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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PLED-1994-09-19 CJV PLANNING COMMITTEE September 19, 1994 Regular Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Common Council Chambers MINUTES Present: Committee Members: John Schroeder,Chair, Pam Mackesey; Diann Sams; Roey Thorpe Non-Voting Committee Member: Benjamin Nichols,Mayor Other Council Members: John Efroymson; Rick Gray; John Johnson Staff: H.Matthys Van Cort,Director,Planning and Development New York State DoT Representatives: Mary Jane Meier,Diana Miller,Ed Wilday Others: Betsy Darlington,Tracy Farrell,Pat Frantz,Tom Gibender,Paul Glover,Dan Hoffman,Ralph Jones,David Nutter,press • Public Comment on Planning Issues. Paul Glover addressed the Committee. It is his opinion that the proposal for the Route 96 improvements to be discussed at tonight's meeting is worse than the existing condition. He feels that his plan, which he calls "Plan A+," would be better. Betsy Darlington said that she felt there was some merit in Glover's statement, and that she was afraid that the intersection of Clinton/Meadow would be a problem. She also expressed reservations regarding the Fulton/Meadow one-way pair. Tracy Farrell spoke regarding neighborhood impacts east of Meadow Street. She had a series of requests and questions,including the following: • That bump-outs be designed east of Meadow Street at each intersection. • What is the resolution of the question regarding the hundred foot rule, that is, how far does NYS DoT's jurisdiction continue east of Meadow Street? • Will permanent cross-walks be installed as part of the project? • Will there be on-street parking on Court, Buffalo, Seneca, State, Green and Clinton Streets? Planning Committee Minutes 2 September 19, 1994 • Will there be pedestrian signals on Meadow Street? • Will Park and Ride facilities be a part of the project? • Will traffic counts be performed east of Meadow, so that any negative project traffic impacts can be mitigated? Tom Gibender, of Enfield, suggested that the Fulton/Meadow pair be continued southward so that it would alleviate traffic on Elmira Road. He suggested that there should be an intersection between Route 89 and the dead-end section of Park Road, which would allow people in Cass Park to get onto West Hill. He would like to see signs installed on West Hill directing motorists from 79 to 96, without going to the bottom of the hill. David Nutter requested that the trees on Fulton Street be saved. He decried the lack of bicycle accommodation on Fulton Street, noting that the western curb of Fulton Street is being moved to the east. He requested that bicycle actuated signals be made a part of the project signalization. Finally,he asked that the storm drain inlets be redesigned so that they do not go as far into the traffic lane as they are now proposed. Dan Hoffman addressed the Committee as a member of the Greenstar Board of Directors. Hoffman noted that Greenstar's access to Buffalo Street has been reduced by the Project. He requested that entrance and exits from the Greenstar Property be included in the project. He said that the loss of this primary access would be a serious problem for the cooperative store. Ralph Jones, the president of the West Hill Civic Association, asked that City speed limits be strictly enforced during construction of the Route 96 Project in order to control speeding by traffic detouring through the West Hill residential neighborhoods. Pat Frantz then addressed the Committee. It is her opinion that the Octopus is being moved to the intersection of Taughannock Boulevard and Buffalo Street. She also feels that the lack of access from Cass Park to the Hospital is a serious deficiency. L Route 96 Project: Discussion of All Outstanding Issues. A wide ranging discussion of the Route 96 Project followed. The Committee first discussed DoT's requirement that the western curb of Fulton Street be moved eastward in order to provide wider clearance for the railroad trains. Committee members asked that an attempt be made to pursue a variance for leaving the curb in its present location. Planning Committee Minutes 3 September 19, 1994 In response to a question by a Council member,Van Cort said that the Glover plan would not work for a number of reasons, including that it would require a six to ten year delay, that it does not have a one-way pair on Meadow and Fulton Streets, and that it shows Seneca Street as a two-way street without any explanation of how it could be made to dovetail with the one-way operation of Seneca Street to the east. a. Approval of Resolutions--Route 96. • Resolution Approving Arterial Plans and Specifications: The Committee had no comment on this resolution. • Resolution Regarding Future Encroachments: The Committee asked that staff obtain a definition of encroachments as used in this resolution. The Committee wanted the resolution modified to reflect the fact that while the City would give no permits, it was permissible for the State to grant them after City or private citizen requests. • Resolution Regarding Incorporation of Municipal Work -- Sculptural Piers: The Committee directed that the resolution be modified to indicate that the