Streets & Roads Commission

STREETS AND ROADS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 7:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE THIS MEETING WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE AT https://www.facebook.com/TownofMountAiry/ I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE 1/5/2021 Meeting called to order at 7:03pm. In attendance: Chairwoman Lynne Galletti, Mary Hushour, Mary Beth Obremski, Jonathan Samayoa, Councilwoman Patty Washabaugh. II. APPROVAL OF PRIOR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES – Meeting Minutes- No changes to the minutes- Motion to approve made by Mary Hushour and 2nd by Lynne Galletti. Minutes approved unanimously. III. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT – Councilwoman Washabaugh report from first meeting of the year. They Harrison Leishear annexation plan was adopted and will be sent to state and county for review and approval. This is just an overview of the plan and this does not mean that the plan has been approved. Changes in the plan will still be discussed at the county level. The plan in not set-in stone. The residence that are affected will still be able to talk about the plan. We need to hear back from the county before we can finalize the date for the public meeting. March 23rd is tentatively set for the Public Meeting. Details have not been set yet. Format and location still to be set. Information will be posted on the web site and posted on social media. Town Engineer Barney Quinn and town staff recommended that council should approve the Basic Engineering Consulting Services contract and that the council should approve $190,000 for all services except water and sewer treatment and the scope B which would be for the South Main Street Roundabout Design that would go to A M T Engineer firm. He also recommended that the award all water and sewer treatment projects be given to RK & K for the next 5 years. The council postponed the vote because they wanted additional information. They wanted a sketch and photo to show what the details that are being recommended for South Main Street at the top of the hill past McDonald’s. Councilwoman Washabaugh asked Town Engineer Quinn to attend the meeting to give us more information about the South Main Street Roundabout. She noted that this would be a substantial change and it is imperative that they bring this information to our commission so we can learn more information about this. She wanted to ensure that everyone on Streets and Roads is aware of the plan and can voice their concern and whether we feel like this is a good plan for the town. Councilwoman Washabaugh stated that this is a large cost for the town and once this is done it can’t be undone. He is proposing $190,000 for total design of the roundabout. The hope would be that any future development would cover some of the total cost. The total cost would be in today dollars would be 1 million dollars. Councilwoman Washabaugh stated that she didn’t think that we would be discussing this so soon, but Town Engineer Quinn and town staff felt that with the left turn being taken away that we should consider doing this sooner rather than later. Barney Quinn-Roundabout for South Main Street Barney shared the plans and designs for the proposed roundabout. We would like to utilize AMT Engineer Services for all transportation projects and other engineer services for the next 5 years. This was the presentation that the company submitted as part of applying for the 5-year contract. Presentation shows photos of the proposed site. One main point noted was at evening peak hour the left turn is anticipated to have a 220 ft. back up. This would create gridlock. The traffic analysis from Chick Fil-A did show that this would be a problem at the intersection. The analyses reflects all areas that the town owns South Main Street from McDonald’s entrance to the entrance to Food Lion. They tried to utilize all town owned property to minimize cost of the project. We were reminded that the state owns lights, and we own the road. Councilwoman Washabaugh wanted clarification on who owns Main Street. Mr. Quinn confirmed that the state owns most of Main Street. The town owns from right before the Food Lion entrance all the way around the turn to the Pizza Hut Property. The light at 27 and South Main is the jurisdiction of the state. We own the road the state maintains the lights. The only light we own is the one at the bottom at Rising Ridge Road that was installed about 10-12 years ago. Member Mary Hushour added that she was under the impression from an earlier meeting that people will not be able to make that left out of Chick Fil-A. Mr. Quinn said that will be addressed in his presentation. The presentation shows all water, sewer and any gas lines that will be going through the project. They are also aware of the CSX utility tunnel as well. The plan also looks at any additional potential development. It shows the possibility of the Voslough property, a few private residential homes, neighborhood professional zone homes, Chick Fil-A. The one not mentioned is the 130-acre farm off Day Road that is off the South Main Street extension. This is slated for office park employment and this is part of the Master Plan. We don’t know if