Title
Decatur Street and 16th Avenue Street Connections
Recommended Action
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss and provide guidance on language to include in the draft Comprehensive Plan.
Report Issue:
Do you wish to include in the draft Comprehensive Plan the language shown below in italics about Decatur / 16th Avenue street connections?
Staff Contact:
Sophie Stimson, Senior Planner, Public Works Transportation, 360.753.8497
Mark Russell, P.E., Director of Transportation, Public Works, 360.753.8762
Rich Hoey, P.E., Director, Public Works, 360.753.8495
Presenter(s):
Rich Hoey, P.E., Director, Public Works, 360.753.8495
Background and Analysis:
Street connectivity is a major policy area of the Comprehensive Plan. A well-connected street pattern improves transportation safety, reduces vehicle miles traveled, and enhances walking, biking and transit options for our community.
Through the Comprehensive Plan Update process, some members of the community have expressed concerns about the impacts of increased traffic volume on residential neighborhoods associated with certain proposed street connections. Community members expressed particular concern regarding the potential impact of the Decatur Street and 16th Avenue street connections on the adjacent southwest Olympia neighborhood. The Public Hearing Draft of the Comprehensive Plan currently lists Decatur Street and 16th Avenue as proposed future street connections.
At its August 12, 2014 meeting, the City Council expressed its desire to remove all references to the Decatur Street and 16th Avenue Street connections from the Comprehensive Plan due to potential negative impacts to the neighborhood.
Based upon Council's direction at that meeting, staff subsequently drafted the following language for consideration:
"Decatur Street and 16th Avenue street connections have been removed from the Comprehensive Plan due to potential adverse impacts on the adjacent neighborhood. The southwest neighborhood is near Capitol Mall and other dense commercial areas and the change to traffic patterns resulting from these street connections may adversely affect the unique character of the neighborhood."
During Tuesday's Study Session, staff will outline follow-up implementation actions that will be needed based on this policy direction, including the need to amend the Regional Transportation Plan and to reconsider the City's planned West Olympia Local Street Analysis.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Several citizens have provided comments on the City Council's Public Hearing Draft of the Comprehensive Plan opposing the Decatur Street and 16th Avenue connections and asked that these proposed street connections be removed from the Comprehensive Plan. The concerns primarily relate to increased traffic volumes and the potential effect of additional motor vehicle traffic on the character of the neighborhood.
Recommended Language:
Financial Impact:
None at this time.