Comments on: Wed. night plans? Come talk streets with Planning Commission http://mywheelsareturning.com/2010/03/03/master-plan-complete-streets/ Walking, Biking, Getting Around in Northern Michigan & Beyond Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:42:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: GLHowe http://mywheelsareturning.com/2010/03/03/master-plan-complete-streets/#comment-240 GLHowe Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:27:45 +0000 http://mywheelsareturning.com/?p=2523#comment-240 Thank you for the summation, Ross. And, thank you for asking some difficult questions in your role on the Planning Commission. It was heartening to see <em>citizen led government</em> actually asking for accountability. We're tuned and ready, let us know how to help. Rob, I'm not suggesting that we add curb and gutter to airport access. We could complete the sidewalk that is already there...and add a path for the rest. Where do I plan to get to? Connecting TART users (walkers and bicyclists) to the neighborhoods, the hospital, the hotel, the church, the apartments and, eventually, to East Bay would be money well spent and shouldn't add too much to the cost. There is also a shopping center around the corner that I use TART to get to. Crossing at the A.A. intersection is the preferred crossing to get into that neighborhood. It is a 25 zone, so lanes <del datetime="2010-03-04T20:08:56+00:00">should</del> need to be narrowed and 6' bike lanes, or possibly a path, can easily, and cost effectively be added. Thank you for the summation, Ross. And, thank you for asking some difficult questions in your role on the Planning Commission. It was heartening to see citizen led government actually asking for accountability. We’re tuned and ready, let us know how to help.

Rob, I’m not suggesting that we add curb and gutter to airport access. We could complete the sidewalk that is already there…and add a path for the rest. Where do I plan to get to? Connecting TART users (walkers and bicyclists) to the neighborhoods, the hospital, the hotel, the church, the apartments and, eventually, to East Bay would be money well spent and shouldn’t add too much to the cost. There is also a shopping center around the corner that I use TART to get to. Crossing at the A.A. intersection is the preferred crossing to get into that neighborhood.

It is a 25 zone, so lanes should need to be narrowed and 6′ bike lanes, or possibly a path, can easily, and cost effectively be added.

]]> By: Rob Hite http://mywheelsareturning.com/2010/03/03/master-plan-complete-streets/#comment-238 Rob Hite Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:31:48 +0000 http://mywheelsareturning.com/?p=2523#comment-238 Can you explain to me where in the world you plan to get to and from on Airport Access. Also I would hate to see the cost increases that would come from adding curb and gutter plus sidewalks to that same stretch of road. Can you explain to me where in the world you plan to get to and from on Airport Access. Also I would hate to see the cost increases that would come from adding curb and gutter plus sidewalks to that same stretch of road.

]]> By: Ross Richardson http://mywheelsareturning.com/2010/03/03/master-plan-complete-streets/#comment-235 Ross Richardson Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:28:42 +0000 http://mywheelsareturning.com/?p=2523#comment-235 Well, it wasn't a great night at the Planning Commission, but it wasn't a total disaster either. Maybe, just maybe, the next time a street project is designed someone may actually follow the City Master Plan, and pursue the walkability and non-motorized transportation options that TC residents are demanding. Ten projects, totaling $1.3 million, were presented for review. Not one of them extended sidewalks; bike lanes were ignored (even on Union Street, a designated bike route!) This is the first time, in anyone's memory, that the Planning Commission reviewed street projects to see if they met the Master Plan, so that's a good start. City staff hid behind 2 things -- that these were only maintenance projects, and that the Transportation Elements of the new Master Plan are not yet fleshed out. But if we're going to spend that kind of money, let's try to do it right. None of the 10 projects is perfect, but I deceided to make issue with 3 of them; the Barlow, Hannah and Airport Access work. Supposedly the City Engineer will be bringing back possible rework on those 3, even though they've been approved by the PC. Stay tuned -- eventually the street network is going to start resembling what the public wants - as long as the public keeps demanding it. Ross Richardson TC Planning Commissioner Well, it wasn’t a great night at the Planning Commission, but it wasn’t a total disaster either. Maybe, just maybe, the next time a street project is designed someone may actually follow the City Master Plan, and pursue the walkability and non-motorized transportation options that TC residents are demanding.

Ten projects, totaling $1.3 million, were presented for review. Not one of them extended sidewalks; bike lanes were ignored (even on Union Street, a designated bike route!)

This is the first time, in anyone’s memory, that the Planning Commission reviewed street projects to see if they met the Master Plan, so that’s a good start. City staff hid behind 2 things — that these were only maintenance projects, and that the Transportation Elements of the new Master Plan are not yet fleshed out. But if we’re going to spend that kind of money, let’s try to do it right.

None of the 10 projects is perfect, but I deceided to make issue with 3 of them; the Barlow, Hannah and Airport Access work. Supposedly the City Engineer will be bringing back possible rework on those 3, even though they’ve been approved by the PC.

Stay tuned — eventually the street network is going to start resembling what the public wants – as long as the public keeps demanding it.

Ross Richardson
TC Planning Commissioner

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