M E M O R A N D U M

TO: File

FROM: Christopher R. Bean, P.E.

DATE: May 21, 2001

RE: VTrans

Pittsford-Brandon NH 019-3(49)SC

CLD Reference No. 00-0219, 00-0248

SUBJECT: US Route 7 Upgrade Steering Committee Meeting

LOCATION: Pittsford Municipal Building

ATTENDEES: *Peg Flory Town of Pittsford

*James O’Gorman Town of Pittsford

*Hank Pelkey Town of Pittsford

*Mike Balch Town of Brandon

*Lynn Saunders Town of Brandon

*Richard Baker Town of Brandon

Roy M. Newton Brandon-Pittsford Reporter

Ed Barna Rutland Herald Reporter

Peg Armitage Rutland Business Journal Reporter

Mark Germanowski Rutland Regional Planning Commission

*Dan Peterson VTrans, Project Manager

Scott Newman VTrans, Historic Preservation Coordinator

Greg Riley VTrans Planning Section

*Chris Bean CLD

Wayne Husband CLD

Jason Stone CLD

*Route 7 Upgrade Steering Committee Member

MEETING NOTES

1. Conceptual Plans Submission Schedule/Comments Review Meeting

Chris updated the Committee on the Conceptual Plans submission schedule. Plans for Project Segment 5 of 6 were submitted today, prior to this meeting, leaving Project Segment 3 of 6 as the only segment for which an initial plan submission has not been made. It is anticipated that plans for Project Segment 3 of 6 will be submitted by the end of May, 2001.

Chris explained that CLD is in the process of resolving issues that have come out of the Comment Review Meetings held thus far. He also noted that a Comment Review Meeting to review Project Segments 1 of 6 and 2 of 6 is scheduled for June 1, 2001, at VTrans Headquarters in Montpelier, from 9:00 AM until noon. Jim O'Gorman indicated that he would attend, as these segments are both within Pittsford. Dan Peterson added that he has received some comments regarding the Project Segment 1 of 6 and 2 of 6 plans, but has not as yet heard from the VTrans Highway Design and Structures Sections. Dan felt that these comments would be forthcoming. Dan also mentioned that Gary Dubray would likely be the VTrans Project Manager for the project segments that will not be municipally managed. Dan anticipates receiving comments from Gary as well.

Chris Bean asked that the Committee review all of the Project Segment plans, and give special attention to areas where informal parking could be replaced, if that is determined appropriate by the Committee. It was the Committee's general opinion that the provision and replacement of parking has been handled appropriately thus far.

2. Property Owner Meeting/Northerly Project Extension

Earlier today, Chris Bean, Wayne Husband, Jason Stone, Mike Balch, and Bruce Rounds met with Jim Bourne (owner of Brandon Auto Sales) and his attorney to discuss the improvements proposed along his property's US Route 7 frontage, and the effect on access and circulation. The proposed access control via a 1.8 m (6.84 ft) wide curbed island, would limit access to two drives, each 10.5 m (34.4 ft) wide. Mr. Bourne suggested widening the northerly drive and shifting its location several meters to the south, to allow continued access to all three of his garage bays facing US Route 7, as well as access for his northerly display area. This would cause a reduction in width of the southerly drive, but this was acceptable to Mr. Bourne. Chris and Wayne agreed it appeared as though a concept could be developed that would incorporate the suggested revisions and still comply with VTrans guidelines. The Steering Committee's consensus was to proceed with the revised access plan. CLD will prepare a sketch plan of the revision and provide it to the VTrans Utilities and Permits Section (Don Gilman) for review. CLD will also request that the modifications made by the Quick Mart/McDonald's property developer would match CLD's proposal in the area.

3. Surplus Material Disposal

Jason Stone updated the Committee with regard to potential disposal sites for the surplus materials generated by the Upgrade Projects. Greg Markowski, of Markowski Excavating, has indicated that his property located on US Route 7 in south Brandon has sufficient space for the storage of the estimated total volume (500,000 m³ or 650,000 yd³) of concrete and soil materials. He also indicated that he is seeking the necessary permits to operate a concrete recycling facility. He asked whether recycled concrete could be used in the construction of the new highway. Jason responded that the recycled material may be suitable for use as structural fill, assuming it meets the appropriate specifications or if a special provision is made for its use. However, VTrans would not likely require the construction contractor to use that recycled material.

CLD will list the Markowski property as a potential surplus material disposal site in the Environmental Documentation. Its proximity to the project area and the fact that no Town roads would be traveled to haul materials there are positive elements in its consideration. VTrans will not, however, require the construction contractor to use that site, nor will it specify the eventual site to be used. It is up to the contractor to locate appropriate sites and obtain the required clearances. Per an agreement between VTrans and VTANR, permitting issues associated with the disposal site are independent of the projects.

4. Mailbox Locations in Pittsford Village

Peg Flory indicated that there is no real progress on this issue. The idea of locating mailboxes at the back side of the proposed sidewalks has been discussed with the Post Office, and the Post Office has not responded negatively as yet. This option would allow for faster on-foot delivery than would be possible if delivery personnel had to make delivery at the doors of residences.

