TRAFFIC
COMMISSION
Monday,
November 27, 2006
City Hall,
Room 310
6:00 pm
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson
Judy Kuiper, Cmdr. Jim Arts, Brad Hopp, Ald. Gary Kriescher, and Matt Kuepers
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice-Chairperson
Carol Macaux, and George Hoell
OTHERS PRESENT: Alderman
Nicholson, Ald. Wery, Ald. Wiezbiskie, and Recording Secretary and Traffic
Engineer Dave Hansen
1. Approval of the minutes from the October 25, 2006 Traffic
Commission meeting.
A motion was made by Mr. Hopp, seconded by Cmdr. Arts and
carried to approve the minutes of the October 25, 2006 Traffic Commission
meeting.
2. Request
by Ald. Wiezbiskie to reassess the YIELD sign at Edinburgh and Durham Road.
Mr. Hansen stated that DPW is currently evaluating the
need for an ALL-WAY STOP condition at the intersection and determining if there
is a speeding and safety problem. He
therefore recommended that this request be referred to DPW staff for study. He recapped what he presented at the October
23, 2006 meeting about this request.
Currently, the TWO-WAY YIELD condition on Edinburgh Road at Durham Road
is under a 90-day trial period. A
TWO-WAY YIELD condition on Durham Road at Edinburgh Road existed prior to the
trial condition. Mr. Hansen reiterated
that due to the recent extension of Durham Road south two blocks to Wiggins
Way, and the construction of the new Excalibur Second Addition subdivision and
the new Paula Street, Durham Road functions as a neighborhood collector street,
as opposed to Edinburgh Road, which serves as a local residential street. Reversing the YIELD condition places the
proper roadway traffic control for traffic flow through this neighborhood.
Mr. Hansen received multiple phone calls from residents
prior to the meeting in the vicinity of this intersection that would prefer
either the YIELD signs be placed back on Durham Road or that an ALL-WAY STOP
condition be established at the intersection.
Callers typically complained of speeding and children safety on Durham Road. Callers believe an ALL-WAY STOP condition
will slow down the traffic and create a safer neighborhood.
Mr. Hansen explained that it is unlikely that the
intersection will meet the warrants for an ALL-WAY STOP condition. Mr. Hansen warned that placing an
unwarranted STOP condition where a less restrictive control would be more
appropriate may result in undue delays, excessive speeding because motorists
seek to gain back the “lost time” perceived from an unnecessary STOP condition,
disregard for the STOP condition altogether, increased rear-end crashes, a
perceived safer environment, and diversion to less desirable routes. He stated that a solution tonight is
premature because a speeding and safety problem has yet to be documented. And if such problems exist, other solutions
may be more practical and effective. He
stated that an ALL-WAY STOP condition could actually make the intersection less
safe. He recommended that DPW study
continue with its study of the intersection.
Ms. Kuiper stated that the intersection is
currently being evaluated, and that the Commission would consider all aspects
of the request.
A
motion was made by Cmdr. Arts, and seconded by Ald. Kriescher to suspend the
rules and allow interested parties to speak.
Scott
Oleniczak (3446 Edinburgh) stated he is concerned about safety and the heavy
pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Michael
Hubener (3417 Edinburgh) stated the Red Smith School and soccer field is close
to the intersection and that safety is a concern. His son was almost hit twice in the last two months.
Shelly
Miller (2727 Durham) stated there are no sidewalks while children are walking
on the road. He has heard tires
squealing from nearby soccer fields. He
thinks it’s a long distance with no STOP signs on Durham Road from Church Road
to Wiggins Way.
Ms.
Kuiper stated that no sidewalks exist near the intersection, and that sidewalks
could solve their problem.
Scott
Schuetze (2735 Durham Road) provided an 80-signature petition. He stated that there’s a park nearby. Speeding decreases safety. Scott said he has a study proving citations
won’t change driver behavior permanently.
There are long distances on Durham Road without STOP signs, and he
believes STOP signs will allow children to cross safely at the intersection. He noted that all corner houses signed the
petition. He understands that the
intersection probably won’t meet ALL-WAY STOP warrants.
Mark
Scheld (3410 Edinburgh Road) lives on southwest corner of the
intersection. He runs in the
neighborhood. He stated there are two
thoroughfares in the neighborhood without any STOP signs: Durham Road and Sussex Road. He understands that some STOP signs get put
in “politically” that don’t meet warrants.
He spoke in favor of STOP sign installation.
