title
Minutes for the Master Street Plan Committee meeting on July 10, 2014
body
Members present: Josh Brown, Mike Cameron, Marvin Day, Paul Hoelscher, Ben Owens (chair), Bill Smith, Councilman John Street and Garry Tate
Members absent: Jim Abel, Ann Garner and Robin Nix, Sr.
Chairman Owens noted that in the minutes for the June 12, 2014, meeting it reflected there was a motion concerning the roadway spacing recommendations that did not have a second, yet did have a vote. He asked for someone to make a second so they can approve that motion. A committee member seconded the motion. All voted aye.
Chairman Owens then stated there was no quorum present at the June 26, 2014, meeting. It was questioned whether the minutes should be approved since the members present at the June 26th meeting are absent for this meeting, but the ones present for this meeting were not at the June 26th meeting. City Planner Otis Spriggs explained he thinks its okay for the committee to proceed without bylaws since the committee is only of an advisory nature. But, the committee could also approve bylaws if they would like. Since there were no formal actions taken at the June 26th meeting, he didn’t see a reason not to approve the minutes.
A committee member referred to the minutes from the June 26th meeting and stated at the end of the meeting it was indicated by Mr. Spriggs that the city doesn’t have any ordinances requiring sidewalks. He asked if the road designs that have been passed by Council require sidewalks. Mr. Spriggs explained it would take an ordinance clarifying the rules for certain types of developments, but he doesn’t think they’re at that point yet. There are ordinances that allude to ordinances being required, but they are not enforced. Discussion has been held in the Public Works Committee meetings without any action being taken. They hope to get direction from the Master Street Plan Committee on issues such as sidewalks.
It was explained that the North Jonesboro Initiative is trying to help stress the need for sidewalks in the city. He discussed the need for sidewalks and referred to a Governor’s Highway Safety Association report that ranked Arkansas 29th out of the 50 states in regards to pedestrian deaths. He then discussed some of the recommendations that came out of the report and added the North Jonesboro Initiative will make a presentation concerning this topic because of the high need for sidewalks. Further discussion was held regarding sidewalks. It was stated by a committee member that he doesn’t think developers should be required to construct sidewalks at the same time as the rest of the development because the sidewalks will be damaged by trucks involved in home construction driving over them, forcing the developers to build sidewalks twice due to the repairs that will be needed. He thinks the developers should have to pay into a fund to the city so the city can construct the sidewalks after the construction is completed.
Mr. Hoelscher motioned, seconded by Mr. Smith, to approve the June 12, 2014, and June 26, 2014, minutes as amended. All voted aye.
Discussion was then held regarding the pedestrian facilities as referred to on the Master Street Plan Outline. Mr. Spriggs explained City Engineer Craig Light wanted clarification as to where and when sidewalks would be required. According to current city ordinances, sidewalks may be required on commercial projects or multi-family projects. That is an old ordinance that has not been enforced. They tried to update the ordinance about four years ago, but it was held in the Public Works Committee. A committee member questioned why the ordinances aren’t being enforced. Another committee member explained that when he was on the City Council they tried to write an ordinance requiring sidewalks for residential construction, but there was so much opposition from the developers that the ordinance was not approved. Councilman Street noted there is still a lot of opposition to sidewalks in residential in developments. Mr. Spriggs read from Section 117-330 of the Code of Ordinances that refers to sidewalks. Further discussion was held concerning sidewalks.
Chairman Owens questioned whether the Land Use Committee is discussing this issue. Mr. Spriggs stated that committee is progressing and are interested in working with this committee. They are at a point now where there are commercial nodes, but they are unsure of what to do with mixed uses for future planning. He recommended the two committee come together again to discuss those types of issues. The Land Use Committee, though, has not been discussed as of yet.
Mr. Hoelscher motioned, seconded by Mr. Smith, to include on the Master Street Plan sidewalks on both sides of arterials and minor arterials and at least on one side of collector streets for a typical cross-section. All voted aye.
