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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem C: Agate/Fairmount Transportation Study Update ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Agate/Fairmount Transportation Study Update Meeting Date: July 9, 2007 Agenda Item Number: C Department: Public Works Engineering Staff Contact: Rob Inerfeld www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5343 ISSUE STATEMENT Over the past two years, Public Works staff has been working with the Fairmount neighborhood and University of Oregon to both study and develop a plan to address cut-through traffic and speeding problems on local streets in the Fairmount neighborhood and the functionality of Agate Street as a minor arterial where it bisects the University of Oregon campus. Staff will give the council an update on the process including plans that have been developed for addressing these issues. BACKGROUND Revisions to the Fairmount/University of Oregon Special Area Study, adopted by the council on March 8, 2004, contained two “Traffic Circulation Policies” that were addressed through this project. The first said that by March 2005, the City would initiate a study to identify strategies to improve the function and carrying capacity of Agate Street and that the City would implement the necessary changes. The second said that by December 2008, the City would initiate an area-wide traffic calming study for the streets within the Fairmount/University of Oregon Special Area Study boundary to determine appropriate mitigation for through-traffic utilizing neighborhood streets. For both studies, the City committed to working cooperatively with the Fairmount Neighbors and the University of Oregon. Prior to adopting the plan revisions, the council adopted the following motion: That $35,000 be set aside from the General Fund Contingency and used in the current or subsequent fiscal years to fund the Agate Street and area-wide traffic studies called for in the proposed East Campus Plan and the study results shall be distributed to the council for consideration of the next steps. Besides the council direction to proceed on this study, the three primary neighborhood streets – Villard, Orchard, and Walnut – all have longstanding traffic calming requests and rank fairly high on the City’s traffic calming request list. Over the past two years, staff has worked extensively with the University and neighborhood through a series of neighborhood-wide community workshops and meetings with the Fairmount Neighbors Traffic Calming Committee and University of Oregon Development Policy, Implementation, and Transportation Subcommittee of the Campus Planning Committee. Because the issues of Agate Street’s functionality and the amount of neighborhood cut-through traffic are linked, staff combined them into one study. To initiate the study, staff contracted with the L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070709\S070709C.doc engineering firm DKS Associates to conduct technical analysis of both the functionality of Agate Street and neighborhood cut-through traffic and make recommendations to address both issues. The final results of the DKS study are available by visiting the City web portal at www.eugene-or.gov/pwprojects and selecting “Agate/Fairmount.” DKS modeled three different scenarios and tested how well these each addressed the goals of the study: th ?Traffic calming on neighborhood streets: Villard, Orchard, Walnut, and 17 ththth ?Signalized pedestrian crossing at Agate and 14 as well as additional signals at 15 and 18 ?Combination of traffic calming and signalized pedestrian crossing Based on their analysis, DKS recommended the following mitigation strategies: ?Install traffic calming in the Fairmount neighborhood. th ?Install a pedestrian signal at 14 Avenue and Agate Street. th ?Install pedestrian crossing enhancements at 14 and Agate. thth ?Install coordinated signals at 15 and 18 avenues. ?Reevaluate the signal timing along Agate Street after the installation of new signals. DKS also recommended that these projects be implemented one or two at a time and that the City measure the benefits of each project to determine whether additional implementation steps are necessary. With the analysis and recommendations from the DKS study in hand, staff worked with the University and Fairmount Neighbors Traffic Calming Committee to develop a practicable plan for addressing the goals of the project. The basic elements of the plan are as follows: ?The traffic calming elements will be constructed in two phases. The first phase, which consists of speed humps and speed tables, will cost approximately $45,000 and will be implemented using City traffic calming funds. Construction will take place no later than next summer but possibly this year; the timing is dependent on issues related to circulation during the Olympic Trials. ?The second phase of the traffic calming plan entails enhanced traffic calming elements that will reinforce the first phase, improve pedestrian safety, provide aesthetic and stormwater th benefits, and create a more defined edge for the neighborhood along 15 Avenue. This phase would likely cost over $200,000 and could potentially be funded by different means including creation of a local improvement district and through mitigation related to a major nearby development such as a new arena. th ?Improvements to the pedestrian crossing at 14 and Agate that create a two-stage crossing and narrow the driving lanes. These improvements, which are