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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-06-WALKS-MINDraft - Apri16, 2009 Minutes of the Lexington Sidewalk Committee Attendance: members & liasons Suzie Barry, Wayne Brooks (DPW), Richard Canale (PB), Elaine Cheli(LPS transportation), Judy Crocker, John Davies, Lucy Fletcher-Jones, Jeanne Krieger (BOS), John Livsey (Engineering), Meg Lotz, Jerry Van Hook and community citizens Brian Adley, Carin Casey, Peter Gilman, Dana Hamm, .lane Kalinski, Ellie Muter, Madeline Pease, Jessie Steigerwald Attached documents: Hastings PTA Executive Committee letter LPS Hastings Principal letter Meeting minutes from March 2009 were approved with the additions as noted. Motion to accept by Judy Crocker and seconded by Lucy Fletcher-Jones. 1. Roosevelt Road's proposed sidewalk construction project was the first topic of discussion, where Chair Jerry Van Hook presented the Sidewalk Committee's (SWC) order of discussion points. These included A) brief proposal synopsis by Chair, B) Hasting PTA rep's comments, C) Wayne Brooks will outline the 3 considered plans and their costs, D) Inclusion of comments from abutter Monica Grewal, which were made by phone to Jerry just before the meeting E) John Livsey, Town Engineering and Wayne Brooks, DPW offer their comments on the various options based on their joint site visit, F) Public and abutters comments, G) A SWC vote on one of the options for sidewalk location unless there are compelling issues brought forward to delay such a committee vote. A) Chair Jerry Van Hook presented an overview of the proposal. The SWC was created in 2005. Its mission is to improve the safety and walking enjoyment of Lexington's citizens. The SWC's early emphasis involved the development of a town-wide Safe Route to School (SRTS) program. 400 foot long Roosevelt Rd is a primary street in the egress from the Hastings School. It runs from Wilson Rd to School St. With regards to the SRTS program, it was rated first in terms of the priority list for problem areas in the Hastings district. In 2007-8, the SWC was called upon to create a resolution to the question of which side of Roosevelt Rd a new sidewalk should be constructed. Realizing that a new sidewalk is very costly to the Committee's budget, in the summer of 2008, Wayne Brooks reviewed the different possibilities available and suggested the South side of the road. His reasoning was the lower cost due to no construction obstructions (telephone poles, trees, and fire hydrants). In October 2008, resident Dana Hamm addressed the SWC with a petition (less than 20 signatures) that endorsed the following: 1) no sidewalk was needed and 2) if a sidewalk is constructed, the South side of Roosevelt is a poor choice. The SWC held a public forum in October 2008 with the Hastings community in order to receive their feedback on the issue. At this time, the Hastings PTA submitted a petition with more than 80 names requesting a sidewalk be built on Roosevelt Rd. It did not specify which side of the road it is built. In March 2009, the Hastings PTA spoke with Wayne Brooks, DPW and John Livsey, Engineering, who then held a joint site visit. Speaking to the point of the October 2008 forum, Mr. Adley interjected that a school population is different from the general neighborhood. Judy Crocker reminded him that the SWCs mission involves all of the town's walkways, not just those focused around the schools. Each is an integral part of the other and neither can stand alone. Any proposed construction benefits the community as a whole. Mr. Adley spoke in favor of construction not taking place on the North side of the street. He mentioned the complication of a tree in the proposed sidewalk's right- of-way which holds sentimental value to its owner. Mr. Adley also cited the cost of relocating a fire hydrant and how a new sidewalk would greatly diminish the home 's apparent front yard dimensions. B) The Hastings PTA reps were not available so their comments were tabled until they arrived. C) Wayne Brooks, DPW outlined the 3 possible sidewalk construction options, endorsing the North side without the paper road. (1) South side -from School St to Ellison Rd to Wilson Rd (2) North side -from School St to Wilson Rd, bypassing the paper road. With numerous obstructions, the cost is estimated to add $15,000 to the project's cost. (3) North side -from School St to Wilson Rd, with a walkway connecting the paper road with Crosby Rd. The Hastings principal is against this plan, naming serious concerns over students crossing where the Hastings live drop-off area exists. The latter can not be changed. E) John Livsey, En in.~ Bering said that all options were viable. Both need a handicapped ramp cut. Higher cost is associated with more obstructions. While all plans are feasible, the South side is cheapest. He also mentioned that the ADA requirements allow a temporary reduction in sidewalk width to 36 inches where conditions require. Such a constriction would allow the sidewalk to pass between a large tree in the row and a utility pole, thereby saving cost by avoiding the need to either remove the tree or relocate the pole. (1) South side -This option has the least number of obstructions. The sidewalk would be pitched towards the street so there would be no drainage problems. (2) North side -One tree and fencing would have to be removed. A hydrant and shrub may have to be moved. The tree located near the utility pole can remain. Therefore, the tree and pole can stay. (3) North side with paper road -also feasible. 2 Mr. Van Hook noted that the construction to 36 inch sidewalk this sidewalk width is insufficient for a town sidewalk plow. Given the workload of plowing 60 miles of sidewalks in Lexington, one can not expect DPW personnel to hand shovel the snow at these constrictions and he appealed for residents to do this, considering the town snow plows the rest.. He hoped that the proper width of sidewalk would be restored once the tree did no longer exist. Lucy Fletcher-Jones inquired if the sidewalk on the South side would require a cross- walk at each intersection? Meg Lotz said no, TSAC has jurisdiction over these. The Hastings PTA had already tried that route. Mr. Adley stated that there would be some amount of street crossing by pedestrians, whichever side were chosen for the sidewalk. Mr. Adley stated his safety concerns. Raising 7 children through the Hastings School, he feels that the sidewalk construction is a convenience which might be safer for some people. The issue is the residential traffic picking-up their own kids at school. There is one deaf child and no School Zone signs in the area. He would rather see signage stating `No Parking within 20' of the crosswalk or intersection rather than spend the money on a new sidewalk. Meg Lotz stated that the Hastings PTA did ask TSAC for No Parking and Do Not Enter During School Hours signage, but to no avail. Jerry added that TSAC also said no to making Roosevelt Rd a one-way street at certain time periods. F) Comments Re a.~ rdin~ North /South side of the proposed sidewalk placement from community members were requested by Jerry. Mr. Adley spoke on how this issue pitted neighbor versus neighbor. He is concerned that loosing frontage on his house due to sidewalk construction will negatively affect his house value. He also mentioned drainage concerns, and that he did not want runoff water creating problems for his neighbors. He would prefer a less intrusive and restrictive solution. He also stated that it is not practical to have the DPW shoulder snow removal in the proposed constrictive segment of a proposed North side sidewalk. Madeline Pease prefers the South side for the proposed construction. Her concern is that people will walk diagonal on the street in order to gain access to the sidewalks, and not use the crosswalks, as she has observed is the present practice. She is also concerned that people will continue to walk on her property, as they presently do for people are looking to walk the shortest distance. She stated that she invites a sidewalk to be placed on her property. She is also still concerned with the parking situation on Roosevelt and Wilson. Peter Gilman asked why was Option 3 dismissed? He believes that it is most cost effective, and it is a level area. This way, only the fence on the corner of School St would have to be removed. Jerry reiterated that the Hastings School principal is concerned for this walkway would intersect with the school's drop-off area, and thusly would not be safe. Mr. Gilman responded that he is a crossing guard and the explanation makes no sense. He experiences more issues with failure to obey Stop signs. Mr. Adley stated that he also agrees with Plan C. It is the most visible path. He also would like to see No Parking signs on Roosevelt Rd. Mr. Hamm referred to the September 2007 SWC minutes. He questioned what happened to the proposed subcommittee to investigate making the road one-way. Meg Lotz responded that the police worked out a strategy with the principals and TSAC suggested more crossing guards. The problem appears to be that people walk in the street, not crossing the street. The subcommittee only addressed traffic around the school. The present policy in all LPS schools is that the child exits the school and comes to you; the parent does not enter to retrieve a child. It is a security policy. Jerry stated that between these security measures and more parents seeking alternative driving routes through our neighborhoods have resulted in more danger sto the overall school population. Each school has a different drop-off/pick-up pattern based on its geography. Mr. Hamm referred to the November 2008 minutes, where he questions if TSAC forms had been completed. Meg Lotz stated that she had filled out the TSAC forms many times. Jerry stated that he had spoken with TSAC. That body does not take on large issues. It felt that it was up to the PTA and School Committee to work out school traffic issues such as drop-off patterns. Mr. Hamm stated that there exist differences between the North and South sides of Roosevelt Rd. While agreeing with Mr. Adley in that this issue pits one neighbor against another, as a life long street resident he would like to see 1) a sidewalk on the North side, being open to the placement of sidewalks. However, if option C is voted on, he would rethink his response because then the property would be surrounded by sidewalks. 2) ask DPW how it would pitch the driveway to the street so that there would not be a larger burm that what already exists, 3) no neighborhood should be looking at personal interests, 4) the majority of kids cross in front of School St on the South side, and S) he has a right and ability to use his own property. John Livsey said he would do his best to keep water out of his driveway. He offered to meet with Mr. Hamm in order to discuss his concerns. 