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Home My WebLink AboutIR 9005INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS To the Mayor and Members of the City Council SUBJECT: Mobility and Air Quality Plan No. 9005 January 6, 2009 Page 1 of 3 The purpose of this Informal Report (IR) is to refresh the City Council on the primary purposes and outcomes of the Mobility and Air Quality Plan (Plan) in anticipation of an M&C and public hearing on the January 13, 2009 agenda recommending adoption of the Plan. Also included in this IR is a report on the input received during the public outreach campaign for the Plan. City Council was briefed on the substance of the Plan on May 20, 2008. BACKGROUND The City of Fort Worth conducted a comprehensive transportation study to find out how transportation projects, such as arterial roads, highways and transit, impact congestion and, consequently, the air quality of Fort Worth and the North Central Texas Region. The resulting Plan is a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing congestion and improving mobility and air quality for the residents of Fort Worth and the Metroplex. It is a balanced, strategically sound and environmentally responsible plan to address current and future City transportation growth needs. Its primary purpose is to guide future transportation decisions. The Plan was developed in two phases. The first phase, known as the Gap Analysis, identified transportation needs (gaps) over the next 25 years. Phase two of the Plan analyzed transportation options in the study area to improve mobility while reducing congestion and improving air quality. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Findinqs The analysis discovered that 40% of freeways and 42% of roadways will be congested by 2030. This analysis also identified unsustainable land use patterns such as low density residential growth in undeveloped areas and an underutilization of transit to these areas. The Gap Analysis concluded that even if the planned roadway improvements in the Regional Mobility Plan are funded and constructed, the mobility needs of the area will not be met. Recommendations The plan includes: 1) a prioritized list of transportation projects; 2) policy recommendations; 3) land use analysis; and 4) a financial analysis. Transportation Proiects: The Plan includes a diverse range of mobility options, such as commuter rail, rapid transit (bus rapid transit, modern streetcars or light rail), bicycling, walking, and roadway projects. The City of Fort Worth believes providing mobility choices will �� reduce vehicles on roadways, thereby reducing congestion and improving air quality. These ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9005 January 6, 2009 �0.'��,, To the Mayor and Members of the City Council ,, Page 2 of 3 � � x �" SUBJECT: Mobility and Air Quality Plan fa9g mobility choices also ensure that all residents of the Fort Worth area have access to safe, reliable and convenient transportation choices. Policv Recommendations and Land Use Analysis: The Plan encourages, through policy modifications, land use patterns that support multimodal and sustainable transportation options. For example, this could include providing incentives to reinvest and redevelop residential and commercial parcels in the central city to take advantage of the existing transportation infrastructure and transit services. The MAQ Plan also identifies city policies that should be modified in order to better promote sustainable development and economic growth. Financial Analvsis: The MAQ Plan identifies potential funding options such as supporting Rail North Texas, reliance on Public-Private Partnerships and using special districts (i.e., public improvement districts, tax increment finance districts, etc.). The financial strategies outlined in the MAQ Plan will help to reduce the funding gap in order to be able to implement the recommended multimodal transportation options. PUBLIC INPUT On June 18, 2008, two public meetings were held to inform the public about the findings and recommendations of the Plan. Overall, the Plan received positive comments of support from the public. Some of the comments included: • More funding needs to be made available overall for transportation projects, especially for improvements that enhance transit, biking, and walking. • Promote more "urban village style" planning and development in concert with bike, pedestrian, and transit improvements. • Citizens would better support funding measures at the state level for roads and transit projects (Rail North Texas) if local elected officials shifted more of the transportation funding burden to private developers (i.e., higher transportation impact fees). • Steer funding towards creation of educational and public relations/marketing programs to help build awareness on the benefits of sustainable transportation and land use choices. • Put pressure on state legislators during the ne� legislative session for increased transit funding. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS To the Mayor and Members of the City Council SUBJECT: Mobility and Air Quality Plan 9005 No. January 6, 2009 Page 3 of 3 On September 24, 2008, the City Plan Commission took favorable action in recommending that the City Council approve the adoption of the Plan. In accordance with this recommendation, staff will be placing an M&C with an attached Resolution on next week's Council agenda asking for Council adoption of the MAQ Plan. In the meantime, a CD copy of the full report has been included with this IR for your information. Should you have any questions, please contact Mark Rauscher, Transportation Manager, Transportation and Public Works Department at 817-392-2446. ; / � �' � t. ��,�� _ _ ._ ,;,��- - Dal� A. "�Fisseler, P:E. City `'Manager Enclosure: CD ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9005 1.. a To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 6, 2009 Page 3 of 3 ,.1 SUBJECT: Mobility and Air Quality Plan On September 24, 2008, the City Plan Commission took favorable action in recommending that the City Council approve the adoption of the Plan. In accordance with this recommendation, staff will be placing an M&C with an attached Resolution on next week's Council agenda asking for Council adoption of the MAO Plan. In the meantime, a CD copy of the full report has been included with this IR for your information. Should you have any questions, please contact Mark Rauscher, Transportation Manager, Transportation and Public Works Department at 817-392-2446. Dal A.�issel6r,P.E. City anager Enclosure: CD CD with additional information in the December 6, 2009 council proceeding file. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9005 %L January 6,2009 a To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 3 of 3 ,,, SUBJECT: Mobility and Air Quality Plan On September 24, 2008, the City Plan Commission took favorable action in recommending that the City Council approve the adoption of the Plan. In accordance with this recommendation, staff will be placing an M&C with an attached Resolution on next week's Council agenda asking for Council adoption of the MAO Plan. In the meantime, a CD copy of the full report has been included with this IR for your information. Should you have any questions, please contact Mark Rauscher, Transportation Manager, Transportation and Public Works Department at 817-392-2446. )/ Del A. isseler, E. anager Enclosure: CD CD with additional information in the December 6, 2009 council proceeding file. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS 9005 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. January 6, 2009 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council $ ` • 0.g Page 3 of 3 'O.� 7t SUBJECT: Mobility and Air Quality Plan 1p On September 24, 2008, the City Plan Commission took favorable action in recommending that the City Council approve the adoption of the Plan. In accordance with this recommendation, staff will be placing an M&C with an attached Resolution on next week's Council agenda asking for Council adoption of the MAQ Plan. In the meantime, a CD copy of the full report has been included with this IR for your information. Should you have any questions, please contact Mark Rauscher, Transportation Manager, Transportation and Public Works Department at 817-392-2446. . 4(1 Dale A. Fisseler, P.E. City Manager Enclosure: CD CD with additional information in the December 6, 2009 council proceeding file. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS