The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutAUGUST 17, 2004 MIN WKSHOP CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH "COMMUNITY FOR A LIFETIME" ITY COUNCIL MAYOR MEYERA E. OBERNDORF, At-Large VICE MAYOR LOUIS R. JONES, Bayside - District 4 HARRY E. DIEZEL, Kempsville - District 2 ROBERT M. DYER, Centerville - District I REBA S. McCLANAN, Rose Hall - District 3 RICHARD A. MADDOX, Beach - District 6 JIM REEVE, Princess Anne - District 7 PETER w: SCHMIDT, At-Large RON A. VILLANUEVA, At-Large ROSEMARY WILSON, At-Large JAMES L. WOOD, Lynnhaven -District 5 CITY HALL BUILDING I 2401 COURTHOUSE DRIVE VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA 23456-8005 PHONE: (757) 427-4303 FAX(757) 426-5669 EMAIL:Ctycncl@vbgov.com JAMES K. SPORE, City Manager LESLIE L. LILLEY, City Attorney RUTH HODGES SMITH, MMC, City Clerk 17 August 2004 1. CITY MANAGER'S BRIEFINGS Virginia Aquarium - 4:00 P.M. A. BIKEWAYS AND TRAILS - Draft Plan Clay Bernick, Planning Environmental Management Programs Administrator B. OWLS CREEK AND LAKE RUDEE BOAT TOUR MINUTES VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL Virginia Beach, Virginia 17 August 2004 Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf called to order the CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP re City Manager's Briefing: Bikeways and Trails - Draft Plan at the Virginia Aquarium on Tuesday, August 17, 2004, at 4:00 P.M Council Members Present: Reba S. McClanan, Richard A. Maddox, Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf, Jim Reeve, Peter W. Schmidt, Ron A, Villanueva, Rosemary Wilson and James L. Wood Council Members Absent: Vice Mayor Louis R. Jones [Family Vacation out of city} Harry E. Diezel [Death of Mother-In-Law} Robert M. Dyer [Entered: 4: 1 0 P.M). - 2- CITY MANA GER 'S BRIEFING BIKEWAYS AND TRAILS - Draft Plan 4:00 P.M. Mayor Oberndorfintroduced Clay Bernick, Planning Environmental Management Programs Administrator. Mr. Bernick advised on March 16, 2004, the Department of Parks and Recreation presented a report entitled: Bicycle/Trail Facility Analysis and Recommendations, As per City Council's recommendation, the Planning Department, coordinating with the Bicycle Advisory Committee, was charged with developing this Analysis and Recommendations into a replacement for the current Bikeway Plan. This Bikeway Plan was last updated in 1986. Then, Virginia Beach's population was 280,000 as compared to over 420,000 today. The Draft Plan should be distributed to City Council within a week to ten (10) days. With the Outdoors Plan 2000 Update, Bicycle and Trail facilities were identified by citizens as important quality of life issues. Numerous trails are identified in the Plan. During the Public Hearing process of the Comprehensive Plan, approximately eighty percent (80%) of the speakers identified the need for an improved Bikeways and Trails Plan. Mr. Bernick distributed a map depicting the Existing Facilities - Bicycle & Trails Planning. Implementation of various facilities and facility types have happened as opportunities present themselves: Grants/Road projects. Currently small portions work well, but as a whole the network is inconsistent and disconnected. In twenty (20) years, the City will not be where it should be in addressing this important quality of life issue. The Solution... Development of a comprehensive Bikeways and Trails Plan that through citizen and stakeholder input: Identifies and prioritizes facility locations establishing an overall network linking the citizens of Virginia Beach to various destinations, and Identifies specific facility types that meet the needs of various users, Realized we couldn't do it alone Parks and Recreation - Outdoors Plan, Bicycle/Trail Report Planning - Comprehensive Plan, Master Transportation Plan Public Works - CIP, Specifications and Standards Health - "Promoting Healthy Behaviors Initiative" Police - Safety & Educational Issues Adjacent Communities - Chesapeake, Norfolk, Currituck Agencies - HRPDC, VDOT, & DCR Interest Groups - Biking, Hiking, Equestrian, Tidewater Builders Association Boards/Commissions - Agriculture, Open Space, Planning, Parks & Recreation, Shore Drive August 17, 2004 - 3 - CITY MANAGER'S BRIEFING BIKEWAYS AND TRAILS - Draft Plan The Vision: Reap multiple benefits of bikeways and trails - Recreation - Transportation - Health - Economic revitalization - Connectivity - Tourism Establish connectivity throughout the City with the designation and implementation of a safe, continuous and coordinated system of bikeways