ATTACHMENT 3
Special Meeting Summary
Chapel Hill Community Design Commission
May 11, 2005
6:30 p.m. Town Council Chambers
Community Design Commission Members Present: George Cianciolo (Chair), Scott Radway, Jonathan Whitney, Charlotte Newby, Dale Coker, Amy Ryan, Glenn Parks
Public Arts Commission Members Present: Jeff Cohen (Chair), Janet Kagan, Pam Pease
Historic District Commission Member Present: Stephen Rich
Town Staff: Bruce Heflin, Assistant Town Manager; Bill Letteri, Public Works Director; Curtis Brooks, Landscape Architect/Urban Forester; Emily Cameron, Landscape Architect, Gene Poveromo, Principal Planner, Kay Tapp, Senior Planning Technician, Kate Flory, Public Arts Commission Executive Director, Steve Wright, Public Art Coordinator
Gene Poveromo opened the meeting and stated the purpose of the special meeting was to forward recommendations concerning proposed Streetscape projects to the Town Council for consideration at their May 23rd meeting.
Curtis Brooks provided background for the staff presentation, stating that the Public Works staff was directed by the Town Council on April 25 to obtain feedback on the 2005 Streetscape proposals from groups with interest in downtown improvements. Through a PowerPoint presentation, he described the history of the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan as well as its design objectives and concepts. Curtis reviewed available funding for Streetscape and described previously completed sidewalk reconstruction projects using photos of “before-and-after” conditions.
The presentation included descriptions and conceptual plans for 3 proposed Streetscape projects that were recommended to the Town Council on April 25:
1. Mast arm traffic signal poles and crosswalk improvements at the intersection of Columbia and Franklin Streets and at the intersection of East Franklin Street and Porthole Alley;
Three alternative sidewalk reconstruction projects were also presented. In conclusion, Curtis summarized Streetscape projects completed on Rosemary Street and described challenges the Town faces in negotiating easements or right-of-way purchase for improvement projects.
Citizen Comments: Following the staff presentation, the public was invited to submit comments before the advisory boards. Walter Holt, representing the property managers at University Square, spoke on behalf of the property owners and tenants. He recommended that the Council move forward with the proposed Streetscape projects and not “re-invent the wheel” or wait for Parking Lot 5 to be redeveloped. He emphasized that timing the start of construction would be critical in order to finish before the fall semester.
CDC Discussion:
Glenn Parks inquired about the diameter of mast arm poles and the mounting height of the proposed lights. Curtis responded that the diameter of a single arm pole could range between 18 and 24 inches based on specifications provided by NCDOT and Duke Power Company. He added that the mounting heights for the street lights and pedestrian fixtures are 25 feet and 15 feet, respectively. Mr. Parks also suggested that lighting for the Post Office should be made a higher priority.
George Cianciolo asked if there would be street signs on the mast arms or if there would be separate poles for mounting signs. Curtis indicated that street identification signs and directional signage would be incorporated into the mast arm pole design.
Scott Radway asked for clarification about the limit of funding for the projects described in the presentation and if there were any design issues related to the lighting project. He expressed concern about the rate of progress in seeing Streetscape improvements completed. Mr. Radway also asked about design issues related to the University Square sidewalk reconstruction.
Curtis described several aspects of the University Square Streetscape design where direction from the CDC would be welcome, specifically; whether to extend the curb, the width of the sidewalk, and the number and placement of benches.
Amy Ryan asked whether design changes would affect the cost of construction. Curtis suggested that the variables could involve less than $20,000 of the proposed budget for the project.
Jonathan Whitney asked if mast arm poles were part of the Streetscape Master Plan and wanted to know where the poles would be placed in relation to the existing sidewalks and curb lines. Curtis responded that mast arm poles were recommended in the Master Plan primarily to eliminate overhead wires downtown He added that the metal poles are somewhat more resistant to flyers being attached and are more durable that the wooden poles. Curtis indicated that the mast arm poles would be placed farther back from the curb than the existing signal poles.
Mr. Whitney asked if the large ash tree at the southwest corner of Columbia and Franklin Streets would be protected. Curtis responded that there would be no work done near the prominent tree.
Mr. Whitney indicated that he favors the imprinted asphalt for the crosswalks and that he is interested in seeing improvements to the alleys between Rosemary Street and East Franklin Street. Curtis pointed out that much of the area of concern around the alleys is privately owned and is not eligible for Streetscape funding.
Dale Coker asked if sidewalk repairs could be made using funds from a separate maintenance account and if the University Square project were delayed, could the money be spent in areas other than downtown. Curtis described the wording of the Streetscape bonds which directs the use of funds generated from bond sales.
Amy Ryan asked about the material used for resurfacing the crosswalks noting the condition of the upgraded crosswalks on NC Highway 54.
Glenn Parks asked about the schedule for sidewalk reconstruction at University Square. Curtis indicated that if work started in early June, the more disruptive phases would be complete and the sidewalk would be open by late August when the fall semester starts.
The advisory boards met separately to formulate recommendations.
Public Arts Commission (including one member of the Historic District Commission) Recommendation: Janet Kagan spoke on behalf of the Public Arts Commission.
PAC Recommendation #1: The Town should not install the mast arm traffic signal poles downtown because the scale is too large. Regarding crosswalk improvements, the Public Arts Commission expressed concern about the visual impact of a decorative pavement treatment at the primary downtown intersection, suggesting that an artist could be hired to enhance the appearance of the pavement markings, perhaps by using “authentic” materials.
PAC Recommendation #2: Sidewalk reconstruction at University Square should be delayed until plans are approved for development of Parking Lot 5 on the opposite side of Franklin Street.
PAC Recommendation #3: The Town should proceed with lighting improvements proposed for the 500 and 600 blocks of West Franklin suggesting that it would be timely to review the Streetscape Master Plan to discern opportunities for public art, perhaps incorporating passive solar energy.
Community Design Commission Recommendations:
CDC Recommendation #1: The Town should not install the proposed mast arm traffic signal poles because they may be too large in scale for the downtown area. The CDC recommended that the Town look for more attractive solutions for downtown. Proceed with crosswalk improvements at the two intersections in the Central Business District.
CDC Recommendation #2: Proceed with the proposed lighting improvements on West Franklin Street.
CDC Recommendation #3: Proceed with sidewalk reconstruction adjacent to University Square. Specific design suggestions include extending the curb, building an 8-foot wide sidewalk, adding a bus shelter, and improving pedestrian access to University Square from Franklin Street (for consideration by the property owners). The CDC also had concerns about maintenance of the joint between the sidewalk and the wall.
CDC Recommendation #4: The Community Design Commission further recommended that the Town consider using more contract labor for more sidewalk reconstruction projects to increase the rate of progress for Streetscape improvements.
CDC Recommendation #5: The CDC requested the Town Council consider improvements to Amber Alley, Courthouse Alley, and the alley around the Wallace Parking Deck.
CDC Recommendation #6: The CDC also asked for additional lighting for the Post office/courthouse at the corner of East Franklin and Henderson Streets.