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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBTSCMinutes_2014_09_15Brookings Transportation Steering Committee September 15, 2014 The Brookings Transportation Steering Committee meeting was held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, September 15, 2014 at Brookings City & County Government Center with the following members present: Keith Corbett, Daryl Englund, Al Baker, Jacob Mills, Jim Morgan, Les Rowland, Michael Bartley, Bob Hill and Jason Harms. Others present included: Community Development Director Mike Struck and Communications Specialist Laurie Carruthers. Chair Corbett called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Approval of minutes. Motion made by Baker, seconded by Englund, to approve the September 8, 2014 minutes. All present voted yes, motion carried. Preliminary Discussion of Highway 14 (6th Street from Medary Avenue to Main Avenue) Struck informed the committee the DOT provided two options, a 4 or 5-lane street with construction in 2018. Staff met with the DOT to scope the project and discussed upsizing the storm sewer for the drainage basin at Medary Avenue. Because the construction will include a storm sewer project, the tree roots will be disturbed. With the DOT’s 5-lane option (preferred by the DOT), the outside lanes will be 14’ wide which will allow enough room for snow storage and an unmarked bike lane. The inside lanes and turn lane will be 11’ wide. For the majority of this project, the new sidewalks will be adjacent to the street on both sides. The committee discussed the options and prefers 3 or 5 lanes, but not 4 lanes, the current configuration. The committee has safety concerns with the sidewalk adjacent to the street. Bartley asked if it was possible for the DOT to work with the land owners and acquire additional right-of-way for sidewalk acquisition with a boulevard. Struck advised the land owners would need to work directly with DOT. Rowland commented that this is a historical neighborhood. As a safety feature and to maintain the historical aesthetics, he recommends a 3-lane street. Englund was on the Traffic Safety Committee when 8th Street South was changed from a 4-lane to a 3-lane. He advised not many people were initially in favor of the change. However, after it occurred, many citizens actually prefer this design. Additionally, the change has significantly decreased the number of rear-end accidents. The committee would like to see the accident statistics along 8th Street South before and after this change. Phyllis Cole-Dai asked if the safety issue regarding accidents was significant enough to warrant the construction and changes. Struck replied that the DOT needs to repair this portion of 6th Street. The DOT is open to options recommended by the city and the committee is open to comments from the public. Cole-Dai advised that the trees are now a moot issue. The neighbors are more concerned with the historical appeal and the vulnerability of pedestrians adjacent to the street. Pat Fishback advised that she was at the April 28 DOT Public Meeting. At the meeting, the DOT asked for the public to comment and provide feedback. Has the Transportation Steering Committee reviewed these comments? The committee advised that they have not seen these comments, but would request them from the DOT. Mills replied that the DOT delayed this project due to the strong community reaction. It was also asked if the April 28 DOT Public Meeting was recorded. Carruthers will look into this. Struck advised that the DOT’s top priority is safety and flow of traffic. The DOT is more concerned with the area from 6th Avenue to 9th Avenue along 6th Street. Nancy Flynn offered an option to maintain the 4 lanes with a concrete divider in the middle with landscaping and no left turns allowed. Committee members brought up concerns about snow removal, salt/sand in the landscaping and parade routes. Citizens also raised concerns with the possible removal of the 7th Avenue light since there was no longer a school in the area. Discussion also included the possibility of DOT negotiating with the land owners to remove the driveways along 6th Street in this area. Cole-Dai asked if the city could take over only this portion of 6th Street. Englund advised that it has never been done before to take a portion of a street, but the DOT has advised they are open to options. The DOT has offered to construct all of the 6th Street projects and then give the city 6th Street from by- pass to by-pass and a provide a stipend. Rowland, as chair of the Brookings Historic Preservation Commission, advised that the Historic Preservation Commission would like to see the setback and tree canopy maintained throughout the project. Cole-Dai asked if the SDSU students could be involved in the recommendations. Continued Discussion of Highway 14 (6th Street from 22nd Avenue to 34th Avenue) Harms asked if the city is being proactive to insure access to the DOT property acquisition. Struck advised that they are performing a traffic study in this area and LeFevre Drive. Currently, the DOT property has right-in/right-out access, but they are reviewing the plans to negotiate more for future development of this property. However, the DOT may renegotiate the contract price if the city obtains additional access. The city is concerned with the safety of the LeFevre Drive intersection and the stacking of cars on Highway 14. Rowland left at 4:25 p.m. Currently, the plans are to have a 5’ sidewalk from 22nd Avenue to 32nd Avenue and connect to the trail. Harms asked about the possibility to widen the sidewalk at the bridge and to be one section for both directions of pedestrian traffic instead of two separate bridges. Struck replied that this option would be cost prohibitive due to the need to get the pedestrian traffic back over to the other side of Highway 14 on the east side of the interstate. Struck advised the DOT prefers to eliminate all services roads east of the interstate. This project will be bid in January or February of 2015 for the Sunrise Ridge Road portion with construction being in 2016. Englund raised concerns with the turning radius for trucks on some of the intersections. Struck advised the Days Inn/BP property owner is working with the DOT on this private intersection. Other Morgan asked if there were any comments from the City Council at the September 9, 2014 meeting regarding the Highway 14 By-Pass recommendation. Corbett replied that there were no specific comments; the City Council was pleased with the accomplishments of the committee. Harms asked about the future meeting schedule. The committee discussed options and decided to meet on September 22 when Weldon is present and determine the future meeting schedule. Corbett will be absent September 22. Harms will be absent September 22 and October 6. Hill will be absent October 20 and 27. Adjourn A motion was made by Englund, seconded by Hill to adjourn. All present voted yes; motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:44 p.m. Submitted by Laurie Carruthers.