Meeting Minutes, 20 December 2007

Minutes from December 20, 2007 BPAC meeting

In attendance: David G., Trevor, Tim, Dave N., Jennifer, Kent, Nicole, and David K.

Absent: David M.

Topics of discussion:

- New BPAC members permit quorum. Now that David Geraghty and Trevor French have become BPAC members, six of eleven membership positions are filled! BPAC action needed: find five more members.

- Milstein Hall. This proposal for a new Cornell building on (and over) University Avenue near Rand Hall, has been controversial for many reasons. BPAC is interested in ensuring that pedestrian and bicycle access is appropriately included in the early planning stage of this project. BPAC action needed: track project progress to ensure that appropriate bike/ped. facilities are included.

- Black Diamond Trail. A BDT plan was released for comment at a couple of public hearing that occurred a week or so ago. Though it is encouraging that a plan is finally in place, it may still be a number of years before construction begins. Even without an improved trail surface, the BDT is currently hikable along most of its length (but missing bridges limits connectivity of segments). BPAC action needed: BPAC to issue letter of endorsement (in early January?).

- Elmira Rd. sidewalks. We agreed that it is fantastic that the sidewalks are largely complete along Elmira Rd. Pedestrian improvements will be made shortly at the Friendly’s intersection. BPAC action needed: none.

- Sidewalk crew and sidewalk snow clearing. Lynne Yost of the Engineering Office is preparing a media release to publicly disclose the details of how snow-covered sidewalks can cleared by the City. Residents can report snow-covered sidewalk locations to the Building Department (274-6508). BPAC action needed: none.

- Hilton sidewalk. The effort to improve the sub-standard sidewalk along the Hilton property to comply with City guidelines has apparently reached an impenetrable legal/political impasse. BPAC action needed: ?

- Retirement of Thys Van Cort (City Director of Planning). A short-staffed Planning Department in a period of transition may inadvertently neglect to adequately address bike/ped. issues. BPAC action needed: BPAC should take extra care when reviewing Site Plan Review (SPR) documents to ensure that bike/ped. related issues do not “slip through the cracks.”

- Cayuga Waterfront Trail. Tim provided an update on the CWT including info. on the advancement of Phase III which will link the Farmers Market to Stewart Park, and info. about the planned improvements for crossing Rt. 13 at Third and Dey streets. BPAC action needed: nothing at this time.

- Portland video. A brief discussion of this video led to discussing traffic calming issues, and previous traffic calming studies and initiatives in Ithaca. BPAC action needed: We should re-start the traffic calming conversation. Kent will assemble some info. on traffic calming and will likely post it here http://bpac.rockwren.us/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Pattern

- E. State Street uphill bike lane. Brief update that the project is still moving forward. BPAC action needed: none.

- BPAC membership. As noted above, five members are still needed. Since BPAC is in need of a BPW (Board of Public Works) liaison, perhaps a BPAC members should attend some BPW meetings

- BPAC blog & wiki. Nicole graciously volunteered to follow-up on this. BPAC action needed: provide content & comments to post to blog & wiki?

- “Podcar” advocated by Connect Ithaca group. BPAC did not discuss this topic during the meeting. BPAC action needed: BPAC could provide useful feedback to the Connect Ithaca group regarding the feasibility and applicability of such a concept … and BPAC could help CI to identify and pursue measures that may be more appropriate.

- Triangle-to-circle-to-triangle at Meadow/Spencer intersection. The Engineering Office was interested in determining if a different intersection design could better meet the needs of residents, and bicyclist and pedestrians than the existing triangular traffic diverter. A circle design was pursued, and was intended to be left in place for a month or so to see how motorists would respond to the change. Unfortunately, a very small timeframe was available to inform residents of the experimental circle design. Some residents complained about the change. This caused the experiment to be cancelled within a few days. The intersection is now back to the original design. BPAC action needed: none.

- Traffic signal removal at Tioga/Lincoln intersection. Tim provided an update. BPAC action needed: none.

- Rt. 96 corridor study. Tim provided information. BPAC action needed: can provide comments if interested.

- Diagonal, traversable, one-lane, semi-traffic-diverting speed humps on Fair St. at Wood and South Street intersections. Residents are going to provide input to the City on whether they would like the above-mentioned infrastructure to remain, to be removed, to be improved, or to be replaced by something else. BPAC action needed: BPAC members can provide recommendations at the January BPAC meeting – these recommendations can then help to inform the Feb. BPW meeting when this issue will be discussed by Board members.

Meeting Minutes, 20 September 2007

BPAC Minutes – 20 September 2007

In attendance: Jan, David K., Nicole, Jennifer, Kent, Tim

Guests: ~16 Ithaca College journalism students

Topics:

- Kent provided overview of BPAC to IC students; member introductions

- Planning Board – property on 100 block of Prospect St. Apparently it is legal to require a staircase to be rebuilt where the previous one was. Kent asked David K. to provide more details at some point.