estimated to cost around $100,000, would enable traffic to flow more freely during times of light to medium pedestrian traffic and still maintain a safe crossing for pedestrians. A source of funding has th not yet been identified to pay for the crossing improvements at 14 and Agate. However, there is a placeholder for this project in the current CIP. RELATED CITY POLICIES In July 2002, TransPlan was adopted by Eugene and its regional partners. TransPlan contains 38 policies within nine different categories. Transportation System Improvement Policy #1, Transportation Infrastructure Protection and Management, states: Protect and manage existing and future transportation infrastructure. L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070709\S070709C.doc Transportation System Improvement Policy #4, Neighborhood Livability, states: Support transportation strategies that enhance neighborhood livability. COUNCIL OPTIONS The options available to the council are: 1.Direct staff to proceed with traffic calming improvements in the Fairmount neighborhood using FY08 traffic calming funds. th 2.Direct staff to identify funding for pedestrian improvements at 14 and Agate in the development of the next six year CIP (2010 – 2015). 3.Do nothing. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager to proceed with options one and two. SUGGESTED MOTION Move to direct the City Manager to direct staff to proceed with traffic calming improvements in the Fairmount neighborhood using FY08 traffic calming funds and to identify funding for pedestrian th improvements at 14 and Agate in the development of the next six year CIP. ATTACHMENTS A. Traffic calming plan th B. Conceptual design for enhanced pedestrian crossing at 14 and Agate C. Letter from Frances Dyke, CFO and Vice President for Finance and Administration, University of Oregon D. University of Oregon, Points Related to the Agate Street/Traffic Calming Study Recommendations E. Memo from Susie Smith, Co-Chair, Fairmount Neighbors Traffic Calming Subcommittee FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Rob Inerfeld, Transportation Planning Manager Telephone: 541-682-5343 Staff E-Mail: rob.inerfeld@ci.eugene.or.us L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070709\S070709C.doc Attachment E DATE: June 29, 2007 TO: Rob Inerfeld, Transportation Planning Manager FROM: Susie Smith, Co-Chair, Fairmount Neighbors Association—Traffic Calming Subcommittee SUBJECT: Agate Street/Fairmount Traffic Calming Study Recommendations ISSUE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This memo is intended to convey the recommendations of the Fairmount Neighbors Association Traffic Subcommittee regarding the Agate Street/Fairmount Traffic Calming Study (Study) to the Eugene City Council for consideration at the July 9, 2007 work session on this matter. These recommendations have been developed as the result of a collaborative study and conceptual design process initiated and funded by the City Council, and have been endorsed by the Fairmount Neighbors Board of Directors. Fairmount Neighbors recommends timely implementation of the traffic calming th improvements in our neighborhood and of pedestrian enhancements at 14 and Agate. Please forward this memo to the City Council as part of the staff report. On behalf of the Fairmount Neighbors Association Board and Traffic Subcommittee, I would like to extend the Neighborhood’s appreciation for the City’s willingness, commitment, openness, and responsiveness to working with our Neighborhood throughout the development of this Study. The City staff work on this project has been top-notch. City staff have created and managed a very transparent process that has invited and incorporated issues, concerns, considerations, and interests of our Neighborhood throughout the process. We look forward to continuing to work with staff to implement the recommendations and achieve the objectives of this Study. BACKGROUND: Fairmount Neighborhood residents and property owners take a great deal of pride in and care of the historic character, beauty and livability in this vibrant long-established residential neighborhood. To that end, the Fairmount Neighbors Association has a long track record of active involvement in land use, transportation and neighborhood livability issues, and has worked closely with the University of Oregon and the City to provide constructive input throughout the various planning processes impacting the Neighborhood. The Agate Street/Fairmount Traffic Calming Study arose out of the development of the University of Oregon’s East Campus Plan. As part of the adoption of the East Campus Plan, The City Council committed to the development of a study and plan to improve the th functionality of Agate Street as a minor arterial between 19 Ave. and Franklin Blvd., and to reduce cut-through traffic in the residential neighborhood east of the University. The City has invested approximately $48,000 in consultant costs as well as significant staff resources in completing this Study. SCOPE AND FINDINGS: The Fairmount Neighbors Association (represented through active participation of the East Campus Planning Subcommittee) had expected that the Study would address existing conditions in the area as well as the long-term traffic impacts associated with significant long-term redevelopment of the area. The Fairmount Neighbors Association recognizes and emphasizes for the Council that, due to a variety of constraints, the scope of this study was limited to existing conditions and projected