Consultant presents Clifton Master Streetscape Plan; residents raise parking, lighting and fence concerns

A public hearing before the Clifton Town Council on March 6 centered on the town's Master Streetscape Plan, a package of improvements intended to enhance Main Street's pedestrian safety, parking, traffic calming and preservation of historic character.

Susan Yantis introduced Zach Lette of Land Plan Design Associates, who summarized the plan's goals — including public parking considerations, stronger pedestrian connectivity, traffic calming measures, functional pavement design, consolidation of traffic signs, improvements to intersections and sidewalks, right-of-way determination and utility organization. Yantis said the comprehensive plan was originally adopted in 2009 and that the consultant's presentation also covered grant applications, environmental and historic resource considerations, and next steps.

Residents and council members raised specific items during public questions. Treasurer Marilyn Barton asked whether the plan had considered the difficulty of pulling out onto Main Street from Chapel Road; Lette said one strategy is to narrow travel lanes to slow traffic. Virginia Buersmeyer asked whether a directional sign could be placed at Chapel and Main to direct traffic "off of the main project toward the 'Town Hall and more shops,'" and Yantis said signs in Ayre Square could identify commercial businesses and direct visitors.

Business owner Judy McNamara objected to a proposed planter in front of the Clifton General Store and asked that it not be so tall as to block her storefront; Yantis said the request was noted. Chuck Rusnak asked about ornamental lighting after noting he saw one location in front of the Clifton Café; Lette said ornamental lights were proposed for intersections and islands within the essential business district but not south of Chapel Road where the area becomes residential. Wayne Nickum asked whether moving residential fences would affect all of Main Street; Lette said VDOT had surveyed the route and found about "a half-dozen" property owners whose fences are in the right-of-way and would need adjustment but that the changes should not be drastic.

After the question period, Council member Wayne Nickum moved to close the public hearing; the motion was seconded and approved. Those present gave Yantis and Lette a round of applause for their work. The council will consider next steps in subsequent meetings and the Streetscape team may be consulted on smaller projects such as Ayre Square improvements.