MINUTES
TRAFFIC
COMMISSION
Monday,
October 27, 2008
City
Hall, Room 310
5:30
pm
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairperson Judy Kuiper, Charles Karow, Mark Schuster, Matt Kuepers
(arrived at 5:35p.m.), and Lieutenant Brad Florence
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Vice Chairperson Brad Hopp (excused), and Alderman Andy Nicholson
(excused)
OTHERS
PRESENT: Alderman Jerry Wiezbiskie, Alderwoman Amy
Kocha, Alderman Tom DeWane, and Recording Secretary and Traffic Engineer Dave
Hansen
1. Approval of the minutes from the September 22, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried to approve
the minutes from the September 22, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting.
2.
Request by the Traffic Engineer
to establish a 2-WAY STOP condition on Beth Drive at Ontario Road.
Dave
Hansen, City Traffic Engineer, stated that Ontario Rd was recently extended
from Beth Dr to Sitka Rd, and that the 2-WAY STOP condition is warranted at
this T-intersection.
A
motion was made by M Schuster, seconded by C. Karow and carried that a 2-WAY
STOP condition on Beth Drive at Ontario Road be established and adopted by
ordinance.
3. Request by the Traffic Engineer to
establish a 1-WAY STOP condition on Ontario Road at Sitka Road.
D.
Hansen referred to the discussion in Item 2 and recommended a 1-WAY STOP
condition.
A
motion was made by M Schuster, seconded by C. Karow and carried that a 1-WAY
STOP condition on Ontario Road at Sitka Road be established and adopted by
ordinance.
4. Request by the Department of Public
Works to permanently remove the southbound left-turn movement from Bader Street
at East Mason Street.
D.
Hansen stated that the trial of removing the southbound left-turn movement from
Bader St at E Mason St has continued to be a success. The significant crash history before the
trial has been reduced to zero crashes since the temporary measures have been
in place. There has been favorable
feedback from the public, both impacted alderman are in support of changing the
temporary restrictions to permanent, and that only about a third of the
left-turns that originally took a left at Mason/Bader have detoured to Hillside
Ln.
A
motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried that the
request to permanently remove the southbound left-turn movement from Bader
Street at East Mason Street be approved.
5. Request by local residents to extend the south end
of the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Wesley Avenue at Newberry Avenue
further to the south, around the S-curve of Newberry Avenue.
D. Hansen stated that
there was concern about vehicles turning from Newberry Ave onto Wesley Ave that
make a sharp curve to the left, and that they could conflict with oncoming
traffic due to parked vehicles near the limit of the existing NO PARKING zone
on the east side of Wesley Ave from Newberry Ave to a point 180 feet south of
Newberry Ave. He reviewed the location,
noting that a double yellow centerline exists and that the existing NO PARKING
zone is far enough away from the curve to allow width for 2 passing vehicles
around the curve.
A motion was made by Lt. Florence,
seconded by C. Karow and carried that the request to extend the south end of the NO PARKING zone
on the east side of Wesley Avenue at Newberry Avenue further to the south,
around the S-curve of Newberry Avenue be received and placed on file.
6. Request by Ald. DeWane to establish a 1-HOUR 7-4
SCHOOL DAYS parking zone on Donarski Court.
J. Kuiper stated that
Preble High School students are parking in this cul-de-sac.
D. Hansen stated that
Donarski Ct residents have complained of students parking in front of their
homes all day. Donarski Ct has no posted
parking restrictions and is a short cul-de-sac that intersects Wesley Ave,
which has 2-HOUR parking both north and south of it. Donarski Ct is a “hole in the parking zones”
around Preble High School.
A motion was made by C. Karow,
seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that, on a 90-day trial, a 2-HOUR 7 AM TO 4
PM SCHOOL DAYS parking zone on both sides of Donarski Court from Wesley Avenue
to its east terminus be established.
7. Request by Ald. DeWane to establish a 2-WAY YIELD
condition on Berwyn Avenue at Deer Trail.
J. Kuiper is familiar
with this intersection and states she stops on Berwyn Ave at Deer Tr all the
time.
