Title
Consider approving Resolution No. 2023-054 authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for the development of an Active Transportation Plan in the amount of $75,000; and take appropriate action.
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BACKGROUND:
Active transportation typically refers to a means of getting around that is human-powered, not vehicular. As a means to address some of the oversites regarding pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, the City adopted a Trail Master Plan in 2015. The City has used the adopted plan as a basis to design and construct pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements. Since the adoption of the plan, staff has found that locations for trails, 12' wide multiuse pathways, are very limited in Farmers Branch. New residential and commercial developments, especially on the west side of Farmers Branch, have been constructed or are nearing completion. These new developments are changing some of the demands and possible destinations for residents and visitors of Farmers Branch regarding walking and cycling around the City. Other challenges for pedestrians are safely crossing or feeling safe when crossing large arterial roads such as Midway Road, Marsh Lane, Josey Lane, and Valley View Lane. These types of connections are critical to good active transportation infrastructure. Therefore, the City would like to create an Active Transportation Plan as an update to the Trail Master Plan with an expanded scope focusing on pedestrian mobility.
As the Planning Department approaches the completion of the Comprehensive Plan for the city, the Active Transportation Plan needs to align with the Comprehensive Plan. Therefore, the Request for Proposals for an Active Transportation Plan has been delayed until the Comprehensive Plan was nearing completion. Staff would like to expand upon the public engagement efforts of the Comprehensive Plan by residents identifying safety concerns and desired connections ac...
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