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| Ben Hussey | 9/14/2009 11:45:37 PM |
| I have reviewed the Anchorage Bicycle Plan and am encouraged by it and fully support it. As a year-around bicycle rider I hope to see a larger amount of support for non-automobile vehicles in the future. Please adopt this plan. | |
| Yvonne Goldsmith | 9/14/2009 10:17:15 PM |
| As year-round driver and bicycle commuter, I support the Bicycle Plan and urge its adoption. The staff did a very good job addressing all the comments received. These policies will promote the ability of cyclists to more fully use the transportation infrastructure and promotes safety. | |
| Charles Utermohle | 9/14/2009 11:43:25 AM |
| I have participated in the plan's development and have reviewed the resulting proposal. As a bicycle commuter and recreational cyclist, I encourage passage of the Anchorage Bicycle Plan to increase the safety of bicycling in the municipality and facilitate the accompanying health and economic benefits. | |
| Karol Fink | 9/14/2009 11:29:27 AM |
| We heartily commend your efforts on the Anchorage Bicycle Plan and wish to convey the Alaska Public Health Association’s (ALPHA) strong support of adopting this plan. We applaud the Municipality's effort to promote, encourage and support utility biking - a physical activity that can be incorporated into daily living. ALPHA recognizes the health consequences of overweight and obesity in Alaska and the proven role of physical activity in maintaining healthy weight. Regular physical activity can cut the risk for developing depression, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, and certain kinds of cancer. The Bicycle Plan supports evidenced-based strategies recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase physical activity and improve physical fitness in a community setting. There is sufficient evidence that implementation of the urban design and land use policies recommendation in the Bicycle Plan will be effective in increasing physical activity. ALPHA advocates for community strategies and environmental change that support biking including safe bike lanes, interconnected trail systems, snow and ice removal from sidewalks, secure onsite bicycle racks, improved street lighting, infrastructure projects to increase safety of street crossing, use of traffic calming approaches (e.g., speed humps, traffic circles), and enhanced street landscaping. We are also very pleased that bicycle-related injury and mortality is addressed in your plan and that bicycle safety is a criteria for bicycle network layout and design. State and local transportation agencies and urban planners have a very important role in shaping public health through community design. The Anchorage Bicycle Plan is a big step in the right direction towards maintaining and improving public health in the Municipality. Again, thank you for your work. Sincerely, Karol Fink, MS, RD ALPHA Board of Director Health Policy Chair | |
| Barbara Rowland | 9/14/2009 10:35:50 AM |
| I have participated in the public process of this plan the past few years and am satisfied with the proposals outlined in this plan to improve connectivity and safety for Anchorage bicyclists. I recommend the approval of this plan. | |
| Jennifer DuFord | 9/14/2009 10:30:00 AM |
| I read the Comprehensive Anchorage Bicycle Plan. It is very well researched and thought out. Please adopt it. | |
| Meghan Holtan | 9/14/2009 10:14:30 AM |
| I am a year round bicycle rider and I support the Anchorage Bicycle Plan. | |
| Joanne Thordarson | 9/14/2009 9:12:57 AM |
| I support the bike plan for Anchorage. It is time to make Anchorage more pedestrian friendly including those on bikes. We have a beautiful city, but it is dangerous to be 'out there'. So far it is not organized in such a way to encourage those who value safety to get on their bikes. More definitely needs to be done. There are parts here and there, but no coordinated effort for the city. Thanks. | |
| Deborah Simpson | 9/14/2009 8:02:05 AM |
| Thank you for your hard work on the bicycle plan. It is a very good plan, and I urge the Assembly to adopt it. Debbie | |
| WIlliam Larson | 9/13/2009 3:33:23 PM |
| Thank you for a great comprehensive plan that takes into account all transportation users. The Anchorage Bicycle Plan is a long term plan that makes Anchorage a more liveable city. Please encourage Anchorage Assembly to provide funding for this plan. | |
| Brian Heady | 9/13/2009 3:07:26 PM |
| I support the Anchorage Bicycle Plan and encourage Assembly to vote it in. | |
| Andrew Baker | 9/13/2009 2:59:32 PM |
| I support the Anchorage Bicycle Plan and encourage money to be provided to implement all its recommendations. Andrew Baker | |
| Tom Wolforth | 9/13/2009 2:08:48 PM |
| I encourage passage of the Anchorage Bicycle Plan. I am a driver and will be able to drive more safely when the Bicycle Plan is implemented. | |
| Scenic Foothills Community Council Mark Hill/Dawn Groth | 9/13/2009 2:03:05 PM |