4 B) The Hastings School PTA representatives offered their views on the issue. Present were Karen Casey, Co-President Hastings PTA representing its Executive Board, Ellie Muter, Hastings parent and urban planning graduate student, and Jessie Steigerwald, TM pct 8 and Co-President Hastings PTA. Even though she is a School Committee member, she was not representing that committee at this time. They presented to the SWC a letter from the Hastings principal Louise Lipsitz and from the Hastings PTA Executive Board. See attached. Ms. Steigerwald also mentioned that the Hastings principal made a formal request to the LPD, but was told that the police did not deal with such matters. Parents along with staff members currently assist in traffic control and it is not a pleasant job. It is difficult when parents try to monitor other parents. .lane Kalinski, Hastings SRTS Coordinator, said of Plan c that the principal and Pat Goddard, Director of Facilities, said no due to poor site lines and the need for additional personnel to ensure the safe crossing of students in such a congested area. Jeanne Krieger suggested that the Board of Selectmen get TSAC to make a statement along with the LPD. G) Meg Lotz motioned to have a sidewalk installed on the North side of Roosevelt Road. Lucy Fletcher-Jones seconded it. The vote was unanimous. 2. Pedestrian issues concerning Spring St project. Sidewalks and traffic signals were resolved issues regarding the Shire Spring St renovations. The discussion turned to the various methods and materials used in the construction of crosswalks. John Livsey spoke concerning the feasibility of using a brick-type material or just stripping in order to make the crosswalks stand out to motorists. Crosswalks can receive continental striping, as in the Abby Rd model. It is renewable and proven to be more visible. Therefore, these styles make the roadway safer. The motion was made to approve the Abby Rd style. All agreed. Dick Canale asked if there was further clarification of the Shade St/Spring St sidewalks if existing walls and trees needed to be removed. Mr. Livsey said that he did not have that information with him. 3. Crosswalks and other proposed improvements in the Town Center. Mr. Livsey spoke of rebuilding portions of Massachusetts Avenue in the town center, assuming funding becomes available. He mentioned that the plan was in the early stages. The proposed area would include the Waltham St/Mass Ave traffic signals to the Lexington Green. Some of the ideas being considered include: (1) The island in front of the Library would be reinstalled at some adjusted location. Its shape would change, in that its nose would be extended such that no left turn could be made from Clarke St approaching Mass Ave. The crosswalks would be changed at the Mass Ave-present traffic island-Minuteman Statue/Lexington Green area in order to make it safer. Presently, it is not very safe nor ADA compliant. Other committees, such as Historical and Disabilities Commission, would need to be heard from. (2) There would be a change in the orientation of the crosswalk from the island to the statue in front of the Green. Likewise, there would be a change in the crosswalk from the front of the Green across Bedford St to Buckman Tavern. (3) There would also be changes made to the crosswalk leading from the Visitor's Center to the Library across Mass Ave. A bump out maybe added on the side of the Visitor's Center in order to make it safer. An option is to remove the crosswalk at the library and rely solely on the crosswalk in front of the Crafty Yankee. A third option would create a medium island in the center of Mass Ave near the library which would be a pedestrian refuge. Its size has yet TBD. Mr. Canale thought it would be helpful for Engineering to contact the Arlington town group which had recently done similar reconfigurations in East Arlington. 4. East Lexington crosswalks The Follen Church pastor along with other area organizations are being proactive concerning the pedestrian safety of the East Lexington area on Mass Ave following the death of a pedestrian crossing Mass Ave. One suggestion is to install a barrel container for street crossing flags near the Mass Ave crosswalk in front of the Follen Church. This technique has worked in the Seattle area, California, and elsewhere. The group is presently seeking permission from the LPD, Historical Committee, and TSAC. Jerry and Mr. Livsey mentioned an alternative to the street crossing flags, namely the use of flashing yellow warning light. These would be separate from traffic signals and similar to what is proposed on Spring St and could be installed on the existing traffic lights. 5. SWC Website Lucy Fletcher-Jones reported that the disc for the present website's materials has been turned over to the town. The transfer of material from the old site to the new town site can now begin. All committee minutes should continue to be sent to Lucy Fletcher-Jones, who in turn will forward them to Candy McLaughlin of Town offices for posting. This route allows the file name to remain consistent. 6. Proposed development of Lexington Gardens 6 Mr. Canale had nothing to report. The development is too small to warrant a `must do' requirement by the town. This point would have context in this case only if a worsening condition of the area could be directly traced to a development project. The meeting was adjoined at 1:09pm. The next scheduled meeting of the SWC is Monday May 4 at l lam in the Selectmen's Room of Town Hall. Respectfully submitted, Judy Crocker 7 ~~ ~~ . ~ ~. ~~ m ~ . :~ ~~~ ~~ ~. ~, ~ ~ f r~" ~ ~ .. ~ ~ ~. ~~~~~~ ~~ ~, ~~~ ~~~A ~~°.~~, . ~~~~ ~ ~~ ~~ `~: ~-. ~~: .~ ~- w ~ ~ ~ ~. ,. ~. Y ~~ Y