From: Alice Cannon
Sent: Thu Jun 13 13:51:56 2019
To: Keith Swigart
Cc: Dan Huff; Dan Zinder; Gerald Fisher
Subject: Background about pedestrian and traffic safety concerns at the new Cascade Center shopping center development
Importance: Normal
Attachments: DRW01-2019 Cascade Center Ped Crossing Background v2.pdf; Good afternoon Mayor, The Planning Commission approved the Cascade Center development on June 5, 2019. We are in the City Council appeal period now. While we don’t expect anyone to appeal the decision, the decision will become final on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. The project grants approval of a preliminary subdivision plat with 13 lots. The lots will accommodate a retail shopping center and several standalone retail/restaurant uses. The project will construct an extension of Leroy south from OR-211, stopping short of Lowe Rd. As property develops to the south, the street is designed to be easily extended. The applicant proposed to construct a traffic signal at the OR-211/Leroy intersection to offer safe auto and pedestrian access to the new center. The applicant’s submitted Traffic Impact Analysis supported the installation of this signal. City staff concurred with the findings of the traffic consultant and supports the new signal at that location (Please see attached PowerPoint presentation with development plans, maps and graphics). ODOT does not support the installation of a signal at OR-211 and Leroy, finding that it doesn’t meet “signal warrants” or technical requirements that must be met prior to installation of new signals on state roadways. The Planning Commission expressed significant concern about ODOT’s position at its May 15 and June 5 hearings. Dr. Olesya Salathe, who has an office to the north of the project near the intersection of OR-211/Hezzie, expressed strong concern that ODOT’s position doesn’t consider student safety. She had the opportunity to witness the recent pedestrian accident at Main/Hezzie. With Molalla Middle School and Molalla Elementary within short walking distance, this will be a busy intersection for pedestrians. Further, South County Transit District have eastbound and westbound stops at OR-211/Leroy. The lack of a signal will not allow safe crossing for those disabled or dependent on transit. Ms. Cora Bennett testified at the June 5 Planning Commission hearing, identifying herself as legally blind. Consequently, she cannot drive and is solely dependent on transit and walking to conduct business in Molalla. She is quite concerned that ODOT’s position doesn’t allow consideration of safe crossing for transit riders. After hearing the Planning Commission’s concerns at the May 15 hearing, Staff met with high-level staff at ODOT Region 1, including Director Rian Windsheimer. ODOT emphasized the fact that all of its decisions regarding traffic signals are data-driven. Submitted data must meet State traffic signal warrants in order to justify support for a new signal at Leroy. ODOT offered to quickly review new information from the applicant again, making its case for a signal. After reviewing this new information, ODOT again did not support a new signal in this location. The applicant’s traffic consultant found that signal warrants were met in both cases. It’s a matter of disagreement between the State and the applicant’s consultant. Staff shared this information with the Planning Commission at its June 5 hearing. The Planning Commission was quite upset about this outcome but understands that ODOT has jurisdiction over the roadway. In order to continue to push for pedestrian safety at the future Leroy intersection, Planning Commission added this condition to the development approval. The applicant willingly accepted this condition, due to their shared concern about pedestrian safety: ___ _____ ______ ______ ____ _____ ____ Add a condition to Section A. of the Conditions of Approval stating: Section A. Conditions Requiring Resolution before submitting Final Subdivision Plat: New condition: “ (The Applicant shall) submit pedestrian trip generation projections to ODOT for their review and consideration of enhanced pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of OR-211/Leroy Avenue. Prior to submission, the applicant shall request assistance from ODOT in determining the data needed and the criteria that must be addressed for ODOT’s review. Submit ODOT’s response to this review prior to completing detailed engineering plans for City review.” ___ ___ ___ ____ ____ _____ _____ ___ While ODOT’s decision about a traffic signal is final for now, this condition will “keep the door open” for ODOT to consider pedestrian safety improvements such as Rapid Flashing Beacons or Pedstrian Hybrid Beacons, like those currently found at Main/Hezzie. The applicant’s traffic consultant is preparing material now to submit to ODOT for another review. While the Commission was pleased with the new condition, they remain skeptical that ODOT understands the safety concerns. At the June 5 meeting, Chair Rae-Lynn Botsford and new Commissioner Jacob Giberson were vocally concerned and suggested that citizens begin a letter-writing and phone-calling campaign to ODOT. Chair Botsford spoke to me again last week, saying that she intends to seek community support for such an endeavor. I expect Chair Botsford to speak to the City Council about this matter at the June 26 City Council meeting, asking for the Council’s support in drafting a letter to ODOT. We also spoke about having you, as Mayor, contact Representative Lewis to request an on-site meeting to discuss the safety concerns with Rep. Lewis and ODOT Region 1 Director Rian Windsheimer. With the Legislature still in session, this meeting would be unlikely to occur until July or August. We hope this issue would be resolved by that time. In the event it isn’t, this would put Mr. Windsheimer on notice that a State Legislator and Mayor are concerned about this issue. Dan and I are very happy to speak with you further about this matter to discuss ways the community could help influence an ODOT decision in support of pedestrian safety at OR-211/Leroy. Kind regards, Alice Cannon Alice Cannon | Senior Planner City of Molalla 117 N Molalla Ave. | PO Box 248 |Molalla, OR 97038 Office: 503.829.6855 | Direct: 503.759.0219