Town of Paradise Valley
Action Report
TO: Mayor Collins and Town Council
FROM: Eva Cutro, Community Development Director
Paul Michaud, Senior Planner
DATE: June 22, 2017
CONTACT:
Staff Contact Paul Michaud, 480-348-3574
End
AGENDA TITLE:
Title
Consideration of Paradise Valley Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Statement of Direction
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve the Statement of Direction (SOD) for the Paradise Valley Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan
Background
UPDATE
The Town Council asked to have more opportunity to review the first draft of the Paradise Valley Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan (the “Master Plan”) at the Town Council meeting of February 23, 2017. Since the first draft of the Master Plan, the Town Council has received many comments from residents on all sides of this matter. Mayor Collins presented a proposal during the June 8 study session narrowing the locations of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. This met with broad support from the Town Council. Therefore the item was moved to the June 22, 2017 Regular Meeting for action.
STATEMENT OF DIRECTION (SOD)
The staff proposed Statement of Direction for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan has been edited to reflect the changes agreed upon by the Mayor and Town Council during the June 8 Study Session. A redlined version and clean version are attached for review.
Several residents spoke at the call to the public at the June 8 Regular Meeting with concerns that parts of the edited SOD appear to be one-sided against cyclists. In addition, e-mail comments were submitted after this meeting and are attached to this report. It was suggested by a resident to remove, or if not, reword the “Emphasize Safety and Enforcement” direction to read:
“Ensure all improvements meet safety requirements and are subject to enforcement should need be with respect to vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, skate boards, dogs, horses, etc.”
The Town Council edited the direction to read:
“Recommend bicycle facilities, policies, and enforcement measures that foster bicyclists following the rules of the road to improve safety and the creation of a non-confrontational environment. Of particular concern is addressing bicyclists that ride more than two abreast, bicyclists not stopping at signed intersections, and speeding, and avoid public urination. Recommend any new traffic rules or laws if as necessary to remedy a material or defect in an existing law.”
Staff would offer an alternative to this bulleted direction to read:
“Ensure all improvements meet safety requirements, with policies that address safety, education, and enforcement as a means to foster a mutual respect and understanding between different travel modes and compliance with Arizona Revised Statutes and other laws, thereby creating a safer environment for all. Of particular concern is addressing conflicts where bicyclists ride more than two abreast, where motorists pass bicyclists, when bicyclists and motorists fail to stop at signed intersections, speeding, and addressing public urination. Recommend any new traffic rules or laws, if necessary to remedy a material or defect in an existing law.”
Part of the attached SOD includes a Revised Bicycle Circulation Map that focuses the Town’s limited resources on approximately six miles of bike lane/facility improvements away from local neighborhoods, congested motorized traffic routes and hillside areas. As noted at the June 8th study session, designated lanes or routes would not necessarily prohibit persons from the use of other public streets within the Town. The SOD also includes a new concept called the “Resort Loop” that connects central resort activities and focuses on providing safe, shared-use recreational paths for resort guests and residents in the local area.
NEXT STEPS
If the SOD is approved, the Paradise Valley Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan will refer back to the Planning Commission for their review and edit before moving onto the Town Council for possible adoption. It is anticipated there will be several Planning Commission work sessions starting up this summer, along with a citizen review session and Planning Commission recommendation this upcoming fall. The Town Council will be updated on the progress, as well as have their own study session(s) and action on the plan. As is typical, the Planning Commission and Town Council meetings are open to the public.
Attachments
1. Draft SOD
2. Comments (05-23-17 to 06-14-17) Prior comments on Town website
3. Presentation
Available documents, including summaries on completed public engagement events, are available at <http://www.paradisevalleyaz.gov/555/Bicycle-Pedestrian-Master-Plan>