| Resolution Supporting the Anchorage Bicycle Plan WHEREAS, the bicycle remains an important and vital part of the lives of members of Scenic Foothills Community who engage in bicycling because it is a viable, enjoyable and environmentally-sound form of transportation; and WHEREAS, utility bicycling including bicycle commuting and using bicycles for errands is beneficial to all who live in the Scenic Foothills Community as the use of a bicycle rather than a car improves air quality, reduces traffic noise and congestion and road maintenance costs, improves the overall livability of communities and conserves energy; and WHEREAS, utility bicycling incorporates a healthy form of exercise into an individual’s daily routine and reduces traffic-related stress; and WHEREAS, the benefits of bicycle commuting extend to the employer and include increased worker productivity, attentiveness, energy and enthusiasm, reduced parking and health care costs, and lower employee absenteeism and turnover; and WHEREAS, an increasing number of businesses, government buildings, and public and private schools have installed bicycle parking and other bicycling facilities to encourage users to arrive by bicycle; and WHEREAS, bicycle transportation is an integral part of the “multi-modal” transportation system utilized by federal, state, and local transportation agencies; and WHEREAS, all People Mover buses are equipped with bicycle racks, thus facilitating bicycling in combination with public transportation; and WHEREAS, the Municipality of Anchorage promotes utility bicycling through development of the Anchorage Bicycle Plan, newly installed bicycle racks, bicycle lanes, the multi-use pathways, and the annual Bike to Work Day event; and WHEREAS, the education of bicyclists as to the proper and safe operation of bicycles and motorists on the principles of sharing the road is important and requisite to ensure the safety and comfort of all users; and WHEREAS, the education of motorists on the proper means to accommodate bicyclists using on-road bicycle infrastructure including bicycle lanes is important and requisite to ensure the safety and comfort of all users; and WHEREAS, the Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage, Alaska Transportation Priorities Project, The Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska Department of Transportation, and independent bicyclists throughout the state are promoting greater public awareness of safe bicycle operation and of how motorists can safely share the road in an effort to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities, and to ensure that bicyclists feel comfortable and safe on our roads; and WHEREAS, the Scenic Foothills Community Council commends and thanks all contributors to the Anchorage Bicycle Plan and encourages bicyclists to observe all safety measures including wearing a helmet and obeying all traffic laws, and motorists to share the road and drive with awareness of bicyclists. NOW, therefore, be it resolved that the Scenic Foothills Community Council recognizes the Anchorage Bicycle Plan as beneficial to not only the city at large but to our community in particular. Scenic Foothills Community Council therefore supports the Anchorage Bicycle Plan and encourages its swift passage before the Anchorage Assembly and the Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) Policy Committee. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Scenic Foothills Community Council this 4th day of September, 2009 by a unanimous vote. Mark Hill Scenic Foothills Community Council President | |
| Dawn Groth | 9/13/2009 1:39:30 PM |
| I support the Anchorage Bicycle Plan. It is a comprehensive plan of attending to the needs of all transportation users. Dawn Groth | |
| Basher Community Council Stuckagain Heights | 9/3/2009 11:48:10 AM |
| FROM: Basher Community Council (Stuckagain Heights) 3 Sep 09 TO: Planning Department SUBJECT: Anchorage Bicycle Plan 1. We have reviewed the August 2009 Anchorage Bicycle Plan and are in general very pleased with the product. We have 2 comments regarding the plan. The comments can be grouped into “safety” and “economy of effort.” We fully support the “priority status” of the Separate Path and Bicycle Lane for Campbell Airstrip Road. 2. SAFETY. We are pleased that Campbell Airstrip Road is no longer designated a “shared use road.” Our #1 concern for many years has been the perceived “eventuality” of a vehicle-bicycle fatality on mile 0.4-1.1 (abeam the Botanical Gardens). This section of road is very hazardous and it is paramount any planning includes correction of this hazardous road and segregation of vehicles and recreational activity. We strongly encourage the Planning Department to correct this part of the access/road and trail first…even if the entire plan for Campbell Airstrip must be done segmentally/sequentially over many years. This section needs to be brought-up to municipal standards in all regards before any other improvements are made. All users of the Campbell Airstrip access areas pass through this area and therefore it must be priority #1. 