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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRAB Minutes Apr 2015Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. TRAFFIC REVIEW ADISORY BOARD MINUTES APRIL 14, 2015 PRESENT: Dan Becker, Steve Haas, Steven Herman, Timothy Schuster and Dan Scieszinski ABSENT: Gary Ross STAFF: Jim Collins, Transportation Director CALL TO ORDER Chairman Timothy Schuster called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Herman moved to accept the February 10, 2015 minutes. Mr. Becker seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). TABLED BUSINESS 1. A REQUEST TO RECONSIDER NO PARKING ON THE WEST LEG OF WHEATIELD WAY, EAST SIDE, FROM RUSHFIELD DRIVE TO 260 FEET NORTH OF RUSCHFIELD DRIVE (CURRENT CONDITION: NO PARKING) Mr. Collins explained that this had been discussed at the February meeting and is being brought back for reconsideration because originally property owners residing on the wrong leg of the horseshoe shaped Wheatfield Way were notified. He told this was requested to resolve a sight distance issue and to make it less difficult for vehicles to get through when cars are parked on both sides from the curve to the corner. Mr. Herman advised a vote be taken to reconsider before further proceeding. Request to reconsider carried. (5-0) Jason Muche, of 1470 Wheatfield Way, stated speed seems to be the major issue. He said since the removal of parking in the area vehicles now travel at a higher rate of speed. He went on to say there are three other curves on Wheatfield Way with worse sight distances. His recommendation is to restore parking on both sides of the street and install speed bumps to slow motorists down. He also noted that the accident in December may have been prevented by a speed bump. Amy LaCross, of 1471 Wheatfield Way, stated that the accident in December occurred because the vehicle as traveling around 90 mph and the driver was under the influence of a substance. She inquired who enforces the no parking regulations. She went on to say there was an open house for the house for sale on the corner this past Sunday and cars parked there despite no parking signs. Mr. Collins replied the police department enforces parking restrictions mostly on a complaint basis as they have other duties demanding higher priority. TRAB MINUTES 2 April 14, 2015 Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. Cassie Stadler, of 1471 Wheatfield Way, said she agrees with Jason and Amy. She told they have four children and her biggest fear is the speed vehicles travel in this area is beyond reasonable. She asked the Board to reconsider. Mr. Collins shared an email he received from Kim Willman, of 1451 Wheatfield Way, requesting parking be reinstated. He told she also was concerned about speeding. He stated the party that originally made the request to have parking removed could not attend the meeting but wanted to say thank you for the action taken. Mr. Schuster inquired where this person lives and Mr. Collins replied on Timothy Trail. Mr. Herman asked if criteria would be met for a speed bump in the area. Mr. Collins said there would need to be a petition from the majority of residents in the area. He explained usually a speed bump is installed at the time of new construction and thought residents would need to pay for a portion of this cost. Mr. Ross inquired what the speed limit is on this street. Mr. Collins replied it is 25 mph Mr. Herman stated since we took action on this item before and felt the criteria was met, he would be in favor of waiving this till citizens petition for a speed bump since it appears speed is the major issue. Mr. Muche interjected that his entire property is affected. He explained that he cannot park on the other side of the street because there is not enough clearance for his vehicle and boat without blocking mailboxes. Ms. Stadler said there are two children in her household that are driving so there are four vehicles which makes it a large challenge. Mr. Becker suggested installing a yield sign on Wheatfield Way at Timothy Trail to help slow traffic. Mr. Collins replied there is a sight issue on this curve made more significant by the slight incline and it is difficult to navigate through this area when vehicles park on both sides. He told the restriction was for 260' on only one side of the street, with parking on the other side and on Ruschfield Street. Mr. Schuster said he was under the impression crashes here were due to a sight distance issue and now that is not the case. He said he had very limited information going into it and now will try to fix this. Mr. Collins clarified that at the last meeting it was noted that the accidents were not related to this issue. He explained it was also noted there was plenty of parking in the area, that with the incline and the curve it warranted removal of parking on the curve. Mr. Herman said there are three options: 1. Remove the parking restriction. 2. Police Department enforce speed limit. 3. If citizens want speed bumps contact Mr. Collins. Mr. Becker moved to remove the no parking restriction from the west leg of Wheatfield Way, east side, from Ruschfield Drive to 260' north of Ruschfield Drive. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). 2. A REQUEST FOR NO PARKING ON W. 9TH AVENUE, SOUTH SIDE, FROM IOWA STREET TO 90 FEET WEST OF IOWA STREET (CURRENT CONDITION: NO PARKING RESTRICTION) Mr. Collins explained there is a bus stop located at this corner and recently vehicles have been parking very close to the stop making it difficult to board and alight passengers. There was some discussion about TRAB MINUTES 3 April 14, 2015 Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. devising a blanket ordinance for parking restrictions at all bus stops in the city. Before this could be done all bus stops would need to be analyzed for impact on parking and businesses in the area. Mr. Herman moved to accept this request. Mr. Becker seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). 3. A REQUEST FOR NO PARKING IN THE CUL-DE-SAC ON ELMWOOD AVENUE, SOUTH OF WEST LINCOLN AVENUE BEHIND REEVE MEMORIAL UNION (CURRENT CONDITION: NO RESTRICTION OTHER THAN NO PARKING DUE TO THE BIKE LANE WHICH ENDS RIGHT BEFORE THE CUL-DE-SAC) Mr. Collins explained that the walking path in the cul-de-sac is used by emergency vehicles only. He said vehicles parked in the cul-de-sac block the walking path and access to loading docks for Reeve Memorial Union. The UWO police chief and parking manager were in attendance to support this restriction. There was discussion about allowing two 15 minute parking spaces. Request carried (5-0). 