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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_121995TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE UKIAH CIVIC CENTER Conference Room 5 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 December 19, 1995 3:00 p.m. MINUTES DEWEY, Chris HARRIS, Mike KENNEDY, Rick WOODS, Larry (for Looney) FORD, Steve, Chairman MEMBERS ABSENT FERNANDEZ, William LOONEY, Jim TURNER, Steve OTHERS PRESENT Linda Johnston Jeanie Malazich Stephanie Melanson Claire Myler Andre Siedentopf STAFF PRESENT Marge Giuntoli Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee was called to order by Member Mike Harris at 3:01 p.m. Chairman Steve Ford arrived at 3:02 p.m. and assumed the Chair. Roll was taken with the results listed above. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ON A MOTION by Member Woods, seconded by Member Dewey, it was cazried by the following roll call vote to approve the Minutes of November 14, 1995 as submitted. AYES: Members Dewey, Harris, and Woods NOES: None ABSTAIN: Member Kennedy and Chairman Ford ABSENT: Members Fernandez, Looney, and Turner Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee December 19, 1995 Page 1 AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS None. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS NEW BUSINESS a. Request to Share Concerns Regardine Speeding on West Standlev Street -Standley Street Neighborhood Watch -Andre Siedentopf Andre Siedentopf, 1038 West Standley Street, advised he was speaking for several individuals from the Standlev Street Neighborhood Watch, who have a number of concerns. Their primary concern is one of speeding on Standley Street. He further advised that 30 individuals met October 23, 1995 at the Municipal Clubhouse to offer input and ideas for solutions to the speeding problem. Some of the ideas included the installation of stop signs and speed humps. He stated he resides between Barnes and Highland, and has noticed a difference in the speeding patterns with the current placement of the City radaz trailer. He described the street as being narrow, with pets and children in the azea. The neighbors are asking the City for help with this problem. Claire Myler, 1063 West Standley Street, commented Standley is a one-way street from State to Dora, where it becomes two-way. She suggested continuing both Perkins and Standley one- way to the west of Dora. Member Kennedy stated the one-way direction would be affecting all of the neighbors, and asked which route they would take going the opposite direction. Mr. Siedentopf indicated it would still be two-way going up the hill. Member Kennedy asked if the one-way streets would reduce the speed. Ms. Myler replied she had no idea. Member Harris advised the Committee had discussed stop signs in the past. The majority of the experience shows stop signs become a stopping point from which to accelerate again. Ms. Myler acknowledged one neighbor had stated that concern, and had noted the gunning of the cazs at the stop sign. Stephanie Melanson, 1059 West Standley Avenue, stated the intersection of Standley and Baznes was dangerous. Visibility is limited by the upward slope of the road going east to west. Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee December 19, 1995 Page 2 Mr. Siedentopf commented he had noticed there are only two speed limit signs from Dora Street west up the hill; there aze no speed limit signs coming down the hill. Chairman Ford replied speed limit signs are ineffective. People still travel at the speed they want to. Member Kennedy stated the idea of the radaz trailer is to remind responsible drivers how fast they aze traveling. Indications are that people are either not seeing the trailer or are ignoring it. A stationary sign will not make a difference. Mr. Siedentopf and Ms. Myler commented they thought the speed culprits come from the top of the hill. Discussion followed relative to the sight distance problem at the intersection of Barnes and Standley. Member Kennedy advised that, generally, with a sight distance problem the minor leg of a four- way intersection is stopped. Stop signs are for the purpose of right-of--way assignment; they aze not for speed control. In the case of the Barnes and Standley intersection, Barnes is stop controlled. He suggested the installation of a temporazy four-way stop at Highland and Standley or Baznes and Standley, although increased noise and back up of traffic may occur. They can also take a video of the traffic to ascertain whether the two-way or four-way stop offers less confusion to the neighborhood. Mr. Siedentopf replied he did not think the increase in noise will have that much impact, at least at Barnes and Standley. Member Kennedy suggested a stop at Barnes and Standley would slow down the speed of vehicles at the intersection but not between intersections. Discussion followed relative to the merits of stop signs versus yield signs; it was also determined there is currently no possibility of assigning a patrol caz to the street for enforcement. Further discussion revolved azound the use of speed humps, with the acknowledgement they aze a problem for emergency vehicles on heavily traveled roads, such as Standley Street with its 1,000 vehicle trips per day. The City is experimenting with various traffic calming measures, but has limited road funds. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Woods, it was carried by the following roll call vote, to request the Public Works Department simultaneously install a temporary all-way stop at Highland and Standley, and afour-way stop at Baznes and Standley, and have the Engineering Department conduct a speed survey to see the accomplishments of these actions. Minutes of the Traffic Eugineering Committee December 19, 1995 Page 3 AYES: Members Dewey, Harris, Kennedy, Woods, and Chairman Ford NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Members Fernandez, Looney, and Turner Member Harris asked if the action was going to include any prenoticing to the residents on Standley Street. Member Kennedy replied he did not think that was done previously for the temporary four-way survey at Bush and Cypress. They can notice in the local paper. Member Harris questioned the liability issue of not notifying the neighbors of the traffic change. Member Kennedy replied they will flag and sign "Stop Ahead." Member Ford suggested a count across Highland to see how many