Westpark Presentation

WESTPARK DRIVE PAVING AND DRAINAGE PROJECT

VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING PRE-RECORDED PRESENTATION COH – WBS # N-000815-0001-3 CSJ: 0912-72-385

SLIDE 1 Welcome Slide Welcome to the City of Houston in collaboration with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Houston District’s virtual public hearing for the Westpark Drive Paving and Drainage Project. This is a pre-recorded presentation. This virtual public hearing presentation is available for viewing starting on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. During the virtual public hearing, you may pause the presentation and navigate forward or backward using your video player.

1 WESTPARK DRIVE PUBLIC HEARING

SLIDE 2: Westpark Drive Public Hearing This virtual public hearing is being held to present the proposed design sections and gather public input. You are encouraged to submit comments on the project after reviewing the hearing materials and listening to this presentation.

This virtual public hearing is being held to introduce the proposed project, present the design sections being considered, and gather public input. This hearing is required under the Texas Administrative Code Title 43, Chapter 2, Subchapter E, Rule 2.107 because of the addition of bicycle lanes as part of the proposed project, which is considered under the State code as a “substantial change in function.

2 WESTPARK DRIVE PAVING AND DRAINAGE PROJECT AGENDA

• Welcome • COVID-19 Response • Project Overview • Environmental Overview • Project Next Steps • Public Comment Process • Adjournment

SLIDE 3: Agenda In this presentation, I will describe the proposed project, provide an overview of the environmental studies that have been performed, explain the next steps in the project development process, and outline the methods for submitting comments.

3 HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS

Please submit your comments regarding the information presented in this virtual public hearing by using any of the methods below between Tues., Mar. 23 and Thurs., Apr. 8. Leave a voicemail (832) 395-2090

Email us at [email protected] Mail comments to: Attn: Westpark Drive, City of Houston P.O. Box 1562, Floor 23 Houston, TX 77251

SLIDE 4: How to Submit Your Comments The City of Houston encourages you to provide comments after this presentation and during the comment period, which extends 15 days after the day this presentation is posted online. Comments must be received via phone, email or mailed and postmarked by Thurs., Apr. 8, to be included in the virtual public hearing summary support. You can submit comments in the following ways: via phone number 832-395- 2090 and press 1, via email to [email protected], via the Westpark project page at: https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/node/394, and via mail to: Attn: Westpark Drive, City of Houston, P.O. Box 1562, Houston, Texas 77251

4 FOR GENERAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS

For general questions about the presentation or the project, please call (832) 395-2090 and leave a message. Please phone this number if you have: Problems accessing public hearing information online Requests for special accommodations Language or interpretation needs other than English and Spanish

Discussion with project staff will not be included in the official record of the public hearing.

SLIDE 5: For General Questions or Comments For general questions, please call the City of Houston phone number at 832-395- 2090 and leave a message. You may email the City at any time in the development process at [email protected] to ask questions about the project. Or, if you have problems accessing the public hearing information online, have requests for special accommodations or have language or interpretation needs other than English and Spanish, please call or email the City and reference Westpark Drive.

5 VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC HEALTH The City of Houston and TxDOT have opted to change the traditional in-person public hearing to an online format in response to the COVID-19 outbreak

This virtual public hearing and information on the City of Houston’s project website provides the same information as an in-person hearing would have including:

» Project information » Process for submitting comments » Recorded presentation » Key contacts » Proposed schematic » All public hearing materials – available » Estimated project timeframe on the City of Houston’s web page here: https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/node/394

SLIDE 6: Virtual Public Hearing in Response to Public Health Given the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the department’s commitment to protecting public health during this national emergency, the City of Houston and the Houston District TxDOT are conducting this virtual public hearing to avoid in-person contact. At this time, an online public hearing is being conducted in-lieu of an in-person public hearing. This presentation covers the same information that the City of Houston and Houston District TxDOT would have presented at an in-person public hearing. The comment process for the virtual public hearing will be described near the end of this presentation. All hearing materials can also be found on the City of Houston’s project web page. The webpage for the project is https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/node/394.