D. Hansen stated that a
request for a 2-WAY STOP condition at this location was presented a few months
back in response to cut-through traffic from Danz Ave and because of speeding
reports. Since then, a speed study was
completed on Deer Trail which concluded that neighborhood speeds were near the
speed limit (average speed of 25 mph; 85th percentile speed of 29
mph). He stated a YIELD condition could
discourage the cut-through movement from Danz Ave while not making it too
restrictive for Berwyn Ave motorists at Deer Trail.
A brief discussion about
intersection crash history took place and that most Berwyn Ave motorists yield
to Deer Trail traffic even without YIELD signs.
A motion was made by M. Kuepers,
seconded by M. Schuster and carried that, on a 90-day trial, a 2-WAY YIELD
condition on Berwyn Avenue at Deer Trail be established.
8. Request by the Traffic Engineer to establish a
2-WAY YIELD or STOP condition on Deer Trail at Remington Road.
D. Hansen stated that
a gap in Remington Rd existed between Deer Trail and Lost Ridge Ct and that
this gap was recently connected. This
connection has made Remington Rd a neighborhood collector street. There is a condo association that accesses
the north approach of the intersection.
The association, Ald. DeWane, and another neighborhood resident have
expressed the need of some form of intersection control. D. Hansen conducted a field evaluation of the
intersection and noted that the road extension in combination with an
intersection sight issue from the condo driveway provide for the need to stop
Deer Trail/condo driveway traffic at Remington Rd.
A discussion took
place that private driveways are required to yield right-of-way to public
streets, and that private property owners historically have paid for their own
or paid the city to install traffic control signs controlling their access to
public streets. D. Hansen stated that
the condo association developer is aware of this and will pay the City to
install the sign.
A motion was made by M. Schuster,
seconded by Lt. Florence and carried that, on a 90-day trial, a 2-WAY STOP
condition on Deer Trail at Remington Road be established.
9. Request by Ald. DeWane to establish a NO STOPPING
OR STANDING 7-4 SCHOOL DAYS zone on the north side of Newberry Avenue just west
of Alpine Drive.
D. Hansen stated that
Ald. DeWane reported that Edison Middle school children collect at the
northwest corner of this intersection, sometimes spilling out into Newberry
Ave. The reason for the parking zone is
to open up the sight lines so it’s easier for motorists to see crossing and standing
children. D. Hansen stated that it’s
common to have NO PARKING zones near 2-WAY STOP conditions to open up sight
lines but not necessarily at 4-WAY STOP conditions like Alpine/Newberry because
motorists are already stopping. The
proposed zone likely would not address the problem. D. Hansen stated that Newberry Ave west of
Alpine Dr will be resurfaced next year.
Either during this resurfacing project or during the 2009 sidewalk
repair project, both west side curb ramps could be reconstructed which will
improve pedestrian accommodations.
A motion was made by Lt. Florence,
seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the request to establish a NO STOPPING OR STANDING 7 AM TO
4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on the north side of Newberry Avenue just west of Alpine
Drive be received and placed on file.
10. Request by Ald. Kocha to establish a
4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Henry Street at Newberry Avenue.
D.
Hansen summarized the results of the 4-WAY STOP warrant analysis. The intersection does not warrant a 4-WAY
STOP condition. He recommended the
request for 4-WAY STOP to be received and placed. He questioned what the traffic issues are
that prompted the request.
Ald.
Kocha stated that a high number of crashes prompted the request. She understands that the intersection doesn’t
meet warrants but requested advice from staff on how to reduce crashes.
D.
Hansen responded that a detailed review of the crash reports and a field visit
could point to the causes of the crashes, and then measures can be
considered. He stated he’s done this at
other locations which over time have seen significant reduction in crash
rates. He recommended that the request
for a 4-WAY STOP condition be received on file and referred the intersection
for evaluation of sign placement.
A
motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried that the
request to establish a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Henry Street
at Newberry Avenue be referred to the Traffic Engineer to field-check and
evaluate the intersection of Henry Street and Newberry Avenue for sign safety
improvements.
11. Request by Ald. Kocha to establish a
4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Victoria and Crooks Streets to
address Early Learning Center 4K-K school safety concerns.
D.
Hansen summarized the results of the 4-WAY STOP warrant analysis. The intersection does not warrant a 4-WAY
STOP condition. He cautioned about
installing an unwarranted 4-WAY STOP condition at this location, especially if
the concern is about children crossing Crooks St, as unwarranted multiway STOP
conditions over time may encourage rolling STOP conditions as children assume
vehicles will stop. He stated that DPW
recently added school speed limit signs in both directions on Victoria St. He stated that a field review during school
hours to observe traffic issues is recommended rather than installing a device
that could decrease safety.