and trails that provide access to recreational, employment and commercial activity centers. Provide a variety offacilities (on-road, off-road and shared use) to satisfy the transportation and recreational needs of different user types and abilities. The Plan Existing Facilities Analysis Over 100-miles of facilities Wide variety of facility types, some great, some not so great Needed to improve on: Linking to destinations Continuity and consistency Safety multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional coordination Citizen Input Lack of facilities and unsafe conditions Users of varying abilities desire and need different facility types Citizens desire nearby facilities that lead to major and minor destinations August 17, 2004 -4- CITY MANA GER 'S BRIEFING BIKEWAYS AND TRAILS - Draft Plan Mr. Bernick distributed a map depicting the Primary Network - Bicycle and Trails Planning: Figure ~ Prin'lary Netzvorh - Bicycle Q.7- Trails Planning Ci9 of Virgin... ne.,da D",,_nat of Parks Q Recreatioro Design iU Df!TH'lopmnd Diuision CIlnAf""M" Boay N A ~.._..I ~. ........~ 4- Miles Ac.l"'...tk o~,,_ July ~ 2004 ~ Proposed Network (3 components) Primary Network Top priority for facility funding and implementation Links major destination points, neighboring communities and transit stations Provides a framework for the secondary network Builds upon existing and programmed facilities Identifies critical areas August 17, 2004 - 5 - CITY MANAGER'S BRIEFING BIKEWAYS AND TRAILS - Draft Plan The "red circles" on the map indicated the critical areas of gaps in the system. Lesner Bridge handles vehicle traffic, but is not safe for pedestrians or bicycles. Unfortunately, there are still citizens who do utilize the Bridge for these purposes. Prior to replacement of Lesner Bridge, these pedestrians and cyclists issues should be addressed. One of the major critical areas is the barrier east to west, that 1-264 creates across the city. There is no way to bike or walk from Mount Trashmore to Town Center. Secondary Networks Provide neighborhood connections to the primary network Link minor destination points Recommend process for identifYing routes Specialized Bike Facilities Establishes a 50-mile on-road loop as a safe route for sponsored events and experienced users * Recommends an off-road course for mountain biking Locates a I-mile off-road course for special events and race training * * *The City of Salisbury, Maryland, has annual bike races and events utilizing a 50-mile laid out course. Approximately 2, 000 to 3, 000 bikers register. These bikers are accompanied by their families thus generating a tremendous amount of income to the community. Many bikers in that area have indicated their desire to come to Virginia Beach for a similar event; however the bike facilities are not currently in place, * *The makings for a course of this type are in place at Princess Anne Commons in the paths and roadways around the Sportsplex. With a minimal investment, this course could be completed. Facility Types and Guidelines Facility Types: American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) have standards used to establish sound guidelines for facility types On-Road Facilities Bike Lane Paved Shoulder Waved Outside Lane Bike Route Off-Road Facilities Shared Use Paths (paved or unpaved) (multi purpose trails) Widened Sidewalks (special circumstances only) August 17, 2004 - 6- CITY MANA GER 'S BRIEFING BIKEWAYS AND TRAILS - Draft Plan Guidelines Different facility types for different areas of the City Urban Area: shared use paths on both sides of the road where feasible; widened outside lanes on both sides of the road where feasible; balance safety and aesthetics in design Princess Anne/Transition Area; shared use paths on both sides of the road; vegetated buffers Rural Area: paved shoulders on both sides of the road Implementation Strategies and Funding Adopt as a component of the Comprehensive Plan Ensure consistency with Master Transportation Plan Appoint a Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee responsible for plan monitoring and implementation Recommend priority projects not identified in the Roadways Capital Improvement Program Identify potentialfundingfor Plan implementation, utilizing approach followed with Open Space as model Fully utilize VDOT policies and procedures as means to secure additional and available funding support Next Steps Stakeholder Review and Comment on Draft Plan General Public Citizen Survey Two Public Meetings held; one scheduled Boards and Commissions Special