Dan
Miller (3425 Edinburgh Road) has lived in the neighborhood for 7 ½ years. Traffic volumes used to be lower. He realizes his neighbors are the
speeders. Motorists almost hit his two
youngest children. Something needs to
be done to slow down motorists.
Ald.
Kriescher stated that the STOP condition is likely unwarranted. Installing sidewalks instead of STOP signs
is a better solution. He lives near an
intersection that has a likely unwarranted 4-WAY STOP condition. There are many young kids in his
neighborhood. Motorists disrespect
unwarranted STOP signs and drive through it often, making it less safe.
Matthew
Kasper (3398 Edinburgh) stated that drivers’ habits are to travel down to
Durham Road and that is a recipe for disaster.
A
motion was made by Cmdr. Arts, and seconded by Ald. Kriescher to return to
regular order of business.
Ald.
Wiezbiskie referred to the petition to install an ALL-WAY STOP condition at the
intersection. Residents are concerned with their children’s safety. He said there is a six-family housing within
½ block. He questioned Mr. Hansen if he
received any complaints against the petition.
Mr.
Hansen responded that he is aware of at least two persons that live near the
intersection that are not in favor of an ALL-WAY STOP condition at the intersection.
Ald.
Wiezbiskie questioned whether the newly placed YIELD signs on Edinburgh Road
have calmed traffic at the nearby Kathy Drive and Peterson Road
intersection. He understands Durham
Road serves as a collector street. He
stated that STOP signs can be bad in some situations, and are not always a
solution to a problem.
Mr.
Hopp stated that those who oppose the STOP sign request should be represented
to voice their opinion. He would
support the STOP condition based on the number of petitioners.
Cmdr.
Arts would like to make a decision based on a practical approach. He spoke in favor of the request.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Mr. Hopp and carried that the
request to reassess the YIELD sign at Edinburgh and Durham Road be referred to
DPW for study.
3. Request
by the Department of Public Works Parking Division to establish a 15-MINUTE
LOADING ZONE on the south side of Pine Street just west of Washington Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Cmdr. Arts and carried to, on a
90-day trial:
A. Remove
the existing NO PARKING zone on the south side of Pine Street from Washington
Street to Washington Way.
B. Establish
a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Pine Street from Washington Street to a
point 55 feet west of Washington Street.
C. Establish
a 15 MINUTE LOADING ZONE on the south side of Pine Street from a point 55 feet
west of Washington Street to a point 115 feet west of Washington Street.
D. Establish
a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Pine Street from a point 115 feet west
of Washington Street to its westerly terminus.
4. Request
by the Green Bay Police Department to revise the East Walnut Street traffic
signal operations between 11 PM and 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays at Washington
Street and Adams Street.
Cmdr.
Arts asked that this request be referred to study.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Mr. Kuepers and carried that the
request to revise the East Walnut Street traffic signal operations between 11
PM and 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays at Washington Street and Adams Street be
referred to DPW for study.
5. Request
by the Green Bay Police Department to establish a NO TURN ON RED WHEN CHILDREN
ARE PRESENT condition at the eastbound and southbound approaches of the Shawano
Avenue and Fisk Street intersection.
A motion was made by Mr. Hopp, seconded by Cmdr. Arts
and carried that a NO TURN ON RED WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT condition at the
eastbound and southbound approaches of the Shawano Avenue and Fisk Street
intersection be adopted by ordinance.
6. Request by Ald. Nicholson to review the parking on
Schoen Street between Lilac Lane and Amy Street.
Ald. Nicholson requests enforcement of the parking zones.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Cmdr. Arts and carried that the
request to review the parking on Schoen Street between Lilac Lane and Amy
Street be referred to DPW Parking Division for parking zone enforcement.
7. Request
by Ald. Wery, on behalf of Frank Gracer (1013 South Oneida Street) to improve
pedestrian safety at the intersection of Lore Lane and Oneida Street.
Ald.
Wery stated that the pedestrian safety improvements made during the Oneida
Street reconstruction project at the intersection appear to be working.
A
motion was made by Mr. Kuepers, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried that the
request to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of Lore Lane and
Oneida Street be received and placed on file.
8. Request
by Ald. Wery, on behalf of Jennifer Sperber (818 Redwood Drive), for a traffic
study between Mason Street and Hickory Hill Drive.
A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Mr. Hopp
and carried that the request for a traffic study between Mason Street and
Hickory Hill Drive be referred to DPW for study.
