1996-05-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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80 Mr. John Carden, owner of Carden Gibson Salon and co-chair of the West Main Street Merchants Association, presented signed petitions opposing removing parking on West Main Street. Mr. Carden asked Council to hold a forrnal public heating on the issue, Mr. Carden said he does not think it makes sense to promote bike tiding on one of the busiest streets in the city, and noted that the bicyclist are commuting by way of West Main Street, not shopping there. Mr. Carden recommended that bike lanes be installed on Preston Avenue as no parking will be lost there and the street is safer. Mr. Carden asked for clarification on the process that will be followed after the staff report is released. Mr. Toscano said that the staff report will be made available to the public once it is prepared, he hopes that a public heating on the issue will be held on June 3rd, and believes a decision will be made by the second meeting in June. Rev. Bruce Beard, pastor of First Baptist Church on West Main Street, spoke in support of the merchants' opposition to remo¥ing parking. Rev. Beard said removing the parking will be a hardship to his church members, and he does not see the logic to locating the bike lanes on West Main Street and removing the parking. Rev. Beard offered to host a meeting regarding the bike lanes at First Baptist Church and asked that he be kept informed about the bike lane issue. Mr. Nathan Van Hooser, 708 Monticello Avenue, representing the bicycle association, urged citizens to participate in "Give Air A Brake" week and to ride their bikes to work and to run errands. Mr. Phil Waigand, 113 Turtle Creek Road, encouraged citizens to participate in community fishing activities at area lakes. Ms~ Elizabeth Crisfield, 119 Appletree Road, representing the bicycle association presented some options for Council's consideration, but stressed that any route must be flat and straight, and that Cherry and Preston Avenues are not acceptable because they do not go to the University and are hilly. Options include: 1) remove parking on the south side of West Main Street west of the bridge and on the north side of the bridge east of the bridge; 2) remove the turning lanes and maintain parking spaces; and 3) use the parking lanes for bike lanes in the day time and for parking at night. Mr. Alexis Zieigler, 1014 Grove Street, expressed concern about the adversarial nature of the discussions between the merchants and bicyclists, noting that the bicyclists have approached the merchants with a spirit of cooperation. Mr. Toscano encouraged both sides to look for common ground after the staff report is released and said he would like to accept Rev. Beard's offer to use First Baptist Church for a meeting. Ms. Daugherty said that she feels both sides have made good points, and noted that she would like to explore further the idea of shared lanes, perhaps only using the lanes for bikes during peak hours of traffic. Ms. Slaughter questioned what role the Planning Commission might play in the discussions. Mr. Bob Summer, 513 West Main Street, said that a seven-store parking garage should be built in place of the ABC Store on West Main Street and bikers should be allowed to go wherever they want. Mr. John Bunch, representing the bicycle association, praised the Department of Public Works for the excellent job they have done paving and repairing potholes.