Farmers Branch unveils active transportation plan; community survey and April 17 public event set

City staff outlined an update to Farmers Branch’s active transportation plan at the March 13 Sustainability Committee meeting, saying the effort expands the 2015 trail master plan to include walking, cycling and short trips.

Speaker 1 framed three goals: get people where they need to go, reduce traffic and reduce pollution. Staff noted Farmers Branch is in ozone nonattainment and said mobile sources are the primary local contributor to pollution.

Staff announced a public-survey launch in April and a consultant-run community input event on Wednesday, April 17 at the Recreation Center (Pecan). Staff described a process that will combine public input, crash and safety data, feasibility and cost to produce a prioritized five-year project list and seek grant and federal funds to implement feasible projects.

Committee members asked about transit integration, including recent DART service changes and the city’s GoLink service; staff explained Farmers Branch is a DART funding member and described coordination through public works and the city manager’s office. Members also discussed bike racks, repair stations and design features such as shade and separated bike lanes to increase safety and comfort.

Staff encouraged committee members to promote the survey to neighbors and community groups and invited attendees to add sticky-note feedback at the meeting to highlight missing infrastructure or safety concerns.