Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 11/26/2002 * PLEASE NOTE: Since the Glendale City Council does not take formal action at the Workshops; Workshop minutes are not approved by the City Council. MINUTES CITY OF GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP November 26, 2002 1:30 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Elaine M. Scruggs, Vice Mayor Thomas R. Eggleston, and Councilmembers Joyce V. Clark, Steven E. Frate, David M. Goulet, H. Phillip Lieberman, and Manuel D. Martinez ALSO PRESENT: Ed Beasley, City Manager; Terry Zerkle, Assistant City Manager; Rick Flaaen, City Attorney; and Pamela Oliveira, City Clerk 1. NORTH CENTRAL PEORIA/NORTHWEST GLENDALE CIRCULATION STUDY CITY STAFF PRESENTING THIS ITEM: Mr. Tim Ernster, Deputy City Manager; Jim Book, Transportation Director; and Dan Hartig, Consultant with Parsons Brinkerhoff Mr. Dan Hartig, of Parsons Brinkerhoff, presented this item. During its General Plan Update process, the City of Peoria identified a number of transportation issues for further study and requested that the City of Glendale participate in a planning study of transportation issues that may impact both cities. The study is entitled the North Central Peoria/Northwest Glendale Circulation Study. The study area is bounded by 91 Avenue on the west, Happy Valley Road on the north, 67 Avenue on the east, and Bell Road on the south. This study recommends widening of several arterial streets, including two street projects within the City of Glendale, five streett projects within ttie City of Peoria, and a project on Pinnacle Peak Road between 83 Avenue and 67 Avenue located on a shared boundary between both cities. A connection between Beardsley Road and Loop 101 is also recommended which would include a new bridge over New River. The proposed project to connect Beardsley Road to Loop 101 will need to address issues such as potential impacts on neighborhoods and identification of funding to pay for the proposed improvements. This study does not identify project costs or funding responsibility. The study recommends the following arterial widenings: 83rd Avenue: Bell Road to Union Hills Drive -- 6 through lanes This segment of 83rd Avenue is being improved at this time by Glendale to provide 4 through lanes, with right-of-way and bridge width available for 6 lanes in the future if required. The current project will be completed in November 2002. The City of 1 Glendale has also completed the 83rd Avenue Bridge over New River near the north end of the recommended project to provide an all weather roadway. 75th Avenue: Bell Road to Deer Valley Road -- 6 through lanes Staff recommends 4 lanes rather than 6 lanes for this project. This project is underway and will be completed in February 2003 by the City of Glendale. Happy Valley Road: 83rd Avenue to 67th Avenue -- 6 through lanes This project is located entirely within the City of Peoria, however, there is no bridge funded over New River by the City of Peoria at this time. Union Hills Drive: 91st Avenue to 75th Avenue -- 6 through lanes Staff recommends that the eastern limit of this project be changed to Loop 101 rather than 75th Avenue. The Glendale portion (south half) of this project is underway and will be completed in December 2002. 67th Avenue: Pinnacle Peak Road to Happy Valley Road -- 4 through lanes This project is located entirely within the Cities of Phoenix and Peoria and a completion date is unknown at this time. 91st Avenue: Union Hills Drive to Deer Valley Road -- 6 through lanes This is a widening project to provide a total of 6 lanes and is located entirely within the City of Peoria. A completion date is unknown at this time. Deer Valley Road: 83rd Avenue to 75th Avenue -- 6 through lanes This is a widening project to provide a total of 6 lanes and is located entirely within the City of Peoria. A completion date is unknown at this time. A connection between Beardsley Road and Loop 101 is also recommended. Widening and extension of Beardsley Road east of 83rd Avenue Construction of a new bridge over New River Frontage road on west side of Loop 101 from 75th Avenue to Union Hills Drive Modification of the Loop 101/Union Hills Drive interchange to allow a "Texas U- turn" Implementation of the study's recommendations are contingent upon a funding commitment from ADOT, the City of Peoria and the City of Glendale. Also, there are a number of issues related to this project which need to be addressed in this study that have been previously identified in the attached letter dated June 7, 2002 from Glendale's City Manager to Peoria's City Manager. This study offers two options related to Pinnacle Peak Road between 83rd and 67th Avenues. One option is to provide a new bridge over New River and complete Pinnacle Peak Road as a four-lane collector. The other option is not to provide improvements to Pinnacle Peak Road. 2 Staff is opposed to a bridge crossing at Pinnacle Peak Road since this action would change the functional classification of Pinnacle Peak Road from a collector street to an arterial street. The limits of the study area do not extend to include the Loop 303 Freeway from Lake Pleasant Parkway to 1-17 as proposed within the Lone Mountain Road corridor. It is extremely important that any changes to the Lone Mountain Road alignment for Loop 303 is considered in order to evaluate all potential deficiencies in this traffic circulation system. Public meetings on this study have been held in both Peoria and Glendale on September 25, 2001. Street improvements would need to be addressed in the city budgetary process. The level of funding commitment by the City of Peoria for recommended projects in the study area