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Home My WebLink About1970-02-19 Minutesawrov-`cQ 5 - I � - 7 0 MINUTES OF A PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING The Planning Commission met at 7:00 P.M., February 19, 1970, in the Directors Room of the City Administration Building, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Members Present: Clark McClinton, Dr. Walter Brown, Allan Gilbert, Ernest Jacks, Morton Gitelman, Al Donaubauer, Dr. James Mashburn, Roy Clinton. Members Absent: Byron Boyd. Others Present: Harold Lieberenz, Sturman Mackey, Wesley Howe, James Vizzier, Tom Keith, Suzanne Lighton, Bryce Davis, Paul Jameson, and many other members of the public, names unknown. Chairman Clark McClinton called the meeting to order. He explained the Planning Commission has been involved in formulating some very long range planning to cover the next 20 years. The purpose of this special meeting was to hold public hearings on the Major Street Plan and the Land Use Plan sections of this planning. The Chairman introduced James Vizzier, Planning Consultant. Mr. Vizzier began his presentation by explaining there are six parts to the comprehensive plan ---Land Use, Streets, Community Facilities, and the three items designed to carry out those plans. The Zoning Ordinance carries out the Land Use; the Subdivision Regulations set standards for new growth; and Capital Improvements is a list of streets and community facilities needed with some ranking by priority. Fayetteville is affected by the growth in a two -county area. There has been a lot of industrial growth and some growth in the University of Arkansas. Within the next twenty years, the population of Fayetteville is expected to double. Mr. Vizzier explained the basis for computing information on the Land Use. He called attention to the demand for higher density housing around the University of Arkansas. There is also a demand for planned areas that could be served by water and sewer. Housing is the City's biggest problem; streets are the second biggest problem. An attempt has been made to develop a sensible street system. Many of Fayetteville's streets are discontinuous. In order to obtain a better circulation pattern, it will be necessary to push through some of the discontinuous streets. The last traffic count showed 26,000 cars daily on College Avenue. Mr. Vizzier explained the street improvement map. He cited the need for additional North-South streets, as well as East-West streets. He indicated on the map some of the proposals. Mr. Vizzier next explained the water and sewer improvements. Fayetteville is unable to release waste water into the Illinois water shed, so some of the sewage must be pumped over a divide back into the White River water shed. 2-19-70 -2- For better water service it is necessary to get storage facilities on the hills then get lines to carry the water where needed. It was explained that the Planning Commission is an advisory body to the Board of Directors. It has no power, but has information to offer. The Board of Directors and the department heads are more concerned with day to day decisions. The Board of Directors is not bound by the Planning Commission's recommendations. It may be necessary to modify some of these plans from time to time. The public was invited to ask questions concerning Mr. Vizzier's presentation. Suzanne Lighton asked about the community facilities planning. Was any part given for a civic center in the public buildings? Yes. Mr. Vizzier explained there is recommended a complex of several centers. A member of the audience remarked that there is not enough space for offices around the downtown area. Many of the houses around the square are obsolete. They were particularly interested in the area East of the County Court House. It developed the person was interested in an Urban Renewal application being prepared by the Housing Authority of Fayetteville. The Planning Commission has not assisted in the application and was not familiar with its details. Someone asked Mr. Vizzier to elaborate on the through street proposed along the railroad (Parkway). Mr. Vizzier explained that in order to firm up the plan, it is necessary first to extablish a center line and proposed width for the street. Someone wanted to know if these plans would be adopted in the near future of if this would be an ,eternal planning process.,' Mr. McClinton stated the City is financially unable to obtain all the needed right of ways now. However, the City might want to lay out some center lines to guide future development. Someone remarked that there evidently is some projection as to what streets are collectors and what streets are arterials. Mr. Vizzier explained the difference between the two types of streets and listed some of each. A number of people from Highway 62 West asked if there is any projection on a sewer line going out there. Mr. Vizzier explained there is, but no time range has been set on it. Bryce Davis asked about priorities. It was explained there are two—set standards for street development and raising money with which to do these things. Paul Jameson asked if there are plans for a system of storm sewers. Yes, Mr. Vizzier explained how they would be related to street improvements. A lady asked if an ordinance had been passed saying the City could put . a street through and assess the cost against the property owner. There has not. 2-19-70 -3- Mr. Vizzier was asked the cost per mile for constructing the proposed • railroad Parkway. He was asked if the proposal was for both Township Road and Elm Street to be extended to the West as far as Highway 112. Township is proposed to extend only as far as Johnson Road. Elm Street is proposed to extend all the way to Highway 112. A member of the audience commented on the housing situation. The statistics given were from 1966. There seems to have been a considerable amount of apartment buildings erected in the past three years. Has this altered the housing situation? Mr. Vizzier explained that we are not overbuilt by any means. There is still a shortage in low and middle income areas. Someone asked if the City had the right of wag necessary to extend North Street through to Garland. The right of way is reserved. The right of way has also been deeded to extend North Street past Garland to Weddington Drive. This would straighten out a very dangerous intersection. Miss Lighton asked if there had been consideration for provisions for open spaces. There are planned a number of play grounds and community parks. It was suggested that in the plans an overpass be included where North Street will cross the proposed parkway. Mr. Vizzier said this would be ideal; however due to financing available, it would probably be a grade level crossing initially. Mr. Vizzier explained to the audience that the reason for the sewage being pumped back into the White River water shed rather than the Illinois River water shed was because of the State Board of Health ruling to control polution. The audience inquired if there might be a chance of getting the railroad to abandon the railroad right of way. No, not likely. Could the Corps of Engineers help on the storm drainage problem? Yes, there is a study underway which will help when completed. Is there a plan for an overpass to continue Cleveland to the East? Yes, Mr. Vizzier was again asked to explain the differences between collector streets and minor streets. Bryce Davis inquired about the street between the new Highway 71 By-pass and Razorback Road. Does Sang Avenue almost make that connection now? It is not completely through. Mr. Vizzier was asked to explain about collector streets proposed on the East part of the City. Is anything being done to keep the drainage water out of the sewer system? Mr. Howe explained there is a problem of infiltration due to some old 2-19-70 -4- sewers. This is expensive to work out. We are taking action on both • counts. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M. U