Ald.
Kocha stated she would relay this information to the Early Learning
Center. She stated that 4-year olds are
crossing at the intersection unattended by a parent, guardian, or crossing
guard. She asked if referring this item
to staff should be done.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Kuepers, that the request to
establish a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Victoria and Crooks
Streets to address Early Learning Center 4K-K school safety concerns:
A.
Be
received and placed on file
B.
Be
referred to DPW for review of intersection safety during school hours.
Ald.
Kocha stated that she promised the school that no action would be taken on the
4-WAY STOP until a school representative could be present for the vote.
Motion
failed by lack of a vote.
A
second motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
request to establish a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Victoria and
Crooks Streets to address Early Learning Center 4K-K school safety concerns:
A.
Be
postponed to the Monday, December 15, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting
B.
Be
referred to DPW for review of intersection safety during school hours
12. Request by Ald. Kocha to place a crossing
guard at the intersection of Victoria and Crooks Streets to address Early
Learning Center 4K-K school safety concerns.
D.
Hansen stated that a pedestrian count during school arrival and departure is
needed before the crossing guard warrant is evaluated.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
request to place a crossing guard at the intersection of Victoria and Crooks
Streets to address Early Learning Center 4K-K school safety concerns be
referred to DPW staff for a crossing guard study.
13. Request by Ald. Kocha to install speed
bumps as a traffic calming measure in the 2 alleys bordered by Elizabeth/Morrow/Newhall/Cedar
Streets and Elizabeth/Ellis/Newhall/Morrow Streets.
D.
Hansen recommended that this request be referred to DPW for inclusion in the
neighborhood traffic calming program, as DPW already has the application.
A
brief discussion took place about the neighborhood traffic calming program.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the
request to install speed bumps as a traffic calming measure in the 2 alleys
bordered by Elizabeth/Morrow/Newhall/Cedar Streets and
Elizabeth/Ellis/Newhall/Morrow Streets be referred to DPW for inclusion in the
neighborhood traffic calming program.
14. Request by the Traffic Engineer to
establish parking restrictions on the newly opened Pearl Street north of
Dousman Street.
D.
Hansen stated that parking restrictions are needed to regulate the high demand
for parking that currently serves Titletown Brewing and the new Larsen
Redevelopment site.
A
brief discussion took place about Dousman St access to Titletown Brewing.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that, on a
90-day trial:
A.
To
establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Pearl Street from Dousman
Street to a point 170 feet north of Dousman Street.
B.
To
establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Pearl Street from a point 290
feet north of Dousman Street to its north terminus.
C.
To
establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Pearl Street from Dousman
Street to a point 190 feet north of Dousman Street.
D.
To
establish a NO PARKING zone on the west side of Pearl Street from a point 310
feet north of Dousman Street to its north terminus.
E.
To
establish a NO PARKING PASSENGER LOADING ONLY zone from a point 170 feet north
of Dousman Street to a point 290 feet north of Dousman Street.
F.
To
establish a 2-HOUR PARKING 7 AM TO 7 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY zone on the west
side of Pearl Street from a point 190 feet north of Dousman Street to a point
310 feet north of Dousman Street.
15. Request by the Traffic Engineer to
establish parking restrictions on the newly opened Admiral Flatley Court west
of Washington Street.
D.
Hansen stated that this new street is between the recently-completed Flats On
The Fox Apartments and the future Astor Place Condominiums. The narrow width of Admiral Flatley Court
requires NO PARKING.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that, on a
90-day trial, to establish a NO PARKING zone on both sides of Admiral Flatley
Court from Washington Street to its west terminus.
16. Request by the Traffic Engineer to review
the NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone on the east side of Broadway from Dousman
Street north.
D.
Hansen recommended a 180 foot zone to ensure adequate sight distance as
motorists exit the new 1-WAY alley, which will serve as the ShopKo Express
drive-thru lane.
A
motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by C. Karow and carried that, on a
90-day trial:
A.
To
remove the NO PARKING zone on the east side of Broadway from a point 118 feet
north of Dousman Street to a point 295 feet south of Dousman Street.
B.
