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PC Minutes 1995-03-021 1 1 ARROYO GRANDE PLANNING AND TRAFFIC COMMISSIONS MARCII 2, 1995 The Arroyo Grande Planning and Traffic Commissions met in a Special Session with Chairpersons Keen and Franks presiding. Planning Commissioners present are Tappan, Carr, Hatchett, and Beck. Commissioners Soto and Deviny are absent. Traffic Commissioners present are McAustin, Pilkington, Borda, LaPlante, and Jensen. Planning Director Doreen Liberto - Blanck and Interim Public Works Director John Wallace are in attendance. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None PUBLIC HEARING - THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND TRAFFIC COMMISSION WILL ADDRESS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: . SHORT RANGE IMPROVEMENTS ALONG EAST BRANCH STREET; . CIRCULATION ELEMENT UPDATE (INCLUDING AB 1600 AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW; AND . ALIGNMENT STUDY FOR A NEW EAST /WEST ROADWAY (SR 227) Planning Director Liberto - Blanck gave an overview of the various entities involved in comrnenting on the short range and long range transportation concerns. Ms. Liberto - Blanck encouraged members of the audience not on the mailing list to sign their name and address on the sheets provided in the foyer, so they could be added to the mailing list for notice of future meetings. She said one of the questions she is frequently asked is 'where is the funding to implement the studies'? Planning Director Liberto - Blanck introduced Ron De Carli and Jill Peterson from the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) and asked for a brief overview of funding. Jill Peterson apprised the Commissioners of available and future funding. Planning Director Liberto- Blanck stated that comments from the Commissioners and the public were important. She then acquainted the audience with the agencies, organizations, and committees involved in receiving information on this project. Ms. Liberto - Blanck introduced Ross Ainsworth and Marty Inouye of Omni- Means, stating that the three transportation studies would be discussed one at a time and after each study is presented, input would be requested from both the audience and the Commissioners. The first item for discussion, she stated, would be Short Range Improvements along East Branch Street. Commissioner Soto entered Council. Chambers and is now present. Ross Ainsworth gave a brief overview of the entire project on both the short and long term studies. Referring to charts, he gave the particulars on each alternative, pointing out advantages and disadvantages. Chairperson Keen opened the public hearing, but with no comments from the audience, he closed the public hearing. Chairperson Keen asked Interim Public Works Director John Wallace about the proposed raised medians shown in Alternative #2. Mr. Wallace stated that rolled curbs could accommodate emergency vehicles. He said he preferred rolled curbs to painted curbs for pedestrian safety. Regarding the crosswalk on Branch near Bridge Street, Mr. Wallace said that when the new configuration was put into operation it could then be determined whether the location was appropriate and it would be easy to relocate if necessary. Arroyo Grande Planning and Traffic Commissions Page 2 March 2, 1995 Chairperson Keen asked for comments from the Commissioners. Commissioner Beck inquired about the alternative of first painting the median. Mr. Ainsworth responded that painting the median would cost less than the raised median, but that paint would not have the aesthetic value nor provide the same pedestrian safety. During the discussion of painting the median first and later installing the raised median, Planning Director Liberto - Blanck asked Jill Peterson and Ron De Carli of SLOCOG if this would impede the funding in any way and they responded it could, because of this being a State highway. Commissioner LaPlante pointed out that if emergency vehicles would go over the medians, there would be no point in landscaping. Mr. Ainsworth answered that the rolled curb would be at the edges with the landscaping in the center. Commissioner Jensen asked if there was an example of a median in the area that could be viewed. Ron De Carli and Jill:Peterson mentioned several in San Luis Obispo. Mr. De Carli stated that this type of median is workable and SLOCOG would be supportive of it. Commissioner Tappan asked how a raised median on East Branch Street would affect the parade route? Mr. Ainsworth responded that 23 feet on either side of the corridor would be sufficient. Commissioner Tappan mentioned the problem of the north side not having off - street unloading of trucks. In addition, he also felt the bicycle route was a consideration. Commissioner Tappan supported Alternative 2. Commissioner Pilkington said he was opposed to landscaping in the middle of the street, stating we should be widening it to improve traffic flow. Mr. Ainsworth replied that the landscaping was planned in locations where there was no need for center turn lanes