TRAFFIC
COMMISSION
Monday,
February 26, 2007
7:00 pm
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson
Judy Kuiper, Brad Hopp, Lt. Brad Florence, Ald. Gary Kriescher, and Matt
Kuepers
MEMBERS ABSENT: Two
(2) vacant positions
OTHERS PRESENT: Ald.
Wiezbiskie, Ald. Wery, Ald. DeWane, Ald. VanderLeest, and Recording Secretary
and Traffic Engineer Dave Hansen
1. Approval
of the minutes from the January 22, 2007 Traffic Commission meeting, and as
amended:
A. Item 9
- Request by Ald. Kriescher on behalf of Donald VerHeyden (1904 Newberry
Avenue) to establish a 2-HOUR PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS zone on Newberry
Avenue from Reimer Street to Huth Street.
A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers
and carried that on a 90-day trial to establish a 2-HOUR PARKING 7 AM TO 4
PM DURING SCHOOL HOURS DAYS zone on both sides
of Newberry Avenue from Reimer Street to Huth Street.
A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp
and carried to approve the amended minutes of the January 22, 2007 Traffic
Commission meeting.
2. Request
by Ald. DeWane, on behalf of area businesses, to replace a number of meters in
downtown Green Bay on Adams and Washington Streets from 30 minutes to 25
minutes.
D.
Hansen stated that the Parking Division would agree to the request as long as
the businesses within those blocks are in support of it. Changing the time limits in the meters is
only a programming change but signs would need to be updated.
J.
Kuiper stated that changing and moving disabled parkers can be a touchy subject
to approach.
Lt.
Florence asked Ald. DeWane if parking patterns have been studied or observed.
Ald.
DeWane replied he has seen vehicles with disabled hangtags parking all day on
Adams Street near the Northern Building, and has also witnessed the drivers of
those parked vehicles exiting their vehicles and jumping curbs and
running. Downtown businesses are losing
available onstreet parking spots because a state statute allows those with
disabled hangtags to park free all day long in metered stalls marked 30 minutes
or longer.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, and seconded by M. Kuepers to suspend the
rules and allow interested parties to speak.
Jeff
Mirkes, Downtown Green Bay Incorporated (DGBI) (333 Main Street) has
communicated with these area businesses and stated this is a growing concern
for them. They see the same vehicles
parked in front of their businesses all day with disabled hangtags. Therefore, the resulting low number of
available metered stalls is not attracting businesses to the downtown
area. He stated that he surveyed the
area on Thursday, February 22 around 8:30am.
Of the 43 vehicles observed parked in metered stalls, 20 had disable
hangtags. He stated he discussed this
situation with Ald. DeWane, and also understands that not all meters should be
converted to 25-minute meters. He cited
an example that customers cannot dine at Angelina’s Restaurant within 25
minutes. He suggested that the City
should consider providing free parking to these disabled hangtag parkers in
other locations.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, and seconded by Lt. Florence to return to
regular order of business.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
request by area businesses, to replace a number of meters in downtown Green Bay
on Adams and Washington Streets from 30 minutes to 25 minutes be referred to
DPW for study.
3. Request
by Ald. Theisen to modify the existing 2-HOUR PARKING (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
MONDAY - FRIDAY on Adams and Stuart Streets adjacent to the Aging Resource
Center (300 S. Adams Street) to 3-HOUR PARKING (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM) MONDAY -
FRIDAY.
D.
Hansen showed a map of the area highlighting the parking zones, and stated
there is no objection from DPW of this request.
J.
Kuiper asked if the city has any other 3-HOUR PARKING zones.
D.
Hansen replied he is unaware of any 3-HOUR PARKING zones in the city.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that, on a
90-day trial, to:
A. Remove the 2-HOUR PARKING (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM) MONDAY
- FRIDAY zone on the west side of Adams Street from a point 50 feet south of
Stuart Street to a point 45 feet north of Crooks Street.
B. Establish a 3-HOUR PARKING (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM) MONDAY
- FRIDAY zone on the west side of Adams Street from a point 50 feet south of
Stuart Street to a point 300 feet south of Stuart Street.
