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108 <br /> <br />//12 does not provide enough space to meet National Standards with 4' bike lanes. Ms. <br />Mueller said that the travel lanes would be made as wide as possible because of concerns by <br />the Fire, Police, and Rescue Squad about congestion when the turning lanes are eliminated. <br />Mueller also noted that 150 bus trips are made daily on West Main Street. Ms. Mueller <br />noted that comments had been previously made that loading would be allowed in bike lanes, <br />but she said that she feels the City Attorney and Police should discuss this issue. Once a <br />decision is made; Ms. Mueller recommended that the stripping be done after substantial <br />completion of the new bridge and subsequent construction. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty expressed concern that parking spaces are not proposed beyond 9th and <br />10th Street and the bus stop and loading zones appear to be abnormally long. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mueller said she will have stafflook into the area to see if it is possible to add more <br />parking spaces. Ms. Mueller proposed to either paint the lanes or use a tape that will last a <br />year. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell recommended evaluating the bike lanes after a year to see how they are <br />working and if they are achieving the desired goal, <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted concern expressed by the Fire Department, Police Department and <br />Rescue Squad about eliminating the turn lanes. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said the area will be more congested if turn lanes are eliminated, and <br />emergency vehicles will be slowed down. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards said he feels the increased congestion will make it more dangerous for <br />bike lanes as the street is not designed in a way to allow separate bike lanes. Rev. Edwards <br />said he would prefer to have shared lanes. Rev. Edwards also expressed concern about <br />slowing of emergency vehicles. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever said he does not think emergency vehicles will be significantly impacted <br />since the original width of the street will remain and will be available for cars to pull over. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards made a motion to approve alternative gl0 and Mr. Toscano seconded <br />the motion. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards said alternative gl0 would not have as much impact on the businesses, <br />would provide a travel loop, and would give the City an opportunity to assess the situation. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said he supports gl0 on the theory that it is better to try something and <br />see the impact. Mr. Toscano expressed concern about the congestion, noting that additional <br />development will be occurring on West Main Street and the impact of adding congestion is <br />not known. Mr. Toscano also expressed concern about the City's liability. <br /> <br /> The motion was defeated by the following vote. Ayes: Rev. Edwards and Mr. <br />Toscano. Noes: Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Vandever. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty made a motion to approve alternative #12. Ms. Slaughter seconded the <br />motion, adding an amendment to endorse the Planning Commission's proposal of 8A and <br />asking that the parking spaces available in #12 be fine tuned. Ms. Daugherty accepted the <br />amendment to her motion. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty said she thinks the bike lanes are a good idea, will be safer for bikers, <br />and #12 is a more realistic solution as it retains most of the on-street parking. Ms. Daugherty <br />stressed that she hopes more parking can be found at the west end of the route. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter said she thinks the bike lanes will increase pedestrian and other forms of <br />travel on West Main Street. Ms. Slaughter said she feels a four-foot bike lane is safe, and <br />agreed with Mr. Vandever that the same amount of pavement will be available for <br />emergency vehicles. Ms. Slaughter said she feels Council still needs to address the issue of <br /> <br /> <br />