City's financial share in the improvements of the sculptural piers was limited to $20,000,just as the State's share was limited to$20,000. • Resolution Regarding Incorporation of Municipal Work -- Landscaping in Island Areas: The Committee had no comment on this resolution. • Resolution for Maintenance of Sidewalks: The Committee had no comment. • Resolution and Agreement -- Maintain Roadways wherein Federal Funds are Involved: The Committee directed that the resolution be redrafted regarding Taughannock Boulevard. The new resolution should indicate that the Route 89 bridge over the flood control channel is owned by the New York State DoT, and that DoT has responsibility for its maintenance. The City will own and control from the intersection of Buffalo Street and Taughannock Boulevard to the Route 89 bridge abutment. In addition, the City will own the small triangle formed by the current alignment of old Taughannock Boulevard, the new Route 89, and the new connection between old Taughannock Boulevard and Route 89. • Resolution and Agreement for Maintenance of Parking Lot: The Committee asked that the resolution be redrafted to reflect the fact that DoT will deed the parking lot to the City at the completion of the project. b. Possible City-Funded "Betterments" &Improvements. The status of the Clinton Street widening was discussed. The exact configuration of the modification of the south side of Clinton Street is still under negotiation with NYS DoT. The Committee then discussed the location of the curb bump outs on the east side of Meadow Street. Curb bump outs are included in the drawings on the east side of Meadow Street as follows: r ' Planning Committee Minutes 4 September 19, 1994 • Cleveland Avenue: no bump outs. It may be possible that DoT would allow the City to install them, depending on the level of service on Cleveland Avenue. • Green Street: both sides of Green Street have bump outs. • State Street: there is a bump out on the north side of the intersection. • Seneca Street: none. • Buffalo Street: none. • Court Street: there is a bump out on the north side of the intersection. • Cascadilla Street none. It was noted that there are numerous bump outs on the west side of Meadow. The Committee then discussed the issue of law which gives NYS DoT control over streets within 100 feet of arterial highways. Committee members felt that the hundred feet should be measured from the center line of the arterial. Previously, debate had been around the question whether it was measured from the edge of curb, the edge of right-of-way, or the stop line. DoT staff agreed to look into this question. c. Reuse of Historic Seneca Bridge Trusses. There was a brief discussion of this item. DoT has agreed to salvage and store the trusses. The City prefers that they be reused in the Black Diamond Trail bicycle/pedestrian bridge that will span the Cayuga Inlet west of the fish ladder and railroad bridge. d. List of Unanswered Questions and Unresolved Issues. The Committee discussed the question of access to Greenstar. Thorpe said she felt this was a very important consideration. Van Cort told the Committee that he made numerous attempts to work with Greenstar, and they had not contacted him regarding either the alterations in their building or the question of access to their property. Van Cort said he would try again to work with Greenstar on this problem. The issue of audible pedestrian crossing signals was discussed. The Committee continues to be strongly in favor of their installation in the project. Schroeder said that he would prepare a consolidated master list of all outstanding Route 96 Project issues that need to be resolved before the October 17, 1994, Planning Committee meeting. II. Route 13 Project: Discussion of All Outstanding Issues. a. Discussion of`Advance Detail Plans'for Entire Project. The Committee discussed the Route 13 plans. Most Committee members felt that despite their opposition to the four-lane highway, they would approve the short portion of the project within the city, because of environmental mitigation { Planning Committee Minutes 5 September 19, 1994 measures incorporated into the project and because it did not make sense to keep the highway at two-lanes for a short stretch just inside the City line. Doing so would result in a short two-lane constriction between the existing four-lane road in the City and the new four-lane road the State will build outside the City. The City has no control over State highway construction outside City limits. b. Final Approval Resolutions for Portion of Project Inside City. Sams moved, and Thorpe seconded that the City approve the advance detail plans for the portion of the Route 13 Project inside the City,provided that the resolution contains adequate "whereas" clauses explaining the environmental mitigation measures. Approved unanimously. III. City Recommendations for Canal Recreationway Plan. Schroeder explained the process by which the City had been asked to comment on the Canal Recreationway Plan, and briefly answered questions on the items included in the resolution. Mackesey moved, Thorpe seconded that the plan recommendations be approved. Passed unanimously. wb\planning committee\P&DS 19.doc-- 11/15/94