MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
JANUARY 19, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chairperson Stutsman called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the South Slope Conference Center, 980 North Front Street, North Liberty 6:10 p.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Mike Lehman, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan.
Howard R. Green Company Representatives Doug Ripley and Jim Halverson explained that Johnson County retained Howard R. Green Company to take a comprehensive look at the roles and needs for Newport Road and Prairie du Chien Road in the North Corridor. The purpose of the study is to recommend the types of roadway improvements that are most appropriate for the area to balance the needs of the motorists and the residents along with Comprehensive County plans.
Project Summary
The preliminary draft report documents the function of Newport Road and Prairie du Chien Road in the North Corridor and the alternatives for improving the roadway. Alternatives were broken into three categories; alignments, road designs and cross-sections. Within each category, several alternatives were reviewed to determine how they functioned within the road system and how well they met the key parameters established by the County. The alternatives range from a “do nothing” scenario to total reconstruction of the corridors.
The goals of the project are to identify and recommend the design options that meet the following goals identified by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors:
· Be sensitive to existing residential areas
· Consider future developable land
· Maintain aesthetic features
· Provide safe travel
· Improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility
· Minimize costs associated with construction and maintenance
Study Direction and Assumptions
Through the study process, several assumptions and conclusions were identified that directed the study and recommendations.
Role of Newport Road and Prairie du Chien Road
· Collector roadways for the purposes of local traffic and distribution
· Provide lake and recreation access
· Recreation route
· Support existing agricultural uses
Other Roadway Considerations
· IA Hwy 1 is a primary route for carrying through traffic
· Future Oakdale Blvd. extension
· Future northerly connection between Prairie du Chien and Newport Road is important and could be driven by development
Assets of Corridor
· The primary draw to the corridor is related to geography and location. Development is not attracted by immediate proximity to urban areas, rather to escape urban areas without being too far from communities.
· Redeeming features of the North Corridor are not related to the roadways. The roadways provide access to the North Corridor.
Assumptions regarding the future of these roads
· Traffic will continue to grow with development
· Will not replace IA Hwy 1
· Will not need to be widened to four or five lanes to accommodate traffic demand
Purpose of roadway improvements
· To support additional development within the County’s road improvement strategy
· Not to address specific safety or access concerns. There were no site specific safety issues identified.
Alternatives Evaluated
Several design alternatives were identified through the technical and public process. Each design alternative was evaluated independently and many variations within each were also reviewed. The design alternatives were:
· No-Build-Make no improvements to roadways other than maintenance.
· Intersection Improvements Only-At points of conflict (intersections) widen the roadway to provide turn lanes and improve access. This would be done in combination with many of the following alternatives.
· Hard Surface Overlay-Generally keep existing alignment, improve surface and isolated alignment modifications where required.
· Urban Cross Section-Standard urban collector road design to accommodate speeds between 25-35 MPH, including curb and gutter drainage, sidewalks, etc.
· Design Speed 35 MPH Alignment-Improve corridor to provide for 35 MPH travel speeds throughout corridor.
· Design Speed 45 MPH Alignment-Improve corridor to provide for 45 MPH travel speeds throughout corridor.
· Highway Corridor-Develop Corridor to accommodate highway type speeds and traffic. Design speed of 55 MPH desired.
· New Alignment-Establish new alignments and connections to serve North Corridor.
Cross Sections evaluated:
· Existing two lane cross section with ditch drainage within 66’ of right-of-way.
· Urban cross section with Curb and Gutter-Minimum right-of-way of 66’.
· 28-30 foot roadway with gravel shoulders-Likely a minimum of 80’ right-of-way.
· 28-30 foot roadway with paved shoulders. Likely a minimum of 80’ right-of-way.
· Separated trail on one side-Partially within existing right-of-way and requiring additional right-of-way
· Trail/sidewalk on both sides-Will require additional right-of-way
Evaluation Criteria
The County established 10 key parameters to review each alternative. Those parameters are:
· Capacity-Can the proposed roadway accommodate anticipated traffic demands?
· Multi-Use-Does the proposed alignment support and encourage multiple uses? The uses may include but are not limited to Autos, Agriculture Equipment, Freight, Bicycles, Pedestrians, Equestrian, etc.
· Safety-Is the proposed roadway safe for all users? Does the proposed roadway improve an existing crash problem?
· Maintenance-Can the proposed roadway be maintained effectively and efficiently?
· Impacts to existing property and development-How does the proposed roadway impact property access, real-estate and buildings?
· Rural Character-Does the proposed roadway maintain and support the existing character of the area?
· Speed and Serviceability-Does the proposed roadway allow reasonable travel between points within the corridor and adjacent communities? Does the road serve the traveler?
· Public Acceptance-Does the proposed roadway meet the desires of the community? Community includes the area residents as well as the general traveler wishing to use the facility.
· Access to Reservoir-How does the proposed facility provide access to recreational destinations in the area?
· Impacts to Right-of-Way-How much right-of-way will be required to make the necessary improvements for the proposed roadway?
The evaluation matrix for each alternative did not include a weighting factor for the criteria. However, after discussing preliminary results within the Technical Advisory Committee, it was determined that the accommodation of pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the near-term was important enough to guide the level of improvements recommended.
The preferred alternative to provide pedestrian facilities includes reconstruction of the roadway to provide shoulders and/or a separate trail. The second alternative is to provide the pedestrian/trail facility as a separate project located mostly outside of the existing right-of-way. This requires implementation over a long period since right-of-way for a trail must be acquired through development or willing property owners and cannot be acquired through eminent domain.
Recommendations
With a primary goal being the provision of pedestrian and bicycle accommodations in the near term, the ability to complete improvements within the existing roadbed and road right-of-way becomes very difficult. There is not adequate space within the existing right-of-way to construct a pedestrian facility.
Trying to fit pedestrian accommodations within the existing right-of-way would require rebuilding the existing roadway to allow room for the road, trail, and drainage. If the roadway is reconstructed, it is preferable to improve the road to meet current design guidelines. Adherence to those guidelines would require additional right-of-way and geometric improvements to the corridors.
The following recommendations are intended to minimize the impacts of the road improvements where possible but still provide the pedestrian accommodations.
Prairie du Chien Road-To accommodate bicycle and/or pedestrian facilities along Prairie du Chien Road, it is recommended to reconstruct the roadway from its existing intersection at Newport Road, north to the Army Corps of Engineers property. It is recommended that the new roadway follow the same alignment as much as possible to minimize impact to existing residential properties and to pursue design exceptions at all locations appropriate to further minimize the impacts. The reconstructed roadway should have paved shoulders to provide for the bicycle accommodations. The design of the corridor should include the option of providing a separate trail facility that would provide better accommodation for a wide variety of pedestrian/bike traffic within the road right-of-way that can be constructed as funds are available.
New Connection-In order to serve the anticipated traffic on Newport Road and Prairie du Chien Roads and to provide better access to recreational facilities in the area, it is recommended to construct a new roadway connection between Prairie du Chien Road north of Briar Ridge Drive NE to the east to connect with Newport Road just north of Knotts Lane NE. The new connection should follow a similar alignment to that presented as Alternative 4 in the November 2003 North Corridor Road Study.
Newport Road (Prairie du Chien to Knotts Ln NE)-It is recommended that no changes be made to this segment of Newport Road in the near future. As development continues in the North Corridor, long term maintenance of this roadway could include applying a permanent surface on top of the existing alignment.
Newport Road (Knotts Ln NE to IA Hwy 1)-To accommodate bicycle/pedestrian facilities along Newport Road, it is recommended to reconstruct the roadway between IA Hwy 1 and the new connection described above. It is recommended that the new roadway follow the same alignment as much as possible to minimize impact to existing residential properties and to pursue design exceptions at all locations appropriate to further minimize the impacts. The reconstructed roadway should have paved shoulders to provide for bicycle accommodation. The design of the corridor should include the option of providing a separate trail facility within the road right-of-way that can be constructed as funds are available.
New Roadway East of Newport Road-It is recommended that Johnson County look at the long term impacts of providing an additional connection between Newport Road and IA Hwy 1 on an east-west corridor that aligns with the new connection with Prairie du Chien Road.
Along Newport and Prairie du Chien Roads, the desired design speed should be 45 MPH but where appropriate to minimize impacts can be reduced to 35 MPH.
Ray Gordon read a letter written by Dick Gibson speaking against the North Corridor Transportation Study report. Gibson wrote that that the HR Green report leaves the public with the same unanswered questions as the County’s 2003 report. Gibson said that the report acknowledges the existence and importance of other considerations but it doesn’t offer suggestions about how or if they are to be accommodated. Gibson wrote that the design engineers will likely place road design issues over most considerations. Gibson suggested a process to handle conflicts which should be handled upfront whenever possible. Gibson said that the only way this can happen is for the study to deal with issues in a more specific manner and for the Board to develop policy statements that make it clear to design engineers and to the public that secondary issues are important and should be honored whenever possible.
Connie Mutel said that she was one of the residents interviewed for the North Corridor Transportation Study. When interviewed she spoke of the need to consider road corridors as refuges for native plants, but it isn’t mentioned in the report. Mutel asked if the proposed roadway is going to look like Prairie du Chien. Mutel said that the report mentions that aesthetics and speeds are main concerns. She said there isn’t anything in the proposed road that would maintain aesthetics or reduce speed. Ripley said that refuge of native plants isn’t in the report, but it could be considered. He said that the cross section of the road is similar to the existing Prairie du Chien but the design speed would be lower. Mutel said that the native plant species need to be considered in the plan. She also said that the community wants to keep the slower neighborhood feeling and the design she sees is a high speed road.
Harvey Henry was disappointed in the proposed width of the paving. Henry said that they’ve got to do something to maintain the character of their neighborhood.
Jonathan Jordahl read from the Wisconsin scenic roads ordinance and suggested that Johnson County adopt a scenic roads ordinance.
Terry Dahms said that the report seems like a feel good report. Dahms said that the report is vague on the specifications, and wishy washy about the pedestrian accommodations. He explained that if pedestrian accommodations aren’t put in when roads are reconstructed it won’t happen. Dahms said that the width of the new alignment is also vague.
Robert Mutel said that he is confused about how the proposed new roadway system is commensurate with the goals outlined earlier in the meeting.
Mike Dooley asked the Board to be careful making changes to the area because it is important to the history of Iowa.
Alisa Meggitt thanked the Board for community participation. Meggitt said that the study doesn’t have consideration for environmental impacts. She said that economic impacts should be considered because roads cost a lot of money. Meggitt also supports consideration of a scenic roads ordinance.
Greg Pickett said that the way he reads the report it says that the roads are fine the way are and the only reason they are doing any improvements is to support additional development. Pickett suggested finding out more about the water table, and investigating other amenities such as schools and fire departments.
Jordahl said that a few years ago the Board of Supervisors funded a study of the Silurian Aquifer and it should be visited when discussing road improvements in the North Corridor. Jordahl said that the study will be available soon and it should be looked at before final North Corridor road decisions are made.
Stutsman said that public comments will be taken into consideration by HR Green before the final report is presented to the Board of Supervisors. Stutsman said that information about future meetings will be on the Johnson County website at www.johnson-county.com.
Adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor
By Casie Kadlec, Recording Secretary