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Home My WebLink AboutStaff ReportCity of Oshkosh Dept. of Community Development Planning Services Division 215 Church Ave., PO Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 (920) 236-5055 (920) 236-5053 FAX http://www2.ci.oshkosh.wi.us Allen Davis Director Dept. of Community Development Darryn Burich Director Planning Services Division BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE STAFF REPORTING November 19, 2015 3.League of American Bicyclists –Bike Friendly Community -Cassandra Fowler Cassandra Fowler contacted city staff with information about League of American Bicyclist Bike Friendly Community.The League’s Bicycle Friendly America program provides a roadmap, hands-on assistance and recognition for states, communities, universities and businesses. The BFA℠program is a tool for states, communities, businesses and universities to make bicycling a real transportation and recreation option for all people.Ms. Fowler has requested to share information about this program at the November committee meeting. 4. North Jackson Street Sidewalks –Staff Updates October 27, 2015 City of Oshkosh Common Council discussed the possibility of installing sidewalks on north Jackson Street between Packer Avenue and Bacon Avenue. Ms. Panske explained to Common Council that this item has been on the agenda since 2012. The Common Council agreed that in order to move forward with the installation of sidewalks there would need to be an agreement in place between the Town of Oshkosh and the City of Oshkosh or the Town of Oshkosh would need to create a sidewalk ordinance addressing maintenance and installation. Staff met with Jim Erdman, Town of Oshkosh Planning and Zoning Chair, on November 9, 2015.Mr. Erdman plans to discuss this topic with the town board. 5.Possible amendment Ordinance 25-54 discussion –Sidewalk Width -Update October 27, 2015 City of Oshkosh Common Council discussed the possibility of amending Ordinance 25- 54. City Manager and Public Works Board, Mark Rohloff,agreed that it is important to approach appropriate boards and committees for new construction projects. There was discussion on the idea that this would only be appropriate in certain areas considered new construction. 6.Education Campaign Ms. Naudziunas has applied to have a community outreach table at the winter Saturday Farmers Market. Ms.Naudziunas requests that committee members take turns volunteering and managing an educational table. A sign-up sheet will be passed around at the November meeting. 7.Spring Bike Event During the October committee meeting, the committee expressed an interest in planning a bike event for National Bike Month.Ms. Naudziunas has compiled a list of potential partners for a spring biking event. Ms. Naudziunas requests that two committee members volunteer to serve as spring bike event working group members. It is anticipated that a core group of stakeholders will be approached and invited to attend the working group meetings. 8.Crossing South Main and Cimarron Court Mr. Carney attended the October 15, 2015 committee meeting in order to express his concerns about the intersection of South Main and Cimarron Court. He has requested to be added to the agenda and plans to attend the November 19th 2015 meeting. North Jackson Street Sidewalks The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee began the discussion of improving pedestrian accessibility at North Jackson Street on August 16, 2012. At which time Chris Strong created a report on the options available to install sidewalks in the desired area. Since then, the committee has requested this be discussed as an agenda item. At the October 15,2015 meeting the committee agreed to request this item to be discussed by Common Council.The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee recommends the installation of sidewalks on the west side of North Jackson Street between Packer Avenue and Bacon Avenue. Time Line June 21,2012 –First Committee meeting July 19. 2012 –Committee discusses potential sidewalk improvements August 16, 2012 –Committee creates prioritization list of areas in need of improved pedestrian accessibility. The west side of North Jackson was prioritized the highest. January 17, 2013 –Chris Strong,Former Transportation Director, updated the committee on his efforts to meet internally with staff to determine how to approach the situation. February 21, 2013 –Chris Strong, Former Transportation Director, created a report providing three different options for a pedestrian walkway. The report included advantages and disadvantages of each option. March 21, 2013 –Chris Strong, Former Transportation Director,requested two committee member volunteer to attend a future public meeting on proposed Jackson Street sidewalks. Jim Michelson and Adam Bellcorelli volunteered.