6 OUTREACH AND NOTIFICATION METHODS

• Public Hearing Notices were published in: • The Houston Chronicle on Monday, Mar. 8 • La Voz on Monday, Mar. 8 • Elected Official Letters were e-mailed on Friday, Mar. 5 • Public Hearing Notice was posted to the City of Houston’s website on Monday, Mar. 8 • Notices were mailed directly to adjacent property owners on Monday, Mar. 8

SLIDE 7: Outreach / Notification Methods The publishing and outreach notification methods for this project including mail, e- mail, legal noticing and social media and website posting. Notices for this public hearing were published in The Houston Chronicle and La Voz, on Monday, Mar. 8 Elected official letters were e-mailed on Friday, Mar. 5 and public hearing information and the notice was posted to the City of Houston’s website, and public notices were mailed directly to adjacent property owners on Monday, Mar. 8

7 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assignment to the Texas Department of Transportation

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 9, 2019, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and TxDOT.

SLIDE 8: Memorandum and Understanding This project is receiving federal funds and because of the federal component, TxDOT is required to assess the potential environmental effects of the proposed project in accordance with Federal standards. The process that is followed is called the National Environmental Policy Act process, otherwise known as NEPA. The NEPA process provides analyses of the potential impacts to the natural and manmade environment and helps the decision maker to make an informed decision on whether or not to proceed with the project. On December 9, 2019, TxDOT received a signed Memorandum of Understanding from the Federal Highway Administration that permits TxDOT to assume responsibility from the Federal Highway Administration for reviewing and approving certain assigned NEPA projects. This review and approval process applies to this project.

8 WESTPARK DRIVE PROJECT OVERVIEW

Location: Harris County, Texas Limits: From Wilcrest to S. Dairy Ashford Length: Approximately 2 Miles

SLIDE 9: Westpark Drive Project Overview The project area extends from Wilcrest Drive to South Dairy Ashford Road, west, for approximately 2.13 miles on a portion of Westpark Drive, located in Harris County, Texas. The existing right of way is 100 feet, and the proposed improvements would be within the existing right-of-way. No residential or commercial displacements are anticipated.

9 WESTPARK DRIVE PROJECT OVERVIEW – EXISTING SECTIONS

North Project End – S. Dairy Ashford

Project Begin – Wilcrest

SLIDE 10: Westpark Drive Project Overview with Existing Sections Westpark Drive begins as a four-lane roadway from Wilcrest Drive, running west, just past the detention pond near Royal Oaks Country Club. It then becomes a two- lane roadway to just west of the Royal Oak Bridge. The project area then turns into a four-lane section until just east of Shadowfern Drive and back into a two-lane roadway, just east of Oxford Oak Street. Finally, Westpark Drive becomes four- lanes to South Dairy Ashford Road where the project ends.

10 PROJECT PROCESS

Determine Obtain Bid Need Data Present to the public Construction

Study and Develop Review Design And Refine Feedback & Refine

SLIDE 11: Project Process These graphics outline the project development process. The initial step in any project is to determine the needs in the project study area. Once a need is identified, we begin taking steps to fulfill that need by engaging with qualified project team members to study and design the proposed project according to the National Environmental Policy Act. Once key data has been obtained, a design is developed that considers environmental impacts, drainage, accessibility, and traffic modeling, to name a few. Then we present the project to the public in efforts to obtain any additional information, concerns, or support. The project team reviews every comment and statement received and adjusts the project, as needed. Following these adjustments, the project is ready to bid for construction.

11 EXISTING TYPICAL SECTION

SLIDE 12: Existing Typical Section Currently, Westpark Drive project area extends from South Dairy Ashford to Wilcrest Drive. The average right of way within the project area is 100 feet. Westpark Drive is currently a four-lane road from Wilcrest Road to just west of the detention pond near the Metro center on Westpark Drive. There are left-turning lanes and dividing medians throughout until Westpark becomes a two-lane roadway with no dividing medians. This part of the road narrows to two lanes until just east of South Kirkwood Road.

At this point, Westpark Drive widens again to four-lanes with divided medians and left turning lanes, until just east of Shadowfern Drive where it narrows again to two lanes. Finally, the roadway widens to four-lanes with divided medians and left- turning lanes, with the project area ending at South Dairy Ashford Road.

12 DAILY TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND LEVEL OF SERVICE

SLIDE 13: Daily Traffic Volumes and Level of Service Now let’s talk about daily traffic volumes and level of service along Westpark Drive, what it is today and what is projected for the future. Level of service ranges from A, free flowing traffic as shown in light green, to F which is heavily congested as shown in red. In terms of delays experienced by the traveling public, a level of service A through D is considered acceptable, and a level of service E or F is considered unacceptable in terms of delays experienced by the traveling public. With no improvements to Westpark Drive, traffic congestion is projected to grow to undesirable levels by 2040. Based on estimated traffic counts, traffic volumes on the segment between Kirkwood Drive and Wilcrest Drive are projected to grow from 13,480 in 2020 to 18,593 in 2040 – an increase of 38%. This segment of road is currently operating at capacity with a level of service D with the current two-lane configuration. The level of service or LOS, is projected to degrade to an undesirable LOS F in 2040 without this project, with traffic experiencing heavy delays in the peak hours with negative consequences to quality of life and environmental impact. With this project, future traffic would operate at an acceptable LOS D.

13 CRASH ANALYSIS (2015 – 2019) 292 Total Crashes • 25% of all crashes in the corridor happened at 80 intersections 60 40 • 42% crash rate increased from 2015–2019 20 0 • Hotspot crash map supports intersection data 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

SLIDE 14: Crash Analysis (2015 ‐ 2019) Regarding safety, the project team analyzed crash data for the project corridor for the years 2015 - 2019. Locations of crashes were placed on a map, and circles were placed and color coded where multiple crashes occurred in the same general location; these are called ‘hot spots.’ The red spots show the highest concentration of crashes, which as you can see, center around S. Dairy Ashford, W. Houston Central Blvd and Wilcrest Drive intersections on Westpark Drive. The yellow and green colors show a lower concentration. Between 2015 and 2019, 25% of all crashes in the corridor happened at intersections. The crash rate increased 42% from 2015–2019 with 292 crashes total during that time period. One of the goals for the project is to reduce crashes along the corridor.

14 PROJECT NEED

 The original project was planned as a four-lane boulevard. The current four-lane portion of the roadway between S. Dairy Ashford Road and W. Houston Center Blvd., going eastbound, is missing in certain sections. The segment between West Houston Center Blvd and Wilcrest exists as a four-lane boulevard except the eastbound lanes between Kirkwood and east side of Royal Oaks Subdivision. Multiple transitions between four-lane and two-lane sections create safety concerns.

 The existing portions of the pavement have deteriorated and need rehabilitation or replacement. Storm sewers, signals and sidewalks need upgrading.

SLIDE 15: Project Need The original Westpark Drive project was planned as a four-lane boulevard. Though there are currently four-lane sections throughout the approximately two-mile stretch of roadway, there are portions of the eastbound side of Westpark Drive which are missing in certain two-lane sections. For example, the segment between West Houston Center Blvd and Wilcrest Road, exists as a four-lane boulevard with the exception of the eastbound lanes between Kirkwood and east side of Royal Oaks Subdivision. Also, multiple transitions between four-lane and two-lane sections create safety concerns. The existing portions of the pavement have deteriorated and need rehabilitation or replacement. Storm sewers, as well as signals and sidewalks, need upgrading to meet current City of Houston standards.

15 PROJECT PURPOSE

 Improve safety and mobility  Complete the missing portions of the boulevard  Upgrade traffic signals at intersections to current standards  Improve pedestrian access and meet ADA requirements  Improve drainage and reduce street flooding  Improve underground utilities as necessary  Add bike lanes and shared use paths to extend system from existing on-street lanes to the future hike-and-bike trail  Consolidate medians to manage access

SLIDE 16: Project Purpose The project purpose is to: improve safety and mobility, complete the missing portions of the boulevard, upgrade traffic signals at intersections to current City of Houston standards, improve pedestrian access and meet ADA requirements, improve drainage and reduce street flooding, improve underground utilities as necessary, add bike lanes and shared use paths to extend system from existing on-street lanes along Westpark Drive and along Wilcrest to the future hike-and- bike trail, and to consolidate medians to manage access.

16 PROJECT IMPROVEMENT DESCRIPTION

From Dairy Ashford to West Houston Center Blvd:  Reconstruct existing roadway to a four-lane boulevard with median  Most trees in the current median to be removed and new trees replanted based on tree mitigation plan  Construct new sidewalks and shared use paths  Improve drainage and underground utilities as necessary  Reconstruct the traffic signals at Dairy Ashford and West Houston Center Blvd. From West Houston Center Blvd to Wilcrest:  Reconstruct existing eastbound traffic lanes between West Houston Center Blvd and Kirkwood  Construct missing portion of eastbound lanes between Kirkwood and station 194 (east of Royal Oaks Subdivision)  Construct on-street bike lanes along westbound pavement from West Houston Center Blvd to Wilcrest  Construct shared use path along eastbound side between West Houston Center Blvd and station 194.  Construct on-street bike lane along eastbound pavement between east of Royal Oaks and Wilcrest  Reconstruct sidewalk along existing pavement, adjacent to on-street bike lanes.  Improve drainage and underground utilities as necessary  Reconstruct traffic signal at Kirkwood and Wilcrest

SLIDE 17: Project Improvement Description The City of Houston has designed four proposed typical sections for different stretches of this project. In all four designs the improvements include four travel lanes, two in each direction, raised medians with trees, along with different configurations of bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. The four sections are discussed in more detail in the following slides.

17 WESTPARK DRIVE PROPOSED SECTION 1

SLIDE 18: Westpark Drive Proposed Section 1 The first section of roadway design, beginning at Wilcrest Drive to just east of Royal Oaks Country Club, includes 20-foot-wide medians but differs from proposed section 2. In this section, the four, 11-foot-wide lanes exist on mostly existing pavement but would be extended, with two 5-foot-wide sidewalks and two 5-foot- wide bike lanes on proposed and existing pavement in each direction.

18 WESTPARK DRIVE PROPOSED SECTION 2

SLIDE 19: Westpark Drive Proposed Section 2 The proposed section 2 extends from east of Royal Oaks Country Club to West Houston Center Boulevard and includes two 11-foot-wide travel lanes in each direction with 20-foot-wide medians. This section would also include one dedicated 10-foot-wide shared-use path going eastbound and a dedicated 5-foot- wide sidewalk with a 5-foot-wide bike lane going westbound.

19 WESTPARK DRIVE PROPOSED SECTION 3

SLIDE 20: Westpark Drive Project Proposed Section 3 The proposed section 3 on Westpark Drive, from West Houston Center Boulevard to east of Shadowfern Drive., would also have four 11-foot-wide lanes, two in each direction. However, this section would have 18-foot-wide raised medians and two dedicated 10-foot-wide shared-use paths for bicyclists and pedestrians on either side.

20 WESTPARK DRIVE PROPOSED SECTION 4

SLIDE 21: Westpark Drive Project Proposed Section 4 For the proposed section 4, from east of Shadowfern Drive to South Dairy Ashford Road, there would be four 11-foot-wide travel lanes, two in each direction, running east and westbound as well as 26-foot-wide raised medians. Pedestrian upgrades to this section include two dedicated 6-foot-wide proposed sidewalks on either side of Westpark Drive.

21 PROPOSED OVERVIEW – AERIAL VIEW

SLIDE 22: Proposed Overview –Aerial View This map shows an overview snapshot of the project area between Wilcrest an South Dairy Ashford split into two sections and focusing on the proposed sidewalk in bright green and proposed pavement in purple. In this overview, you can also see the intersections along Westpark Drive where the proposed underground utility relocation and streetlight upgrades would be performed. Though no additional signals would be built, existing signals located at the intersections of South Dairy Ashford, West Houston Center, Kirkwood, and Wilcrest, would be replaced to meet current City of Houston utility and safety standards including safety upgrades for bicycles and pedestrians.

22 LAYOUT LEGEND

SLIDE 23: Layout Legend Here is a screenshot of the legend for the project layout that you can find on the website. These legends are included on each page of the layouts so you can reference it as you review them. The screenshot on the right shows the colors that fill the proposed design. These colors identify the limits and major aspects of the project. Let’s walk through them. The yellow color identifies the proposed pavement on Westpark Drive. The existing right-of-way line is orange. The red line marks the end of the proposed intersections and additions to the roadway. The green line shows the proposed sidewalk, and the pink line outlines the roadway itself. Lastly, the black line with smaller black lines mark the updates to the roadway and shows additional lanes.

