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
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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
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