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Poway Road Corridor Study shifts into high gear

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An ambitious project to take an in-depth planning look at the future of Poway Road kicked into high gear with last week’s first meeting of a special advisory committee.

The City Council-appointed Ad Hoc Committee for the Poway Road Corridor Study met March 19 with city staff members and consultants hired to conduct the 18-month study. The 12-member committee was named Feb. 17 following an on-line application process. Members include residents, business owners, a real estate investor and urban planners.

Seven more ad hoc committee meetings are planned by June 2016, the project’s anticipated completion date, according to a published study time line. Also planned are two community workshops. The first is tentatively planned for May 20. Two public City Council workshops are included in the workplan.

Last September the council hired MIG, Inc. to prepare the study at a cost of $349,190. It will be funded through the city’s allocation of TransNet half-cent sales taxes. The consultant will evaluate all aspects of the city’s main “corridor” and will prepare recommendations involving land use, transportation and economic development.

A key component of the study will be existing land uses within the city’s so-called “Town Center” area west of the library. The idea of perhaps turning that area into a pedestrian-friendly, commercial/residential district was discussed several years ago but was tabled when the recession hit.

Bob Manis, the city’s development services director, said that MIG and several of its sub-contractors have spent several months reviewing existing data related to Poway Road, including traffic studies, economics and marketing. By mid-summer a recommended draft concept plan is due, along with an analysis of alternatives. In the fall the consultant will produce a corridor study report, will recommend amendments to the Poway Road Specific Plan, and provide a complete streets report and an economic implementation strategy, according to the time line. An environmental review is also included in the study.

The ad hoc committee will be regularly reviewing the study’s progress and offering guidance, Manis said.

Panel members include: Pete Babich, resident, retired engineer; Mary Baker, resident; Toni Bates, resident, retired transportation planner; Delores Canizales, Poway Chamber of Commerce; Karen Dunn, resident, Poway Road business owner; Sean Finley, resident, GEICO employee; Diane Foote, resident, urban planner; Jim Lyon, resident and retired city urban planner; Kevin McNamara, resident, Poway real estate investor; Cathy Peterson, resident, Poway Road business owner; David Rauterkus, resident, Poway Road business owner, and Adam Sullivan, resident and software engineer.

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