2018 August Meeting packet

Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee Tuesday, August 21, 2018 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Large Conference Room – Dover City Hall AGENDA Agenda Minutes of June, 2018 Old Items: 1. Delaware Bicycle Council Innovation Grant 2. Construction Projects (DelDOT) 3. Dover Treasure Hunt 4. By‐Laws revision 5. Dover Duathlon – 2019 6. Bike Fix‐It Station New Items: 1. Pedestrian Issues 2. Bicycle‐Motorcycle Collision on Saulsbury Rd & North St. (Chris) Announcements Adjournment THE AGENDA ITEMS AS LISTED MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN SEQUENCE. PURSUANT TO 29 DEL. C. §10004(E)(2), THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OR THE DELETION OF ITEMS, INCLUDING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS, WHICH ARISE AT THE TIME OF THE MEETING.

Bicycle Pedestrian Sub‐Committee Dover City Hall Large Conference Room Dover, DE June 19, 2018 *** DRAFT *** Members Present: Others Present: Jim Hutchison, Chris Asay, Jayce Lesniewski, Dave Carolyn Courtney, Eddie Diaz, Thomas Dix, Moses, Gerry Pennington, Andy Siegel John Fiori, James Galvin, Margie Cyr CALLED TO ORDER: Meeting opened at 5:03 P.M. AGENDA The agenda was presented for review. The agenda was accepted without objection. MINUTES The minutes were presented from March, April, and May, 2018. The chair entertained the motion to accept. With discussion Mr. Asay noted a few changes he would like to submit, mainly grammatical. In the interest of time, the chair asked that all edits be sent to Ms. Courtney by Friday, June 22. She will update accordingly and share with the members. With that the minutes were accepted without objection. NEW ITEMS Delaware Bicycle Council Innovation Grant Mrs. Cyr introduced the Delaware Bicycle Council grant application received by the City Manager on May 16, 2018. She noted Mr. Asay had brought the Mallard Pond Pathway link feasibility study as a potential project for this grant application. Per the letter, a total $20,000 is available from this granting source. She noted the July 2014 meeting public meeting in Mallard Pond that covered the installation of playground equipment and trail concept and she stated the sidewalk/trail connection path is included in the 2015 Pedestrian Plan. The report of that meeting is included in today’s packet. Mr. Asay gave his reasoning for requesting that the City apply for this grant funding of the feasibility study. This short path would create a “short‐cut” for pedestrians and bicyclists from north Dover neighborhoods to the area of the new Dover High School. Neighborhoods benefiting would include Fox Hall, Fox Hall West, Westfield and Maple Dale. The project could significantly reduce auto traffic along Kenton Road and Route 8 during peak hours by making bicycling or walking to‐and‐from Dover High School a timesaving alternative. It is an example of adding connectivity to the Low‐Stress Bicycle Network that our community is developing. He noted that Anthony Aglio [of the Delaware Bicycle Council] told him “this is exactly the type of project they are looking for.” Mr. Fiori noted this is the fourth year of the grant. It was anticipated the funding allowance would be raised to $25,000.00. The application is slightly different than the previous years. He did not anticipate much change in future applications, if we were to consider a project for next year’s grant cycle, we could assume the application would be very similar to this years. Mr. Diaz provided a map of the proposed area. He pointed out the area going over the drainage swale and general area where the potential pathway would need to go. With much discussion, it was agreed the feasibility study could provide us the best option for crossing the swale, and which land owners would need to be approached for encroaching on their property to complete this link. Both of Heatherfield East and Fox Hall West neighborhood associations own land in this area.

