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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_060998MINUTES TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE June 9, 1998 MEMBERS PRESENT Chris Dewey, Ukiah Police Department Rick Kennedy, City Engineer Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent Donna Roberts, Public Member Charles Stump, Senior Planner (for Robert Sawyer) Steve Turner, MTA Bill Fernandez, Chairman MEMBERS ABSENT Mike Harris Robert Sawyer OTHERS PRESENT Dan McKee STAFF PRESENT Marge Giuntoli, Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee was called to order by Chairman Femandez at 3:06 p.m. in Conference Room 1, Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. Roll was taken with the results listed above. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 14, 1998 May 12, 1998 ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Turner, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to approve the minutes of April 14, 1998, as submitted. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Dewey, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to approve the minutes of May 12, 1998, as submitted. III. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS No comments were made. IV. NEW BUSINESS a. Request for "No Parking" Zone 20 Feet Both Directions From Driveway Located at 248A and 2488 Hospital Drive -Marlene Humphrey Office Manager Geoffrey L. Rice. M.D. Chairman Femandez reviewed the letter from Ms. Humphrey, Office Manager for Dr. Geoffrey Rice, noting their request for 20 foot "No Parking" zones on both sides of the entrance to their office driveway on Hospital Drive. Discussion followed regarding the request, wherein it was noted there was nothing in the City Code relative to visibility and safety standards for driveways; there appeared to be adequate on-site Traffic Engineering Committee June 9, 1998 Page 1 parking for all of the facilities; and many customers of the nearby drug store and doctors' offices park on the street mainly for convenience and ease of egress. It was further noted that Hospital Drive is a wide street that allows for vehicles exiting a driveway to pull out far enough to see oncoming traffic, and that the urgency of the problem may be exacerbated by the nature of Dr. Rice's practice, which is to treat patients with eye conditions or vision problems. Member Stump inquired if it was likely similar requests would come forward if this one was approved, and noted the area is targeted for increased development to the north, including a medical office across from the Birthing Center. Discussion followed relative to the possibility of installing "No Parking" zones adjacent to all of the office driveways on Hospital Drive, given the fact vehicle traffic and the need for parking will increase proportionately with future development in the area. It was recommended that all of the doctors' offices be surveyed prior to any action being taken by the Committee, in order to ascertain whether patrons at any of the other facilities are experiencing the same exiting difficulties as Dr. Rice's patients. Further discussion followed regarding the Planning Department's process for determining the required number of on-site parking spaces for medical facilities, wherein it was noted that although the required number of stalls is based on the square footage of gross leasable space, there is no differentiation made between the parking designated for medical staff and customer parking. It was further noted that as the number of doctors employed within these medical facilities increase there will be less patient parking available, and that perhaps the Planning Department should begin to consider priority parking for medical staff when calculating the amount of patron and employee spaces required for new facilities. Member Dewey MOVED, and Member Kennedy SECONDED, to have the City Engineering Department examine Hospital Drive and its contiguous driveways relative to visibility and safety issues, and canvass the businesses and doctors in the area regarding whether there is a perceived need for "No Parking" zones adjacent to the ingress and egress areas. Member Turner inquired whether the intent of the motion was to grant Dr. Rice's request and subsequently canvass the other doctors, or to conduct the canvass prior to action being taken. Member Dewey replied the intent was to conduct the canvass of the entire street first since there was more than one doctor's office that would be impacted, and then agendize the item for the next meeting. Discussion followed regarding the intent of the motion, wherein concern was expressed that if parking and egress onto Hospital Drive was not an issue with the other doctors, Dr. Rice's request would be delayed until action could be taken at the next meeting. Member Kennedy stated he did not believe there was a traffic safety hazard in this case, since evidence of a hazard is proven by actual accidents rather than perceptions. He recommended that the canvass be conducted prior to Committee action, so the entire matter could be dealt with at one time, rather than on a piecemeal basis. Member Roberts commented that a canvass prior to Committee action would solve the problem of having to placate a business owner or medical staff member who may have wanted to be consulted relative to the parking matter, and inquired if the decision relative to parking zones would carry over into new development in the area. Traffic Engineering Committee June 9, 7998 Page 2 Member Stump replied there were already two encroachments on Hospital Drive for the proposed new development. The motion CARRIED by an all AYE voice vote of the members present. b. Request for Temporary Bus Stop (June 14 through July 24) Westbound on Low Gap Road. About 100 Feet From Despina Drive at Existing "No Parking" Sign To Serve As Northbound High School Stop During Summer School This Location Will Channel Youth to Crosswalk. Steve Tumer -MTA Member Turner reviewed the request, noting that as summer school students exit off the northbound bus, they cross the street in an area which has limited site distance because of the nearby hill. The students do not take the time to walk to the available crosswalk, and in order to attempt to channel the students toward this crosswalk, MTA is requesting a temporary bus stop near the existing "No Parking" sign approximately 100 feet from Despina Drive. He suggested the "No Parking" sign be removed and an MTA sign be installed during the six week period summer school is in session. Discussion followed relative to the signage, wherein it was noted the vehicle code requires that the bus stop be marked. Concern was expressed that confusion would arise and parking of vehicles would occur if the "No Parking" sign was temporarily removed. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Stump, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote to approve MTA's request for a temporary bus stop 100 feet from Despina Drive, and that the "Bus Stop" sign be temporarily attached, by MTA, to the existing "No Parking" sign for the period June 14 through July 24, 1998. Member Turner abstained from the vote. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion of Traffic Issues Related to Traffic Calming Devices on Ford and Clara Streets. Discussion Items to Include Prohibition of Truck Traffic and Vehicle Turning Movement at Traffic Circles -Donna Roberts Member Roberts commented on the problems she has observed at the intersection of Ford and Clara Streets relative to the inability of large trucks to negotiate the turn, and thereby being forced to drive over the end of the traffic island. She discussed her previous request to have the island partially cemented in order to alleviate further damage, and expressed her opinion that large trucks did not belong in that neighborhood. Discussion followed relative to the general nature of large trucks in residential areas, wherein the City Code was referenced and it was noted that while the Code indicates a prohibition against parking heavy trucks on residential streets, it also specifies a weight limit for commercial vehicles that are allowed within neighborhoods on a temporary basis, including public utilities and delivery trucks. Further discussion followed regarding whether the trucks Ms. Robert's was referring to were entering the neighborhood to visit various residents in the area, or whether they were, in fact, unfamiliar with Orchard Avenue and confused by the traffic calming measures. It was noted that enforcement could only occur with those trucks that were illegally parked, and that possibly signs could be posted stating this area was not a truck route, forewarning motorists relative to the existence of the traffic calming measures. Traffic Engineering Committee June 9, 1998 Page 3 Member Turner MOVED, and Member Kennedy SECONDED, that the City establish informational signs warning trucks that they are not advised in the neighborhood north of the Kmart entrance, with the appropriate language to be determined by the Public Works/Engineering Department. Member Kennedy noted that signs stating "Traffic Calming Measures" had already been generated, but could be combined with new signs stating "Trucks Not Advised." Member Turner clarified there are three issues of concern in this case, which include the truck driver unfamiliar with the area who finds himself forced to make a left turn into the traffic calming device; the illegally parked trucks, which can be addressed through the existing City Code; and the possibility of designating those streets as being prohibited to truck traffic. He clarified that he tailored his motion specifically to the occasional truck driver who is unfamiliar with the neighborhood. Member Looney commented he did not feel that in this case additional signing would solve the problem, since it appeared most drivers who enter the neighborhood are familiar with the area and the signs would simply be conveying information they already are aware of. Discussion followed enforcement, truck routes, and the height of the traffic island reflectors. The motion CARRIED by a majority AYE voice vote. Member Looney voted against the motion. Member Roberts commented on vehicle turning movement at the traffic circles, and noted that some drivers are mistakenly effecting left hand turns prior to the traffic circles. Discussion followed regarding the matter, wherein Member Dewey commented the Police Department would take the appropriate enforcement action if a driver was observed making the turn incorrectly. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Turner, ii was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to make the Public Safety Department aware of this situation via their representative on the Traffic Engineering Committee, and suggest that if an officer does see such a violation, to take appropriate action. V. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS Member Tumer reported on the summer school bus route, MTA summer service beginning on June 14, and the expanded jitney service. Member Dewey inquired regarding the plans for the Low Gap Road and State Street intersection. Member Kennedy replied funds were still available for a modified version of the original plan, which will incude a new traffic signal and left turn lanes on State Street. He outlined other improvements planned for various City streets. Member Turner inquired relative to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Member Stump replied that work on the plan is proceeding. However, the public workshop was sparsely attended, and another one will be scheduled in the near future. Staff is hopeful there will be an adopted Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan by the early Fall of 1998. Traffic Engineering Committee June 9, 1998 Page 4 Discussion followed regarding the transit center proposed for the Railroad Depot location, and the Greyhound bus stop. VI. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS None. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjoume '4:06 p.m. Traffic Engineering Committee Page 5 9 i errs~nd airman ,~ ~f ~, d ~ " z, ~ ~~ ~ ~ C~ Mar Giunt li, Recording Secretary b:meg\tec60998.min June 9, 1998