HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee - 09/14/2022AGENDA
South Burlington Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee
Room 301 at 180 Market Street South Burlington, VT 05403
Participation Options: In Person: Room #301 – 3rd Floor – 180 Market St Assistive Listening
Service Devices Available upon request
Electronically: https://meet.goto.com/SBCity/bicycle-ped-committee-09-14-2022
Join By Phone: +1 (312) 757-3121 Access Code: 370-905-261
5:30 PM Wednesday September 14, 2022
1.Welcome, Virtual Meeting Instructions, Gratitude – Havaleh (5:30 PM)
2.Changes or additions to the agenda – Havaleh (5:35 PM)
3.Comments from the public not related to the agenda – Havaleh (5:40 PM)
4.Consideration of minutes from Aug 10, 2022 – Havaleh (5:50 PM)
5.***Review of Emergency Meeting Cancellation Protocol – Havaleh (6:00 PM)
6.***Safety Recommendations for City Council – Havaleh, Matt Cota (6:10 PM)
7.***Review of Staff Updates to Committee Charge – Erica (6:25 PM)
8.***Updates from the City – Erica (6:35 PM)
9.***CIP – Review/Revise document – Havaleh (6:45 PM)
10.Updates Ongoing Committee/Liaison Work: (7:30 PM)
1.DRB Update – Donna
2.DPW Items to relay to Erica, update crosswalk painting list
3.Bike Friendly Community Planning/Greenway progress – Nic
4.Chair updates/comments (Inclement weather protocol, I-89 bridge) –
Havaleh
5.Climate Action – Donna
6.Communications/Outreach – Cathy, Donna, Havaleh
7.Safety (review recommendations for DPW) – Dana
8.Mapping – Amanda, Nic
9.Signs – Nic, Donna, Dana
10.***Quadrant Map 2015
11.Confirmation: Next meeting Wednesday October 12, 2022 @ 5:30pm
12.Adjourn (by 8:00 p.m.)
*** Attachments Included
FY23- Meeting Cancellation Policy
The purpose of this protocol is to formalize reasons for cancellation, define decision makers and how cancellations will be communicated with city liaison, committee members, and the public.
Reasons for Cancellations:
• Physical space problems (no heat, water, electricity, internet etc)
• Snow/Severe Weather- Mindful of school/city/road closures, with consideration of anticipated conditions at 8 PM end time of the meeting.
• Unexpected lack of quorum of committee members- communicate with chair/ city liaison as soon as possible via *** when this occurs.
• Other Who Decides: -City Liaison and Committee Chair or their designee, with input from committee members
welcome.
Timing:
• Goal to decide as early as possible that the meeting is cancelled, ideally by 2 PM on the day of the meeting.
• In situations with unexpected circumstances, this may be at a time closer to the meeting,
including at the start time of the meeting.
Communication:
• Committee Chair will ideally reach out to committee members via ***(Text, e-mail, both?)
• City Liaison will share information in public channels per city policy.
Draft
Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee’s Prioritized List of Policy and Safety
Recommendations to the City Council and City Staff Updated as of August 28, 2022
In support of the City’s Walkable Comprehensive Plan goal, the Committee has the following
recommendations:
1. All pedestrian crosswalks, double yellow lines, and bike lanes/fog (white) lines should be
painted at least once per year, preferably in the spring, unless the markings from the
prior painting are still clearly visible to oncoming vehicles. Some crosswalks located on
roads with heavy vehicle traffic may need to be painted in the spring and fall for safety.
The cost was estimated by the former DPW Director at approximately $60-80K per year
versus the present budget of $40K starting in FY2023.
2. Perform a Speed Limit review of South Burlington streets to aid in the safety of both
vehicle drivers and unprotected users (pedestrians and bicyclists). Initial focus should
be on roads with speed limits of 35mph and higher.
3. Flashing “School Zone” signs should be installed on Dorset Street and Kennedy Road
near the High and Middle Schools and near each of the elementary schools.
4. To help slow traffic on Market Street, install RRFBs at Market Street crosswalks, 4-way
stop signs on Market Street at the entrance to City Hall and the Marcotte Central
School, flashing “School Zone” sign near the Market Street intersection with Marcotte
Central School and temporary or permanent traffic calming measures such as bump-
outs and speed bumps/tables.
5. Complete the upgrade of the remaining 8 Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB)
crosswalk locations so that each pole has lights facing both directions like how it is done
in Burlington and all other surrounding towns. Please note that 27 of 35 such locations
have been upgraded to date. With only one light facing each direction, drivers do not
consistently see the flashing light on the single pole clearly when making turns, or
otherwise, as evidenced by them not regularly stopping to allow bicyclists or pedestrians
to cross at non-upgraded locations.
6. Install and/or deploy additional flashing radar speed-reading signs to remind vehicle
drivers of the speed limit. Consideration of placement of these signs should include
Williston Road, Hinesburg Road, Dorset Street, Market Street and Spear Street.
Draft
Although there is a required capital investment, it pales in comparison to the cost
required for police traffic enforcement.
7. Install solid barriers of some type to prevent northbound vehicles on Dorset Street from
using the recreation path between just south of Songbird Road (across from Faith
United) and 1 Kennedy Drive. Vehicles are using the recreation path as an additional
travel lane to get around cars stopped to make a left turn onto Songbird Road or to
make right turns onto Grandview and Kennedy Drives. (Note – the Committee has
continually observed vehicle tracks on this section of the recreation path during snow
events. For example, on 12/8/21, 3 sets of vehicle tire tracks were visible on the rec
path during the snowfall). This project was approved by the City Council in 2019 and first
included in the FY19 CIP to be constructed in FY21 using Penny for Paths funding and
still needs to be constructed.
8. A “No Right on Red” sign needs to be installed southbound on Dorset Street at the
intersection of Swift Street that illuminates only when the left turn arrow is activated for
cars heading northbound on Dorset and are turning left onto Swift Street or when the
pedestrian controlled, pedestrian crossing light is activated in “white” to indicate to
pedestrians that it is safe to cross. Vehicles are too often in a hurry or do not even fully
stop to take a right turn on red and do not realize the walk light is on or that oncoming
traffic has the early turn arrow.
9. Funding for the maintenance of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian infrastructure needs to
be included in the annual budget at a sufficient level to maintain the integrity of this
precious resource. Due to the age of many of the sections of the shared-use path
network, many areas need repaving and/or crack filling and are becoming unsafe.
10. North/south pedestrian-activated, crossing lights should be installed at the intersection
where crosswalks are painted at Dorset St. to cross from Healthy Living to Trader Joe's
on the east side of Dorset Street and from the former Sears Auto Center building to the
Chipotle building on west side of Dorset St.
11. Install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at the 3 new Hinesburg Road
crosswalks at Ruth Street, Prouty Parkway and the Awasiwi Trail as the current
crosswalk design is dangerous for bicyclists, pedestrians and school and GMT bus riders.
The RRFBs were included in the FY22 CIP project description and would be funded 100%
using Penny for Path funding. As an interim step, The City could install retro-reflective
pole strips down the current crosswalk signposts as Shelburne has done on many of
Draft
their crosswalk signs. This should include the crosswalk signs at St. Vianney Church
where VTrans had recommended such a strip installation when the City requested
approval of the above 3 crosswalks. Please note that the Prouty Parkway crosswalk is a
crucial link in the Committee’s Greenway/Safe Routes to School circuit.
12. Improve shared-use path and sidewalk lighting throughout City including on Dorset
Street and Kennedy Drive. The Committee has noted that vehicle lanes appear
illuminated but the shared-use paths along Dorset and Kennedy are dark. City should
evaluate the existing system in terms of documenting whether fixtures illuminate the
bike and pedestrian infrastructure (angle of illumination) at the same time minimizing
light pollution as much as possible.
13. The next time the Kimball Avenue fog lines are painted, the vehicle lanes should be
reduced to 11’ from 12’ so that the bike lanes can be widened from 4’ to 5’. The speed
limit should also be reduced to 35mph.
14. A raised crosswalk be used at the Nowland Farm Road entrance to Hubbard Park and
speed bumps be added upon approach from east and west before reaching the
crosswalk. Other traffic calming enhancement should be added along the full length of
Nowland Farm Road.
15. The City deploy each year a minimum of 8 vertical, in-road "It’s the law, Yield to
Pedestrian" signs at some of the City's most dangerous crosswalks and at the first
crosswalks that non-residents encounter as they enter the City. This should include the
crosswalks at the northernmost Spear Street crossing at the western end of the new
UVM sidewalk, Spear Street at Nowland Farm Rd/Deerfield Rd, Dorset Street and
Midland Avenue, and on Patchen Road and Airport Parkway.
16. The City adopt an Ordinance to prohibit the use of fully autonomous vehicles (AV)
within the City boundaries to be reassessed periodically as the technology develops.
Fully self-driving vehicles or Level 5 AVs, are designed for travel without a human
operator, using a combination of sophisticated AI software, LiDAR, and RADAR sensing
technology. This technology continues to develop in the hope of making “driverless”
vehicles better and safer. See related article at
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/dangers-driverless-cars.
SOUTH BURLINGTON
BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE
MISSION AND DUTIES
1. The South Burlington Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee shall consist of seven to
nine members, duly appointed by the City Council for three-year renewable
terms, with the appointments staggered so that not more than three appointed
terms expire in any one year.
2. The Mission of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee is to advocate for the City’s
bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure including new and existing shared-use paths,
sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks and trails and advise the City Council of bicycle
and pedestrian policy and safety issues, operational needs and future development
plans for the City’s bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
3. The Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee shall annually elect a Chairperson, Vice
Chairperson, and Clerk.
4. Meetings shall be held at the discretion of the Committee. The Committee shall
establish a regular meeting schedule, and when a deviation from the regular
schedule is required, shall post public notice of the meeting in accordance with
general City procedures.
5. Meetings are subject to the Open Meeting Law. Meetings shall have a proposed
agenda published in advance of each meeting. Minutes of each meeting shall be
recorded and maintained. A designated staff liaison shall be assigned to support
assist the Committee’s work and to organize and run its regular meetings to
ensure compliance with Vermont’s Open Meeting Law. and shall attend each
meeting.Thise liaison shall be the sole point of contact to the City’s professional
staff resources and may communicate with and utilizewith additional professional
staff expertise as needed reasonably available to support the Committee’s work.
A representative from City staff shall attend each meeting of the Committee; other
City staff shall attend as requested by the Committee.
6. Duties of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee are:
a. Develop and recommend to the City Council rules and regulations for the
operation of the City’s bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in accordance
with existing ordinances and policies. The Committee shall develop and
propose new and/or revised ordinances and regulations as needed.
b. Keep the City Council informed on the operation of the bicycle and
pedestrian infrastructure through published minutes and attendance at
appropriate meetings.
c. Make recommendations to the Public Works Department of the City for
bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure maintenance needs, and meet
quarterly with the Director of Public Works or their designee.
d. Make recommendations to the Police Department of the City for bicycle
and pedestrian infrastructure security and safety needs.
e. Make recommendations concerning the annual Capital Improvement
Program (CIP) budget for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
f. Prepare and submit to the City an annual operations report suitable for
inclusion in the Annual City Report.
g. Provide support for studies related to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
as requested.
h. Review all proposed developments and zoning changes which come
before the Development Review Board and/or the Planning Commission
for the impact upon the City’s bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Meet
with developers and City staff and make recommendations as is
appropriate in accordance with City Council, Development Review Board
and Planning Commission policy.
Adopted XX/XX/2022 by City Council
104 Landfill Road, South Burlington, VT 05403 www.southburlingtonvt.gov tel 802.658.7961
To: South Burlington Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee
From: Erica Quallen, Deputy Director of Capital Projects and Staff Liaison
Date: September 14, 2022
Re: DPW Updates to Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee
Since our committee meeting on August 10, 2022, I have the following updates to report on behalf of Public
Works and City staff:
• The tree root obstruction on the shared use path on Nowland Farm Road has been repaired. This
work was undertaken by DPW staff and was completed in 1 week for a cost of $4,300, not
including labor ($1,300 materials, $3,000 equipment usage, 92 hours labor). This work is being
paid for through the maintenance line item in the FY23 budget.
• The failing section of shared use path between Stonehedge Drive and Szymanski Park has been
repaired in conjunction with a previously planned stormwater project at this location. The bike
path has been repaved over a new section of drainage pipe to avoid future damage to the path and
has been shifted to avoid conflicts with a large tree in the area. This work (in addition to the
stormwater work) lasted for 2 weeks and was completed through a work order on the existing
project and cost approximately $29,000. This work is being paid for through the maintenance line
item in the FY23 budget.
• A multi-site crosswalk scoping study with Hoyle Tanner through the CCRPC’s UPWP program has
begun. The potential crossing locations being studied are Dorset Street & Songbird Road, Dorset
Street & Nicklaus Court, Spear Street & Pheasant Way, and Hinesburg Road & Dubois
Drive/Butler Rd.
• DPW staff is planning to restripe crosswalks ranked 3 on the crosswalk inventory through the end
of fall.
• The second public meeting/workshop for the I-89 bike/ped bridge was held on August 31st and the
project design team is now moving into conceptual design of a preferred concept which will be
presented to the public on October 13th and then brought to Council for approval on November 7th.
Updates and all project materials can be found at:
https://www.southburlingtonvt.gov/residents/city_center_tif_district/east-west-crossing.php
Updated on 8/28/22
1
Suggested Updates to be Made to the P4P FY24-33 CIP Project Listing
(Drafted by Bob Britt on 8/23/22– needs further full Committee input)
Remove:
• Kennedy Drive/Twin Oaks Terrace – project complete
• Shelburne Road Crosswalk Improvement (at QCP Road) – completed by VTrans
• Crosswalk at Shelburne Road/Brewer Parkway – completed by VTrans
• City Rec Path Wayfinding Project – expected to be completed in FY23(?) Check with Nic.
• Crosswalk at Patchen Road and Jaycee Park – expected to be completed in FY23(?)
Additional Projects to be Listed (Timing and Cost TBD):
• Crosswalk and RRFBs: at the intersection of Hinesburg Road and Wright Court
• Shared-use Path: To connect the Spear Meadows Development to the Swift Street share-use
path network – (i.e., Spear Street Bike/Ped Improvements (Phase 2)
• Shared-use Path: To connect Swift Street Extension to Hinesburg Road, Landon Road, or Fox
Run Lane – City envisions that landowner will build as part of their development and, therefore,
Planning Department did not want this listed for the FY23-32 CIP – need to understand this
better. This is consistent as we do not list the various O’Brien Shared-use paths. But should
we?
• Sidewalk: Three short sections of sidewalk on Williston Road of 500, 850 and 370ft = 1720ft
create gaps in the full length of sidewalk east of the end of Kennedy Drive in front of Manny's
Auto body, Vibrant Church, and PJ Mazda.
• Sidewalk and Crosswalk: A 900ft gap in the sidewalk is missing on the north side of Kimball
Ave from the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Building east to a spot across from the start of the
shared-use path at Technology Park. A crosswalk is also needed across Kimball Ave.
• Sidewalk: parallel to Red Rocks Park on Central Avenue from end of sidewalk near Queen City
Park Road to Maple Ave. (Perhaps this should be a Parks & Recreation Department CIP project)
(Not sure when the City should list a project for building of a Shared Use path on Route 116/Hinesburg
Road from Kennedy Drive out to the new entrance of the Cider Mill Development Phase 2 – perhaps
list it for FY33 for $3MM.)
Updated on 8/28/22
2
Projects from FY23 or Prior Not Needing Listing in FY24-33 CIP – Just a reminder of unspent P4P
funds that were authorized to be spent in prior years:
• RRFBs: Hinesburg Road RRFBs at Ruth Street, Prouty Parkway and the Awasiwi Trail crosswalks.
Perhaps install retro-reflective post strips as an interim step.
• Solid Barrier: Fencing, guardrail, or other solid barrier on east side of Dorset Street between
roadway and shared-use path from Faith United Church to 1 Kennedy Drive driveway.
• Crosswalk: At Patchen Road and Jaycee Park – Unsure if this needs to be listed if it is planned
to get constructed by DPW in FY23.
• Wayfinding: Unsure if the City Rec Path Wayfinding needs to be listed if the signs are planned
to be installed by the Rec Dept/DPW in FY23.