3. ECONOMY OF EFFORT. We have noted the possibility of duplication of effort/conflict/potential lack-of-coordination between the many user groups of Far North Bicentennial Park (FNBP) and Chugach State Park (CSP) that use Campbell Airstrip Road for access. We also strongly encourage a coordinated and combined effort (money) between the FNBP Trail Improvement Planners, CSP (note: there is CSP access ~1mile beyond bivouac parking lots on Campbell Airstrip Road, “Basher Road Trail Head”), municipal road improvement planners, and this plan. By understanding the “common interest” of these users groups and coordinating resources, we feel the public will be most efficiently served. 4. If you have any questions, please contact Dave Keddington (President), Ann Gabler (Committee Chair, FNBP Trail Improvement Plan, or Ted Trueblood (LRSA), bashercc@gmail.com, or 529-7115 (c). Very Respectfully, Basher Community Council Resolutions Basher Community Council & Limited Road Service Area (LRSA) Board Regarding the Draft Trail Improvement Plan of the Far North Bicentennial Park (FNBP), March 2009 Background: The Parks and Recreation Department of the Municipality of Anchorage released the FNBP Draft Trail Improvement Plan in March 2009, and requested input from the public and all Community Councils. Members of the Basher Community Council formed a committee to review the plan and identify proposed projects and improvements that could potentially impact residents of the Basher (Stuckagain Heights) neighborhood. Since FNBP borders the community and residents use Campbell Airstrip Road daily as their only access to the Anchorage road network, the committee focused on projects affecting the road and Project #24 that is proposed adjacent to the neighborhood (See Plan map Figure 26, “Proposed Projects”). The committee's priorities for consideration in reviewing the proposed Trail Improvement Plan included: Safety and liability concerns and balancing the recreational use of the park with existing wildlife activity to maintain an "undeveloped and rural feel within the park." (Plan Project Goal #1, FNBP Draft Trail Improvement Plan Release to (Federation of) Community Councils from Park Planner, 1/21/09). Committee members spoke to design team members and city park planners, members of the planning steering committee, public and private agencies, and FNBP park trail users - both residents of the Stuckagain Heights neighborhood as well as non-residents. Information regarding the plan was presented and discussed at a Basher Community Council meeting held on March 31, 2009, in which city planners declined to attend. The committee presented its recommendations at a Basher Community Council meeting held on April 27, 2009, and the follow Resolutions were proposed: Resolution Regarding FNBP Trail and Road Project Improvements affecting Campbell Airstrip Road Whereas FNBP is the only community park within the Municipality of Anchorage that lies within the boundaries of the Basher Community Council, residents have enjoyed the unique variety of recreational opportunities in the park from skiing, biking trails, multi-use and social trails, etc., to wildlife viewing and undeveloped natural areas; Whereas residents of the Basher Community Council and the LRSA Board have long supported and advocated for a multi-use trail along Campbell Airstrip Road as evidenced in the attached Resolution: "Improvements to the Campbell Airstrip Road and Completion of A Parallel Bike Trail" dated November 29, 2007; Whereas Campbell Airstrip Road is not a fully developed road meeting MOA or AASHTO design standards; it is a narrow (10 feet plus or minus) dangerous road with no shoulders or ditches for many sections, with sharp curves, and inadequate sight distances; Whereas as a Limited Road Service Area (LRSA), the Basher Community taxes itself and contributes a portion of these taxes to maintain this road; Whereas constructing multi-use trails along the road (Projects #10, 12) will provide pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized traffic a safer route to recreate or commute through FNBP, thereby decreasing the chances for injury or death to pedestrians and/or bicyclists who now share this substandard, hazardous, multi-use roadway; For the same reasons, to be consistent with the Updated March1985 FNBP Master Plan, the 2000 Anchorage Bowl Park Natural Resource and Recreation Facilities Plan, and the 1996 Areawide Trails Plan; Therefore, be it resolved, The Basher Community Council and LRSA Board support the "concept" of the FNBP Trail Plan to construct a multi-use trail system adjacent to Campbell Airstrip Road. However, any multi-use trail system should be built in conjunction with the improvement of Campbell Airstrip Road. To proceed with full construction of the proposed multi-use trail system and the proposed projects as stated in the plan (paved trails, road crossings, new parking lots, or upgrades, or closures, improvements, etc.) would