HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee - 11/11/2015
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE
MINUTES 11-11-2015
APPROVED 12-9-15
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, November 11,
2015 at 5:30 pm in the small conference room at the city office building.
Members Present: Cathy Frank, Vice-Chair; Jamieson Goodwin, Clerk; Dana Farr, Chair; Amanda
Holland; Bob Britt; Roy Neuer
Members Absent: Donna Leban
City Representative: Maggie Leugers, Director of Recreation & Parks
Also Present: Lou Bresee, Robin Jeffers, Harry Christman, Larry Kupferman, Jodie Chant, Keith Epstein,
Glenn Sproul, Pam Piper, Al Margulius, David Jacobowitz, Patrick O’Brien, Rick Hubbard, Coreen
Woodbury
Meeting began at 5:35 pm.
1. Changes to Agenda – No changes.
2. Comments from public not related to Agenda –
a. Jody Chant – Dorset Farms resident (SE Quadrant), Concern on Dorset St near the Faith
United Church. Traffic in morning tends to use bike path as alternate “lane” for
vehicles, which is very dangerous to walkers/bikers using the path. There are bollards
located near here seasonally, but not a complete solution. How can this best be
addressed? Physical barrier between path and road, like a curb? Committee
recommended to follow-up with DPW, continued use of bollards, or look into alternate
means of providing additional barriers between vehicle and bicycle/pedestrian traffic.
Committee used this point to highlight the benefit of Seeclickfix.com, especially for
safety concerns. Committee has taken on item for further follow-up with DPW.
b. Pass previous minutes. Dana moves. Cathy second. Unanimous approval.
3. South Village & SD Ireland updates for South Village – Patrick O’Brien and Robin Jeffers
a. Patrick present to personally request for connection of path on Allen Rd to Spear St(as
previously identified by the committee), as bike path connection. Discussion of current
issues along Allen Road, including funding methods and municipal involvement in
planning. Goal – complete Allen Rd connections, but noted that a best first step on this
goal is to complete the upper connection, is that top section between Baycrest Dr and
Spear St. Patrick and Robin offered assistance to the committee in creating
correspondence/verbiage for submission to City Council in efforts to
recommend/prioritize closing of this gap.
b. Further Discussion of South Village path plans. Plan to complete recreational circuit of
existing neighborhood within the next year (end of next fall). Connection to Dorset
Farms complete around 2 years – but depends on house sales/funding. Committee will
include in tracking list moving forward.
4. SW Quadrant Review; Identification and prioritization of issues – Input from public
a. Larry Kupferman – Resident near Central Ave. Came to discuss Queen City Park Rd. Not
B&P friendly as a whole. Connectivity with Bike Path is poor and traffic is a major issue
with no real separation along the bridge. Also major concerns surrounding Street
lighting, especially now that sunlight is at a premium for fall/winter. Improvements in
lighting in particular are desirable, especially for pedestrian traffic. Other challenges are
not unique to the city of South Burlington as problems with jurisdiction arise due to
proximity to city of Burlington in this area. Mr. Kupferman noted that City of Burlington
does not seem as responsive to their issues.
b. Al Margulius – Resident in Queen City Park. In conjunction with Mr. Kupferman, noted
that some recent improvements have increased physical barriers/safety across the
Queen City Park Bridge, but are seemingly only marginal improvements. Primary
concerns with Shelburne Rd. – Laurel Hill Dr. intersection, and poor safety for pedestrian
crossing. Committee reviewed this as an item that has been mentioned before, and
prior discussions with DPW Director Justin Rabidoux in regards to Pedestrian Crossing
phasing exclusivity. Discussion centered around a desire to potentially change a number
of Shelburne Rd intersections into exclusive access phasing for pedestrian crossing
signals.
c. Harry Christman – Baldwin Ave resident. Also voiced concerns over Shelburne Rd, in
particular as a bike path, which his family uses frequently. Mr. Christman felt the
entirety of the corridor was unsafe from his neighborhood north through Farrell St. both
as pedestrian and Bicycle traffic. Not much space, snow management and similar
topographical concerns, like drainage/snow-melt). Potential for other “cheap” wins?
Additional bollard use to provide separation?
d. Rick Hubbard – Came to contribute some comments on process and strategies that may
help the committee achieve desired goals, as noted through his experience. Past
recommendations aren’t getting follow through. Many recommendations come
through and are implemented through DPW. DPW may be a better staff representative
for the Committee. Current connection through Rec Dept. may not be best path.
Budgeting process is not conducive towards fixing some of these problems. Inclusion of
the correct groups in the disparate projects/processes, like DRB, or Planning.
Clarity/specificity in recommendations to minimize confusion, and other similar topics.
e. Glen Sproul – Stonehedge resident. Wanted to reinforce Rick H’s comment about
inclusion of DPW. Also concerned over Shelburne Road and safe crossing. Spear street
bike lane widening, another big concern and recalls there being 4 fatalities this year.
Farrell St. & Eastwood, no safe crossing along western edge of Eastwood (access to The
Edge). Spear and Swift, bad intersection design/control for crossing – previously
identified and presented to Justin Rabidoux.
f. Coreen Woodbury – Resident near Proctor Ave – Her neighborhood seemingly has no
great connections to other areas within South Burlington. Proposed Spear St.
connection from Rec. Path at U.S. Forestry Dept. building south to the Songbird Ln. path
would be very beneficial to her family as a means to access other city resources (library,
etc).
g. Patrick O’Brien – Old Farm Rd. resident. Wanted to voice his support for some level of
tax payer funding (i.e. Bond) for improvement of safety in transportation via bicycle and
foot traffic.
h. David Jacobowitz – Attended to participate in some discussion but also in order to
provide previously used studies and documentation for prior South Burlington projects.
Committee also noted some online access to these, but also very appreciative of the
hardcopy for future use.
i. Lou Bresee– Cranwell Ave resident. Pedestrian crossing Shelburne road, wanted to voice
support for exclusive phasing of pedestrian crossing. Also wanted to note potential for
use of Allenwood property (Inn road) for further N/S connector near Shelburn Rd? Also
contributed to conversation with Rick H. over concerns with the committee “reinventing
the wheel,” and trying to recreate things that have been done before. Look for the low-
hanging fruit (i.e. cheap but big wins, like pedestrian crossing with exclusive phasing
along Shelburne road.
j. Committee identified – Amanda will consolidate existing lists and newly identified for
later prioritization.
5. Discussion: Methods for prioritization of committee projects and recommendations –
a. Committee reviewed some initial criteria, some options include:
i. Build/Maintain a list of all issues by quadrant, not prioritized.
1. Include description, picture and primary jusitification
2. Long term or short term?
3. Safety issue or recreational?
ii. Attach a cost guesstimate (50k, 500k, 5M).
iii. Provide ultimate priority for top X.
iv. Involvement of other departments (Paul/Justin)?
b. Committee to review alternate town or district plans and criteria (City of Burl, as an
example), but also develop personal list that may reflect on prioritization and discuss at
next meeting.
6. General Matters
a. Committee effectiveness – A brief discussion was held in relation to some comments
Rick H had made into committee effectiveness. How are we as a committee more
effective? A noted desire in need to focus efforts, as approaches have been widespread
and lacking follow-up. Additionally, an effort for continual follow-up, an example
includes the review of recommendations made to Paul Connor and City Council included
in comprehensive/master plan draft? Drawing public support through public media and
outreach, positive results and valuable feedback at this meeting, itcould be a very useful
tool in committee’s efforts.
b. Discussion: Cathy; Committee support of DPW’s HRIP – Move to approve letter as
drafted from Bob , Roy second. Need further outreach to Justin and potentially Tom
Chittenden, specificity of action needed by December for council to approve.
c. Discussion: Bob; - Policy and Safety Recommendations update – Bob had no significant
updates to report, provided updated list to attendees and will continue to compile
updates to list as needed.
d. Discussion: Bob; Committee support of Crosswalk articles – Discussion included many
suggestions on ways to increase visibility. Example: Pictures to include with articles to
draw attention. Recommendation to write articles as an individual instead of
committee as a whole. Also explore option to publish on surrounding area Front Porch
Forum boards.
7. Confirmation: Next meeting December 9 at 5:30.
Motion to adjourn – Cathy, Amanda second. All approve.
Meeting ended at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jamieson Goodwin, Clerk