PIN 5470.22 – DDR/DEIS/Draft 4(F) Evaluation – Volume 12
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TRANSPORTATION PROJECT REPORT DRAFT DESIGN REPORT / DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT / DRAFT 4(f) EVALUATION VOLUME 12 Appendix G - H: G – Public Involvement Plan and Summary H – Public Comments and Responses November 2016 PIN 5470.22 NYS Route 198 (Scajaquada Expressway) Corridor Grant Street Interchange to Parkside Avenue Intersection City of Buffalo Erie County TRANSPORTATION PROJECT REPORT DRAFT DESIGN REPORT / DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT / DRAFT 4(f) EVALUATION APPENDIX G Public Involvement Plan and Summary November 2016 PIN 5470.22 NYS Route 198 (Scajaquada Expressway Corridor) Grant Street Interchange to Parkside Avenue Intersection City of Buffalo Erie County September 2016 NYS Route 198 (Scajaquada Expressway) Corridor PIN 5470.22 Public Involvement Plan and Summary TABLE OF CONTENTS G1 Public Meetings and Hearings 1 G2 Project Stakeholder Group 1 G3 Project Mailing List 1 G4 Newsletters and Press Releases 3 G5 Project Website 3 G6 Public Involvement Activities Log 3 September 2016 NYS Route 198 (Scajaquada Expressway) Corridor PIN 5470.22 Public Involvement Plan and Summary PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN AND SUMMARY It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to ensure our customers, those who live, work, and travel in New York State, have a safe, efficient, balanced, and environmentally sound transportation system. To that end, public involvement is an integral part of the project development process. This document provides an overview of the public involvement program for the NYS Route 198 (Scajaquada Expressway) Corridor project. It summarizes the dates, times, locations, objectives, and results of each meeting. This summary has been and will continue to be updated up through publication of the Final Design Report/Environmental Impact Statement (FDR/FEIS). The primary tools for public involvement are described in the following sections. G.1. Public Meetings and Hearings Public meetings and hearings have been and will continue to be held throughout the duration of the study to provide the general public with an opportunity to participate and provide input. This series of meetings includes those required by the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). A series of interactive design workshops was also held at the onset of conceptual alternative development. A summary of the public meetings and hearings is included in Section G.6 of this document. Copies of meeting minutes are attached to this document. G.2. Project Stakeholder Group A Project Stakeholder Group was formed at the beginning of the study. Stakeholder Group representatives were identified by the NYSDOT Project Team with input from other internal and external resources. The Stakeholder Group was assigned the following responsibilities: · Be a “sounding board” for the project team to determine if concepts and alternatives will be acceptable to the general public. · Gather input from the groups they represent · Bring the viewpoints of their constituency to the table · Strive to build consensus · “Talk the project up” to neighbors, the public, and others The Stakeholder Group has and will continue to meet periodically over the duration of the study and continues to be an important resource to assist with decision making. Current stakeholder group members are listed in Exhibit G.2.1. A summary of each meeting is included in Section G.6 of this document. Copies of meeting minutes are attached to this document. G.3. Project Mailing List A project mailing list was developed as the basis for issuing newsletters, press releases, meeting notices, and other communications to the public. It contains the names and contact information of local officials, adjacent property owners, resource agencies, and various other individuals who have contacted the Department asking to be added to the list. The list has been the basis for sending out project mailings. Public requests for addition to the list can and have been made by telephone, in writing, and via e-mail. It is also possible to ask to be added to the list via the project website. The list is maintained by the Department on ProjectWise. The list has not been formally published to protect the personal information of those individuals whose information it contains. 