Title
Approving installation of bicycle lanes on Stillwater Avenue from McKnight Road to Algonquin Avenue, and bikeway connections on Ruth Street/Algonquin Avenue, Case Avenue, and Hazel Street.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul Department of Public Works is planning a mill and overlay of Stillwater Avenue between McKnight Road and Hazel Street in 2017; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works recommends implementing bicycle lanes on Stillwater Avenue from McKnight Road to Algonquin Avenue to improve safety and comfort for people using bicycles on the street; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works also recommends implementing bikeway connections on Ruth Street/Algonquin Avenue, Case Avenue, and Hazel Street to make important connections to existing bikeways north and south of Stillwater Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Saint Paul approved the Saint Paul Bicycle Plan (RES 15-476) on 3/18/2015; and
WHEREAS, the proposed bicycle lanes on Stillwater Avenue and proposed bikeway extensions are found to be consistent with the recommendations of the Saint Paul Bicycle Plan; and
WHEREAS, the elements proposed for implementation are referred to and listed in the Stillwater Avenue Project Summary of Engineering Recommendations dated 8/1/2017; and
WHEREAS, the typical width of Stillwater Avenue between McKnight Road and Algonquin Avenue is 44’, which requires removing parking on one side of the street to install bike lanes while maintaining appropriate lane widths; and
WHEREAS, parking removal is proposed for the south side of Stillwater Avenue between McKnight Road and Algonquin Avenue; and
WHEREAS, parking removal is also proposed for the east side of Hazel Street between Case Avenue and Mechanic Avenue to accommodate bike lanes and maintaining appropriate lane widths; and
WHEREAS, parking occupancy counts, included in the Stillwater Avenue Summary of Engineering Recommendations, were performed at representative time periods to measure parking utilization on Stillwater Avenue and Hazel Street; and
WHEREAS, a community project meeting was held on 6/27/2017 to present information and receive feedback on the project as proposed; and
WHEREAS, The Transportation Committee of the Planning Commission has reviewed the proposed project and has recommended approval; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul does herby authorize Public Works to implement bicycle lanes on Stillwater Avenue between McKnight Road and Algonquin Avenue, and connecting bicycle facilities on Ruth Street/Algonquin Avenue, Case Avenue, and Hazel Street, concurrent with the Stillwater Avenue mill and overlay scheduled for 2017.