Thank you Ms. Sullivan!
Here's a link to an interesting article on the going's on in Mont Belvieu:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/pasadena/news/6492010.html
The text follows:
Mont Belvieu residents can expect to see construction along Eagle Drive well into 2011. During this time, Eagle Drive, the road that hosts all of the city buildings, public schools, Eagle Point Golf Club and a wave pool, will be transformed into a safe and scenic red carpet for Mont Belvieu visitors and residents.
The $36.25 million project includes a complete restructuring and landscaping along the roadway, a third city water tower and well and the highly-anticipated Mont Belvieu City Park.
“This area will be an asset to the city,” city planner Bill Cobabe said. “It’s an exciting time to be in Mont Belvieu.”
The complete transformation of the roadway is composed of several separate projects, each addressing the same end-goal: to prepare and position Eagle Drive as the hub of the city.
Road improvements will utilize $11 million in bond funds, which were approved by voters in October 2007. The project will address two points: beautification and driver safety. Two lanes will be added on either side of the road, and between will sit a 36-foot wide, two-and-a-half mile long landscaped median.
“It is going to take some time for folks to get used to the new road,” Cobabe said. “But once the road is in place and functioning well, there should be little or no problems.”
The placement of the city park will make the roadway a focal point, and with landscaped medians the road is set to improve Mont Belvieu’s overall aesthetic appeal.
City officials anticipate traffic volume on Eagle Drive to double once the $10 million Mont Belvieu City Park is completed. The park was first discussed by City Council members in 2003 and was approved in 2007. What today is about 70 acres of dirt will be transformed into a recreational space. Nine ball fields, walking trails and an amphitheater are among the park’s highlights slated for completion in August 2010.
Officials think these projects will add to the housing boom seen on Mont Belvieu’s south side.
As a result, various water and drainage improvement efforts have begun around the area.
Taking the lead on these efforts will be a third city water tower, to be located off Eagle Drive behind Barbers Hill High School. Contractors have already begun digging a well nearby.
The tower will hold 750,000 gallons of water, which will improve water pressure for residents and students, as well as ensure that first-responders have adequate water to service the area.
Also of interest - here's the sidebar:
Eagle Drive construction
The city of Mont Belvieu is in the process of a $36.25 million construction plan to restructure and landscape the entrance way into the community on Eagle Drive. Three projects make up the construction plan.
Mont Belvieu City Park
Description: 70-acres; nine ball parks, amphitheater, public parking, walking trails
Cost: 10 million
Completion date: Aug. 2010
Water pressure, supply and drainage improvement
Description: 750,000-gallon water tower and well behind Barber’s Hill High School, flood water detention ponds around city park, drainage ditches
Cost: $15.25 million
Completion date: Late 2010
Roadway and median
Description: Double lanes added, 36-foot wide landscaped median down more than two miles on east end of Eagle Drive
Cost: $11 million
Completion date: 2011
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Eagle Drive
About a year and a half ago, the citizens of Mont Belvieu voted for a bond measure which would redo Eagle Drive. Not just resurface, but completely reconstruct. Right now it's in pretty sore shape. The traffic volume at peak times is significant. So it's time. It's also a good time because the traffic on the road is expected to double in the next several years. No one can say we're not progressive around here! We're forward thinkers.
Part of the discussion surrounding Eagle Drive centers on the typical section of the road. Right now, there is a center turn lane (referred to alternatively as a two-way left turn lane, or more colloquially as a suicide lane). These kinds of roads are OK for rural roads that experience low traffic.
The City Council directed the designing traffic engineer to look at a boulevard section with a large median. This median will be thirty-six feet wide in most locations. It will be attractively landscaped. It will be raised to divide the direction of traffic into separate lanes. This will also accommodate future growth - two lanes of traffic may ultimately be added decades from now if/when the need demands.
Studies have shown that traffic is able to move smoother and with fewer accidents with a landscaped center median. It is going to take some time for folks to get used to the new road, but once the road is in place and functioning well there should be little or no problems.
