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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRA BOARD MINUTES APR 12_2011  TRAFFIC REVIEW ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES APRIL 12, 2011 4:00 P.M. PRESENT: Steve Herman, Gary, Ross, Jim Kaprelian, Stan Kline, Donald Seybold and Tim Schuster STAFF: Christopher Strong, Transportation Director Jennifer Weigand, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER Chairman Kaprelian called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Schuster moved to accept the March 8, 2011 minutes. Mr. Kline seconded the motion. Motion carried (6-0). OLD BUSINESS A REQUEST FOR 4-HOUR PARKING ON BOTH SIDES OF FAIRFAX DRIVE FROM PHEASANT CREEK DRIVE TO 110 FEET EAST OF PHEASANT CREEK DRIVE. (CURRENT CONDITION: UNRESTRICTED PARKING.) Ms. Jackie Yenter, 1220 Pheasant Creek Drive, was opposed to this request. She lives on the corner of Pheasant Creek Drive and Fairfax Drive and directly across from 1215 Pheasant Creek Drive, which is the residence of the property owner with the multiple vehicles. Her biggest concern is if parking is limited on Fairfax Drive, this will only push them to park on Pheasant Creek. They previously were parking their vehicles on Pheasant Creek Drive in front of her home. They blocked her driveway and mailbox resulting in non-delivery of her mail. The number of vehicles they have is an eyesore. She feels that the request would simply move the problem from one street to another. Don Wolf, 1150 Pheasant Creek Drive, agreed with Ms. Yenter. He noted that yesterday an emergency vehicle had difficulty getting through because of vehicles parked across from each other by the corner. Mr. Schuster questioned if the Oshkosh Police Department had made any contact with the property owner. Mr. Strong replied he had not heard anything from the Police Department. Mr. Ross agreed it would just be moving the problem to another area. He questioned if there is a limit to the number of overnight permits that can issued to one residence. Mr. Strong replied it is a city wide policy where permits are issued to help where there is a lack of off-street parking. Mr. Schuster questioned how many vehicles this property owner has. Ms. Yenter replied they have five vehicles for sure. Mr. Schuster said he hates seeing one resident’s parking choices ruin it for the neighborhood. Mr. Kaprelian noted every time he drove by this area there was one truck and one SUV-type vehicle parked there. He agreed it would be pushing the problem to Pheasant Creek Drive. Mr. Schuster said the first step is to get the Police Department involved. He suggested having them check if all the vehicles parked on-street are registered. If there is a registration concern, they cannot be on the street. He questioned if there are municipal code violations. He said the streets should not be used as their personal parking lot. Mr. Kaprelian said it doesn’t look like anyone from the Police Dept. has spoken to this property owner. He was disappointed that we had not heard from the Police Department on this matter. Mr. Kline questioned if the offending property owner had been notified of the meeting. Mr. Strong replied they were not because the parking request did not affect their property. Mr. Wolf said that one neighbor had talked to them and they asked, “Where are they to park (their vehicles)?” Ms. Yenter pointed out they cannot park any vehicles in their garage because it is full. Mr. Herman questioned if this neighborhood had any covenants. Ms. Yenter replied, “No”. Mr. Herman felt the Common Council would have a hard time regulating parking based on one residence. He thought leaking oil on the streets may be an issue for the Fire Department. Mr. Kaprelian said the Board could be setting a real dangerous precedent if we approve this request based on one resident. He would like to make sure the Police Department talks to the resident, check into vehicle registrations and possible municipal code violations. Mr. Strong suggested tabling this request and his office would notify additional property owners and the owner of 1215 Pheasant Creek Drive of the next meeting. Mr. Herman moved to table this request. Mr. Kaprelian seconded the motion. Motion carried (6-0). NEW BUSINESS A REQUEST FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT THE INTERSECTION OF WESTFIELD STREET AND WITZEL AVENUE. (CURRENT CONDITION: WITZEL AVENUE IS A THROUGH STREET.) Mr. Kline felt a traffic signal was not necessary. Because of the additional traffic caused by the closure of 9th Avenue, he felt it would tie-up traffic movement. Mr. Seybold suggested monitoring the traffic at this intersection, since it may be appropriate to have a signal in place when the Highway 21 interchange is reconstructed in 2012. Mr. Herman noted it is a different situation putting in traffic lights so close to roundabouts. Mr. Schuster felt a traffic signal would encroach on the entrance to Stein Plaza. Mr. Seybold felt this should be deferred until after 9th Avenue construction is completed. Mr. Strong indicated that the timing is difficult because a signal would likely need to be installed before the winter months, in order to be operational when the Highway 21 interchange is closed. Mr. Kaprelian felt the Board should look at this more seriously next year when Highway 21 is closed. Mr. Schuster commented that the majority of motorists avoid using Highway 21 and prefer to use Witzel Avenue. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Mr. Schuster seconded the motion. Motion lost (0-6). A RECOMMENDATION FOR A PROTECTED LEFT-TURN FOR WESTBOUND WITZEL AVENUE TO SOUTHBOUND SAWYER STREET. (CURRENT CONDITION: PERMITTED LEFT). Mr. Steve Everding, 928 Reichow Street, was concerned that the reconstruction of Knapp Street will increase the number of westbound left-turning vehicles at this intersection. He foresees a bottleneck when Knapp Street is taken out of the equation. He suggested a temporary left-turn arrow to help with the congestion and delay at this intersection. Mr. Kline noted there is no way to have a dedicated left-turn lane. He felt a left-turn lane would tie-up traffic and cause a bigger problem. Mr. Schuster felt motorists will use Ohio Street, which is four lanes, when Knapp Street is closed. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Mr. Kaprelian seconded the motion. Motion lost (0-6). A REQUEST FOR AN ALL-WAY STOP AT THE INTERSECTION OF ALGOMA BOULEVARD AND VINE AVENUE. (CURRENT CONDITION: ALGOMA BOULEVARD IS A THROUGH STREET,) Ms. Cheryl Lauritch, 1107 Algoma Boulevard, lives on the corner of Algoma Boulevard and Vine Avenue. Through her observations, there are multiple safety concerns. Overflow traffic from the university and Read School cause traffic to backup on the east/west side streets. She pointed out that when traveling north on Algoma Boulevard, there are no stops from Woodland Avenue to Congress Avenue and motorists speed up. On a daily basis, speed cones placed in front of Read School in morning and afternoon are being knocked over. She is also concerned that traffic might increase when Elmwood Avenue is closed. She felt by placing stop signs at this intersection, drivers would be forced to be more present minded to the neighborhood, school and children. Mr. Dennis Tondryk, 1155 Algoma Boulevard, works out of his home and his office faces Algoma Boulevard. He said he has observed multiple incidents and near misses. He pointed out that around 5 A.M., Algoma Boulevard is a raceway for 16-wheelers. He was in favor of this request. He also suggested that maybe a traffic calming device could be installed to help slow down traffic. Mr. Kaprelian was not sure we need a stop sign but he likes the idea of some type of traffic calming measure. He noted this is a bad area where speeding does occur. Mr. Ross drives this on a daily basis and no one is driving the speed limit. There needs to be something there to help reduce the speed. Mr. Herman said the Common Council had concerns if more traffic would be added to Algoma when Elmwood is closed. He thought a speed bump was a good idea. His concern with a stop sign was vehicles would park too close to this intersection. Mr. Kline noted the number of accidents does not warrant stop signs. He said stop signs do not slow traffic down. Most motorists travel at a reasonable speed. He is not in favor of stop signs but feels more traffic enforcement is needed. Mr. Schuster pointed out this area is in the university’s jurisdiction and there is no reason why they can’t be doing traffic enforcement. Mr. Seybold agreed with Mr. Kline that more police enforcement is needed especially during school hours. Mr. Kaprelian felt some type of speed calming measure would be a valid expense. He pointed out that motorists have a tendency to speed up after leaving a stop sign. Mr. Herman suggested conducting traffic counts. Ms. Jean Tondryk, 1155 Algoma Boulevard, felt many motorists are unaware that there is a school in this area. She pointed out there is no police enforcement after 8 P.M. and the street is a racetrack. She requested that a stop sign be installed until something else can be done. Mr. Strong pointed out that Algoma Boulevard is an arterial street, which is important for emergency response traffic. Mr. Schuster felt it was more of an enforcement issue, which can be done by university and city police. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Motion lost (0-6). STAFF STATEMENTS Mr. Strong said he was preparing the 2010 Accident Analysis for May’s meeting. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Mr. Kline would like a right-turn only lane for southbound traffic on Koeller Street at 20th Avenue. There being no other business to come before the Traffic Review Advisory Board, and upon being duly moved and seconded (Schuster, Seybold), the meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm.