Item B1: Approval of City Council Minutes

Home Browse Search

Mr. Corey explained that TransPlan Goal #2 delineated transportation systems characteristics. He said the challenge was to find the best fit that would balance the needs of the neighborhood and the needs of the transportation system. He related that the concept of “skinny streets” had a minimum recommended street width standard of 20 feet. He noted that the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) also upheld that standard for street design. Mr. Corey stated that a low volume street typically had an average of 400 vehicles or less traveling on it in a day. He said the range of volume values ran from a low of 860 vehicles on the southern part of Storey Boulevard to over 3,600 vehicles per day on Crest Drive by Morse Ranch. He noted that there was some disagreement as to the origin and destination of the vehicles. He believed that the traffic data resulted in an initial recommendation for something more than 20 feet of width. He added that a wider street was indicated when a diversity of travel modes exist, such as bicyclists, pedestrians, and a variety of vehicles. He reviewed the criteria for exceptions to the street width criterion. He stated that the Crest Drive Community Team was seeking to be relieved from having to adhere to that criterion. Fred Lorish, representing the Crest Drive Community Team, reiterated that the issue was street width. He declared an 18-foot width to be the best option for what the neighborhood was trying to accomplish. He believed it was a quality decision as the neighborhood wished to maintain certain qualities that currently existed there. He recalled that when the City let the neighborhood know that their streets were slated to be rebuilt, the neighborhood was informed that the main streets would be classified as neighborhood collectors. He related that residents remained convinced that the majority of traffic was people who cut through the neighborhood. Mr. Lorish conveyed the neighborhood’s belief that a 20-foot road would not fit because it included more than just the street, such as sidewalks. He related that the neighborhood thought a thin road was safer because it slowed traffic. He pointed out that the neighborhood had steep topography and averred that the streets were narrow “for a reason.” He acknowledged that street standards were necessary but reiterated the neighborhood’s feeling that a wider street would not fit. He averred that not every street needed to look alike. Mayor Piercy asked the council to consider a motion to extend the time for the meeting or a motion to table the item for further discussion. Ms. Bettman advocated for extending the time for discussion. Ms. Ortiz, seconded by Ms. Solomon, moved to table the item to allow for a full discussion given the time. The motion passed, 5:3; Ms. Bettman, Ms. Taylor, and Mr. Zelenka voting in opposition. Ms. Taylor thanked Mr. Lorish for speaking on behalf of the Crest Drive Community Team. The meeting adjourned at 1:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Angel Jones City Manager pro tem (Recorded by Ruth Atcherson) MINUTES—Eugene City Council September 19, 2007 Page 6 Work Session