SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Meeting was held on July 29, 2008, at 6:07 p.m. with Chairman Leary presiding. Members present were Mrs. Russell, and Mr. Davis. Mr. Slavin and Mr. Link were absent. Councilman Ruane and Mayor Carey were also present.
Mr. Leary welcomed the committee’s new member, Mr. John Davis, citizen representative.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mrs. Russell moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Davis and unanimously carried.
Bayhealth Expansion: South Street Air Rights Easement
Mr. DePrima, City Manager, advised members that Bayheath Medical Center is undergoing a major expansion of its facilities, both on the north and south side of South Street. The hospital is located on the south side of South Street and the Central Utility Building (CUB) will be located on the north side. Bayhealth is proposing a steel materials handling bridge between the two buildings that will have to cross South Street. There will be an 18 foot clear area under the bridge. He explained that the proposed purpose of the bridge is to get materials from the CUB to the main hospital building. In addition, underground utilities such as steam lines, chilled water lines, electrical power, etc. will go between buildings under ground. The project has been conditionally approved by the Planning Commission.
Mr. DePrima stated that the unusual nature of granting an air rights easement for a private bridge over a public right-of-way requires approval of the City Council. Staff recommended that the City Manager be authorized to sign a right-of-way easement for the Bayhealth Medical Center utility bridge over South Street after review and approval by the City Solicitor. The easement is to include temporary construction easements and related under ground utility easements, with maintenance, inspections, and removal being the responsibility of Bayhealth Medical Center.
Responding to Mr. Davis, Mr. DePrima assured members that staff would provide the graphics of the bridge elevation drawing and easement location plan (Attachment #1).
Mrs. Russell moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Davis and unanimously carried.
Persimmon Park Place - On Street Parking
Mr. DePrima, City Manager, advised members that Persimmon Park Place was originally developed with private streets owned and operated by the condominium association in the late 1980’s. From the beginning, the development did not allow on street parking. He stated that each home has two (2) on-site parking spaces, and an overflow parking lot is located near the community center. In 2004, the City accepted the street and took over maintenance and traffic enforcement. Mr. DePrima indicated that the platted rights-of-way and pavement widths were significantly less than City street requirements. By accepting these streets, he stated that the City acknowledged and accepted the existing conditions. On-street parking was not considered at the time.
Members were advised that Mr. Fred Tolbert, on behalf of the Condominium Association, recently requested that the City allow parking on one side of the street for the convenience of the home owners and their guests. The street widths in the development are between 20 and 24 feet wide. Mr. DePrima advised members that, in accordance with the City’s Land Subdivision Regulations, “on street parking on one side of the street” requires a 30-foot pavement width or greater. The approval of anything less than 30 feet would require a variance and waiver by City Council under Article VII, Section A “Variance and Waiver” of the Land Subdivision Regulations. The “Variance and Waiver” section implies a finding and recommendation from the Planning Commission.
Staff recommended referral of the request for on street parking on one side of the street to the Planning Commission, and requested that they hold a public hearing on the matter.
Mr. Davis moved to recommend referral of the request to the Planning Commission as recommended by staff, seconded by Mrs. Russell and unanimously carried.
Safety Issues - Special Events
Mr. Wayne Hutchison, Emergency Management Coordinator, explained several safety issues regarding special events, as follows:
1. EMS standby for crowds over 5,000
a. ALS and BLS
2. Police standby for crowds over 1,000
a. Numbers to be determined by Dover PD
3. A central location for EMS to be located if possible
4. Electrical service
5. Access to be better regulated
6. Cooking vendors to have fire extinguishers appropriate type, size and number
7. Severe weather conditions and the public
a. What do we do and how do we do it?
8. Cooling station, tent, fans, hydration?
Mr. Hutchison also advised members that staff has developed an outreach program for severe weather alerts.