people will go across Highland and use Perkins or Clay. Member Kennedy replied that was his rationale for recommending the study. They will survey the data and see how many complaints come about as a result. Discussion followed relative to notifying the residents in the neighborhood. January 29, 1996 is the next meeting for the Standlev Street Neighborhood Watch. It is possible the survey results will be available at that time and a City representative be present to answer questions. Member Kennedy asked Mr. Siedentopf for his phone number for reference purposes. OLD BUSINESS a. Presentation of Beacon Lane Survev Results. Make Recommendation to Citv Council Regardine Requested Modification to Beacon Lane Between Dora and State Street. Chairman Ford advised that a survey was sent to the residents on Beacon Lane. There were a total of 21 responses. Three (3) responses favored making a narrow portion of Beacon one- wav travel for west bound traffic only. Nine (9) responses favored making a narrow portion of Beacon Lane one-wav travel for east bound traffic only. Nine (9) responses favored keeping Beacon Lane as it currently is. Discussion followed relative to easements and rights-of--way Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee December 19, 1995 Page 4 Linda Johnston, 360 Beacon Lane, stated the problem on Beacon Lane is that it is a very narrow azea that is unsafe, both upon entering and exiting. Exiting Beacon Lane there is a visual problem going north on State Street. Entering Beacon Lane from State Street (north) there is a visual barrier created by fencing and bushes on the restaurant site. The street is not wide enough to make a decent turn into Beacon Lane. Chairman Ford asked Member Dewey for the accident history of the intersection. Member Dewey replied they have investigated a small number of accidents. Discussion followed relative to emergency vehicle access to the azea. Member Harris commented there was both an immediate and long-term problem. Another access to the neighborhood could be developed but it may take several years. Discussion followed relative to isolating the actual problem. Chairman Ford stated he has never had a problem at that location. It seems like there aze a lot of cazs because it is a narrow street; it makes it seem like it is busier than it actually is. Discussion followed relative to traffic counts. Jeanie Malarich, 1385 Beacon Way, asked why there is more development occurring when the street is inadequate for what is presently there. Member Harris replied the primary access is off of Dora Street. Analysis of the new development at the time of approval did not identify a problem. If new construction is proposed, additional evaluation will be required. Ms. Malarich stated the four houses on Rainier are the ones who made the complaints. The increase of traffic on Beacon Lane was not considered. Member Harris again stated the number of new houses were not considered to significantly increase local travel. A dedication of land for street purposes was not required. Discussion followed relative to the actual amount of traffic in the area. It was determined that because of the narrowness of the street, there will be room for one lane of traffic only. Further discussion related to one-way streets and the advice of realtors that land values could drop $10,000 if they were instituted. There was concern on the part of the residents present that should the land values decrease the neighborhood will not rebuild. Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee December 19, 1995 Page 5 Member Kennedy reiterated the road is only wide enough for one lane of traffic. Discussion followed relative to public roads and City and County boundaries regarding the Beacon Lane area. Further discussion related to the process of determining a cost estimate for widening the road and who would pay for the improvements. It was determined research was needed to discern whether a right-of--way is in existence. Member Kennedy stated he would like to revisit what started all the concern. The original petition had three alternatives for the street--widen, dead-end, or one-way. He had previously noted that due to several factors, the only alternative was to make the street one-way. There were other issues discussed at this meeting, including alleged illegal parking, for which enforcement should issue citations, and sight obstruction and turning vehicles from State to Beacon, which could be alleviated with the painting of a solid yellow middle line on Beacon. Member Kennedy MOVED the Committee make a recommendation to address the condition that exists today--the narrow 11 foot lane--and make it one-way eastbound until such time as the road may be widened. The property owners will be informed of the process, and notification of the Committee's action will be sent to the County Boazd of Supervisors. Member Dewey SECONDED the motion. Discussion followed relative to placement of the signage. Member Kennedy reconsidered and withdrew the motion Member Dewey withdrew the second. Member Kennedy discussed the possibility of a stop sign at each end of the narrow portion of the street, similar to some narrow situations observed in the County. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Dewey, it was carried by the following roll call vote, to recommend to the City Council that two stop signs be installed on both sides of the narrow portion of Beacon Lane, accompanied with an informational sign that shall read "Proceed When Clear." AYES: Members Dewey, Harris, Kennedy, Woods and Chairman Ford NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Members Fernandez, Looney, and Turner Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee December 19, 1995 Page 6 COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS None MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Member Kennedy noted in the last accident report, there were several pedestrian accidents in mazked crosswalks, confirming that mazked crosswalks can be dangerous, and confirms the findings in the San Diego Crosswalk study. Discussion followed relative to marked crosswalks. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. ;,_ 1 ,' ~~J i, ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Ct~" Steve Ford, Chairman c /, /., ~, ~ ' ~' C. - .CE~iE~B -C ~ M e Giuntoli, Recording Secretary b:M121995 Minutes of the Traffic Engineering Committee December 19, 1995 Page 7