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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-1998 Joint Session MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE JOINT WORKSHOP WITH THE OCOEE CITY COMMISSION AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION HELD DUNE 9, 1998 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. The roll was called and a quorum declared present for the City Commission. Chairman Switzer declared a quorum present for the Planning and Zoning Commission. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Glass, Parker, Anderson and Howell, Chairman Switzer, Vice. Chairman Bond, Members Landefeld, Christoefl, Hopkins, Rhodus and Miller (arrived at 7:43 p.m.). Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, Planning Director Wagner, Capital Projects/Transportation Planner, Community Relations/ Projects Director Shira and Deputy City Clerk Green. ABSENT: Member McKey. INTRODUCTION AND WELCOMING REMARKS (RUSS WAGNER - DIRECTOR OF PLANNING) Director of Planning Wagner welcomed everyone, explained the purpose of the meeting and encouraged comments from the audience. He introduced the consultants from TransCore, Whit Blanton and Kevin Tilberry, and Capital Projects/Transportation Planner Brad Friel and informed the audience that they would be available for questions after the break. PRESENTATION OF MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN ALTERNATIVES (WHIT BLANTON - TRANSCORE) Mr. Blanton referred to the maps on the wall. He expounded on the main elements of the maps, giving background information and explaining how TransCore had progressed thus far. Several different categories of projects were identified, and he explained the different areas on the board. He identified three alternatives for alleviating congestion: (A) The region's long-range plan for the Ocoee joint planning area - State Road 50, Silver Star Road and the Western Beltway, (B) Improvement of,roadway capacity - Story Road, Professional Parkway, Maguire Road, Good Homes Road, State Road 50'at the Expressway and the Turnpike at the Expressway and (C) Improvement of connections and access throughout the City. He explained the rationale behind each alternative and the maps. The opinion is that Alternative A is the best one for the money. PUBLIC INPUT Mr. Jim Gleason, 856 Hammocks Drive, Ocoee, asked about the feasibility of light rail in this area. Mr. Blanton expressed skepticism that light rail would be feasible in the near future. Discussion followed. Joint Workshop with the Ocoee City Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission held June 9, 1998 Chairman Switzer asked if TransCore had addressed the stopping of the Lynx buses in the middle of Highway 50 to pick up and discharge passengers in their final study. Mr. Blanton advised the study was not final but agreed that should be included in the final report. Member Christoefl expressed concern about Maguire Road congestion. Discussion followed. She asked when buses would be put on Maguire Road, and Mr. Blanton said Lynx is the entity that has to make it happen. He said he would relay the information to Lynx, indicating the priorities. She then asked about widening of Professional Parkway and Maguire Road and timing of projects. Mr. Blanton advised the southern end of Maguire Road is the high priority project for the City and is under design. City Manager Shapiro advised the City Commission was going to be asked to authorize the bond issue necessary to complete Maguire Road, Professional Parkway and Maine Street, the connector to -Blackwood Avenue. He said the City would like to be able to do the three projects simultaneously, estimating Maguire Road would be completed in three years, including the four-lane bridge. Discussion followed regarding traffic lights and speed limit on Maguire Road and transforming the road into a boulevard. Diana Muldore, Orange County Public Works Engineering, the manager for the Old Winter Garden Road project from Apopka-Vineland Road to State Road 50, advised that they were coordinating closely with the City to try to determine the best alternative for the Old Winter Garden Road corridor. She advised the County was in the RCA process, a study, and hoped to have it completed at the end of 1998 and go into construction design at the beginning of 1999. Mayor Vandergrift asked about the Old Winter Garden Road from Hiawassee to Apopka- Vineland and was advised that the plans were 90 percent complete and that construction plans were available. Planning Director Wagner advised if the City designs Professional Parkway, which is intended if the bond issue is approved, the City will be required to reconfigure the intersection at Professional Parkway and Old Winter Garden Road. Two alternatives (1) soften the curve and tie Professional Parkway into Old Winter Garden Road in a "T," or (2) extend Old Winter Garden Road into Professional Parkway, and reconfigure Old Winter Garden road to a "T" into Professional Parkway. The City is dealing with the County, which is reviewing two or three alternatives at that intersection. Mr. Shapiro explained that the two projects the City wants to do along with Maguire Road are projects that take all the traffic possible off the Highway 50 corridor. Discussion followed. Commission Howell asked if there are plans to put a traffic light at Hempel and Old Winter Garden Road and Blackwood and Old Winter Garden Road. Ms. Muldore advised a temporary signal would be installed at Hempel and Old Winter Garden Road as well as at Good Homes Road and Old Winter Garden Road. She advised the County could come to the City in August and present the alternatives for the Old Winter Garden Road and receive input from the City. 2 Joint Workshop with the Ocoee City Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission held June 9, 1998 Mr. Gleason advised he sits on a senior advisory counsel that covers about a five-county area. The counsel is projecting that their number one priority is transportation for seniors in non- , emergency situations. Discussion followed. Mr. Jim Golden, 1022 Featherstone Circle, Ocoee, asked Mr. Blanton about the green connectors going through some of the neighborhood areas and their purpose on Maine Street and the extension of Montgomery. Mr. Blanton explained. A question was asked about improvements for White Road. Discussion followed. Mr. Wagner advised that one of the final things TransCore will do as part of the capital improvements is provide a listing of all the roadways that are adequate as two-lane roads but will need to be upgraded. They will be added to a capital programs list to identify them for future costs. Mr. Joel Knack, 2507 Alclobe, said one thing he saw that was missing as a useful way to take traffic off Highway 50 is to be able to get from Clarke Road to the southbound Turnpike. Discussion followed. Mr. Shapiro advised it is a DOT issue. Mr. Wagner said he perceived that they were to proceed with what they had, unless directed otherwise, and go back to the public in 30 to 60 days. Mr. Shapiro warned "sticker shock" will be unbelievable, but it will give the City the ability to prioritize ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: 3