DDA Board Minutes

Cascade Charter Township

Downtown Development Authority
Board of Directors

January 17, 2006

Cascade Museum Building
2839 Thornapple River Dr. SE

ATTENDEES: Lori Chu, Ron Clark, Ray James, Julie Johnson, Mike Julian, Diana Kingsland, Joann Noto, Dan Wallace.
Absences: David Huhn (expected)
Others Attending: Assistant to the Township Manager, Sandra Otey; Manager Jay Cravens; Building and Grounds Director Darrin McSorley; Admin. Assistant Hern.
Guests: None.

ARTICLE 1: Call the Meeting to Order
Chairman Clark called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

ARTICLE 2: Approval of the Agenda
Chairman Clark requested a motion of approval of the January 17th DDA Agenda. Member James motioned for approval, supported by Member Johnson. All in favor of motion, none opposed. Motion carried.

ARTICLE 3: Approval of the Minutes of November 15, 2005
Chairman Clark requested a motion of approval of the November 15th minutes.

Member Julien motioned for approval of the November 15th minutes, supported by Member Clark.

Member Johnson noted a correction on Page 4, first paragraph, regarding the planting of evergreens within the large pots within the village; she noted that "trees" should be changed to evergreens. She did not request trees be "planted" and requested the word be omitted from the minutes.

Member Johnson also requested the November Minutes reflect that she would not have supported the motion made regarding the light fixtures, she believes Staff misinterpreted the motion. Chairman Clark asked for her clarification if she was trying to add something to the minutes and Member Johnson noted that Staff misinterpreted the motion. Member Clark requested Member Johnson to state her comments under Article 6 during tonight's meeting.

Member Julien motioned for approval of the November 15, 2005 DDA Board Minutes with the amendment to Paragraph Four (4) as mentioned by Member Johnson, supported by Member James. All in favor of the November 15, 2005 Minutes as amended, none opposed. Motion carried.

ARTICLE 4: Discussion of Sidewalk Width
Assistant to the Manager Otey noted that at the last DDA Meeting the sidewalks on the north side of 28th Street would be constructed in 2006 and the width of the sidewalks to be discussed in January 2006. The DDA has discussed over the past year the issue of what the appropriate sidewalk width should be within the DDA development district and she has reviewed several resources and noted the following:

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, enclosed within the Board's packets, suggests that minimum sidewalk width should be determined by the type of road noting that major, commercial streets should have a minimum sidewalk width of six (6) to eight (8) feet and Central Business districts should have a minimum width of eight (8) to twelve (12) feet. They further noted that a sidewalk width of five (5) feet is needed for two (2) adult pedestrians to comfortably walk side-by-side and all sidewalks should be constructed to be at least this width. They also stated that four (4) foot sidewalks do not provide adequate clearance room or mobility for pedestrians passing in opposite directions.

Assistant to the Manager Otey further reported that The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) echoed the same information as The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center regarding sidewalk widths and further stated that residential streets have narrower sidewalks than commercial streets. They also state that the width of sidewalk is also affected by pedestrian travel tendencies. Pedestrians tend to travel in the center of the sidewalks to create distance between themselves and traffic, and to avoid utility poles, sign poles, etc. They also avoid traveling on the part of the sidewalk close to building to avoid retaining walls, fences, etc. The sidewalk area that pedestrians avoid is called the shy distance. Assistant to the Manager Otey explained that if the sidewalk is ten (10) feet wide, the shy distance is two (2) feet on each side therefore six (6) feet of the width is truly utilized by pedestrians.

Assistant to the Manager Otey also researched the National Center for Bicycling and Walking and they echo the same widths as the other two (2) sources. She summarized that commercial areas have eight (8) to ten (10) feet widths, downtown areas have ten (10) to twelve (12) foot widths and traffic engineering recommends a minimum of five (5) feet in width. Assistant to the Manager Otey also noted that the sources noted that bike paths should be twelve (12) feet wide, allowing for shy distance. Member Julien asked if the Township's bike paths were ten (10) feet wide and Assistant to the Manager Otey confirmed, yes. Manager Cravens noted the rural area pathway is eight (8) feet and the areas of suburban development are ten (10) feet wide to accommodate bikes, wheelchairs, etc.

Assistant to the Manager Otey summarized that the type of road the walk is installed next to determines the sidewalk width. 28th Street is an arterial road (45 m.p.h.) and based on the information, sidewalks along an arterial road should have a minimum width of six (6) to eight (8) feet. A seven (7) foot wide sidewalk allows space for pedestrians to pass comfortably and accommodates the snowplow that the Township owns. Based on the information, Staff is recommending that the sidewalks along 28th Street be constructed to a minimum width of seven (7) feet. She also noted that she has brought slides of varying widths and Building and Grounds Director McSorley is in attendance to discuss the plowing maintenance and sidewalk width for appropriate clearance.

Member Julien noted that a twelve (12) foot width would be ideal and asked if Staff has received any complaints from bicyclists or pedestrians regarding accidents on the Township's paths. Manager Cravens noted they have received a few phone calls of near-miss accidents regarding bikes in conflict with pedestrians and blind spots in an area along 36th Street. He noted that a white line has been painted along the blind areas to help keep pedestrians and bicycles to the right-of-way along the area but no issues regarding width of the paths.

Assistant to the Manager Otey displayed slides from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, showing examples of people on various width sidewalks. Member Johnson asked if the pictures were taken within the Township and Assistant to the Manager Otey said she obtained them off the Internet.

A map of the DDA District was also reviewed by the Board, noting the seven (7) foot sidewalks and eight (8) foot sidewalks within the District. Building and Grounds Director McSorley noted the majority of sidewalks within the district are seven (7) feet wide with the exception of a five (5) foot wide sidewalk by the Cascade Road Bridge and a few areas of an eight (8) foot wide sidewalk.

Member Julien asked if Staff recommends a seven (7) foot wide sidewalk and Grounds and Building Director McSorley confirmed, yes.

Chairman Clark asked why some of the widths were eight (8) feet vs. the seven (7) feet. Manager Cravens noted that the differences in width were due to fitting the sidewalks in with private property and utilities as obstacles. The eight (8) foot were installed after a subsequent project and is unsure of why the area by Kingsland's and 5/3rd are seven (7) feet rather than eight (8) feet wide. Chairman Clark assumed that the Township's maximum width, then, would be eight (8) feet and Manager Cravens confirmed, yes. Manager Cravens also clarified that the north side of 28th Street has seven (7) foot wide sidewalks and thought was to continue west with the seven (7) foot width. He also noted that the south side of 28th Street might want to be eight (8) feet wide due to the commercial businesses and the increase in pedestrians since the area is growing. Assistant to the Manager Otey noted a possible grant for the south side of 28th Street would be in 2007.

Chairman Clark noted the north side of 28th Street heading west has seven (7) foot wide sidewalks and Manager Cravens confirmed yes, noting the furthest extension of the current sidewalk is seven (7) feet wide. Member James asked where the current sidewalk ends and Manager Cravens noted it ends at Quizno's.

Member Johnson thought the sequence of construction along 28th Street was different than what Manager Cravens recalled and noted she has had past differences with Staff regarding sidewalk width. She encouraged the DDA Board to consider water run-off into the storm sewers and installing wider sidewalks would increase the water run-off. She also noted that she measured sidewalk widths of other neighboring communities noting that Ada, Kentwood and Lowell have sixty-inch (60") width sidewalks in their commercial areas. She also noted there is an area of condos in Kentwood that house many disabled and elderly and the width of those sidewalks is still at sixty-inches (60") and agrees that four (4) feet is too narrow but questions why Cascade has to have the widest sidewalks of the neighboring communities.

Chairman Clark asked between the eight (8) foot wide and seven (7) foot wide sidewalks within Cascade, which width is more predominant throughout the community. Building and Grounds Director McSorley noted that the seven (7) foot wide sidewalks are a total of 7,741 lineal feet and the eight (8) feet wide sidewalks total 4,179 lineal feet.