23 PROJECT LAYOUT

The project area can be viewed more closely on the project website: https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/node/394

SLIDE 24: Westpark Drive Project Layout The engineering team has developed project layouts to design proposed improvements that meet the project needs while minimizing the additional right of way needed and displacements and impacts to private property. We are showing a high-level overview of layouts and have included a large PDF on the project website. You can see the link at the bottom right of the slide that will take you to the maps on the City of Houston project website. The engineering team has broken the project layout into two pages to show more detail about the roadway design sections. If you would like to take a closer look at the designs for a specific area of the project, you can download the project layout by clicking on the link on the presentation pdf, then clicking on the project layout link and zoom in on your locations of interest.

24 PROPOSED BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACCOMMODATIONS

Sidewalk and Bike Lane and Sidewalk and Bike Lane Shared Path

SLIDE 25: Proposed Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations The City of Houston considered several factors when developing the designs and upgrades to provide equitable access for all Westpark Drive users including bicyclists and pedestrians. These considerations include bike lanes, sidewalks and shared used paths. Shared use paths and bike lanes are proposed, running west and eastbound along the roadway. Five-foot-wide sidewalks are also proposed with a three-foot buffer, shown in white, between the sidewalk and the bike lanes. There are also five-foot buffers between the shared use paths and the road. The two graphics here show a representation of sidewalks, bike lanes, shared paths which are all proposed bike and pedestrian accommodations varying throughout the approximate 2-mile roadway.

25 PROJECT PLANNING AND FUNDING

• Funding breaks down into Federal, Local and State

• Total Project Estimated Cost: approximately $15.4 million

SLIDE 26: Project Planning and Funding Funding of the Westpark Drive project breaks down into federal, local (City of Houston) and state (TxDOT). The total design fee approximately is $2.1 million and fully funded by the city. Federal funding participation is approximately $9.7 million. The total construction cost is approximately $15.4 million. The City of Houston provides the design and construction. TxDOT provides oversight and review due to federal funding.

26 ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW

Slide 27: Environmental Overview I will now discuss the environmental studies completed for the proposed project.

27 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

• Biological Resources including Threatened and Endangered Species and Habitat • Community Impacts • Water Resources • Hazardous Materials • Archeological Resources • Non-Archeological Historic Properties • Section 4(f)/6(f) Properties • Noise Analysis

Slide 28: Environmental Studies The project team identified and evaluated potential environmental impacts that could occur as a result of constructing the proposed improvements. Technical reports for each of these studies are available online on the project web page for public review.

As part of the project’s NEPA compliance, the City of Houston considered biological resources, community impacts, water resources, hazardous materials, archeological and historical resources, and park and recreational areas. The project was designed to avoid or minimize impacts to the greatest amount practicable. Overall, impacts to environmental resources as a result of the proposed Westpark Drive improvements would be minimal.

28 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES – BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

Biological Resources • Most of the project area consists of urbanized habitats. • The project area does not contain any suitable habitat and is not within range of any listed threatened or endangered species. • Project area not within a range of any species of greatest conservation need (SGCN).

Slide 29: Environmental Studies – Biological Resources First, I will discuss the Biological Resources Study. Most of the project area consists of urban streets and neighborhoods. The project area does not contain a suitable habitat and is not within range of any listed threatened or endangered species. The project area is also not within a range of any species of greatest conservation need.

29 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES – COMMUNITY IMPACTS

Community Impacts • Long-term positive impacts are expected with improved traffic flow, community cohesion, and improved drainage on the project area, as well as increased amenities for bicycle and pedestrian traffic. No adverse community impacts are anticipated with the proposed project. . Increased safety and mobility  A new bicycle lane is proposed. The bicycle lane would integrate into the existing bike path network within the City of Houston  Continuous sidewalks are proposed as part of this project improving mobility within the project area . Displacements are not proposed . Disproportionately high and adverse impacts to Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and minority populations are not anticipated

Slide 30: Environmental Studies – Community Impacts Next, I will discuss community impacts. Minor access changes would result from median opening consolidations. No displacements are anticipated as a result of the proposed project. Limited English Proficiency populations were identified within the project area. Limited English Proficiency persons were provided, and will continue to be provided, the opportunity for meaningful involvement in the NEPA process for the proposed project. Design elements for the proposed improvements include improved drainage, as well as increased amenities for bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Increased safety and mobility is expected with a new proposed bike lane, which would integrate into the existing bike path network. Continuous sidewalks are also proposed while improving mobility within the project area. No displacements and no adverse community impacts are anticipated with the proposed project. Overall, the proposed design features would enhance mobility and access, and would reduce congestion and improve safety for both minority and non-minority censes geographies.

30 MEDIAN ACCESS CHANGES 2 1

3 4

Slide 31: Median Access Changes In addition to community impacts, access changes provide significant impact to the project area. The first access change (1) is the closure of the existing median opening, east of Dairy Ashford. The access change impacts two driveways at this location. The second one (2) is a change at the Shadowfern intersection of Westpark Drive. Access to this intersection, allows a left turning access to the side street but no access out, turning left of the side street. The most significant access change (3) is the closure of the median opening on Westpark, in between West Houston Center Blvd and Kirkwood Road. This closure impacts the left turn access to the gas station from westbound traffic. This location was decided on due to safety concerns and the need for access from the westbound left turn lane, which has a high volume of turning vehicles. The last location (4) is the median opening providing access to the Cube Storage building, west of Wilcrest. Left turns out of this storage facility are not ideal.

31 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES – WATER RESOURCES

Water Resources • The project area crosses two manmade drainage canals • Approximately 72% of the project area is within the 100-year floodplain and 28% of the project area is within the 500-year floodplain. • Based on a survey conducted by qualified biologists and current environmental regulations, no potential Waters of the United States would be impacted by the project.

Slide 32: Environmental Studies –Water Resources Another environmental resource studied was waterways. The Westpark Drive project area crosses two main drainage canals in between South Dairy Ashford and West Houston Central Boulevard, and each of these canals connect with Brays Bayou.

Approximately 72% of the project area is located within the 100-year floodplain and 28% is within the 500-year floodplain.

Based on a survey conducted by qualified biologists and current environmental regulations, no potential waters of the United States would be impacted by this project.

32 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES – HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Hazardous Materials

• No hazardous materials action is required for the project area.

Slide 33: Environmental Studies – Hazardous Materials No unresolved hazardous material concerns were identified, and no potential concerns were found during the Hazardous Materials Initial Site Assessment process which would impact the project area. No hazardous materials action is required for the project area.

33 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES – ARCHEOLOGICAL

Archeological Resources

• The project area does not intersect any recorded archeological or historic sites. • No effects are anticipated to have archeological historic properties and/or State Antiquities Landmarks.

Slide 34: Environmental Studies – Archeological Resources Next, we have Archeological Resources. The Westpark Drive project area does not intersect with any recorded archeological or historic sites. No effects are anticipated to have archeological historic properties and/or State Antiquities Landmarks.

34 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES – HISTORIC RESOURCES

Non-Archeological Historic Properties

• No historic properties are anticipated to be impacted by the proposed project.

Slide 35: Environmental Studies –Non‐Archeological Historic Properties Regarding non-archeological historic properties and Westpark Drive, no historic properties are anticipated to be impacted by the proposed project.

35 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES – PARKS AND RECREATION

Parks and Recreation Areas (4F Resources)

• No parks and recreation areas occur in the project area

Slide 36: Environmental Studies –Parks and Recreation Areas (4f Resources) No parks or recreation area impacts occur in the project area.

36 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES – NOISE ANALYSIS

Noise Analysis

• Traffic Noise Model (TNM 2.5) results show proposed roadway would impact noise levels at three (3) residential homes. • Noise barriers for these receivers would not be reasonable or feasible based on criteria set by FHWA.

SLIDE 37: Environmental Studies –Noise Analysis Noise Impacts were forecasted by using the Federal Highway Administration’s Traffic Noise Model 2.5, to estimate future noise levels at residences and other sensitive receivers, near the proposed Westpark Drive. Most of the residential homes on Westpark Drive have existing seven-foot barriers. Increments in noise neighborhood walls up to 20-feet in height, placed along the right of way, would not be reasonable or feasible based on criteria set by FHWA. Therefore, a noise neighborhood wall is not proposed for these locations.

37 RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW) INFORMATION

• No additional right of way

• Displacements include underground utilities

• Significant traffic delays are not anticipated, and adjacent property access is expected to remain open

Slide 38: Right‐of‐Way Information The proposed project would take place within existing the right of way. This project would not displace any above-ground structures but would include the displacement and relocation of underground utilities. Significant delays in traffic due to construction would not be anticipated and access to adjacent properties would be expected to remain open throughout the construction process.