Anecdotal evidence from nearby communities is no basis for a reasoned objection. There have been poorly designed roadways in the area. This will not be one of those. We have sufficient right of way to design a good road, median, and even a good sized sidewalk on both sides of the road. Surely we can learn from good and bad examples of roadways in the area...
I am interested in what you think... Stay tuned for announcement of public meetings or feel free to drop me a line or email.
Here's a link to an interesting article about this exact phenomenon:
http://www.urbanstreet.info/2nd_sym_proceedings/Volume%202/Self.pdf
Part of the discussion surrounding Eagle Drive centers on the typical section of the road. Right now, there is a center turn lane (referred to alternatively as a two-way left turn lane, or more colloquially as a suicide lane). These kinds of roads are OK for rural roads that experience low traffic.
The City Council directed the designing traffic engineer to look at a boulevard section with a large median. This median will be thirty-six feet wide in most locations. It will be attractively landscaped. It will be raised to divide the direction of traffic into separate lanes. This will also accommodate future growth - two lanes of traffic may ultimately be added decades from now if/when the need demands.
Studies have shown that traffic is able to move smoother and with fewer accidents with a landscaped center median. It is going to take some time for folks to get used to the new road, but once the road is in place and functioning well there should be little or no problems.
Anecdotal evidence from nearby communities is no basis for a reasoned objection. There have been poorly designed roadways in the area. This will not be one of those. We have sufficient right of way to design a good road, median, and even a good sized sidewalk on both sides of the road. Surely we can learn from good and bad examples of roadways in the area...
I am interested in what you think... Stay tuned for announcement of public meetings or feel free to drop me a line or email.
Here's a link to an interesting article about this exact phenomenon:
http://www.urbanstreet.info/2nd_sym_proceedings/Volume%202/Self.pdf
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The purpose of regulation
Contrary to popular belief, the purpose of regulation is NOT to slow down development. Quite the contrary. The purpose of regulation is to provide an appropriate framework in which quality development can occur. When this framework is undermined, when questions are brought to bear on whether or not the regulation is appropriate or helpful, when there are concerns about fees or methods or other attempts at circumvention of the process the process takes longer.
What's the point of regulating ordinances if they're not going to be enforced? How is a fee fair or just if it's negotiable? It just doesn't make any sense.
We live in a world of laws. They govern many of our actions. Some view them as restrictive or confining, but they enable many of the positive aspects of our society, including roads, running water, sanitary sewer, storm water drainage, etc. If the laws were applied in an arbitrary manner we would be opening ourselves up for all kinds of inappropriate activity, with potential long-reaching effect.
Laws are not static things. They are subject to constant review, revision, and update. As the values of the community adapt the laws must also adapt. Further, as new information becomes available, as better practices and theories come to light, these should be incorporated into existing standards. In this way, our city evolves in meaningful and appropriate ways. Laws of necessity are difficult to change, requiring public input periods and action taken over a period of time by elected representatives and officials. City staff does our best to provide professional opinions that are trustworthy and legally acceptable. But those are just for advice and informative purposes only: ultimately, the decisions must be made by the City Council.
What's the point of regulating ordinances if they're not going to be enforced? How is a fee fair or just if it's negotiable? It just doesn't make any sense.
We live in a world of laws. They govern many of our actions. Some view them as restrictive or confining, but they enable many of the positive aspects of our society, including roads, running water, sanitary sewer, storm water drainage, etc. If the laws were applied in an arbitrary manner we would be opening ourselves up for all kinds of inappropriate activity, with potential long-reaching effect.
Laws are not static things. They are subject to constant review, revision, and update. As the values of the community adapt the laws must also adapt. Further, as new information becomes available, as better practices and theories come to light, these should be incorporated into existing standards. In this way, our city evolves in meaningful and appropriate ways. Laws of necessity are difficult to change, requiring public input periods and action taken over a period of time by elected representatives and officials. City staff does our best to provide professional opinions that are trustworthy and legally acceptable. But those are just for advice and informative purposes only: ultimately, the decisions must be made by the City Council.
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