Mr. Dix stated that he felt a feasibility study was not needed sharing the example of the Independence Blvd project was completed without a feasibility study. With additional discussion the members of committee did not feel his recommendation was the right approach. Mr. Dix stated there was money in an Inner Connectivity grant offered by the Governor or funding for the project could come from DelDOT and/or DNREC and we should not proceed with the feasibility study, to just build the pathway on his suggested route. Mr. Hutchison noted seeking the feasibility study was the proper way to proceed to provide a comprehensive look at the project for completion. Mr. Galvin noted the Inner Connectivity grant funds were no longer available as that was a grant from our previous Governor. Discussion on the costs associated with the feasibility study and the fact this project is not included in the current capital improvements budget, nor the availability of funding from the City for the project took place. Mr. Siegel stated asking for the feasibility study when the City does not have funding allocations for the project may not be in our best interest. That we should consider making the proper budget requests in the next fiscal planning and to get the project on the Public Works project listing would be a better option. This is not a project in the current or next City budget. There are no City funds available at this time. Mr. Asay noted the MPO could possibly offer funding for the project. Mr. Galvin was unsure that this would be an option for this year as they had already selected their projects for funding. Mr. Fiori noted we should be clear in the application of the ability to actually carry out the project. This is something the Delaware Bicycle Council (DBC) will look at when reviewing the grant applications. Those with a likely hood of being completed, are looked upon favorably. Mr. Asay motioned to have Mrs. Cyr contact Councilmen Lewis with the request to include the Infrastructure Innovation Grant application for the Mallard Pond Pathway Link to the Safety Advisory & Transportation Committee of the Whole meeting agenda on June 26 with the recommendation the city apply for this grant. Mrs. Cyr will also inquire on a quote price of conducting the feasibility study to be included in the presentation to council. This motion passed with two objecting. City of Dover Pedestrian Plan City of Dover Bicycle Plan Mrs. Cyr noted that current Pedestrian Plan is a little older than the Bicycle Plan. That we may want to update that one first. Mr. Asay shared that with the help of the MPO on both plans and they were started simultaneously, but the Bike Plan took a little longer to complete. Both plans were adopted at the same City Council meeting in 2015. Both plans should be updated regularly, and the MPO can assist with both types of plans. His suggestion is to update the Bicycle Plan first, and then update the Pedestrian Plan immediately afterward. This is for two reasons. Firstly, there have been more changes in current conditions for bicycling than for walking, so the need for an update to the Bike Plan is greater. Secondly, according to its executive director, Reed Macmillan, the MPO is currently short staffed, so is not as well‐equipped at the moment to take on two plans at once. Mr. Galvin added, that the MPO has been shorted staffed and it would be very difficult to even assist with updating one plan. They do not have this in their funding que for this year. He recommended requesting assistance for completing this project for the 2020 year. Mrs. Cyr asked how we would (if the City Manager approved of the project) submit the request for plan updating assistance. Mr. Galvin responded typically the City Manager / Planning Directors send an email to the MPO director. Discussion took place on going back to a combined plan as much of the plan overlaps, with segments specific to cycling and walking. Mr. Asay felt the League of American Bicyclist required us to have individual plans, thus we separated the two plans.

Mr. Siegel noted as we move forward with updating the plans that we should include an “expiration date.” Motion was made to have Mrs. Cyr approach the City Manager to formally request the MPO’s assistance with updating the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans. This motion passed without objection. OLD ITEMS The chair noted the time and asked to table the remaining topics until our August meeting. This was acceptable to the members. Dover Treasure Hunt Construction Projects By‐Laws Revision Bike Month Events ANNOUNCEMENTS June 30, Open Streets Bike Rodeo, Ms. Courtney will be organizing this one with Dover Police and NCALL. Volunteers are requested to come out and assist. June 22, the West Street Trail opening. Mr. Hutchison noted he had provided a statement for their press release and that he would be sharing a few words during the opening ceremony. Mr. Asay asked to have the Bike Fix It Station, 2nd Draft of timeline, and more information on Open Streets at the next meeting. Mr. Lesniewski asked to have Pedestrian related topic on each agenda. ADJOURNMENT With no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:15 PM without objection.

