HomeMy WebLinkAboutstaff reportJune 17, 2004
ITEM NO.: 14.2 FILE NO.: M;
Name: Master Street Plan Amendment to modify design standard
Location: Springer Avenue 38th Street south and east to city limits
Source: Audubon — Granite Mountain Overlay Working Group
STAFF REPORT:
A working group setup to look at and develop a design overlay district along
Springer Avenue also discussed transportation issues. The desire of Audubon
Arkansas is to have a pedestrian — bicycle friendly transportation system. They
hope to see more non -motorized transportation used to access their new facility
planned for the area.
Springer Avenue is classified as a minor arterial but is currently a two-lane state
highway. The arterial classification dates back over three decades. During this
time period, there has been little new development in the corridor.
The working group asked for traffic court information on the road. This data
showed through 2025, traffic should remain at 3,000 to 6,000 trips a day. This is
within the serviceability of a two-lane road. While no one questioned that
Springer Avenue "functioned" as an arterial, they did question the need to widen
the road.
Since Springer Avenue should not have a traffic demand needing more than two
lanes at least through 2025, the group is asking that the design width of the road
be only 36 feet of paving. This, based on traffic projections, would be sufficient
for at least twenty years.
Springer Avenue is a state highway (S.H. 365). Staff has discussed likely future
development of the road with AHTD. They indicate in the short-term no
improvements are expected for this road. The railroad overpass shown on the
regional transportation plan for north of the 1-440 interchange is not on the
Highway Department's plans. The Department does, however, recommend
against changing the design standards. They further recommend that "in -lieu"
fees be used for this road rather than requiring developers to widen the road.
They believe this is the most efficient use of public dollars.
The city engineers also have concerns about changing the Master Street Plan
design standards. This road is designed as an arterial and should remain as
June 17, 2004
ITEM NO.: 14.2 Cont. FILE NO.: MSP04-03
such. Volumes are in the range of 5,000 vehicles per day and the planned
arterial must be maintained to be able to address future growth in the area. The
Master Street Plan is to address future growth needs and if the standards were
downgraded, the City would have a problem regarding the standard back to that
of an arterial. Just because an arterial is not built to standard does not mean
that there is no need.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Denial
2
MASTER STREET PLAN AMENDMENT
CASE: MSP04-03
Location: SPRINGER AVENUE
FROM RAILROAD TRACKS
TO CITY LIMITS
Ward: 1
PD: 24 0 400 800 1,600 Feet
CT: 40.01
TRS: T1NR12W13 & 24