NWDA Transportation Committee December 2012 Minutes
NWDA Transportation Committee
December 5, 2012, 6 p.m.
Good Samaritan Hospital, Building #2, 1040 NW 22nd Ave
2nd floor conference room
Members present:
Phil Selinger, Chair, Dustin Posner, Jeanne Harrison, Jonathan Winslow, Greg Aldrich
Members not present:
Juliet Hyams, Scott Siebert
Also attending
: Steve Pinger, Juli Ernst (resident), Travis Ernst (resident), Allan Clausen (NW Examiner)
Phil called the meeting to order 6:05 p.m.
Community Concerns:
Travis and Juli Ernst handed out a description of the pedestrian crossings at NW 22nd and Glisan and 22nd and Everett, including pictures. They asked that the committee investigate why the pedestrian crossings are marked as they are. Phil will follow up with PBOT staff.
Updates:
Cornell Road
- Dustin
Dustin noted that no meeting will be held in December. There was a short discussion about the effectiveness of the new style speed bumps that facilitate fire trucks but also allow motorists to avoid them by crossing the center line when there is no oncoming traffic.
Sidewalk Management
The Sustainability and Livability Committee has done additional inventory work on publication boxes in Old Town/Chinatown. The Lloyd TMA has identified publication boxes as an issue (some are being used for possibly criminal activity) and are interested in our efforts.
Parking Policy
The Planning Committee will meet tomorrow to discuss the implications of apartment buildings constructed without parking. The committee discussed recent letters and documents that have been produced by WPC and the City. It was noted that some buildings recently built have some parking. It was the feeling of the Committee that the proposed TPMA, if adopted, would help alleviate some of these issues. There was a discussion of whether mode split could help determine what is the right amount of off-street parking. The availability of transit service, bike parking, car-sharing, regulating on-street parking could all be factored in. There was also a question about whether developers could be required to pay into a fund when off-site parking was not provided. Jeanne and Phil will attend the Planning meeting.
Committee Membership
Scott Siebert hasn’t responded to an email regarding his ongoing participation on the committee. Greg made a motion, seconded by Jonathan, to accept Scott’s as no longer a member of the committee, to thank him for his service, and to welcome him back when he is able.
Phil noted that he is looking for someone to replace him as committee chair.
NW Parking Plan
The NW Parking Plan is at City Council at 3 p.m. on Thursday. The Committee reviewed Tavo Cruz’ testimony for the hearing. There was a discussion about whether the proposed make-up of TPMA may be slanted to business interests. Phil and Jeanne had asked that the testimony not include a concern about apartment construction without parking because it could dilute the testimony’s impact. Greg was concerned that the testimony might be construed to not allow commercial parking for special events. A separate question about whether residents could purchase permits and then resell them to commuters or others.
Off-Street Parking
Phil led a discussion about what the Committee’s position should be about apartments getting built without parking. He noted that he sensed that our Committee has a different perspective than the Planning Committee. We have focused on reducing demand through travel options, shared parking and what might be the particular needs of different development types, for instance, market housing versus subsidized or senior housing. Greg questioned whether people are actually ready to give up cars or whether they may be storing cars and driving less. We also discussed the demographic shifts in the neighborhood through condo conversions and rising housing prices and incomes. Dustin noted that at one time, there were several small-scale commercial parking garages that developed as our streetcar neighborhood transitioned to a more car-dominated neighborhood.
Two related questions came up without answers: How is loading for goods and services handled in buildings without parking and how are disabled residents able to access special service vehicles like the LIFT or family/friends’ vehicles.
It was decided that Jeanne would start to draft an internal memo that would discuss the history of zoning/development in the neighborhood, our principles, expectations for the TPMA in terms of tracking commuter parking. In general, the memo should focus on approaches that do not include requiring parking new development where it is not currently required. Jeanne will provide a draft to Phil by the end of the year with a draft going out to the rest of the committee before the next meeting.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be January 9, 2013. Phil will confirm a location.
The meeting adjourned around 7:20 p.m.
Phil adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:30 p.m.
NWDA Transportation Committee February 2013 Minutes
NWDA Transportation Committee
February 6, 2013 6 p.m.
Good Samaritan Hospital, Northrup Building, 2282 NW Northrup
2nd floor conference room
Members present:
Phil Selinger, Chair, Dustin Posner, Jeanne Harrison, Jonathan Winslow, Greg Aldrich, Juliet Hyams
Also attending:
Steve Engel (Audubon), Ron Walters, NWDA President, Clay Thompson (TriMet), Allen Clausen (NW Examiner)
Phil called the meeting to order 6:05 p.m. and followed with introductions.
TriMet Service
Clay Thompson handed out a summary of average boarding in the neighborhood comparing Fall 2011 to Fall 2012. There has been a drop in streetcar usage maybe due to the loss of Fareless Rail. Bus ridership is up slightly. He said he would need a longer time period to confirm why the changes have occurred. Phil led a discussion of the questions the committee raised in its November 9 letter to TriMet.
1) What are the chances of getting service restored?
It depends on the economy and payroll taxes. The #15 line would be a priority because of its status as “frequent service.”
