01-31-2011 Council Minutes Special City Council Meeting

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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL ORONO CITY COUNCIL Monday, January 31, 2011 8:00 o'clock a.m. Slack stated he has developed a second median concept, narrowing the median to 4' and defining potential enhancements and costs. The primary objective for median improvements is to look at safety including preventing mid -block pedestrian crossings and traffic calming. They proposed the use of native landscaping to create a low maintenance median treatment utilizing native plant materials and no irrigation. Slack presented images comparing a 10' landscaped median with a 4' concrete median. He noted that the 4' median images didn't include existing trees or landscape enhancements along the boulevard. The 4' median image between the high school and middle school represents some sort of architectural fence element, possibly a short metal wire railing option or it could be a more decorative, larger and taller railing which would be presented later. McMillan noted that a line of trees exist from city hall to the middle roundabout on the west side. Slack stated the 10' landscape median included boulevard trees on both sides of the road, plant materials of varying sizes to enhance crossing areas, and a center median with an earthen form and overstory street trees. The 4' median has no boulevard trees and but includes screening in the roundabout to help block the driver's view so the driver focuses to the right rather than looking through the roundabout. Bonestroo also uses architectural elements such as wall treatments and landforms for screening in roundabouts. r� LJ Several images of median work were discussed. The first roundabout with a 10' wide median uses street trees to define the edge. Streetscapes utilize landscaping, ground level plantings and overstory trees as • additional methods to control traffic. Vertical elements such as tree trunks are used to break up views and psychologically slow drivers for traffic calming effects. A narrower median moving away from the roundabout was shown and although the existing trees were not included, there are several groupings of trees that will remain. Franchot asked Slack if Bonestroo uses landscape elements as part of the traffic management plan because it is considered a best practice or if Bonestroo has just found it to be effective. Slack confirmed it is a best practice. He noted they like to cluster plant materials to create visual gaps and makes it less noticeable when a tree dies. Slack stated the 10' wide median uses a combination of clusters of trees, ground level plants and an architectural railing element. They would use the best device to limit crossing in unacceptable areas, and in most cases that would be the railing. McMillan asked how visitors will identify where schools are once the landscape matures. Slack responded that one of the goals is to create traffic control with landscaping, and once the tree canopy grows, it calms and slows traffic. The clusters of trees and ground level plantings will be placed to maximize important views of the school buildings and/or main entrances. If the landscaped median is chosen as a final plan, they would revisit the landscape design. He added that signage would also be very important. Franchot noted he recently found it difficult to locate the superintendent's office as the area is not • currently well signed. Page 2 of 12