To
establish a NO PARKING zone on the east side of Broadway from a point 180 feet
north of Dousman Street to a point 295 feet south of Dousman Street.
Ald.
DeWane arrived after the Item 16 motion.
J. Kuiper provided him a summary of the motions for the requests made on
his behalf.
17. Request by the Traffic Engineer to
establish a RIGHT TURNING VEHICLES YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS condition on Gray
Street at Shawano Avenue.
D.
Hansen stated that this signalized intersection has no vehicle loop detectors
for southbound Gray St traffic. A NO
RIGHT ON RED WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT condition exists at that location. He received a report that the crossing guard
had to press the pedestrian button in order to give the southbound
right-turning vehicles the opportunity to get a green when no southbound
left-turning vehicles were present.
Establishing a RIGHT TURNING VEHICLES YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS condition
will allow southbound right-turns on red.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried that, on a
90-day trial:
A.
To
remove the NO RIGHT ON RED WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT condition for southbound
Gray Street at Shawano Avenue.
B.
To
establish a RIGHT TURNING VEHICLES YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS condition for
southbound Gray Street at Shawano Avenue.
18. Request by the Traffic Engineer to
establish a TURNING VEHICLES YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS condition on Lombardi Avenue
at Broadway.
D.
Hansen stated that this intersection has a history of pedestrian-vehicle
crashes. This condition is recommended
to improve pedestrian safety.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that a
TURNING VEHICLES YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS condition on Lombardi Avenue at Broadway
be established.
19. Request by Ald. Deneys to establish a NO
PARKING 7-4 MONDAY-FRIDAY zone or a 2-HOUR 7-4 MONDAY-FRIDAY zone on the north
side of Western Avenue west of Rutgers Street.
D.
Hansen stated that Ald. Deneys called him to report that a bus is often parked
on Western Ave that blocks the vision of exiting motorists from an apartment
complex near Rutgers St. D. Hansen was
unsure of the exact address.
A
discussion took place about a recent request to prohibit bus parking off of
truck routes, how often this bus parks on-street, encouraging open
communication between the apartment complex, the alderman, and the bus company,
and the results of restricting all motorists from on-street parking because of
1 bus.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
request to establish a NO PARKING 7-4 MONDAY-FRIDAY zone or a 2-HOUR 7-4
MONDAY-FRIDAY zone on the north side of Western Avenue west of Rutgers Street:
A.
Be
received and placed on file
B.
That
Ald. Deneys is recommended to contact the First Student bus company to instruct
the bus driver who is blocking motorist vision on Western Avenue at Rutgers
Street to park elsewhere that doesn’t block motorist vision.
20. Request by Ald. Nicholson for a traffic
study at Lime Kiln Road and August Street.
D.
Hansen stated DPW staff conducted a pedestrian survey on Thu Sep 18 and Mon Sep
22, 2008 to observe Eisenhower Elementary students crossing at the
intersection. D. Hansen summarized the
results of that survey. In the morning,
4 pedestrians crossed Lime Kiln Rd at August St. In the afternoon, 24 pedestrians
crossed. School Advance signs exist both
north and south of the intersection.
School Crossing warning signs exist at both the north and the south
marked pedestrian crosswalks. For
Eisenhower Elementary, 3 crossing guards are assigned for the school including
the intersection of Lime Kiln Rd and August St.
D. Hansen researched the 3-year crash history, finding no pedestrians
involved in any of the crashes at the intersection. D. Hansen recommended the request be received
and placed on file.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, and seconded by M. Schuster to suspend the
rules and allow interested parties to speak.
Lauri
Marenger (1120 Irene St) stated she is the president of the Starlite
Neighborhood Association. The
association is concerned about pedestrian safety at the intersection and
wondered if traffic calming measures could help. She expressed appreciation for the traffic
study.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, and seconded by M. Schuster to return to regular
order of business.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
traffic study at Lime Kiln Road and August Street be received and placed on
file.
21. Request by Ald. Nicholson to paint
crosswalks at Imperial Lane and Bader Street.
Items
21 and 22 were discussed together.
D.
Hansen stated that pedestrian crosswalks were recently painted at nearby
intersection Bader/Manitowoc. The south
side of Imperial Lane does not have curb ramps at the intersections of
Imperial/Bader and Imperial/Winter. DPW
policy is not to paint crosswalks in the absence of curb ramps. Crews have stopped pavement marking
activities this year because of the current cold temperatures.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried that the
request to paint crosswalks at Imperial Lane and Bader Street be received and placed
on file.