1 September 2016 NYS Route 198 (Scajaquada Expressway) Corridor PIN 5470.22 Public Involvement Plan and Summary Exhibit G.2.1. Stakeholder Group Members Albright-Knox Gallery American Trucking Association Black Rock-Riverside Alliance Black Rock-Riverside Good Neighbors Planning Alliance Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society Buffalo-Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau Buffalo-Niagara River Keeper Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Buffalo State College Buffalo Zoo Burchfield-Penny Art Center Catholic Health System City of Buffalo City of Buffalo Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee City of Buffalo Common Council Representatives City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, Parks, & Streets Delaware Park Steering Committee Elmview Place Block Club Elmwood Village Association Erie Community College Erie County Department of Environment and Planning Erie County Legislature Federal Highway Administration Forest District Civic Association Forest Lawn Cemetery GO Bike Buffalo Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council Grant-Amherst Business Association Martin House Restoration Corporation Medaille College New York State Senate Member Marc Panepinto New York State Assembly Member Sean Ryan New York State Assembly Member Crystal Peoples-Stokes New York State Department of Transportation Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Niemiec Builder Supply Parents for a Safer Delaware Park Parkside Community Association Restore our Community Coalition Richardson Center Corporation Scajaquada Pathway Committee Sisters Hospital 2 September 2016 NYS Route 198 (Scajaquada Expressway) Corridor PIN 5470.22 Public Involvement Plan and Summary United States Congressman Brian Higgins United States Congressman Chris Collins United States Senator Charles Schumer United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand G.4. Newsletters and Press Releases Project newsletters and Press Releases have been and will continue to be periodically produced and distributed throughout the duration of the study to keep individuals and groups informed of progress and events. The target audience is the general public. Newsletters contain simple, non-technical descriptions and graphical illustrations. The primary method of distribution has been mailing, although some have been distributed to partner agencies and community groups for further distribution. The newsletters were also published on the project website. Copies of the project newsletters and Press Releases are attached to this document. G.5. Project Website A dedicated project website was developed to facilitate the exchange of information regarding the study. Site content includes presentations, graphics, meeting minutes, and other summary information to keep the public informed on project schedule, estimated cost, and project milestones. It also functions as a continuous means for the public to communicate with the Department and ask questions. The website is hosted by NYSDOT Web Central and is accessible at the following address: www.dot.ny.gov/scajaquadacorridor G.6. Public Involvement Activities Log Public involvement activities that took place from May 31, 2007 to July 12, 2016 are listed in Exhibit G.6.1. This includes public meetings, public hearings, Stakeholder Group Meetings, and meetings with other parties. Following the list, summaries are provided for the public meetings and other activities with more details. Exhibit G.6.1. Public Involvement Activities Date Activity May 31, 2007 Stakeholder Group Meeting #1 September 13, 2007 Stakeholder Group Meeting #2 - Project Corridor Tour November 28, 2007 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Scoping Meeting December 10, 2007 NEPA Scoping Meeting - Business Briefing April 23, 2008 Stakeholder Group Meeting #3 April 29, 2009 Stakeholder Group Meeting #4 July 9, 2009 Buffalo State College Campus Plan Update September 16, 2009 Public Interactive Design Workshop #1 – I-190 to Grant Street November 4, 2009 Public Interactive Design Workshop #2 – Parkside to NYS Route 33 April 29, 2010 Public Interactive Design Workshop #3 – Elmwood & Delaware Park April 28, 2011 Stakeholder Group Meeting #5 May 26, 2011 Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Board Briefing February 15, 2012 Stakeholder Group Meeting #6 March 16, 2012 Complete Streets Coalition & Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Board Meeting 3 September 2016 NYS Route 198 (Scajaquada Expressway) Corridor PIN 5470.22 Public Involvement Plan and Summary March 26, 2012 Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Board Meeting March 21, 2013 Stakeholder Group Meeting #7 April 23, 2013 Parkside Community Association Traffic Committee Meeting June 21, 2013 Briefing with Assemblyman Ryan’s Office July 10, 2013 Albright-Knox Art Gallery Meeting July 17, 2013 Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Board Meeting July 18, 2013 Briefing with Assemblyman Ryan December 13, 2013 Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Board Meeting January 16, 2014 Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Board Meeting February 13, 2014 Parkside Community Association Meeting April 9, 2014 Public Meeting #1 with Assemblyman Ryan July 27, 2015 Project Briefing for Assemblyman Ryan September 16, 2015 Public Meeting #2 October 14, 2015 Meeting to Discuss Proposed Interim Pedestrian Crossing at Lincoln/Iroquois October 20, 2015 Meeting with Albright Knox November