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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 6, 2011AGENDA COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2011 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF MAY 2, 2011 MINUTES III. PUBLIC HEARING FOR 50 AVENUE NE, EAST OF CENTRAL AVENUE Traffic on 50 Avenue was discussed at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and at the City Council meeting as part of the ALDI site plan review. The issues are safety and congestion at the 50 Avenue and Central Avenue intersection. Another issue is additional traffic on Tyler Street generated by businesses on Central Avenue, such as Jimmy John's and potentially ALDI. A potential long term solution is to construct a right turn lane from 50 t11 Avenue onto Central Avenue. Accordingly, the Council authorized the City Engineer to prepare a feasibility study to evaluate a right turn lane. A proposed layout is attached in your packet. The Public Hearing Notice published in the Sun Focus and sent to Central Avenue businesses, owners, and residents on Tyler Street is included in your packet. The following items were included on the Public Hearing notice: DESIGNATE "NO PARKING" ON 50" AVENUE NE FROM CENTRAL AVENUE TO THE EAST PROPERTY LINES OF 4955 AND 5001 CENTRAL AVENUES. This has been suggested several times at the public meetings and by Mn/DOT to improve traffic flow at the intersection. RECOMMENDED MOTION: Move to recommend the City Council designate "No Parking" on 50 Avenue next to 4955 and 5001 Central Avenues. DISCUSS ASSIGNING THE EXIT FOR THE FRONTAGE ROAD SOUTH OF 50 AVENUE AS "RIGHT TURN ONLY ". At the May Traffic Commission meeting, Commissioners suggested the frontage road be designated as "Right Turn Only ". This would eliminate potential conflicts at the intersection as vehicles leaving the frontage road try to cross the eastbound lane of traffic and go west on 50 Avenue or north on Central Avenue. The drawback is that it will increase traffic on Tyler Street as drivers make their way back to Central Avenue: 50 Avenue to Tyler Street to 49 Avenue to Central Avenue. Staff supports installation of a sign directing northbound Central Avenue traffic to the south driveway entrance of the mall. RECOMMENDED MOTION: None. Traffic Commission Agenda June 6, 2011 Page 2 DISCUSS "NO THROUGH TRAFFIC" ON TYLER STREET, 49" AVENUE TO 50' AVENUE. Suggestions for limiting traffic on Tyler Street have been to sign Tyler Street for "No Thru Traffic" or "No Delivery Service Vehicles ". Staff recommends a weight limit sign be installed consistent with other signs in the City. RECOMMENDED MOTION: Move to install a weight limit sign on Tyler Street at 50 Avenue. IV. OLD BUSINESS None. V. OTHER OLD BUSINESS VI. NEW BUSINESS None. VII. OTHER NEW BUSINESS VIII. REPORTS A. CITY ENGINEER B. POLICE CHIEF C. COMMISSIONERS VIII. ADJOURNMENT The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all City of Columbia Heights' services, programs, and activities. Auxiliary aids for handicapped persons are available upon request when the request is made at least 96 hours in advance. Please call the City Council Secretary at 763/706 -3611 to make arrangements. (TDD /763 -706 -3692 for deaf only.) UNAPPROVED OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 2, 2011 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carlson at 6:02 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Carlson, Doty, Goodman, Olson, Tyler Staff present: Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer Ted Fischer, Police Sergeant Council Liaison: Donna Schmitt APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motioned by Goodman, seconded by Doty, to approve the minutes of April 4, 2011, as presented. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS None OTHER OLD BUSINESS REQUEST TO INSTALL 4 -WAY STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF JACKSON STREET AND 39 AVENUE As requested at the April 4th meeting, a speed monitor was placed on 39 Avenue east of Jefferson Street. The results of the speed monitor showed no problem with excessive speeding. The results of the speed monitor were accepted. The denial of a 4 -way stop sign stands. No action needs to be taken. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST TO CALL A PUBLIC HEARING TO DESIGNATE "NO PARKING" ON 50TH AVENUE, EAST OF CENTRAL AVENUE Traffic on 50 Avenue was discussed at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and at the City Council meeting as part of the ALDI site plan review. One issue is safety and congestion at the 50 Avenue and Central Avenue intersection. Another issue is additional traffic on Tyler Street generated by businesses on Central Avenue, such as Jimmy John's and potentially ALDI. Suggestions from the public to immediately improve the intersection have been No Parking on 50 11 ' Avenue as well as Traffic Lane Striping A potential long -term solution is to construct a right turn lane from 50 Avenue onto Central Avenue. Suggestions for limiting traffic on Tyler Street have been to sign Tyler Street for "No Thru Traffic" or "No Delivery Service Vehicles ". Staff will be discussing these suggestions with public safety personnel prior to the meeting in June. The City Council has directed the Traffic Commission to schedule a public hearing to discuss these Traffic Commission Minutes —May 2, 2011 Page 2 issues. The Traffic Commission agreed that ALDI will make safety and congestion worse at this intersection. Currently there is only one way to get to the traffic light. Carlson questioned the possibility of widening the median on 51 St and Central to allow for southbound traffic, or the possibility of a traffic signal. This area belongs to MnDOT. Once ALDI is in and we obtain a traffic count, the Traffic Commission can approach MnDOT with a request. ALDI will have an exit onto and off of 50 and the frontage road will be gone. Schmitt stated there is also another exit north at 51 st Jimmie Johns is a problem during peak hours. A sign will be posted with an arrow to Central Avenue so people realize they have an alternative exit. Jimmie Johns' exits are on the east and west sides of the building. An alternative may be to only allow a right hand turn from the building. Will need to monitor the situation and discuss. Motioned by Doty, seconded by Goodman to call a Public Hearing on June 6, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. to designate "No Parking" on 50 Avenue adjacent to 4955 and 5001 Central Avenue, and to extend the notification area to all property owners on Tyler Street from 49 Avenue to 50 Avenue. Also to possibly designate the frontage road as right turn only. Motion carried unanimously. OTHER NEW BUSINESS None REPORTS CITY ENGINEER A parking sign for persons with disabilities is being installed in front of 4237 5 th Street NE. POLICE CHIEF None COMMISSIONERS Carlson welcomed Donna Schmitt as the new council liaison. Doty stated he appreciated the pothole work that was done on Central Avenue, but stated there is another pothole south on Central across from the used car lot. ADJOURNMENT Motioned by Doty, seconded by Olson to adjourn the meeting at 6:21 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Sue Schmidtbauer Public Works Secretary Zvi o 4 W Z Z C'_ Z) LLI D Z LLI JO I r .fit CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Traffic Commission has determined a Public Hearing will be held to: DESIGNATE "NO PARKING" ON 50 AVENUE NE FROM CENTRAL AVENUE TO THE EAST PROPERTY LINES OF 4955 AND 5001 CENTRAL AVENUES. DISCUSS ASSIGNING THE EXIT FOR THE FRONTAGE ROAD SOUTH OF 50 AVENUE AS "RIGHT TURN ONLY ". DISCUSS "NO THROUGH TRAFFIC ON TYLER STREET, 49' AVENUE TO 50 AVENUE. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 6, 2011, at 6:00 P.M. at the City Council Chambers located at 590 40'' Avenue N.E. Notice is hereby given that all persons having an interest therein will be given an opportunity to be heard. The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all City of Columbia Heights services, programs and activities. Auxiliary aids for handicapped persons are available upon request when the request is made at least 96 hours in advance. Please call the City Council Secretary at 763 - 706 -3611 to make arrangements. (TDD /763- 706 -3692 for deaf only) CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WALTER FEHST, CITY MANAGER Published in Focus on 5/26/11 40F r OiN 11: ♦:' r r e YAp.