Mrs. Russell moved to recommend acceptance of the report regarding safety issues for special events as presented by staff, seconded by Mr. Davis and unanimously carried.
2008 Comprehensive Plan Review: Transportation and Emergency Response Sections
Mrs. Townshend, Director of Planning and Inspections, provided members with Chapter 8 - Community Services and Facilities Plan, and Chapter 9 - Transportation Plan, of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update for their review. She stated that the recommendations with regards to Chapter 9 made during their meeting of June 24, 2008 have been incorporated. She also indicated that Chapter 8 includes a section on public safety.
Noting that the Comprehensive Plan is in the preliminary draft stage, Mrs. Townshend suggested that these Chapters be presented to members monthly for a review of the revisions resulting from comments received by staff and public workshops.
Referring to the Recommended Goals, Mr. Ruane suggested that staff include timelines for an accomplishment of a goal, which would allow for accountability and provide an expectation.
Concurring, Mrs. Townshend stated that a work plan for the implementation of the goals would be included based on dialogue with the appropriate department.
Mr. Davis moved to recommend acceptance of the report on Chapters 8 and 9 of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan, seconded by Mrs. Russell and unanimously carried.
Briefing on DelDOT Projects - Gary Laing
Mr. Gary Laing, Community Relations Officer for DelDOT and Public Relations Liaison, provided members a briefing on DelDOT Projects, as follows:
West Dover Connector
Mr. Laing stated that DelDOT continues to conduct detail analysis on the alternatives for future study by the working group and the environmental impacts of each. No decision has been made on any of the alternatives and no time frame has been developed. DelDOT is awaiting on the results of the environmental impact study prior to making any further determination of a preferred alternative.
Traffic Signal at Greenway Lane and Kenton Road
Mr. Laing reiterated that the Traffic Section of DelDOT has indicated that the intersection of Greenway Lane and Kenton Road is too close to the intersection and traffic signal at Route 8 and Kenton Road to allow for an additional traffic signal. He indicated that the intersection will continue to be reviewed by the Traffic Section.
South Governors Avenue Improvements
Mr. Laing reported that progress is being made on the South Governors Avenue Improvements. The bridge replacement will begin soon and, as a result, signage regarding the road closure has been erected.
Mr. Laing advised members of a statewide campaign is being conducted by DelDOT in an attempt to reduce people’s driving speed within residential neighborhoods. He provided a presentation of the campaign that depicts the results impact at various speeds. He stated that t-shirts and “25 I’m hurt - at 35 I’m dead - Speed Limit 25 mph” signs for residents to erect on their property are being distributed in neighborhoods on August 5th, as follows: 10:00 a.m. at Kesselring; 12:00 noon at Towne Point; 1:00 p.m. at Woodview at Sheffield; and 2:30 p.m. in Smyrna.
Mr. Laing stated that DelDOT has established a working group that will meet on a monthly basis to allow DelDOT the opportunity to better communicate to those affected by the project, as well as to receive feedback, in an effort to alleviate problems and issues regarding this project. This group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Bayhealth.
Mr. Davis suggested that DelDOT consider distributing t-shirts for the residential speed limit campaign to bike shops for bikers to wear, feeling that this could be an additional means of relaying the message.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. DePrima advised members that the City of Dover has provided Halpern Eye Associates a temporary access agreement to and from South Bradford Street for their employees use during construction. Mrs. Townshend advised members that another business recently opened and that the sign regulations would have required a legal non-conforming sign to be in compliance. Since the impact of the improvements to Governors Avenue are unknown, the City signed an agreement with this business owner requiring the installation of a legal conforming sign within 60 days of completion of the road improvements. She explained that staff did not want the business owner to have the expense of erecting a monument sign only to have it damaged as a result of the roadway improvements. Mrs. Townshend also advised members that an issue pending review by the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee is an ordinance that would allow the planning staff to approve the relocation of legal non-conforming signs that are affected by the Governors Avenue Construction Project. She assured members that staff is attempting to be flexible whenever possible by taking temporary measures to assist residents and businesses affected by the construction.
