Multimodal Transportation Commission – February 28, 2024

Multimodal Transportation Commission Meeting Recap – February 28, 2024

The Multimodal Transportation Commission held a virtual meeting on February 28, 2024, focusing on ongoing transportation initiatives and future planning within Asheville. The meeting included discussions regarding community engagement, data collection, proposed speed limit changes, and transit priorities.

Key Decisions & Approvals:

The Commission approved the agenda for the meeting and also approved the minutes from their previous meeting on January 19, 2024. Priya Ray and Tyler Roach were appointed to the Active Transportation Committee.

Discussion Highlights:

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing various transportation-related topics. The Active Transportation Committee is seeking replacements for Priya Ray and Tyler Roach, and the Commission discussed a request to delay data collection on Merriman Avenue. Staff confirmed that preliminary results are positive, but further data collection is planned for the fall. The Neighborhood Advisory Committee provided an update on the upcoming "Festival of Neighborhoods" scheduled for September 14th. Commissioners reviewed proposed speed limit adjustments, including reducing Woodfin Street to 20 mph, Battery Park Alley to 10 mph, and a section of Haywood/Ormond Avenue to 25 mph. The Transit Committee is exploring ways to elevate transit priorities in city council decision-making, particularly regarding equitable and affordable communities. Jessica Carnes (City Staff) highlighted the complexities of transit planning, noting that extending routes requires careful consideration and resource allocation. Jared Wheatley (Planning & Zoning Liaison) underscored the importance of aligning transportation planning with land use policies.

Community Input:

The meeting began with public comments from two individuals. Kai Moscow, an UNCA student, advocated for a "superblock" in downtown Asheville to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists. Susan Bean from Mountain Troop/Asheville Regional Transit Coalition urged the City and Buncombe County to collaborate on increasing bus frequency along Hendersonville Road (South Asheville).

Follow-Ups:

The Commission will explore ways to respond to the public comments received, particularly regarding the superblock concept. The Transit Committee will continue exploring how to elevate transit priorities in council decision-making. City staff will explore options for sharing raw transit data with the Active Transportation Committee, while acknowledging limitations and potential workload. NCDOT will be working with the three bidders for the I-26 project to see if they can come to a better bid.

This meeting demonstrated the Commission’s commitment to addressing transportation challenges and opportunities within Asheville, with a focus on community input and strategic planning for the future.