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Ideas aired for Joseph pedestrian and bicycle plan
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Alta Planning and Design, a consulting firm from Portland, facilitated the meeting and solicited input from those present on their needs and wants for improved pedestrian access to Main Street and for increased bicycle use within the urban growth boundaries of the city of Joseph. Rory Renfroe, a consultant with the Portland planning firm, supplied information on the components of pedestrian and bicycle plans that should be considered when formulating improvements to a city transportation plan. Some of the challenges pedestrians might encounter include faded markings, obstructions such as broken pavement, encroaching vegetation or an abrupt end to pavement. Missing or inadequate curb ramps severely limit wheelchair access. Sidewalks, intersections and crosswalks are all components in considering pedestrian access, according to Renfroe. Bicyclists can encounter constraints also when traveling city streets, and several issues must be taken into consideration if improvements are to be made. When selecting the best type of bicycle plan, the number of automotive vehicles using the roadway, the types of vehicles and their speed are to be determined since bicycles usually share the roadway with motorized vehicles, Renfroe said. Challenges for bicyclists include a lack of well-defined routes, conflicts with motorists, road maintenance policies and parking facilities for bicycles. Renfroe’s presentation addressed the problems likely to emerge in the planning process. He encouraged the Joseph residents to contribute their ideas. “We want to hear from you. You live and work here every day, so give us your ideas,” he said. The city council’s consideration of a pedestrian and bicycle plan came out of a request early in 2007 from residents of the Alpine House, located on North Park Street, for a sidewalk from the assisted living facility east to Main Street where residents could reach the grocery store and the post office, both located on Main Street. Initially, the council discussed applying for a grant to help with the cost of installing the much-needed sidewalk, but an expanded project that would include more of the downtown area and also include improving bicycle access led to this process. According to consultant John Bosket, a possible schedule for adoption of an improvement plan began with pedestrian and bicycle tours held on Aug. 5 and this open house, and continues in September with a student safety workshop, a review of plan ideas in November and a workshop with the Joseph City Council on a draft of the plan in December. The first public hearing of the plan would be held in March 2009, a second hearing in April and possible adoption of the plan by May 2009. |
