Title
Consideration of Citizen Petition Regarding Light Rail Appropriations or Expenditures
Description
This report provides the City Council with information in response to a citizen petition submitted by Ms. Peggy Neely at the March 6, 2019, Formal City Council meeting. Ms. Neely submitted a petition requesting that City Council "enact within 15 days, a resolution, ordinance or measure that terminates or indefinitely suspends any development or construction of, or the expenditure of public funds (originating from any source) in connection with, any light rail transit route along Camelback Road at any point between 19th Avenue and 43rd Avenue." (Attachment A).
Report
Summary
The Regional Transportation Plan identifies the West Phoenix/Central Glendale corridor as a high capacity transit route with a planned opening in 2026. This light rail corridor was part of the regional high capacity transit system approved by Maricopa County voters and adopted in 2004. The proposed project to extend light rail from 19th Avenue and Camelback Road to Downtown Glendale was also approved by voters in the City of Glendale in 2001, and the Phoenix portion was included in Phoenix Proposition 104 approved by Phoenix voters in 2015 (Attachment B).
- Public meetings to introduce the study occurred on May 6 and 16, 2013.
- Initial alternative corridors were identified, and presented to the public at meetings on Oct. 28 and 29, 2013.
- Analysis of corridors was completed, and a smaller set of corridors were identified to advance for further study. These results were presented to the public at meetings on May 22 and 28, 2014.
- Further detailed analysis of the smaller set of corridors was conducted and presented at public meetings on June 3 and 4, 2015.
- A recommendation for a preferred alignment on Camelback Road for light rail was identified, and this information was shared with the public for input at meetings on Jan. 19 and 20, 2016.
Status
On Dec. 12, 2017, the City of Glendale City Council formally withdrew its support and participation in the West Phoenix/Central Glendale High Capacity Transit Project. As a result, the remainder of this light rail extension falls entirely within the City of Phoenix and, as currently planned, would end at 43rd Avenue and Camelback Road. The City has not conducted any community outreach specifically to gather input on transit needs in this corridor following Glendale's withdrawal from the light rail extension project.
In October 2018, the Phoenix City Council considered options to delay the proposed West Phoenix Light Rail Extension and the Northeast Light Rail Extension so that first year expenditures on the projects would be delayed until year 2050. The Council approved a motion that included delay of the Northeast Extension so that the project's first year expenditures are delayed until year 2050. The West Phoenix Extension was not included in the motion and therefore not affected.
As with any of the improvements outlined on the ballot map for Proposition 104, it is important to give careful consideration to making significant changes to the voter-approved T2050 plan. Staff recommends conducting a robust community discussion to gather additional public input and further evaluate the transit needs of this corridor to address the long-term transportation plans for this area.
Location
Camelback Road between 19th and 43rd Avenues.
Council Districts: 4 and 5
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.