City of Homer
Planning & Zoning Telephone (907)
235-3106
491 East Pioneer Avenue Fax (907) 235-3118
Homer, Alaska 99603-7645 E-mail Planning@ci.homer.ak.us
Web
Site www.ci.homer.ak.us
M E M O R A N D U M
05-111(A)
TO: MAYOR HORNADAY AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL
THRU: WALT WREDE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: BETH MCKIBBEN, CITY PLANNER
DATE: May 26, 2005
SUBJECT: DRAFT-2001 Transportation Plan, Updated
2004/5.
The City contracted in 2001 to develop a Homer Area Transportation
Plan. This plan was never adopted by
the City Council. Last fall the City
Council directed the Road Standards Committee to review the plan created by the
consultant, and recommend any changes.
Planning and Public Works staff worked with the Road Standards Committee
in reviewing the plan. The draft update
incorporates the changes proposed by the Road Standards Committee. The Committee forwarded their work to the
City Council.
The City Council has directed the Planning Commission to
review the draft plan. The Commission
received a copy of the draft plan at the September 1, 2004 meeting.
Homer City Code 1.76.030 requires the Homer Advisory
Planning Commission to develop, adopt, alter or revise, subject to approval by
the Council a master plan for the physical development of the City. Such master plan with accompanying maps,
plats, charts, descriptive and explanatory matter, shall show the Commission’s
recommendations for the development of the City territory, and may include,
among other things:
Development of the type, location and sequence of all public
improvements,
The relocation, removal, extension or change of buildings,
properties and utilities,
The general extent and location of rehabilitation areas.
The Commission held numerous work sessions on the draft
plan, working with staff and concerned residents of the Mountainview
neighborhood. Two public hearings were
held in December 2004 and January 5, 2005.
Following are specific amendments agreed to by the Planning Commission over
the course of the two public hearings and numerous worksessions and meetings.
Executive summary – page I_1 second paragraph – Homer population 2004 _ 5,332
Page I_3 first paragraph to be amended to read as follows:
The Homer Area 2001 Transportation Plan was produced to be a
comprehensive transportation_planning tool for the City of Homer. Additionally, the Non_Motorized Trails and
Transportation Plan should be considered a companion document to the Transportation
Plan, as it is the City of Homer’s policy document for comprehensive long_range
non_motorized transportation and trails system.
Page I_3 third paragraph to be amended as follows:
The 2001 Draft Transportation Plan was completed but not
adopted. In Fall 2003 the City of Homer Road Standards Committee began
reviewing the goals, objectives and recommendations of the 2001 Draft
Transportation Plan. The Homer Advisory
Planning Commission took up discussion of the Draft Transportation following
the Road Standards Committee. This plan
reflects the plan as recommended by the Planning Commission.
Page I_3 fourth paragraph to be amended as follows:
The Road Standards Committee and the Homer Advisory Planning
Commission further recommend that where ever this plan recommends signalization,
alternatives such as roundabouts be seriously considered.
Page I_18 add new section 3. 3 Mitigation Funding to read as
follows:
The City of Homer currently requires projects that may
increase traffic significantly to complete a traffic impact analysis
(TIA). The TIA may require mitigation
projects to alleviate the impacts expected from the increased traffic. Funding from these projects can be
designated to supplement or fully fund specific projects. These might include traffic calming techniques
and devices, alternative access, by_pass routes or rapid transit/shuttle
services. Funding for sidewalks, trails
or alternative transportation opportunities may be a condition identified as a
mitigation activity if a required TIA warrants.
Page I_20 –correct goal four to remove the extra
“progression”.
Page I_21 objective 5 to be amended to read as follows:
This plan shall determine if there are traffic advantages
for new corridors. Advantages will be
measured by the change in percent volume reduction on other roadways.
Page I_21 objective 11 – end sentence after reconstruction
projects. Add language to read as
follows:
The East End Road bike trail will lead to a dramatic
increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic along the north side of East End
Road. Safe pedestrian and bicycle
crossings will be needed to allow trail users to cross to the south side of
East End Road at appropriate locations.
