Title
Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Adopting the State Highway 5 Corridor Context Sensitive Master Plan
Summary
MEETING DATE: June 17, 2014
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Jennifer Arnold, Planning Manager
Gary Graham, P.E., P.T.O.E., Transportation and CIP Manager
Michael Quint, Director of Planning
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
· Approval of the Resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
· Staff is presenting the State Highway 5 Corridor Context Sensitive Master Plan (SH 5 Master Plan) for adoption by the City Council.
· The SH 5 Master Plan serves as the conclusion to the SH 5 Corridor Context Sensitive Transportation Study (commonly referred to as the SH 5 Corridor Study), which was undertaken in order to establish a context sensitive vision for the redesign of SH 5 through McKinney.
· Officially kicked off in February 2013, the 16-month SH 5 Corridor Study included an analysis of existing conditions, identification of issues and opportunities along the corridor; a series of public outreach events; the development of design parameters and alternatives; and extensive coordination with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
· The SH 5 Master Plan provides a summary of the planning study initiative and includes the following sections:
o Chapter 1: Introduction and Project Purpose
o Chapter 2: Preliminary Analysis
o Chapter 3: Public Involvement Process
o Chapter 4: Conceptual Plan
o Chapter 5: Interagency Coordination
o Chapter 6: Planning for Implementation
· Throughout the SH 5 Corridor Study process, Staff has maintained a study webpage to keep stakeholders informed and engaged in the planning process (<http://www.mckinneytexas.org/SH5corridorstudy>). A draft of the SH 5 Master Plan has been posted on the City's webpage since May 2014.
· As well, Staff presented a preliminary draft of the SH 5 Master Plan to a Joint Work Session of the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission on June 2, 2014. While the Council and Commission were generally supportive of the preliminary Master Plan, there was some discussion regarding the timing and prioritization of future construction phases to ensure that SH 5 maintains an acceptable level of service.
· Specifically, conceptual designs for the urban section of SH 5 (generally from Standifer Street to Watt Street) call for context sensitive solutions that are intended to calm traffic in this segment and encourage vehicles to travel at the posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour (mph). One of the many goals of the Town Center Master Plan was to support and grow economic development on the east side of SH 5. This is a direct reflection of the vision included in the Town Center Master Plan and has continued to receive stakeholder support throughout the SH 5 Corridor Study.
· Currently, the existing cross-section in the urban segment of SH 5 is characterized by four 12' travel lanes and a continuous left center turn lane. This typical cross-section can accommodate between 25,000 and 30,000 vehicles per day (current traffic volumes on SH 5 are between 20,000-25,000 vehicles per day). The conceptual design illustrated in the SH 5 Master Plan calls for 11' travel lanes, a raised median and on-street parallel parking in this segment. This recommended cross-section will not reduce the capacity of SH 5, but is intended to encourage motorists to travel at the posted speed limit of 35 mph.
· While the urban section of SH 5 with the recommended reduced lane widths, close building setbacks and parallel parking will impact the speed of travel in this area; this cross-section design is intended to get drivers to travel at the posted speed of between 30 to 35 mph instead of the 35 to 40 mph that is currently observed. The true slower speed will allow for pedestrians and commercial frontage to face the street and successfully cross to the east side of SH 5. The schedule for implementation of the urban section improvements would include the coordinated prior improvements to the City's regional network which includes: 1) completion of US 75 improvements and 2) FM 546 improvements linking SH 121 to Airport Drive, which provides two routes for the traffic that once cut-through the edge of Downtown, to then have time saving routes around Downtown. The result, creating an expanding and successful destination.
· While the conceptual cross-section has received support from the Council and stakeholders, it is important to recognize that, prior to beginning future construction in this segment, close attention should be paid to the existing capacity and traffic volumes on SH 5, as well as the status of potential complementary routes as to not restrict the function of SH 5 to such a degree that an acceptable level of service is compromised.
· As such, based on public feedback received as well as direction from the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission, Staff has made the following minor refinements to the Master Plan Report:
o Clarifying language has been added to Chapter 4 with regard to intersection improvements.
o Clarifying language has been added to Chapter 6 with regard to the prioritization of funding and the timing of reconstruction phases on SH 5 in order to acknowledge the City's objective of maintaining an efficient thoroughfare network that includes desirable connections and movements.
NEXT STEPS
· The City of McKinney, NCTCOG and TxDOT have formally executed a Memorandum of Understanding in support of the State Highway 5 Project and the preferred approach for integrating context sensitive design solutions into future design and engineering level schematics. With the MOU formally executed, Staff and the NCTCOG team will continue to work with TxDOT as a project partner in establishing the preferred approach for working with the Federal Highway Administration. As well, City Staff and TxDOT Staff are also discussing the possibility of TxDOT taking a lead role in programming and carrying out the environmental clearances necessary to meet State and Federal requirements.
· Staff has also submitted a proposal in response to the 2014 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Call for Projects from the NCTCOG to request up to $3 million in TAP funding for the design and reconstruction of State Highway 5 between Standifer Street and Watt Street through the urban core of McKinney. Project awards are expected to be announced in the fall of this year.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
· In 2010, the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) of the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) selected the State Highway 5 Corridor Context Sensitive Transportation Study for grant funding through the Sustainable Development program with a total project cost of $156,250 ($125,000 RTC funds and $31,250 local match).
· In 2012, the NCTCOG entered into an interlocal agreement with the City of McKinney to manage this Study on behalf of the City. In late 2012, NCTCOG also managed a competitive procurement process, resulting in the selection of a consultant team led by Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
· The SH 5 Corridor Study officially kicked-off in February 2013 with a project initiation meeting and site tour between City Staff, North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) staff, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) representatives, and the consultant team (Kimley-Horn and Associates, Gateway Planning Group, Civil Consulting Group, and Public Information Associates).
· Following the February kick-off, Staff and the consultant team outlined a public outreach plan and conducted the following activities:
o A day-long series of stakeholder workshops were held on May 4, 2013 at City Hall. The purpose of the workshops was to gain informed input that would help the consultant team determine the preferred physical design controls of the thoroughfare, as well as the design elements that best correlate with the preferred form and function of the development/redevelopment of adjacent properties, including consideration of future land uses.
o A targeted stakeholder input session with the Trinity Heights Homeowners Association was held on June 5, 2013 to gain a better understanding of this neighborhood's interaction with the corridor north of US 380, their preferred vision for its future, and how it may impact future development potential.
o Staff gave an informational presentation at a regular meeting of the PRIDE communities on June 6, 2013 in order to gain feedback from residents regarding their interaction with, and preferred vision for, SH 5 south of US 380.
o Staff presented an informational update to a Joint Work Session of City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting in late July 2013 to seek feedback, input, and general impressions of the planning process and preferred conceptual cross-sections associated with the project.
o On April 2, 2014 Staff hosted a second public open house to present final recommendations associated with the preferred conceptual cross-sections and the draft SH 5 Corridor Master Plan. The purpose of the open house was to gain feedback and clarifying direction from stakeholders prior to completing a final draft report.
o On June 2, 2014, Staff presented a preliminary draft of the SH 5 Master Plan to a Joint Work Session of the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission.