Plymouth OKs funding to write up a traffic improvement program

Tuesday, 14 September 2010 06:57

Plymouth OKs funding to write up a traffic improvement program

Amador County – Plymouth City Council last week heard about its Circulation Improvement Program and approved a final $5,000 to finish writing up a program plan. Amador County Transportation Commission planner and program manager Neil Peacock gave a progress report on ACTC’s work with city staff to develop the Circulation Improvement Program, based on the city General Plan and Environmental Impact Report. He said ACTC has spent $40,000 in matching funds and another $90,000 in funding from the California Department of Transportation to make the program study. Peacock said the project has two goals. One is to “plan for improvements that can adequately accommodate the transportation demands of new development anticipated in the Plymouth area in a way that reflects its rural character.” The second goal is “to accurately estimate the likely cost of these improvements and to identify reasonably foreseeable funding sources which can ensure that they are constructed.” The program looked at a 20-year build-out in the general plan of 1,734 residential units; and a final general plan build-out of 3,405 residential units. The program recommended three intersections to have either roundabouts or signal lights. Peacock said they had $5,000 left of the funding, with which the city could either fund further revisions, or fund relevant city implementation documents, which the city will need to draft and adopt. He said city consultant Richard Prima told him creating the documents would take less than $5,000. Councilman Jon Colburn called the study “flawed because the general plan is flawed.” He said “nobody in this room” believes the city will have a build-out to 3,400 homes by 2025. He said there are 415 homes in Plymouth now. Peacock said they are “intended to be living programs that you can change as you go.” Colburn said the program “should have a more realistic idea of what the population will be in 2025. He said if they have half the development, they would have half the money to pay for the road improvements in the new plan. Vice Mayor Greg Baldwin said development in Amador County “is not going to slow down.” He said “it is easier to get money form Caltrans if you have a plan,” and “that’s why they gave (the city) a grant.” City Manager Dixon Flynn said they can amend the general plan four times a year. The other council members, Mayor Pat Fordyce, Councilman Mike Omeara and Baldwin voted to approve spending the $5,000 toward writing up the plan. Colburn voted against it. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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