- Black Diamond Trail Work Day – Saturday, Oct. 13, 9:00-noon. For details, go to: www.blackdiamondtrail.org.

- Discussion of Dave Streader’s bicycle crash on Hudson St.

- Brief discussion of Fay G’s concern regarding the new N. Aurora St. curb alignment. Kent spoke with Fay prior to meeting and explained the situation – this appeared to satisfy her concerns.

- E. State St. uphill bike lane—looking towards construction in Spring 2008.

BPAC issued a simple statement of support for this bike lane in May, repeated tonight. It appears as an appendix to these minutes and also on the City’s BPAC website.

- Buffalo St. – repaving project will likely happen in the next year or so (in “the flats” area)

- Tim provided an update on the project to improve the Rt.13/Dey intersection and the Rt.13/Third intersection.

- Tim provided an update on the project to improve the State/Floral/Elm/Hector intersection.

- Discussion on the planned bike lanes for Thurston Ave. (these lanes have since been installed). This is the first on a City-owned street, not on a bridge.

- Discussion of the City’s investigation to remove the traffic signal at the Lincoln/Tioga intersection.

- Update on College Ave./Dryden Rd. traffic signal

- Discussion of Safe Routes to School funding options

- Discussion of low BPAC membership/attendance. Post advertisement in newspapers? Kent will try to draft something for Oct. meeting.

- Carla Shafer has given notice that she will be leaving Ithaca. Given that she masterminded and maintained our wiki-blog, we need to address its future.

- We lost our liaison to the City Council when Shane resigned.

Minutes prepared by Kent and Jan.

Meeting Minutes, 19 July 2007

BPAC
Minutes, July 19, 2007

Present: Carla Shafer, Jan Zeserson, Kent Johnson, David Kay David acted as chair.

IMPORTANT: Meeting time has been changed to the THIRD Thursday of every month, same hour, same place. Next meeting will be September 20; Kent will act as chair. No August Meeting.

A gentle reminder to BPAC members to give courtesy notice to the acting chair if you cannot attend.

Bicycle Parking Ordinance: Kent will find out what is required to get bike ordinance guidelines into the Bike Plan. He will consult with Shane Seger, BPAC Common Council liaison.

Bicycling on Sidewalks: Safer biking is an issue. We agreed that bicycling on sidewalks should not be made an isolated issue, but rather, a part of a larger educational campaign about pedestrian safety; and that at this point bicycling on sidewalks is not a big enough problem to require immediate attention by City staff.

Shared Lane Marking: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approval to use shared lane markings came through recently. Approval process took longer than hoped but the City is well positioned to make this the first pavement marking project in early spring. We talked about how to make the marking a high profile publicity event, possibly a mass bike ride. Kent will bring a proposal to our Sept. BPAC meeting for getting a pre-marking bicyclists count.

E. State St. Update: Restriping the pavement from the Tuning Fork to Mitchell St. and all that entails will happen in early spring, subject to approval by BPW.

City Bicycle Fleet: The City now has an official fleet of bikes, starting out with four bikes, one specifically for the Mayor. The fleet has been accomplished with minimal cost to taxpayers. All are refurbished bikes, at least 90% post-consumer content, some from RIBS.

Our Wiki Site: Carla will resubmit the request to the Mayor for funding our wiki and blog efforts.

BPAC Membership: We will make a determined effort to recruit new members. This matter will be high on the agenda for September.

Permanent Chair: We have been working with a system of rotating chairpeople since last winter. Although we can cite positive aspects of this system, it was agreed that a permanent chair is preferable.

Meeting adjourned at 9:10.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Jan.

BPAC Statement on Starbucks Drive-Through

21 June 2007
To: City of Ithaca Planning Board
From: BPAC
Re: Starbuck’s Proposed Drive-Through

BPAC has reviewed the proposal for a Starbuck’s drive-thru on Meadow Street directly behind Northside Wine & Spirits, and we urge you NOT to approve it.

The specific reasons are fairly easy to identify:

The proposed entrance/exit directly off and onto Meadow St. will overload an already highly trafficked core roadway at an especially congested stretch. The entrance/exit will also inconvenience and endanger pedestrians traveling along Meadow St. Rite Aid Pharmacy on Meadow Street, for example, has its entrance directly off Meadow St., but its exit is to a side street regulated by a traffic light.

Not only are the proposed entrance/exit dangerous and disruptive, but also a drive-thru in this location will jeopardize future opportunity for the city to create safe and convenient pedestrian-centered pathways from this section of Meadow St. to neighborhoods in the Titus St. vicinity.

