Town of Paradise Valley
Action Report
TO: Mayor Collins and Town Council
FROM: Eva Cutro, Community Development Director
Paul Michaud, Senior Planner
DATE: June 8, 2017
CONTACT:
Staff Contact
Paul Michaud, 480-348-3574
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AGENDA TITLE:
Title
Discussion of Paradise Valley Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan
Body
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. This plan is a long-range plan that generally looks at the 10,000-foot level. During this meeting, the Town Council suggested preparing a statement of direction to the Planning Commission for the Master Plan.
The Town Council held a study session on April 27, 2017. During this meeting the Town Council was provided an overview of the proposed pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the draft plan. Understanding that changes to the plan will occur as a result of public review and comment, the scope of work includes the preparation of three draft plans. The majority of this meeting was spent on the corridor details near Hummingbird Lane, along with input from residents. Discussion focused on enforcement over design improvements on local roads. However, some safety measures might be considered since enforcement alone will not fully address many of the nuisances noted during this meeting. Research was requested on prohibiting bikes on unsafe roads.
Since the April 27, 2017 Town Council meeting, there was discussion of simplifying the Master Plan to consider one identified west-east bicycle facility, one north-south bicycle facility, and identifying a resort-pedestrian area that may include facilities such as shared-use recreational paths.
STUDY SESSION
The upcoming study session will be to discuss and suggest edits to the draft Statement of Direction for the Planning Commission, along with any other points related to the Paradise Valley Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan.
This draft Statement of Direction identifies pedestrian facilities that will complete missing gaps on mostly non-local streets. It identifies bicycle facilities that serve resort destination areas adjacent to the designated Development Areas of the General Plan, provide access to nearby trailheads, and/or complete missing gaps. The streets identified for bicycle facilities are all non-local streets and generally identify less bicycle facilities than the General Plan.
As in any Statement of Direction, this direction to the Planning Commission is not a final decision of the Town Council and such matters addressed may differ from the actual adopted plan.
MAYOR”S PROPOSAL
The Mayor has proposed a Revised Bicycle Circulation Map and accompanying Revised Statement of Direction for Town Council consideration. The Mayor’s Revised Map and SOD eliminate approximately six miles of bike lane and route designations and focuses facility improvements away from local neighborhoods, congested motorized traffic routes and hillside areas. The Mayor’s proposal 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. The Mayor will be presenting his proposal at the study session.
NEXT STEPS
If deemed ready, the Town Council may wish to take action on the Statement of Direction at the Town Council meeting of June 22, 2017.
Attachments
1. SOD (Draft 1)
2. SOD (Draft 2, Mayor’s Proposal)
3. Comments (02-16-17 to 05-23-17) Prior comments on Town website
4. Presentation
Available documents, including summaries on completed public engagement events, are available at <https://planpv.mysidewalk.com> and at <http://www.paradisevalleyaz.gov/555/Bicycle-Pedestrian-Master-Plan>