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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/19/1997 City Council006 1.7 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON APRIL 19, 1997 The Work Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 9:05 a.m. on the 19th day of April, 1997, at City Hall with the following Council roll call: William Manning, Mayor Absent ( B u sine s s) Bill Longo, Councilmember Present Mary Watts, Councilmember Present David Stanwick, Councilmember Absent (Personal) Wilma Avey, Councilmember Present John Dillard, Councilmember Absent (Business) David Kovatch, Councilmember Present and with four present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. RECEIVE CITIZEN INPUT REGARDING THE STEWART PENINSULA TRAFFIC STUDY Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Watts addressed the public explaining that handouts were available in the form of maps showing proposed routes, a history of the Stewart Peninsula Traffic Issue and from the North Central Texas Council of Governments a table showing traffic counts. She invited the public to come forward to look at the thoroughfare maps at any time. Ms. Watts read the History of the Stewart Peninsula Traffic Issue and offered that Councilman Avey had suggested this work session in order to give residents another opportunity to express their thoughts on the issue. Councilman Kovatch stated he had received several calls on the issue and assured those present that no final decision had been made. He agreed with Ms. Avey when she suggested the work session in order to hear further comments from the public. He again repeated that no decision had been made. Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Watts briefly explained the concept of a bridge between Stewart and Wynnewood Peninsulas which would be a toll bridge. The State would pay 50% of the cost and the private tollroad builder would pay the other 50%. The approximate cost of such a bridge would be $7.5 million. This concept was not part of the study. Ms. Watts brought this idea to the steering committee, however, the Comprehensive Plan had progressed so far that this idea could not be included. This concept should be considered as a possible solution not only to the Stewart Peninsula traffic but to the Main Street traffic as well. Robin Hull, 5952 Sand Hill Cr. addressed the West Lake Highlands connection to Augusta. She suggested 1) open a street north of Larner to create an every other street access to Main St., 2) the school zone be extended to include the comer of Curry and Larner to discourage speeding on heavily-trafficked Larner, 3) since Larner is divided in half 2 by an entrance to an alley, put a speed hump in the middle of the first and second sections to slow traffic and also on Jenkins if it is opened to Main St. She stated that if the Council is not willing to make those changes, the connection from Eastvale down to Augusta should not be considered as an alternative. She also addressed the bridge concept and suggested not coming off the end of Etheridge. Her suggestion is to bridge from Newton to Wynnewood Peninsula. Ms. Hull continued with lengthy discussion regarding the alternatives and problems regarding emergency services to Stewart Peninsula. John Pinchot. 4338 Newton, stated he was not in favor of using Newton St. and taking out Scout Park. Regarding the problem with emergency services, suggests a fire station located on the peninsula. Regarding Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation for Alternative 4 and 7 revised, he stated that a large part of the problem will be resolved when the State completes improvements at Main St. and North Colony Blvd. He is in favor of option extending the far west end of North Colony Blvd. Ms. Hull mentioned this option goes past an elementary school and would be unsafe. Mr. Pinchot feels that school zones and crossing guards aid students. If the extension goes down Newton St. by Scout Park, children of all ages will be provided less safety considerations. Regarding a possible bridge, he suggests an engineer review the situation since the proposed bridge would be in a five to ten year plan. This option would also require cooperation from the City of Lewisville. O.T. Hall. 4440 Larner, stated he is a long-time resident of the city. As a resident on Larner he said there was a constant stream of school aged children going between houses with no fences. He stated fast traffic on Larner was dangerous with the children crossing where they shouldn't. Alternative #4 will put traffic on Larner St. with no place to go. He continued that the streets are too narrow and does not want possible noise barriers 15' from his front door. He suggested an alternative with three lanes out of the peninsula in the morning peak hours and three lanes in during the afternoon peak hours on North Colony Blvd. James Fee. 7113 Elliot Ct., stated this is an issue not just affecting those living in Stewart Peninsula, but improvements need to be made city-wide to help citizens get out in the morning. He feels we need an immediate "fix" and look at future permanent solutions in time. Sherrie L. Breaux, 4404 Larner, feels that her street is too narrow for two cars to pass and is designated as school bus route. She commented that Larner St. needs speed bumps and also suggests lengthening the school zone on Augusta and adding speed bumps on Augusta. She noted that the majority of Larner St. is only 25' wide while Nervin St. is 35' wide. Her suggestion is to close Larner St. and open Nervin St. all the way to Main St. Sue Hebert, 4405 Larner, asked why Larner St. is the only street open to Main St. She commented that Larner St. is over its traffic capacity. She suggested rerouting school buses to the wider streets. Bernetta Henville-Shannon, 4156 Ballard Tr., stated that about one year ago residents found out about the Etheridge extension by accident and with the help of Councilman Avey, started a group called "Stewart's Creek Awareness Group." They asked for citizen input to address the problem. She stressed that everyone keep an open mind and think about long- term solutions. She suggested a bridge to come off the end of Cypress Cove and go northwest to the peninsula. She encouraged all citizens to stay involved. 3 Brcm Glenn, 4505 Oueen Cr., stated that the city does not have money for the proposed roadway and don't know for sure if we need it because improvements scheduled for the intersection of North Colony Blvd. and Main St. will help alleviate the current traffic congestion. He feels the thoroughfare plan should be completed in order to start collecting impact fees. He suggests looking at solutions regardless of costs and work from there. If plan needs to change in the future, changes can be made at that time. Maur¢¢n Miller, 4520 Lake Ridge, is concerned that Main St. is a proposed six-lane thoroughfare and that the area where she lives is small and will be sandwiched by heavily trafficked streets on either side. Councilman Longo commented that the city needs to acquire right-of-ways along Main St. and push pressure on the State to widen Main St. and Paige Rd. and work toward pushing Memorial through Frisco to SH 121. The city is limited on funds and we must spend money wisely. He feels the left turn lane from Main St. onto North Colony Blvd. should be extended. He also feels a traffic light should be installed at Lake Shore and at South Colony Blvd and Paige Rd. Mr. Longo feels that as Main St. develops, right-of-ways are harder to acquire. Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Watts asked Interim City Manager Patti Hicks if maps were available showing the State's proposed improvements to the intersection of North Colony Blvd. and Main St. north to the bridge. Ms. Hicks responded that the maps were not large enough to display but added that city is waiting on TxDOT approval for improvements to begin on the intersections. The State is waiting on the right-of-way from Eckerd's and it should be acquired soon. Ms. Watts asked Ms. Hicks to make copies of what is ultimately going to happen with the current construction that is taking place on Main St. Ms. Hicks responded that she would. Gerald Odum, 4509 Inraan, does not see a problem bad enough to cut through someone's property as he has heard might happen. He suggests possibly adding an additional turning lane at North Colony Blvd. and Main St. Citizens who live east of Main St. use Main St. to leave the city since Blair Oaks has too many stop signs. He suggests removing stop signs on Blair Oaks so more citizens might use it. He added that there will not be enough money collected from impact fees for the construction of a bridge. William Bramlett, 4180 North Colony Blvd., addressed the alternative 4 revised. He stated that not only does it take out the park and will be very expensive, two traffic lights will be added to Main St. He does not usually experience a problem leaving the city during peak times. He noted that the problem should be compared to traffic going south on Old Denton or traffic on Preston Rd. John Lauer, 4429 Larner St., commented that the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission coddle to developers. Teresa Sidwell, 3953 Teal Cove Ln., stated the traffic problem is not just affecting the residents living on Stewart Peninsula but the entire city. She noted that Rusty Nichols is going to build 700-800 homes north of Etheridge Elementary and this development will create even more of a traffic problem. She encouraged everyone to come together and find a solution now before the problem escalates. Johnny Smith, 4512 Keys Dr., stated that when Stewart Peninsula was planned, the total number of units intended to empty onto North Colony Blvd. was approximately 1,750 possible units. Mr. Nichols can add approximately 1,100 more units. The Council modified those plans and the total number of built-out units now is 848. The total number of built- out units is 2,500-2,600, and 2,000 are currently built. The units not currently developed will not create further traffic problems on the peninsula. He stated that the state has already planned improvements to the intersection of Main St. and North Colony Blvd. at no cost to the city. Those improvements will provide an additional right turn stacking lane from North Colony Blvd. to Main St. His suggestion is that proposed improvements by the State be completed. In addition, money has already been committed by the developer to take two lanes and extend Standridge Rd. out to SH 121. He also suggested continuing with plans to extend Morningstar down to SH 121. When Dallas North Tollway finishes out, traffic can also go north to pick up the tollway. A bridge will not be constructed for many years. We can't blame the developers and can't depend on impact fees. The Council can do a better job when they know what the citizens want. A citizen from the audience asked if Mr. Smith would entertain questions. Ms. Watts responded that would be Mr. Smith's decision. Mr. Smith consented and returned to the podium. Question from the audience: Was the traffic study meant to simply address getting traffic off of the peninsula or was this to address the overall view of emergency vehicles and other issues of future development, etc. Mr. Smith responded he didn't want citizens to look at the completion of the 600 homes of Mr. Nichols' development as an element to create more of a traffic problem. He stated we need to address the North Colony Blvd./Main St. intersection immediately which will help the biggest part of the problem. Regarding emergency vehicles, Fire Chief Van Morrison has tried to look at the development of the peninsulas and develop a plan to meet response time that the State requires. Long-term planning provides a sub-station south of SH 121 and one on Wynnewood Peninsula. He further explained that the thoroughfare plan was started a long time ago. When the plan was initiated Etheridge Extension was on the plan. When the Veteran's Point project surfaced (outside the city limits) the developer asked that the Etheridge Extension be taken off so he wouldn't have to dedicate the right- of-way. Council voted for that proposal against staff recommendation. That action began the studies. Discussion followed about the original Etheridge extension and access to the former Eastvale area. Mr. Smith further explained that when engineers conduct the studies, they are looking at alternatives which will get the job done. The Council should then take into consideration recommendations from the engineers and consider how the residents will be affected. Question from the audience: When Main St. was paved, why was that particular choice of surface selected? Mr. Smith responded the surfacing is terrible and that city staff and Council had no participation in that project. Councilman Avey gave a brief overview of viable alternatives. She stressed the importance of a 'Hay out" for citizens on the peninsula. She continued that decisions need to be based on the needs now and in the future. With future development of Wynnewood Peninsula, the same traffic problems will occur. She continued identifying alternatives and possible solutions. 006521 Todd Hammock. 4504 Keys Dr., opposes the Keys Dr. plan. Understands that Hal Jones, consultant, has recommended not using a residential street for additional relief for the traffic problem. Brad Gerleman, 4625 Oueen Cr., thanked Mr. Smith for his input and agreed that the plan to go north would address the Main St. problem. He also suggests that the traffic stay confined and that no new roads be constructed on the peninsula. Suggests keeping the residential traffic flow separated. With no further citizen input, the work session was adjourned at 10:30 a.m. APPROVED: ATTEST: ~thmm (D.,~n, Deputy City Secretary 6