Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRAB MINUTES NOVEMBER 11 2014Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. TRAFFIC REVIEW ADISORY BOARD MINUTES NOVEMBER 11, 2014 4:00 P.M. PRESENT: Dan Becker, Steve Haas, Steven Herman, Timothy Schuster and Dan Scieszinski ABSENT: Gary Ross STAFF: Jim Collins, Transportation Director Marlene Binder, Secretary CALL TO ORDER Chairman Timothy Schuster called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Herman moved to accept the September 9, 2014 minutes. Mr. Becker seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). NEW BUSINESS 1. A REQUEST FOR A YIELD SIGN ON DOVE STREET AT COOLIDGE AVENUE (CURRENT CONDITION: UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTION) Mr. Collins said a resident on the corner said motorists are speeding in this area. He mentioned that the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices states that yield and stop signs are not to be used for speed control. He says this intersection has had only one crash recently in 2008. He stated there is adequate sight distance and the traffic counts are far lower than the suggested number for a sign and therefore this intersection does not meet any of the warrants for a yield sign. He recommends denial of this request based on these facts. Mr. Becker moved to accept item 1. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. (Motion lost: 0-5) 2. A REQUEST FOR 30 MINUTE PARKING ON COMMERCE STREET, WEST SIDE, FROM 50 FEET NORTH OF CEAPE AVENUE TO 72 FEET NORTH OF CEAPE AVENUE AND FROM 180 FEET NORTH OF CEAPE AVENUE TO 202 FEET NORTH OF CEAPE AVENUE (CURRENT CONDITION: LOADING ZONE) Mr. Collins said he received a telephone call from the owners of City Center requesting the removal of the loading zones on Commerce Street. He explained the loading zones were created for Morton Pharmacy which is no longer there. He went on to say that changing to 30 minute parking is consistent with the parking restrictions in the rest of this area. Mr. Scieszinski wonders if it would be feasible to have longer term parking in the evening for patrons of the Ground Round having dinner. He says when looking to park to patronize the restaurant, it is frustrating to see all 30 minute parking available when the shops in City Center are closed. Mr. Collins explained that the shorter term parking was put in place so customers for City Center businesses could come and go. Mr. Becker said to have different parking durations at different times of the day would make enforcement confusing and more difficult. Mr. Herman moved to accept item 2. Mr. Becker seconded the motion. (Motion carried: 5-0) TRAB MINUTES 2 November 11, 2014 Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. 3. A REQUEST FOR A STOP SIGN ON WISCONSIN STREET AT LINCOLN AVENUE (CURRENT CONDITION: UNCONROLLED INTERSECTION) Mr. Collins said the traffic count meets the warrant for a stop sign however there was only one accident involving someone backing out of their driveway this year and none in 2013. There is also no line of sight problem at the intersection. He continued that this intersection does meet the volume requirement, however without a line of sight issue and low accident history there does not seem to be a safety issue here. Mike Watersmeet, whose parents own the laundry mat on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Wisconsin Street, said he works there every day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. He has seen many close calls on this corner and claims he hears skidding tires about once a week. He also said he witnessed a kid on his bike come within a foot of being hit by a vehicle. Mr. Watersmeet says that the building he works in is very close, only about six feet from the road, but the building was grandfathered in. He says motorists traveling east on Lincoln Avenue approaching Wisconsin Street have a hard time seeing around his building. He continued that despite the no parking signs vehicles park right up to the corner on both sides of his building especially in winter when the yellow cub paint is covered by snow. He added that cars were ticketed for parking there. He went on to say there is not a crosswalk at this intersection and that his employee, wearing a headset, was hit at the intersection of Cherry Street and Lincoln Avenue. He also said yesterday when he was leaving he saw four or five people waiting for about a minute to cross the street and ironically he waited for them to cross when he left. Mr. Herman suggested exploring the possibility of installing a crosswalk on Wisconsin Street. He said there are many university students in the area. Mr. Collins said he would check the feasibility of installing a crosswalk on Wisconsin Street. Mr. Becker moved to accept item 3. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. (Motion lost 0-5) 4. A REQUEST FOR 30 MINUTE PARKING ON CAMPUS PLACE, NORTH SIDE (CURRENT CONDITION: NO PARKING FROM WISCONSIN STREET TO 326 FEET EAST OF WISCONSIN STREET) Mr. Collins spoke with the Police Department about allowing parking on Campus Place. He stated that parking on the south side was removed a few years ago at the Police Department’s request. On the north side, there are several driveways and parked cars would impair the line of sight for drivers trying to enter and exit these driveways. Police said it may be difficult for emergency vehicles to access the area with the addition of parked vehicles and enforcement may be a problem, especially during evening hours. They also told Mr. Collins there is a lot of pedestrian traffic in this area due to its close proximity to the university. The high pedestrian traffic can be potentially dangerous when parked cars obscure them from view of passing motorists. A pedestrian could step out from behind a parked vehicle into the lane of traffic. Mr. Becker moved to accept item 4. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. (Motion lost: 0-5) 5. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED BIKE LANE RESTRICTION ORDINANCE AND AMENDED IN-LINE SKATE ORDINANCE (CURRENT CONDITION: NO FORMAL BICYCLE LANE RESTRICTIONS AND IN-LINE SKATERS TO STAY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD) TRAB MINUTES 3 November 11, 2014 Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. Mr. Collins said currently the city does not have an ordinance governing the use of bicycle lanes. He stated with the Bike and Pedestrian Plan, the city will be installing more bike lanes as the plan is implemented. He continued to say he worked with the city attorney to draft an ordinance for bike lanes and modify the existing in-line skate ordinance. He wanted the Board’s input on allowing or disallowing electric personal mobility devices in the bike lane and/or sidewalk. Mr. Herman had concerns about a wheelchair darting out into traffic. Mr. Becker voiced his concern about the visibility of the mobility device at dusk/night with no light or reflectors that bicycles are equipped with to be seen in low light. Mr. Schuster had concerns that the operators of such devices sometimes have impaired motor skills and could veer into traffic with an unintended movement of the joystick and would like to see these mobility devices relegated to the sidewalk. Mr. Becker questioned why roller skates would not be allowed in bike lanes when in-line skates are permitted in the proposed ordinance on page 4. Mr. Collins suggested that roller skates be included with the in-line skates in the ordinances. Mr. Becker suggested using the city website to educate the public on safe biking and skating. Mr. Herman moved to amend item 5 to remove “persons using a personal assistive mobility device within a public roadway shall use the designated bicycle lane” from the bicycle lane restrictions ordinance and that roller skates be added to in-line skates in both the bicycle lane restrictions ordinance and the regulations for in-line skates ordinances so roller skates will be allowed in the bike lanes. Mr. Becker seconded the motion. (Amendment carried: 5-0) Mr. Becker moved to accept amended item 5. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. (Motion carried 5- 0) STAFF STATEMENTS Mr. Collins gave an update on the crosswalk on High Avenue in the university area. He said the university requested the crosswalk be painted where it will be moved because students were using this area to cross due to construction at Clow making it difficult for students to get to the current crosswalk location. The university plans to move the beacon, remove the old crosswalk and restore the curb next spring. He reported that the new crosswalk had already been painted. Mr. Collins wanted to mention to the Board that he has been made aware of potential traffic problem at the corner of Merritt Avenue and Main Street. He explained a meat market opened on this corner recently and with only one lane for vehicles traveling eastbound, traffic backs up on Merritt when a vehicle waits for oncoming traffic to turn left into the parking lot. Mr. Herman stated he was not opposed to revisiting this area now with the addition of the meat market. Mr. Schuster added traffic really backs up westbound on Merritt after the vehicles that had waited for a train to pass reach this intersection. Mr. Herman suggested having the signal timed giving Merritt Avenue traffic a longer green light. Mr. Collins responded this might be tricky to accomplish because the traffic lights are coordinated in the corridor so vehicles traveling on Main Street hit green lights, rather than stopping at each light. He said he would investigate options with the Electric Department supervisor. There being no more items to come before the Traffic Review Advisory Board and upon being duly moved and seconded (Schuster, Haas), the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.