5.2. SR 07-24-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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lower cost and the lack of any right-of-way issues. However, the Council did recognize the need to mitigate the potential adverse impacts of closure. In April 1998, the Arcata City Council directed Public Works staff to develop a task force description that would address the potential traffic problems. It was quite obvious that the closure of 14th Street effected the behavior of traffic in areas far beyond the neighborhood. This illustrated the fact that the street network is a dynamic creature where changes at one location truly effect the whole system. It also meant that improvements in one neighborhood could benefit the entire City. Public Works staff determined that the Study Area should include the area bounded by Alliance Road, US 101, 11th Street and Sunset Avenue, a sixty square block portion of Central Arcata. THE TASK FORCE - How we planned Membership The Central Arcata Traffic Task Force needed to represent both the neighborhood and the city as a whole. Therefore, membership included: 4 residents from within the Study Area 1 resident living outside the Study Area 4 representatives from the University, Arcata High School, Commission and City Transportation Safety Committee. City Planning 9 total task force members Scope of Authority The Task Force served in an advisory capacity to the City Council in matters relating to all traffic problems in the area bounded by the Study Area. This allowed the Task Force to evaluate problems that had little or no connection to the closure of 14th Street. They were to review traffic engineering data and studies and make recommendations to the City Council. Primary Goal The primary goal of the Task Force was to strike a balance between the efficient flow of traffic and neighborhood livability. This goal proved difficult for the Task Force as they deliberated on the various alternatives to the closure of 14th Street. It became important to accurately define these two opposing issues. The secondary goal was to report to the City Council within seven months. Public meetings were scheduled twice a month to accommodate the completion of all task force objectives.