2007-11-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 Mr. Owen Peery, RK & K Consultants, explained that a public hearing was held on the interchange options, and the public comment period continues until November th 13. He reviewed other public outreach activities. He provided a visual simulation of the proposed alternatives. Mr. Eric Almquist, RK & K Consultants, gave an overview of the environmental assessment. Mr. Peery said Council may be asked to identify the preferred alternative as early rd as December 3. Mr. Norris asked about the rationale for the public hearing process, and Ms. Angela Tucker, Development Services Manager, said the public hearing was held in the standard way VDOT holds public hearings. Mr. Norris commended RK & K for their work. He said he philosophically thinks this thorough of an assessment should be done on the whole Meadowcreek Parkway project. Mr. Lynch said Mr. Norris makes a good point. He agreed the Parkway and interchange should be one project. He said he appreciates the extra space for the pedestrian trail. He said there are a couple of spots where the trail is a little tight and he asked if it would be possible to get a little more space. He said the interchange will take seven to nine acres of land, and he thinks we should explore purchasing the old gardens behind the MACAA site. He said the federal and state funding is only 85% of the proposed cost. He said the goal for this year should be to find additional state funds. Mr. Lynch said he would like to know if we can get primary road funds for this project. Responding to questions from Mr. Taliaferro, Mr. Peery said that the access into the Rescue Squad will be moved. He said they are working with a group on the Vietnam Memorial and hope to keep it in its current location, but improve the access to it. Mr. Norris asked if there is an opportunity to separate the bike lanes from the roadway, and Ms. Tucker said there are separate lanes for recreation and commuter bikers. PUBLIC Ms. Colette Hall, 101 Robertson Lane, said she was shocked when she found out the public hearing format for the interchange was not the format she was used to. She said it was disappointing not being able to address her comments to the public. She said she feels the information about the interchange is too vague, and she asked where she can get hard data. Mr. Lynch said the environmental assessment is on the interchange website. Mr. Lynch noted there can be less noise and pollution because cars do not have to stop and start again. Ms. Hall noted that there were no federal highway representatives at the public hearing. Ms. Tammy Londeree, 813 Locust Avenue, Apt. C., said that the interchange alternative C-1 looked scary and dangerous in the simulation. She asked why the trip to Italy has to happen now. She said purchasing art such as the Whale Tail should be put to a City wide vote. She said too many people are priced out of their homes. She said citizens do not get responses from e-mail to Councilors. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, shared Ms. Hall’s concern about the public comment format at the interchange public hearing. He said information on the historic properties impacted by the interchange were not available prior to the meeting. He said it is a complex issue and Dec. 3 may be too early for a discussion about it.