Documented by Josef Sibala
Here’s what you need to know:
- The commission approved the Clovis Active Transportation Plan Update. The plan supplements the general plan and serves as further guidance about the city’s multimodal transportation network.
- The commission approved an environmental finding of a negative declaration for the Clovis Active Transportation Plan update.
- Recommended programs are bicycle parking, e-bike policy, open streets, safe routes to school and education campaigns, which are driver-oriented and bicycle and pedestrian-oriented.
Follow-up question:
- How will residents benefit from the approved Active Transportation Plan update?
The Scene
The meeting began on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, at 6 p.m. via YouTube live stream. The meeting was held at the Clovis Council Chamber on 1033 Fifth St. in Clovis. Here is the link to the meeting.
Commissioners present:
- Commissioner Mike Cunningham
- Commissioner Bedsted
- Commissioner Brandon Hatcher
- Chair Alma Antuna
- Commissioner Joseph Hebert
- Commissioner Paul Hinkle
Staff present:
- Multimodal Transportation Manager Carrie Asquire
- Engineering Program Manager Ryan Burnett
- Nick Valerdino from the Fresno Bicycle Club
Discussion
1. The commission (6-0) approved the minutes of the meeting of Sept. 28.
Public hearings were held as follows:
2. Consider items associated with updating the city’s Active Transportation Plan:
a) The commission (6-0) approved an environmental finding of a negative declaration for the Clovis Active Transportation Plan update.
b) The commission (6-0) approved the Clovis Active Transportation Plan update.
Engineering Program Manager Ryan Burnett said that the staff noted comments from Caltrans and the Fresno Irrigation District.
He said that Mark Keppler from the Clovis Community Foundation suggested canal bank trails, trail connectivity and biking facilities. Burnett said that bike lanes take more planning.
The plan was last updated in 2016. It provides a framework for planning walking and biking within Clovis for both transportation and recreation.The plan supplements the general plan and serves as further guidance for the city’s multimodal transportation network.
The active transportation plan is also required by Measure C to receive tax funds, along with a bicycle master plan for Clovis. The plan increases access to other federal, state and regional grant funding opportunities.
Updating the plan included robust public engagement with city departments and public stakeholders, according to the city. Clovis contracted with Toole Design Group for the map update.
Multimodal Transportation Manager Carrie Asquire said that the plan covered four stages: discovery, development, refinement and documentation, and plan assembly, which started in spring and summer of 2021.
According to the vision statement, the plan envisions a city with a complete and connected network of trails, walkways and bikeways that provides convenient and intuitive connections to key destinations and supports travel within and between neighborhoods.
Asquire said that the recommended bicycle network has an existing 96 miles, with a recommended 131 miles, while the completed network is 227 miles, which includes passes. Potential bicycle facility types are Bike Routes (Class III), Bike Lanes (Class II) and Buffered Bike Lane (Class II).
Recommended pedestrian projects include sidewalk infill projects. Recommended trail and Paseo projects would enhance connections within and beyond neighborhoods and expand existing trails and Paseos network.
Recommended programs are bicycle parking, e-bike policy, open streets, safe routes to school, and education campaigns, which are driver-oriented and bicycle & pedestrian-oriented.
The implementation strategy will prioritize biking and sidewalk projects, trails and paseos, and midblock trail passage. Funding sources would be federal, state, regional and county.
Implementation requires the partnership of community groups, schools, businesses, regional agencies and others.
Supporting documents include design guidelines for pedestrian and bicycle treatments along the roadways and intersections in conjunction with national standards and resources. Wayfinding guidelines serve to accompany the bicycle and pedestrian network. These documents will support city staff as projects are implemented.
Hinkle said that the court ruled that homeowners couldn’t close a trail.
Burnett said that the staff is in contact with homeowners to open the trail in the north to the intersection of Sunnyside and Shepherd avenues. The department is planning to open a trail alternative.
Burnett said that Class 4 facilities are new to the area. Class 4 requires a barrier and space, which take up parking.
Challenges that remain include buying new street sweepers, which would require investment and maintenance, he added.
Commissioner Cunningham asked whether the plan considers the elderly who use electric scooters, golf carts and other modes.
Burnett said that ethemerging vehicles would be examined by their department.
Nick Valerdino from the Fresno Bicycle Club said that the plan addresses bike parking and discusses e-bikes.He said that e-bikes must have additional space and speed guidelines.
The commission adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at fresnodocs@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
