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Minutes for the Master Street Plan Committee meeting on April 24, 2014
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Members present: Paul Hoelscher, Marvin Day, Josh Brown
Members absent: Bill Smith, Ben Owens, Mike Cameron, John Street and Ann Garner
MPO Director Marsha Guffey announced she will not be able to be at the next meeting on May 8th. She asked the committee what they would like to do. Mr. Day noted that there may be an issue with just having one reminder email concerning the meeting. He recommended sending out the meeting minutes the Monday prior to the meetings to remind everyone to attend. City Planner Otis Spriggs stated he doesn’t think the meeting should be changed because that may confuse people. Dr. Guffey indicated Mr. Spriggs and City Engineer Craig Light can conduct the meeting on May 8th.
Dr. Guffey discussed the Master Street Plan handout she provided the committee members (see attached). In regards to the time horizon, she recommended matching the 20 year time horizon recently set by the Land Use Committee for the Land Use Plan. She explained the MAPC will have to determine whether or not they want to adopt it before it is passed on to the City Council. She asked the committee to read through the material and let her know what needs to be changed. She further explained the information was compiled from what other cities have done.
Dr. Guffey noted city staff has come up with an access management plan, but nothing has been done with it. She encouraged the committee look at access management. She noted they are working on a bicycle plan and once that is finished will work on a pedestrian plan.
JETS Director Steve Ewart discussed a near accident that occurred that morning on Johnson Avenue near Scott Street. He stated the Highway Department has indicated in the past that there is not a problem in that area, but there is. He added that kind of stuff will continue to happen until something is done because people continue to cross the street in that area by the Valero. Dr. Guffey explained they are working on it, but can’t do anything until the traffic study is done.
Mr. Spriggs questioned whether the plan will be regulatory or a recommended plan. He explained there are some parts that seem like ordinances should be adopted to coincidence with them. But, there are other parts that use the term “shall” which is open-ended. He asked the committee to address the spirit and intent of the document. Dr. Guffey answered it will be whatever the committee wants. It was questioned what the Mayor wants done with the document. Dr. Guffey stated a document has to be approved because the map is nothing without a corresponding document. Mr. Spriggs expressed concern that part of the document may be in conflict with existing ordinances. Dr. Guffey indicated the ordinances would have to be fixed to reflect what is in the document. She noted the Land Use Committee is trying to get more regulatory with their plan, but more things need to happen where multi-family is concerned. She added the plans should be adopted and then implemented with regulations. Mr. Light agreed.
Dr. Guffey handed out the results of the recent survey that was taken of the committee members that reflects the Master Street Plan preferences (see attached). She explained the Multi-family Moratorium Committee recommended impact fees, but Mayor Perrin has supported that up to this point. She then discussed the access management plan and recommended an access management plan with the Master Street Plan.
Mr. Light stated they have the Highway 63/Highway 18 connector study that was done in 2007. They also have the Highway 63/Northwest Jonesboro study from 2003 and the Commerce Street extension study from 2013. He can provide copies to anyone who wants one. He can also give a brief summary and provide them at the next meeting, if necessary.
With no further business, the committee adjourned.