| 2/19/2007 | Planning Unit | Fiscal Note Required / Approval to the Comptroller's Office/Approval Group Completed on 2/19/2007 | |
| 2/19/2007 | Comptroller's Office/Approval Group | Approved Fiscal Note By The Comptroller's Office to the Planning Unit Completed on 2/19/2007 | |
| Notes: Bohrod |
| 2/19/2007 | Planning Unit | Referred for Introduction | |
| Notes: Plan Commission, Urban Design Commission, Pedestrian/Bicycle/Motor Vehicle Commission, and Board of Estimates |
| 2/27/2007 | COMMON COUNCIL | Refer to the PLAN COMMISSION Completed on 3/19/2007 | |
| Notes: Additional Referral(s): Urban Design Commission, Pedestrian/Bicycle/Motor Vehicle Commission, Board of Estimates |
| 2/27/2007 | PLAN COMMISSION | Refer to the URBAN DESIGN COMMISSION Completed on 3/7/2007 | |
| 2/27/2007 | PLAN COMMISSION | Refer to the PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE/MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION Completed on 3/21/2007 | |
| 2/27/2007 | PLAN COMMISSION | Refer to the BOARD OF ESTIMATES Completed on 3/12/2007 | |
| 3/7/2007 | URBAN DESIGN COMMISSION | A motion was made by Woods, seconded by Host-Jablonski, to Return to Lead with the Recommendation for Approval to the PLAN COMMISSION. The motion passed by acclamation. | Pass |
| Notes: The motion recommending adoption requested that staff and the neighborhood look at further examining the comments of the Commission and this report as they affect the plan. |
| 3/12/2007 | BOARD OF ESTIMATES | A motion was made by King, seconded by Olson, to Return to Lead with the Recommendation for Approval to the PLAN COMMISSION. The motion passed by acclamation. | Pass |
| 3/19/2007 | PLAN COMMISSION | A motion was made by Golden, seconded by Bowser, to RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER. The motion passed by the following vote: | Pass
(7:1) |
| Notes: The Plan Commission recommended that the plan be adopted with the following revisions and inclusions:
-That the plan be adopted with conditions #1-5 of the Planning Division report dated March 14, 2007, with #1 revised to now read "Planning Division staff, in consultation with neighborhood representatives and the approval of the Plan Commission chair, be permitted to make minor revisions to the final document, including format changes, to update, correct typographical errors, and clarify but not substantively alter specific recommendations.
-That the plan be adopted with a new condition #6 of the Planning Division report that states" That the range of building heights recommended in the Plan be expanded to include and permit four-story buildings with the understanding that lot size, proximity to other building forms, setbacks, step-backs, and floor to floor height shall all be considered when reviewing the redevelopment of properties on Monroe Street. |
| 3/21/2007 | PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE/MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION | A motion was made by Skidmore, seconded by Wittke, to Return to Lead with the Following Recommendation(s) to the PLAN COMMISSION To adopt the Monroe Street Commercial District Plan and the recommendations contained therein as a supplement to the City's Comprehensive Plan, with the recommendation that the Plan include the following: (1) all items in the 3/14/07 memo from David Dryer, City Traffic Engineer & Parking Manager; (2) an emphasis on making the street crossings more significant so motorists slow down; (3) an emphasis on including bike parking, particularly with all new development; (4) designate routes from the path around Lake Wingra and the Southwest Bike Path to the major business nodes.
DISCUSSION
Jane Riley, 3004 Monroe Street, representing the Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood Association, registered in support and was available to answer questions.
Bill Fruhling, City Planning, was present and provided a brief overview of the Plan's development.
· The Plan contains general recommendations for the entire corridor and specific recommendations for each node. Three nodes (intersection areas): Regent, Commonwealth, and Glenway.
·Recommendations of interest to the PBMVC include (1) create visually pleasing crossings of Monroe Street and enhance safety by making them noticeable to motorists; (2) strengthen the connections to the Southwest Bike Path and Wingra Path by integrating the paths into the business district; and (3) ensure adequate parking, both on- and off-street, including an emphasis on shared parking and multi-modal access. The area is well-served by transit and perhaps the merchants could actively promote this.
· Board of Estimates, Urban Design Commission and Plan Commission have recommended approval. The UDC added Wingra School (Glenway node) as an additional location for an enhanced ped crossing.
· Resolution will go to the Common Council on 3/27. The Plan Commission is lead but already acted on it to meet time constraints. The PBMVC comments will go to the Council.
· The Plan does not include a recommendation to add bike lanes. Due to the limited width of Monroe Street and the existing businesses, it would be very challenging to add bike lanes. The goal is to improve the connections to Monroe Street and increase public awareness of alternate routes (parallel streets, Southwest Bike Path, etc.).