Page I_21 new objective added to read as follows:
Criteria for street design will be developed so that “local”
roads are neither over_nor under designed for their uses and community
context. Local roads and their
rights_of_way and radii (curb, turning, and center lane) will be no wider than
necessary to meet neighborhood needs for access and safety and will be designed
to calm vehicular traffic (e.g. reduce vehicles speeds to 25 mph or less). Subdivision standards for residential areas
will be revisited to include traffic calming techniques such as narrower roads
to encourage slower traffic movement.
Page I_21 new objective added to read as follows:
Areas used intensively by pedestrians, such as the Homer
Spit, will be considered for additional traffic calming measures.
Page I_26 2nd paragraph in section 6.2 last sentence amended
to read as follows :
They found that signalization, or other means of traffic
control is warranted, even in the lower volume winter season.
Page I_31 add new bullet under Improvement Alternatives
Implementation of Non_Motorized Transportation and Trails Plan
Page I_32 amend third paragraph to read as follows:
The modern roundabout should be considered as a traffic
mitigating solution at any intersection where traffic flow is a concern. Many communities are turning to roundabouts
as a solution to their traffic problems, and numerous studies show them to have
a superior safety record [and reduced construction] and maintenance
costs to intersections with signals or stop signs. The modern roundabout increases capacity and improves traffic
flow, and is easily negotiated by large trucks and RV's. In addition, studies have shown that
pedestrian safety increases due to increased driver awareness and slower
speeds. Homer is a perfect candidate
for the modern roundabout given the seasonal fluctuation of the number of
vehicles on our roads. In conclusion,
there will be less wait_time, (leading to a higher level of service), more
efficient fuel usage, fewer accidents, decreased costs, and better traffic flow
by employing the modern roundabout. For
more information, please refer to www.alaskaroundabout.com. The Homer Planning
Commission recommends the modern roundabout be utilized as a replacement for
signalization at any intersection where traffic flow is considered a problem. Any
proposed roundabouts should accommodate the largest form of transportation
traditional to the intersection.
Page I_32 insert new paragraph after the third paragraph to
read as follows:
In addition to roundabouts the Homer Planning Commission
recommends that other alternatives to signalization also be considered, such as
a one_way couplet. (Figure….). One_way couplets are designed so that
traffic flow is maximized and circulates traffic as blood circulates through
the body, in one_way streams. This
means stops are minimized. [For example
this concept could route traffic into one_way patterns along the following
streets:
East on
Sterling Highway starting at Pioneer Avenue intersection
· North on
Lake Street starting at the Sterling Highway intersection
· West along
Pioneer Avenue.
Traffic traveling on the Sterling Highway would continue
without stopping at the Pioneer Avenue and Lake Street intersection turning
either north or south on Lake Street. Traffic coming north on the two_way
portion of Lake Street from Ocean Drive would merge into the one_way portion.
At Pioneer Avenue and the Sterling Highway intersection, no stop would be
required for a right_hand turn to head north. A left_hand turn would return
onto the one_way portion of the Sterling Highway. Left hand turns would be with
traffic eliminating across traffic turns. Heath Street, Main Street, and
Greatland Street would be two_way connectors. Left hand turns on these
connectors additionally would be with traffic, again eliminating across traffic
turns.
The figure to be amended to take out street names and
labeled as “Example Only”.]
Page I_33 add new bullet under Corridor Improvements
Consider implementing the recommendations of the
Non_Motorized Transportation and Trails Plan, thereby reducing vehicular
traffic.
Page I_35 bullet discussing Heath Street extension amended
to read as follows:
The route for the proposed extension will extend Heath
Street north and then east to East Hill Road.
The Planning Commission recommends that if the Heath Street extension is
developed, Mountain View Drive and Elderberry Court be converted to one way
east only from Kachemak Way to Heath Street.
This will reduce the possibility for these streets becoming impacted
with excess traffic. Alternatively,
Mountain View and Elderberry could be maintained as dead end streets, the goal
being to maintain the area as a quiet, pedestrian friendly neighborhood,
discouraging or not allowing through traffic.
Page I_35 bullet discussing Poopdeck Trail amended to read
as follows:
Poopdeck Trial reconstructed as a road. Should traffic conditions warrant the
development of Poopdeck Road it will be developed with a separated pedestrian
pathway.
Page I_ 35 bullet discussing Greatland Street amended as
follows:
The proposed route will intersect Pioneer Avenue at
Bartlett. The Planning Commission
recommends that if Greatland Street is extended to Pioneer Avenue that it be a
right turn only intersection, reducing the backup of traffic trying to cross
Pioneer Avenue. This will keep traffic
entering Pioneer Avenue separated from the Bartlett Street intersection. It should be noted this recommendation will
conflict with the proposed one_way couplet.
Page I_35 bullet discussing Fairview west to Fairview
amended to read as follows:
This route will include traffic calming techniques.[which
will maintain the neighborhood character and not encourage through
traffic].
Page I_35 after recommendations of the Road Standards
Committee add a new section to read as follows:
The Planning Commission recommends that before the Heath
Street extension is developed other improvements, such as but not limited to,
intersection improvements at East Hill and East End Road be considered.
The Planning Commission further recommends the
development of safe pedestrian/bicyclist crossings across East End Road
[shall be developed] at Paul Banks Elementary School and on the route to
Jack Gist Park. In addition, a crossing
[shall] should be provided near Rochelle or Sabrina Road
to promote safe travel between neighborhoods south of East End Road and the
bike trail to the north.
Page I_37 add to the end of section 7.3 the following:
In some instances, benefits to traffic, pedestrians,
bicyclists, and/or emergency vehicles will warrant connecting two or more
collector streets via a route that functionally transforms a local street into
an actual or potential thoroughfare.
(The effect of the proposed Heath Street extension on Mountain View Dr.
would be an example.) Wherever a proposed connection of this type elicits
concerns from potentially affected residents, the city will initiate a
“neighborhood_driven design” process to evaluate the proposal. All decisions concerning the proposed
connection will be made through this process.
Once
concern from affected residents has indicated the need for a
“neighborhood_driven design” process, the city will initiate the following
steps:
·
Contact in writing all residents of affected local streets to explain
the proposed connection and the “neighborhood_driven design” process.
·
Schedule a meeting between city representative(s) and neighborhood
representatives to begin the process of documenting all concerns (on all sides)
and brainstorming ways to address these.
·
Meet as appropriate to resolve concerns. Solutions may involve eliminating or re_routing the connection,
designing the connection using one or more “traffic calming” approaches, one_way
streets, or opening the connection only in emergencies (e.g., via locked
bollards).
·
Throughout the process, document discussions and post this and other
useful information on the city’s website.
·
Notify affected residents in writing of all decisions reached.
Page I_37 Add new section 7.5 to read as follows:
Any upgrade in streets, culverts and bridges (new and old)
will be designed to accommodate the 1% flood event. Any upgrades in streets, culverts and bridges will be designed to
protect or minimize adverse impacts of flooding or erosion to neighboring
properties or resources.
Page I_37 –Amend next to last sentence in section 8.1 to
read as follows:
Changing Poopdeck to a roadway, with a separated path, and
extension of Heath Street also provides considerable circulation benefits.
Appendix C and D – map titles to be more descriptive.
Attached map illustrated one_way couplet concept as
identified in the amendment for page I_32.
This will need a title for final printing.
Recommendation:
The Homer Advisory Planning Commission recommends the Homer
City Council include the amendments in a revised draft of the Transportation
Plan, hold a public hearing, adopt the plan and forward to the Kenai Peninsula
Borough for adoption as an update to the Comprehensive Plan.
