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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOct 1, 1974October 1, 1974 Official Proceedings Special Meeting Hearing on Placement of 4-Way Stop Signs at 44th Avenue and McLeod Street October 1, 1974 Meeting was called to order at 8:05 p.m. Roll Call - Heintz, Land, Nawrocki - present. Logacz and Norberg - absent. Motion by Land, Seconded by Heintz to appoint Vicki Maternowsky Secretary Pro-Tem for this meeting. Roll Call - All Ayes Mayor Nawrocki began the meeting by discussing what the purpose of the meeting was and stating what the order of business for the meeting would be. First, Peter Fausch from Barton-Aschman Associates, Inc. would give a presentation on the study he made regarding 44th Avenue and McLeod Street. Following Mr. Fausch's presentation, a discussion would be held between the Council members and residents. Finally, the Council would make their decision on the matter. Fourteen residents were present at this hearing. Peter Fausch's Report Barton-Aschman Associates, Inc. prepared an eight page analysis of impact on a 4-way stop at 44th and McLeod. Mr. Fausch summarized the report through the use of charts. First~ he presented a map showing the existing conditi~ons of 44th and McLeod. In addition to pointing out the physical conditions, he also presented a traffic count, pedestrian count and acci- dent report. The second chart listed the concerns, guidelines for a 4-way stop, and the impacts of a 4-way stop. Concerns included safety of pedestrians crossing, speed, and number of accidents involving parked cars. Certain guidelines are used in determining what type of traffic is warranted at an intersection. The guidelines are as follows: 1. Six basic requirements which are adapted from the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, page 1. 2. Five or more accidents. 3. Balanced volumes--5OO vehicles per hour/8 hours 4. Trade Offs--accidents, delay, noise, carbon monoxide versus crossings concern. A 4-way stop at 44th and McLeod would have the following impacts: 1 Speeds in intersection reduced (stop 3800). 2 Might be less crossing risk. 3 Speed mid block--no change or increase. 4 Increase in rear end accidents [most important factor) 5 Diversion to other streets. 6 Additional delay to traffic--510 minutes/day. 7. Noise--20% increase over 70 db. 8. Carbon monoxide increase--lO30 grams/day released. 9. More fuel--6500 gallons/year. 10. No impact on parked car accidents. The third chart showed alternate approaches to the 4-way stop. They are as follows: 1. Sidewalks 2. 3. 4. No Parking 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Stripe 22 feet for walk areas. Pedestrian crossing treatment including signs, marking, and advanced warning signs. 5. Education to pedestrians. 6. Try for six months--monitor Discussion Following Mr. Fausch's presentation, a lengthy discussion was held. The suggested approaches were viewed and commented on by both the residents and Council. One gentleman did not want to cut 5 feet from his property for a sidewalk. Another gentleman suggested placing sidewalks in the alley. Mr. Clayton Berg from the Engineering Department reported that a sidewalk would cost approximately $7.00 to $8.00 per foot. Placing a sidewalk on 44th Avenue would be difficult because of the grade problems there. It was generally felt by the residents that 44th Avenue is a "racetrack" and that something has to be done to reduce the speeding in order to make it safe for the pedestrians. A gentleman wanted to know why the Council would allow stop signs at 43½ Avenue and not at 44th Avenue. 43½ Avenue had more cars on it that it should have since the only cars traveling on 43½ should be the ones that live in that area. The idea of the signs was to deter traffic from the unapproved street to a state aid street such as 44th Avenue since these streets can handle heavy traffic. One gentlemen commented on the excessive mid block speeding. He felt that painting and signing would not control this. Councilman Heintz commented that in order to maintain 30 mph in mid block, a person would have to apply the brakes all the way down the hill. Therefore, a 4-way stop would not help mid block speeding. A gentleman felt that if a concentrated tagging of people was administered for a couple of days, it would then help slow down the traffic. One of the residents asked Mr. Berg to give an hour to hour traffic count on 44th Avenue. Mr. Fausch stated one of the problems of 44th Avenue is that it will have to carry more traffic so that traffic is not diverted to other residential streets. Motion by Land, Seconded by Heintz that traffic controls for 44th Avenue be implemented as follows: 1. Eleven foot traffic lanes be provided by painting solid white lines on both sides of 44th from Tyler Place to Reservoir Boulevard. 2. Provide Ped X-ings at both 44th and McLeod and 44th and Tyler Place with all necessary signing and advanced warnings. 3. Restrict parking on both sides of 44th Avenue from Tyler Place to Reservoir Boulevard from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Roll Call - All Ayes Motion by Land, Seconded by Heintz to adjourn the meeting at 9:46 p.m. Roll Call - All Ayes Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor Secretary P ro-Tem