Discussion was then held regarding bicycle facilities. Mr. Spriggs questioned what the MPO is doing regarding the upcoming studies. Assistant MPO Director Travis Brooks answered they have contracts with an architect from Nashville to study bicycle and pedestrian safety issues in the downtown area and along Johnson Avenue. The contract has been approved by the Highway Department and the architects have been given the notice to proceed. Mr. Spriggs stated he would like to make sure the Land Use Committee and the Master Street Plan Committee are part of the discussions with the company. Mr. Brooks added there is a general dissatisfaction with the way the Greenway plan unfolded and the MPO is working on a staff level with people concerning bicycle plans. Mr. Spriggs stated they will also make sure Parks Director Wixson Huffstetler is included in the discussions. He further explained JETS Director Steve Ewart should be involved in the transit discussion as listed on the meeting agenda. Chairman Owens added public groups should also be involved in the discussions as well.
A committee member questioned whether bicycle planning would fall under the Master Street Plan Committee. He explained he thinks there is a need for a plan for bicycles, but is unsure if that would be under this committee. It was further explained that without a Master Street Plan cities aren’t eligible for some funding that would help make bike trails a reality. Mr. Brooks stated the MPO has had two or three meetings with groups to work on developing a bicycle plan. He added he expects that will continue into the process of developing the Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
Mr. Hoelscher motioned, seconded by Mr. Cameron, to table the discussion concerning bicycle facilities until a later time in order to include other city department heads. All voted aye, with the exception of Mr. Smith who voted nay.
Discussion was then held concerning transit facilities. Mr. Spriggs recommended JETS Director Steve Ewart be involved in the discussion. It was questioned whether this type of issue should be decided by the Master Street Plan Committee. A committee member stated he thought the committee’s discussion would mainly concern the eastern bypass or a northern bypass because after those bypasses are complete the growth would help pay for some of the other issues such as the bicycle and transit facilities. Mr. Brooks explained the Master Street Plan is fundamentally a right-of-way preservation plan, so if there are going to be sidewalks and/or bicycle lanes in the right-of-way it needs to be indicated on the Master Street Plan. The Master Street Plan should consider undeveloped as well as developed properties. It was noted by another committee member that he doesn’t know what areas of town the bicyclists want bike lanes to be considered, so he didn’t want to move forward with that discussion until a bicyclist can guide them. Mr. Brown added that during his visits to other cities they found things such as the Riverfront in Little Rock work well because people who exercise, such as bicyclists and runners, like to be in the same area. He further explained that they found sidewalks that were made with the sole purpose of connecting one area to another, such as a Walmart, are not used often because most people don’t want to carry their groceries from one area to another. He stated it’s good in theory, but he doesn’t think it will be used as they intend. Another committee member agreed, adding he doesn’t see the need to require sidewalks for all subdivision construction because not all subdivisions will have the demand to justify the sidewalks. Mr. Brown explained he thinks the city has enough land to expand some projects, such as the Greenway, to encourage walking and biking. A committee member disagreed. He explained sidewalks should be put in near Arkansas State because there are a lot of students who walk in those areas. Further discussion was held concerning sidewalks. Mr. Cameron stated this committee is not here to discuss parks or bike trails, unless it’s to relate them to streets. He explained this committee is here for street planning. He then questioned when the committee will be able to start discussing what they were intended to discuss. Mr. Spriggs stated the committee can strike any issue if they don’t want to consider it.
Councilman Street explained former Parks Director Jason Wilkie designed a bike plan that would’ve help connect areas of the city. But, the bicyclists in the city didn’t want to go by the plan and instead came up with an alternative. The city spent $1 million to make a bike plan according to their alternative, but now newer bicyclists are coming in and they want something different. Councilman Street added the city can’t help them now because a lot of money has already been spent and there are other needs within the city. He stated Mr. Wilkie’s plan was better, but not what the bicyclists wanted so they designed a bike path according to what they wanted.
Mr. Cameron asked that the committee start focusing back on streets. Chairman Owens explained he thinks it’s good for the committee to hear these issues and problems so they can make informed decisions in the future. He suggested not striking these issues; rather, they should discuss them together so they can be discussed at the end with relevant department heads.
Discussion was held concerning an eastern and northern bypass through the city. Councilman Street explained the Highway Department has indicated that if the city wants a bypass, then the city will have to pay for it itself. He noted the most important one would be an eastern bypass. But, if the citizens want an eastern bypass then the city would have to pass a tax to fund the project. Mr. Cameron agreed with Mr. Tate, stating that the only way the northern part of the city will see any real improvement is with a northern bypass.
With no further business, Mr. Tate motioned, seconded by Mr. Cameron, to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye.