Sunday, October 26, 2008

Cunningham Road and Bonnie View Park


Sunday's Tribune contains an article about the future plans for the extension of Cunningham Road through the former Garland Russell tract, currently known as Bonnie View Park. The article, titled, P&Z Suggests Cutting Planned Road in Parkland, documents the Planning and Zonings recommendation to remove Cunningham from the City's long range road plan. The Missourian, in an article on October 23, 2008, documented the P&Z Commission actions as well.

The City's long range road plan is manged by CATSO. The Columbia Area Transportation Study Organization (CATSO) was created in 1974 and designated as a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) by the Governor of Missouri. As the designated MPO, the Columbia Area Transportation Study Organization is responsible for ensuring a coordinated transportation planning process with the Metropolitan area.

It was during the Russell property park master plan process that the future of Cunningham Rd became an issue. The P&R Department, through a series of public meetings and surveys, presented four options for the development of the Russell tract.

Option A: Shows access to the park on the north from Rollins Road and on the east from a new access road from Fairview Road.

Option B: Identical to Option A on the north, but shows Weaver Drive, a local street stub off Bray Avenue, extended into the park from the south.

Option C: Shows Cunningham Road extended from Bray Avenue on the south through the park connecting to Rollins Road on the north.

Option D: Identical to Option C, but adds a connecting road from Cunningham Road west to Fairview Road.

The Parks and Recreation Commission voted to recommend Option A to the City Council. However, the issue will likely be renewed and the public will be given further opportunities for comments. The removal of Cunningham Road is the first step in reaching a Council consensus for the development of the Russell tract.

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