Loading...
Approved Minutes - 1999-04-07 OLD RIVER ROAD AD-HOC TASK FORCE r MINUTES --APRIL 7, 1999 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Main Fire Station Meeting Room - 300 B Avenue, Lake Oswego,OR Members Present: David Dodds, Robinwood Neighborhood(West Linn), Kelly Atwood (Old River Woods), Stan Aschenbrenner (NRAB), Jamie Ellgen (Old Towne), Judy Dauble (Glenmorrie Neighborhood Association), Michael Lammers (Marlyhurst University) Mike Anderson(Co-Chair, Citizen-at-Large), Sister Eileen Brown (Co-Chair, Sisters of the Holy Names) Staff Present: Ron Bunch, Long Range Planning Manager- Lake Oswego, Gordon Howard, Senior Planner- West Linn, David Ausherman, Fregonese Calthorpe& Associates Others: Jordon H. Jones, Cohen Connolly, Ray Edwards, Regina Atwood, Donna Zajonc, John Panichello, Priscilla Panichello, Jim Morse, Bob Howell, Kris Howell, CC Dawell for LM Dawell, Gloria Bence, Tom Chow, Stephen Smith Co-Chairs Sister Eileen and Mike Anderson brought the meeting to order and explained that the purpose of the evenings meeting was to review the draft criteria, findings, and conclusions that staff had derived from work that the task force had done to date and from the neighborhood meeting held in February 1999. She reminded the Task Force and members of the public that this is a work in progress and the material to be presented results from the group's direction to staff. There was consensus that the minutes provided accurately reflected the proceedings of the March 3, 1999 meeting. Ron Bunch was asked to review the agenda in advance of discussion. He explained that Attachment"B"represented a compilation of findings, conclusions and criteria from the three meetings held by the Task Force thus far, including the February, 1999 citizen's meeting at Marylhurst University. Other material in the packet reviewed the direction that the Comprehensive Plan provides regarding, local residential streets such as Old River Road, the Willamette River Greenway and the provision of bike and pedestrian facilities. He stressed that the Transportation System Plan had identified pathways on both Old River Road and Glenmorrie Drive. Other material provided included, a letter from the City's Chief of Survey finding that the public right-of-way for Old River Road was 60 feet; the City's administrative policy regarding the requirement for aesthetic treatment of public works projects; plans for traffic and recreational user counts; and concept solutions for Old River Road that specifically addressed the above findings and criteria. It was stressed that, per the Task Force's direction the intent was to make the and traffic management improvements within as compact an area as ')dpjq proposed pathway g p p possible an still be consistent with the City Council's charge to the committee. Ron asked that the Task Force fill out the criteria/design solution matrix prior to leaving. The instruction was to match criteria/problem statements with design solutions, which addressed or solved the identified problems or issues. Members of the public also received the sheets and were invited to turn them in. Judy Dauble stated that it was inappropriate to ask that the matrix be turned in at the meeting. It appeared complicated and required some thought. Michael Lammers asked if the matrix could be turned at the end of the week. It was resolved that for those who wished the matrix could be turned in at the end of the week. Judy Dauble, Glenmorrie Neighborhood Association representative requested that enough time be provided to discuss in greater detail the findings, criteria and proposed solutions, because much of the material presented did not seem to accurately reflect was stated by the Task Force and Citizens at previous meetings. She stated that she had discussed the proposed design with her neighborhood and was very disappointed by its starkness and lack of alternatives --which were promised. The Co-chairs responded that the best time to bring up these issues in detail would be after presentation of the design concepts by David Ausherman. David presented the graphic solution concepts which had been previously distributed to the task force and interested persons. He stressed that these solutions were based on information received through conversations with the Task Force and members of the public. He presented a design concept for Old River Road that combined