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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-10-01; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES Meeting of: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Time of Meeting: 3:OO p.m. Date of Meeting: October 1, 1990 Place of Meeting: City Council Chambers COMMISSIONERS \ CALL To ORDER: Chairman Fuller called the Meeting to order at 3:OO p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Fuller, Blake, Melideo and Stachoviak. Absent: Commissioner O'Day. Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer Sgt. Don Metcalf, Police Department Sherri Howard, Associate Engineer Marty Orenyak, Community Development Patty Cratty, Senior Management Director Analyst APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the September Meeting were continued. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: There were no requests to address the Commission on a non- agenda item. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: A. Roosevelt Street Parkina Lot Closure to Access Via Roosevelt Street - Request to remove driveway approach Bob Johnson stated that the Community Development Director, Marty Orenyak, requested this item be placed on the Agenda. He showed a transparency of the parking lot, which he explained was the same as contained in the staff report. A concrete planter has been constructed behind the sidewalk, and the subject of the meeting today is to determine what impact the planter has on the safety of the driveway approach as it currently remains. Mr. Johnson stated that the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommended that by leaving the driveway and the planter behind the sidewalk, it is a hazard to pedestrians and primarily to vehicles used to driving in from Roosevelt or some person not aware that it was not an access to the lot, although there was a driveway approach. Vehicles could drive into the driveway and into the planker. Accordingly, the Committee recommended removal of the driveway approach and construction of a curb, gutter and replacement of the sidewalk portion on the apron itself. Mr. Johnson said the secondary issue was who should pay for the removal of this approach, and staff is not prepared to Ray who should pay for it at this time. This topic is not to be discussed today and staff will look into this matter and bring back a report at a future date. MINUTES October 1, 1990 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Mr. Johnson presented slides showing the planter and the driveway approach from Roosevelt Street. There is now one approach to the parking lot, and that is from the alley. The access from Roosevelt Street ha8 been eliminated. Mr. Johnson stated that this is Ms. Boyer's lot and she has chosen to block that entrance. Mr. Johnson said that there is no violation for this type of construction, although the City would have preferred to have conferred with her. She had the right to do what she wanted with the parking lot. Staff is concerned about leaving an approach hazard that should be removed and would like a recommendation from this Commission. They feel it should be removed, whether or not it is the responsibililty of the City or the owner. Commissioner Stachoviak inquired about Fire Department access, and Mr. Johnson stated that the Fire Department representative was at the Coordinating Committee meeting and stated they would not fight a fire from the back. In answer to query regarding the City's interest in this lot, staff indicated it is strictly a privately-owned parking lot and meets the zoning and other regulations pertaining to a parking lot. If any violation was found where two accesses were required, that would not be a traffic safety problem. Commissioner Melideo expressed concern with limited access to the parking lot and the creation of a hazaard. She felt it was an advantage to have the driveway, and had thought this parking lot was counted as public parking. Mr. Johnson answered that Ms. Boyer is present today and will speak as to why she did this. He added that some people did use this driveway as a shortcut through the lot to avoid the corner, and Ms. Boyer was concerned about the liability and the speeding through the lot. It is near an intersection and that will be signalized with the streetscape,and there will be queuing in that area. Marty Orenyak stated that in 1982, the City and the mid- block parking lot came to an agreement. This agreement had to be with more than 50 percent of the property owners there, and at that time fences were removed and improvements were put in to maximize joint use of the parking facility. The five-year agreement subsequently expired and the property owners chose not to participate any further and the agreement was not renewed. This was never "public" parking--it was a joint use for the mid- block area. Chairman Fuller opened the Public Hearing at 3:20 p.m., and issued the invitation to speak. MINUTES October 1, 1990 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 NEW BUSINESS: (continued) Nancy Boyer, 560-562 Elm Avenue, the property Owner, stated there are a lot of issues in this matter. She agreed this is a hazard and said it existed prior to any changes that were made. She said that when the parking on Elm was eliminated, the speed increased. This lot has been maintained by the Boyer family and no easement was ever requested by anyone. Ms. Boyer felt that when the speed increased in the area, that her liability also increased. She voluntarily closed the access, although it is close to the intersection and stacking will probably occur there. Ms. Boyer said there is ample access for emergency vehicles, but