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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJUNE 6, 2011 OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2011 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairperson Goodman at 6:07 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Doty, Goodman, Olson, Tyler (Carlson – Absent) Staff present: Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer Ted Fischer, Police Sergeant Sue Schmidtbauer, Public Works Secretary Council Liaison: Donna Schmitt APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motioned by Doty, seconded by Tyler to approve the minutes of May 2, 2011, as presented. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS None OTHER OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS TH PUBLIC HEARING FOR 50 AVENUE NE, EAST OF CENTRAL AVENUE th There are issues with 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. TH A.DESIGNATE “NO PARKING” ON 50 AVENUE NE FROM CENTRAL AVENUE TO THE EAST PROPERTY LINES OF 4955 AND 5001 CENTRAL AVENUES. th Kathy Young stated the intersection at 50 Avenue and Central Avenue can be hazardous with lots of conflicting movement. The public hearing was called to discuss the implementation of “No th Parking” on 50 Avenue from Central Avenue to the east property lines of Jimmy John’s and ALDI’s. This will improve visibility and allow for the full width of the street to be used for traffic. This recommendation came from staff, residents, and MnDOT. Residents present agreed. Motioned by Doty, seconded by Olson to recommend the City Council designate “No Parking” on th 50 Avenue from Central Avenue to the east property lines of Jimmy John’s and ALDI’s. Motion passed unanimously. TH B.DISCUSS ASSIGNING THE EXIT FOR THE FRONTAGE ROAD SOUTH OF 50 AVENUE AS “RIGHT TURN ONLY.” th Designating the frontage road south of 50 as “Right Turn Only” would eliminate potential conflicts at the intersection as vehicles leaving the frontage road try to cross the eastbound lane of th traffic to go west on 50 Avenue or north on Central Avenue. The drawback is that this will Traffic Commission Minutes –June 6, 2011 Page 2 th increase traffic on Tyler Street as drivers make their way back to Central Avenue: 50 Avenue to th Tyler Street to 49 Avenue to Central Avenue. Currently the street is 33 feet wide. A right turn lane would add 10-12 feet to the current width. The Public Hearing was called to discuss designating the frontage road as a right turn only, or to not allow traffic to exit the frontage road but require them to use the south driveway. Two days of traffic counts showed approximately 230 cars a day exit the frontage road over an eight hour period; this amount would be higher over a 24-hour period. Staff supports installation of a sign directing northbound Central Avenue traffic to the south driveway entrance of the mall. Proposals as items for discussion: 1. Leave the way it is. The problem is vehicles leaving and trying to get across the street cause traffic problems. 2. Designate right turn only. The problem is this sends cars into residential areas. 3. Do not allow vehicles to exit the frontage road but have them come back to south driveway. The problem with this is if vehicles want to go southbound they must cross three lanes of traffic and then make a U-turn at the light. There are potential problems with each of these solutions. Todd Hanson of 4918 Tyler Street stated that not allowing vehicles to exit the frontage road would be good but it may hurt the businesses. Kathy said she spoke with the property manager of 4915 Central (mall) who stated that customers want an easy way in and an easy way out. Mr. Hanson stated that a right turn only on the frontage road will cause 2,000 cars go by his house. He suggested that we dead end Tyler Street. Another resident stated there are lots of kids in the area and the drivers get frustrated with them. She does not want the right turn only off the frontage road and the traffic it will generate on Tyler Street. Mr. Hanson stated there is already too much traffic from Jimmy John’s--using Tyler as a racetrack. He again suggested we dead end Tyler Street. Chairperson Goodman agreed we need to block off somewhere on the 50th side but Kathy stated if we did that we would then be sending traffic east all the way to Fillmore. Residents feel it is deadly on Tyler Street due to all the children. Apparently they conglomerate in one yard on the corner. They feel someone is going to be killed thth because of cars using Tyler as a cut through between 49 and 50 and driving fast. Residents suggested speed bumps but did not know if they would be effective. Someone also suggested a thththrd one-way towards 50 or a dead end at 50, similar to 7 Street at 53 Avenue. th Goodman suggested a three lane road on 50 at Central with a left turn lane, through lane, and right turn lane. However, there is not enough space for this as the road would only be about 40 feet wide. Because it is a MnDOT road we would need more footage for three lanes. Chairperson Goodman suggested another street to make a right turn off the service road or build another way of getting out of ALDI’s--some type