New path redundant?

My blogging assistant (code for son) and I spent some time looking at maps of the existing Columbia paths between the lake front area and the Patuxent Branch trail that takes off from Lake Elkhorn.  In comparing the existing paths with the proposed new path, I was reminded just how redundant this new pathway is. 

Have a look at the picture below.  Existing pathways are depicted in green.  The Connecting Columbia initiative proposes the new 2.6 mile extension, shown below in red.  And, the purple shows the much more conservative (and less invasive) approach of connecting existing paths where possible. 

 Am I the only one who notices that nearly half of the proposed path runs directly parallel to an existing pathway along Brokenland Parkway?  Why can't the existing pathway be widened, allowing plenty of room for walkers and cyclists and providing users with direct access to Owen Brown Village Center, the East Columbia Branch Library, and a number of public transit stops? 

Further, I believe installing a path along the purple section between Lake Elkhorn and Cradlerock Drive South is a lower priority part of CA's plan, as is addressing pedestrian and cyclist safety around the intersection of Stephen's Forest Road and Brokenland Parkway heading north to the mall.  The purple approach above meets a number of CA's and Howard County's goals that a path through the back of Allview Estates could never meet.

Some photos of the proposed site

They say a picture's worth a thousand words.  Here are some photos of the proposed site for the new trail.  These photos document the state of the river during/following heavy rain.  These types of conditions are not isolated to hurricane and tropical storm season- they happen many times a year and can be a result of prolonged heavy rain.

 Imagine the maintenance that would be required on a surface that receives this type of abuse.

 And, imagine the mud and debris that would be left on the path afterwards.

Now imagine the 10 year maintenance costs.  Does this seem like a good site for a path to you?

An alternative to the proposed trail

 ALTERNATIVE

PATUXENT TRAIL EXTENSION

AN ALTERNATIVE TO BUILDING A PATH ON THE EXISTING SEWER LINE BEHIND THE HOMES OF ALLVIEW ESTATES

MATTHEW HOFFMAN

AACA PRESIDENT

(ALLVIEW AREA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION)

WHY THIS ALTERNATIVE?

1.  It would be cheaper and easier to build.
2.  It would be more visible for Columbia.
3.  It would be less likely to traffic crime.
4.  It would not infringe upon the privacy of Allview Estates residents.

 Click on photos below to enlarge.
 

...And Columbia will have a less costly, more visible, direct path that runs adjacent to the lakes, the libraries, and this would already have existing trails leading directly to Columbia villages.

Testimony to the Zoning Board 2/7/13

The following is the testimony that I provided to the Howard County Zoning Board on 2/7/13 during a public meeting.  Our neighborhood was made aware of the meeting via a single sign measuring 8 1/2 x 11 ".  I do not know the exact day the sign was posted, but I believe it was posted no more than a week before the public meeting giving us precious little time to prepare.

Good evening.  My name is Emily Steplowski of 9914 Ferndale Avenue, Columbia, MD 21046.  As a 5 year resident of Allview Estates, I am here to speak in opposition of the proposed Patuxent Branch Trail expansion.

I oppose the trail expansion for four reasons.  The first reason is because it is UNWELCOME.  The residents of Allview have already endured more than three years of nonstop of construction.  The proposal of a new project in a formerly isolated, residential area that has been under constant construction for at least the past 3 years is offensive.  For the recent past, the residents of Allview have dealt with a constant barrage of construction vehicles, construction noise including the use of explosives, and an overwhelming and appalling amount of construction trash that was all related to the new sewer line installation.  I and other residents have removed countless trash bags of construction trash from this area including things like 5 gallon buckets, empty orange spray paint cans and lids, the remnants from sedimentation fencing, and fresh food trash that appeared daily during height the construction.

The second reason I oppose the new footpath is because it is environmentally UNFRIENDLY.  This new construction project will have drastic environmental effects which must be weighed against the potential benefit.  The construction related to the sewer line has already greatly negatively affected the area.  The grade of the land has been drastically altered from what it was when the river was healthy.  There is standing water and flooding year round in places that never used to flood.  The erosion along the river has greatly increased due to the construction, and of course the area of trees and other vegetation that was removed is as wide as a major road.  This precious area was formerly home to much wildlife, which is only now slowly returning to the area.  And, though things are beginning to normalize, the construction along the river has permanently and drastically affected the habitat of this wildlife.  I urge you to consider how yet another construction project will do the same.  And, for what benefit?

Which brings me to the third reason I oppose the new footpath:  it is UNNECESSARY: Columbia does not need any additional footpaths.  The CA maintains over 90 miles of pathways.  In a city that is only 27.7 square miles, that’s 3.25 miles of paths per square mile.  This project is redundant.  Much of the proposed path would travel directly parallel to an already existing walkway along Brokenland Parkway that connects the Stephen’s Forest Road area to Lake Elkhorn and eventually Savage Park.  The money slated for this project would be better spent revitalizing the footbridge over 29 that is already in existence that connects the downtown area to the OM village, which connects to the trail system to Savage.

The final reason that I oppose the trail extension is because the choice of location is UNWISE.  It's apparent that the folks who pitched the idea of installing a footpath through our neighborhood don't spend anytime long that section of the river.  The flooding there is amazing.  It's frequent and widespread and occurs not only as a result of hurricanes and tropical storms, but as a result of simple heavy rain.  This proposed path would be underwater many, many times a season.  It would be a maintenance nightmare.  The temporary bridge that was erected during sewer line construction just downstream of the Allview staging area was washed out numerous times during the duration of that construction alone.

So, in summary, as a resident of Allview Estates, I strongly oppose the trail expansion project because it is unwelcome, environmentally unfriendly, unnecessary and unwise. Thank you.

Timeline of events related to the Patuxent Branch Trail Expansion

October 2011: The contract for the Columbia Active Transportation Action Agenda project was awarded to Toole Design Group, a nationally-recognized planning and engineering firm specializing in bicycle and pedestrian planning and design. A 16-member citizens’ task force was formed to provide guidance to CA and consultants as they worked to create an active transportation action agenda.

January 2012:  The "Connecting Columbia" initiative was officially born.  An Open House was held by the Columbia Association and was open to the public.

February-March 2012:  The late winter and spring of 2012 was devoted to fieldwork and the development of recommendations.

May 2012:  A second public meeting was held to help draft recommendations and the agenda.

July 2012:  In July 2012, the Connecting Columbia Action Agenda was finalized.  More about the project can be found here.  From their website:

The goal of the Action Agenda is to create a more interconnected bicycling and walking circulation system in Columbia for health, recreational, and transportation purposes. 

Their objectives are:

• Increase the amount of bicycling and walking throughout Columbia among people of all ages and abilities
• Improve the safety of the pathway system
• Increase connectivity to key destinations
• Make Columbia's pathway network is easy to navigate
• Coordinate this project with the County's Bicycle Master Plan.

Their desired outcome is for this project include an implementable action agenda that establishes priorities for Columbia bicycling and pedestrian network improvements; identifies implementation projects, including a pathway signage/wayfinding pilot project; creates a series of route maps; recommends partnerships; and identifies responsible parties for the implementation projects.

The project has indeed identified improvement recommendations that they feel will help achieve the goal of increasing the amount of biking and walking in Columbia.  Their improvement recommendations identify the Patuxent Branch Trail Expansion project as #1 priority among the 39 proposed off-road pathway connections.  

February 2013:  A small 8 1/2 x 11" sign was posted on a gate at the end of Allview Drive announcing a Planning Board meeting on 2/7/13 at 7pm.  Despite the short notice, about 20 Allview Estates residents attended the meeting, and several residents expressed extreme opposition to the project.

February 8, 2013:  Laura Boone of Howard County stated that T7107 did pass and it is rated moderate for a feasibility study.  She said many moderate projects get done, and reported the following timetable:  the planning board has to have their recommendations to the County Executive by March 1. County Executive has to have his budget recommendations to the County Council by April 1.  

March 11, 2013:  Executive Ulman's Citizen's Budget hearing was held.  Several people spoke both in favor and in opposition of the project.  The Executive's inclusion of the project in his budget is still pending.

March 26, 2013:   Councilwoman Jen Terrasa held a community meeting for Allview residents to learn more about the project.  In attendance were representatives from Columbia Association, Public Works, and Planning and Zoning and between 60-70 Allview residents.  You can learn more about what was discussed at that meeting here.

April 15, 2013:  If the Executive includes this project in his budget, citizens will again be able to express opinions on the matter at the County Council meeting.