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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-20-2017 BAC Minutes Minutes Bicycle Advisory Committee Council Hearing Room, City Hall, 990 Palm St, San Luis Obispo Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. MISSION: The purpose of the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) is to provide oversight and policy direction on matters related to bicycle transportation in San Luis Obispo and its relationship to bicycling outside the City. CM Lea Brooks (Chair) called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Lea Brooks (Chair), Ken Kienow (arrived at 6:15 pm) (Vice Chair), Jenna Espinosa, Jonathan Roberts, and Howard Wiesenthal Absent: NONE Staff: Active Transportation Manager Adam Fukushima, Transportation Manager Jake Hudson, Transportation Planner / Engineer Jennifer Rice, Recording Secretary Lareina Gamboa OATH: Swearing in of Layla Lopez and Timothy Jouet PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: Myron Amerine, resident, urged the Bicycle Advisory Committee to agendize a discussion of the Zoning Update. Kristina Olmos, resident, urged the BAC to include a project in the Bicycle Transportation Plan to improve bikeways near the City/County line at Morabito. MINUTES: May 18, 2017 CM Jenna Espinosa wanted the minutes to reflect that she had abstained from approving the March minutes. CM Weisenthal noted that his presentation on road conditions was also given with Myron Amerine. CM Tim Jouet noted an error in the date of the next meeting. CM Jouet made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Seconded by CM Wiesenthal. The motion passed unanimously. ACTION ITEMS Agenda Item #1: Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard Transportation staff gave an update on the planning effort for the Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard, which is a project in the Bicycle Transportation Plan, including a summary of the extensive community outreach conducted over the course of the last year and technical information from the Alternatives Screening Report on the benefits and drawbacks of each proposed alternative. Public Comment: Garrett Otto, resident on Lincoln Street, thanked staff for the outreach on the project and is in support of Alternative 2. He noted the benefits for those who live in the area as well as outside the neighborhood. He asked for the hill on Chorro Street to be considered as part of the design considerations of Alternative 2. Jesse Englert, Anholm neighborhood resident, supports Alternative 2 since it provides the safest and most useful option for bicycling. Not in favor of Alternative 1 but would support Alternative 3 as a last resort. Kristina Olmos, resident of West Street and former BAC member, is split between Alternative 3 with variations and the “no change” alternative. Would like to see Lincoln Street as an option for northbound cyclists. Thinks all three alternatives would add traffic to Lincoln and would therefore like to see traffic calming measures considered with all alternatives. Myron Amerine, member of the County BAC, for cost effectiveness favors removal of parking on Chorro to create bike lanes rather than the three alternatives. For Alternative 2, is concerned about proper width of cycle track to accommodate bikes. James Park, is concerned about conflicts with driveways and does not favor Alternative 2. Favors stop signs at all intersections rather than traffic circles. Chris McBride, President of Bike SLO County, stated that her organization has not chosen an alternative but that “no changes” would not be a desirable option given the need to improve bicycle connectivity. She also noted the need to take neighborhood needs into consideration. Joel Westwood, resident of Meinecke Street, does not favor Alternative 1 or 2. Believes diverters present dangers to bicyclists if they are drunk. Believes traffic calming is the best solution to keep traffic away from the neighborhood. Becky and Mike Hicks, owners of the Lincoln Deli and residents of the neighborhood, concerned about traffic diversion with Alternatives 1 and 2. Has concerns about the financial commitment of Alternative 2. Prefers Alternative 3 due to cost and traffic diversion until freeways ramps can be closed. Kristin Bridgeport, Broad Street resident, supports Alternative 3. Has question about increased speeds on one-way streets. Desires that benefits and drawbacks be shared among the broader neighborhood. Has questions about diversion resulting from Morro Street Bicycle Boulevard. Ellen and Dave Houghton, 210 Lincoln Street, desired bicycle improvements to cross Foothill Blvd to connect with the Bicycle Boulevard. Rides bicycles through the area for transportation and recreation. Applaud any bikeway improvements possible so that infrastructure can be like Copenhagen. Wants improvements on freeway underpass. Noted uncertainties with the freeway ramps. Wished that Lincoln be considered for bikeway improvements. Saundra Carscaden, neighborhood resident, wished for more speed limit signs and traffic calming measures. Allison Donatello, Lincoln Street resident, favors Alternative 3 above the others. Had questions about the plan for Broad Street south of US 101 once the freeway ramps are closed. Kelly and Andy Tungman, Broad Street residents, though not avid bicyclists, are open to improvements for bicyclists. Sees traffic problems with Alternatives 1 and 2. Sees Alternative 3 as the most viable for the neighborhood especially given the uncertainty of the freeway ramps. Open to other options. Questions and Discussion: Staff answered questions regarding the freeway ramps, the neighborhood and online surveys, costs and phasing of the alternatives. Action: CM Roberts motioned recommending Alternative 2 to the City Council as a preferred option for the Bicycle Boulevard. Seconded by CM Espinosa. The motion passed unanimously. Agenda Item #2: DRAFT Safe routes to School Plan for Bishop’s Peak and Pacheco Elementary Schools Staff gave a presentation on the Safe Routes to School Plan for Bishop’s Peak and Pacheco Elementary Schools including an update on the public outreach and analysis that has been conducted on the project to date. Over the course of the last year, staff has coordinated with the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, parents, and neighbors on the project. The Plan contains a list of recommended projects and a listing of priority based on community need and cost effectiveness based on benefit. The top projects, as reflected in community input, involve crossings of Foothill Blvd including at Ferrini Rd and Patricia/La Estrada. Most of the projects are pedestrian improvements except for the recommended Class I Path from Ramona Dr to Foothill Blvd. However, this project is not in the 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan. Public Comment: Myron Amerine, resident, commented that a HAWK beacon at Ferrini would be the first in the city and encouraged staff to include enough educational outreach so that people know how to use it. Questions and Discussion: BAC discussion and questions included the relationship of the Plan to the Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard, the Class I Path between Foothill and Ramona as well as the implementation schedule for the projects. Action: CM Wiesenthal made a motion to recommend adoption of the Safe Routes to School Plan for Bishop’s Peak and Pacheco Elementary Schools and to recommend amending the Bicycle Transportation Plan to include the Class I Path between Ramona and Foothill. The motion was seconded by CM Roberts and passed unanimously. COMMITTEE ITEMS Agenda Item #3: Committee Items No update on the Adopt-a-Trails Subcommittee Agenda Item #4: Project Updates Staff provided project updates on the following items • FY 2017-19 City Budget • San Luis Ranch and Avila Ranch development projects • Bob Jones Trail • CM Brooks asked about the Froom Ranch scoping process. Staff said they will send out the scope to the BAC to comment individually. • CM Brooks inquired about how the BAC can provide input on the Zoning Regulations update and staff said it would follow up The BAC discussed items for the next meeting: • Dogs on the Railroad Safety Trail • Update on the Active Transportation Plan • Morabito Street Development COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS CM Brooks thanked staff for the installation of bicycle yield signs on California and US 101 and for filling potholes on Foothill Blvd near California Ave. ADJOURN CM Kienow motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:14 p.m. to the next regular meeting of September 21, 2017. CM Roberts seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Adam Fukushima Active Transportation Manager APPROVED BY THE BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 9/21/2017