Session 06-02 a meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Marquardt at 5:38 p.m. on April 11, 2006 at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Kurt Marquardt, Steve Smith, Fred Pfeil, Doug Stark

ABSENT: Michael Yourkowski

STAFF: Deputy City Clerk Johnson

Public Works Director Meyer

AGENDA APPROVAL

SMITH/PFEIL – MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

SYNOPSIS APPROVAL

A. February 7, 2006 Synopsis

The synopsis was approved by consensus of the Committee.

Chair Marquardt explained tonight’s meeting was scheduled following the request of Parks and Recreation Advisory Commissioner Lou Stewart to present information on subdivision standards.

PFEIL/SMITH – MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO HEAR INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS ITEM A PRIOR TO NEW BUSINESS.

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

PENDING BUSINESS

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

A. Resolution 06-36(A) Restructuring the Road Standards

Committee

Discussion on renaming the Road Standards Committee began about two years ago. Because the committee is all encompassing, providing input on more than just roads, the name change was formalized with Resolution 06-36(A). The resolution names the positions of committee members and their terms. Councilman Doug Stark explained he was newly appointed to fill the City Council representative position formerly held by Mike Yourkowski, as that position expired this month. Public Works Director Carey Meyer added that the restructure of the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) opens the door for the committee to be involved in more transportation issues.

Doug Stark excused himself at 5:55 p.m. due to a prior commitment.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Subdivision Standards – Sidewalks, Trails and Road Width

1. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting

Minutes February 16 and March 16, 2006

Lou Stewart, city resident and Parks and Recreation Advisory Commissioner, explained he was not able to attend last month’s Parks and Recreation meeting. In reading the minutes of the March meeting there were no new discussions on subdivision standards. Over the last couple of months the commission has been working to amend the wording in Titles 11, 21 and 22 to implement the Homer Non Motorized Transportation and Trails Plan (HNMTTP). The intent is to improve streets, sidewalks, and pedestrian walkways, making connections to the present sidewalk infrastructure. It would make Homer a more pedestrian friendly town. A group called the CoHOSTS has been formed and is working on implementing the trail system. Planning Technician Julie Engebretsen prepared a draft Ordinance outlining changes in Titles 11, 21 and 22 to include the HNMTTP.

Chair Marquardt called for a recess at 6:04 p.m. to acquire the draft Ordinance and resumed the meeting at 6:14 p.m. Draft Ordinance 06- was given to committee members for review.

Steve Smith noted reference to the historical access routes contained in the Ordinance. He explained there is no prescriptive on any trail until a judge declares it. In legal terms you can have all the original trails you want, yet if a property owner says you cannot use one as a historical trail there is no way to resolve it except with a judge. Public Works Director Meyer said some historical trails are identified in the HNMTTP and if they are on the map they are easier to enforce. Mr. Smith said that is meaningless, as if you look into everything recorded with the state, there is no reference to trails. In order to satisfy a prescriptive easement the used trail access must be open and notorious and not have been challenged in the last ten years (or a set amount of time). Evidence is presented and a judge issues a decree granting prescriptive easement.

Mr. Stewart explained the rough draft ordinance was put together by Planning Technician Engebretsen in December 2005 and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission has had a couple discussions about it. The historical trails references were removed from the proposed ordinance before it was forwarded to the Homer Advisory Planning Commission (HAPC). Mr. Stewart said a committee is being formed to revise the Comprehensive Plan and he hopes the codes in Titles 21 and 22 will be discussed.

Mr. Smith asked Public Works Director Meyer how he envisioned tackling the subdivision standards. The city could adopt the standards and require a sidewalk or detached pathway that would allow pedestrians to get from one side of the street to the other. Mr. Meyer said it helps to have things codified as it is easier for the HAPC to take a stand if it is in code. Mr. Smith said pedestrian access through any future subdivision should be required of the subdivider.

Mr. Meyer referenced Foothills subdivision where staff required curb and gutter and sidewalks on one side of Fairview and a widened pavement section. A compromise was struck that required walking corridors along the back lot line. He liked the idea of the agreement, as not every road needs a curb and gutter and sidewalk. There should be pedestrian access corridors within all the new subdivisions. Mr. Meyer said the proposed ordinance inserts terminology into Titles 11, 22, and 23, without specifying a need for more trails or pedestrian corridors than there were before. It provides the terminology that is consistent with the HNMTTP and will add the wording to the Homer City Code to allow for enforcement.

Mr. Smith asked what will happen to the HARP (Homer Accelerated Roads Program) process, as that money is used for roads. Mr. Meyer said all road LID’s (Local Improvement District) must have pedestrian facilities. There have not been any new LID’s since the adoption of the HNMTTP. Mr. Smith said it is hard to apply a standard to a side hill community when development has happened in different times and densities. When the western corridor is developed it will be good to have places for pedestrians. Developers will no longer be able to build substandard roads or trails, leaving it up to the community to build later. It is the teeth the HAPC and staff need. Mr. Smith said it would be good to tackle the subdivision standards in a series of meetings to allow for recommendations about each piece.

Chair Marquardt proposed the committee begin the process at the next meeting and deal with the non motorized transportation needs as they relate to the existing code. The TAC and HAPC will be doing their jobs properly if they review changes to existing code as unique to their perspective. It is doubtful the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, the HAPC and the TAC can come to a comprehensive agreement, but each can provide input to the City Council and they can make the decisions. After a few meetings the Council can have everyone’s draft ordinance passed to each committee.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 16, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. Agenda items will include Ord 06- draft - non motorized access routes; and Town Center corridors – modeled extension recommendations in approved Transportation Plan.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. in Cowles Council Chambers.

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JO JOHNSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

Approved: __________________________