Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 02-16-05 (Workshop)MINUTES OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL TRAFFIC CIRCULATION STUDY WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY, February 16, 2005 The Ukiah City Council met at a workshop at 4:00 p.m. on February 16, 2005, the notice for which being legally noticed. Roll was taken and the following Councilmembers were present: McCowen, Rodin, Baldwin, and Mayor Ashiku. Councilmember absent: Crane. Staff present: City Manager Horsley, City Engineer Steele, Senior Civil Engineer Eriksen, and Recording Secretary Elawadly. m AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS No one from the audience came forward. 3. TRAFFIC CIRCULATION STUDY WORKSHOP City traffic engineering consultants Ross Ainsworth and Paul Miller from Omni Means Ltd. presented a Power Point presentation and discussion concerning the comprehensive Citywide Traffic and Circulation Study. The study area includes the City limits. The focus of the study is to observe, document, assimilate information, and possibly recommend modifications/changes to existing streets and intersections to ensure optimum efficiency. The study is conducted in phases so that the corresponding data and/or "working papers" created can be appropriately presented to staff and the Ukiah City Council for assessment to assist with determining which traffic patterns/circulation situations are acceptable/unacceptable, as well to identify those problematic situations that may require future improvements. Consultant Paul Miller specifically addressed the process for collecting the data, as follows: Observe regularly and at peak hours, street segments and key intersections to document the daily traffic counts/traffic volume and delays so the Level of Service (LOS) at the intersections can be determined. The LOS is categorized A-F, with F being the worst scenario. City policy dictates which LOS levels are acceptable for commercial or residential areas. Use GIS data from the City to assess and categorize land uses by parcel. The data is put into a traffic analysis zone (TAZ) composite map for streets in the study area. Create a pictorial of the "TransCAD" model for the street network system to integrate statistical data in order to make existing and future traffic projections. The model data i's documented into "working papers" for review to provide for an effective system of roadways. Mr. Miller specifically commented on Oak Street, School Street, N. State Street and Main Street, referred to as the Downtown Couplet Area, and he City Council Traffic Circulation Study Workshop February 16, 2005 Page 1 of 6 recommended City Council receive public input and questions, and give direction for the following two alternatives: ALTERNATIVE 1 One of the northbound lanes on State Street would be eliminated and Main Street would become two lanes northbound (only) between Gobbi Street and Norton Street. Two-way traffic would continue on State Street with two lanes southbound and one lane northbound. School Street and Oak Street would be unchanged with this scenario. A roundabout is proposed at the southern end of Gobbi Street because they provide for better traffic flow and transition at the ends of one-way couplets. It was noted that two-way traffic would be retained on both Gobbi and Norton between Main and State Streets, which was not clear in the exhibits. ALTERNATIVE 2 State Street would be reconfigured similar to School Street. The intent would be to pull the Downtown into a pedestrian friendly area. It would provide a connection between Main Street and School Street without a high volume/high speed facility between them. The objective is to move some of the traffic from the northbound direction of State Street onto Main Street and convert Main Street to two lanes northbound. Southbound through traffic or a portion of it would be encouraged to use Oak Street, which would then become a two-lane southbound facility. State Street would change to single north and southbound lanes. The configuration of State Street at the southern section would have three lanes, one northbound, one southbound, and a center left turn lane, because of the many access driveway points. Much of State Street would become similar to School Street because there would be diagonal parking accommodations, the speed limit and traffic volume would be significantly lower, resulting in an increased pedestrian-oriented facility as opposed to the existing four lanes, high volume facility. Statistical data for Alternatives I & 2 Mr. Miller presented information regarding creating a model of the existing configuration and Alternatives 1 & 2. Results of today's traffic data and projected data for year 2025 traffic, being inserted into the model were presented in two slides. Mr. Miller introduced the concept of using roundabouts in the Downtown area at key locations such as Gobbi Street at South State Street, Gobbi Street at Main Street, South State Street at Seminary Avenue, and North State Street at Henry Street to better enhance the flow of traffic. A general discussion followed regarding the roundabout proposal relevant to safety and overall effectiveness with specific discussion of a roundabout on Gobbi Street at Main Street. City Council Traffic Circulation Study Workshop February 16, 2005 Page 2 of 6 Mr. Miller advised the Brush Street Triangle is also being reviewed in a separate corridor study relative to an off-ramp and/or interchange. Questions to Consultants City Manager Horsley inquired how the pedestrians would be affected if State Street were one-way rather than two-way. Mr. Miller stated making State Street one-way would reduce hazards for pedestrians. Councilmember Baldwin commented the intersection of Perkins and Main Streets is problematic and could have an effect on either of the two alternative scenarios. He inquired why this matter has not been specifically addressed. Mr. Miller stated this intersection is currently a four-way stop and suffers from queuing rather than delay issues, which becomes a perception issue as to what is acceptable and/or unacceptable. He advised that part of the study process is to look at the national standards and compare them to Ukiah, as part of the consideration whether improvements at a particular intersection are necessary. The model allows you to demonstrate a change in traffic flow that can-be anticipated by the use of couplets. Councilmember McCowen inquired as to the community's learning/adjusting to the use of roundabouts. Mr. Miller stated roundabouts are widely accepted once communities understand their intent. He addressed the issue of safety and nationwide accident report statistics from communities that use roundabouts, and stated injury and fatal traffic accidents dropped 80 percent. Councilmember Rodin inquired relevant to "Alternative 2" and the reason for moving west toward Oak Street to route and handle the increase traffic volume. She commented that Main Street and Mason Street, as alternatives, are not long enough to make them what State Street is presently. Mr. Miller agreed there was no alternative to the east. Councilmember Rodin commented that allowing higher speeds on Oak Street may not be the best approach, since there are various types of commercial and residential uses. Councilmember Baldwin inquired whether consideration was given to making School Street and/or Oak Street more pedestrian oriented as opposed to trying to make State Street pedestrian friendly. He did not favor either of the proposed Alternatives. He favored utilizing development money to construct and make City Council Traffic Circulation Study Workshop February 16, 2005 Page 3 of 6 Oak Street, School Street, and Standley Street more user friendly with a Pacific Garden Mall, Santa Cruz appearance. He favored the concept of abandoning the idea of making State Street more user friendly. City Manager Horsley inquired regarding the benefits to "Alternative 1". over the current configuration. Mr. Miller stated an increased capacity would be provided through the Downtown by being able to shift the northbound flow of traffic to Main Street. Other aspects to this Alternative need to be better quantified in order to enhance traffic circulation and delays at intersections, and it would not provide significant opportunity to make it more pedestrian friendly. Councilrnember Rodin addressed "Alternative 2" and what criteria would allow the volume on State Street to continue even as people pull out of their parking space. Mr. Miller stated if State Street is maintained as an arterial, then providing for any increased parking facilities would not be conducive due to safety issues and the need to maintain steady traffic flow. Councilmember Crane inquired regarding an alternative approach where people can come to the core from every direction, but do not actually go through it. Mr. Miller stated this approach will be reviewed. Mayor Ashiku encouraged public members to craft letters to the City Manager regarding their input/comments concerning the traffic study. Councilmember Rodin commented that the intent of the traffic study was not necessarily to alleviate traffic problems on State Street. The objective was to make 'Main Street and State Street more pedestrian friendly similar to School Street and how best to handle future traffic flows. Councilmember McCowen commented that "Alternative 2" would create impacts to persons living and working on Oak Street. He added that MTA bus routes must also be considered relevant to proposed modifications to City streets. Mayor Ashiku commented a primary issue with proposed modifications to existing street configuration is the impacts to neighborhoods created as a result. He recommended careful consideration be given to all alternatives before implementing changes to roadways to ensure overall effectiveness and safety. City Council Traffic Circulation Study Workshop February 16, 2005 Page 4 of 6 Councilmember Baldwin recommended rejection of "Alternative 2" and looking at the possibility of implementing a three-lane State Street with one lane travel in both directions and a turn lane in the center while allowing for parking, bicycle lanes, and landscaping. He recommended further review of making Main Street one-way. A general discussion followed regarding the cost of the study. Public Questions/Comments A public member addressed the two scenarios and inquired whether the calculations factor in drivers desiring to get through town more quickly by going on a one-way street, such as south on Oak Street as opposed to going south on State Street. Mr. Miller stated the model has to factor in all changes to reflect an accurate analysis. He stated the current speeds on State Street may be as high as 40 mph. Under "Alternative 2" this street would change to a slower speed facility where the travel time would be longer. The model would assign the trip to the route with the shortest travel time. Judy Pruden inquired whether the study has factored the possibility of the railroad becoming operable and its effects on traffic patterns and circulation. Mr. Miller stated this issue will be reviewed. A public member inquired whether consideration was given to changing the traffic flows to and from State Street by using one-way streets and discourage east/west transport. Mr. Miller stated the City does not have east/west roadways that are east/west in close enough proximity with one another to effectively function as couplets. Also, the City does not have adequate parallel street systems to accommodate reverse traffic flow. Pastor Gary Zeek expressed concern regarding implementation of "Alternative 2" from a safety standpoint due to the various uses on Oak Street by changing its configuration to a main thoroughfare. A public member stated she recommended "Alternative 2" not be considered due to the proposed Oak Street changes. Barry Vogel addressed the existing Oak Street configuration circulation, and did not recommend implementation of "Alternative 2". and traffic Judy Pruden commented the 1991 proposal relative to the Downtown Master Plan was to look at two lanes and a turn lane (three-lane road) on State Street. City Council Traffic Circulation Study Workshop February 16, 2005 Page 5 of 6 She recommended some on-street parking and bicycle lane accommodations on State Street. The intent is to create a "nicer environment" on State Street that is more pedestrian friendly. Bruce Richard, General Manger of MTA, commented turning Main Street into one-way north would create difficulty for routing of MTA buses, and he has met and discussed this issue with the traffic consultants and City Staff. City Council Recommendations Council provided direction to staff and consultants to consider if Alternative 2 if the model can be adjusted to assign a reasonable speed, such as 25 mph, on Oak Street, to examining the use of three lanes on State Street (north, south, center turn), to further consider traffic enhancements on Main Street, and to consider center landscaping, parking, and bike and pedestrian facilities. 4. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:18 p.m. CathC'El~t~rding Secretary City Council Traffic Circulation Study Workshop February 16, 2005 Page 6 of 6