C. Establish a 2-HOUR PARKING (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM) MONDAY
- FRIDAY zone on the west side of Adams Street from a point 300 feet south of
Stuart Street to a point 45 feet north of Crooks Street.
D. Remove the 2-HOUR PARKING (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM) MONDAY
- FRIDAY zone on both sides of Stuart Street from Washington Street to Adams
Street.
E. Establish a 2-HOUR PARKING (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM) MONDAY
- FRIDAY zone on the north side of Stuart Street from Washington Street to
Adams Street.
F. Establish a 2-HOUR PARKING (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM) MONDAY
- FRIDAY zone on the south side of Stuart Street from Washington Street to a
point 200 feet west of Adams Street.
G. Establish a 3-HOUR PARKING (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM) MONDAY
- FRIDAY zone on the south side of Stuart Street from a point 100 feet west of
Adams Street to Adams Street.
4. Request
by Ald. Kriescher for 2-HOUR PARKING on the south side of Basten Street between
Mech Street and Henry Street.
Ald. Kriescher stated that residents have
complained that American Foods employees have been parking all day in this
area, leaving no spots for them.
A motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Kuepers and
carried that, on a 90-day trial, to establish a 2-HOUR PARKING on the south
side of Basten Street from a point 95 feet east of Henry Street to Mech Street.
5. Request
by the Traffic Engineer to remove the STOP condition on Smith Street at Quincy
Street.
D. Hansen stated that Items 5 and 6 are related and
should be discussed together. The City
has vacated street right-of-way on Smith Street (Quincy Street to Jackson
Street) and Jackson Street (Smith Street to Eastman Avenue). Georgia Pacific (GP) purchased the
right-of-way to use for their future operations. The intersection of Jackson and Smith Streets will become an “elbow”
intersection, which is a tight curve with no conflict points.
A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M.
Kuepers and carried that, the removal of the YIELD condition on Smith Street at
Quincy Street be adopted by ordinance.
6. Request by the Traffic Engineer to remove the YIELD
condition on Jackson Street at Smith Street.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that, the
removal of the YIELD condition on Jackson Street at Smith Street be adopted by
ordinance.
7. Request
by Ald. Wery to review pedestrian safety measures at the Ninth Street and Gross
Avenue intersection.
D.
Hansen stated that the City received a grant award to install push button
flashing pedestrian signals for the crosswalk across Ninth Street at the
intersection. Moreover, the flashing
beacons will be installed as part of the annual signal repair contract. He recited the motion from the January 23,
2006 minutes and summarized that the signing, marking, enforcement, and grant
application obligations for this intersection have been fulfilled.
Ald.
Wery stated he was glad to learn that a pedestrian flashing signal will be
installed.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, and seconded by M. Kuepers to suspend the
rules and allow interested parties to speak.
Mark
Bever (1139 Gross Avenue) stated there is a long distance between stops or
signals along Ninth Street. There is a
high volume of pedestrians and handicap and elderly persons in the area. He stated the furniture store on the northeast
corner of the intersection is a sight obstruction. He would like a 4-WAY STOP installed.
D. Hansen responded that he could review the
intersection sight distance.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, and seconded by Ald. Kriescher to return to regular
order of business.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the
request to review pedestrian safety measures at the Ninth Street and Gross
Avenue intersection be referred to the DPW for study for intersection sight
distance.
8. Request
by Ald. Wiezbiskie to review the NO STOPPING OR STANDING zones on Fagerville
Way near Red Smith School.
D.
Hansen stated that representatives from Police, Public Schools, Red Smith K-8,
and DPW met and agreed upon an onstreet parking proposal, which is to convert
the NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone on the north side of Fagerville Way to a NO
PARKING zone in addition to the school’s agreement to place traffic cones at
the head of the T intersection with Yorkshire Drive during drop-off/pick-up
times. Also the school agrees to
educate parents and students on the definitions of a NO PARKING zone versus a
NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone. All
nearby NO STOPPING OR STANDING zones except the one adjacent to the school on
the north side of Fagerville Way would remain.
Ald.
Wiesbiskie agreed that the parents and students need to be informed of the zone
change and parking definitions by the school.
He wants to be assured that the new signs read NO PARKING 7AM-4PM SCHOOL
DAYS. He reported that the newly formed
Neighborhood Association is happy that something is being done to improve the
parking issue.
A
motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that, on a
90-day trial, to:
A. Remove the NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone on the north
side of Fagerville Way from a point 560 feet west of Sussex Road to Sussex
Road.
B. Establish a NO PARKING 7AM-4PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on
the north side of Fagerville Way from a point 560 feet west of Sussex Road to
Sussex Road.
9. Request
by Ald. Zima, on behalf of the owners of 812 S. Broadway, that a DO NOT BLOCK
DRIVEWAY sign be placed on S. Broadway to allow free access to and from their
driveway.
D.
Hansen stated that motorists that come to an active street-rail crossing
typically leave gaps between vehicles near driveways. He showed photos of traffic stopped at this particular street-rail
crossing during a recent train crossing event.
The photos showed drivers leaving gaps at driveways, including 812 S.
Broadway. This driveway is about 250
feet north of the street-railroad crossing.
If such a sign were installed, it would increase the frequency of
traffic backing up into and north of the 4th/Broadway intersection
and potentially into the Mason off-ramp/Broadway signalized intersection.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the
request to install a DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAY sign be placed on S. Broadway to
allow free access to and from their driveway be denied.
10. Request
by Ald. VanderLeest to install blinking STOP signs at the 4-WAY STOP at Wood
Lane and Hazelwood Lane.
Ald. VanderLeest stated he travels through this 4-WAY
STOP controlled intersection frequently.
He has witnessed drivers not obeying the STOP signs and believes they
are unaware of the signs. He noticed
that the plates on some of these vehicles are from out of state. The newly-formed Neighborhood Association
expressed support for blinker STOP signs at this location.
J. Kuiper stated that transient drivers are
probably more aware of their surroundings because of their unfamiliarity and
therefore obey traffic signs better than local drivers.
D.
Hansen stated that the City cannot remove or modify control signs at
intersections with County Trunk roads because those signs are installed and
maintained by Brown County. He
recommended that this request be placed with Brown County.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by B. Hopp and carried that the request
to install blinking STOP signs at the 4-WAY STOP at Wood Lane and Hazelwood
Lane be received and placed on file.
11. Request
by Ald. Weber to rescind the 90-day trial to:
A. Remove the NO STOPPING OR STANDING (3:00 PM – 4:00 PM SCHOOL
DAYS) zone on the east side of Dancing Dunes Drive from a point 50 feet north
of Painted Trail to a point 50 feet south of Painted Trail.
B. Establish
a NO STOPPING OR STANDING (3:00 PM – 4:00 PM SCHOOL DAYS) zone on the east side
of Dancing Dunes Drive from West Point Road to a point 50 feet south of Painted
Trail.
D. Hansen stated that he met with the principal of
Martin Luther King Elementary school, Operations Supervisor with the Green Bay
Parking Division, and Green Bay Public Schools (GBPS) representatives. As a result of that meeting, it was agreed
upon that the NO PARKING zone that existed was the most desirable, and that bus
movements could be accommodated by school staff placing traffic cones on each
side of both driveways. Mike Donart
(GBPS) confirmed that the bus company – who originated this request through
Ald. Weber - was in agreement with this solution. D. Hansen contacted Ald. Weber and confirmed his agreement.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried to rescind the
90-day trial to:
A. Remove the NO STOPPING OR STANDING (3:00 PM – 4:00 PM SCHOOL
DAYS) zone on the east side of Dancing Dunes Drive from a point 50 feet north
of Painted Trail to a point 50 feet south of Painted Trail.
B.