she felt she should not be asked to provide access for the other businesses or have the liability for those cutting through the lot. Ms. Boyer stated she had correspondence with Chris Salomone regarding the five-year agreement. The purpose of that agreement had been served and that was why it was allowed to expire. John Koopsen, 560 Elm Avenue, representing Koopsen's Wallpaper and Paint, stated that since the parking was removed from Elm, the traffic is twice as fast. There is no place to park except in the rear of the stores, SO 99 percent of the business is from the back door. He said they have had parking problems for 20 years in that area, and the main problem is the lack of cooperation between the merchants. Bill Hart, 562 Elm Street, representing Harts Antiques, concurred with the other speakers. He felt this driveway was a hazard, and now it is not. This is a benefit now to the merchants there, as it is no longer a short cut through to the other merchants. Catherine FOX, 4970 Via Marta, concurred that this was a hazard with people cutting through there. Since no one else wished to speak on this matter, the Public Hearing was closed at 3:31 p.m. Commissioner Melideo stated that something needed to be done about this, and she would like the approach to be removed as soon as possible to eliminate the hazard. The City will decide who is responsible for the removal of the apron. Commissioner Stachoviak concurred and said that a curb and gutter should be constructed. The Traffic Safety Commission approved the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to remove the driveway approach to the former access to the parking lot on Roosevelt. The City is to decide who is responsible for the removal of that approach and replace with gutter, curb and sidewalk. \ \ \ Fuller Blake Melideo Stachoviak X X X X MINUTES A October 1, 1990 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 COMMISSIONERS ' NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) B. Sidewalk and Centerline Radii Reauirements on Private Streets - Review and Comment on proposed Engineering Department Policy Bob Johnson stated that Sherri Howard was present again to answer any questions, and that this item had been returned to the Commission after staff had time to provide background data on the items proposed. Chairman Fuller inquired about the design speed on curves and stated he did not want them too tight for the speed of the cars. Commissioner Melideo stated she did not want the words "may be" included in the section where it says the radius of a curve "may be" reduced. Mr. Johnson said this is a policy which does have flexibility, and is to be used as a guideline. When the actual plans are reviewed, staff will consider the actual request of the developer. Commissioner Melideo stated that was why she wanted the policy to be written stronger and why she opposes B 2 as written, using the words "may be". She reiterated that she wanted to tighten the language in this policy. Mr. Johnson stated that if staff did not agree with a development, they would recommend against it. There has not been a policy before now, and this is to be a guideline. Commissioner Melideo stated she wanted this policy as strong as possible to avoid the mistakes that have been made in the past. Sherri Howard stated that staff did not want to prohibit reversing curves in developments as there is as aesthetic value and they serve a number of purposes. Mr. Johnson stated that private streets are built to a different standard than public streets, and are usually a gated community. They have a right to do whatever they want with their streets. Ms. Howard said that staff wanted something to present to the developers to prevent re-design on projects. The only difference in private streets is the width--not the streets per se. Mr. Johnson said the City gets requests to accept private streets and the City will not accept them unless they meet the public street criteria. Commissioner Blake stated the policy was acceptable in its present form, as it is just a policy and must be flexible. MINUTES October 1, 1990 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 5 COMMISSIONERS NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Commissioner Melideo reiterated that she wanted it stronger, as she was not happy with the policy as written. She said if there is not something that is strong-written, it is a starting point for developers and could be strengthened if the City were getting a product they don't want. Commissioner Stachoviak agreed with Commissioner Melideo and said it needed to be strong to keep track of the projects. This recommends "relaxation" and he wondered how relaxed the policy would be. Chairman Fuller stated he approved of the guidelines, with a concern that the standards not be relaxed to the detriment of the public and that projects designed to these relaxed guidelines not be admitted to the City as public streets. The Traffic Safety Commission approved the general guidelines for the Sidewalk and Centerline Radius Requirements on Private Streets and Driveways as presented. The Commission expresses concern over any relaxation of the standards and recommends that private projects not meeting City standards never be accepted by the City as public streets. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: None. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: Bob Johnson announced that the annual thank-you dinner for commissioners will be held Thursday, October 11, 1990, 6:OO p.m., at the Senior Center. By proper motion, the Meeting of October 1, 1990, was adjourned at 4:25 p.m. pppectfully submitted, Minutes Clerk Fuller Blake Me1 ideo Stachoviak