22. Request by Ald. Nicholson to paint
crosswalks at Imperial Lane and Winter Lane.
See
Item 21 for discussion.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by Lt. Florence and carried that the
request to paint crosswalks at Imperial Lane and Winter Lane be received and
placed on file.
23. Request by Ald. VanderLeest to create a
NO PARKING zone west of 1332 Ninth Street.
D.
Hansen stated that he met with Ald. VanderLeest prior to this meeting to
discuss Items 23 and 24. Jackson
Elementary teachers are parking too close to the driveway at 1332 Ninth St,
making it difficult for the residents to safely exit their driveway. He recommended extending the existing NO
PARKING zone further west.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that, on a
90-day trial:
A.
To
remove the NO PARKING zone on the north side of Ninth Street from a point 225
feet west of Ridge Road to Ridge Road.
B.
To
establish a NO PARKING zone on the north side of Ninth Street from a point 160 feet
west of Ridge Road to Ridge Road.
C.
To
remove the NO PARKING 7 AM TO 6 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY zone on the north side of
Ninth Street from a point 225 feet west of Ridge Road to a point 320 feet west
of Ridge Road.
D.
To
establish a NO PARKING 7 AM TO 6 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY zone on the north side of
Ninth Street from a point 160 feet west of Ridge Road to a point 465 feet west
of Ridge Road.
24. Request by Ald. VanderLeest to create a
NO STOPPING, STANDING OR PARKING zone along Ninth Street next to Jackson
School.
D.
Hansen stated that the bus loading and parent pickup-drop off zones should be
evaluated as a whole and presented to the Jackson Elementary principal before
establishing a NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone along Ninth St.
A
motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by M. Schuster and carried that the
request to create a NO STOPPING, STANDING OR PARKING zone along Ninth Street
next to Jackson School be referred to DPW staff for study.
REFERRED
BACK FROM STUDY
25. Request by Ald. Theisen to change the
2-HOUR PARKING on the 1200 block of Lawe Street (Roosevelt to Irwin) to 4-HOUR
PARKING.
D.
Hansen stated that Ald. Theisen and Chris Pirlot (Director of Traffic, Parking
& Operations) discussed this request in detail, both agreeing to try out a
4-HOUR zone in this block.
A
motion was made by M. Schuster, seconded by C. Karow and carried that, on a
90-day trial:
A.
To
remove the 2-HOUR PARKING zone on the north side of Lawe Street from Roosevelt
Street to Irwin Avenue.
B.
To
establish a 4-HOUR PARKING zone on the north side of Lawe Street from Roosevelt
Street to Irwin Avenue.
TERMINATION
OF TRIAL PERIODS
26. That, on a 90-day trial, a NO PARKING
zone on the south side of Morrow Street from Elizabeth Street to a point 385
feet east of Elizabeth Street be established.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow and carried that a NO
PARKING zone on the south side of Morrow Street from Elizabeth Street to a
point 385 feet east of Elizabeth Street be established and adopted by
ordinance.
27. That, on a 90-day trial, to replace the
NO PARKING zone with a NO PARKING 9-5 MONDAY-FRIDAY zone on the south side of
Bay Beach Road near Angie Avenue and the soccer fields.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow and carried that the
replacement of the NO PARKING zone with a NO PARKING 9-5 MONDAY-FRIDAY zone on
the south side of Bay Beach Road near Angie Avenue and the soccer fields be
adopted by ordinance.
28. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a
NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone on the south side of Oregon Street from a point
115 feet west of Gray Street to Gray Street.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow and carried that a NO
PARKING HERE TO CORNER zone on the south side of Oregon Street from a point 115
feet west of Gray Street to Gray Street be established and adopted by
ordinance.
29. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a
4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Emilie and Suydam Streets.
A
motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded by C. Karow and carried that a 4-WAY
STOP condition at the intersection of Emilie and Suydam Streets be established
and adopted by ordinance.
There being
no other items of discussion, a motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by M.
Schuster, and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting ended at 6:55 PM. The next Traffic Commission meeting is
scheduled for Monday, December 15, 2008, in Room 210 at 5:30 P.M.