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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRA BOARD MINUTES 1_8_13 TRAFFIC REVIEW ADISORY BOARD MINUTES JANUARY 8, 2013 4:00 P.M. PRESENT: Daniel Becker, James Kaprelian, Stan Kline, Gary Ross, Donald Seybold and Timothy Schuster ABSENT: Jef Hall STAFF: Christopher Strong, Transportation Director Jennifer Weigand, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Kaprelian called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Kline moved to accept November 13, 2012 minutes. Mr. Ross seconded the motion. Motion carried (6-0). 1. A REQUEST FOR 2-HOUR PARKING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF CAMPUS PLACE FROM 45 FEET EAST OF WISCONSIN STREET TO 326 FEET EAST OF WISCONSIN STREET. (CURRENT CONDITION: NO PARKING). Capt. Kurt Schoeni, Oshkosh Police Department, informed the Board about OPD concerns with this request. He said that the night shift officers are in this area nightly. Their first concern is regarding pedestrian movement across the street between Molly’s and Nikos Gyros, where there is no marked crosswalk. In addition, he noted that fights frequently break out in this area. area. If vehicle parking were allowed, there would be pedestrians darting out between the vehicles. Their second concern was with congestion. He said it would be hard to pull a vehicle out safely from a parking space. His third concern was that Police needs to find a place to park their vehicles fast when responding to fights. If parking was allowed, they would have to park in the street, which is not an ideal place. He would like to see the vendor parked in a parking lot. He pointed out that if another vehicle parks there first, the vendor won’t be able to park there anyway. He noted that at bar closing time, customers push out of the establishments all at once, which increases the congestion-related concerns. Mr. Chris Jones, 842 Bismarck Avenue, has a mobile food cart and was interested in this request. He said he had talked to the bar owners about a possible space in their parking lots, but they all want money for this privilege. He said he needed the space for only a minimal time each night, starting at 10 p.m. He said he understood the safety concerns and currently he is parking east of Molly’s, where parking is allowed. TRA MINUTES 2 JANUARY 8, 2013 Mr. Kline said it is like a pedestrian mall in that area. He added that, even if parking were allowed, there would be no guarantee he would get one of the parking spaces. He was opposed to the request. Mr. Jones questioned if a space could be designated for taxis or businesses. Mr. Strong replied the ordinance has to be enforceable and this type of provision would be unenforceable. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Mr. Schuster seconded the motion. Motion lost (0-6). 2. A REQUEST FOR A PROTECTED LEFT TURN AT THE INTERSECTION OF WESTOWNE AVENUE AND WASHBURN STREET. (CURRENT CONDITION: PERMITTED LEFT TURN). Mr. Kline did not think it was warranted at this time. Mr. Schuster noted the area is wide open with no visibility issues. He suggested waiting to see what happens at this intersection when and if the proposed Kwik Trip opens. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Mr. Kaprelian seconded the motion. Motion lost (1 Becker-5). Item 5 was heard next. 5. A REQUEST FOR NO PARKING ON THE WEST SIDE OF OREGON STREET FROM 33 FEET SOUTH OF 9TH AVENUE TO 55 FEET SOUTH OF 9TH AVENUE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 6:00 A.M. AND 7:00 P.M., MONDAYS THROUGH SATURDAYS. (CURRENT CONDITION: 2-HOUR PARKING, 9:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS). Mr. Cameron Stang, 907 Oregon Street (Expressive Apparel), was opposed to this request. He said they have limited parking this area. This would be an inconvenience for their customers. Mr. Kaprelian asked if there was parking behind his business. Mr. Stang noted that it is very rare to have spots open for their customers. He noted they are sharing spots with other businesses and upstairs tenants. With Garden Gate floral shop next to him, the spaces are being used for their delivery trucks that come and go all day. Mr. Brian Burns, 903 Oregon Street, has been there for 19 years. The small businesses need this parking for their customers. Mr. Kline noted a bus stopped at the proposed stop would have to pull out into two lanes of traffic to clear clear the parked vehicle in front of the stop. He was opposed to the request. Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Mr. Kaprelian seconded the motion. Motion lost (0-6). TRA MINUTES 3 JANUARY 8, 2013 4. A REQUEST FOR NO PARKING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF OTTER AVENUE FROM MILL STREET TO 80 FEET WEST OF MILL STREET BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 6:00 A.M. AND 7:00 P.M., MONDAYS THROUGH SATURDAYS. (CURRENT CONDITION: UNRESTRICTED PARKING). Mr. Kline moved to accept the request. Mr. Schuster seconded the motion. Motion carried (6-0). 3. A DISCUSSION OF PARKING REGULATIONS ON OAKWOOD ROAD BETWEEN 9TH AVENUE AND 20TH AVENUE. Mr. Strong gave a brief history of the parking regulations on this section of Oakwood Road. He noted that from the crash history, there does not appear to be a problem. He presented three basic options that could help with driver confusion. Mr. Becker suggested making it a striped four-lane road with parking allowed. It would eliminate a lot of confusion if we put white paint down. Mr. Schuster was leaning towards option 3, where it is marked as a two-lane road with bike lanes and on-street parking. While traveling on Oakwood Road, he very seldom observes another vehicle passing another vehicle. He would be curious to see what the traffic counts are. He noted Madison has four lanes of traffic with parking allowed but those streets are busy all the time. Mr. Kaprelian felt option 3 would be a good solution. He suggested waiting six months until motorists are accustomed to all the changes that have occurred in the last year. Mr. Kline noted the Board did nothing on 9th Avenue, so why we are suggesting doing something on a road that carries less traffic than 9th Avenue? Mr. Ross said there is a lot of bike traffic in this area and he favored option 3. Mr. Kline suggested option 2, where it is marked as a two-lane road with a two-way left turn lane and bike lanes but no parking (i.e. a road diet). He felt option 3 would be problematic. Mr. Kaprelian would like to see cooperation with the Town of Algoma so there is uniformity. Mr. Becker questioned how law enforcement looks at unmarked streets. Striping of the streets would alleviate confusion on the road. Mr. Strong said the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee may be planning to look into this at some point in the future because Oakwood Road is in their plan. TRA MINUTES 4 JANUARY 8, 2013 Mr. Schuster said according to the Wisconsin State Statutes Chapter 346, the road needs to be marked. He also suggested waiting six months before anything is done. STAFF STATEMENTS • None AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING • None There being no more items to come before the Traffic Review Advisory Board and upon being duly moved and seconded (Kline, Schuster), the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.