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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_012004Minutes TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE January 20, 2004 Members Present Others Present Ben Kageyama, Chairman Steve Turner, UUSD Mike Harris Dave Lohse Jerry Whitaker Rick Seanor Dan Walker Staff Present Members Absent Cathy Elawadly, Recording Secretary Kevin Cotroneo Doug Pilant The meeting was called to order by Chairman Kageyama at 3:01 p.m. in Conference Room No. 3, Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 17, 2003 Chairman Kageyama recommended language be added to page 3, paragraph 5, to read, "Chairman Kageyama stated that ladder striped crosswalks, having stripes parallel to the direction of traffic, may have better visibility than diagonally striped crosswalks. Chairman Kageyama provided a copy of ladder striped crosswalk details to Member Seanor for review by staff." ON A MOTION by Member Harris, seconded by Member Lohse, it was carried by an all AYE voice vote of the members present to approve the December 17, 2003 minutes, as amended. III. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS No one from the audience came forward. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: IV. OLD BUSINESS N/A V. NEW BUSINESS d. Discussion and possible action regarding proposed Class 2 bike lanes on Oak Manor Drive. Traffic Engineering Committee January 20, 2004 Page 1 Member Seanor asked the TEC to review a request to install Class 2 bike lanes on Oak Manor Drive between Perkins Street and Gobbi Street that would connect the recently constructed Class 2 bike lanes on Gobbi Street with a bike lane project proposed for construction on Vichy Springs Road (East Perkins Street). The project is currently advertised for construction by the Mendocino County of Transportation. He referred to Attachment "A" that demonstrates Caltrans standards for implementation of Class 2 bike lanes, noting the measurements were calculated according to the metric system. Attachment "B" demonstrates the proposed bike lane striping on Oak Manor Drive. Member Seanor addressed the project description and issues to be discussed by the TEC, noting Oak Manor Drive is 40 feet wide from curb to curb. Successful installation of a Class 2 bike lane on this street would require that parking be prohibited on one side of the street. Staff recommends that parking be prohibited on the entire length of the west side of Oak Manor Drive where Oak Manor School is located. Oak Manor Park is also located on the west side of Oak Manor Drive, noting the Park has an off-street parking lot. The school does not generate a substantial amount of off-site parking and there is minimal use during the summer months. The east side Oak Manor Drive is entirely residential, therefore staff does not recommend prohibiting parking on this side of the street. Additionally, in order to install the Class 2 bike lanes, the existing centerline would have to be removed and restriped. The necessary signage in conjunction with the bike lanes would also have to be installed. Member Seanor reported the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan recommends the installation of Class 2 bike lanes on Oak Manor Drive between Perkins Street and Gobbi Street. Staff anticipates that the establishment of Class 2 bike lanes on both sides of Oak Manor Drive would also serve to visually narrow the traveled way and hopefully assist with reducing traffic speeds in the area. Should the project be approved, the City will include the striping work in its annual street striping project to be completed in the summer. Member Seanor advised that Steve Turner from the Ukiah Unified School District was present to make comments regarding the project. Mr. Turner generally supports the project, but had some project concerns relative to potential safety and traffic congestion issues. The project, as proposed, would cause the centerline to be moved three feet to the west. Buses exiting Oak Manor School property and turning south onto Oak Manor Drive would likely cross over the center line proposed to accommodate the bike lane project. Also, people picking up children from school sometimes park along one of the bus turnout areas, which may potentially interfere with bike traffic in the proposed southbound bike lane. A general discussion followed regarding the multi-uses and activities that occur at the school, tennis courts, and park in the area, where the elimination of parking on the west side of the street may be a problem. Elimination of parking Traffic Engineering Committee January 20, 2004 Page 2 on the west side of the street could create potential parking problems/impacts for the residents located on the east side of the street. Steve Turner observed the school staff parking accommodations and stated the staff parking and bus pull-out area appear to be contained outside of the proposed bike lane. He stated traffic is not as concentrated in the morning as in the afternoon. He further observed that traffic congestion occurs when classes are dismissed in the afternoon for approximately 20 minutes because parents "queue-up," waiting for their children. With the shift of the centerline to the west, the buses exiting the school and turning south onto Oak Manor Drive would likely crossover the centerline approximately seven feet as opposed to three feet with existing striping. Mr. Turner advised that Oak Manor School anticipates it will have approximately 100 fewer students next school year due to the opening of Grace Hudson School, which could contribute to reduced traffic and parking impacts on the school site and on Oak Manor Drive. The school was originally constructed for fewer children than it presently accommodates. Mr. Turner stated, in support of the project, more people should ride bicycles, the parent pick-up issue is only for a short portion of time when school is in session, the number of students would be reduced next school year, and school administrators are encouraging parents to send their children to the school in the closest vicinity of their homes, which could have an impact on the number of children attending Oak Manor School. A general discussion followed regarding the events that could occur if parking on the west side of the street was eliminated and whether children would likely cross the street to reach their parents picking them up, which would be a safety issue. Also, cars would likely double park or park in the bike lane. Member Lohse stated bicyclists would typically detour around a car parked briefly in the bike lane, which does not guarantee safety. However, the long-term objective would be to resolve the problem of people illegally parking in the bike lane. He favored approval of the project. Member Walker stated the people residing on the east side of the street are accustomed to parking their vehicles in the street and expressed concern that prohibiting parking on the west side of the street may be a problem for the residents in the area, especially when there are activities occurring at the school or park. A general discussion followed regarding the importance of applying good planning techniques when making considerations for connecting bicycle and pedestrian routes in areas where streets are narrow and vehicle parking is impacted. Traffic Engineering Committee January 20, 2004 Page 3 It was noted that people should be encouraged to park their vehicles in their private driveway or garages rather than on the street, freeing the street for visitor parking. Member Walker commented that although the development of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is beneficial to the community, law enforcement receives complaints from citizens where parking has been eliminated to implement bike lanes. He inquired whether consideration has been given for implementing a bike lane on streets located to the east of the proposed area, extending through the Oak Manor Subdivision. Member Seanor he has not researched potential alternate bike routes in this area, recalling that some of these residential streets may be too narrow. A brief discussion followed regarding the potential for implementing Class 3 bike routes where signs are posted indicating that a bike route exists in the area. Member Lohse inquired whether a Class 3 bike route could be implemented in the vicinity of the school, allowing for a Class 2 on the remainder of the same street. Member Seanor did not support the concept of combining different bike lane designations on the same street. Chairman Kageyama visited the proposed site and recommended restricting the parking on the east side of the street rather than the west side. Parking on the west side of the street is critical to the needs of the school. Member Harris supported the concept of the residents being able to express their comments and potential concerns regarding changing the parking accommodations for implementation of a Class 2 bike lane in the neighborhood. Chairman Kageyama recommended staff look at the east side of the Oak Manor Drive in terms of potentially restricting parking on this side of the street. Member Seanor stated staff would initiate a survey for the purpose of allowing the neighborhood to provide input regarding the installation of Class 2 bike lanes on Oak Manor Drive. A brief discussion followed regarding formulating alternative bike routes in the area for the purpose of connecting the recently constructed Class 2 bike lanes on Gobbi with the proposed Class 2 bike lanes on Perkins Street, even though the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan recommends the installation of Class 2 bike lanes on Oak Manor Drive between Perkins Street and Gobbi Street. Traffic Engineering Committee January 20, 2004 Page 4 It was noted the TEC would further discuss the matter of implementing Class 2 bike lanes on Oak Manor Drive after the survey results has been documented. c. Discussion and possible action regarding letter of support for grant application funding for programmable solar powered speed zone signs. Member Seanor referred to information concerning solar powered speed zone display signs, noting the system (VSC-152OF Gen III) is made of durable material, highly visible, vandal resistant, encompassing anti-glare and safety features, allowing drivers to see the sign within a normal field of view. The display sign would be implemented at public and charter school sites. The intent is to apply for grant funding for the signs, provided the TEC supports the potential need. Member Whitaker stated Mendocino County was instrumental in implementing a speed zone display sign at a school site in Redwood Valley, noting the system, in his opinion, is very effective with alerting drivers of their speed. Member Walker advised that law enforcement could not issue citations for violation of speed because proof of calibration would be required as a matter of compliance with the law. A brief discussion followed regarding the issue of potential vandalism in conjunction with the cost of purchasing and maintaining and whether such a system would be worthwhile. Chairman Kageyama inquired whether certain required criteria are necessary for use. Member Seanor replied he was not aware of any associated criteria in terms of use. He advised the intent is to install the signs primarily at school sites to operate when school is in session. A brief discussion followed regarding the appropriate placement of a sign display. Member Harris suggested that specific sites be identified that would benefit most from the installation and that the letter of support to accompany the grant application reflect this information. He favored the concept that the funding be secured from grant appropriations instead of the City funds. Member Lohse stated he would meet with Member Seanor to craft language concerning a letter of support for the Committee to review. a. Discussion and possible action regarding MTA bus stop at North State Street and Gibson Street. Traffic Engineering Committee January 20, 2004 Page 5 b. Discussion and possible action regarding MTA bus stop at North Coast Opportunities (NCO), North State Street at Henry Street. Chairman Kageyama recommended agenda items "a" and "b" be deferred for later discussion and possible action, as Doug Pilant, Assistant General Manager of MTA, was unable to be present. VI. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS Member Seanor reported that Kevin Cotroneo had submitted his resignation from the TEC. The City Clerk is currently accepting applications for appointment to the TEC. VII. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Member Seanor recommended a letter be drafted thanking Member Looney for his years of service to the Committee. He commented that the Citywide Traffic Study is progressing and a number of workshops will be conducted for the purpose of discussing/identifying key issues, concerns, and proposed possible solutions to problems. The consultants will be working with City staff to assist with existing and future traffic issues. A general discussion followed regarding bringing back the Segway matter to the Committee for further review and input. The Committee further discussed the problems associated with Segway use on sidewalks, noting the State legislature ruled that Segways are classified as pedestrians. As such, Segways are restricted by State law from using bike lanes. The Committee chose not to re- agendized the Segway for further discussion. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:21 p.m. ~- Be yam hair an Cathy EI wadly, Recor ing tary Traffic Engineering Committee January 20, 2004 Page 6