Commission accepts Potter Drive concept report, urges protected bike facilities

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to accept a context-sensitive concept report for the Potter Drive corridor, a state Department of Transportation project to reconstruct about 0.77 miles between Archibald and Dowling roads. The acceptance was offered as an information item to prepare the commission for a future 35% design and public hearing.

Rory Van Norwick, the DOT project manager, said the team is in the conceptual phase and has identified a shared-use pathway as an alternative where right-of-way constraints preclude fully protected on-street lanes. "We are currently just in the conceptual phase," Van Norwick said, adding that the corridor is tight and that right-of-way and utility considerations are "like threading the needle." Commissioner Edith McKee moved to accept the context-sensitive solutions transportation project review for AMATS Potter Drive rehabilitation and urged the design team to consider protected cycle tracks and elevated pedestrian crossings. Jared Gardner seconded the motion; it passed without further amendment.

Commissioners pressed staff on nonmotorized safety, noting the concept report shows on-street bicycle lanes in some options but no fully separated, buffered bikeways. Van Norwick said detailed traffic analysis and corridor surveys will be used in the next stage to evaluate user risk profiles and to refine bicycle and pedestrian treatments. McKee emphasized keeping narrower vehicle lanes (11 feet) and 6-foot cycle facilities in typical sections as traffic calming and safety measures.

The acceptance does not authorize construction; it advances the project to the formal 35% design stage and a future public hearing where the commission will review finalized plans.