Member Julien asked to review the slides Assistant to the Manager Otey has provided with the smallest width being shown first.

Chairman Clark opened the meeting to the Board's comments regarding sidewalk width and Member Johnson supported five (5) foot wide sidewalks. Building and Grounds Director McSorley noted Staff supports seven (7) foot wide.

Member Kingsland noted she is in favor of narrower sidewalks than the wider width.

Member James noted the DDA Board should consider the width of the sidewalks for the future growth of the area; seems six (6) foot wide sidewalks are now obsolete for pedestrians, bikes and wheelchairs and supports the sidewalk with at a minimum of seven (7) feet.

Vice-Chair Chu asked if Staff prefers the seven (7) foot width for snowplowing. Grounds and Building Director McSorley noted the plow that was recently purchased is five (5) foot wide. Member Johnson asked when the plow would be replaced and how old it is and Grounds and Building Director McSorley noted the average life of a plow is ten (10) years and the tractor the Township has is specific for path width of the Township's sidewalks with the exception of the small sidewalk area of five (5) foot wide by the bridge.

Grounds and Building Director McSorley reviewed slides of the Township's plow on the sidewalks of Cascade Township noting areas of error due to narrower walks and the plow digging up the grass and showing the little room for the plow along the area by the bridge. He also noted that anything less than a minimum of seven (7) foot in width is just asking for trouble as it would increase time Staff spends repairing damaged landscaping.

Member James motioned for approval of a minimum seven (7) foot wide sidewalk along the north side of 28th Street, supported by Member Noto supported the motion. Seven (7) Members in favor with one (1) opposed. Motion carried.

ARTICLE 5: Election of Officers
Member James nominated Chairman Clark to serve a second year as the DDA Chair, supported by Member Kingsland. All in favor with none opposed. Motion carried.

Member Julien nominated Vice-Chair Chu to serve a second year as the DDA Vice-Chair, supported by Member James. All in favor, with none opposed. Motion carried.

Member James nominated Member Kingsland to continue as the Treasurer/Secretary for another year, supported by Vice-Chair Chu. All in favor, with none opposed. Motion carried.

ARTICLE 6: Any Other Business
Chairman Clark opened the meeting for any other business.

Member Johnson would like it noted that Staff misinterpreted her support of a motion at the August DDA Board Meeting. Based on her numerous comments at other meetings, she would not have supported the motion at the time.

Manager Cravens also informed the DDA Board that Larry Fleis, a property owner within Centennial Park and member of the Centennial Park Business Association, has had discussions concerning the future of the Centennial Park district. Manager Cravens asked Fleis to provide a priority list of projects and ideas the Association would like to approach the DDA Board with at March's Meeting. Manager Cravens also noted the Township Board has approved a new nursing center within Centennial Park and the vacancy of the buildings is decreasing but the Association is facing issues with the aging of the buildings and would like to meet with the DDA at the March Meeting. Chairman Clark welcomed the opportunity to hear from the Centennial Park Business Association at the March DDA Meeting. He also requested that their priority list be included within the Board packets so the Board may have time to review their information.

Member Johnson asked that the planting pots within the village be cleaned out, removing the dead foliage and asked why it has not been done yet. Building and Grounds Director McSorley noted that the snow fell a bit early this year and they are understaffed, they will get to this once the weather improves.

Member Julien thanked the Members of the Board for all their service over the past years. He also asked if a new member of the DDA Board would be joining the meetings. Manager Cravens noted that David Huhn, who lives in Summit, has agreed to serve on the DDA Board but was unable to attend tonight's meeting due to a scheduling conflict. Manager Cravens noted that Huhn is retired and has a background in banking. Member Julien asked Staff to make sure Huhn is aware of the March DDA Board Meeting.

ARTICLE 7. Chairman Clark requested a motion for adjournment. At 7:50 p.m. Member James motioned for adjournment, supported by Member Wallace.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Hern, Recording Secretary

Approved as to form by:

Jay W. Cravens, Executive Director

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