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Transportation is focus of plan meeting

Sierra Countis
Sierra Sun
Jason Kelley/Sierra SunConstruction moves along on the new roundabout going in near on Brockway Road.
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How residents of Truckee will move about town in the future was the focus of yet another 2025 General Plan element.

The Truckee planning commission listened to public comment at Monday’s meeting, with circulation and traffic concerns the main topic of discussion for the night.

As a business owner and bicyclist, Truckee resident Ed Coleman voiced his concerns about the bikeways in town.



“There’s a disconnect with the scope of the plan and what it’s like to ride your bike in town,” Coleman said.

The maintenance of bike lanes, construction signs blocking bikepaths and bike safety were other issues that were raised. Nonetheless, Leigh Fitzpatrick, Truckee Trails Foundation executive director, said he wanted to acknowledge the progress the town has made in its efforts to provide more bikepaths as a means of alternative transportation.



Nikki Riley, planning commission member, said the reduction of auto-dependency for the town’s future is important.

“I think we need to respect that vision (in the General Plan),” Riley said.

Updating the General Plan has been a four-year process that is nearing completion as the planning commission readies the draft document to present to the town council. The plan could be certified as early as November, said Duane Hall, town planner.

The planning commission designated two public hearings this week in order to hear the public’s comments about the elements highlighted in the General Plan. Noise, economic development, safety, and circulation were the elements discussed on Monday.

Suggestions were made to aid in the provision of alternative transportation. Jan Collier of the Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association asked “Has the town thought about a park ‘n’ ride from the (Truckee River Regional) park to enhance transportation?”

The growth of the town includes the expansion of public transportation, particularly as more affordable housing developments are built.

“We need to see that residential housing is connected to public transportation,” said Breeze Cross from the Workforce Housing Association of Truckee Tahoe.

– Some people questioned the town’s use of roundabouts at intersections. Bob Johnston, planning commission vice chair, said the town’s roundabout decision needed more clarification and will be discussed during deliberation next week.

– Specific circulation plans such as the proposed undercrossing at the railyard and East River Street and the Deerfield Drive extension were met with mixed opinions. Truckee resident Jim Porter said downtown “merchants are deathly concerned” about the impact the proposed undercrossing would have to Commercial Row accessibility.

– Speaking to the economic development element, Pat Davison, executive director of the Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe, said the plan needed to define the term “quality job” and asked, “What is a living wage job?” in reference to the fulfillment of the town’s future goals.


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