development consistent with the existing land use designations and zoning through 2015. Therefore, the Fairmount Neighbors Association views implementation of the traffic management and calming measures and pedestrian safety improvements contained in the Study to be the first steps in a long-term commitment to properly managing traffic and mitigating traffic impacts of long-term development on the surrounding residential neighborhoods. The Fairmount Neighborhood Association expects that the potential future traffic impacts to the neighborhood due to future development activities outside the scope and time frame of this Study (such as redevelopment of the Walnut Station area and the potential arena contemplated for the vacated Williams Bakery site) will be adequately modeled, and that additional traffic mitigation measures will required as a component of the development process. The findings of the Study, resulting from extensive modeling by DKS Associates, show that significant improvement in traffic flow on Agate Street and significant reduction in cut-through traffic in the neighborhood can be achieved through a modest investment in capital improvements. The installation of traffic calming devices in the neighborhood alone is expected to reduce cut-through vehicle travel and travel speeds. Improvements th to Agate Street, particularly the improvement of the pedestrian crossing at 14 Ave. and Agate, is expected to both improve pedestrian safety and reduce cut-through vehicle travel through the residential neighborhood. When implemented together, the combined effect of these improvements is even stronger. These results are significant and very encouraging to the Neighborhood given the modest cost of these improvements. (Please see staff memo for capital cost information.) RECOMMENDATIONS: Following the modeling phase of the Study, City staff developed alternative design scenarios for addressing traffic and pedestrian safety concerns. These scenarios were reviewed through a series of meetings with the Traffic Subcommittee, representatives of the University and broader public workshops that were attended by residents of both the Fairmount Neighborhood and the South University Neighborhood. The recommendation reflected in the staff report reflects the input and recommendations of the Fairmount Neighbors Association Traffic Subcommittee, and is endorsed by the Association Board of Directors. Specifically, the recommended plan includes a phased approach, as follows: Agate St/Fairmount Traffic Calming Study Recommendations page2 Phase I : Install speed humps/ tables (as appropriate) on Moss, Villard, Orchard and th Walnut Streets, as well as 17 Ave. to address travel speeds and cut-through vehicle travel. (See staff report for maps and estimated cost information.) These improvements can be completed in the summer of 2007 through use of budgeted Traffic Calming th Program funding. Phase I also includes redesign/reconfiguration of the 14 Ave./Agate pedestrian crossing in close coordination with the University. Phase II: Install additional traffic calming/pedestrian safety, and potential stormwater management improvements in the Study area, such as raised crosswalks, traffic circles, “bump-outs” for pedestrian safety, and landscaped stormwater quality bump-outs. (See staff report for maps and estimated cost information.) These improvements would further enhance pedestrian safety throughout the neighborhood, which would support the City’s objective to increase the “walkability” and pedestrian access to the future redeveloped Walnut Station Mixed-Use Area, future University development etc. Moreover, the recommended stormwater treatment bump-outs and strategically located raised crosswalks will work toward meeting both City environmental management/stormwater objectives and neighborhood livability and safety objectives. The Neighborhood seeks to continue to partner with the City to identify funding and implementation strategies for Phase II improvements. Additional Recommendations: The following are additional recommendations/requests the Fairmount Neighbors Association respectfully submits for City Council consideration. 1.The Neighborhood emphasizes that while the Phase I and Phase II improvements derived from this study will have a marked effect on existing conditions, they are limited in their long-term effects and will not mitigate, in any fashion, the extensive future redevelopment planned in the Walnut Station Mixed-Use Area or a potential new sports arena. The Neighborhood requests that the City Council, in accepting this Study, acknowledges and commits that steps will be taken to ensure that significant future land use development in or adjacent to this Study area that is not contemplated in the scope of this Study will be required to identify potential traffic impacts in the neighborhood and to identify and fund mitigation measures that will protect the residential character of the neighborhood and local residential street character. 2.The Neighborhood recognizes that implementation of traffic calming and management and calming measures in the Study area may have impacts to surrounding areas. The Neighborhood recommends that the City continue to monitor and study the traffic volumes and speeds on streets that do not receive traffic calming treatments, and that adaptive management strategies are implemented to identify and implement supplemental traffic management or calming measures as appropriate. Agate St/Fairmount Traffic Calming Study Recommendations page3