Approved Minutes - 1999-06-02 r
MINUTES o
OLD RIVER ROAD AD-HOC TASK FORCE
June 2
1999--6:30 - 8:30 p.m. ��
Lake Oswego City Hall Council Chambers
Members Present: Sister Eileen Brown, Co-Chair, Stan Aschenbrenner, Judy Dauble,
Duane Funk, Paula Diamond(for Kelly Atwood)
Staff Present: Ron Bunch, Long Range Planning Manager; David Aushserman,
Fregonese Calthorpe & Associates;
Others Present: Dick Porn,Pricilla Panichello, Gloria Handy, David Bartz, and Bud
Dawell
Sister Eileen opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Ten minutes was taken to review and
comment on the revision to the April 21, 1999 minutes and the draft May 5, 1999
minutes. The minutes were approved. Sister Eileen stated the primary purpose of the
meeting is to review the design concept, which has been developed in response to the
Committee's, and the public's input.
David Ausherman presented the design concept for Old River Road, which has evolved
over the last several meetings. The following summarizes his presentation.
As previously discussed there is a need to separate the pedestrian bicyclist from the
intersection of the George Rogers Park pathway, Glenmorrie Drive and Old River Road.
This is a important safety issue. Therefore, it is proposed to bring the pathway behind the
guardrail, on the riverside and connect it up to the road past the pump station. The pump
station would be screened and landscaped. Service vehicles could access the pump
station via a gate. The opportunity for public parking in the vicinity of the pump station
would be eliminated by the installation of natural (or natural appearing) barricades, such
as boulders. This design treatment(natural barriers) would be applied all along the road
to address residents and property owners concerns with security (illegal parking and
trespass).
There was discussion about how well stop signs would work at the intersection of
Glenmorrie and Old River Road. David relayed that the City Engineer said that drivers
would likely ignore the stop signs. There was discussion that this situation would
perhaps give the pedestrians a false sense of security. It was decided that with the
separation of the pathway from the road, it would be better not to install the stop signs. A
wait and see approach would be more appropriate
It was expressed that the final plans and recommendation to go to Council needs to reflect
the direction of the committee to put speed bumps on Glenmorrie Drive. As stated
previously, this is important because once traffic is slowed on Old River it should
continued to be slowed on Glenmorrie Drive. The tendency of drivers would be to
increase speed on Glenmorrie Drive if they have been forced to drive slow on Old River
Road. A really critical safety point is the sharp curve mid-way on Glenmorrie.
Beginning at the south end of the project (West Linn city limits), the existing off-road
pathway would be extended and enter the project area at a pinch-point. The pinch point
would allow the road to be shifted west, construct a pathway and still preserve significant
trees. Along the length of the Sisters of the Holy Names and Marylhurst University
properties, the road is proposed be adjusted westward in several locations to make room
for a pathway on the east side. Pinch points are valuable tools because in several areas
they serve both as traffic management devices and to allow room for the pathway where
the terrain would be otherwise too steep. The pinch points would be about as long as two
car lengths.
Within this area the pavement is very narrow. In some areas the width is less than 15
feet. A very small amount of new travel surface is proposed—two -three feet to make
the pavement as wide as it is adjacent to the Glenmorrie portion of the project.
Speed bumps would be used in conjunction with the pinch points in ensure that traffic on
the road would travel at 25 m.p.h. There would be 12 of these traffic management
devices (speed bumps and pinch points), spaced about 400 feet apart along the length of
the road. It was stressed again that pinch-point are proven traffic management devices.
David stated in some areas, such as across from the Handy's (Gloria's)property, it might
be necessary to construct a retaining wall or other engineered solution to provide for the
width necessary to provide for the step off. A pinch point would not work in this
situation because of the location of the driveway. Gloria raised issues with the need to do
an extensive engineered solution at this location. She said that the objective would be to
do the minimum amount of improvements necessary. After considerable discussion it was
determined that it was possible provide for adequate room for pedestrians by perhaps
marking the pavement with paint. David said that he would visit the site with Gloria and
discuss potential solutions.
At the end of the Sister's of the Holy Names property, where the Glenmorrie
Neighborhood begins, the five to six foot wide off-road trail would transition to a three
foot wide graveled shoulder. The graveled shoulder would provide for the ability of the
pedestrian to step off the road and out of the way of traffic.
The committee members and some members of the public each commented on the
proposal.
Gloria Bence raised issues regarding the need for the three-foot wide, compacted graveled
shoulder. She indicated that walkers step off the road anyway to avoid cars. The
questions were asked, "Once the traffic is slowed down, is there a need for any widening?
Would the wideneing promote parking along the street,which is what the Task Force
wishes to avoid? Why couldn't the widening be one foot instead of three feet? "Won' t
the widening encourage persons to drive onto the shoulder? Won't walkers and runners
use the road anyway?During discussion the Task Force determined that the three-foot
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"soft shoulder"was a reasonable to allow persons to step off the road,especially those
walking with small children and those, such as older adults who did not feel comfortable
walking in the travel lanes. Further,it should be three feet because a person who takes
refuge from traffic should be able to get all of their body's width comfortably out of the
travel lane. The committee determined that the shoulder would not be wide enough to
encourage the type of parking that concern had been expressed about. The concern had
been with those who party at night and trespass onto private land. Cars that did park
would intrude into the right-of-way and would be parked illegally and could be cited and
towed. In some areas, a judiciously placed boulders would prevent encroachment onto
private property.
Sister Eileen said that pedestrian safety is important along the entire length of the road.
This is important since a large number of future residents of Mary's Woods will likely
walk the distance from Mary's Woods to George Rogers Park and perhaps beyond.
