Complete and Active Streets Advisory Board Special Meeting - March 24, 2026

The Complete and Active Streets Education and Advisory Board (CASE) held a special meeting on March 24, 2026, at 3:15 PM via hybrid format. The board reviewed two referrals: the Madison/Hilliard Safety Study and the Shared Use Path Code Amendments. After discussion, the board approved short-term recommendations for the safety study and deferred both the long-term study recommendations and the code amendments to future meetings.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (February 24, 2026): Motion made and seconded; approved unanimously by voice vote.

Discussion Items

• Madison/Hilliard Safety Study Referral

  • John Albeck, engineer from iTerrace, presented priority recommendations for the intersection. Short‑term items (1‑9) include converting to protected‑only left turns, leading pedestrian intervals, accessible pedestrian signals, and converting Orchard Grove Avenue to right‑in/right‑out. Items 3, 4, and 5 (high‑visibility crosswalks, green pavement markings, and no‑right‑on‑red) are already installed. The short‑term worklist is estimated at under $20,000 and could be implemented within weeks.
  • Long‑term recommendations (10‑13) address geometric changes (curb bump‑outs, additional signal structures) and advanced detection systems; these have higher cost and maintenance implications.
  • Chris Gordon, Public Works Director, noted that curb bump‑outs require significant engineering and emergency‑service coordination and are therefore long‑term. He emphasized the city’s proactive approach in larger capital projects (e.g., Bunts Road, water‑main projects) where complete‑street elements are incorporated.
  • Board members discussed bike‑lane protection, leading pedestrian intervals for bikes, and compliance with the proposed right‑in/right‑out. Several members urged greater education and monitoring of compliance before installing physical barriers.
  • Motion: Forward the short‑term recommendations to administration/council, with an added recommendation to notify all residents on Orchard Grove of the new turn restriction. The motion passed (voice vote). Long‑term recommendations were deferred to a future meeting.

• Shared Use Path Code Amendments Referral

  • Dave Voss, city engineer, outlined proposed amendments to Chapter 373 (bicycle and motorcycle operation) and Section 903.10 (sidewalk maintenance). Key changes include:
    • Adding definitions for “bikeway” and “shared use path” (from Ohio Revised Code).
    • Removing the 12 mph speed limit for e‑scooters (a hazard in traffic) – a carry‑over from the now‑defunct scooter‑share program.
    • Raising the age for unsupervised bicycle riding on roadways from 8 to 10 (consistent with Safe Routes to School guidance).
    • Codifying that the city is responsible for maintaining municipally designated shared use paths, relieving adjacent property owners of that duty.
  • Board member Emily raised several concerns:
    • The term “mobility device” (used in existing code for e‑bikes/e‑scooters) conflicts with adaptive mobility devices used by people with disabilities; signage should clarify access for persons with disabilities.
    • The proposed prohibition on adults (18+) using e‑bikes/e‑scooters on shared use paths is too restrictive; regulation should focus on safe operation and speed, not device type or user age.
  • Chris Gordon noted that enforcement of speed limits on shared paths is difficult, and the “reckless operation” standard already exists in code.
  • The board agreed that the definition of “mobility device” should be re‑examined and that the entire section of code should be provided in redline format for a holistic review.
  • Motion: Defer the shared use path code amendments to the next meeting for further discussion. The motion passed (voice vote).

Key Outcomes

• Motion approved: Forward short‑term recommendations for the Madison/Hilliard intersection to administration/council, including the notification of residents on Orchard Grove. (Voice vote; all in favor.)
• Deferred items: Long‑term recommendations from the safety study and all proposed Shared Use Path Code Amendments will be reconsidered at a future meeting (likely early June 2026).
• The board also deferred discussion of board rules and regulations to a later meeting.
• The next regular meeting will be on a quarterly cycle; a Doodle poll will be circulated for the next meeting date.