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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-09-15 Beautication CALDWELL BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Session II - Regular Meeting - September 15, 1975 Page 3 Dixie Drain Project - Public Hearing (continued) levels to further minimize the "nuisance" of bike traffic were presented. The path and immediately adjacent area will be wide enough to accommodate trucks for maintenance of the ditch. Slight hills and variety will be incorporated to make the path more interesting and inticeing to both bicyclists and property owners. Possible methods of signing were displayed. Mel stated that plans call for the path to follow the east side of the ditch from Logan almost to Ash at which point it would cross -to the west side and continue on the west side to Jefferson Junior High School. Chr. Bauman declared the meeting open for questions and discussion. Phyllis Hull stated that the Sidewalk Committee would like to see a pedestrian way incorporated, possibly with the bikeway on one side and the pedestrian path on the other side of the ditch. Jeanne Johnson asked if the bikeway would follow the contour of the ditch. Mel Lewis detailed how it would follow the angled ditch south of Ash. Billy W. Nix stated a concern about security especially after dark. He also asked about consideration of adolescents playing in the ditch and about fencing. Various Commission members answered that many children already play along the ditch, that tricycles would not be encouraged, that parents with very small children would be expected to maintain the same kind of vigil that is now necessary, and that an edudational program for both bikeway users and other citizens has already been deemed a necessary part of the project. Monte Munn asked how many had ridden bikes to this meeting. Three responded. He noted that it wouldbe most appropriate to ride a bike to a bikeway meeting. He stated his real main concerns were security and funding. He suggested funding could be accomplished by establishing the path as a toll bikeway to be paid for by the bicycle riders. Lee Croft asked if the path would be open to the type of tricycles used by the elderly. The answer was yes. Mayor Pasley stated that funding already available is $15,000 budgeted by the City from revenue sharing money and a $5000 grant from the Whittenberger Foundation obtained by the Beautification Commission° Jeff Conger stated that he felt a toll way would not work because any child would spend the money on an ice cream cone and ride some other route to reach his destination. Phyllis Hull asked whether young people would like and use a path in a secluded area. Lee Croft answered that he would not use the route to school because it is out of the way for him but that the only other possible route, walking on 10th, is really pretty scarry. Tom Rankin felt that a bike path and pedestrian path on opposite sides of the ditch would be unfeasable because a boy on a bike would have trouble if his girl was a pedestrian on the other side of the ditch. He felt a pedestrian way along the side of the bikeway would be best. Mel Wilhelmsen pointed out that there are both pros and cons of combining a pedestrian way with a bikeway. The most important con to the property owner is that it is much easier for a pedestrian to stop along the path than for a bicyclist. CALDWELL BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Session II - Regular Meeting - September 15, 1975 Page 4 Dixie Drain Project - Public Hearing (continued) 1 Rick Coffman asked City Attorney Bob Tunnicliff what were the ramifications to the City of path users taking things from either fenced or non-fenced back yards. Mr. Tunnicliff replied he had not investigated this aspect. He had, however, investigated the area of personal liability for injury on the path and had not found anything to indicate that property owners would be held liable. John Pilote asked about further funding, what total cost estimates for the project were and how long it would take to complete the project. Chr. Bauman replied that federal transportation funds are available that would pay up to 8% but that plans to use such funds on the Dixie Drain were not pending. Such funds might be used later on other portions of the bikeway system. She said it is, however, the hope of the Commission to make this a community project. Total estimate of the Dixie Drain Projects is $25,000. She further answered that the Commission has set no deadline or time schedule on the project but will move ahead as fast as possible depending on community feeling and support. John Pilote stated he felt that pedestrian use of the path was the most important issue. Mel Lewis was asked exactly what the status of drain ditch ownership is. He replied that the land south of Ash is owned by individual property owners. Pioneer Irrigation owns the easement along the ditch and has entered into an agreement with the City allowing the City to use their easement for the pathway. In addition the City will obtain their Own easement agreements with the property owners. The 130 foot wide right of way from Logan to Ash is owned by the U.S. Government. Adjacent property owners in this area will be asked for permission for use of land which they do not own but which they have encroached upon. Tom Rankin questioned the path following the west side of the ditch from Linden south to the school because some of the land on the east side belongs to the School District. He further stated that the bridge already built partially through the efforts of Eagle Scout Bobby Colson and Scout Troop 276 would be wasted. Chr. Bauman answered that the bridge would not be wasted because it serves as a feeder for pedestrian traffic from the area east of the High School. Mel Lewis stated the west side had been chosen because much of that land is owned by people on the east side and that narrow strip already cut off from the bulk of their property by the ditch is of very little use value to them. Lila Paasch asked about the possibility of covering the ditch and putting the path over the covering thus eliminating the mosquito, rat, and snake population along the ditch. Mayor Pasley stated that the cost of covering the ditch would be prohibitive with a quick estimate from City Engineer Mel Lewis being a quarter of a million dollars for the section from Logan to Jefferson Junior High School. Bobby Colson reported he had walked the ditch many times and had not seen any evidence of rat and snake infestation, Monte Munn asked if any studies had been made on how much use the bikeway would receive. Chr. Bauman