9. Request
by Ald. Wiezbiskie, on behalf of Jerry Renier (3288 Peterson Road), to
establish a four-way STOP condition or a roundabout at the intersection of
Peterson Road and Kathy Drive.
Mr. Hansen stated that the results of the study are
finished. However, due to tonight’s
discussions and ongoing study of the near Durham Road and Edinburgh Road
intersection, he recommends referring this request back to DPW for study.
A motion was made by Ms. Kuiper, seconded by Mr. Kuepers
and carried that the request to establish a four-way STOP condition or a
roundabout at the intersection of Peterson Road and Kathy Drive:
A.
Be referred to DPW for
study.
B.
That the study
recommendations be determined after the Edinburgh and Durham Roads study is
completed.
10. Request
by Ald. Weber to establish a STOP condition on Candle Way at Parkwood Drive.
Mr. Hansen presented the results of the traffic study,
which recommends no changes to the intersection traffic control based on the recently
completed traffic study.
A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Mr.
Kuepers and carried that the request to establish a STOP condition on Candle
Way at Parkwood Drive be received and placed on file.
11. Request
by Ald. Wery on behalf of Sue Liebergen (828 Gross Avenue), to study traffic
calming measures along Gross Avenue.
Mr. Hansen presented the results of the traffic study
submitted to the Traffic Commission by the Traffic Engineer on the October 23,
2006 meeting, which recommends no changes to the roadway segment.
A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, and seconded
by Cmdr. Arts to suspend the rules and allow interested parties to speak.
Sue Liebergen (828 Gross Avenue) stated that
excessive speeding occurs.
Ms. Kuiper stated officers are spread thin.
Ald. Kriescher replied that the study included a
week’s worth of sampling speed data that resulted in an average speed was 19
mph; and that only two vehicles were reported traveling between 41-45 mph.
S. Liebergen stated she has seen trucks drive on
Gross Avenue, which is not a truck route, while children were present. She has seen police enforcement but no
traffic stops. She stated it’s
difficult to get onto West Mason Street from Gross Avenue. Neighborhood homes have been hit by errant
drivers.
Ald. Kriescher stated that motorists in the city
have struck many houses. Alternate
routes are available if getting onto Mason Street is difficult at times. Unwarranted STOP signs are unsafe.
Mr. Kuepers stated that speeding and crashes
similar in nature occur on many local city streets. He empathizes with her concern.
Bill Henderson (804 Gross Avenue) stated there are
occasional speeders on Gross Avenue.
Some trucks still travel the road, but there’s not much he can do.
Jerry Close (808 Gross Avenue) stated that the new
warning and speed sign near 812 Gross is not easily seen because of tree
obstruction. During Packer game days,
he has seen Packer fan buses drive down Gross Avenue through the neighborhood. He has seen some of the traffic go to and
from a nearby store.
A motion was made by Cmdr. Arts, and seconded by
Ald. Kriescher to return to regular order of business.
Mr. Hopp stated he has had similar complaints in his
neighborhood, and has found out that many of the violators are repeat offenders
and live in the neighborhood. More
driver education is needed.
Cmdr. Arts stated he would assign traffic enforcement
officers to the area to enforce speeds, truck traffic, and Packer fan buses.
Ald. Wery asked Cmdr. Arts if the Speed Watch program is
still taking volunteers.
Cmdr.
Arts answered yes.
A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Cmdr.
Arts and carried that the request to study traffic calming measures along Gross
Avenue be received and placed on file.
12. That
on a 90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Adams
Street from a point 135 feet north of Jefferson Way to a point 225 feet south
of Jefferson Way.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Mr. Kuepers and carried that a
NO PARKING zone on the east side of Adams Street from a point 135 feet north of
Jefferson Way to a point 225 feet south of Jefferson Way be adopted by
ordinance.
13. That
on a 90-day trial to establish a YIELD condition on Southview Lane at Careful
Drive.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by Mr. Kuepers and carried that a
YIELD condition on Southview Lane at Careful Drive be adopted by ordinance.
Cmdr. Arts stated that his last Traffic Commission
meeting is tonight, and that future
Cmdr. Lisa Sterr will be his replacement on the
Commission.
The Commission members and the Traffic Engineer
thanked him for his service to the
Traffic Commission.
There being no other items of discussion, a motion
was made by Ms. Kuiper, seconded
by Cmdr. Arts and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting
ended at 7:18 P.M. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday,
January 22, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.