and are not using areas that are needed for capacity. Commissioner Hatchett said he agreed that there should not be landscaping, preferring painting a median. Commissioner Borda stated he liked Alternative 2 because the median would give a feeling of openness and there would not be as much visual congestion as there is now. He said it would make a dramatic improvement in appearance to the downtown area and designate proper turning areas. Commissioner Carr said Alternative 2 would not be preferable to the way it is now. He stated he would like to see something that is similar in design to this before a decision can be made. Commissioner Carr said he did like the proposed improvement in front of JJ's Market, and the island at Traffic Way and Bridge Street as proposed in Alternative 2. He stated he would hold his judgment until he had more information and a better vision of what it was going to look like. Commissioner McAustin said he liked Alternative 2 because the medians would prevent the illegal turns that are being made at the Nevada Street /Bridge Street intersection. He said he agreed with the reconstruction of the corner at Mason. Commissioner Soto said he agreed with Commissioners Borda and McAustin, because Alternative 2 clearly defines the roadway and eliminates much of the present confusion. He stated the painted median would cause confusion. Commissioner Soto said he supported Alternative 2 with the raised median and the improvement on Mason Street. 1 1 1 1 1 1 Arroyo Grande Planning and Traffic Commissions Page 3 March 2, 1995 Chairperson Keen asked Commissioner Soto to enlighten the commissioners regarding the bicycle plan that he had been involved with in the Village. Commissioner Soto responded that he recalls they were routed down Mason Street and off of East Branch. Chairperson Franks said he liked Alternative 2, stating painting a median at the onset may cost less money, but the ongoing maintenance was costly. A painted median is too easy to ignore, whereas the raised median would direct the traffic where it should go. Chairperson Keen said that making the median six feet and the lanes each three feet wider was very important in the downtown area for safety. He agreed with other Commissioners that the reconfiguration of the radius on Mason Street and the intersection change at Traffic Way were both good. Commissioner Pilkington said he felt rather than spend money on East Branch now, it would be better to wait until the Long Range Plan of getting traffic off East Branch Street was put into effect. Mr. Ainsworth explained that the Short Range Plan answers what needs to be done within the next 5 to 10 years to improve traffic operations. However, he said, the Long Range Plan is looking at City build -out of the general plan. Chairperson Keen said this plan would take care of the immediate needs, whereas the Long Range Plan would take care of the increased traffic. Commissioner Tappan questioned landscaping the median when pedestrians would use it crossing to shop both sides of the street. Planning Director Liberto - Blanck answered it has been done elsewhere and a landscape architect would know what type of landscaping would be workable. Commissioner Pilkington asked about maintenance of the landscaping to which Planning Director Liberto - Blanck stated maintenance would be a consideration. Commissioner Soto informed the Commissioners that an architectural class from Cal Poly did a thorough study on downtown Arroyo Grande, and one item they presented was landscaping in the Village. On a motion of the Traffic Commission by Commissioner LaPlante, seconded by Commissioner Borda, with a 5 -1 vote, it was agreed that Omni -Means be directed to refine Alternative 2, including rolled curbs and an improved radius at Mason Street. On a motion of the Planning Commission by Commissioner Soto, seconded by Commissioner Tappan, with a 5 -0 -1 vote, it was agreed that Omni -Means be directed to refine Alternative 2, including rolled curbs and an improved radius at Mason Street. Commissioner Carr asked the effect of the motions. Planning Director Liberto - Blanck stated it was direction to Omni- Means. Mr. Inouye said the next task in the scope of work would be to refine the preferred alternative and do a detailed cost estimate and bring it back in a final report. Planning Director Liberto - Blanck added that the final report would go to a Planning Commission public hearing with a recommendation onto the City Council. Planning Director Liberto - Blanck introduced Marty Inouye of Omni-Means to present the Long Range Transportation Studies. Arroyo Grande Planning and Traffic Commissions Page 4 March 2, 1995 Mr. Inouye described the planning process involved with the alignment study, which would lead to the circulation element update, the supporting environmental document, and to the update of the AB 1600 Study. Inouye, referring to various charts, described each of the six options in detail. He stated these were not exact routes, but general areas. He said through input from the Commissioners and the public, they hope to reduce the six options to three. Chairperson Keen opened the public hearing. Phil Whitaker of 615 East Cherry Avenue said he had represented the homeowners at the last meeting of 227 extension. Mr. Whitaker congratulated the City for taking the time and effort to put together this study and presenting the various options. He asked if the idea was to focus on Branch Street or was it to incorporate the Village as a whole, as he did not see Branch Mill Road on any of the maps. Mr. Whitaker said a traffic study was not done on the flow from Branch Mill Road on to Cherry Avenue and onto Traffic Way, which would probably change the whole picture. Marty Inouye answered they were trying to narrow the six options to three and later would do a detailed evaluation and then there would be potential for different connections for other roads, but this information was not available at this time. Buddy Jaquith of 633 Myrtle Avenue said on the Branch Street recommendation a vote was taken by the Commissioners and he did not feel that there was proper notice given for any voting to be done relative to the Long Range Transportation Plans. Mr. Jaquith said he hoped that property owners in the affected areas would receive detailed notices. Regarding Options 4, 5, and 6, he was very concerned about the Paulding Middle school, environmental impacts, the impact on long - established neighborhoods and the kind of traffic impact that would be involved. Tony Jacobson, 537 East Cherry Avenue, questioned Mr. Inouye about Option 3 (the James Way Extension) regarding the license plate study. Mr. Jacobson said that James Way is already a wide, well - traveled road and, if people coming from Corbett Canyon or Huasna Road want to go north or south on the freeway, rather than fight the traffic going through Branch Street they probably would go up to a new bridge at James Way. He said this option would probably involve a bridge and eminent domain to acquire few homes rather than building another bridge and involving a school. He felt it would be a good consideration, especially for northbound and southbound traffic. Mike Titus, 404 Lierly Lane, said Cherry Avenue can barely handle the existing traffic and there are two school bus stops on that road. He understood the plans presented are conceptual and long range, but traveling Corbett Canyon and Route 227 quite frequently to San Luis Obispo, found it rare to see more than one or two cars. His other concern was routing traffic on East Cherry as almost impossible in terms of safety of children and existing traffic. Mike Frederick, 1015 Evy Lane, said that one of the things the study does not consider is the development and growth in the City of Arroyo Grande but is concerned only with what exists today. He said there has been much discussion about annexation to the south which would completely alter all traffic patterns as they exist today. If the City Council is going to pursue annexation, Mr. Frederick continued, then Option 6 would be more viable. Although more of an expense, Option 6 would effect the least number of people and perhaps monies could be received from the State, County, and so forth. 1 1 1 Arroyo Grande Planning and Traffic Commissions Page 5 March 2, 1995 Marie Cattoir, 195 Orchid Lane, said Option 6 on the Trinity /Orchard Lane area seemed to be the least disturbing and the best plan to get traffic out of town and expand the commercial development. She asked that considerations be made in order to disturb the least amount of established residents and businesses as possible. Ms. Cattoir stated definite parcels affected should be presented. With no further comments from the audience, Chairperson Keen closed the public hearing. Mr. Inouye stated that though they had originally hoped to have the six options reduced to three. However, due to the testimony, they want to work on the six options and present them in more detail at another public hearing. Chairperson Keen asked each Commissioner to give their comments. Commissioner Hatchett said whatever option was chosen, people would be upset, and the bottom line was what would be the benefits to the City and to the citizens of Arroyo Grande and which option would affect the least number of people. He stated he supported Option 6, even though the cost would be more. Commissioner Borda said he felt they did not have enough specific information at this point, and that all of the options should be presented again with more information. Commissioner Carr noted that during the last 25 to 30 years, the City and Caltrans have been discussing this issue. Option 6 looked fairly attractive, but did not solve the east /west travel needs, which is a problem. He said that Option 3 (James Way Extension) had some good points, but that it might funnel people from the east part of town into the commercial areas of Pismo Beach to do their shopping. The Le Pointe Street option, Commissioner Carr stated, did not deserve any comments. He said we need to think about what kind of conversion of land