Establish a NO STOPPING
OR STANDING (3:00 PM – 4:00 PM SCHOOL DAYS) zone on the east side of Dancing
Dunes Drive from West Point Road to a point 50 feet south of Painted Trail.
12. Report
by the Traffic Engineer that traffic signal warrants are met at East Mason
Street and Ontario Road and will be included in 2007 construction contract.
D.
Hansen provided a summary of the traffic signal warrant analysis and that
signals are warranted and recommended for installation this summer.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the report
by the Traffic Engineer that traffic signal warrants are met at East Mason
Street and Ontario Road and that traffic signal installation will be included
in 2007 construction contract be received and placed on file.
13. Request
by Ald. VanderLeest to establish a STOP condition on West Point Road at Wood
Lane (Referred Back From Study).
D. Hansen summarized that the multi-way STOP warrants
were not satisfied, and recommended no change in intersection traffic
control. Furthermore, he questioned if
the request for 3-WAY STOP signs were for speed control. If a 3-WAY stop were installed at this
location, it is probable that traffic will stack in front of driveways during
peak hours, making it near impossible to get out of them. Another potential effect is that a four-lane
road is likely to form because westbound right turners will shift to the rightmost
lane to turn onto Hobart Drive to the school.
There is a crossing guard at West Point Road & Hobart Drive that
works effectively and this is where most pedestrians were observed crossing on
DPW’s multiple visits to the site.
Ald. Kriescher stated that if the unwarranted 3-WAY
STOP condition is installed, that the young pedestrians will expect vehicles to
stop for them, will cross without looking, and pedestrian-vehicle crashes will
begin to occur. He has observed in his
District where unwarranted STOP signs have been installed and the motorists do
not STOP at them because they don’t see conflicting traffic and want to make up
for lost time of unnecessarily stopping.
J. Kuiper agreed that motorists are likely not to
obey unwarranted STOP signs.
B. Hopp also agreed with Ald. Kriescher that
motorists are likely not to obey this STOP condition and that the pedestrian
children will expect all traffic to STOP at it.
Ald. VanderLeest supports installing it.
M. Kuepers lives and drives in the neighborhood and
has never seen pedestrians at the intersection. He agrees that the traffic volume is high on West Point Road.
D. Hansen stated that it is premature to recommend
a 3-WAY STOP since the concern is over pedestrian use at the intersection and
that no traffic count observing pedestrian volumes has been done. Other options are available to improve
pedestrian safety.
M. Kuepers asked D. Hansen if DPW could do a
pedestrian count.
D. Hansen answered yes, but would rather the count
be performed during the summer months when children and pedestrian traffic is
presumably higher.
A motion was made by M. Kuepers, and seconded by
Lt. Florence to suspend the rules and allow interested parties to speak.
Scott Harrison (1432 Wood Court) stated that
crossing guards are not present at the intersection of West Point Road and
Hobart Drive during summer months. He
stated that there are no nearby or close STOP signs. He walks to church and also suffers from MS.
Warren Schultz (2293 Ninth Street) lives near the
intersection curve, and believes the intersection is hazardous for children to
cross. He mentioned that no cross walks
exist across West Point Road. He is
concerned with pedestrian safety during summer months.
B. Hopp pointed out that both minor street and
major street requirements must be met to satisfy the volume warrant, but that
the West Point Road traffic volumes are nearly double that of what the warrant
requires. That said, he would support
the installation of a 3-WAY STOP condition because of pedestrian presence. He does not support the installation to
control speed on West Point Road.
D. Hansen stated that no pedestrian counts have
been performed at the intersection, and that he has heard views tonight that
there is and is not pedestrian presence at the intersection.
Ald. VanderLeest stated that STOP signs should be
placed near school zones and parks. To
safely cross West Point Road at Wood Lane, parents must assist their
children. When speeds get too fast, the
intersection curve is what causes the problems.
D. Hansen replied that the curves in the road
provide traffic calming as opposed to encourage speeding. This was recently discussed at a webinar he
attended for traffic calming. If the
curve wasn’t there, speeds would probably be higher.