In response to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Laing stated that, to his knowledge, there are no agreements for providing parking lots. As a representative of this district, Mr. Ruane requested that he be notified if there are any discussions of this nature.
Wyoming Mill Road Project
Mr. Laing indicated that although DelDOT is providing advise and expertise regarding the Wyoming Mill Road Project, it is a City of Dover project; therefore, he deferred this matter to City staff for providing members an update.
Mr. DePrima advised members that a project engineer has been assigned to the Wyoming Mill Road Project, which is currently in the design stages. The project has been put on hold pending documentation from the original owner who donated the land to the City for the road right-of-way. He explained that a requirement of the federal government is to assure that the original property owner is aware of all the rules and regulations regarding land donation. He stated that the property owner has requested his attorney to review the documentation and that any further action is pending the receipt of a response. Mr. DePrima explained that since this is a federal project, there are several federal review requirements.
Briefing on MPO Projects - Juanita Wieczoreck
Ms. Wieczoreck, Executive Director of the Dover/Kent County MPO, explained that the purpose of the Dover/Kent County MPO is to bring together State and local governments to determine transportation priorities for the MPO planning area. She distributed a 2007 Information Booklet of the Dover/Kent County MPO (as on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Ms. Wieczoreck advised members that the North Dover Study is approaching completion, reminding members that the study is to evaluate traffic and transportation issues between Jefferic Boulevard (to the south) and Scarborough Road (to the north), inter-connectivity between parcels, and what actions can be accomplished to help reduce traffic on Route 13. A public workshop has been scheduled for August 7th and notices have been sent to residents of the area. It is hoped that this project will be completed by the end of September.
Ms. Wieczoreck indicated that the MPO is in the process of updating the Long-Range Transportation Plan. There is a long list of projects that will be reviewed for prioritizing, explaining that there is anticipation that there will be reduced funding from both the state and federal governments for the completion of all projects. Ms. Wieczoreck stated that the prioritizing list should be completed by November and would be presented to members at that time for their review.
With regards to the intersection of Greenway Lane and Kenton Road, Ms. Wieczoreck advised members that the Route 8 Study recommends the relocation of the intersection further north on Kenton Road. Noting that DelDOT has conducted a Kenton Road Study, she suggested that they, along with the MPO, present and review their respective studies to members to allow for a better understanding of the plans for the area.
Ms. Wieczoreck stated that the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee (Chair - Mr. Frank Fantini) has developed three (3) subcommittees: 1) Aviation (Chair - Mr. Dan Wolfensberger); Mass Transit (Chair - Ms. Wieczoreck); and Highways (Chair - Mr. Ray Harbeson). Should members wish to serve on any of these subcommittees, Ms. Wieczoreck suggested that they contact the Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Wieczoreck indicated that a meeting between the Mayors and Norfolk Southern was recently held to discuss issues regarding security and safety along the railroad. There has been no site identified where any of the switching yards could be relocated, nor is there funding available. However, she stated that Norfolk Southern indicated that they would be researching surveillance systems and that meetings will continue in an attempt to develop a solution to provide safety and security along the railroad.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Ms. Wieczoreck indicated that a traffic signal on Saulsbury Road at the Shopping Center entrance has been planned and the equipment installed.
After much discussion, Mr. Ruane suggested that the topic regarding a crossover at Water Street be an on-going agenda item for DelDOT to update members on a regular basis. He explained the importance of this issue as it relates to the development of Eden Hill.
In response to Mr. Ruane, Ms. Wieczoreck indicated that the transit hub has been included in the Capital Transportation Program for the year 2013.
Mr. Davis moved for adjournment, seconded by Mrs. Russell and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas J. Leary
Chairman
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Attachments
Attachment #1 - Graphics of the Bridge Elevation Drawing and Easement Location Plan