Other cities (Oregon City, Toronto, and Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, for example) have passed zoning ordinances that restrict drive-thru business to certain districts of the city. The proposal by Starbuck’s is a chance for Ithaca to do the same. Drive-thru business may be safe and relatively non-intrusive in some parts of our city, and for businesses (like pharmacies) who have relatively low traffic flow, but not at this location on Meadow Street for a high-traffic coffee shop.


We are fortunate that walkability and environmental sustainability have been made a priority by our current city administration. We trust you will consider all the negative ramifications of the Starbuck’s proposal, and decide in favor of a business plan that takes the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists into full account.

Respectfully,
Members of BPAC



Postscript from Dave Nutter:
I realize that the short window of opportunity for input for the BPAC letter has passed, but should there be additional discussion I think the point about " proposed entrance/exit directly off and onto Meadow St." could be clarified both as to where we are talking about and what we expect would happen there:

The entrance/exit on Meadow Street between the traffic lights for Ithaca Plaza and for Fairgrounds Memorial Parkway was labeled on the drawing as only for truck deliveries, but that is not credible. Because of the awkwardness of turning movements, conflicts with queued traffic leaving Ithaca Plaza, and traffic light delays involved with the "legitimate" path between Meadow Street and the drive-thru via the traffic light for Ithaca Plaza, it appears that the fast, direct, and unsignaled "truck delivery" entrance/exit would be used by drive-thru patrons, that it would likely be the primary entrance/exit for Meadow Street traffic for the drive-thru, and
that this is so obvious that it is hard to believe that a company which has surely designed many drive-thrus would not have realized this and intended it to be for use by drive-thru patrons despite the contrary label. Instead of a small number of truck deliveries, we would expect a
large number of car drivers crossing the sidewalk here both entering and exiting, and many would do so rapidly in order to fit into gaps in busy Meadow Street traffic both southbound and northbound. Those drivers entering and exiting would be in conflict with one another as they cross within the circulation for the drive-thru, and also conflict with a natural but unprotected diagonal path which pedestrians do and would use between the sidewalk of Meadow Street and both the walkway in front of Ithaca Plaza and also the proposed Meadow Street entrance to the cafe. Those drivers will be very distracted by traffic within the parking lot, around the drive-thru, and on Meadow Street. Furthermore as they exit they will be distracted by handling full hot drinks. Pedestrians are apt to be the victims of this distraction. This traffic pattern looks like an unwarranted conflict with pedestrians and a conflict with the principle of minimizing and regulating the entrances/exits on Meadow Street which is intended to reduce conflicts with pedestrians and between motorists. In addition, although it is not a direct bike/ped issue, it looks awkward to pull up to the window while turning.

--Dave Nutter

Meeting Minutes, 14 June 2007

BPAC
Minutes, June 14, 2007, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Present: Carla Shafer, Jan Zeserson, David McElrath, David Nutter, Jennifer Dotson, Tim Logue, Kent Johnson, Shane Seger. Jan acted as chair.

IMPORTANT: MEETING TIME CHANGED to the THIRD Thursday of every month, same hour, same place. Next meeting will be July 19. In our schedule of rotating chairs, David Kay will act as chair on July 19.

Bicycle Parking ordinance -- it seems like one of two routes needs to be chosen: to further refine what is becoming a huge and complex Code revision, or instead, reduce this effort to a smaller "guideline" style document that will not change the Code, but will be used by staff. In either case, I'd like some help with this effort by someone.

Black Diamond Trail
The Eastern Mountain Sports kayak raffle raised $920, donated to the Black Diamond Trail (BDT) Project. The Cayuga Nature Center will receive the money for BDTEN (Black Diamond Trail Enthusiasts Network) since BDTEN is not a legal entity; and earmark and reserve it for BDTEN.

Sue Poelvoorde of State Parks told us that the SEQR public hearing on the BDT Master Plan will likely be held in Ithaca in August, “but no guarantee.”
The “A Wild Ride” Slide Show presented by Paul Adkins (former BPAC and BDTEN member who has recently relocated to Eugene, Oregon) was a great event; a report appears on the website www.blackdiamondtrail.org . Andrejs Ozolins keeps website updated and manages our BDTEN listserve, now more than 110 people with wide connections to other groups.

Bicycle Education Course
The 9-hour(3 sessions)course, run by Lois Chaplin and Sue Powell, is all about bike handling and being in traffic. The next course will meet in a basement classroom of Riley Robb Hall, rm. B-15 (SW end of the building) on Cornell campus.
Session 1: July 17
Session 2: July 24
Session 3: July 31 / Aug 2
All sessions run from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with a snack break (bring your own).
Cost: $25, including a student manual.
Participants must be 16 years or older.
“The course is designed to provide a friendly environment for individuals with a wide range of cycling abilities. Whether you’re just getting back into cycling and not feeling comfortable with bicycling in traffic or you’re a regular cyclist interested in becoming more proficient, there’s room for you in this course….You’ll have practice with traffic on streets as each class will include a short on-street bike ride.”
Contact Lois Chaplin lec4@cornell.edu;
or Sue Powell smp16@cornell.edu
BPAC will look for opportunities to promote this course.