5. Act 250 Legislation

Peg indicated it would be very unlikely that the Act 250 legislation, exempting roadway projects that limited impacts to land within 50 feet of centerline, would be acted on during this session.

Chris noted that these projects were presented to the Environmental Board and added that a second presentation to the Board will be made in the Preliminary Design phase, as impacts are better defined.

6. May 24 Meeting With VTrans and VTANR Stream Alteration Engineer

A field visit to review proposed box culvert and structure improvements is scheduled for Thursday, May 24, beginning at 9:00 AM. Attendees will meet at JR's Restaurant in Pittsford on US Route 7, and will include Dan Peterson, Craig Keller and Mike Tuttle of VTrans, Fred Nicholson of VTANR, Lisa Martin, Ed Chase and Jason Stone of CLD, and Hank Pelkey of the Committee.

The purpose of the field review will be to make a determination whether to replace or extend culverts and structures to accommodate the proposed improvements. If structures are to be extended, the issue of minimizing stream relocation impacts by extending the structure on a skew will be discussed. Where the aquatic habitat would indicate it is appropriate, and where structures are to be replaced, the issue of implementing a more "fish-friendly" structure will be discussed. Owners of properties adjacent to the culvert locations were identified, and will be contacted prior to the field meeting by Committee members, to alert the landowners of the purpose of the field visit.

7. Landscape Architecture, Traffic Calming, Pedestrian Issues, etc.

Wayne Husband summarized the comments and suggestions received from CLD's subconsultant, Kathleen Ryan, and asked for the Committee's input. With regard to replacing informal parking with formalized parallel parking, the Committee 's consensus was that this issue was being addressed appropriately in the plans as submitted. The Committee recognizes the need to maintain adequate parking in the villages to sustain businesses, but does not want to promote expanded parking outside those areas. Such requests could be addressed later, in the Public Hearing process, if property owners desired expanded formalized parking.

Mike Balch noted that Brandon has completed a parking study, though the final report needs to be written, and suggested that the findings would perhaps be useful to Kathleen Ryan.

With regard to green belts and other streetside appurtenances, Chris Bean explained that such features will be incorporated into the plans where feasible, and added that coordination with Scott Newman, VTrans's Historic Preservation Coordinator is also necessary. A field visit will be scheduled soon, to review streetside property impacts.

With regard to the proposed 11:4 typical adjacent to head-in parking in Brandon, it was the Committee's consensus that this width is not excessive, given the high traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian volumes, and considering the high percentage of large trucks. Wayne added that the substandard horizontal alignments through the village areas could result in large vehicles encroaching on the shoulders and opposing travel lanes if less than an 11:4 is used.

With regard to traffic calming measures, Wayne and Chris explained that, as proposed, the project would provide some level of calming. The addition of curbing and lessening of paved area will achieve a narrowing effect that would tend to slow traffic. Scott Newman added that streetside trees or other plantings, street furniture, and other amenities that suggest the movement or presence of people in the streetscape would enhance the calming effect.

8. Planning for the Upcoming 502 Public Informational Meeting

Chris explained that separate 502 Public Hearings would be held, one for each town. Dan Peterson added that the 502 Hearing Process must be adhered to in the acquisition of property by condemnation. These Hearings are targeted to occur by the end of September, 2001. CLD will investigate options for meeting sites.

9. Other Issues

· Fort Vengeance Monument Site - Avoidance Alternatives

As it stands, the Site's easterly National Register Eligible boundary coincides with the easterly edge of the US Route 7 pavement. Duncan Wilkie has requested that LBA conduct further testing of the easterly roadway slope in this area, to determine the depth of prior disturbance, and how it relates to archeological deposits. That information will have some bearing on the final delineation of the Site's boundary, and will also affect CLD's development of alternatives to avoid the site. CLD will begin to develop such alternatives when the Site's boundary has been fixed.

· Next Meetings

The next US Route 7 Upgrade Steering Committee Meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 6, 2001, from 4:00 - 7:00 PM, at the Brandon Fire Station.

The next Brandon Bypass Steering Committee Meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 23, 2001, from 4:00 - 6:30 PM, at the Brandon Fire Station.

The next Pittsford Bypass Steering Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 25, 2001, from 4:00 - 6:30 PM, at the Pittsford Municipal Building.

CRB:cww

cc: Lynn Saunders	Dan Peterson	Chris Slesar	Ed Barna
Michael Balch	Greg Riley	Mark Blucher	Roy Newton
Richard Baker	Dennis Benjamin	Mark Germanowski	Frank Farnsworth
Dolores Furnari	Duncan Wilkie	Susie Leonard	Virginia Russell
Peg Flory	John Narowski	Judith Kmileck	Sen. Gerry Gossens
James O’Gorman	Scott Newman	Chris Borstel	Harry McKinlay
Hank Pelkey	Alan Neveau	Gary Klinefelter
C. Baird Morgan	Paul Tober	Kathleen Ryan