Carefree Truth

Issue #363, December 29, 2014

 

 

 

The Cave Creek-Carefree Transportation Framework study was created by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG).  Eileen Yazzie, the MAG representative, thanked Gary Neiss and D.J. Stapley for their work on the study.  She said it involved a massive outreach.  Ms. Yazzie introduced the project manager, Michael Sabatini, who represented the Michael Baker Jr., Inc.

 

 

 

Mr. Sabatini stated that the primary focus was on Cave Creek Road and Tom Darlington Drive, with a goal of creating a Master Plan that includes potential projects.  The Towns can choose which projects they wish to implement, then will be provided with strategies to help them achieve the goals.  The study included all modes of travel: auto, bike, pedestrian, links, special event parking, and safety.  Feedback prioritorized safety.  Additional suggestions involved better signage for a "sense of place", increased service for the elderly and disabled, and seasonal shuttles for visitors.  No funding is currently available for anything but bike lanes, but additional future funding could be explored, and the completed study will allow the Towns and MAG to seek that funding.  It was noted that Foothills Caring Corps. provides services for the elderly and disabled. 

 

 

 

Three workshops were held, as well as an online survey which generated 266 responses, during which the "nodes and corridors" concept was presented.  Nodes are the high activity pedestrian areas: automobile corridors connect the nodes.  Traffic calming devices and monuments were suggested to provide transitions between the two.  The study recommended narrowing the nodes to single automobile traffic lanes in each direction, and adding bike lanes, sidewalks and on-street parking to the nodes in Carefree, to include bike and pedestrian amenities.  70% of those providing input supported these concepts, with an error margin of plus or minus 5%.  

 

 

 

The gateway at Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road is near the schools and the community college.  Current conditions there were considered unsafe for students.  Bike lanes and sidewalks were recommended.  The study also suggested that the Towns have an opportunity to promote "bike tourism", which has proved successful in other communities around the country, creating jobs and boosting the local economies.  It was felt that more traffic lights or roundabouts would eventually be required to accommodate anticipated growth. 

 

 

Vice Mayor Les Peterson questioned the problem of traffic backups during special events if the nodes were reduced to single lanes in each direction.  Mr. Sabatini felt it would be more of an issue for Cave Creek by 2035 than for Carefree.  Mayor David Schwan added that in a 2008 traffic study, traffic engineer Paul Basha felt single lanes in the Carefree nodes would be adequate for the foreseeable future.  Vice Mayor Peterson summarized that the eliminated traffic lanes would accommodate pedestrians, bikes, and parking, for better utilization of the space.  Councilman Marty Saltzman asked if dedicated turn lanes were included in the plan, and was assured that they were.  Councilman Mike Farrar asked if the conversation had included first responders, and questioned delays for emergency vehicles in single lane nodes.  He was told that first responders had not been contacted. 

 

 

 

Vice Mayor Peterson asked what alternatives were explored.  Ms. Yazzie said that because additional traffic lanes were unwanted, there were no alternative plans explored.  The study focused instead on amenities to the nodes, and on general safety.  See the slides in the video for alternative node suggestions explored. 

 

 

 

Councilwoman Melissa Price asked if MAG would help with the issue of widening Carefree Highway between Cave Creek Road and Scottsdale Road.  Ms. Yazzie replied that it must  start out as a local initiative, then MAG could help.  That section of road is owned by Scottsdale, and plans to widen it were delayed due to finances. Councilman John Crane pointed out that the people living on the south side of Black Mountain would have no access from their homes to the proposed bike lanes because they would have to navigate Carefree Highway, which would have no bike lanes, is narrow, and is highly trafficked.  He wanted to encourage Scottsdale to add bike lanes.

 

 

 

During public comment, Jim Van Allen said he had two "high" concerns.  The first was an 11 million dollar price tag to do all the improvements, which the Vice Mayor exclaimed was news to him.  Mr. Van Allen was also concerned that the document authorized the Town Managers, rather than the Councils, to secure funding for and to implement the study recommendations, giving a staff member a "blank check".  Councilman Glenn Miller said he never heard 11 million dollars or any other number mentioned, other than a matching 5% for bike lanes. Mr. Neiss confirmed that Mr. Miller was correct.  Because Mr. Van Allen and Sonoran News reporter Linda Bentley had been conferring intently before and during the meeting, Mr. Miller said he didn't know why Mr. Van Allen would throw out a number like that, other than to provide a sound byte for the Sonoran News.  Mr. Miller continued, saying this doesn't give the Town Managers a "blank check".  He pointed out that any amount exceeding $15,000 must legally be approved by the Carefree Council, adding, "You know that."

 

 

 

I said that when Cave Creek closes a traffic lane in each direction it creates severe traffic delays, and many people avoid Cave Creek during those times.  Mayor Schwan pointed out that the main element creating the traffic jams during those events is a constant stream of pedestrians crossing the street, which necessitates stopping cars.  Unlike Carefree, the Cave Creek commercial core encompasses both sides of the road.

 

 

 

Mr. Saltzman asked Town Attorney Mike Wright if there was a binding legal nature to the document.  Mr. Wright answered that it is a recommendation.  Mr. Farrar said the word "implement" concerned him, as did "endorse".  Mayor Schwan suggested changing the phrase from "endorse" to "accept" this study.  Mr. Farrar suggested changing "implement" to "consider".  Ms. Price suggested restating part of it to read, "...secure the funding necessary for the Council to carry out the study recommendations."  Mayor Schwan felt it was better with the amendments.  The Council agreed unanimously to accept the study as amended.    

 

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/113786823/58b78d3d71 

 

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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