City Council Meeting Date: April 16, 2019
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Tim Behrendt, Streets and Parks Manager
Dave Bennett, Public Works Director
Title
Consider Accepting the Pedestrian, Bike and Trail System Update Recommendations Submitted by Toole Design.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves a Motion Accepting the Pedestrian, Bike and Trail System Plan.
Summary Report:
In March 2018, the City released its Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Pedestrian, Bike and Trail System Update. The RFP laid out a detailed scope of work that included reviewing and proposing recommended revisions to current plans and policies to create a safe and connected system for recreation and transportation within the City of Northfield. The update included evaluating trails, sidewalks, and on-street facilities for walking and biking including:
1. Identifying system gaps
2. Establishing a route for the Mill Towns State Trail within the City
3. Updating and extending the Safe Routes to School plan to include Northfield High School and Arcadia Charter School
4. Planning a network of walking and bicycling facilities
The goal of this update is to plan, build and maintain a network of safe and connected trails and street facilities for people of all ages.
Attachment 1 lists the changes that were made to the final report.
Attachment 2 lists the changes that were made to the Planned Walking and Bicycling Map. These changes were made after receiving feedback from the City Council at the April 2 meeting.
Attachment 3 is the final report for the Pedestrian, Bike and Trail System Update. The final report can also be viewed at the following link: <https://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/1202/2018-Pedestrian-Bike-Trail-System>
The Park and Recreation Advisory Board recommended approval at their March 21 meeting.
The Planning Commission had the following recommended changes:
1. Street chart - PC would like allowable minimum lane widths of 10’ in all categories. Changed the minimum widths to be 10’ for ‘Parkway” and ‘Avenue’. Toole Design does not recommend going narrower than 12’ drive lanes on the ‘Road’ street type.
2. Street chart - PC would like a 6’ minimum bike lane width. All street types with on-street bikeways have a minimum bikeway width of 6’.
3. Include information related importance of intersection design as it related to safety of all users at the intersections.
Based on the previous action on the Mill Towns State Trail proposed location, staff will have the report updated to reflect their recommendation of the State Trail Location.
Alternative Options:
Toole Design has taken feedback from the City Council and considered incorporating them into the final plan as summarized in the attachment. If there are further suggestions on any items the Council should take action to request Toole Design to consider those into their plan study. Any proposed changes for Toole Design to consider would require the item to be delayed to a future meeting for consideration.
There had been some questions and interest in adding clarifying language into the plan related to intersections. This was not included in the scope of services but Toole Design did incorporate some language referencing intersections. Guidance for intersection design is provided for professionals in such publication such as NATCO Urban Street Design Guide, AASHTO Geometric Design of Highway and Street, MNDOT Road Design Manual, MNDOT Bikeway Facility Design Manual, and others that is considered on projects. Engineering uses these documents along with best practices to bring forward on a context appropriate project basis to improve pedestrian and biking infrastructure and safety in the City.
There may be some added language that may be appropriate to included within the Council’s adopted Complete Street Policy related to intersections and otherwise. Staff will be reviewing that document for review and potential consideration of modifications.
Financial Impacts:
None at this time
Tentative Timelines:
Summer 2019 - start design of the Mill Towns State Trail.
2019 - Explore incorporation of the study components into the Comprehensive Plan.