around the golf course and park area. He continued by describing the scope of construction and some concepts of what the trail could look like and include. Item 7: Ceape Avenue Mr. Krumenauer reminded everybody that it is important to not only have an accurate plan, but to have a plan that is also feasible. Ceape Avenue between Commerce Street and State Street is designated as bike lanes, but the actual built environment cannot handle the designation. Mr. Bellcorelli asked if that was in front of the Best Western Hotel. Mr. Krumenauer responded with yes. Mr. Michelson asked if the route would still be on the plan and asked if we were only changing the designation. Mr. Krumenauer said yes, we would be placing a new designation of sharrow/sign in place of a bike lane designation. Item 8: Bay Shore Drive/Lake Street/Ceape Avenue Mr. Michelson opened the item and asked for some discussion on this item because of the recreational side of bike facilities and that this is a route that passes nice parts of town and would make another connection from Menominee Park area to the Downtown. Mr. Krumenauer explained the analysis of the roadways and that they designated for construction. He went on to explain the differences between recreational paths and transportation based routes. Because of the recreational use of the route, a lesser designation would be appropriate. Mr. Michelson agreed with the assessment that a sharrow or signed route should be designated. Item 9: Fillmore Avenue/Josslyn Street/Bauman Street Mr. Krumenauer explained the road conditions, route options and made the recommendation that this could be designated as a sharrow or signage route. A recreational trail designation is appropriate. Item 11 and Item 1: Murdock Avenue/Nevada Avenue and Congress Avenue Mr. Krumenauer explained the history and physical attributes of the areas and said that all roadways were capable of handling a bike facility designation. He went on to explain that the discussion boils down to two related questions, should Murdock Avenue be designated or should Nevada Avenue and Congress Avenue be designated. Mr. Krumenauer went on to explain the difficulty of designating routes in this area because of the routes currently designated on Linwood Avenue, Smith Avenue and New York Avenue. The addition of more routes in the area can complicate matters and create an over abundance of routes that are not being used to their fullest. Mr. Michelson said that it is important to look at this area because of the additional construction on Murdock Avenue and a thorough detailed analysis of the sections is necessary to make a proper decision. He continued by explaining the rational for the current routes in relation to the railroad tracks. Mr. Michelson continued by discussing how narrow Murdock Avenue is between Bowen and Main Street and the concerns that automobiles and bikers may have in the winter when the road is narrowed because of snow or leaves. Ms. Panske said that there is also a lane shift at Main Street that also complicates Murdock Avenue. Mr. Michelson continued explaining his concerns about the roads and recommended that we figure out how much, if any of Murdock Avenue should be designated and then address the importance of the New York Avenue and Nevada Avenue/Congress Avenue Route. He continued by explaining that if at a minimum the fence at SE corner of Nevada Avenue and Jackson Street shifts east and additional cross walks are installed to improve the crossing. Mr. Bellcorelli agreed that no crosswalks match in the area. Mr. Michelson said that at a minimum, the sidewalk crossings on Jackson Street should be improved in order to improve pedestrian safety. Mr. Bellcorelli said that with the low vehicle numbers on Nevada Avenue, the road itself can handle the bike facility. The issue still comes back to the Nevada/Congress/Jackson intersection Mr. Rennert said that if the crosswalks could get improved, the safety would drastically improve. Mr. Krumenauer reminded the group that the increase in routes may decrease the volume per route and lessen the perceived or actual need for the designated routes. He continued by stating the importance of building momentum in these processes and that installing or designating routes in an area for routes sake isn’t the proper approach. Mr. Rennert asked Mr. Michelson if he was thinking of designating one route on Murdock Avenue and not on Nevada Avenue or the opposite. Mr. Michelson said that we owe people a safe route on Murdock Avenue in front of Piggly Wiggly and crossing the railroad tracks and we also owe them a safe crossing at Jackson Street. The area west of Jackson Street on Murdock Avenue should also stay four-lanes. Mr. Krumenauer said that the road diet option and the bike lanes were an idea brought up by the Transportation Department and was not initiated through this Committee or Planning Services. Mr. Rennert asked if bike lanes were going in whether we made a recommendation or not? Mr. Krumenauer stated that no the routes would only be considered if Bike/Ped also made a favorable recommendation. Mr. Rennert felt that the bike lanes should be on a busy road because they are transportation based systems that are used to connect A to B. A recreational biker will find a route that they prefer, but we should install routes for the transportation needs and also provide a means for the recreational user to also use Murdock Avenue. Mr. Bellcorelli felt that the Jackson Street crossings are a larger issue than bike routes; it is a pedestrian issue and the safety of the area. He made the recommendation that we look at Jackson Street and Nevada Avenue/Congress Avenue as an intersection improvement. Mr. Krumenauer continued by explaining section 2 of discussion item 1 and expanded upon how each section has different pedestrian concerns that will need to stay on our radar as future construction and growth occurs. Mr. Bellcorelli made a motion to approve Section 1 of Discussion item 1 as stated on August 21, 2014; with the removal of item 1 and item 11 for separate consideration. Mr. Michelson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously (carried 4-0). Ms. Panske made a motion to designate the Nevada Avenue/Congress Avenue and Jackson Street intersections with an intersection improvement designation with special consideration towards pedestrian crossings. Mr. Rennert seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously (carried 4-0). Ms. Panske said that the Murdock Avenue area is a difficult area to designate but was encouraged by the increased discussion and felt that this is the appropriate time for us to add our recommendations because of the timeline. Mr. Michelson said that he is not in support of Item 11 and felt that a bike route designation should not be included at this time. He continued that the real problem, though not this committee’s responsibility, is the question of a road diet or not. The bike route addition makes the design process easier, but should not be taken into account rashly. Mr. Bellcorelli agreed that the bike route designation is important on Murdock Avenue because of the transportation route system, and felt that area is a hub for commerce that should have all the facilities necessary. Mr. Bellcorelli made a motion to recommend approval for a bike facility designation for Item 11 with the addition of Algoma Boulevard from W. Murdock Avenue to Arboretum Drive. Mr. Rennert seconded the motion. Motion carried (carried 3-1). STAFF STATEMENTS Mr. Krumenauer said that he will take the recommendations and be updating the Circulation Plan maps and lists to reflect the changes. He will also be providing the group with updates on their specific sections of the 2014 goals. FUTURE ITEMS 1. 2014 Goal Updates 2. Circulation Plan Recommendations Map Review 3. Information packet for Murdock Avenue (Bowen Street to Main Street) ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to come before the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and upon being moved and seconded (Bellcorelli, Panske), the meeting adjourned unanimously at 5:45 p.m. Dutifully Recorded Benjamin Krumenauer