February 2021 Project Updates Belmont Bridge Replacement The project has been advertised for construction. Assuming the city receives bids within the project budget, staff anticipates construction beginning in late spring/early summer. W. Main Street City council is having on-going discussions about the cost of the project. There will be another public discussion at an upcoming council meeting. Emmet Streetscape (Peter Ohlms) This project is from Ivy Rd. to Arlington Blvd. The Design Public Hearing was in December 2019. After a postponement due to COVID, City Council accepted the results of that hearing in August 2020. The city expects to receive authorization from VDOT to begin the right-of-way acquisition phase in 1-2 months, when the next Steering Committee meeting is likely to be held. Barracks/Emmet Intersection & Streetscape (Navarre Bartz) 60% Design Completed. Currently, working with various utility companies to develop relocation plans. VDOT Public Hearing will be held in Spring/Summer 2021 once relocation plans are finalized. Timmons is currently working on addressing VDOT Comments made during design review, with a resubmission scheduled for later this month. No major changes to Bike/Ped features of project are being proposed. Fontaine Ave Streetscape (Eberhard Jehle – need replacement due to move) 60% Design Completed. Currently, working with various utility companies to develop relocation plans. VDOT Public Hearing will be held in Spring 2021 once relocation and easement information is obtained. RK&K is getting ready to submit to the City an MOT Analysis which will evaluate a full detour approach vs. Single Lane Closures during the Construction Phase. Preston/Barracks Bike Lane Project (Amanda Poncy) Preston Avenue is scheduled to be repaved in summer 2021. A new bike lane between 10th and Buckingham will connect the existing bike lane on Preston Avenue to the proposed/funded shared use path along Barracks Road to create a continuous bicycle facility between downtown and Barracks Road shopping center consistent with the Master Plan. In reviewing the draft marking plan from the consultants, staff had concerns about the proposed 10’ lanes on an arterial road. Given the variable widths in some segments, implementation of the bike lane while maintaining an 11’ travel lane is not possible in some locations without parking removal. Additional parking demand studies to be conducted in the coming months. Rugby Avenue Shared Use Path (Chris Gensic) VDOT is currently reviewing plans. Once approved by VDOT, will be allowed to go to construction. Bodos Trail (Peter Krebs) PEC did not receive the Virginia Outdoors Foundation grant and are pursuing private funding Three Notched Trail (Allie Hill)  PLAN RVA, a 9 county Planning District Commission around Richmond, is putting together their Long Range Transportation Plan. Advocates are hoping to include a western greenway extension of the Virginia Capital Trail (VCT), from Richmond to Charlottesville to Waynesboro.  The VCT Director, Cat Anthony, has asked our Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission to join in on a feasibility study for the above mentioned western extension of the VCT.  Allie Hill attended a Rails WITH Trails (RWT) seminar and gained new advice for planning the TNT beside active railroads.  Rip Verkerke has connected a law student to assist us with the RWT component of the Three Notched Trail. The student will work with us during the spring semester to compile a presentation to the Virginia Rail Authority about the benefits and safety of allowing RWT.  The Blue Ridge Tunnel estimates there have been over 30,000 people visiting since they opened in late November. They are already planning an extension of their two parking lots. Notes from December's RTF Board Meeting (Frank Deviney)  The Blue Ridge Tunnel has opened and the crowds are HUGE. It’s very popular.  A group has formed to discuss extending the Capital Trail west towards Charlottesville. It is comprised of representatives of the counties between Richmond and Charlottesville. Note that this has now become more of a regional initiative rather than a local one. Getting a feasibility study off the ground is a priority.  Allie spent the fall semester being the client for 11 students from UVA's Architecture School in the Urban and Environmental Planning Department. They each spent the semester working on one task related to the TNT and their final presentations were given on December 7th. They are available in the RTF Google Drive if anyone wants to see them.  Anhold Associates (Cville-based landscape architects) offered free but limited consulting work for TNT. They are leaning toward helping map possible routes in Western Albemarle.  The Eco-Living Fund has awarded RTF $3,000 for a TNT cycling fundraising and awareness event to be held after COVID. Active Mobility Summit (Friday, January 26, 10-11:30 a.m. + 1-3 p.m.) Register now for the Active Mobility Summit (https://www.pecva.org/mobilitysummit). It is a great opportunity to share your ideas or work with other advocates and organizations to make Charlottesville and Albemarle better for walking, biking, and other forms of active transportation and access to everyday outdoor recreation. It will include breakout rooms for groups to discuss and refine ideas, which will be presented back to the group as the Mobility Alliance's work plan for 2021. This is something we (BPAC) have discussed for a long time and we hope it will become an annual event. [Sign up Now] Right of Way Book Club There are still copies of Angie Schmitt's book available for folks who would like to take part in the virtual book club. There will be a Zoom-based discussion on Thursday, February 18. More info here: https://www.pecva.org/event/right-of-way-book-club-discussion/ VA General Assembly Updates PEC is supporting two important pieces of legislation currently before the State Legislature: The Bicycle Safety Act (HB 2262 / SB 1263) will require vehicles to use a full lane to pass a cyclist if 3 feet are not available; permit cyclists to ride abreast; and make legal (or decriminalize) the "Idaho Stop." The bill (barely) failed in the Senate, with Sen Deeds voting no. Apparently he supported the bill, but was uncomfortable with the rolling stop. The Senate is likely to see the bill again when the identical House bill comes to them, which makes Sen. Deeds a potential swing voter. Advocacy Info | FAQ The Governor's budget includes a new $5M for long-distance (35-mile+) trails. (#HB-1800, Item 447- H). As one example, funding of this kind could help expand the Virginia Capital Trail westward to the Blue Ridge and beyond via Charlottesville, and other important projects to create a state-wide trail system. Draft PEC Letter | Action Alert pending this week Additional bills that may be of interest include HB1903 (https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi- bin/legp604.exe?211+sum+HB1903) that allows a locality to set lower speed limits of 15mph and HB1841 https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?211+sum+HB1841) which has to do with crosswalk design. Community Needs Assessment (Peter Krebs) The Move2Health Equity is developing a community mobility needs assessment, which will primarily be an electronic survey. Contact Peter Krebs (pkrebs@pexcva.org) if you would like to be a part of this working group. Climate Action Plan (Navarre Bartz) A dedicated webpage has been set up to host updates, resources, and information about the City’s Climate Action Plan development: charlottesville.gov/climateplan. Additionally, community members can subscribe for push alerts via email or text message when Climate Action updates are posted via Notify Me. Comprehensive Plan (Navarre Bartz) Through December and January, the consultant team and City worked to update the Affordable Housing Plan, based on all input received in November and December. You can view the revised Affordable Housing Plan here. A summary of community engagement activities and input from fall 2020 is also available on the Cville Plans Together website. Cville Plans Together will be meeting with City leaders several times this month to review the revisions to the Affordable Housing Plan and discuss next steps for the Comprehensive Plan, including the Future Land Use Map. All are welcome to attend these meetings. February 9, 2021 – Planning Commission Meeting (5:30 PM) Cville Plans Together is the final item on the agenda.  Registration available here  Cville Plans Together materials o Agenda, including an overview of Affordable Housing Plan revisions made since December 2020 o Revised Affordable Housing Plan  Agenda and materials for entire meeting February 16, 2021 – Council Meeting (4:00 PM Staff Report section) We will be reviewing the revisions to the Affordable Housing Plan and discussing next steps.  Agenda and materials forthcoming  Registration will be available here February 23, 2021 – Planning Commission Work Session (5:30-7:30 PM) We will be discussing the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map.  Agenda and materials forthcoming  Registration will be available here