uses will occur, expressing concern regarding agricultural land the City has protected for many years having a highway through it. Commissioner Carr said he totally supported Mr. Inouye corning back with more details to assist the Commissioners. Commissioner McAustin said he agreed with Commissioner Hatchett because no matter which option was selected, some people would be upset. He felt the Commissioners' function was to weigh all options and choose what was best for most of the people. Commissioner McAustin said there were many valid questions presented, and that the process of arriving at certain statistics should be clarified. Commissioner Soto complimented Mr. Inouye on a good job, stating he was pleased Omni - Means would carry the study a step further and return with more information. Commissioner Soto said, regarding the James Way extension, that improvements can be made at Corbett Canyon and Tally Ho Road to eliminate the overcrossing and streamlining that intersection might help, and it could be done soon. He said Options 4, 5, and 6 all seemed interesting, but encouraged Mr. Inouye to maintain the east /west corridor, which would eliminate Option 6 unless it could be tied in with El Campo Road. Options 4 and 5, Commissioner Soto stated, kept the east /west corridor open and still provided services within the City. Arroyo Grande Planning and Traffic Conunissions Page 6 March 2, 1995 Commissioner Beck said that Option 1 would take care of the east /west problem. Commissioner LaPlante said she could see the advantage of Option 6 because Northbound people heading for San Luis Obispo would probably use that as an alternate route to Route 227 and it would alleviate some of the dense traffic on Highway 101, especially in the summertime. Commissioner Jensen commented she wanted to refine the James Way to Route 227 option, but favored the El Campo Road option, but not access to Stanley Lane could be moved further East, which would be in a less congested area. Commissioner Tappan said he did not feel that we would ever have the money to implement any options except 1 or 3. He said the annexation to the south was the long, long range. Commissioner Tappan said looking at the current General Plan takes care of the east /west circulation problem, though he did not like one -ways, it seemed cost -wise more viable with the Mason Street enhancement rather than the creek crossing. Options 4 and 5 were two that he would lean to he said if money was not an object. Commissioner Pilkington said he preferred Option 6, suggesting routes to avoid existing residences and that commercial enhancement would increase revenue to the City. Chairperson Franks said for short -term improvement of east /west through the Village, Option 1 is viable. Regarding traffic, trying to alleviate Route 227 north /south traffic, he was in favor of Option 6, though he said he did not agree with the alternative connection because it would only handle north and south traffic off Huasna and would still leave Corbett Canyon and Route 227 free to go through the Village. Chairperson Franks addressed the audience stating the various City Commissions invited comments and corrections, but he would like to see the public offer alternative suggestions of what they think should be done. He said there would be two meetings; one with the Planning Commission and one with the City Council before anything would be done, so there would be great opportunity to give input. Chairperson Franks said that the City will grow; that it has grown for thirty years and that if it ceases to grow, it will go downhill. Therefore, he continued, though the City may not have the funds today, we still need to plan for the future; we may have the money tomorrow. Chairperson Franks said we must plan for future growth of our City. He ended by thanking Omni -Means for a great job. Chairperson Keen said he favored Option 6 without the alternate connection, which does not take care of the needs of both Corbett Canyon and Huasna Road. He said on Option 5, he liked getting Fair Oaks extended to the freeway and if there was not a way to incorporate a similar design in Option 6, by making the frontage road alongside the freeway from the interchange back toward town and going over to Fair Oaks in the similar manner listed in Option 5. Chairperson Keen said he appreciated the time and effort spent on the study. PLANNING AND TRAFFIC COMMISSIONS' ITEMS AND COMMENTS - None 1 1 1 1 1 1 Arroyo Grande Planning and Traffic Commissions Page 7 March 2, 1995 WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Traffic Commission, on a motion by Commissioner McAustin, seconded by Commissioner LaPlante and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 P.M. to the next regular meeting. There being no further business before the Planning Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Tappan, seconded by Commissioner Soto, the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 P.M. to the next regular meeting. ATTEST: Nancy Bro ommission Clerk Richard Franks, Chairperson