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Minutes for the Master Street Plan Committee meeting on November 13, 2014
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Members present: Jim Abel, Marvin Day, Ann Garner, Eugene Holloway, Ben Owens (chair), Garry Tate and Mike Cameron (arrived at 3:15 p.m.)
Members absent: Josh Brown, Robin Nix, Sr., Bill Smith, Paul Hoelscher and Councilman John Street
Dr. Jim Sanders motioned, seconded by Ms. Garner, to approve the minutes from the meeting on October 23, 2014. All voted aye. Mr. Cameron was not present for the vote. (NOTE: Dr. Sanders is not part of the committee, so the motion for the minutes was not valid. Minutes were not approved.)
Chairman Owens informed the committee Mr. Smith, who was not able to be present at the meeting due to a conflict, suggested tabling finalizing a bicycle plan. He explained the MPO has not been able to finalize their plan and does not anticipate being able to do so until after the first of the year. He recommended when the Master Street Plan is approved to also recommend the approval of a bicycle plan after the MPO is able to finish their work.
City Engineer Craig Light provided the committee with a comprehensive list of the changes that were approved by motion, including who motioned and seconded for each change (see attached). He noted the Master Street Plan does not include language requiring cross-sections, but does say right-of-way should be preserved so cross-sections could be built. Nothing has been done to require the actual construction of sidewalks. He further explained the Master Street Plan is a right-of-way preservation document, so they are recommending the preservation of rights-of-way so certain facilities can be built, including sidewalks. But, it does not require a developer to build sidewalks. It just gives developers the rights to build sidewalks, but does not require them to build them. City Planner Otis Spriggs recommended having the Public Works Council Committee or city administration prioritize sidewalks and where they need to go. He read from the city’s Code of Ordinances in Chapter 117 that discusses sidewalks. He explained he thinks sidewalks could be handled through the city’s ordinances, so it should be taken care of through the Public Works Committee which has more than just advisory status.
Mr. Light discussed the updated map and the changes that were made based on the committee’s recommendations. Discussion was then held regarding a northern bypass. It was asked if the state has indicated any sort of timeline for the northern bypass. Mr. Light stated there has been interest shown in an eastern bypass, but not much for the northern bypass. Some roads they have proposed with this Master Street Plan will help with the congestion around Sage Meadows, but other work needs to be done. He noted he still has some changes that need to be made on the written text and will email those out to everyone at the beginning of next week so the committee members can review it before the next meeting.
Discussion was then held regarding Casey Springs Road. Mr. Light stated they would ultimately like to see that area connected to Highway 226 and on to Highway 49. He suggested Casey Springs should be a collector road and a minor arterial should be made as well.
Discussion was held concerning tying Highway 226 into Highway 63. Mr. Cameron suggested looking at following the railroads tracks on Highway 226 and connecting with Washington Avenue. He noted there is less conflict on the east side and it would be easier to protect the right-of-way on that side. If you follow Highway 349 on the west side of the tracks, there are a lot of encroachments that would interfere with the needed right-of-way. He added he hopes that once the work is done on Highway 226 he hopes someone is able to do a study to find a way to connect those areas. Mr. Cameron’s recommendation was to build an interchange somewhere in the vicinity of Washington Avenue and stated Washington Avenue should be a major intersection.
Chairman Owens asked for Mr. Light to present the committee with recommendations at the next meeting. Mr. Light stated he will sketch both options and let the committee decide which one they like best.
Mr. Tate motioned, seconded by Mr. Cameron, to adopt a recommendation that will tie together the existing end of Washington Avenue to Highway 226 east of the railroad tracks and form a corridor to facilitate that route. All voted aye.
Discussion was held concerning what else needs to be done by the committee before the deadline. Mr. Light stated he would like the committee to look at the Woodsprings Road intersection, as well as the Dupwe area. He stated he doesn’t know why Dupwe was put in as a minor arterial because it’s not and shouldn’t be. He would like it taken back to a local street.
Mr. Day motioned to change Dupwe from a collector back to a local street. Motioned died for lack of a second.
Mr. Light then addressed Loberg Lane. He explained it is on the Master Street Plan as a minor arterial, but that would severe that residential neighborhood.
Mr. Tate motioned, seconded by Mr. Day, to remove Dupwe and change Loberg Lane. All voted aye.
Chairman Owens noted the next meeting falls on Thanksgiving. It was decided to hold the next meeting on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at 3 p.m.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.