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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 9, 2018 CAC minutesCity of Central Point Citizens Advisory Committee Minutes January 9, 2018 I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 P.M. II. ROLL CALL Present were: David Painter(chair), Cinda Harmes, Caitlyn Butler, and Sam Inkley. Also in attendance were: Tom Humphrey, Community Development Director, Matt Samitore, Public Works Director, Stephanie Holtey, Community Planner and Karin Skelton, Planning Secretary Cinda Harmes arrived at 6:06 p.m. Cameron Noble arrived at 6:10 p.m. III. MINUTES Cinda Harmes made a motion to approve the minutes of November 14, 2017. Pat Smith seconded. All members said "aye". Motion approved. IV. PUBLIC APPEARANCES - NONE V. BUSINESS A. Open discussion regarding proposed traffic signal or roundabout at the intersection of Beebe and Hamrick Roads David Painter read instructions for a public meeting. Matt Samitore, Public Works Director explained the procedure used to evaluate the level of service at intersections. He said the City wanted to be prepared for increased traffic as it grew and this intersection had been identified as one that would require additional traffic control. Mr. Samitore explained the two traffic control proposals. A traffic signal or a CAC Minutes January 9, 2018 Page 2 roundabout. He went over the pros and cons for each. The Committee asked what the cost would be for each type of traffic control. Mr. Samitore answered it would be approximately $400,000 to construct a roundabout and approximately $350,000 for a traffic signal. Also, if a roundabout was constructed, Jackson County would require the City to put in an additional left turn lane on Biddle Road which would cost approximately another $1,000,000. A traffic signal would likely be completed by fall of 2019. A roundabout might take longer due to the land acquisition need for the right of way and negotiations with Jackson County Mr. Samitore said as Pine street and Biddle traffic increases Jackson County has informed him that they may eventually construct a median in front of Meadowbrook which would allow for a left in movement but not a left out. Therefore, to exit Central Point East residents would have to use Beebe Road. The public portion of the meeting was opened. Linda Borum, Ridgeway Ave. Ms. Borum stated her preference for a traffic light rather than a roundabout. She also said she thought the best location for a traffic signal would be at Don Jones park. She said the signal at this location would benefit pedestrian traffic to the park. She stated that the entryway and especially the sign to Central Point East was important and a traffic light would detract from how it looked. Gary Blagder, Ridgeway Ave. Mr. Blagder asked what capacity the intersection was currently functioning at. the Mr. Samitore said 33 percent. He asked which of the multiple vacant properties would likely be developed. Mr. Humphrey answered that the White Hawk development on the corner of Gebhard and Beebe has a masterplan that has been approved. He said they were in the process of mitigating some contamination on a portion of the property prior to development and it could be another year or so before development. Mr. Bladger asked if a traffic control device was actually needed based on traffic flow. Mr. Samitore answered the City was anticipating future traffic needs. The purpose of this meeting was to decide which option was preferred. Mr. Humphrey said the City needs to be ready to meet growth when it occurs. He said construction will be based on projections of traffic tied to applications and development Kathy Zubrod, Jeremy St. Ms. Zubrod was in favor of a traffic signal. She did not like roundabouts. She said she and her husband attended the Shepherd of the Valley Church on Beebe Road CAC Minutes January 9, 2018 Page 3 and she was aware of the traffic from church services. Jackie Erickson, Meadowbrook Dr. Ms. Erickson said she has not noticed a lot of increased traffic from Costco but she realized that could change. She was not happy about a median on Biddle Road restricting access from Meadowbrook. She thought a roundabout on Hamrick would create difficulty for truck traffic. Ray DePasquale, White Oak Circle. Mr. DePasquale said he thought a roundabout would make it difficult for side street traffic to enter Hamrick. He said he did not care for the trucks using Hamrick as a short cut. He said there should be some thought given to reduction of the truck traffic using Hamrick Road. He stated he preferred a traffic signal but could see benefits of a roundabout in discouraging trucks using Hamrick Road. Casper Lambrechtsen, Ridgeway Ave. Mr. Lambrechtsen said he knew of only one small roundabout in the City. He said the infrastructure for a traffic signal could be put in place so that when the time came to put the signal in, it would be a relatively quick process. He thought the City's inexperience with roundabouts would make that option unwise. Dennis Patterson, Windsong Ln. Mr. Patterson said he would like to see the truck traffic eliminated from Hamrick Road. He thought the trucks should use Biddle Road. The Committee asked if the City could decrease the truck traffic in some way. Mr. Humphrey answered the City had addressed the question in the past. The City could request ODOT remove the signs directing trucks to I-5 from Vilas Road and Table Rock. He thought additional traffic control on Hamrick Road might also discourage truck traffic. David Painter polled the audience and found the majority were from Central Point East with a few from other subdivisions in the area. There were only a few residents who preferred a roundabout over a signal. About 50% of the audience felt it was important to try to reduce truck traffic on Hamrick Road. Becca Croft, Beebe Road Ms. Croft said she often needs to turn left from Beebe onto Hamrick. She felt the speed limit should be reduced to 35 mph on Hamrick Road and should be strongly enforced. She stated her preference for a traffic signal and added she thought it would be a good idea for ODOT to remove signs directing trucks to take Hamrick to I-5. CAC Minutes January 9, 2018 Page 4 John Fowler, Jeremy St. Mr. Fowler said the infrastructure should be in place so as to be ready to set up a signal as soon as any development begins in the area. He said it would be a mistake to wait until there is a problem. He referred to his experience seeing development occur in Denver and stated that his preference would be a traffic signal over a roundabout. Clay Evans, Parkwood Village Ln. Mr. Evans said he is in favor of a traffic signal. He has experienced traffic circles in Arizona and said they don't work very well with heavy through traffic. He also stated he did not think limiting access to Biddle from Meadowbrook would be a good idea. Joan West, Parkwood Village Lane Ms. West stated her preference for a traffic signal. She thought a roundabout would confuse people and would not work. Bob Grizzell, Meadowbrook Mr. Grizzell said he wanted less truck traffic. He thought a roundabout would not work on Hamrick. He said he was in favor of a signal sooner than later. Gary Nabb, Meadowbrook Mr. Nabb asked about proposed housing the area. Tom Humphrey explained there was an approved master plan which contained approximately 400 housing units including apartments, townhomes and single family homes. Mr. Nabb asked if he could see maps of proposed development. Stephanie Holtey said the White hawk development master plan was available to view online. Mr. Nabb asked for information regarding the exit on Meadowbrook. Mr. Samitore explained as Pine street and Biddle traffic increases, Jackson County has informed him that they may eventually construct a median in front of Meadowbrook which would allow for a left in movement but not a left out. Therefore, to exit Central Point East residents would have to use Beebe road. He said he had no way of knowing when or if that would happen. He assured everyone that any meeting regarding the matter would be noticed as this meeting had been. Public portion of the meeting was closed. Larry Martin made a motion to recommend a traffic signal as the preferred traffic control at the Beebe/Hamrick intersection. Pat Smith seconded. The committee discussed the major concerns of the citizens and agreed there was a lot of evidence that a traffic light was the better choice. CAC Minutes January 9, 2018 Page 5 Chair David painter asked for a vote on the motion to approve a traffic signal as the preferred traffic control at the Beebe/Hamrick intersection. All members said "aye". Motion passed. 7:25 p.m. a 5 minute break was called. Meeting resumed at 7:30 p.m. B. Consideration of Parks and Recreation Element, City of Central Point Comprehensive Plan. Justin Gindlesperger gave an overview of the Parks Element. He said it was last acknowledged in 1983 and need to be updated to account for community changes and plan for future park needs. As the population of Central Point grows, interest in and use of parks will increase. The Parks Element will ensure the parks and recreation system meets the needs of the community as the City continues to grow. He said the updated Parks Element includes chapters on community engagement reflecting the interests of City residents, an inventory of existing parks system, assessment of future parkland needs, goals and policies and implementation strategies. He said given the current level of service, it is estimated the City will need to develop 52 acres of parkland by 2038. Tom Humphrey stated there had been a lot of public involvement in developing the goals and policies. The Committee discussed the percentages of land allocated to parks throughout the City. Mr. Samitore said the City was working with ODOT and Jackson County to construct a regional trail system to connect numerous parks and corridors throughout the area to the Bear Creek Greenway. Cameron Noble made a motion to forward a favorable recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Element, City of Central Point Comprehensive Plan. to the Planning Commission. Cinda Harmes seconded the motion. All members said aye. Motion passed. VI. DISCUSSION VII. MISCELLANEOUS CAC Minutes January 9, 2018 Page 6 VIII. ADJOURNMENT Cameron Noble made a motion to adjourn. Caitlyn Butler seconded the motion. All parties said aye. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. The foregoing minutes of the November 14, 2017 Citizens Advisory Committee were approved by the Citizens Advisory Committee at its meeting of ,2018 Chairman