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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-07 PZC MINUTES• • • Plannin g and Zoning Commission Study Session Case #2011-10 Master Bicyc le Plan and Complete Streets Proj ects September 7, 2011 P age I of3 CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING September 7, 2011 Minutes and audio are available at: http://www.englewoodgov.org/Index.aspx?page=l52 I. CALL TO ORDER lt] The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room of the Englewood Civic Center, Chair Knoth presiding. Present: Absent: Staff: Roth , King, Welker, Knoth, Calonder, Brick, Kinton Fish, Bleile, Harbaugh (alternate ) Alan White, Community Development Director John Voboril, Long Range Planner II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES lt] August 16, 2011 Approved via email poll APPROVAL OF FINDINGS OF FACT CASE #2011-09 Approved via email poll Ill. STUDY SESSION lt] MASTER BICYCLE PLAN AND COMPLETE STREETS PROIECTS Mr. Voboril provided an update on the Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant projects. The first is the Master Bicycle Route Assessment Implementation Plan. The City has a 2004 Master Bicycle Plan , but has never been able to implement it due to lack of funds; this was an opportunity to do so. He distributed a copy of the original 2004 Master Bicycle Plan, a map of the new implementation plan and a map showing the breakdown between local and regional routes. Two open houses were held on May 10th and June 30l" and feedback was received from the Englewood Transportation Advisory Committee. The Consultant presented the implementation plan to the Public Works and Community Development Departments. Two options were presented; Mr. Voboril presented the options in detail. First round implementation will take place this fall. Right now there is no money to do the street markings . The Commission determined the Windermere connection was important and would lik e to see it done in the future to provide a connection to the • • • Pl an nin g and Zoning Commi ss io n Study Session C as e #2011-10 Master Bicycl e Plan and Compl ete Streets Projects Se pt emb er 7 , 2011 P age 2 of3 Oxford Light Rail Station. Mr. Voboril noted the City has recently been awarded a $150,000 grant from DRCOG to do station area planning, which would include the Oxford Station. A Request for Proposal will be released very soon. The second project is the Englewood Downtown/Medical District Complete Streets stud y. This is an extension of Staff's work to find ways to make improvements on the two main corridors through the two districts: Broadway and Old Hampden Avenue. In previous talks with the hospital several things came out of those discussions: • Widen sidewalk on the Swedish side by about 4 feet • Bulb outs at the intersections • Pedestrian lighting • Move bus stop by Taste of Thailand further east The Consultant assisted Staff in working with Public Works on this project. Since funds for a general improvement district or a special improvement district are not available at this time changes may need to be much simpler such as improving the intersections only. The Commission encouraged Staff to speak to City Council about allocating money to the project in the future. The Consultant and Staff met with the South Broadway Business Improvement District on April 20th for their comments and top priorities: • New shuttle service on Broadway • Speed reduction on Broadway • High visibility crossings at corners • Mid-block crossings Mr. Voboril distributed information from the City of Longmont regarding mid-block crossings and a map of the Englewood downtown area to compare the two cities . Traffic volume on Broadway is much higher than in Longmont. Signals would be required for mid- block crossings in Englewood, which could cause traffic to back up. Several felt the downtown area is not populated enough to warrant mid-block crossings. The consultant suggests the City focus on building high visibility street crossings. Other discussion items included: • Refuge area in middle of street • Timing needs to be looked at; you need ample time to cross the street • Left hand turns off side streets • Narrow the crossing area Director White noted that the Complete Streets grant does not have fundin g for implementation as the Bicycle Plan does . Staff will have to request funding through the Capital Project process. Staff will continue to seek funding. • • • Planning and Zoning Commission Study Session Case #2011-10 Master Bicycle Plan and Complete Streets Projects September 7 , 2011 Page 3 of3 A speed limit reduction on Broadway in the downtown area was discussed. It was noted that Broadway is a commuter route and not a shopping route. Director White said he would like to see the Complete Streets document become a policy document to refer to when street improvements are made anywhere in the City. He said he would like to bring the document back to Planning and Zoning for another review and recommendation after further discussions with the Consultant. IV. PUBLIC FORUM ll1l There was no public present. V. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE ll1l Director White provided an Ordinance update from the City Council meeting on September 6 1 ": • 1st reading on the Public Notice Amendments • 1st reading on the RV Parking and Hard Surface Amendments VI. STAFF'S CHOICE ltll Director White updated the Commission on future meetings: September 20: Conditional Use Public Hearin g October 4: Study Session, Parks & Open Space Fee discussion Director White discussed other issues that the Commission may see in the future. VII. ATIORNEY'S CHOICE ~ Ms. Reid was not present. VIII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE ltll Mr. Roth noted the September issue of Scientific American 1s devoted to cities. He said there are some interesting articles in the issue. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m .