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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_031495TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMIVIITTEE UKIAH CIVIC CENTER Conference Room 3 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 MARCH 14, 1995 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT BUDROW, Kenneth FORD, Steve KENNEDY, Rick WOODS, Lazry (Substitute for Jim Looney) DEWEY, Chris STAFF PRESENT Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary MEMBERS ABSENT FERNANDEZ, William HARRIS, Mike LOONEY, Jim TURNER, Steve -Chairman OTHERS PRESENT John Paju Donna Ruoff The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Budrow at 5:35 p.m. Roll was called with the results listed above. Vice-Chairman Budrow introduced Ukiah Police Officer Chris Dewey. Officer Dewey will be replacing Vice-Chairman Budrow on the Traffic Engineering Committee. Officer Dewey has expertise in the traffic and will greatly benefit the Committee. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of February 14, 1995, were not available. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Vice-Chairman Budrow read "Audience Comments on Non-Agenda Items" to those present. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMnTEB 1 MARCH 14, 1995 DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: NEW BUSINESS b. Request for aTwo-Wav Ston at North Sorine Street and Willow Avenue -Donna Ruoff Rick Kennedy, advised a request has been received from Donna Ruoff fora 2-way stop at North Spring Street and Willow Avenue. Her request follows a recent accident at the intersection involving her daughter, on February 27, 1995. The intersection of North Spring and Willow Avenue is currently uncontrolled. It has been verified from a recent field survey that visual obstructions for approaching motorists exist at the northwest, southeast, and northeast corners. A high hedge within the pazkway and a fence obstruct the visual detection of west bound vehicles on Willow for northbound motorists on Spring Street. Trees and other vegetation on the corner lot at the northwest corner and pazked cazs on the north side of the Willow west approach obstruct the visual detection of east and west bound vehicles on Willow for south bound motorists on Spring. Between Clay Street and Walnut Avenue, there aze currently 2-way stops on Spring at Clay, Perkins, Standley, and Walnut and 2-way stops on the intersecting streets of Smith and Church. The Willow and Spring intersection is the only intersection along Spring between Clay and Walnut that is uncontrolled. Willow extends approximately 300 feet west of Spring and dead ends at Dora and would be classified as the minor approach. As reported in SWITRS, there was one traffic accident on Spring Street 89 feet south of Willow between September 30, 1994 and January, 1990. The accident is reported as anon-collision involving a 15 yeaz old male bicyclist. As relayed to Lazry Woods by the requester, the tow truck driver who removed the damaged vehicles from the incident location on Februazy 27, 1995, stated that he has towed other cazs from this location that had similaz accidents. Pursuant to wazrants published in the traffic manual, a stop sign may be warranted on a minor approach to the intersection where the safe approach speed to the intersection is less than 10 M.P.H. Given the visual obstructions as previously mentioned, the safe approach speed to this intersection is less than 10 M.P.H. It is recommended by the City Engineer that the Traffic Committee make a recommendation to City Council that a 2-way stop be established at the intersection of Willow Avenue and North Spring Street, and the east and west bound traffic on Willow be required to stop. Officer Dewey advised he investigated the accident of February 27, 1995. He noted a week later he was driving with lights and siren, west bound on Willow, to assist another Officer, and missed the street because of the visual obstruction for approaching motorists. The visual indication of a stop sign would help find the street. Vice-Chairman Budrow asked if the stop sign will be hidden by the trees on Willow between Dora and Spring. Member Kennedy responded no. MINOTFS OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE ~ MARCH 14, 1995 Discussion followed regazding "STOP" street mazkings aze not required, however, a stop baz and sign aze required; and the intersection is unsafe as an uncontrolled intersection at 10 M.P.H. ON A MOTION by Member Ford, seconded by Member Woods, it was carried by an all AYE vote, that the City Engineer recommend to the City Council to approve the request for atwo-way stop at North Spring on Willow Avenue. a. Reconsider Request for Red Curb South of Driveway at 617 South State Street (World Wide Tyr vel) and Red Curb South and North of Driveway on Main Street -John Paju and John Leon Larry Woods, reported a request from John Paju, Worldwide Travel, 617 South State Street, sight distance is restricted by lazge trucks pazked neaz the driveways resulting in unsafe conditions. The curve in Main Street adds to the problem. Mr. Paju has discussed this with Chief Keplinger and was given the impression that red curbs would be an appropriate solution. Member Kennedy advised the City's Municipal Code does not authorize the Public Works Director/City Engineer to establish "NO PARKING" zones. The Code specifically authorizes the Traffic Engineer of the City to establish such zones, and as defined in the Code, the Traffic Engineering Committee is the Traffic Engineer. John Paju, Worldwide Travel, expressed lazge vehicles pazk neaz the driveways making it very difficult for clear sight visibility when exiting and neazly creating accidents. There have been lazge vehicles pazked in the pazking spaces for 2 to 3 days at a time without moving. Vehicles travel at high rate of speed. Mr. Leonazd of Home Federal Savings has discussed the possibility of raising the bank sign, because the sign creates an obstruction. Mr. Leonazd has stated customers for the mexican restaurant park in the bank pazking lot, and he has no problem with the restaurant customers using the pazking lot. Mr. Paju is requesting safety for vehicles exiting the driveways. The one-way entrance driveway on State Street is used as an exit way onto State Street, however, there is no sign stating the driveway is one-way. Vice-Chairman Budrow asked when exiting the driveway onto Main Street, and vehicles pazked on both sides, at what point do you stop before entering onto Main Street? Mr. Paju responded before the sidewalk. Vice-Chairman Budrow noted sight visibility for south bound traffic can be viewed from the sidewalk azea, not through the vehicles. He expressed a concern to paint the curb red and eliminate on- street pazking when the bank sign still creates an obstruction. Vehicles travelling south bound on Main Street cut the corner travelling to close to the curb prohibiting vehicles to safely pull out pass the sidewalk without being hit. Discussion followed regazding line of sight exiting from the driveways of the bank and travel agency because of vehicles pazked in the pazking spaces located between the two driveways; customers of the restaurant use the bank pazking lot during evening hours when the bank is closed; the bank sign creates a sight obstruction; the curve on Main Street creates unsafe sight visibility; a vehicle can pazk on the street 72 hours without being moved; the Police Department would have to establish proof that a vehicle has been pazked on the street 72 hours before the vehicle is towed or a request is made to the owner to move the vehicle; vehicles driving south bound on Main Street drive through the left turn pocket; vehicles MINUTES OP THH TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMnTEE ~ MARCH 14, 1995 travelling south bound travel at a higher rate of speed than north bound; and the speed limit within the this azea is 25 M.P.H. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Ford, it was carried by an all AYE vote, that the Traffic Engineering Committee disregazd the previous action that the request for a red curb south and north of the driveway on Main Street, be denied based on the fact there is no sight restrictions; and that the Traffic Engineering Committee approve the elimination of two pazking spaces between the driveways located on Main Street of 617 and 607 South State Street, and establish a "NO PARKING" zone. a. Request for the Removal of a "NO PARKING" Zone and the Establishment of a Loading Zone along State Street in Front of Motosnorts of Ukiah. 724 South State Street -Paul Kobetz Member Kennedy advised Mr. Paul Kobetz with Motosports of Ukiah is requesting the removal of an existing red curb zone between the two (2) drive aprons for the business property located at 724 South State Street and replacing the "NO PARKING" zone with a loading zone. Because of the limited and restricted off-street pazking facilities for the business property, it is necessary that operators of delivery vehicles pazk in the red zone to make deliveries to Motosports. The operators aze being issued pazking tickets or waznings for pazking in the red zone. Although the distance of the red zone between the drive aprons is short, it should be sufficient for the loading and unloading for deliveries. The City Manager and City Engineer support the establishment of the unloading zone. Pursuant to Section 7180 of the Ukiah Municipal Code, the Traffic Engineer is authorized to establish loading zones at the following locations: 1. At any place in the central traffic district or in any business district. 2. Elsewhere in front of the entrance to any place of business or in front of any hall or place used for the purpose of public assembly. Vice-Chairman Budrow expressed a concern that from Gobbi Street the No. 2 Lane (right-hand lane) is next to the curb and slowly angles away from the curb and pazking spaces established in front of the business south of Motosports. He asked what is the road width from the curb to the center line. Member Kennedy asked aze Officers writing pazking violation tickets or responding to pazking complaints. Vice-Chairman Budrow responded U.P.S. trucks block the roadway when pazked in front of the business. Vice-Chairman Budrow advised he would like to review further the location of the mail boxes, the width of the roadway, and have all information brought back to the Committee. Member Kennedy suggested removing the small portion of sidewalk and construction of a continuous driveway. He agreed to waive the encroachment permit fees. MINUTFS OF THH TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTHE A MARCH 14, 1995 Discussion followed regazding U.P.S. trucks are pazked half on the curb between the two driveways and half in the roadway; vehicles can only drive forwazd into the driveway and back out onto State Street when leaving; there is no reaz access; have U.P.S. trucks use the alleyway on the side of the business; moving the loading zone further south, however, there aze two U.S. Mail boxes within that location; the mail boxes aze not curb drops; move the center line to have the Number 1 lane 11 feet (from 12 feet), and the Number 2 lane would be wider; stripping is contracted out. ON A MOTION by Member Ketmedy, seconded by Member Ford, it was carried by an all AYE vote, the Traffic Engineering Committee recommends, at the discretion of the City Engineer, if there is sufficient width for a travel lane and pazking lane on South State Street, at the location between the two driveways, the Traffic Engineering Committee will approve a loading zone. If there is non-sufficient width for a travel lane and pazking lane, the Traffic Engineering Committee denies the approval of a loading zone, and recommends the property owner remove the sidewalk and curb portion and construct one continuous driveway. c. Stoo Sien on Hastings Road at Commerce Drive -Jim LooneY~Public Works Sunerintenden Member Kennedy advised the intersection of Hastings Road, Commerce Drive and Airport Road is a a- way intersection with one stop sign on the north bound entrance from Airport Road. Vehicles traveling south on Hastings Road aze at risk of colliding with vehicles making a left turn from Commerce Drive onto Airport Road. On numerous occasions it has been observed hesitation and uncertainty on the part of drivers on the non-regulated entrances to the intersection. California Department of Transportation traffic manual restricts the installation of a stop sign, at any entrance to an intersection controlled by an official signal or railroad crossing with an automatic signal. It is recommended that a stop sign be installed on Hastings Road at the south bound entrance to the Hastings-Commerce-Airport Road intersection. Vice-Chairman Budrow asked where would the stop sign be installed in regazds to the driveway of the lumber yazd. Member Kennedy responded the driveway is close to the intersection and the stop sign would be either south of or north of the driveway as determined best at time of installation. ON A MOTION by Member Ford, seconded by Member Kennedy, it was carried by an all AYE vote, the Traffic Engineering Committee recommends to the City Council to approve the installation of a stop sign on Hastings Road at Commerce Drive. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS None. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Vice-Chairman Budrow asked the status of the red curb on the north side of Ford Street, from North State Street back to were it widens out. MINUTES OP THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE ~ MARCH 14, 1995 Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman. AD.iOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. ,~? Ken Budrow, Vice-Chairman Kathy Kinch, Reco ing Secretary Ra\TEC M031095 MINUTPS OF TEn; TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE ~ MARCN 14, 1995