Commission asks staff to simplify technical language in draft transportation element

Summary

During review of the draft transportation element (part 2), commissioners said a technical paragraph on Transportation Analysis Zones was too dense for the public; staff agreed to shorten and simplify the language and point readers to referenced figures. Commissioners also asked map-specific questions such as the location of a westbound I-90 off-ramp near Ridgeline High School.

The Liberty Lake Planning Commission resumed review of the draft transportation element (part 2) on Jan. 14 and asked staff to simplify technical language and clarify maps for public readers.

Staff indicated the section includes a technical paragraph explaining Transportation Analysis Zones and how SRTC mapping was adjusted to fit city boundaries. Commissioners said that paragraph was too technical for the average reader and requested that staff shorten it into layman's terms and point users to the two referenced figures. "I think I can greatly simplify it and still point to the two figures that it's referencing," staff said and affirmed they would make edits.

Commissioners also queried map details, asking specifically where the westbound I‑90 off-ramp at Country Vista Drive appears on the maps; staff and commissioners discussed that the flyover near Ridgeline High School corresponds to the westbound off-ramp on the map and clarified direction labels. The commission discussed multimodal level-of-service mapping, short-term improvements, and how planned parks are included in future projections.

No formal action was taken on the transportation element at the meeting; staff said they would make language edits and ensure corrections requested by commissioners are reflected in the draft.