2) What became of the shelters that removed along NW 25th?
Clay said he will find out.
3) What can be done to improve safety at the #15 to #16 transfer?
Clay will find out if any improvements have been made. It was suggested that one of the removed shelters could be installed at that location.
4) What is the possibility of rerouting the #16 line to go onto NW 18th and 19th and continuing to Collins Circle rather than along Naito Parkway?
Not now.
Chapman School Swift Watch
Phil and Steve Engle led a discussion about the issues surrounding the Swift Watch events. They presented handouts about the issues (prepared by Friends of Swifts) and a potential traffic plan. The third handout was a draft letter from NWDA to Commissioner Amanda Fritz about the issue and asking for City involvement. After a discussion, Phil agreed to slightly revise the letter.
Updates
Fruit and Flower complaint about traffic backing up and blocking streets and idling. Jeanne noted that she had been there around 4 p.m. and there was only one car present. She suggested that others might want to visit the site later in the afternoon.
Parking for apartments. Phil, Tavo, and Ron are working on language for a potential code change that would require a trip management plan for developers to provide when they come for design advice from the Planning Committee. Jeanne noted that proposed code language for new apartment buildings should come out this week. She will forward the link to Phil and Ron.
Phil adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Phil adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Sunset Highway closing on three weeknights in January
Jan. 8, 2013
For more information:
Don Hamilton, 503-731-8265, Don.B.Hamilton@odot.state.or.us
Kimberly Dinwiddie, 503-731-8281, Kimberly.Dinwiddie@odot.state.or.us
Sunset Highway closing on three weeknights in January
U.S. 26 between Interstate 405 and the Oregon Zoo, exit 72, will see overnight closures in both directions on three nights in January.
The closures are necessary to install two sign bridges, perform drainage work and continue the highway paving project.
On each night, single lane closures will begin at 8 p.m. and double lane closures at 10 p.m. Full closure will be at 11:30 p.m. Lanes will start to re-open beginning at 4:30 a.m. with all lanes open by 5:30 a.m.
Schedule
- Thursday Jan. 10, 2013
- Tuesday Jan. 29, 2013.
- Wednesday Jan. 30, 2013.
Ramp closures when the highway is closed
- Eastbound U.S. 26 on-ramp from the Zoo, closed 9:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- Eastbound U.S. 26 exit to Southwest Jefferson Street, closed 10:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- Westbound U.S. 26 ramp from Southwest Clay Street, closed 8 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Westbound U.S. 26 on-ramp from Jefferson Street, closed 8 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Westbound U.S. 26 off-ramp to the Zoo, exit 72, closed 11:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
- Southbound I-405 ramp to westbound U.S. 26, exit 1D, closed 11:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
- Northbound I-405 ramp to westbound U.S. 26, exit 1D, closed 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Detours
- When eastbound U.S.26 is closed, traffic should use southbound OR 217 to Interstate 5.
- When westbound U.S. 26 is closed, traffic should use northbound OR 217 from I-5 to reach U.S. 26.
- When the ramps from I-405, exit 1D, are closed, traffic should use northbound OR 217 from I-5 to U.S. 26.
The schedule may change due to weather or other unforeseen delays.
For updated information on highway work and current travel information throughout Oregon, visit www.tripcheck.com or call the Oregon road report at 511 or 1-800-977-6368 Visit the ODOT News Media Center at www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM
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NWDA Transportation Committee December 2012 Agenda
NWDA Transportation Committee December 2012 agenda (docx)
TriMet enforcing fares in former Free Rail Zone
TriMet is currently checking fares inside the Free Rail Zone and asking customers to purchase a ticket if they do not already have one. This educational phase will soon move to an enforcement phase when TriMet will begin handing out citations to customers found without a valid TriMet fare within what used to be the Free Rail Zone.
“As of September 1, MAX Light Rail and Portland Streetcar service in Downtown Portland and the Lloyd District are no longer free. A valid TriMet fare is now required on bus, MAX and Portland Streetcar.”
NWDA Transportation Committee Work Plan – Nov 2012 Revision
NWDA 2012-13 Transportation Committee Work Plan – revised – Nov 2012 (pdf)
November 2012 NWDA Transportation Committee Minutes
11-7-2012 Transportation Committee minutes (docx)
NWDA Transport October 2012 Meeting Agenda
October Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, October 3, 2012 6:00 to 7:30 pm
Good Samaritan Hospital, Building #2, 2nd Floor Conf Room, 1040 NW 22nd Ave
Committee:
Greg Aldrich
Jeanne Harrison
Juliet Hyams
Dustin Posner
Scott Seibert
Phil Selinger, Chair
Jonathan Winslow
Board President: Ron Walters
Introductions, community comments 5 minutes
Brief committee updates and current topics 15 minutes
Cornell Road – Dustin Up-coming Parking Plan before Council? – Juliet, Ron
Sidewalk Management – Jeanne Chapman Swifts – observations, upcoming meeting
Transit service letter and streetcar changes review and discussion 15 minutes
Strategy for advancing the 2012 priority projects 15 minutes
Parking Policy – City wide discussion, early Committee thoughts 30 minutes
Adjourn
NWDA Transportation Committee Sept 2012 Minutes
NWDA Transportation Committee
September 5, 2012 6 p.m.
