Appendix H – Scoping Meeting Materials Scoping Meeting Report Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Phase 1 Yellow Line Extension Yellow scoping book in Russian Comment Card Yellow Line Extension Connecting Dempster Street Station to Old Orchard Road Please PRINT your contact information if you would like to receive a response to the questions and comments. Name ___________________________________________________________________________________ Organization ______________________________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________________________________ City ______________________________________________ State __________ Zip ____________________ Phone _____________________________________ Fax __________________________________________ E-Mail ___________________________________________________________________________________ Would you like to be added to the YELLOW LINE EXTENSION mailing list? If YES, check here 􀂉 . Please PRINT your question or comment in the area provided below. Once completed, please give the form to a CTA representative. Completed forms and comments may be submitted via mail, e-mail, fax or the project website with attention to: Jeffrey Busby, General Manager Strategic Planning, Chicago Transit Authority P.O. Box 7602, Chicago, IL 60680-7602. Fax: (312) 681-4297 Email: RedExtension@transitchicago.com Website: www.transitchicago.com/RedEIS COMMENTS DUE: OCTOBER 27 Customer Information: 1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282) 27 Hearing & Speech Impaired: 1-888-CTA-TTY1 (1-888-282-6891) Transit Information: 836-7000 from any local area code RTA TTY: 312-836-4949 Jeffrey Busby, General Manager Strategic Planning Chicago Transit Authority P.O. Box 7602 Chicago, IL 60680-7602 PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE ——————————————————————————————FOLD HERE—————————————————————————————- Deadline to submit comments: October 27, 2009 Speaker Card Date: September 23, 2009 Scoping Meeting Speaker Card Complete this card if you wish to speak this evening. Your input is a vital component of this phase of the project. Please comment on the proposed alternatives, the purpose and need for the project, the proposed topics of evaluation and the potential impacts and mitigation measures to be considered. Thank you for your interest in the Yellow Line Expansion project. Name: ______________________________________________________ Organization: _________________________ Title: __________________ Address: ____________________________________________________ City: ____________________________ State: _______ Zip: ___________ Chicago Transit Authority YELLOW LINE EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SCOPING INFORMATION September 2009 Yellow Book Final PAGE: INTRODUCTION The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is proposing to make transportation improvements by extending the Yellow Line from Dempster Station to Old Orchard Road. CTA and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will be preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will evaluate the environmental impacts of constructing and operating the extension. PURPOSE OF THE EIS AND SCOPING PROCESS In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), CTA and FTA have initiated the environmental review process for the Yellow Line Extension. An EIS will be prepared to identify impacts related to project construction and operation. As part of the initial phase of the environmental process, a public scoping meeting will be hosted to receive public comments on the alternatives and issues that should be examined as part of the environmental analysis. This public meeting is also a requirement of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which requires project proponents to provide opportunities for public participation in transportation decision-making. The process of determining the scope, focus and content of an EIS is known as “scoping.” Scoping meetings are a useful opportunity to obtain information from the public and governmental agencies. In particular, the scoping process asks agencies and interested parties to provide input on the proposed alternatives, the purpose and need for the project, the proposed topics of evaluation, and potential impacts and mitigation measures to be considered. PAGE: ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS Environmental issues to be examined in the EIS include: -- Cultural resources -- Wildlife and ecosystems -- Energy use -- Land acquisition, displacements and relocations -- Land use -- Natural resources (including air quality and water resources) -- Neighborhood compatibility and environmental justice -- Parklands/ recreational facilities -- Safety and security -- Transportation -- Visual and aesthetic impacts -- Noise and vibration -- Zoning and economic development and secondary development PROJECT OVERVIEW In 2006, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) began the Alternatives Analysis process for the proposed Yellow Line Extension. As part of the two step screening process, CTA has held two public meetings over the past two years in order to gather input from the public regarding alternative options. CTA evaluated five alternatives and has adopted the Fixed Guideway Alternative as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for further study in the EIS. The proposed Yellow Line Extension will be further refined during the conceptual design phase of the project and is being carried forward for additional study in the EIS. PAGE: PROJECT ALTERNATIVES TO BE EVALUATED IN THE EIS The EIS will include an evaluation of the following alternatives: -- No Build Alternative The No Build Alternative is defined as the existing transportation system, plus any committed transportation improvements that are already in the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) FY 2007 – 2012 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Intersection improvements at Dempster Street, Golf Road and Old Orchard Road along Skokie Boulevard are included in the TIP as well as road widening improvements of Old Orchard Road from Harms Road to Skokie Boulevard and the expansion of the northbound Edens off-ramp lanes. In addition to a variety of resurfacing projects, Dempster Street is scheduled to be reconstructed and widened to Central Road. All elements of the No Build Alternative are included in each of the other alternatives. Summary: * Existing transportation system * Plus committed transportation improvements: intersection and road widening projects (see above) * Bus transit service focused on the preservation of existing services and projects * Although outside the project area, a significant transit improvement included is the construction of a Yellow Line station at Oakton Street to serve the Skokie downtown and surrounding developments -- Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative The proposed TSM Alternative is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) alternative that operates between the Yellow Line Dempster Station and Westfield Shoppingtown Old Orchard Mall via Dempster Street, Niles Center Road, Skokie Boulevard, Golf Road and Lavergne Avenue. Summary: * No Build Alternative, plus: * Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) that operates between the Yellow Line Dempster Station and Westfield Shoppingtown Old Orchard Mall * 1.7 miles long with no intermediate stops * Operates in mixed traffic with traffic signal priority on the Dempster Street, Niles Center Road, Skokie Boulevard and Golf Road portion of the route; no exclusive lanes * Park-and-ride facility at Old Orchard Road * Existing bus routes continue regular operation PAGE: LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE (LPA): FIXED GUIDEWAY ALTERNATIVE -- The proposed LPA would extend the heavy rail transit line from Dempster Station north along the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) right-of-way from Dempster to the vicinity of Old Orchard Road. Summary: * No Build Alternative, plus: * Heavy rail transit line extension from Dempster Station to Old Orchard Road * 1.6 miles long with no intermediate stops * The proposed LPA would proceed northbound on a single track alignment within the UPRR right-of-way from Dempster Street to the area north of Golf Road. Beginning north of Golf Road, the alignment curves east, paralleling the east side of the Edens Expressway on an elevated profile to the proposed terminal location on the south side of Old Orchard Road. The elevated profile avoids grade crossings between Dempster Street and Old Orchard Road. * 2 new stations: 1) The Dempster Station would be completely rebuilt to accommodate longer length trains and support bi-directional ridership demands. The elevated alignment would place the new station centered above Dempster Street providing enhanced station accessibility from the north and south parking areas without requiring pedestrians to cross Dempster Street. Bus transfer, taxi, entrance and parking areas at the at Dempster Station would be reconfigured for the new elevated station 2) Terminal station would be located east of the expressway and in the northwest portion of the Niles North High School (NNHS) property. Parking spaces displaced by the project would be replaced by a multi-story parking structure with dedicated school parking and dedicated commuter parking * CTA and Pace bus services would be rerouted to pass through an off-street facility on the east side of the rapid transit station and continue to the existing bus transfer station at Old Orchard Mall -- Other alternatives may also be identified in the scoping process. PAGE: MAP OF THE LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE (LPA): FIXED GUIDEWAY ALTERNATIVE Map of the locally preferred alternative. Elevated alignment begins at existing Skokie Swift terminal station at Dempster Avenue. Alignment follows existing railroad alignment northwesterly. At I-94, the alignment turns northeast to follow I-94 to a new terminal station at Old Orchard Road. The new station is in the parking lot area of Niles North High School and adjacent to Old Orchard Shopping Mall. PAGE: PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED -- The purpose of the Yellow Line Extension project is to improve transit accessibility and provide mobility options by better utilizing existing transportation infrastructure capacity. The investment would also support the Village of Skokie’s land use plans. -- The need for the project is based on the following considerations: * There is a significant reverse commute to the project area that is not well served by the current Yellow Line terminal location * Travelers on the existing system must make multiple transfers to reach activity and employment centers in the project area * Transit alternatives will allow a portion of project area trips to avoid continued growth in project area arterial street and expressway congestion. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION -- Throughout the EIS process, CTA will offer a number of opportunities for you to get involved in the Yellow Line Extension project. Whether you want to take an active role in shaping this project or just want to stay informed, CTA looks forward to your participation in the months ahead. To ensure that the issues most important to residents, public agencies, and other involved parties are addressed in this review, CTA is hosting a scoping meeting to collect public input. The input gathered from the scoping meetings will help shape the scope of the study, its design efforts, and the assessment criteria used in evaluating improvement options. -- Additional opportunities to participate will be provided throughout the environmental review process in order to solicit feedback regarding specific needs and concerns. PAGE: HOW TO PARTICIPATE -- ATTEND A MEETING Wednesday, September 23, 2009 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Oakton Community Center 4701 Oakton Street Skokie, IL 60076 Oral and written comments can be made at the meetings. -- COMMENT * Comments can be submitted by mail or e-mail. * Provide written comments on the proposed project alternatives and potential environmental impacts. Comments will be considered in the scoping process if received by October 27, 2009. * Mail your comments to Jeffrey Busby, General Manager, Strategic Planning, Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7602, Chicago, IL 60680-7602 -- STAY INVOLVED * For project information, visit: www.transitchicago.com/YellowEIS * If you would like to be added to the project mailing list or e-list for future updates, please send your contact information to Darud Akbar, Government & Community Relations Officer, Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7567, Chicago, IL 60680- 7567, call (312) 681-2708 or e-mail dakbar@transitchicago.com. PAGE: THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS AND NEXT STEPS After the scoping period, CTA will start preliminary engineering and prepare a Draft EIS. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the Draft EIS during a 45-day public comment period. During the review period, CTA will host public hearings to receive comments on the Draft EIS from the public and agencies. CTA will then prepare a Final EIS that includes responses to public comments. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will consider the Final EIS and prepare a Record of Decision (ROD) selecting the preferred alternative. Issuance of the ROD indicates that CTA has satisfied all of the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). While CTA can advance on preliminary engineering concurrently with the environmental analysis, the issuance of the ROD will allow CTA to move forward with final design and construction of the Yellow Line. TARGETED PROJECT SCHEDULE -- Fall 2009: Public scoping meeting, September 2009 -- 2010 – 2011: Preliminary Engineering and Draft EIS -- 2011 – 2013: Final EIS, ROD, Final Design, Start of Construction -- 2016: Open for Operation Appendix I – Meeting Presentation Scoping Meeting Report Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Phase 1 Yellow Line Extension Chicago Transit Authority YELLOW LINE EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING PRESENTATION SLIDES September 23, 2009 SLIDE: MEETING AGENDA 6:00 – 6:45 pm Open House 6:45 – 6:55 pm Presentation 6:55 – 7:55 pm Public Comments on Scope of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 7:55 – 8:00 pm Next Steps/Adjournment SLIDE: BACKGROUND -- Alternatives Analysis process began in 2006 -- Evaluated several alternative modes, alignments and profiles -- Extensive public outreach program -- Adopted Fixed Guideway Alternative as Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) -- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) builds on Alternatives Analysis process SLIDE: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) -- Prepared to comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and to obtain federal funds -– Identify and evaluate potential impacts related to project construction and operation –- Inform public and decision makers of potential impacts and mitigation measures SLIDE: TARGETED PROJECT SCHEDULE -- Fall 2009 * Public scoping meeting, September 23, 2009 * Scoping: process of determining focus and content (scope) of EIS -- 2010 – 2011 * Preliminary Engineering and Draft EIS * Public review of Draft EIS * Relevant scoping items addressed in Draft EIS -- 2011 – 2013 * Final EIS, ROD, Final Design, Start of Construction -- 2016 * Open for Operation SLIDE: PROJECT ALTERNATIVES TO BE STUDIED IN EIS -– No Build Alternative –- Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative –- Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA): Fixed Guideway SLIDE: LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE Map of the locally preferred alternative. Elevated alignment begins at existing Skokie Swift terminal station at Dempster Avenue. Alignment follows existing railroad alignment northwesterly. At I-94, the alignment turns northeast to follow I-94 to a new terminal station at Old Orchard Road. The new station is in the parking lot area of Niles North High School and adjacent to Old Orchard Shopping Mall. SLIDE: PUBLIC COMMENTS ON SCOPE OF EIS SLIDE: SCOPING COMMENTS Focus comments on: -- Purpose and need -– Proposed alternatives –- Proposed environmental issues to be examined –- Potential environmental effects and mitigation measures to be considered SLIDE: SPEAKER GUIDELINES -- Submit a speaker card -- Moderator will call speakers by name -- Restate your name -- Speakers have 3 minutes to comment * Yellow light indicates 30 seconds remaining * Red light indicates speaking time is over -- Tonight we will not respond to your comments -- Comments will be documented in scoping report SLIDE: MEETING CLOSE SLIDE: SCOPING COMMENTS ARE DUE BY OCTOBER 27, 2009 -- Tonight verbal comments were recorded by court reporter -- Write comments and place in box provided -- Mail comments to: Jeffery Busby, General Manager, Strategic Planning Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7602, Chicago, IL 60680-7602 -- E-mail: YellowExtension@transitchicago.com -- Fax: (312) 681-4297 SLIDE: STAY INVOLVED -- Updates posted on: www.transitchicago.com/YellowEIS -- To join the mailing list, contact: Darud Akbar, Government & Community Relations Office, Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7567 Chicago, IL 60680-7567, or call (312) 681-2708, or e-mail dakbar@transitchicago.com Appendix J – Meeting Exhibit Boards Scoping Meeting Report Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Phase 1 Yellow Line Extension Chicago Transit Authority YELLOW LINE EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING PRESENTATION BOARDS BOARD: NO BUILD ALTERNATIVE -- Existing transportation system -- Plus committed transportation improvements in Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Transportation Improvement Program including select intersection and road widening projects -- Focus on preservation of existing bus service BOARD: Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) alternative that operates between the Yellow Line Dempster Station and Westfield Shoppingtown Old Orchard Mall via Dempster Street, Niles Center Road, Skokie Boulevard, Golf Road and Lavergne Avenue. -- 1.7 miles with no intermediate stops -- Operates in mixed traffic with traffic signal priority on the Dempster Street, Niles Center Road, Skokie Boulevard and Golf Road portion of the route; no exclusive lanes -- New Park & Ride facility at Old Orchard Road -- Existing bus routes continue regular operation BOARD: MAP OF THE LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE (LPA) Map of the locally preferred alternative. Elevated alignment begins at existing Skokie Swift terminal station at Dempster Avenue. Alignment follows existing railroad alignment northwesterly. At I-94, the alignment turns northeast to follow I-94 to a new terminal station at Old Orchard Road. The new station is in the parking lot area of Niles North High School and adjacent to Old Orchard Shopping Mall. BOARD: LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE: FIXED GUIDEWAY Extend Yellow Line rapid transit from Dempster Station to Old Orchard Road. -- 1.6 miles with no intermediate stops -- CTA and Pace bus services would be rerouted to pass through an off-street facility on the east side of the rapid transit station -- Two new stations: * Dempster Station would be rebuilt to accommodate longer length trains and support bi-directional ridership demand * Old Orchard terminal station would be located east of the expressway and in the northwest portion of the Niles North High School property BOARD: PROJECT PURPOSE -- Improve transit accessibility -- Provide mobility options by better utilizing existing transportation infrastructure capacity THE NEED FOR THE PROJECT IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS: -- There is a significant reverse commute to the project area that is not well served by the current Yellow Line terminal location -- Travelers on the existing system must make multiple transfers to reach activity and employment centers in the project area -- Transit alternatives will allow a portion of project area trips to avoid continued growth in arterial street and expressway congestion BOARD: SUBMIT COMMENTS -- Scoping comments due by October 27, 2009. -- Comment on the proposed project alternatives and potential environmental effects. -- Submit comments to Jeffrey Busby, General Manager, Strategic Planning, Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7602, Chicago, IL 60680-7602 * Fax: 312-681-4297 * E-mail: YellowExtension@transitchicago.com BOARD: STAY INVOLVED -- Visit www.transitchicago.com/YellowEIS -- To join the mailing list, contact: Darud Akbar, Government & Community Relations Office, Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7567 Chicago, IL 60680-7567 * Fax (312) 681-2796 * E-mail YellowExtension@transitchicago.com