remains to be determined. The recommendation was to provide staff direction for ongoing coordination with the City of Peoria and the Arizona Department of Transportation for potential transportation improvements in the study area. Mayor Scruggs questioned whether anyone from Parsons Brinkerhoff visited 75th Avenue between Bell and Deer Valley roads prior to recommending it be widened to six lanes. She explained widening 75th Avenue to six lanes would require the removal of a school, a number of houses and the medians, noting the medians were part of the original Master Plan development for Arrowhead Ranch. Mr. Book said staff should have caught the issue earlier, stating there was never any intention on Glendale's part to widen 75th Avenue to six lanes. Mayor Scruggs suggested, when responding to the report, staff not only clarify that the city never desired to widen 75th Avenue to six lanes, but that doing so is not possible. Mr. Jim Book, Transportation Director, reviewed the study's regommendations regarding the following: Happy Valley Road, Union Hills Road, 67t Avenue, 91st Avenue, and Deer Valley Road. He referenced the City Manager's recent letter to the Peoria City Manager regarding the problematic implementation strategy for the extension of Beardsley Road. Mr. Book stated staff did not support the study's recommendation on the Pinnacle Peak Road New River crossing. The crossing would change the functional classification of Pinacle Peak Road from a collector to an arterial street. He noted the area residents oppose the crossing. Mayor Scruggs asked how the report addresses the Loop 303 alignment issue, noting MAG voted for the Lone Mountain Road alignment. Mr. Book responded the study is based on the Lone Mountain alignment. He noted if there were changes to the Lone Mountain alignment of Loop 303, it would significantly alter the underlying transportation modeling work for this study. Mr. Book said recently, he has attended various meetings with cities in the region, particularly in the northwest section. He explained Phoenix still wants the Loop 303 placed further north on the New River alignment, whereas Glendale 3 has maintained that the alignment has been set and that Lone Mountain Road was the preferred alternative. He noted Phoenix has since agreed to settle for the Carefree Highway alignment. Mayor Scruggs questioned why discussions are still ongoing when MAG has already taken its vote. She asked if Peoria is now changing its mind with regard to the Lone Mountain alignment. Mr. Book said Peoria's representative indicated at last week's meeting that, while Lone Mountain Road is their preferred alternative, Carefree Highway might not be a problem for them. He noted a MAG representative attended the meeting and that they were aware of the MAG Regional Council's vote. Mayor Scruggs clarified that Lone Mountain Road is the designated route, stating referring to it as the "preferred alternative" implies a decision has not yet been made. Councilmember Lieberman questioned how the study can make any determinations north of Glendale without first knowing where the Loop 303 will be located. He pointed out the roads leading to the Loop 303 will have to be six lanes to meet traffic demands. Mr. Book clarified the report assumed the Loop 303 would be along Lone Mountain Road. Mr. Hartig confirmed the analysis assumed the Loop 303 would be on the currently preferred alignment and took into consideration population and employment projections for the area. He said the results of the analysis indicate four lanes will be sufficient. Councilmember Lieberman reiterated his position that six lanes will be required. Mayor Scruggs stated the report should have at least included a footnote indicating the modeling was done with the Loop 303 connecting at Lone Mountain. She stated she would vote against the report if it comes before Council for a vote. Councilmember Martinez pointed out the Loop 303 Lone Mountain alignment was presented as the chosen alignment at the public meetings. In response to Vice Mayor Eggleston's question, Mr. Book explained Phoenix only recently indicated it does not like the Lone Mountain alignment. Mayor Scruggs asked if Phoenix's opposition negates the regional vote. She stated north Glendale knows first hand that 20 miles of separation between freeways results in overcrowded, congested and polluted neighborhoods. Councilmember Clark referred to Page 13 of the report, pointing out it states six intersections are currently performing below Level of Service D. She said Page 16 of the report indicates at least four of those intersections will be handled using a combination of dual left turn lanes or right turn lanes. She asked how the study addresses level of service issues at 75th Avenue and the Loop 101. Mr. Hartig said improvements to 75th Avenue were already in place when the study was conducted. Councilmember Clark asked what other remedies are possible to improve the level of service in that area. Mr. Hartig said he would first have to check to make sure the dual left turns were taken into consideration when the evaluation was conducted. He pointed out the six lanes from that point to Deer Valley would also help improve the 4 level of service. When trying to improve the level of service, he said they typically look at adding turn lanes first and then progress to widening streets. He said the only other option is to remove some of the traffic by encouraging carpooling, vanpooling and so forth. He said the Beardsley connection could improve congestion on 75th Avenue, however it is difficult to address the issue when the city is unwilling to expand 75th Avenue. Councilmember Clark expressed her opinion it is