4. A REQUEST TO CHANGE THE LOCATION OF THE PEDESTRIAN HYBRID BEACON TO 329 FEET EAST OF ROCKWELL AVENUE (CURRENT CONDITION: HIGH AVENUE, 190 FEET EAST OF ROCKWELL AVENUE) Mr. Collins told that moving the beacon over summer had been previously discussed. He stated that most students are currently crossing at the proposed location. He said this would clean up the ordinance and permit the beacon to be moved. Mr. Herman moved to accept the request. Mr. Becker seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). 5. NO PARKING SIGNS Mr. Collins said currently under the international no parking symbol words such as "this side" or" any time" are used. He believes the no parking symbol is intuitive and therefore decided to eliminate the extra verbiage saving some material and labor costs. There was discussion about arrows and here to corner which would still be included under the symbol. Mr. Herman suggested putting information about this change on the City website to educate the public. 6. MURDOCK AVENUE ROAD DIET Mr. Collins said the March 30th public meeting was attended by about 20 people including Mr. Hass and Mr. Herman. He told that people were supportive of the road diet, but concern was expressed by two business owners on the southeast corner of Algoma Boulevard and Murdock Avenue about egress and ingress to their driveways. He added the other concern was if there would be enough turning radius for a truck to turn right from Algoma Boulevard onto Murdock Avenue with the one lane scenario. Mr. Collins stated options for the bike lanes from Plymouth Street to Algoma Boulevard will continue to be explored internally and with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee. He told one option being considered is a sharrow from Plymouth Street to Algoma Boulevard. Another option is to have the bike lane go down Plymouth Street to Columbia Avenue, which then lines up with the cemetery connecting to WIOUWASH trail. TRAB MINUTES 4 April 14, 2015 Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. A man from Expert Towing said he believes traffic on Murdock Avenue flows good now and does not know how one lane will handle the volume of traffic. He thinks the road diet will be a nightmare and traffic will dart across the bike lane and turn to divert to residential streets on either side. Mr. Becker suggested a roundabout at the intersection of Vinland, Woodland and Murdock as he believes there would be enough space. Mr. Collins said the plan will be brought before the Board once it is finalized, but tonight he just wanted to share what happened at the public meeting. He stated the road diet addresses not only the intersection of Vinland/Woodland but alsoWisconsin/Murdock as well as pedestrian safety. He explained there will be three lanes, only one lane less than presently. He also said that people in communities where road diets were implemented thought traffic would divert to other streets but discovered this never occurred. Mr. Herman suggested Mr. Collins bring the video shown at the March public meeting. He said currently everything is on the table and it is all conceptual. He stressed it is important to have input from everyone and gather information before impacting a major street. The man from Expert Towing stated he drove on Sawyer Street today, 70 degrees, sunny and no one was riding bike there. Mr. Collins replied bike lanes are not well connected yet which is why they are not utilized as much as they will be after they are better connected. The man from Expert Towing told he grew up near Sheridan Street and never rode his bike on Murdock Avenue. He liked the idea of the roundabout at Vinland/Woodland/Murdock intersection. Mr. Collins said he could discuss the concept of a roundabout with the DOT but, the DOT supports the road diet for this area. Mr. Schuster said the street was originally intended for commerce and now it seems we are taking that away and putting bikes on it. Mr. Collins explained the reason the road diet came up was to improve safety for traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. He said he will bring the video and conceptual drawings to the next meeting. The man from Expert Towing told he can't imagine the length of time he would have to wait with a 50' trailer to turn left onto or from Beech Street with the road diet. He apologized for not being able to attend the March meeting. Mr. Schuster inquired if everyone in the area would be notified again. Mr. Collins replied they were already notified and a public meeting was held. He said the item will be brought before this Board and, if passed, go before Council for two meetings. 7. SUMMER CONSTRUCTION AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS Mr. Collins said New York Avenue from Spruce Street to Wisconsin Street and Parkway Avenue from Main Street to Bowen Street are being reconstructed this season. While construction takes place, parking restrictions on some nearby streets will be relaxed and bags placed over no parking signs. There was discussion about the new heavy duty traffic signal poles around the city. Mr. Collins informed the Board that the state will turn over jurisdiction of the traffic lights on South Park Avenue west of Hwy. TRAB MINUTES 5 April 14, 2015 Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. 41. As part of the agreement, the state agreed to upgrade to the heavier poles with the overhead signals for each lane and install pedestrian push buttons. The new pole with a signal head over each lane is the new state standard. Mr. Herman noted the traffic lights are brighter on Bowen Street at New York and Murdock Avenues. Mr. Collins said these lights had been upgraded from the high pressure sodium to the new LED bulbs which resulted in a complaint about the brightness from a resident near New York Avenue. He said lower wattage bulbs will be used in residential areas and the brighter ones in business corridors. There being no other business to come before the Traffic Review Advisory Board, and upon being duly moved and seconded (Herman, Becker), the meeting adjourned at 5:18 p.m.