2002-01-28 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 Chairman Johnson Speech to TEX21 for limiting future frontage roads. This action broadened the concept to apply to new location relief routes, a logical next step. A second minute order established direction on addressing new situations that might arise. Why this change in philosophy? Current procedure assumes frontage roads mostly with access rights. Please note --and this is important —the new policy will not eliminate frontage roads; it will not eliminate access rights. My interpretation is that what it does is to require each corridor to be analyzed to see if it can support frontage roads and what effect access rights to the front- age roads might have. Clearly, mobility and congestion have become such challenges that we need to change starting points. Here are some observations that hopefully will help clarify a very complex subject: • Primary focus will be placed on the controlled access rights ;that the state owns, with par- ticular emphasis on the Interstate system and new 4 lane facilities. • Common sense and credibility dictate that where access rights are currently owned by a property owner, those rights remain with the owner and the Commission will honor com- mitments made under the old rules where significant work or expense has occurred. This is important because a great deal of work has been done under existing rules, mostly in good faith. But in future cases, frontage roads would be approved at the outset and the issue of access rights determined then, so expenditures for consulting, engineering, or any other mat- ter would be made after the access rights have been granted. The next step is to attempt to state these policies in minute order form, so that they are clear and understandable. This will not be an easy task, but we are hopeful that they will be ready for consideration at our December 13, 2001 Commission meeting. In early to mid January, we will conduct listening sessions at six locations throughout the state: January 8 - San Antonio January 22-Lubbock January 15.- Dallas (Irving) January 23-McAllen January 18- Houston January 24-El Paso The purpose of these hearings is to get feedback A Commissioner is planning to be present at each. The Commission will then take the input into consideration in the evolution of the final rules to be adopted at a future Commission Meeting. What will the rules look like? My suspi-