Title
Resolution to Approve City of Ann Arbor Transportation Master Plan Update (CPC Recommendation: Approval - 7 Yeas and 0 Nays)
Memorandum
Approval of this resolution will adopt the Transportation Master Plan Update and include it as an element of the City Master Plan. The Transportation Master Plan Update, which contains policies, programs, existing conditions, proposed facilities and implementation strategies related to transportation in and around the City of Ann Arbor, was prepared by the Parsons Brinckerhoff Michigan, Inc., and LSL Planning, Inc., in collaboration with the Planning Commission, Planning and Development Services, Systems Planning and Project Management staff. The City Planning Commission adopted the plan at its meeting of March 17, 2009, and also recommended City Council adoption.
The 2009 Transportation Master Plan Update will replace the 1990 Transportation Plan Update. Work began on developing the plan update in April 2007. The planning effort was guided by a technical steering committee comprised of city and stakeholder agency transportation and planning staff. The University of Michigan contributed $20,000 to the planning effort and also contributed information about current and future travel patterns related to University growth plans. A series of Advisory Committee meetings and two public workshops were held to obtain public input and comment. The project team received feedback on transportation and related land use issues in the City of Ann Arbor as a result of the planning process.
After Washtenaw County completed its state-mandated review, a public hearing was scheduled before Planning Commission. A complete presentation on the draft plan was delivered to the City Planning Commission on March 17, 2009. The Planning Commission heard public comment on the draft plan following the presentation. The Planning Commission directed that four amendments be made to Table 3-1 in the plan. The Transportation Master Plan Update was unanimously approved contingent on staff incorporating the four amendments required by the Planning Commission at its March 17, 2009, meeting.
THE PLAN
This Transportation Plan Update will assist the City as it continues to maintain a long-term view of transportation systems and use that view to develop short, mid and long-term capital improvements and transportation policies and programs. This planning effort is oriented to assuring the highest quality of life consistent with the Guiding Principals and Goals of the City.
Existing transportation systems and system utilization were analyzed. The Washtenaw Area Transportation Study Travel Demand model was relied upon to forecast future demands on a variety of important system elements. Several future scenarios were developed and evaluated. The Plan recommends improvements, including demand management strategies responsive to current and future needs.
This Plan Update incorporates the recent efforts of the Northeast Area Transportation Plan, the City of Ann Arbor Non-motorized Plan, and Ann Arbor Discovering Downtown Strategies. It reflects the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority's recently completed system planning efforts that were competed by the project team as part of this joint planning effort. Additionally, the project explored the relevance of and built upon the City's policies regarding transportation system management, intelligent transportation systems, and transportation demand management.
The City of Ann Arbor Transportation Plan update includes a vision statement as well as a series of goals and objectives, proposed policies and programs, and an implementation strategy that can help guide decision-making and investments regarding transportation in our community for years to come. Chapter 3, Action Plan Recommendations, contains a series of recommendations grouped into three timeframes; Short, Mid and Long-Term. Each timeframe contains Improvements grouped into the following categories; Roadway Improvements, Intersection Improvements and Policies, Traveler Choices. Access Management, Transit, Park and Ride, Non-motorized, and Land Use Policy. Each recommendation lists the name of the improvement, its location, a cost estimate and a lead agency. The recommendations provide a set of strategies aimed at addressing the needs of the city's transportation system over the planning period.
A variety of funding sources will help implement many of the proposed projects, studies and programs identified in the plan. The funding sources are identified in Chapter 3 and detailed in Appendix D. They include: a) local funding b) State of Michigan funding, c) Federal transportation funding and d) cost reduction and financing. These funding sources will ensure the Transportation Master Plan Update provides guidance and flexibility for many years as the City regularly improves its transportation programs and facilities.
Due to the size of the Transportation Master Plan Update, it is not attached to this transmittal. A hard copy of the plan will be placed in individual Council boxes. The full text of the plan is available on the City and project's website at www.a2transportationplan.com <http://www.a2transportationplan.com/>. It is also available for public review in the City Clerk's Office and Planning and Development Services. Disk copies of the plan will be available at the Planning and Development Services front counter for a small fee to cover costs.
Staff
Prepared By: Eli Cooper, Transportation Program Manager
Reviewed By: Mark Lloyd, Planning and Development Services Manager and Jayne Miller, Community Services Administrator
Approved By: Roger W. Fraser, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Michigan Public Act 33 of 2008, as amended, the Michigan Planning Enabling Act, provides for the preparation of a master plan for the physical development of the municipality, with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development of the municipality and its environs which will, in accordance with present and future needs, best promote health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development; including, among other things, adequate provision for traffic, the promotion of safety from fire and other dangers, adequate provision for light and air, the promotion of the healthful and convenient distribution of population, the promotion of good civic design and arrangement, wise and efficient expenditure of public funds, and the adequate provision of public utilities and other public requirements;
Whereas, Development of a the Transportation Master Plan Update for the City of Ann Arbor is pivotal in accommodating traffic and development in an organized manner while retaining its unique characteristics and promoting economic development;
Whereas, A Transportation Master Plan Update was necessary to respond to changing land use conditions in the City, increases in traffic volumes, the desire to protect the City's unique character, the desire to provide a healthier and higher quality of life for its residents, and offer residents and businesses the needed services and support to be successful;
Whereas, A Transportation Master Plan Update is important to provide a sound basis for future regulations and community investments; and
Whereas, The planning process involved analysis of existing transportation systems and land use conditions, the local economy, natural features, and the basic needs and desires of the community;
Whereas, Throughout the planning process a series of meetings were held with an Advisory Committee of local transportation and community leaders to oversee development of the plan and public workshops were held for residents to provide input on the vision for transportation systems in the City;
Whereas, The Planning Commission has prepared the City of Ann Arbor Transportation Master Plan Update that contains recommendations for improvements to the roads, sidewalks, transit systems, and other elements of the transportation system, and describes recommendations and implementation strategies in both narrative and graphic presentation;
Whereas, The City Planning Commission complied with required plan development steps of notifying and involving surrounding communities and outside agencies; by distributing for review the Transportation Master Plan Update, consistent with State law (PA 33 of 2008, as amended); and
Whereas, A public hearing was held before the City Planning Commission on the Transportation Master Plan Update on March 17, 2009, after which the Commission voted unanimously to adopt the Transportation Master Plan Update and recommend City Council do the same;
RESOLVED, That City Council adopt the City of Ann Arbor Transportation Master Plan Update as an element of the City Master Plan, in accordance with Section 43 of Michigan Public Act 33 of 2008, as amended.