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Public Works Dept. |
Memo
To: Mike Wildgen
cc: David Corliss, Debbie Van Saun, Terese Gorman, and David Woosley
From: Chuck Soules
Date: April 20, 2004
Re: Folks Road Alignment
On November 25, 2003 the City Commission approved Resolution 6512 directing the improvements of Folks Road from 6th Street to Mulberry with the following directions:
1. Folks Road is a collector street which will connect through from 6th Street to Mulberry Drive.
2. Bike lanes and sidewalks will be established on both sides.
3. A northbound left turn lane will be installed at 6th Street.
4. A traffic calming plan will be established. Various devices such as narrowing of the street width at Mulberry, speed cushions, neighborhood entrance treatment, traffic circle at Old Oak Court, and an alignment offset would be evaluated.
5. Adjacent owners and the Harvard Road neighbors would provide input into the design.
On January 21, 2004 the City Commission approved the selection of the Peridian Group to provide the design for Folks Road. On April 5 and April 8, the Peridian Group, City Staff and property owners within the benefit district discussed the four following options:
Option 1: Includes two speed cushions between the McVey and Mayhugh properties and the Pinnacle (Stephens) and Hodges properties. The entrance treatment at Mulberry contains an island narrowing the lanes to 12 ft. and a “speed pillow” in each lane. Mulberry is a 31 ft. wide street and Folks Road north to 6th Street will have bike lanes and be 36 ft. wide. Therefore, a slight narrowing will be exaggerated with small shrubs following the narrowing behind the curb. The speed cushions are placed approximately 400 ft. apart.
All the owners of property within the benefit district (except the McVeys) preferred Option One. City Staff and the design consultant are also recommending Option One.
For the Commissions’ information, there are six property owners in the benefit district (based on square footage):
McVey 3.7%
Mayhugh 3.7%
Hodges 7.4%
Wright 3.7%
Consolidated Properties/ 76.2%
First Management
Pinnacle, L.C. 5.3%
The McVeys, Mayhughs, and Hodges have agreements with the City to defer any special assessments until such time as the property redevelops and the maximum assessments for these properties is limited to $7,500.
Option 2: Includes the same speed cushions, the neighborhood entrance, and adds the roundabout at the intersection of Old Oak Court. Staff’s review of this option was that the roundabout at this intersection was not warranted as the traffic on Old Oak Court would not be very significant. Secondly, the splitter islands proposed are very close to the taper for the left turn lane on 6th Street which could cause a problem if left turn stacking length was shortened to accommodate the island. Finally, none of the benefit district property owners liked this option.
Option 3: Includes same speed cushions (exact location may vary); however, entrance to the neighborhood is reduced to 23 ft. from back of curb to back of curb. An island would not fit and provide sufficient clearance. There was not much discussion on this option. The Fire Department prefers this option due to the fact of not having the island into the Harvard neighborhood. (Their second preference is Option 1.)
Option 4: Includes the speed cushions entrance treatment, and a “wiggle” in the alignment. The McVeys prefer this option, which places the street as far away from their home as possible.
The utility companies were contacted to see if this alignment would cause any problems. Most utilities will be relocating/upgrading their facilities anyway, and the “wiggle” would not affect their services. Since the valving and tee on 6th Street are already established on the west side of Folks the water main will be installed on the west side. If this alignment were selected, the water main would either be placed under the sidewalk or an additional utility easement would be needed. Placing the waterline under the sidewalk would require flowable fill for backfill at an additional cost of approximately $12,000 - $15,000.
The short distance will allow motorists a clear/open view of the road and since the offset is only 12 ft. (with a street width of 36 ft.), the “wiggle” will not provide any traffic calming effect.
Motorists’ expectation is for streets to be straight. While it would be illegal to cross the centerline, with an open view motorists may try to drive as straight as possible through this area. This action could increase conflicts and the potential for accidents.
In Option 1 the distance from the back of the curb to the front of the house is 65 ft. (The proposed right of way is 43 ft. from the front of the home.) Option 4 provides approximately an additional 12 ft. from the front of the house to the back of the curb. The required front yard setback for a residential development is 25 ft. from the right of way.
Finally, the Harvard Road neighborhood has had some e-mailing difficulties and a few may want to further discuss the options with the Commission. Of the ones providing an opinion, it is generally agreed that the entrance treatment with the island and speed cushions is desirable to slow traffic into the neighborhood. The neighbors are split on the inclusion of the “wiggle” of Option 4 but supportive of the Folks Road residents.
Upon final design selection by the City Commission, legal descriptions for right of way (property acquisition) will be developed. This process is anticipated to take approximately 90 days pending any condemnation proceedings. Construction plans will also be developed concurrent with this time frame.
If additional detail or information is needed, please let me know.
Action Requested: Provide direction for Staff to proceed with final design for Folks Road.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles F. Soules, P.E.
Director of Public Works
CFS/je
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