Good morning,
As has been discussed on this forum, the Planning Commission has tabled the bicycle storage zoning text amendment and has requested a workshop to explore the topic in more detail. At the meeting, the commissioners had concerns regarding the need for infrastructure given current rack use (or non-use in their individual opinions), need for storage infrastructure prior to lane infrastructure, and cost to developers. These concerns are all valid, and more importantly, are not unique to this type of request. For some reason bicycle lanes and racks are often perceived as being empty (even if they aren't), instead of being envisioned as means to create a mode of mobility. The President of the Planning Commission noted that more information would provide for a better recommendation to City Council, and this information is going to have to come from members of the cycling community and the bicycle board.
A workshop is being prepared to involve a roundtable discussion on the bicycle storage text amendments and infrastructure in general. I will be compiling data on use and economic impacts of cycling and bicycle storage in general, and will provide a brief presentation to kick-off the conversation. Once I have a draft completed, I will share it with the board. It will be necessary for members of the Bicycle Board to attend this workshop and provide the commissioners with personal testimony on the need for this zoning text amendment, and bicycle infrastructure in general. The commission's concerns can and will be mitigated after this meeting. Additionally, the June 1st Traffic Commission meeting will also require some level of bicycle board participation, as there will be a conversation regarding the storage requirement, albeit in a different format more closely tied to transportation.
Please complete this doodle poll to ensure we have adequate attendance at the Planning Commission Workshop: http://doodle.com/poll/qeep8md6fpxeswzq
The dates with Bicycle Board representation will then be passed to the most Planning Commissioners so we can establish attendance, and if a change in venue is needed due to any conflicts, we will move the meeting to another location. We will have to do advertising and the meeting will be open to the public so anyone will be able to attend and participate.
Do not be discouraged by the outcome of the May meetings. We are still on track for this amendment to be completed this summer.
Thank you,
John Whitmore, AICP Planner III
[City of Morgantown, WV official website]
City of Morgantown, West Virginia 389 Spruce Street Morgantown, WV 26505 E: jwhitmore@morgantownwv.govmailto:jwhitmore@morgantownwv.gov P: 304-284-7431 www.morgantownwv.gov
