2003-01-22-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

PLANNING BOARD MIKUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 22, 2003 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room 1.27, Clarke Middle School convened at 6:00 p.m. Present were Chairman Galaitsis with members Chase, Davies, Harden, Kastorf and planning staff Garber, McCall- Taylor, Tap and Machek. Also present were members of the Transportation Element Advisory Group and other interested parties: Ms. Wendy Manz, Mrs. Elaine Dratch, Ms. Mary Jo Bohart, Mr. Jerrold Van Hook, Ms, Gail Wagner, Mr. Richard Canale, Mr. Julian Bussgang, Mr. Ed Grant, Mr. Larry BeIvin, Mr. Peter Nichols, Mr. Charles Kalauskas, and Mr. Michael Young. Representing the Bicycle Advisory Committee were Mr. Stewart Kennedy and Mrs. Marita Hartshorn. From Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc, consultants to the Transportation Element, were Mr. Steve O'Neill and Mr. Howard Muise. COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING Transportation Element Fifth Workshop: Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Pro am, Final Land Use /Transportation Policies Mr. O'Neill made a PowerPoint presentation about planning for the bicycle and pedestrian mode. Beginning with the benefits of bicycle travel and the objectives of a bicycle network, he went on to describe what is in a bicycle network "toolbox": shared use paths, bicycle lanes, roadway corridor improvements, and developing a plan. He emphasized the 3Es— Education, Encouragement and Enforcement—as essential to the success of a bicycle /pedestrian network. The slides further detailed ways to plan and implement a network. Mr. O'Neill urged the group to adopt guidelines that would be used to guide coherent implementation as opportunities arise. Mr. Jerrold Van. Hook, Bicycle Advisory Committee, and Ms. Elizabeth Machek, planning intern, presented a slide show detailing the Committee's efforts to create a safe walking and bicycling environment for school children. But safety was not their only concern: environmental and public health. issues are high on their list of problems that walking and cycling can improve. Using the results of the committee's survey of school children and their families, Mr. Van Hook showed that 62 percent of the respondents would choose walking or cycling as their preferred mode of travel to school if conditions were right. Barriers to walking or cycling included fear of strangers, the lack of sidewalks and traffic, among others. The presentation went on to list safe routes to school strategies, including the "walking school bus ", illustrated by a brief film shown earlier in the meeting. .Mr. Van Hook and Ms. Machek made a second presentation showing where sidewalks exist in Lexington and where they might best be added for a workable network. The committee's general recommendations for the comprehensive plan were: • Confirm and support a town -wide bicycle network • Adopt town -wide bicycle and sidewalk standards and policies • Develop prioritization strategies for sidewalk improvements • Develop town -wide safe routes to school program • Pursue 3E programs in support of walking and bicycling More specific items were also listed on the slides. Group discussion followed. Ms. Chase thanked the Bicycle Advisory Committee and Ms. Machek for their efforts to produce this information. She noted that the elderly also need safe routes to their destinations. Mr. Kastorf expressed his strong support of the Bicycles Committee's objectives and recommendations, which he would like to see incorporated into the transportation element. Mrs. Marita Hartshorn explained the importance of easements across private and public land for access to a path network. She asked if the Bicycle Advisory Committee could be added to the list of committees who are copied on planning department requests for review of subdivision plans.