Untitled Document

From: Jim Channell [mailto:jetc@nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu]
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2001 6:53 PM

Dear Gerry Dedenbach and MTPO staff, I have a few comments concerning Plan East Gainesville. (1) The MTPO should, I believe, focus on development of the western end of Hawthorne Road. How can the connection between Williston Road, Waldo Road and Hawthorne Road be enhanced, while improving opportunities for businesses along the western end of Hawthorne Road? Diversion of traffic from Hawthorne Rd (from Sheriff's station to SE 16 Ave stub), the so-called SE Connector, will do little for the prosperity of west Hawthorne Road business district. (2) Williston Road, Waldo Road and Hawthorne Road are among the least utilized four-lane roads in Gainesville. These roads at "rush hour" times are never close to capacity. Do we need another major road (the SE Connector) to disrupt the tranquility of SE Gainesville? (3) The SE Connector will reduce connectivity within the neighborhoods of SE Gainesville. One of the stated missions of Plan East Gainesville is to enhance connectivity, and avoid social and infrastructure problems resulting from the style of development in west Gainesville. The "limited access parkway" concept for the SE connector will degrade the quality if life in SE Gainesville by dividing neighborhoods and providing a proximal source of air and noise pollution. As Commissioner Long has eloquently expressed, Plan East Gainesville is a development program for east Gainesville, it is not a transportation program for the perceived convenience of travelers from Putnam County to south Gainesville. The transportation issues can be solved while preserving the attributes of SE Gainesville.

MTPO, and other staff, are responding to these comments. Response will be posted soon.

From: P.B. Hoffhein [mailto:pbhoffhein@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2001 8:40 PM
To: gerry dedenbach
Subject: PP4P

Gerry, I would like to submit an innovative idea for public space that will support the efforts and interests of Plan East Gainesville. My idea is called Pocket Parks for People. Pocket Parks would be a network of small, open-air spaces where residents of East Gainesville neighborhoods would have an opportunity to engage in activities such as produce markets, a flea markets, arts and crafts fairs, car washes, live music performances, and other community activities. These parks might also offer a place for promoting public information and services. These mini-parks would obviously be under the governance of the Department of Parks and Recreation, but they can be planned for as part of the transportation issues for East Gainesville. The locations of these Pocket Parks should be planned to maximize accessibility in relationship to the availability of public transportation, bike paths, and sidewalks.

Regards, PB Hoffhein

RESPONSE

Paul, This is an excellent idea and will be on the next agenda. The meeting is currently scheduled for May 2, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Room 17. Hope to see you there. Gerry

From: P.B. Hoffhein
Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2001 9:28 AM
To: gerry dedenbach
Subject: Two questions

1) How will the meeting of the Subcommittee be formatted on the 21st?

2) Referring to Public Involvement Plan prepared by NCFRPC, revised November 1, 2000: page 9, IV ADOPTED MTPO POLICIES, RULES AND RESOLUTIONS bottom of page BYLAWS OF THE MTPO CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE last sentence," It shall be the function of the CAC to: (next page) 2. Conduct public information programs." Has this ever occurred? What is the capacity of the CAC to preform this function? Is there a budget? ect. ect...?

RESPONSE:

>> 1) How will the meeting of the Subcommittee be formatted on the 21st? I presume that it will be very similar to the last meeting. The meeting in April will be the first big 'workshop' setting.

>> 2)...It shall be the function of the CAC to: (next page) 2. Conduct public information programs." Has this ever occurred? YES

What is the capacity of the CAC to preform this function? I'm not sure how to answer regarding 'capacity?' The CAC routinely conducts public information meetings outside the usual monthly meeting at our office. For example, during the Long Range Plan, the CAC held meetings at Eastside High School, Oak Hall High School, and joint meetings with the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Board and Technical Advisory Committee at GRU. These meetings were conducted in conjunction with a publicly advertised workshop in several different parts of the community to solicit input and raise awareness of the functions of the MTPO and its Advisory Committees.

Is there a budget? There really isn't a need for a budget, per se. The advertisements, photocopying, mounted maps, etc. which are several thousand dollars are paid for by the MTPO's general budget.