*Unclear if the public meeting ever took place. December 19, 2013 –Chris Strong, Former Transportation Director, announced that this will be his last meeting serving as staff representative for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. February 20, 2014 –Ben Krumenauer and David Buck are announced as new staff representatives for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.Jackson Street Sidewalks appears on the agenda as a discussion item. June 19, 2014 and July 7, 2014 -Jackson Street Sidewalks appears on the agenda as a discussion item. October 16, 2014 –Ben Krumenauer accepted a different position and no longer serves as staff representative for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. February 19, 2015 –Alexa Naudziunas is introduced as the new staff representative for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. June 18, 2015, July 16, 2015, August 20, 2015, and September 17, 2015 -Jackson Street Sidewalks appears on the agenda as a discussion item. October 15, 2015 –The committee made a motion to request Jackson Street sidewalks as a discussion item at the October 27, 2015 Common Council meeting. October 27, 2015 –City of Oshkosh Common Council will discuss the possibility of sidewalks on North Jackson Street. Report created by Chris Strong, Former Transportation Director on February 21, 2013 Proposed Pedestrian Improvements West Side of Jackson Street, between Packer Avenue and Bacon Avenue The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee has expressed interest in improving pedestrian accessibility along the west side of Jackson Street, beyond where the existing City sidewalk system currently ends. Specifically, they are looking to extend this pedestrian walkway north from its existing terminus at Bacon Avenue to Packer Avenue. The length of this section of pedestrian walkway would be roughly 1,400 feet. The following is a list of the adjacent properties. Parcel No.Address Description Approx. Frontage 91219790000 (City)2407 Jackson Street Glass Nickel Pizza 191’ 0180149 (Town)2447 Jackson Street James Williams 74’ 91219740200 (City)2495 Jackson Street Capital Credit Union 200’ 91219740300 (City)2551 Jackson Street Saint Vincent de Paul 569’ 018015001 (Town)2605 Jackson Street Primo Restaurant 100’ 91219800000 (City)2605 Jackson Street Primo Restaurant 242’ The paved width of this section of Jackson Street is about 67 feet, within a right-of-way of 80 feet. The roadway runs in the middle of the right-of-way, so there is generally 6 or 7 feet available within the right-of-way to construct the pedestrian walkway. City standards call for sidewalks to be 5 feet wide, so a sidewalk could be constructed within the right-of-way, although with little or no separation between the sidewalk and moving vehicular traffic. There are other options for creating this pedestrian walkway, including acquiring additional right-of-way to build a sidewalk further to the west, or securing easements from adjacent property owners to build a walkway on private property. The table on the following page summarizes some of the advantages and disadvantages with these options. Advantages (+)Disadvantages (-) Option 1: Build within existing right-of-way Consistent with how other City sidewalks are built No cost to acquire property Assessable to adjacent City property owners Supports potential curbside transit access Less disturbance to private property -Would require costly relocation of fire hydrants and utility poles, and may require easements -Likely not assessable to Town property owners -Lack of terrace would make snow removal more difficult for property owners -No snow removal ordinance on Town of Oshkosh parcels -Pedestrians are close to moving traffic, which reduces security Option 2:Acquire additional right-of-way to build sidewalk Assessable to adjacent City property owners Provides better separation/security for pedestrians Supports potential curbside transit access Easier snow removal for adjacent property owners -Not assessable to Town of Oshkosh properties -Cost to acquire right-of-way -No snow removal ordinance on Town of Oshkosh parcels -May impact private property setbacks and landscaping -May impact private stormwater management Option 3: Acquire easements to run sidewalk on private property Assessable to adjacent City property owners Provides better separation/security for pedestrians Supports potential curbside transit access Easier snow removal for adjacent property owners May support more flexible designs which could reduce construction cost -Not assessable to Town of Oshkosh properties -Cost to acquire easements -Not as clean administratively as working within right-of-way -No snow removal ordinance on Town of Oshkosh parcels -More disturbance to existing private property -May impact private property setbacks and landscaping -May impact private stormwater management -Sidewalk may not be a straight line