38 NEXT STEPS

SLIDE 39: Next Steps We want to highlight the estimated project timeline. Look for the blue ‘We are here” arrow at the bottom of the slide. This virtual public hearing is being held to present the proposed improvements and gather public and stakeholder input. After the comment period closes, the City of Houston and TxDOT will review the comments received and prepare a virtual public hearing summary report, which includes responses to all comments received by the comment deadline. The summary report will be posted to the project website once completed. The next steps include refining the design and requesting the environmental decision. Provided the environmental documents and process are approved, the project would then move into detailed design and finally, construction. As stated earlier, construction is scheduled to begin in fall of 2021. The project team anticipates that construction would take approximately 2 years.

39 PUBLIC HEARING MATERIALS

Comment Card Fact Sheet • Public hearing materials are provided on the City of Houston website: https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/node/394

. Public hearing electronic exhibits . Comment card . Fact sheet . Project Layout . Presentation and script Project Layout

SLIDE 40: Public Hearing Materials The City of Houston project website shown here, contains all materials presented in this virtual public hearing including this presentation in both English and Spanish. These materials include exhibit boards, a comment card, a project fact sheet, project layouts for the proposed improvements, presentation and script and the environmental technical reports. The project layouts provide a more in-depth look at details such as intersection improvements, sidewalks, shared use paths, and the existing right-of-way.

40 Public Comment Period

MARCH 23 to APRIL 8

houstonpublicworks.org @houpublicworks

SLIDE 41: Public Comment Period This concludes the project information presentation for the Westpark Drive Paving and Drainage Project. The next few slides describe the ways you can comment on the proposed project and contact information for general project questions.

41 HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS Please submit your comments regarding the information presented in this virtual public hearing by using any of the methods below between Tues. Mar. 23 and Thurs., Apr. 8.

Leave a voicemail (832.395.2090)

Mail comments to: Attn: Westpark Drive, City of Houston P.O. Box 1562, Floor 23 Houston, TX 77251 Send photos, concerns or comments to [email protected]

SLIDE 42: How to Submit Your Comments The City of Houston encourages you to provide comments. Comments must be received via phone, email or mailed and postmarked by Thurs. Apr. 8 to be included in the virtual public hearing summary report. You can submit comments in the following ways: via phone number 832-395- 2090 and press 1, via email to [email protected] via the Westpark project page at: https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/node/394 and via mail to: Attn: Westpark Drive, City of Houston, P.O. Box 1562, Floor 23, Houston, Texas 77251

42 HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR VERBAL COMMENTS

• Participants planning to provide verbal testimony at the Public Hearing need to call-in using the City of Houston number: 832-395-2090 Press: 1 to leave a message

• If you plan to call in after the virtual public hearing, please call the number above to leave a voicemail comment during the comment period

SLIDE 43: How To Submit Your Verbal Comments Members of the public who wish to participate may call the City of Houston at (832) 395-2090 and press 1 to verbally provide testimony. All comments must be received on or before 11:59 P.M. on Thurs., Apr. 8. Responses to written comments received and public testimony provided will be available online at https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/node/394, when completed. After the virtual public hearing (during the comment period), call the project phone number at: 832-395-2090 to leave your verbal comments. Remember, verbal comments during or after the virtual public hearing, will be recorded and transcribed into the virtual public hearing summary and taken into consideration. Please be sure to submit your written and verbal comments no later than midnight on Thurs., Apr. 8, which is 15 days after the original Mar. 23 website posted date. This will ensure your comments will be included in the virtual public hearing summary report.

43 QUICK CONTACTS – ENGAGE CITY OF HOUSTON ONLINE

For more information on the Westpark Drive Project, please visit Houston Public Works: https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/engage

SLIDE 44: Quick Contacts –Engage City of Houston Online Be sure to contact the City of Houston Public Engagement Team or for any questions related to questions related to the Westpark Drive or other projects in the City of Houston for a list of funded projects. You can email the Houston Public Works, Public Engagement Team at: [email protected] and for more information on the Westpark Drive project, visit Houston Public Works at https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/engage.

44 Thank you!

houstonpublicworks.org @houpublicworks

SLIDE 45: Thank you! Thank you for watching! Please do not forget to submit your written and verbal comments by Thurs. Apr. 8. Thank you again for participating in this virtual public hearing for the Westpark Drive Improvement Project This concludes the virtual public hearing presentation. Thank you for your interest and participation.