HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-29-18 Public Comment - R. Zimmer (on behalf of the PTS Committee) - Strategic PlanFrom: Brenda Sweeney
To: Brenda Sweeney
Subject: FW: PTS Advisory Board Recommendations for Changes to Strategic Plan
Date: Monday, January 29, 2018 3:20:04 PM
From: Ralph Zimmer [mailto:RalphZimmer@mcn.net]
Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2018 9:22 AM
To: Cyndy Andrus <CAndrus@BOZEMAN.NET>; Chris Mehl <CMehl@BOZEMAN.NET>; Jeff Krauss
<Jkrauss@BOZEMAN.NET>; I-Ho Pomeroy <IPomeroy@BOZEMAN.NET>; Terry Cunningham
<TCunningham@BOZEMAN.NET>
Cc: Andrea Surratt <ASurratt@BOZEMAN.NET>; Chuck Winn <CWinn@BOZEMAN.NET>; Robin
Crough <RCrough@BOZEMAN.NET>
Subject: PTS Advisory Board Recommendations for Changes to Strategic Plan
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Mayor Andrus and City Commissioners,
Under the terms of an official Interlocal Agreement on file at the County Clerk and
Recorders Office, the Bozeman (Area) Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee (PTS) serves
as an official advisory body to the City Commission, the Bozeman School District, and
Gallatin County. We have some comments on the draft Strategic Plan which the Commission
will be considering tomorrow evening, January 29.
Recommendation #1 re. Paragraph 4.5.d (our MAJOR Concern)
Our major concern is with Paragraph 4.5.d. The language contained in the draft is totally
inadequate. It strongly suggests that all non-motorized travel both by handicapped and non-
handicapped users should be confined between the curbs of a street/road. That's not where
sidewalks are located nor is it where separated shared-use paths are located. At our last
committee meeting, we unanimously urged you to consider replacing the language in the draft
with the following wording:
Plan and create safe, interconnected bicycle, sidewalk, and separated shared-use path
networks to encourage non-motorized travel by both impaired and non-impaired
individuals.
This is the same change recommended previously by me personally and subsequently by
the Galla10 Alliance for Pathways (GAP).
Recommendation #2 re. Paragraph 3.4.d
PTS concurs with GAP that, particularly in Paragraph 3.4.d, the proposed plan
incorrectly portrays pathways as simply providing active recreation (particularly to trailheads
outside Bozeman proper). Pathways are also for needed transportation, not just recreation, and
need to be constructed to a variety of locations, not just to trailheads. GAP's proposed
amendment
(after the word "trailheads,add the words, "and local destinations") to the Plan would at least
partially address this problem.
Recommendation #3 re. Paragraphs 4.2.g and 4.5.c
PTS is somewhat worried about the references to "gap maps: particularly in Paragraph
4.5.c but also in Paragraph 4.2.g.
Prioritizing the closure of "gaps" is exemplary but, particularly as the city builds
outwardly, should not necessarily overrule needed outward extensions. Also, we are
concerned that somewhere in the future the language used might discourage any reduction in
the size of a gap if the gap is not completely eliminated. Obviously we need to take
advantage of any funding opportunities that become available even if the resulting projects
aren't at the top of the priority list as captured on a "gap map". We hope the staff or
Commissioners will author some revised wording addressing our concerns. If asked, we
would help.
Recommendation #4 re. Influencing Development Outside City Limits
The City needs to do everything it can to influence the development of adequate
transportation facilities outside the city limits particularly in areas that likely will be annexed
by the City sometime in the future. Particular attention should be paid to providing adequate
facilities for non-motorized use.
It may be that the draft Plan adequately covers this particular concern. However, I am
unable to determine that so I am hoping the staff and/or Commissioners will consciously
consider this concern when reviewing the document.
Ralph W. Zimmer, Chairperson
Bozeman (Area) Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee
cc: Andrea Surratt
Chuck Winn
Robin Crough
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