Lois and Sue are looking for others to take an interest in becoming instructors..

Kent reported that one of Ithaca’s bicycle policemen will also run an abbreviated bike handling course for City employees.

Planning Board upcoming projects --more report to come from Tim 1. Aurora St. sidewalk project. After much discussion, we agreed unanimously in favor of the 3-point proposal, including sidewalk widening, tree care, and foundational electric wiring. This is a project which sacrifices parking places for pedestrian interests; we support it as a project in its own right and also as an important precedent. Jan will represent BPAC’s position at the DPW public hearing on the project, held on June 20, 4:45 p.m.

2. Proposal by Starbuck’s to build a drive-thru on Meadow Street behind Northside Wine and Liquor. A letter to the Planning Board from BPAC regarding the proposal is appended to these Minutes. This letter was drafted with a very short window for member editing before submission. Supplementary notes from Dave Nutter are also appended to these minutes.

BPAC membership
We are very pleased to have Shane Seger join as Common Council Liaison. We have three vacancies now that Paul Adkins has left Ithaca. We also still have a longstanding vacancy in the Parks Commission Liaison slot.

Biking on Sidewalks
A short discussion of how to enforce the law regarding no biking on sidewalks will be continued at next months’ regular meeting, July 19.

These partial minutes respectfully submitted by Jan.

Meeting Minutes, 17 May 2007

BPAC
Draft Minutes, May 17, 2007

Present: Carla Schafer, Jan Zeserson, Tim Logue, David McElrath, David Nutter, Nicole
Tedesco

East State Street Bicycle Lane: BPAC discussed the East State Street Bicycle Lane and had
the following comments:
The striping at the “tuning fork” island downhill going straight shouldn’t extend into the bicycle path.
When going uphill and turning onto Schuyler or Eddy, is there enough space for a car to pass?
What is the width of Eddy St?
The centerlines of E. State Street on either side of Eddy St. don’t line up—could dashed lines be used through the intersection?
Are there any drainage grates in the way (specifically at the curve near the Gateway Building)?
The next step for the bicycle lane project is to get a cost estimate and then to put the project out
to bid for a private contract for construction. It likely will be maintained by the City after installation. BPAC came up with a general statement in support of the bicycle lane (there was not a quorum at the meeting).

Bicycle Parking Ordinance: BPAC has already endorsed the draft Bicycle Parking Ordinance. The next step is to go for a broader review by the City.

Black Diamond Trail: There is an exhibit about the BDT at Eastern Mountain Sports until some time in June. Jan Zeserson inquired whether the exhibit could also be displayed in City Hall. The BDTEN is gearing up for SEQR (environmental review) and a Public Hearing on the Trail Master Plan. BDTEN has a new listserve and website.

Sharrows: The City is waiting to hear back from Federal Highway Administration.

Buffalo St. Repaving: No updates.

100 Block of North Aurora: Currently, the Aurora Street bridge is closed for construction, and sewer and water work is scheduled to happen on the 100 block of North Aurora. A petition was
circulated by the restaurants in the area requesting a sidewalk expansion, so the restaurants can have more space for outdoor seating. There might also be space for street furniture, such as benches, and bicycle racks. The next step for this project is for City engineers to do some research and present to the June 2 Board of Public Works meeting. BPAC generally supported the idea of expanding the sidewalk space on this block.

Changing Meeting Date: BPAC decided to seek a broader consensus on this issue using the listserve.

Strategic Planning: The next step in the strategic planning exercise is to start putting names on projects. FOR THE NEXT MEETING, please use the Wiki to sign up for projects that you
commit to following. Be realistic about the time and energy you have to devote to projects—
don’t sign up to follow two dozen.

Resolution on E. State St. Bicycle Lane

East State Street Bicycle Lane

BPAC

Whereas:

East State Street connects downtown Ithaca with Collegetown and is an important link in street network for multiple modes, including private motor vehicles, public transit, bicycling, and walking; and

The City of Ithaca is considering installation of an uphill bicycle lane on East State Street beginning at East Green Street and ending at Mitchell Street; and

One of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council’s duties is “to advocate for implementation of city plans for bicycle travel”;

Now Therefore Be It Resolved:

That the City of Ithaca Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council hereby strongly endorses the City’s plans to install an uphill bicycle lane on East State Street.

May 17, 2007