it will be 5 years or 30 years. That could potentially bring a lot of traffic. The Comprehensive data shows that peak traffic that could go through that intersection and shows the volume that will be added with added development. There is a schedule of pro-rata share formula that they any new development could contribute to the circle. Chick Fila already contributed 14% ($140,000). They are doing the first step with the left turn island. AMT will handle all permits needed for this project. The proposal also shows traffic volumes now as well going forward to 2040. They show at peak hours that many cars might want to make a U-turn to get back to 27. It will almost double the traffic. This again was just for a presentation. We have not contracted their services yet. *Chairwoman Galletti added that a question has come in from Laura Imehiel. She clarifies the first number is AM and the number in parentheses is the PM numbers. She is from AMT and then joined the Meeting. They presented different options, a 4 legged and a 3-legged option. Legs mean streets. Councilwoman Washabaugh wanted to clarify that we will still have two lanes on South Main Street that will go up the hill. Barney Quinn went on to explain there are two options one has one lane, and one has two. Option 1 has one lane and is 4 legged. The right lane continues as its own lane and not entering in the circle. They believe the one lane will not be effective in the long run. Option 2a is a one lane 3-legged roundabout. This will merge South Main and Rising Ridge and they will enter the circle together. This would also not be a good option. Option 2b closes Rising Ridge at the top and opens it at the bottom on West Ridgeville. This would change the light there from a three-way light to a four-way light. This would also be a one lane. That would cost more. Option 3 seems to be preferred option. This is a two lane, 4-legged roundabout and would be sufficient all the way to 2040. Councilwoman Washabaugh asked to make sure what it would look like going up the hill. Mr. Quinn confirmed that they would still have the dedicated lane to go straight. Tony Burke from the Mt. Airy Messenger asked to confirm the cost referenced reflects Option 3 and it does. The island that Chick Fil-A will add a dedicated left turn into Chick Fil-A and people can still stay straight and go left onto 27 north. Chairwoman Galletti asked if eliminating the left turn onto 27 north could still be possible and Mr. Quinn said that AMT could talk to the state about that. The proposal suggested the roundabout be a dual lane roundabout and they recommended a 4 legged as opposed to a 3 legged. They also have software that does analysis projections. This talks about speed. The circle can help move traffic without much slowdown. We could save money initially and build one part and finish the rest later. The other option is a full build out. You can save money by doing it in phases but cost more in the long run. The circle would not be safe for bikes, but they could have widened sidewalks that would help accommodate bikes. They will try and stay in the towns right-away and to purchase as little as possible of any additional property for the project. The also might have to move one utility pole. The roads can be completely open while the construction is happening in Phase 1. In phase 2 will have minimal impact to traffic and then in phase 3 there will also have minimal impact on the traffic. This proposal is preliminary and should not be shared. Councilwoman Washabaugh noted that the money from the state has dried up and asked Mr. Quinn if there are any grants that can help with the funding or any revenue from the state to help with the cost. He responded that he does not believe so, that funding would come from potential development. She noted that as of today we don’t have potential developers for any mentioned property. Member Hushour was concerned about the speed. She is concerned that people coming down from Food Lion would speed even more around the circle and get to the light. Also, the people coming from Chik Fila-A to speed around the circle to get to the light. Mr. Quinn feels that coming up hill would slow the speeds and he doesn’t feel that that will be an issue. He also added coming from Food Lion they have to yield which will slow them down as they enter the circle. Mr. Quinn didn’t feel that this will be an added issue. AMT added in the chat that the circumference of the circle is designed to slow the speeds. Chairwoman Galletti also added that they will have to slow down because it is a natural speed deterrent. Mr. Quinn understands the concern but feels that people will adjust to the change. Funding considerations are pro-rata shares. Chik fil-A is adding the island and a streetlight. The rest is what we discussed earlier from future development. The option is to wait for them to build or build and get reimbursed. They have a rendering of what it could look like. They don’t have one for the no left turn because it isn’t part of AMT’s proposal. * Questions from Facebook Chairwoman Galletti added people are asking questions. This is just a pre- planning process. Councilwoman Washabaugh added that this is just for Barney’s Quinn’s recommendation for the $190,000 for this design proposal. This was just brought to Streets and Roads first and then we can talk about it and then it will go to the council. Councilwoman Washabaugh added again that the town didn’t think they would have to move forward with this project so soon. But it looks like they will. Mr. Quinn added that it looks like Chick Fil-A wants to start in April and hoping to be completed in October 2021. Tony Burke, from the Mount Airy Messenger, asked Mr. Quinn If this is approved when would the circle be constructed. The response was the designed and permits would be in 2021 year and they would begin construction as early as 2022. V. COMMUNITY CONCERNS/CITIZENS COMMENTS – Public Comments. Raise hand feature and staff will let you talk. Public Comments-During the meeting- *Is the speeding leading to accidents? There are no houses on the street, why not allow a greater speed? It will encourage traffic on the main road and not in the neighborhood. Answer: We don’t increase speed in town so we can’t do that. *Questions about the speed limit on Buffalo Road. Speeds are inconsistent. Answer: Only small part is in the town and the rest is not under our control. We cannot enforce speed, and this has been passed to the chief to give to other jurisdictions. *Public Comment stated that they would not be happy with rising speed limits on Rising Ridge because of too many kids and families along there. Commission agreed. VI. OLD BUSINESS a) Speed and Traffic Studies: 1. Rising Rudge S/B @ Leafy Hollow Stop Sign Done in December. 85% were within speed limit., volume may be lower because of the schools being remote and less commuters. Tony Burke, from the Mt. Airy Messenger, wanted to clarify that 85% means that they 85% of the cars were within the speed limit but there are instances where cars are going 10MPH over the limit. Chairwoman Galletti confirmed that is the case. 2. Rising Ridge N/B @ Leafy Hollow Stop Sign Done in December are within 85% within the speed limit, volume may be lower again because of schools being remote and less commuters. This portion is heading downhill. 3. 1206 S Main Street -Done in October/November showed large volume but were within the 85% of 10 MH of speed limit. The volume was 2600. This doesn’t mean that there are not cars speeding but not enough for concern. 4. East Bound Hood Street-Just to show that the studies were done and taken care of. 5. West Bound Hood Street-Also just to show that the studies were done and has been taken care of. b) Route 27 Corridor Study- SHA-Chairwoman Galletti emailed Chief Reitz and waiting to hear back about the study. Action: Chairwomen Galletti will follow up with Chief Reitz. c) Buffalo Road Speeding. -Chairwoman Galletti contacted town staff and Barney Quinn added the Chief Reitz and will see if he can forward to the proper authority. Action: Chairwoman Galletti will follow up with the Chief Reitz.  d) E. Ridgeville Blvd. No Parking Recommendation. -Chairwoman Galletti stated that Town Engineer Barney Quinn forwarded this to Brian Johnson to consider adding the no parking signs and contacted the Mayor and Town Admin to see if they needed to do any other approvals. Action: Chairwoman Galletti will Follow up with town staff. e) Old Crosswalk at MAMS on Watersville Road-Sign have been removed and not meant to be crosswalk. Chairwoman Galletti will follow up with citizens who filed the complaints. Action- Remove from agenda. f) Crosswalk across Prospect at Rising Ridge-Why isn’t there a crosswalk at Rising Ridge Rd and East West Park? Barney Quinn reported to let engineering look at safety and handicap to see what is needed for the cross walk to occur. Signage and notification would be needed to educate community about the change. Action-Wait for response from Barney Quinn and town staff g) Rising Ridge Road Speeding -We got back two studies tonight and asked them for a few more. I emailed Barney Quinn about the discussion. Councilwoman Washabaugh said that there used to be a stop sign there at Rising Ridge Rd. at Meadowfield Court. Chairwoman Galletti asked for additional studies at Deer Hollow and again at Village Gate. Barney responded and explained why Rising Ridge Rd. is wider. It was wider because of the Cold Storage Facility. It was used as a Western bypass to Main Street. He also added that no residential driveways exist on the road. They need to do studies to see what other traffic calming features can be looked at. The intent of Rising Ridge Rd. was to continue through East West Park all the way through to Buffalo Road. Someday it might be developed. *Added three studies from Twin Ridge: Deer Hollow, Leafy Hollow and Village Gate on Rising Ridge Rd. Also added one from Summit Ridge at Bridlewreath and Summer Sweet Lane as they head out to Buffalo Rd. Also added Beck Drive by the pool now and then will do again in the summer. VII. NEW BUSINESS We have an opening on Streets and Roads. Anyone interested can reach out. Chairwoman Galletti thanked Barney Quinn for his presentation and for Gina Campaneli running the Webinar for the meetings. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Member Mary Hushour motioned to adjourn the meeting and Chairwoman Lynne Galletti seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:31pm. The next meeting date is March 2, 2021 at 7:00pm.