· Plan does include recommendation for additional bike parking, although specific locations are not indicated.
· Pedestrian elements include enhanced crosswalks, traffic tables and ped refuge islands. The memo from City Traffic Engineer Dryer includes a concern about traffic tables on a thoroughfare but recognizes the need for enhancements of some type, such as colored concrete at crossings to visually set them apart. Signing could be part of the crossing treatment but the Plan does not specifically talk about signing. Traffic Engineering is supportive of ped refuge islands but recognizes that additional right-of-way might be needed in some areas due to the narrow street width.
· Plan recommends a consistent speed limit of 25 mph (currently a mix of 25 and 30 mph). Plan participants did not discuss a lower speed limit of 15 or 20 mph. It was noted that traffic congestion might serve to lower the speed limit.
· There was concern expressed about the Arbor development adding more cars to Monroe Street. It was noted that transit is very accessible and parking for the development is 1.2 spaces per unit.
· There is no specific design yet for the recommended angle parking on Breese Terrace, but the spaces will be sited with visibility of the bike path in mind.
· There was some concern expressed about the consultant's concept of added green space at Knickerbocker (figure I-8, page 64). It would force bicyclists into the street and peds would have two street crossings.
· Members suggested better connections to the Southwest Bike Path and the Wingra Path, perhaps via signing on the street.
· The neighborhoods and Planning staff are comfortable with the changes recommended in Traffic Engineering's memo.
· The fiscal note applies only to adoption of the Plan, not implementation of the specific recommendations. The fiscal note states this but perhaps it could be more explicit. McCormick pointed out that there's often a disconnect between adopted plans and implementation. Neighborhoods with adopted plans often get frustrated when recommendations are not implemented, but there are a number of neighborhood plans vying for the same City funding. The PBMVC could set priorities if so desired. The PBMVC could also recommend to add more funding for ped/bike projects as well as a dedicated planner or engineer to coordinate ped/bike projects. Traffic Engineering needs more resources to coordinate projects. Members agreed to add this as a future agenda item.
· The PBMVC acknowledged there is probably little value to coming up with cost estimates at this time since things will change over time. Prioritization could wait until funding is available. What would be identified as the top priority today might change in a few years.
· Specific recommendations will come back to various committees/commissions in greater detail for implementation and funding.
Motion by Skidmore/Wittke to recommend adoption of the resolution and the recommendations contained in David Dryer's 3/14/07 memo.
De Vos felt much of the Plan was well-written but had concerns: (1) it does not have a summary or introduction; (2) it does not outline goals or objectives; (3) it doesn't indicate how this neighborhood plan fits in with other adopted City plans (e.g., Bike Plan, Comprehensive Plan, etc.); (4) it has an emphasis on parking being good for business (she did not support 1.2 spaces per unit); and (5) the Plan should not bend over backwards to accommodate motor vehicle traffic like it does.
Shahan noted that the ratio of 1.2 spaces per unit is much better than it used to be, many developments used to be 2.0. It was pointed out that conditions have changed since the neighborhood was first built. Monroe Street is an arterial with many motorists simply driving through, and that needs to be recognized.
Friendly amendment by Crandall to recommend an emphasis on making the street crossings more significant so motorists slow down.
Friendly amendment by Ball to recommend an emphasis on including bike parking, particularly in new developments.
Wittke assumed the Chair position.
Friendly amendment by Shahan to recommend designating routes from the path around Lake Wingra and the Southwest Bike Path to major business nodes.
Fruhling was asked to consider a couple of "housekeeping" changes:
· Since Monroe is an arterial, the crossing treatments should not be referred to as traffic calming.
· Since the Plan talks about bicycling and walking, the references to "multi-modal" should be changed to "transit."
The motion passed by the following vote: | Pass
(4:0) |
| 3/22/2007 | PLAN COMMISSION | Fiscal Note Required / Approval to the Comptroller's Office/Approval Group Completed on 3/22/2007 | |
| 3/22/2007 | Comptroller's Office/Approval Group | Approved Fiscal Note By The Comptroller's Office (SUBSTITUTES)
to the PLAN COMMISSION Completed on 3/22/2007 | |
| Notes: Bohrod |
| 3/27/2007 | COMMON COUNCIL | A motion was made by Ald. King, seconded by Ald. Verveer, to Adopt the Monroe Street Commercial District Plan and the recommendations contained therein as a supplement to the City's Comprehensive Plan, with the recommendation that the Plan include the following: 1) all items in the 3/14/07 memo from David Dryer, City Traffic Engineer and Parking Manager; 2) an emphasis on making the street crossings more significant so motorists slow down; 3) an emphasis on including bike parking, particularly with all new development; 4) designate routes from the path around Lake Wingra and Southwest Bike Path to the major business nodes. The motion passed by acclamation. | Pass |