• Also: See the FY23 column of the FY23-32 Cip Project Listing to determine which project should
be moved forward to FY24 if there is insufficient capacity to complete them in the balance of
FY23 which ends on June 30, 2023.
Project Description Review from FY23-32 CIP:
• Williston Road Crosswalk Locations – The note listed under Status says that to get the $110K
grant, the 2 of the 3 crosswalks must be completed by the end of 2022. An extension may be
needed. It should be noted that the crosswalk to the trail just west of Mills Avenue was the
highest priority crosswalk of the 2016 Chamberlain Neighborhood Study. Also, considering the
cost of the Kennedy Drive crosswalk, the budget should be increase by at least $200K.
• S. Dorset Street Shared Use Path – Update location in Description to read … at Sadie Lane (at
former Hoehn Property). Confirm Status and Budget.
• Crosswalk at Dorset Street/Songbird Road – makes no sense to scope this crosswalk if not done
already. Just have City/design firm follow VTrans rules in its design. [Note: On 8/26/22, Erica
said that this crosswalk along with the Patchen Road/Jaycee Park, Dorset/Nicklaus and South
Pointe/Spear crosswalks are being scoped together by the CCRPC and may be bid out as one
project. The scoping project provides “warrants” to help justify the need for these
crosswalks.]
• Crosswalk at Patchen Road and Jaycee Park – if this project needs to be listed in FY24, the name
should be changed to “Crosswalk Across Patchen Road to Jaycee Park”. [See Erica’s previous
comment in bold type above]
• Spear Street Bike/Ped Improvements (Phase 1) – The Status box says the project will be
constructed in FY24/25, yet the budget shows construction going into FY26. These should be
aligned.
• Kimball Ave Shared Use Path (Phase 2) – update as needed from scoping report – cost may be
low depending on how it will cross the Potash Brook. Make sure description includes that this
path will cross the Potash Brook.
Updated on 8/28/22
3
• Crosswalk at Spear Street at Pheasant Way/South Pointe – This project includes building a
sidewalk on the west side of Spear street from the end of the sidewalk on Pheasant Way south
to align with the South Pointe sidewalk for the installation of the crosswalk. It makes no sense
to scope this project, waste of time and money. Just hire a design firm to design it in
accordance with VTrans rules. The design firm’s drawings/narrative can be used to seek grant
funding. [See Erica’s previous comment in bold type above]
• Airport Parkway Phase 1 – no changes unless City Council decided to fund with ARPA funds.
• Hinesburg Rd Shared Use Path – update title of project to say “(Williston Rd. to Kennedy)” so as
not to mislead Southeast Quadrant residents. No other changes unless City Council decided to
fund with ARPA funds.
• Allen Rd Bike/Ped Improvements (Lower) – I believe the City and Committee had agreed to
installing a narrow, asphalt shared-use path as a compromise due to topography of this section
of Allen Road. The budget also seems a little low.
• Crosswalk at Dorset Street/Nicklaus Circle – this project includes a sidewalk to connect the
neighborhood to the driveway of the water tower and a crosswalk across Dorset to Park Road.
Again, makes no sense to scope this project, waste of time and money. Just hire a design firm
to design it in accordance with VTrans rules. The design firm’s drawings/narrative can be used
to seek grant funding. [See Erica’s previous comment in bold type above]
• Crosswalk at Hinesburg Road and Dubois Drive/Butler Drive – Again, makes no sense to scope
this project, waste of time and money. Just hire a design firm to design it in accordance with
VTrans rules.
• Queen City Park Road Bike/Ped Improvements – The “Status” box needs to be updated based
on the progress of the Scoping Study. The Scoping now recommends that a Shared-use Path be
constructed on the south side of the full length of QCPR to Central Avenue. The budget should
be increased using more grant funding expected due to bridge and increased costs of building a
shared-use path. Probably $900K.
• Shelburne Road Shared Use Path – no changes
• Airport Parkway Phase 2 – no changes
BURLINGTON BURLINGTONESSEX
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Map 12
Land Use Planning Areas
Comprehensive Plan
City of South Burlington, VT
DRAFT October 2015
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Contact GIS@sburl.com with questions
Planning Areas
Northeast Quadrant
Northwest Quadrant
Central District
Southeast Quadrant
Southwest Quadrant