reported that the study made by A.A.U.W. two years ago showed a great potential use. She further stated that much of the lack of bicycle traffic to the school now is due to parents' fear for safety under current conditions. Bob Tunnicliff stated that on a recent trip to Portland he saw their well planned bicycle system in use and was convinced it is a definite asset to an area. CALDWELL BEAUTIFICATION COMPIISSION Session II - Regular Meeting - September 15, 1975 Page 5 Dixie Drain Project - Public Hearing (continued) The question was asked about the increase or decrease of property values along already established bikeways. Mel Wilhelmsen reported that a study done in Logan, Utah, as a part of a masters' thesis showed that most property values along bikeways increased. Debbie Paasch felt that pedestrians should be included in path useage but did feel this would make it more difficult for the land owner to protect his property. Charleen Matheson stated that citizens already have to protect themselves from several sides because of streets and alleys and that she felt the ordinary precautions necessary for this protection would not change. Scoutmaster Jerry Conger excused himself and most of the Soout Troop. Dale Peterson asked if the bikeway would give users a sense of false security when they crossed the intersecting streets citing particularly the danger on Ash where a hill obstructs the motorist's view. He asked what traffic control would be installed at those intersecting streets. Chr. Bauman replied that stop signs for the bicyclists and warning signs for the motorists would probably be used. Mayor Pasley stated that traffic control is really in the province of the Chief of Police who was not available for this meeting because he was on vacation. Rick Coffman asked how traffic would be kept off the path if it is to be closed at night. Commission members answered that the question of lighting for more visability at night or not'lighting to discourage traffic has not been settle yet and input from residents would be helpful on this point. ("111 Bobby Rankin reported that patroling had been discussed with Chief of Police Astleford and that he had been considering the outfitting of a couple of police cars with bicycle racks to facilitate patroling of the path. He had further reported that because his men are deputized there would be no problem extending the patrol into the County along the Dixie Bikeway when necessary. Lila Paasch asked about the estimate for covering the ditch. Mel Lewis stated it was based on using a 42-inch tile. She asked about using a concrete flume and Mr. Lewis stated the cost on that would run $25 to $50 per foot for one mile. 0132,000 to $264,000) The question about washed out areas arose and it was stated that these areas would be repaired in the ditch cleaning and path construction process. Phyllis Hull asked about what fill would be necessary. Charleen Matheson answered that it hats been discussed but that exactly what will need doing cannot be determined until some cleaning and surveying has been done. She further stated that the idea would be to save as many trees as possible to enhance the beauty of the path. Tom Rankin asked when surveying will begin and when the project is due for completion. Mel Lewis answered that surveying will begin as soon as permission is granted by property owners. He further stated that if owners had all agreed at this point, the project could probably be completed by winter. However, because 001 those permissions have not yet been granted, it will probably be next summer before the project could be complete. Phyllis Hull asked if it would be advantageous for them to deed their strip to the City. Mel Lewis answered that it probably would. He further pointed out that residents from Ash south to Bushnell may also have to consider future right of way for Brookside to open. Chr. Bauman noted that one prerequisite to the use of Federal funds is that the City own the right of way. CALDWELL BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Session II - Regular Meeting - September 15, 1975 Page 6 Dixie Drain Project - Public Hearing (continued) nBob Tunnicliff stated that agreements between land owners and the City have been prepared giving the City the right to construct a surfaced bike path. Mel Lewis noted that all except three agreements designate a thirty foot wide easement. The three exceptions designate easements of approximately thirty feet. Mayor Pasley presented background information on Council feelings about the Dixie Drain project. "Class III paths on 10th, Montana, and Linden were originally investigated but were deemed unsafe. The Beautification Commission then presented plans for the Dixie Drain project which the Council approved. The Council feels the primary purpose of this project is safety and the secondary purpose is beauty. Phyllis Hull reemphasized the Sidewalk Committee's desire for a pedestrian walk to be included as that Committee is finding that the cost of installing sidewalks is almost prohibitive. The Mayor noted that Federal funds are not available for sidewalks and the cost would have to be borne by the property owner. Tom Rankin suggested the possibility on a two foot walkway adjacent to the eight foot bikeway and possibly devided by a curb. Jeff Conger commented that in three days of using the Sun Valley - Ketchum - Elkhorn system of combination bikeways-pedestrian ways which employs a single path of seven to eight foot widths, he found no problems with either other bikes or pedestrians and that he thoroughly enjoyed the system. John Pilote asked whether Ray Street had been considered for a bike path„ nCommission members answered that it had but that it was much too narrow, as are most streets in Caldwell, and that parking would definitely have to be restricted on at least one side. Mel Wilhelmsen answered some specific questions on the total bikeway system plan by going over the map naming streets and routes involved. Jeff Conger asked what classification is proposed by the State for the path between Nampa and Caldwell. Mel Lewis reported it would be an off road path. Bob Tunnicliff asked if easement agreements were available for signature at this meeting. Chr. Bauman said they were and that all other property owners will be contacted. Mel Wilhelmsen emphasized the desire of the Commission to work withro ert P P Y owners all through the development process even after permission is granted. Bob Tunnicliff stated he would be available to answer any questions of property owners. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P.M. el Shirley Conger Secretary