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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_011299TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 12, 1999 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT William Fernandez, Chairman Donna Roberts, Public Member Rick Kennedy, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent Larry Woods, Senior Civil Engineer David Lohse, Associate Planner MEMBERS ABSENT Steve Turner, MTA Pete Hoyle, Ukiah Police Department Michael F. Harris, Risk Manager/Budget Officer OTHERS PRESENT Bob Neilson STAFF PRESENT Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Fernandez at 3:06 p.m. Roll was taken with the results listed above. Member Roberts arrived at 3:10 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ON A MOTION by Member Looney, seconded by Member Woods, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, to approve the minutes of December 8, 1998, as submitted, with Members Kennedy, Lohse, and Roberts abstaining. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Fernandez read audience comments. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: NEW BUSINESS None. OLD BUSINESS c. Request for Red Curb on the South Side of Brush Street between the NATCO and Soda Creek Press Driveways -Mike Bielenberg Mrs Denson's Cookie Company. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 12, 1999 PAGE 1 Member Woods reported that Mike Bielenberg of Mrs. Denson's Cookie Company (The Cookie Company), made a request at the December 8, 1998 meeting, for a red curb on the south side of Brush Street between the NATCO and Soda Creek Press driveways to eliminate on-street parking. Mr. Bielenberg stated it has become extremely difficult for trucks and trailers to back-up into the 31- foot driveway for loading and unloading, due to the increase of vehicle traffic because of the relocation of the County offices. Member Woods advised there is 115-feet of on-street parking available between the driveway of The Cookie Company and the corner of Mazzoni. He noted Soda Creek Press (a bookstore) is located to the east, and NATCO Corporation and Neilson's Automotive and Truck is located to the west of the proposed location. He also advised he received a telephone call from Bob Neilson of Neilson Automotive and Truck opposing the red curb, and Soda Creek Press was in favor of the red curb. Bob Neilson, Neilson Automotive and Truck, located at 151 Brush Street, stated he is opposed to the 30-foot red curb, because the red curb would eliminate on-street parking space in front of his business for his customers. He advised the employees of The Cookie Company utilize the on-street parking versus the on-site parking. He noted that when there is no on-street parking, the large trucks and trailers still have difficulty in backing up into the driveway on a single pass. Member Lohse advised it is not illegal to park on the street. The Cookie Company is required to have 15 to 20 on-site parking spaces, and is consistent with the code requirements. The Planning Department is not authorized to enforce the use of the parking spaces, however, the Cookie Company is responsible for maintaining the parking spaces, which cannot be structurally covered. He noted that he has observed the use of the parking spaces for forklifts, placement of pallets, and other such uses. Mr. Neilson advised there are 40-foot truck and trailers parked on the corner of Mazzoni and Brush Street, making it very difficult to have clear site visibility when exiting Mazznni onto Brush Street. Member Lohse advised it is possible that the trucks and trailers are larger than indicated when The Cookie Company relocated to this location. The Cookie Company has been granted a variance that allows the building setback closer to the curb to allow more space. The code requires that The Cookie Company provide sufficient space for loading and unloading. Member Looney advised it is a possibility that the gate width may be too narrow to allow the trucks and trailers to back-up into the driveway in one pass. Member Woods noted that Officer Hoyle expressed at the previous meeting that the Police Department has received complaints from citizens regarding on-street parking of the large trucks, making it very difficult to have clear sight visibility when exiting from Mazzoni onto Brush Street. Discussion followed regarding the increase of traffic due to the relocation of the County offices; the larger trucks and trailers parking on-street; the future development of Brush Street with Orchard Avenue; timed parking on an hourly basis; there being no painted parking spaces on Brush Street; the street width is 38-feet curb to curb; and the elimination of on-street parking will not solve the problem of trucks and trailers backing into the driveway. ON A MOTION by Member Kennedy, seconded by Member Looney, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present, that the Traffic Engineering Committee deny the request for a 30-foot red curb on the south side of Brush Street between the NATCO and Soda Creek Press MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 12, 1999 PAGE 2 Driveways, to eliminate on-street parking. Member Lohse stated the future improvements of Brush Street with Orchard Avenue will increase traffic on Brush Street, and the trucks and trailers backing up into the driveway will cause traffic delays. Member Kennedy stated Staff should contact The Cookie Company to discuss the future development of Brush Street and Orchard Avenue that will increase vehicle traffic, and the possible elimination of on-street parking of large trucks and trailers. He advised Mr. Neilson that The Cookie Company can appeal this decision to the City Council. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS None. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS None. ADJOURNMENT Ra\TEC A120898 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE JANUARY 12, 1999 PAGE3