of exit for a right turn only. However, ALDI’s driveway is far enough back from Central, it will actually be in the same location as the doughnut shop so it is easy to exit. Traffic leaving ALDI’s will increase the number of vehicles but will not generate more traffic on Tyler Street. ALDI’s has pledged to inform suppliers not to use Tyler Street for deliveries. Mr. Hanson stated most of the speeding is from Jimmy John’s delivery vehicles and there has been no cooperation from the franchise. It is also busy for about one-half hour after th school gets out. Traffic has increased on 50 Avenue since Jimmy John’s opened and they do speed. Traffic Commission Minutes –June 6, 2011 Page 3 Goodman suggested a separate right turn lane with a yield sign at the intersection onto Central. This would allow a continuous flow of traffic and eliminate a backup at the light. This would require staff to check with MnDOT and it would involve more work depending on where the signal pole is located. Another problem is that part of this area is private property—staff would need to contact ALDI’s and ALDI’s is reluctant to give up parking spaces. MnDOT would also need to get involved to change the traffic light patterns. It was noted that just changing traffic lights on the east-west side would help free up the intersection because traffic will move. Kathy stated that MnDOT is looking at changing those traffic lights in 2012 or 2013. Traffic on Tyler is directly related to rush hour and Jimmy John’s. ALDI’s will not generate AM or PM peaks. Kathy stated staff will not support a right turn lane only out of ALDI’s. Due to time constraints of Sergeant Fischer, Kathy suggested we table this item until later in the meeting. Motioned by Doty to table item 2 until later in meeting, seconded by Olson. All ayes. Motion carried. THTH C.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 recommended a weight limit sign be installed consistent with other signs in the City. A standard sign would not apply to delivery cars. Sergeant Fischer stated signs can only be enforced when an officer is present and this would not be a high priority. Also, officers need to know exactly what the sign means and who it applies to in order to enforce it. The officer needs this information when he/she goes to court so would require investigative questions by the officer. Enforcing this type of signage is not a sure citation like speeding. Mr. Hanson stated a sign might be good just for someone to think about, but then again signs are routinely ignored. Sergeant Fischer also stated that our patrolmen do not know how to operate the scales. Mr. Hanson would like Tyler Street blocked off th at 50 or dead ended. Kathy stated she will pass this on to the City Council. She also stated that with the existing right-of-way we cannot fit a cul-de-sac in. Chairperson Olson stated he sides with the residents relating to the excess traffic. He agrees with Sergeant Fischer regarding the signage as the City is “swimming in signs.” However, a weight limit sign may carry some influence with commercial drivers due to the possibility of a citation. th Motioned by Tyler to install weight limit signs on 50 and Tyler, seconded by Olson. Motion passed unanimously. TH DISCUSS ASSIGNING THE EXIT FOR THE FRONTAGE ROAD SOUTH OF 50 AVENUE AS “RIGHT TURN ONLY.” (B. Continued) Olson recommended that all traffic leave by the south driveway, with entry only on frontage road and no exit, and no right or left turn. This would alleviate a lot of traffic and still be able to service the mall with reasonable control. This would be properly posted with signs. Olson stated he does feel sorry for the mall property owner but he has to side with the residents. Motioned by Goodman to accept Olson’s proposal to designate the southbound frontage road as a one- Traffic Commission Minutes –June 6, 2011 Page 4 way up to the first driveway of Jimmy John’s with entry only and no exit and no right or left turn, seconded by Olson. Three ayes. Doty abstained. Motion carries. Minutes of the meeting will be forwarded to the City Council who will make the final decision. The right turn th lane will become part of the discussion at the council meeting on Monday, June 13. If residents signed in, staff can notify the City Council of everyone who attended the meeting today. OTHER NEW BUSINESS None REPORTS ASSISTANT CITY ENGINEER MnDOT has come up with a new way to signify left turns with oncoming traffic. The left turn signal will now be a yellow flashing arrow. The yellow flashing arrow means it is okay to make a left turn cautiously. POLICE CHIEF None COMMISSIONERS rd The timing on the main semaphores at 53 and Central needs to be changed. There have been complaints about trying to get onto Central Avenue as it is very difficult. The northbound turn lane has a very short light. The timing needs to be looked at or sensored. st Goodman stated there are potholes on 41 that were filled a while ago but they are getting bad again. st They are located directly in front of 999 41Avenue, condo #3. ADJOURNMENT Motioned by Olson, seconded by Tyler to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Sue Schmidtbauer Public Works Secretary