These persons will be elderly and it is important to have an appropriate transition from
the developed pathway, which has been required as a condition of development approval
of Mary's Woods. It would not be safe to have a fully developed six-foot path
immediately stop, and expect persons to walk on the travel surface of the road.
Therefore, a place where pedestrians can get off the road is important. There is and will
be more so a mix of people using the road and it is necessary to provide for a range of
physical capabilities. With a three-foot shoulder, there would certainly be people using
the road such as runners, but there is the need to provide for those who don't want to do
so, or feel they don't have the capabilities to do so.
Paula Diamond raised the issue of the need to provide for the multi-use function of the
road and whether,the three foot shoulder really addressed the need for safety of all the
types of walkers that would use the road. She asked that wouldn't a pathway be more
appropriate? It seemed to her to not represent an appropriate/transition or continuation
of the pathway that is proposed to be developed within the south portion of the project.
Dick Porn stated that, from his perspective, improvements along the entire length of the
road should reflect the need to accommodate the need all users,especially the elderly that
will using the road for recreation.
There was discussion about the requirements, to accommodate the other range of needs
expressed by the committee and the public, such as minimizing the impact on the
neighborhood and the appearance of Old River Road and its surroundings;to evaluate the
traffic calming impacts of the traffic management devices before committing to a
pathway and, to address the concerns of Glenmorrie residents who feel a six foot wide
paved pathway is not appropriate.
Judy Dauble stated that the design was responsive to the direction of the committee and
there was a lot to like about it. She said that it was important for the speed bumps
referenced above to be installed on Glenmorrie Drive. She said that she liked the
approach that the road's travel width would not be widened beyond what is along the
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private property portion of the project. She emphasized the need to test the traffic
management measures and evaluate impacts.
There was discussion about testing, evaluation and phasing of implementation. The Task
Force vigorously stressed the need to test thoroughly the proposed traffic management
devices and to take a judicious approach to implementation. There is not the need to do
the whole project at once,but to do initially those things that will most improve the safety
and comfort of recreational users,drivers, and residents. It was expressed that phasing is
essential for success. It was stressed that with the conclusion of the Task Force's charge,
the City continue to involve the residents and users in the testing, evaluation and
implementation phases.
Judy asked staff if to explain how the project would be phased or implemented. Staff
stated that the testing phase is very important to initiate this summer. This is because
summer is when peak usage of the road occurs, especially since students are out of school
for the summer. In addition, it would be important to do testing before the pavement
management project is started at the south-end(Marylhurst, Sisters of the Holy Names)
portion of the project. After discussion the following phases where identified.
I. Summer, 1999: Traffic Management Testing
II. Fall, 1999: Installation of Tested and Workable Traffic Management Devices in
the Areas Outside of the Pavement Management Project Boundaries Including
Glenmorrie Drive.
III. Summer, 2000: Pavement Management Project on South Portion of the Project
Area(Sisters of the Holy Names and Marlyhurst University)
IV. Summer, 2000: Installation of Tested and Workable Traffic Management Devices
Within the Southern Portion of the Project.
V. Summer, 2001: Construction of Pathway on the Southern Portion of the Project
of the Project. This would coincide with the appropriate Development Phase of
Mary's Woods.
There was discussion as to when the shoulder improvements ( 3'wide gravel)would be
done on the northern portion of the project. There was discussion that it is logical to do
so to coincide with the installation of the traffic management devices.
Judy Dauble stressed that other parts of the program need to be implemented as well,
including public information, installation of barriers to prevent trespass and the
restoration of natural areas along the river. She stated that the Willamette River
Greenway values need to be observed. She stressed that it is very important that
improvements be done in a way not to intrude onto private property and be designed and
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implemented in a"low-key"manner. Especially important is the use of natural materials
for barriers to prevent unauthorized parking, minimal signage and minimal use of paint.
Judy said that she like the design because it did not widen the paved travel width of the
road beyond what it is along the residential portion of the project area. Minimizing the
amount of asphalt is important.
Duane Funk and Stan Ashenbrenner during subsequent discussion concurred with Judy
that the design reflected the direction and discussion of the Task Force and that it
represented a good compromise.
There was also discussion as to how to fund the Marylhurst University portion of the
pathway project. It was mentioned that even though the University was proposing some
renovation, it might be difficult to develop a"nexus" to apply a condition of development
of approval to construct the pathway associated with the level of development being
proposed. This was a matter that would have to wait until an application was made by
the University for land use approval.
There was discussion about several funding possibilities including, SDCs, revenues from
the Street Fund, Metro and State Transportation Improvement Funds, Oregon Dept. of
Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Grants, Oregon Salmon Recovery Program for
riverbank restoration, Neighborhood Enhancement Funds, etc.
There was discussion about Glenmorrie's submission of a Neighborhood Enhancement
Grant for a viewing platform. Judy said that the Neighborhood had not had a full
discussion of the idea and wished the City to delay action. They would be in contact with
staff.
Bud Dawell said that he disagreed with the City's position that it had 60 feet of right-of-
way along Old River Road. He said that he would contest the City's use of the right-of-
way if need be. Also, he was prepared to legally contest the construction of a viewing
platform. He referenced the Willamette Greenway Goal and implementing administrative
rules.
There was discussion about the upcoming Council presentation. Sister Eileen said that
another meeting was necessary in July to go over the presentation and confirm the Task
Force's recommendations. Judy Dauble said that the agreed upon, Findings and Design
and Management Solutions should be an integral part of the Council Report.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Ron Bunch
Long Range Planning Manager
file: orrmin62.doc
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