Interest Groups Planning Commission Public Hearing and Recommendation City Council Adoption August 17, 2004 - 7- CITY MANAGER'S BRIEFING BIKEWAYS AND TRAILS - Draft Plan A recommended list of priority projects shall be provided: commence work on the Stumpy Lake to Back Bay Greenway, designing bike and trail routes from Town Center to Mount Trashmore, paved and gravel shoulders along General Booth Boulevardfrom the Museum back to Ocean a Boulevard (2 miles in length), one-mile course at Sportsplex, a safe way to allow bike and pedestrians to cross Lesner Bridge, and building 20 miles of the proposed 50-mile Loop project in the southern portion of the City. The cost estimate exceeds $15-MILLION for completion of all projects. If the 20-mile Loop in the southern portion of the City, which is the most expensive portion, is removed, the total cost decreases to $3- MILLION Because of right-of-way acquisition, utilities and ditches within this 20-mile loop, the cost is high. A cost estimate has not been performed relative the Stumpy Lake to Back Bay Trail, as more detailed design is necessary. As this corridor has been designated part of the Scenic Byway, the City is eligible for Federal grants. Mr. Bernick shall provide information concerning the type and length of trail envisioned as well as other information available. Mr. Bernick advised virtually all of the railroad right-of- way south of Pungo has been acquired by private property owners. The Bikeways and Trails Plan mapping shall also be enlarged by District. In the Princess Anne area, an overlay of the trails shall be provided with the existing and proposed new developments. Fred Adams, Open Space Subcommittee Member and one of the Co-Authors - Bicycle/Trail Facilities, advised relative the survey, approximately 1400 citizens were interested in biking to work, if safe. Bicycle/Trail facilities would be a method to improve air quality, obesity and relieve the rising cost of gasoline. Robert Matthias, Assistant to the City Manager, advised relative trails at the North End, the City is attempting to have the funds redirected through the Transportation, Efficiency Act of the Twenty-first Century to make improvements along Pacific Avenue. A Public Meeting has been advertised for August 30, 2004, Central Library, 6:30 P.M, The Planning Commission shall schedule the Bikeways and Trails Draft Plan on September 8, 2004. City Council consideration would be scheduled in early October 2004. August 17, 2004 -8- CITY MANAGER'S BRIEFING OWLS CREEK AND LAKE RUDEE BOAT TOUR 5:00 P.M. Councilman Schmidt had suggested the tour of Owls Creek and Lake Rudee. Councilman Schmidt advised the tour would encompass approximately thirty-five minutes. The City Manager introduced Barry Frankenfield, Parks and Recreation, who provided information prior to the tour. Mr. Frankenfield displayed maps of the area, now in the application process, (approximately 22.7 acres) comprised of a proposed marina and boat ramp to be viewed. This area is under contract by Whitt Sessoms. The map depicted in "blue" several parcels owned by the City. The dredge facilities will also be viewed. Mr. Frankenfield will bring these maps on the boat tour. The City Manager advised a consultant has reviewed one of the environmental issues associated with the site in terms of its ability to be permitted for a boat ramp and facilities. The conclusion appears to be it will be very difficult to attain permits for some of the activities on the site. These sites are heavily wooded. The Consultant's report will also outline ownership and any existing development. This property is not zoned preservation. It is presently zoned for commercial use. Mr. Frankenfield advised a variety of permits will be necessary from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Army Corps of Engineers as well as approval from the City's Wetlands Board. The majority of the permits will be for maximum five (5)-year terms but have been known to be granted for ten (10) years. There would be typical site plan requirements plus an overlay for a use that requires a Conditional Use Permit. August 17, 2004 -9- ADJOURNMENT Mayor Oberndorf DECLARED the City Council Workshop ADJOURNED at 5:08 P.M., after which the City Council took a boat tour of Owls Creek into Rudee Inlet to view a parcel of property under application to the Planning Commission. The Boat Tour culminated at 6:30 P.M Q3~.1!~__~_~-,-j"" Beverly 0. Hooks, CMC Chief Deputy City Clerk ~_~A__ MeyeraQ:. Oberndorf Mayor City of Virginia Beach Virginia August 17, 2004