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Minutes for the Master Street Plan Committee meeting on May 21, 2015
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Members present: Jim Abel, Mike Cameron, Marvin Day, Ann Garner, Eugene Holloway, Ben Owens (chair), Bill Smith and Councilman John Street
Members absent: Robin Nix, Sr. and Garry Tate
Mayor Perrin stated his staff has been researching for several years street improvements that are needed throughout the city. He noted the improvements will work with the Master Street Plan. Traffic Engineer Mark Nichols explained a lot of the projects came about as a result of this committee. He discussed the projects including the overpass project on Highway 18/Nettleton Avenue, Hilltop area, Hwy 18 & Caraway Road, Hwy 49 at Southwest Drive & Parker Road, Hwy 351 & Airport Road, Gee Street & Dan Avenue overpasses, Harrisburg Road widening. Commerce Drive eastern arterial, Patrick Street widening, Race Street major widening, and Hwy 63 & Hwy 1 improvements. He explained he thinks those are all efficient projects that will touch a lot of people.
Mayor Perrin asked what the total cost is of all the projects. Mr. Nichols answered the exact number is hard because they don't have good number for all of the projects, but the total is around $170 to $180 million. He noted the list was originally for $400 million worth of improvements, so the list has been refined. Some of the less efficient projects were taken off the list in favor of the more efficient projects.
Ms. Garner questioned what the timeline would be for the projects. Mr. Nichols stated that comes down to funding and that part is undecided. It mainly depends on how fast the city can get funding. But, the projects themselves take years to come to fruition. Mayor Perrin added the Highway Trust Fund will be broke by the end of August. Congress will push funding from the federal level to extend the funding at the state level to the end of August and then try to address the funding issue. He explained in the future if any city in the state wants to receive funding from the state for highway projects, the cities will have to start matching funding at some level. Further discussion was held concerning future projects in the city.
Chairman Owens stated he has spoken with the Mayor and brought up issues concerning the Master Street Plan. Mayor Perrin explained the committee needs to consider how citizens are informed of the Master Street Plan when their property is affected. He added he would like the plan to be driven by the committee, not the administration. The administration is available for backup and data research, but he doesn't want the committee to be influenced by the administration. The committee should be independent. He further explained in the past few years the Master Street Plan was driven by the administration more than it should've been and he apologized for that. He stated the plan needs to be more transparent to make sure citizens who will have streets go through their property need to be informed of the plan. Mayor Perrin stressed the need for traffic to flow better to allow for people to come into Jonesboro.
Chairman Owens explained the city staff is busy with so many things going on that there has been a breakdown in communication. This is a problem they need to figure out how to solve to move forward and address issues that have been brought up. Mayor Perrin stated the administration will work with the committee and get the committee whatever they need. Chairman Owens clarified the committee will build the agenda for the meetings and will work with the support of the city staff. Mayor Perrin agreed.
Mr. Cameron referred to the map (see attached) showing a new road (Payton Lane) running north of Johnson Avenue near the intersection of University Loop, to Greensboro Road. He motioned to remove that portion of the proposed road be removed from the Master Street Plan.
Mr. Day stated it looks like that road would serve as a corridor to the university. Mr. Smith explained there is some concern about signalization along Johnson Avenue. He stated they don't think Pierce Drive is a viable option to replace the road Mr. Cameron has motioned to remove. He then questioned what the original thought was in putting the road on the map in the first place. Chairman Owens explained the committee was tasked to look at improving traffic flow from north to south and east to west. So, even if this road is removed from the Master Street Plan the committee can still look at the main issue.
Mr. Holloway asked that the road not be deleted from the plan. He explained his primary concern is that once Greensborough Village begins construction this area of town will see an increase in traffic and without a way of diverting some of the traffic there will be a traffic problem once football season begins. He added a north/south corridor will benefit the citizens in that area. He reiterated his recommendation to keep the road on the map.
Attorney Don Parker, representing Mr. Carr, explained the map will constitute taking a citizen's property without compensation. He further explained Mr. Carr has a contract to sell his property and with the proposed road going through Mr. Carr's property on the proposed Master Street Plan, Mr. Carr's property is rendered far less valuable. The Carr Family was unaware that there was a proposed corridor going through their property. Mr. Parker stated its one thing to plan an arterial in existing property versus planning a road where there isn't one existing. He further added that when taking someone's property the property owner's should at least be notified and they should be given the opportunity to speak and state their position on the proposed changes.
Mr. Holloway stated he is not concerned with where the street is located; rather, he is in support of having a street running between Johnson and Greensboro in the plan. He added if another area can be agreed upon at another time, then that's fine.
Councilman Street seconded Mr. Cameron's motion. Those voting aye: Abel, Cameron, Street.
Those voting nay: Day, Garner, Holloway. Mr. Smith abstained from voting. Chairman Owens voted aye in order to break the tie. Motion passed.
Discussion was then held regarding how the proposed roads will affect current land owners. Mr. Cameron stated he doesn't think the city should take property; rather, the roads and the giving of right-of-way should be suggested to property owners and developers. Mr. Holloway agreed, but the committee needs to maintain its focus on their main task. He added fair compensation should take plan. Mr. Cameron stated they can still plan for orderly growth without the taking of property without compensation. Councilman Street explained the city can legally take property in some cases, but he opposes it. He further explained he has no problem with preserving right-of-way, but he does see a problem with requiring right-of-way before someone can get a permit. He would like to see a change in verbiage of the Master Street Plan in reference to cross sections. He also stated he doesn't think the city has any business requiring right-of-way along state highways.
Further discussion was held concerning the plan. Mr. Smith questioned how the committee is going to look at adding connectivity where there isn't any already there. Mr. Cameron stated he thinks if there's a place where they determine a road needs to go, then it should be identified as a project and the right-of-way should be purchased to allow for the road. Mr. Abel noted that they will run into problems with whatever they look at. But, that doesn't mean they shouldn't look at it.
City Engineer Craig Light stated they can make copies of the current Master Street Plan and provide it to the members of the committee for review. Mr. Cameron stated he thinks they missed a lot, so he suggested having the committee review the current plan and go through it in detail. Chairman Owens stated he thinks that's what the original intent was, but things weren't looked at as hard as they should've been.
Mr. Smith expressed concern about starting over by looking at the current plan and making changes. He stated before the committee does away with everything they did for the last 18 months, they need to look at their proposed Master Street Plan and go through a proofing process. He suggested having staff look at the plan and communicate the changes and the intent of the plan to the citizens to see if changes need to be made. Mr. Light explained there are 1,400 different property owners with new roads proposed on them in the proposed Master Street Plan. He stated they have already researched how many people would need to be notified if they decided to move forward with a mailing and found out there are 1,400 owners that would need to be notified.
With no further business, Mr. Cameron motioned, seconded by Mr. Day, to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye.