pages: TransportationCommission/2020-11-18.pdf, 8
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TransportationCommission | 2020-11-18 | 8 | Commissioner Hans stated that he is proud of City staff in that they have worked hard on this project, including community engagement, working with WABA and considering schools' needs. He fully supports the project. Commissioner Yuen stated that she is a big supporter of this project, and appreciates the focus on multiple goals: safety, Vision Zero, High Injury Corridors, climate, stormwater management, pedestrian and bicycling. She supports the roundabouts. The issues of parking and diversions should not slow down this project. She would like a chance to comment on the tree survey in the final concept. Staff Payne clarified that this is the final concept for approval, but staff will come back during next steps to talk about trees. About outreach, staff has done notifications to properties within 300 feet three times since 2015, and there are over 500 people on the Central Avenue email list serv. For parking, the project opens up some street parking west of Sherman Street where none currently exists. The 2045 projections are worst- case scenario, pre-covid, SO they probably are accounting for more traffic and they include cumulative impacts from new development expected in 2045. Chair Soules stated that if any Commissioners have concerns like parking, trees, diversions, we can request Council to address them. She requested a friendly amendment to have the tree survey come back to the Transportation Commission. She asked how many other east-west corridors are planned for a road diet. Staff Payne replied that there is a proposed project on Lincoln Avenue. Chair Soules expressed concerns about Lincoln Avenue also getting a road diet in that having road diets in multiple places could increase commute times, and we need to maintain service levels for transit. She requested before/after data to show that safer routes allow people to shift modes. Staff Payne stated that the cycle tracks on both Fernside Blvd. by Lincoln Middle School and on Shoreline increased bicycling. Chair Soules stated that high schoolers should be encouraged not to drive. Staff Payne stated that Encinal School is removing the student parking lot making it more difficult for students to drive. The countywide Safe Routes to School program is increasing outreach to high schoolers, as well as free bus passes and Island High School currently receives them. Chair Soules is concerned about public engagement because the project has been going on for so long that some people have moved away, and new people have moved in. She asked if there has been outreach over the last few years. Staff Payne stated that there have been five public workshops since 2013 with the last two in the past few years: one in December 2018 and another one was one month ago in October as a virtual open house for multiple weeks, which still exists on the Central Avenue web page. The City has done notifications to adjacent properties three times, and provided postcards to Webster Street all the way to Santa Clara Avenue and to the block of Sherman Street south of the roundabout for the recent virtual workshop. Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 18, 2020 8 | TransportationCommission/2020-11-18.pdf |