7/22/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WOK 10 ?AE IJ7 caliper trees, not large oak trees, and perhaps utilize the services of landscape architects for design work. Commissioner Macht asked if he meant by "smaller caliper" at planting or maturity, and Director Davis advised he was referring to maturity. Commissioner Tippin did not question Director Davis' estimates for the extra median costs at CRS 12. He wondered, however, about exceptions to the 24 foot clear zone commenting that he had observed massive trees in medians on roadways done by the State, such as Virginia Avenue (Highway 70) and in Martin Downs. Director Davis clarified that the alternate to providing the clear zone in the median is to curb the median, like they have done at SR -70 and like SR -60 is east of 66d' Avenue. Phase 2 was initially designed to expand to the inside of the roadway, not to the outside. The drainage infrastructure was built to the outside and is ready for the 6 -lanes (Phase 3). They planned to widen to the inside which would result in less disruption to traffic. Basically, by widening to the inside, they would incorporate curbing perhaps 20 years from now when the 6 lanes are done. But to introduce curbing now, to get around the 24 -foot clear zone requirement, they would have to rip out the curbing later (when going to the 6 lanes), move it inside and try to protect whatever type of tree was in the median. Chairman Eggert asked about the location of the utility lines, and Director Davis advised that the 20 inch water line is now on the north edge of pavement. If the existing 24ane road is left as the east -bound lanes, the water main could be left in place (in the median). Director Davis agreed with Commissioner Ginn that roots of large trees would be a problem for the water main; roots cause infiltration into sewer lines and complications with water lines. Commissioner Tippin pointed out that roots of large tropical trees (e.g. ficus) were much more of a problem than those of oak trees. Commissioner Adams understood that Director Davis was suggesting using soft landscaping in the median to alleviate the problem. Director Davis indicated that large trees could be used on the outside of the roadway. Commissioner Ginn thought that could be very attractive and thought the idea was to beautify the corridor and be practical, which could be done by working with professionals. Discussion was held about the State's guidelines and the risk of not following them. Chairman Eggert thought she was hearing agreement to stay with the soft median and put the large trees to the side of the roadway. Commissioner Ginn felt it was important, at this juncture, to also do something to insure that the corridor is beautified. She was in favor of spending more money to do it because she knew it would pay off in the long run. 34 JULY 22,1997