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Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Authorizing the Deputy City Manager to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Regional Transportation Council of the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Texas Department of Transportation in Support of the State Highway 5 Corridor Context-Sensitive Transportation Study
Summary
MEETING DATE: April 1, 2014
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Jennifer Arnold, Planning Manager
Michael Quint, Director of Planning
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
· Staff recommends approval of the Resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
· The Resolution authorizes the Deputy City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Regional Transportation Council of the North Central Texas Council of Governments (RTC) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in support of State Highway 5 and establishing a preferred approach for integrating Context Sensitive Solutions into future design and engineering level schematics for the corridor.
· As part of the State Highway 5 Corridor Context Sensitive Transportation Study (SH 5 Corridor Study), a series of conceptual design alternatives were developed for the corridor based on the Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares Report that was approved in 2010 as a recommended practice of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). These conceptual design alternatives were presented to the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission at a Joint Work Session on July 29, 2013.
· Although the preferred conceptual design alternatives generated as part of the SH 5 Corridor Study are strictly conceptual (i.e. not requiring review from TxDOT), these conceptual alternatives are intended to guide future engineering and construction plans. As a state-maintained roadway, TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have the authority to review any engineering and/or construction plans.
· With this in mind, Staff and the project team have spent the last several months coordinating with TxDOT representatives in order to establish a formal partnership in support of integrating appropriate context sensitive design solutions into future design and engineering of SH 5 as well as for guiding any necessary future coordination with FHWA.
· The proposed MOU and formal partnership will facilitate the integration of regional transportation needs, local public and private development plans, economic development opportunities, redevelopment considerations, multimodal integration, transit-oriented development, safety improvements and a leveraging of limited public resources into a comprehensive project.
NEXT STEPS:
· Following approval by the City Council, NCTCOG Staff and TxDOT Staff will present the final draft MOU to their respective boards for execution.
· In support of the SH 5 Corridor Study, Staff will also host a public open house on April 2, 2014 to present final recommendations associated with a draft SH 5 Corridor Report in order to gain feedback and clarifying direction from stakeholders prior to completing a final draft report.
· In the coming months, Staff will also seek up to $3M in grant funding through the NCTCOG Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to assist in engineering and construction of segments of SH 5 generally between Standifer Street and Watt Street.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
· The purpose of the State Highway 5 Corridor Study is to revitalize SH 5 into a functional urban thoroughfare that fits its physical setting and preserves aesthetic, historic and environmental resources, while still maintaining mobility and safety.
· The project is a multi-level partnership between the City of McKinney, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, and the Texas Department of Transportation.
· As part of the State Highway 5 Corridor Context Sensitive Transportation Study (SH 5 Corridor Study), City Staff and the project team hosted a series of stakeholder workshops and public input sessions throughout the summer of 2013 in order to generate conceptual design alternatives (i.e. cross-sections) for SH 5.
· This Study will serve as the necessary stepping stone towards implementation. Within the public right-of-way, this Study is anticipated to lead directly into formal engineering for the highest priority segment of roadway generally between Eldorado Parkway and US Highway 380 (Project #ST1216 in the City's Capital Improvements Program). Outside of the public right-of-way, this Study is anticipated to lead to possible amendment of the City's land development regulations along the corridor. The end goal is to maximize private investment along the corridor through the synchronization and leveraging of public investment in the redesign/reconstruction of the roadway.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY: N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: N/A