be ill-advised until the safety issues of the road are addressed. Representatives of the Basher Community Council, the Limited Road Service Area (LRSA) Board, the Municipality of Anchorage, Parks and Recreation Planning Department, and other entities such as the Alaska Botanical Gardens, Chugach State Parks, and Municipal, State, and Federal legislators, need to work together when planning, engineering and financing the road upgrade, and the park projects such as parking areas, pedestrian crossings, and adjacent multi-use trails. Implementation of the plan projects as stated will result in unnecessary expenditure of public/private and/or grant/donation monies, duplication of efforts, and possible re-construction of "park trail projects" once the road is improved and upgraded to MOA or AASHTO design standards in the future. That being said, the Basher Community Council recognizes that the current situation with park users utilizing Campbell Airstrip Road for recreational pursuits is extremely hazardous. A “temporary solution” may be necessary to encourage and divert park users from the road or from other trails in FNBP due to wildlife concerns (such as Seasonal Trail Closures). Therefore, the Council and LRSA would consider endorsing construction of multi-use trails along Campbell Airstrip Road (Projects #10 and #12) to be developed to minor standards (Class 2) with the understanding that the trail placement may not be permanent and the trails may be moved once the road is constructed to meet design safety standards. Under this temporary “fix,” the construction of any multi-use trails adjacent to Campbell Airstrip Road should not be construed as an endorsement by the Basher Council or LRSA Board for City Park Planners to encourage more trail use or routes on or near the road. Any “temporary trail construction” will be for the express purpose to divert existing non-motorized park users from “Shared Use” of Campbell Airstrip Road or to divert park users from a Seasonal Trail Closure only. Until Campbell Airstrip Road can be improved to meet minimum safety standards, the LRSA Board would be willing to work with the Parks and Recreation Planning Department to rectify pedestrian/motorist safety concerns on the following road projects: improve the sight distances at the entrance to the South Bivouac parking area; improve parking at the "Little Hill" parking area; (#25); and extend the multi-use trail connector between the BLM parking area and the North Bivouac Trail (project #10). The Basher Community Council and LRSA Board do not support implementation of Plan Projects # 6, 7, 15, and 22, nor do they support the closing of the South Bivouac Trailhead parking lot area. With regard to Proposed Project #9: According to the Plan (p. 66), part of the project included a “New connector trail from North Gasline Trail to Stuckagain Heights entrance.” The Basher Council review committee requested but was not provided written information from the Design Team or City Planners regarding this portion of the project. Therefore, the Council does not support this part of Project #9 as described on p. 66. Should the proposed Trail Improvement Plan be adopted in part or full, it will most certainly bring more public use to the Northeast section of FNBP and increase non-motorized traffic on Campbell Airstrip Road. In the interest of public safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, the Basher Community Council respectfully requests that the Municipality of Anchorage contribute more funds in the coming years to the maintenance and upgrade of Campbell Airstrip Road, and take a more active role to alert non-motorists of the dangers of using Campbell Airstrip Road in its present substandard condition. Resolution Passed at a meeting held on April 27, 2009. Respectfully submitted by residents of the Basher Community Council and Board members of the Section 6/Campbell Airstrip Limited Road Service Area (LRSA). //Signed// 29 Apr 09 //Signed// 29 Apr 09 Dave Keddington, President Date Harry Haywood, Chair Date Basher Community Council Section 6/Campbell Airstrip Limited Road Service Area (LRSA) | |
| Marc Grober | 7/11/2009 4:57:45 PM |
| Wouldn't it be nice if I could link from my case notice to actual details on the matter to be heard? Apparently the Planning Department has figured out how to join the 21st Century yet, so anyone who received a notice about the plan and chercked at the provided link, i.e.: http://munimaps.muni.org/website/htmlviewer/generic/casebody.asp?case=2009-120&Submit=Go Is provided exactly NOTHING..... Considering the incredible debacle as far as lack of any credible documentation in the matter of the alleged amendment of the RJSP Master Plan (i.e. despite PZC claims that an amended plan had been reviewed and approved no amended plan actually ever existed.....) one has to wonder whether Planning's alleged inability to publish documents for public review is not part and parcel of its continued efforts to mislead the community?? | |