traffic management measures - speed bumps and one-lane queuing with combined with a six to eight fort pathway on the east side of the road separated where possible from the existing pavement by a six-foot wide planter strip. He explained that it was proposed to have five one-lane queuing devices at about every one thousand feet at locations where there were "natural"pinch-points. These are areas where there is already inadequate room due to slope to construct a pathway on the east side. Between the pinch-points would be speed bumps. The intent is to keep traffic at residential level speeds -- 25 m.p.h. or less. It was stressed that these are concepts only. Traffic management devices would have to be engineered and located to avoid conflicts with existing land uses and ensure adequate sight-distances. The location of the pathway would be similar to that which occurs along the road in West Linn adjacent to the south Lake Oswego City Limits. Another important part of the proposed solutions is to separate the path from George Rogers Park, which intersects Old River Road from the road itself. It might be appropriate to install a convex mirror at this location so traffic and walkers on Old River Road could see on- coming traffic around the corner . In addition the separated path and associated barricades (design to be determined) would serve to keep cars from parking on wide spots of the road and contributing to concerns with security and trespass. David stated that the task force is setting somewhat of a precedent with executing the Council's design treatments to a sub-urban, rural character road to manage traffic 2 � � 041) conrecreational users (walkers and bikers) and local residential traffic. �p conflicts between r There are some urban precedents for such traffic calming measures, but few which had characteristics like Old River Road. Locally, an example might be Terwilliger Boulevard in Portland where off-street pathways are used a lot for recreational walking, biking, roller-blading in a very nice scenic setting. However, it is a much different street. Therefore, what the Task Force is doing is unique and requires unique design solutions. Ron Bunch, reviewed an alternative design which was referred to as the"forest service road"option, where the road would be essentially one-lane or two, but uncomfortable for cars to pass each other with pull-outs. Sister Eileen stated that she could not support this option because of security and trespass issues. Pullouts would serve as places for people to park and congregate and result in security problems. The floor was opened for Task Force discussion. Jamie Ellgen stressed caution not to junk the road up with too much signage. It has been her experience, living in Old Town, with its own concerns about traffic and aesthetic impacts that there can be such a thing as too many signs and too much paint. Judy Dauble stated that the comparison of Old River Road with Terwilliger Blvd. is not appropriate. Terwilliger Blvd. is a major street in Portland. The neighborhood does not want Old River Road to be like Terwilliger Blvd. It wants Old River Road to be like it is -- to preserve what is there. The solutions that are being proposed have too much asphalt . It seems that the design is a repeat of the 1992 design, which the City stated, was not aesthetic. It takes up too much space;there are no alternatives or examples how this kind of project has worked elsewhere as was promised. The proposals were not developed to be consistent with the road's real character. What needs to be done is to reduce traffic on the road and retain the natural setting. There is a traffic problem - a speed problem on the road, and she takes issue with the statement in staff's report that there exist conflicts between recreational walkers/bikers and traffic. Traffic is the issue not walking and biking. She stated that other problems and criteria were presented inappropriately. Judy went on to say that the idea of rumble strips at the intersection of Glenmorrie Drive and Old River Road is disliked because of noise. The neighborhood did like the "pinch- points", speed bumps, but not signage and paint. Ron Bunch, stated that the 1992 plan had proposed 12 feet of roadside path abutting the paved surface on the east side--no accompanying traffic management proposals or landscaping. This makes it much different than what is being proposed The current proposals seek to retain or enhance the natural setting as much as possible. David Ausherman stated that the drawings are concepts and the intent is to get the task force's ideas. He said that the drawings were made from slides and actually reflected what is on the site even if they do appear a bit stark. 3 1*A Ron Bunch stated,that staff would present alternatives to the extent that they were r consistent with direction received from the Task Force, met the City Council's charge statement and were feasible from an engineering/design standpoint. Development and analysis of alternatives for their own sake cannot be done. The Task Force has a limited amount of time to fulfill the City Council's charge. David Dodds stated that he had concerns about the workability of a pathway on the east side of the road because of topography/steep slopes. He said that the Task Force might wish to consider a range of possible proposals from the simplest to the complex. Perhaps all is needed is 10 - 12 speed bumps and no pathway. There have been no real accidents on the road, and slowing traffic down is all that is necessary. A pathway is not required. Ron Bunch reviewed the Council's charge statement saying that it directed the Task Force to align a pathway. Judy Dauble stated is this Old River Road Ad-Hoc Pathway Task Force or the Old River Road Task Force. She said that she didn't read the charge statement in that way. The Transportation System Plan stated that a pathway is in the 11 - 20 year time frame on Glenmorrie Drive. Why is the Task Force directed to do a pathway now? She wants more creativity shown on how to deal with the problem and asked why does a pathway need to be on the east side of the road, "Why couldn't the Task Force recommended a pathway to go down the middle of the road" as an example of creative thinking. Kelly Atwood asked what does "align" mean. Does it mean siting a pathway with engineered precision? Ron Bunch replied that it means to show the general location of a pathway. This is a planning project. Engineering would occur at a later stage. Mr. Atwood stated that evening and weekend closure is not an option for his neighborhood. Perhaps for special events but not otherwise. He has a real concern with an effort to make the road one-lane for any distance. His neighborhood drives on the road and will not accept an unsafe situation. This exercise will not solve everybody's problem and reasonable compromise is necessary. The meeting was opened up to public comment. Jerry Lublink and Jim Morse took issue with the City's report that the right-of-way of the road was 60 feet. They stated the road was an easement and that the City Surveyor had made a mistake. The City's efforts to build a pathway on Old River Road was a land grab and would be fought in the courts if necessary. Written material was submitted in this regard. Ron Bunch said he would ask the surveyor to review his findings and he would respond I writing. He asked Mr. Lublink and Mr. Morse, if they wished to pursue legal action to direct this communication to the City Attorney's Office. Some residents of Old River Woods expressed concern about the newspaper stories that the road was going to be one-way. Colleen Connolly stated she would not accept traffic management devices or a one-way street pattern that would result in driving difficulty or safety. She does want not want to be deterred from driving on the road,to have to yield to another car or take longer to get to her destination. She said there is no problem on 4 � � Oft qP Old River Road and the road should be left alone. As an example she pointed out that at T the West Linn City limits,the joggers do not use the pathway. They jog in the middle of street. Gloria Bence stated that the road should be left alone. A pathway is not necessary. The road is the pathway. Stephen Smith asked the question, "What is the problem --what needs to be fixed." Thomas Chow stated that it appears that the issue is with the pathway. He asked what's wrong with a small pathway? The City Council is not going to close the road. The two neighborhoods(Old River Woods, Glenmorrie Road) should work together on this issue. There being no further business. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Ron Bunch, Long Range Planning Manager April 15, 1999 Minorr47 5 • RAYD. EDWARDS ECPIVEit 2424 S. GLENMORRIE DRIVE LAKE OSWEGO, OREGON 97034 APR 12 1999 CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO To: Ron Bunch, Long Range Planning Manager Dept.of Planning Development Re: Old River Road Ad-Hoc Task Force It appeared to me that most of the residents of the area would like to see Old River Road remain as a small rural road maintaining as much as possible the natural rural setting. The designs as submitted seem to change the character because of the much wider footprint that a roadway,boulders and plantings and a 6' to 8' path would necessitate. Whether you exercise the 60' or the 30' right of way it would still impact the current setting too greatly. My suggestion would be to merely extend the roadway 3'to 4' to the east and paint a line to delineate the roadway. At those locations where there is no room for a pathway extension you could install the"pinchbacks"and install speed bumps at the other locations. It seems imperative to do something to discourage non-local traffic if we are to follow the Comprehensive Plan. Goal 12, Section III,Policy 1 states in part"Through traffic(auto trips which have neither trip end within the neighborhood boundary)on these streets shall be discouraged." Again I would like to point out that any recommendations coming from this committee will be illegitimate because of the stacked make-up of that body. Kelly asked at the meeting when there would be votes taken. I can see why he would be anxious to proceed with a vote because he knows he has all the votes needed to squelch any plans to restrict the travel in our neighborhood to the West Linn residents. Another fellow repeatedly asked"what is the Problem?" The residents of Glenmorrie could easily answer that question. The problem is that approximately 40 residents of West Linn insist on using our neighborhood for their commute to Lake Oswego. Because they know they have the support of the City Council they are arrogant and rude. I believe I could convince them of the problem if I gathered 39 other residents and traveled through their neighborhood every morning and evening. The numbers aren't great but it would double traffic in the area just like it does ours. Extensive efforts were put into discouraging traffic from cutting through the First Addition Neighborhood rather than going down the main thoroughfares. Why can't we put at least a fraction of that effort into preventing traffic from cutting through our neighborhood? The only reason I can see is politics. Sincerely, Ray4�Edwards OLD RIVER ROAD AD-HOC TASK FORCE MEETING APRIL 7, 1999 ATTENDEES Jordan H. Jones 3310 Cedar Court, Lake Oswego 97034 635-2856 Colleen Connolly 18409 Old River Road, Lake Oswego 97034 Jerry Lublink 17007 Old River Road, Lake Oswego 97034 Ray Edwards 2424 Glenmorrie Drive, Lake Oswego 97034 David Dodds 18931 Old River Drive, Lake Oswego 97034 Kelly Atwood 3300 River Woods Place, Lake Oswego 97034 Regina Atwood 3300 River Woods Place, Lake Oswego 97034 Stan Aschenbrenner 1225 Oak Terrace, Lake Oswego 97034 Donna Zajonc 16461 Chapin Way, Lake Oswego 97034 Jamie Ellgen 125 Wilbur, Lake Oswego 97034 Judy Dauble 3030 Glenmorrie Drive, Lake Oswego 97034 Michael Tammer Marylhurst University John Panichello 3000 Stonebridge Way, Lake Oswego 97034 Priscilla Panichello 2932 Glenmorrie Drive, Lake Oswego 97034 Mike Anderson 5025 Foot Hills Road, Lake Oswego 97034 Sister Eileen Brown Box 366, Marylhurst 97036 Jim Morse 17147 Old River Road, Lake Oswego 97034 Bob and Kris Howell 18160 Old River Drive, Lake Oswego 97034 CC Dawell for LM Dawell 16805 Old River Drive, Lake Oswego 97034 Gloria Bence 16955 Old River Road, Lake Oswego 97034 Tom Chow 18320 River Edge Lane, Lake Oswego 97034 Stephen Smith 18409 Old River Road, Lake Oswego 97034 0 A.---kpv__(s&A,r_g__, o‘tAiwi, I 4,6 I cJ7e3r 0_ 6,- 3) r z Co(,(u ( vt (G� � g q-o q va j 6c4 70 3e-( - Jeg.cZ,- ) 31507 2,vEQ /Z0,1 LAIA-R_ z-f- S. G L-41,J M6 4./L/E a R 51- HvI � -Th0JJ Ig 3 / 0/ ( 4,•.64, _.D 7`0 4-7-(A)O 0 3300 ekvae. woo os PC, 1/4_J-cra-a- 33 6 a ie. v te20 045 Pl. 12 57dyt �Cia.t,hr-G11,h ,ev k Te .??63 t- Dej 4//11/1- _ Ziqp (6' t(9/ VUlf-re, t Al 46.41.L. 1/•__- /01s I t2 (/,(1_,/ ,36 30 e5 a6af6-- L Z O� 017,(/.,,,,,f ,fry , L't 6-4) 5 641 rfrtlerr7--C-.-) fyll pi s®'-c AlAgtAg So,Z5 49etLJ K /ao)c 3 Nia r l!o,T t s 7a3;� 4hier;,1 Alrlue// /r/6 L < 1/4i,v'rj- 5 zy c Put-OP v-ubiz- /- /214,1Axi- ifosto .s. ole.4. -vvvra.pe, glott _ ( e� c Jam)