Good Samaritan Hospital, 1st floor conference room & lobby
1040 NW 22nd Ave
Members present:
Phil Selinger, Chair, Greg Aldrich, Juliet Hyams, Dustin Posner, Jeanne Harrison, Jonathan Winslow
Also attending:
Rebecca Hamilton, resident, and Matthew Schwartzberg, resident.
Phil called the meeting to order 6:10 p.m.
Committee Reports
Cornell Road
Dustin reported that the group did not meet in July and August. There are now eight speed bumps on NW Cornell.
Sidewalk Management
Phil emailed City staff about an update on their proposal to look at its Administrative Rules relating to objects in the right-of-way since we haven’t heard back from them. The NWDA subcommittee is interested in doing another round of removing abandoned publication boxes.
NWDA Parking Plan
Juliet didn’t have any specific news about the Parking Plan, but Dustin thought that it is still scheduled for Council in September or October based on what he read in the NW Examiner.
Land Use/Transportation Issues
Terminal 1 Development
Phil mentioned that John Bradley (Planning Committee chair) has asked for our input on an upcoming proposal for more development at the former Terminal 1 site adjacent to the river. The proposal is for a substantial amount of surface parking.
Fred Meyer Redevelopment
Jonathan asked whether the Fred Meyer development would include a new traffic signal. Since parking spaces will be reduced, the City has no grounds for requiring a signal.
Con-way Master Plan
The Con-way Master Plan went before the Hearings Officer on August 27. Since no one spoke in opposition, the Hearings Officer approved the master plan and there is no opportunity for an appeal. Phil explained that Con-way agreed to delete a map and accompanying text relating to a ‘preferred’ alignment for streetcar on Raleigh due to concerns from residents on that street. He explained that proposed changes to NW Vaughn/23rd will need funding and Con-way is only obligated to contribute 15.6% of the cost (based on their share of traffic at that intersection). Jeanne noted that about 1/3 of the Con-way Master Plan could be built out before the intersection improvements (including the jug handle/20th extension) are required.
NW 24th Traffic Increases
Matthew (resident on NW 24th) presented his concerns about the increases in traffic on 24th. He is concerned that the Con-way site build out will only exacerbate it. He would like the left turn from Vaughn (WB) to be prohibited. He said this prohibition was supposed to be part of an earlier transportation plan for the neighborhood but was deleted because of NINA’s desire to have direct access to the post office. The group brainstormed some ideas for discouraging traffic on the street. Phil said he would contact PBOT.
NW 23rd Pl/Thurman Intersection Improvements
Phil said Tom Miller (PBOT Director) had responded to our letter regarding the 23rd Pl/Thurman improvements by asking if we had any funding sources in mind.
TriMet Service
Jonathan asked if we should be following up with TriMet regarding service reductions in the neighborhood and how that service could be modified in the future. The bus shelters on NW 25th have been removed since there is no longer service on this street. Phil will check to see what happened to them as we had asked that they be reinstalled at other stops in the neighborhood. Phil will draft and circulate a letter to TriMet to remind them that they would consider adding some service back to the neighborhood.
Work Plan Discussion
The committee unanimously agreed to forward its work plan to the Board for approval.
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
TriMet outreach process serves the neighborhood – Line 15 at NW 28th
As many of you know, TriMet implemented changes to service and the fare system in the first week of September. These changes, which impact Northwest Portland resulted from an extensive outreach process that started in 2011.
Included with these changes, the westbound layover location for the Line 15 on NW Thurman moved from NW 27th to NW 28th Avenue. Issues of noise and site distance for cars, bikes and pedestrians at the old layover location at NW 27th triggered a TriMet safety analysis conducted at the request of the Northwest District Association (NWDA) in the spring of 2011.
The analysis determined that the westbound Line 15 layover location at the NW corner of 27th and Thurman needed additional safety measures. TriMet worked with the city traffic office to have a four-way stop installed at NW Thurman & 27th including signs and pavement markings which alleviated the site distance issue.
However, the noise issue remained a challenge so TriMet conducted additional outreach to neighbors around NW Thurman & 28th and determined through feedback from residents and business owners that this intersection would be a more amenable location for the westbound layover location because of the existing four-way stop at that intersection, no on-street parking removal was required and the closest resident is over 100 feet away compared to 50 feet away at 27th.
After this intensive outreach and analysis process was completed the decision was made to move the westbound layover location as part of the September service changes. In addition, to mitigate noise at the new layover location, TriMet changed the bus schedule so the first layover is at approximately 7 a.m. rather than at 5:45 a.m.
Stephen McCarthy, owner of Clear Creek Distillery in Northwest Portland expressed his appreciation of the outreach process by saying it was “very thorough work” and “impressive. I agree. Many of us may not like the outcome but kudos to TriMet for the extensive outreach process.
Phil Selinger, Chair
NWDA Transportation Committee