an exercise in futility until Peoria is willing to make a commitment in terms of road improvements and indicates a guaranteed funding source. She said there are too many unanswered questions. Mayor Scruggs stated she is not willing to accept the report because she feels it is incomplete and would have extraordinarily dangerous ramifications for the people of Glendale. She clarified a comment made by Mr. Hartig, emphasizing that the city is not unwilling, but unable to expand 75th Avenue to six lanes. She noted the master plan community in the area of 75th Avenue along Union Hills was developed at a time when the city's setback standards were considerably less than they are now. She asked Mr. Flaaen if Council adopted the Arrowhead Ranch master plan by resolution or ordinance. She said people based their decision to purchase a home on certain elements of the master plan and the city is not able to suddenly change the plan. Mr. Hartig apologized for using the word "unwilling" stating it was a poor choice of words. He reviewed the process they undergo when doing an evaluation, explaining they do a technical evaluation, make recommendations, discuss the recommendations with the city and make any necessary adjustments. He stated their contract was with Peoria, therefore, they did not have a lot of interaction with the City of Glendale. He said they would now go back and factor in the issues brought up by the Council and try to identify alternative solutions. He pointed out the report was submitted in draft form in April, stating they did not receive any feedback at that time indicating the city was unable to make the recommended improvements. Mayor Scruggs said, while their contract was with Peoria, Glendale contributed $50,000 towards the study. She recommended the Council not only refuse to accept the report, but that it file written records with ADOT, MAG, the City of Peoria and all other interested parties indicating the City of Glendale's rejection of the study. She questioned whether residents in the Arrowhead Ranch area are aware of the issues surrounding the connection. Councilmember Martinez asked if the Peoria City Council approved the report by official action. Mr. Hartig responded yes. Councilmember Martinez suggested they accept the report, but write a letter stating they will not adopt it: Mayor Scruggs stated there is no reason to accept the report. Councilmember Clark suggested they outline their specific objections to the report, stating future Council's might find ways to resolve the issues. Mayor Scruggs agreed. Councilmember Clark expressed her opinion the city has failed in the past to adequately provide for future capacity needs when planning and building streets. Mayor Scruggs pointed out the street system for Arrowhead Ranch was designed for a build out of over 50,000 residents. She said, while actual build out will be approximately 32,000 to 35,000, the calculations did not take Peoria's traffic into consideration. She stated Peoria's residents use Glendale's street system because Peoria does not have a grid system. She said Glendale is now being presented with unacceptable solutions to solving Peoria's street problems. Councilmember Clark 5 agreed, pointing out many of Peoria's streets do not connect. Mr. Beasley agreed Peoria has to build a grid system, not only to solve immediate problems, but also to provide a long-term solution for its residents. Councilmember Lieberman agreed Peoria needs to go to a grid system, stating, however, Glendale cannot walk away from the problem. Councilmember Frate said Glendale does a good job of looking to the future. He noted Glendale's side of the Union Hills Bridge is expected to be completed in two weeks, however it is not clear when Peoria's side will be done because they are funding it with federal monies. Mayor Scruggs asked if Parsons Brinkerhoff would be willing to reopen the report at no additional cost and spend time with Glendale visiting the issues it has brought forward. She said, if not, she recommends Council reject the report and provide all interested parties with a letter firmly stating the reasons for their opposition. Mr. Hartig did not respond. Councilmember Goulet questioned whether a discussion solely between Glendale and Parsons Brinkerhoff would be fruitful, suggesting Peoria also be involved. He commented on the lack of communication between the participating entities. Mayor Scruggs said, as Vice Chair of the MAG Transportation Policy Committee, she would be in a better position to keep the study out of the regional transportation plan if she has a letter from the city indicating its objection to the plan and outlining the reasons behind its opposition. Mr. Book noted ADOT has consistently said they will not consider the Beardsley connection unless Glendale approves. Councilmember Martinez said he spoke with the Councilmember Ken Forgia, of Peoria, concerning the Union Hills Bridge and was told they were close to receiving some funding. Councilmember Lieberman requested a map showing the tentative alignment of the Loop 303 on Lone Mountain Road. Mr. Ernster clarified it is Council's direction to formally reject the plan in its current form and to notify ADOT, MAG and the City of Peoria of its position and the reasons behind its opposition. He asked if Council should take formal action to reject the study. Mr. Flaaen said a formal action is not necessary if Council gives direction to the City Manager and staff to proceed with a letter indicating Council's position. Mayor Scruggs voiced Council's consensus to reject the study and to draft a letter outlining the reasons for their opposition. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. 6