Ald. VanderLeest requested the signs be installed
on a 90-day trial and then reviewed for success or failure. He stated that the 3-WAY STOP would impact
traffic and be a benefit to the neighborhood.
He pointed out the intersection of South Point Road and West Point Road
as a 3-WAY STOP, and that its installation has improved the traffic
conditions. He lives on Beechtree
Drive. He pointed out that no
crosswalks exist across Ninth Street at the intersection. He stated that only a few driveways will get
blocked if a 3-WAY STOP is installed.
A motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, and seconded
by M. Kuepers to return to regular order of business.
A motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by B.
Hopp and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to:
A.
Remove the 1-WAY STOP condition on Wood Lane at West Point
Road.
B.
Establish a 3-WAY STOP condition at West Point Road and Wood
Lane.
14. Request
by Ald. VanderLeest to modify the parking restrictions in front of Bay Area
Diamond (1545 Sixth Street) to 1 HOUR.
D. Hansen showed maps of the existing nearby driveways, and of the
existing restricted on-street parking zones.
He noted that trucks from Sears and Office Depot have loading zones
close to the Green Bay Plaza Sixth Street driveway access, and that truck turning
movements in and out of it would difficult to impossible if vehicles were
parked at the head of this T intersection.
The intersection was observed on Saturdays to verify claims of Sears
employees parking in front of 1545 Sixth Street. No parked vehicles were observed. Furthermore, if parking were allowed, sight distance is blocked
looking eastbound especially given the hill just east of the driveway to Bay
Area Diamond. He recommended extending
the NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone (from Military Avenue) to the hill just east
of Bay Area Diamond on Sixth Street.
J.
Kuiper questioned whether the Bay Area Diamond building complex, which also
leases office space to other businesses, has enough off-street parking spaces
available per zoning code.
M. Kuepers agrees with J. Kuiper.
Ald.
Kriescher asked what other businesses lease space in that building.
Ald. VanderLeest replied that he knows of a
service-based business in that building, and that they aren’t open for business
on weekends.
Ald.
VanderLeest stated that Sixth Street near this location is busy during the
holiday season because of the traffic entering/exiting Green Bay Plaza. Sears
employees have been known to park in front of Bay Area Diamond. He suggested that if 1-HOUR PARKING was not
an option that a NO PARKING zone should be established on the south side of
Sixth Street.
A
motion was made by B. Hopp, seconded by Lt. Florence, and carried that the
request to modify the parking restrictions in front of Bay Area Diamond (1545
Sixth Street) to 1-HOUR be denied.
15. That,
on a 90-day trial, to remove the existing NO PARKING zone on the south side of
Pine Street from Washington Street to Washington Way.
A motion was
made by M. Kuepers, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried that the removal of
the existing NO PARKING zone on the south side of Pine Street from Washington
Way to Washington Street be adopted by ordinance.
16. That,
on a 90-day, to establish a NO PARKING zone on the south side of Pine Street
from a point 55 feet west of Washington Street to Washington Street.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried that a NO
PARKING zone on the south side of Pine Street from a point 55 feet west of
Washington Street to Washington Street be adopted by ordinance.
17. 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.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried that a
15-MINUTE LOADING ZONE on the south side of Pine Street from a point 115 feet
west of Washington Street to a point 55 feet west of Washington Street be
adopted by ordinance.
18. 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.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by Ald. Kriescher and carried that a NO
PARKING zone on the south side of Pine Street from a point 115 feet west of
Washington Street to its westerly terminus be adopted by ordinance.
OTHER BUSINESS
19.
J. Kuiper asked to be noted on record that she is advising all
persons who place requests to the Traffic Commission to be more specific in the
nature of their requests. She asks that
if Alderpersons have items on a Traffic Commission agenda that they attend that
meeting on behalf of themselves and/or their constituents, especially when
their constituents may be present, or the issue could be sensitive.
Ald. Kriescher agreed with J. Kuiper
comments.
There being no other items of discussion, a motion was made by Ald. Kriescher, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting ended at 8:35 P.M. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 26, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.