Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-13-2019 Traffic Parking Advisory Bd MinutesCommittee Name: Traffic & Parking Advisory Board Date: 8/13/19 City Hall, Room 404 1 1 *Attendees: Absent: Jim Collins, Transportation Director tor Bob Poeschl, Council William Christianson, Board Marlene Binder, Secretary Dan Scieszinski, Board Ross Wandschneider, Board Daniel Becker, Chairman Jim Stapel, Board Steve Haas, Vice-Chairman Topic Facilitator Discussion Actions Call to order Meeting Minutes Dan Becker Dan Becker called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The minutes from the 7/9/19 meeting were accepted. 1st: Jim Stapel 2nd: Dan Scieszinski Agenda Items A request for no parking on Knapp Street, both sides, from W. 5th Ave. to 26’ south (Current Condition: Parking not allowed 15 ‘ from a marked crosswalk) Jim Collins Jim Collins told this request comes from the Sacred Heart Neighborhood Association. He explained the Sacred Heart Neighborhood Association along with East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC) performed a pop up test at the intersection of Knapp Street and West 5th Avenue. He said as a result of the study they request parking be restricted to improve visibility. He explained the state statute prohibits parking 15’ from a marked crosswalk however; vehicles are encroaching this area. He said removal of the extra footage and signing the prohibition should improve visibility. Committee Name: Traffic & Parking Advisory Board Date: 8/13/19 City Hall, Room 404 2 2 Topic Facilitator Discussion Actions A request for no parking on Knapp Street, both sides, from W. 5th Ave. to 26’ south (Current Condition: Parking not allowed 15 ‘ from a marked crosswalk) continued Michelle Spanbauer Michelle Spanbauer, residing at 2906 Westmore Road, said she is the administrator of Sacred Heart St. Jude School and the parish representative for the neighborhood association. She told it was especially dangerous at dusk when students walk further into the street, closer to moving traffic, in order to see around parked vehicles. She also pointed out there are four schools in this area: Franklin, Lourdes, St. John Neumann Middle School and Sacred Heart. She said there are approximately 300 students enrolled and they come from all over the city, not just from the Sacred Heart School neighborhood. Dan Becker clarified that the no parking sign would r ead “no parking here to corner” to avoid confusion. He requested that the Police Department get the word out to the public that vehicles cannot park closer than 15’ of a marked crosswalk, 10’ of a fire hydrant or 4’ of a driveway. 1st: Bob Poeschl 2nd: Jim Stapel Carried: 5 – 0 A request for a 4 way stop at Wisconsin Street and Linwood Avenue (Current Condition: 2 way stop, Linwood Avenue stops for Wisconsin Street) Jim Collins Jim Collins said he does not know the history as to why the 4 way stop was installed at Viola Avenue and not Linwood. He told a resident in the area said he witnessed a few accidents here. He said the traffic count conducted here showed 2,540 vehicles on Linwood and 2,280 on Wisconsin for an annual average daily total (AADT) of 4,820. He said there were 259 vehicles on Viola Avenue and 2,447 on Wisconsin for an AADT of 2,706. He added Viola will probably see higher counts during the school year but most likely Linwood will as well. Committee Name: Traffic & Parking Advisory Board Date: 8/13/19 City Hall, Room 404 3 3 Topic Facilitator Discussion Actions A request for a 4 way stop at Wisconsin Street and Linwood Avenue (Current Condition: 2 way stop, Linwood Avenue stops for Wisconsin Street) continued Bob Poeschl Mr. Collins explained neither intersection warrants a 4 way stop however; there are other areas of the city with unwarranted stop signs. He told there are 3 options: status quo, change the Viola intersection to a 2 way stop and Linwood to a 4 way stop or designate Linwood as a 4 way stop and leave Viola as a 4 way stop. Bob Poeschl said Linwood and Wisconsin seems a better location for the 4 way stop. He said in the past he managed the apartments on the corner of Viola and Wisconsin and he always thought the 4 way stop there would be more appropriate at Linwood and Wisconsin. It was pointed out that the crosswalk with a crossing guard for Oaklawn School is at the intersection of Jackson Street and Linwood so it would seem logical to locate the 4 way stop at Linwood and Wisconsin rather than one block south. David Wettroth, of 560 W. Linwood Ave., said he has lived there two years and feels that Linwood is more of a commercial area with McDonald’s, Kwik Trip, Family Dollar, Pick ‘n Save the laundromat, Casey’s, North High and the athletic field near by whereas Viola tends to have a more residential feel. He said he thinks it would be more beneficial to locate a 4 way stop for the more commercial area on Linwood than on Viola. Jim Stapel stated he would like to give the residents near the Viola / Wisconsin intersection a chance to voice their opinions so we could hear any compelling reasons they may have to keep it status quo. Bob Poeschl suggested tabling this item till the next meeting so residents could be noticed. Bob Poeschl moved to adopt option 2, changing Viola/Wisconsin to a 2 way stop and Linwood/Wisconsin to a 4 way stop. Adopt Option #2 1st: Bob Poeschl 2nd: Steve Haas Carried: 5 – 0 Tabled till next month 1st: Jim Stapel 2nd: Dan Sceiszinski Carried: 5 – 0 Committee Name: Traffic & Parking Advisory Board Date: 8/13/19 City Hall, Room 404 4 4 Topic Facilitator Discussion Actions Staff Statements Jim Collins Jim Collins said with the closure of Smith Elementary School, parents have inquired about a safe route for their children to walk or bike to Jefferson Elementary School. East Central Wisconsin Regional Plannig Commission (ECWRPC) audited the area and came up the some safe routes to Jefferson School. Mr. Collins showed the safe route map included in the Board packets and pointed out there will be three crossing guards in the area: one at both 9th & South Park Avenues / Minnesota Street and another at 11th Avenue / Oregon Street. Future Agenda Items Dan Scieszinski Mr. Scieszinski said the no parking signs on Osborn Avenue and Georgia Street have worked well until recently. He told that now vehicles park between the two no parking signs. Mr. Collins replied we have installed many parking signs in this area, and if vehicles are still parking here it would be an enforcement issue . OPD will monitor the area. Adjournment Dan Becker The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. The next meeting will be held September 10, 2019. 1st: Dan Scieszinski 2nd: Jim Stapel