The City of Dover Pedestrian Plan, February 2015, recommends a new Sidewalk or trail connecting Fox Hall West/Mallard Pond/Route 8. (Page 40). Fox Hall West/Mallard Pond/Route 8 Connector Fox Hall West and Mallard Pond are residential communities in the west part of Dover, comprising nearly 200 single‐family lots. The communities only have access from Kenton Road. …Fox Hall West is only about 1/4 mile north of Route 8. However, the community does not have vehicular or pedestrian access to Route 8, so all trips traveling to Route 8 must be made via Kenton Road. Due to the lack of sidewalks along Kenton Road, it can be safely assumed that these trips are almost exclusively done with a motor vehicle, as opposed to walking or riding a bike. The new Dover High School, which opened in the summer of 2014, is located along Route 8 in close proximity to these communities. However, due to the lack of pedestrian access to Route 8, a trip from the southern end of Fox Hall West to the new school is 2.2 miles, traveling along Kenton Road. If there were direct pedestrian access to Route 8 though, this trip would be reduced to 0.8 mile. The City of Dover owns 2 parcels of land in between Route 8 and Fox Hall West, comprising 8.7 acres of open space (including Mallard Pond Park). It is recommended that the City of Dover evaluate the feasibility of constructing a bicycle/pedestrian trail connection from Fox Hall West (via Pebble Valley Drive) to Marsh Creek Lane, as a means of providing a direct non‐motorized connection to Route 8. A trail connection could also be made to an existing sidewalk that connects the Mallard Pond community with the Mallard Pond Park. Providing direct pedestrian access to Route 8 would eliminate vehicular trips along Kenton Road, provide additional recreational access for area residents, and improve access to the new high school. Marsh Creek Lane is just east of the HAWK pedestrian‐activated traffic signal that was installed in the summer of 2014. Marsh Creek Lane has sidewalks along its entire length. In July 2014, the City held a Public Workshop, Mallard Pond Park Open House, to discuss the proposed trail concept with neighboring residents. The following is the feedback received during this Public Workshop.  As a resident of Brandywine, I would love to see an area for kids but you must take in consideration how close you build to Brandywine.  Having the playground in a central area near Mallard Pond, Heatherfield, Brandywine and Marsh Creek would be better. We are against vehicle traffic near Marsh Creek and a path too close to Brandywine.  I have security and noise concerns.  Opening paths to other neighborhoods is dangerous. There is already too much undesirable elements coming through. The Police have been little help. There are already many on Rte. 8 coming through the property which doesn’t make it easier.  If the playground is right by the Brandywine buildings, noise, vandalism to buildings and windows etc. is a concern

 Brandywine is private property and there are already problems with people using the parking lots. We have had drunken drivers and partying at the grills.  Put the playground in the back and upper corner away from the houses and buildings.  Foot traffic and bicycles in the morning is an issue with school safety in an area where there are already problems.  A walking path adjacent to Brandywine Court Condominiums is an extra burden to BCA and a safety issue since it will be extremely close. Putting the path along the tree line away from the buildings would be better.  The park area is better in a northern area where not as many resident are affected. A better buffer zone then by the condo. Put a fence since there needs to be anyway for kids’ safety.  Will the City shovel and take care of the proposed paths? Attending the Public Meeting were 16 adults and some children. Compiled, M. Cyr, June 2018

Proposed Mallard Pond Trail Link Existing Trail, approx. 1,180 feet Proposed Trail, approx. 650 feet Drainage swale with P1: Mallard Pond Park proposed culvert P2: Lands of Fox Hall West Addition P3: Lands of City of Dover P4: Lands of First Flag Inc. Date Created: 6/14/2018 0 90 180 360 540 720 Feet ¯ FOX HALL WEST ADDITION e Pl Pebble Valley Dr ro lin Ca P3 P2 HEATHERFIELD MALLARD POND (NEIGHBORHOOD) P4 P1 Matthew Ct HEATHERFIELD BRANDYWINE EAST APARTMENTS Stoney Dr Ke vin Ct Heatherfield Way n Par Have h Mars MARSH CREEK k Cree Dr Ln Forrest Ave