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Minutes for the special called MAPC meeting on February 20, 2003.
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Metropolitan Area Planning Commission Minutes for Special Meeting, February 20, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT: Beadles, Gott, Johnson, Day, Krennerich, Moore
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT: Glenn Batten, City Planner; Mike Daffron Code Enforcement Officer; Ron Shipley, Chief Building Official
#1 Reconsideration of site development plans for the Northeast Arkansas Clinic located at 4901 E. Johnson Avenue. The property is located on the southeast corner of Johnson Avenue and Disciple Drive.
Jack Moffitt, representing NEA Clinic, stated that they withdrew their intent to install a driveway because of a construction deadline they needed to meet. The intent at that point was to not have any drives on Johnson at all. After opening the clinic it has been clear to the clinic people that not having that driveway in their opinion was more dangerous than any issue related to it being there. Despite how it looks, Mr. Moffitt said it was never their intent to circumvent the proper process. They consulted with their professionals and felt like the project was finished and this was not a site plan issue. They applied to the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department for a permit which they later received. The drives have since been blocked off for use until the issue is resolved. If it is determined that the deceleration lane is needed turning onto Disciple Drive, NEA Clinic would participate with their prorated share of the cost of that improvement.
The proposal now includes a 40’ driveway which has been created in such a way as to allow an entrance only for eastbound traffic and exit only for eastbound traffic. Patients exiting the parking lot cannot turn left to the west which was a major consideration in the previous discussion. The asphalt in place from a previous driveway along with an existing tile will be removed to prevent patients from trying to turn in there. It will be restored to a ditch way and put a gate over the second driveway on the next lot. This would allow for maintenance of the property but would restrict access otherwise. Patients are passing Disciple Drive and then trying to enter the site elsewhere or turn around by backing into Johnson Avenue. Public safety is their major concern. A videotape of vehicles trying to enter the site was played for the commissioners.
Glenn Batten, City Planner, stated that from the very first conversation with Mark Cahoon, Architect, that they discussed safety of patients and a turning lane into the driveway. The predominant access was to be from the interior side of the property. The shoulder is 4’ to 5’ wide now and would only require minor widening to allow for it to be used as a deceleration lane. This allows traffic to get out of the lane of traffic that are moving fast which seems to be critical. Mr. Batten recommended that if there is going to be an entrance off Johnson Avenue into the site, there needs to be a diesel lane installed down to the furthest access on the east side. He further recommended that they move the driveway down to the east approximately 30’ to 35’ to center on the property line with the adjoining property that NEA Clinic owns and which may be sold or developed by NEA Clinic construct a driveway there to share with that lot. One entrance could serve both the clinic property and the vacant property and make things a bit safer. Another observation for handling traffic coming from the east by would be to have the AHTD do some striping and traffic markings to help get traffic off the road.
The NEA representative stated the reason for not including a turn lane was that they felt like traffic could get off Johnson Avenue with a driveway of the appropriate width. The length of a turning lane and cost factor were other reasons for not including it as well suspecting that it would require a 600’ length turning lane. Disciple Drive would interrupt the turning lane into the clinic. The shoulder of the road would have to be removed and rebuilt to carry traffic. The current shoulder is not built to the standard for carrying traffic.