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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-27-TMG-minTraffic Mitigation Group Meeting April 27, 2010 Present: David Cannon, Elaine Dratch, Aaron Henry, Jeanne Krieger, Jerry VanHook, Gail Wagner, Susan Yanofsky Guest: John Livsey, Town Senior Engineer TIP Priorities ➢ John Livsey serves as the Town TIP coordinator. ➢ Town's current TIP projects: Intersections along Mass Avenue in East Lexington ( Marrett Rd, Pleasant St, Maple St); West Lexington Greenway; Hartwell Ave corridor study; Hayden Ave corridor improvements; Waltham St corridor. ➢ May 5 is the State TIP Day when towns present TIP priorities. Presented projects had to be at 25% design stage by last fall. ➢ Town's strategy is to select a single project that has met State criteria and is viewed as most significant to the Town. Intersections along Mass Avenue in East Lexington will be presented by John Livsey. ➢ Hartwell Ave corridor study was voted at 2010 Town Meeting for funding to reach the 25% design level. ➢ West Lexington Greenway would be funded through TIP enhancement funds which differ from TIP road funds, but both road and enhancement funds compete from the same pool of funds. ➢ Hartwell Ave and West Greenway plans are not developed to the point of TIP priority consideration. ➢ TIP criteria can change from year to year. John Livsey keeps informed of all changes in relation to the Town's TIP interests. ➢ Town selects TIP projects based on what will have the greatest impact on the Town. ➢ Regional groups, such as MAGIC, look at the impact to the entire area which may not always coincide with the Town's top interests. ➢ Funding availability via other state funds may shift TIP priorities. Example Hayden Avenue is in line for State funds - Waltham St corridor has two segments, intersections at Concord Ave and Hayden Ave. ➢ Planning Department would like more information as to selection of TIP priorities and status of pending TIP projects. An annual memo from the Town's TIP manager would be helpful. Sidewalk Planning Regulations ➢ Current regulations do not require sidewalks for developments less than 4 houses or 40 feet right of way. And, developments of 100 feet right of way are negotiated, but not required. ➢ Billerica and Carlisle were presented as communities who require sidewalks installed on site or adjacent to the development. If sidewalks are not indicated, the cost equivalency is paid to a town sidewalk fund. ➢ TMG voted unanimously to alert the Planning Board of their support for a new sidewalk regulation for all developments. It would require sidewalk installation or an equivalent monetary contribution to a town sidewalk fund. Hartwell Avenue DRAFT Mitigation Plan ➢ Plan emphasizes infrastructure, transit and pedestrian safety equally. ➢ Planning Board has held 4 or 5 community meetings to date. Each meeting involved 800 mailed notifications. ➢ All plans require land takings. ➢ Mass Hwy receptive to roundabouts which is favored at this time. ➢ Concern was expressed for pedestrian safety at ped crossings near roundabouts. ➢ Mass Hwy favors traffic signal at Maguire Road. ➢ Signalization and roundabouts on Hartwell Ave may discourage cut through traffic on Wood Street. ➢ Plans do not include proposed West Lexington Greenway and should be incorporated. Karen Mullins to be consulted. ➢ Plans add bike and safety accommodations, but not geared to increase road capacity. ➢ Hanscom Air Base has chosen not to participate. Base expansion is not part of planning process. ➢ Minuteman National Park is changing their main entrance on Route 2A. ➢ Bikes: Bedford St has bicycles mixed with roundabout traffic (no designated lane) which concerns Jerry; Wood St to jug handle designated bike lane; Maguire Rd (north) bike lane and off road path. ➢ Transit: MBTA was asked to comment on plans. It is suggested that MBTA Rt 62 and 76 cover expanse of Hartwell Ave by reversing directions at the same roundabout. ➢ TMA: Town should be listed as participant. Membership responsibilities such as annual dues and shuttle costs should be specified based on comparable existing TMAs. ➢ Payment option: plan is based on square footage (land use). Recent TDM agreements on Spring/ Hayden Ave are based on parking spaces. Should there be a standard town payment formula? Jeanne would like to go on record as supporting payment based on parking spaces. ➢ Written comments submitted by TAC members, Bill Levison and Peter Levy, were distributed (below). Recorder: Gail Wagner Next Meeting, May 25, 2010 Hartwell Ave —Bill Levison DRAFT TDM -April 26, 2010 Question: Why is the TDM fee now being based on floor area when the fees for the Hayden /Spring area were based primarily on parking spaces ($1,900 /space as I recall). I believe is one were to re- compute the fees shown in Table A2, the results would be more consistent than the numbers based on the floor area. Can we not have a consistent method of computing mitigation fees? Suggestion: if not already a requirement of a TMA, a compilation of the towns or zip codes of the residence of all employees or TMA members should be maintained to aid in facilitating ride - matching and ride - sharing. Comments on Draft Hartwell Avenue Traffic Mitigation Plan Submitted 26 April 2010 —Peter Levy The draft plan does not mention potential public transit initiatives that may be implemented to mitigate traffic except for the existing MBTA service to Hanscom and Bedford. Some possibilities: a. If the Multimodal Center envisioned in the Draft Rte 128 Corridor Transportation Plan is realized, some of the SOV traffic should be displaced by bus or van service from the Multimodal Center. b. Is there any potential for local public transit options at lunch time? For instance, implementation of a shuttle connecting businesses on Hartwell Avenue to restaurants and shops in downtown Lexington. 2. If any of the public options above are implemented, would any changes to the proposed plan be needed to accommodate or encourage their use? For instance, incorporation of shuttle stops with shelters along Hartwell Avenue or improved /alternate access to Hartwell for buses and shuttles. 3. Regarding the proposed Traffic Mitigation Fee ($3100 per 1000 sq ft), why is the proposed amount lower than for the new developments in the Hayden Ave /Spring St area? My understanding is that the Ledgement, Lexington Technology Park, and Cubist expansions (lab and light manufacturing space) are on the low end of worker density per 1000 sq ft. If that is so, shouldn't they also represent the low end of Traffic Mitigation cost?