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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 1, 2014 Agenda PacketAGENDA COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TRAFFIC COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM 2 (NEAR CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS) MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014; 5:30 P.M. L ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF JULY 7, 2014 MINUTES III. OLD BUSINESS None. IV. OTHER OLD BUSINESS V. NEW BUSINESS The MUTCD guidelines for installing STOP or YIELD signs at intersections are listed below: Engineering judgment should be used to establish intersection control. The following factors should be considered: A. Vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic volumes on all approaches; B. Number and angle of approaches; C. Approach speeds; D. Sight distance available on each approach; and E. Reported crash experience. YIELD or STOP signs should be used at an intersection if one or more of the following conditions exist: A. An intersection of less important road with amain road where application of the normal right -of -way rule would not be expected to provide reasonable compliance with the law; B. A street entering a designated through highway or street; and/or C. An unsignalized intersection in a signalized area. In addition, the use of YIELD or STOP signs should be considered at the intersection of two minor streets or local roads where the intersection has more than three approaches and where one or more of the following conditions exist: A. The combined vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian volume entering the intersection from all approaches averages more than 2, 000 vehicles per day. B. The ability to see conflicting traffic on an approach is not sufficient to allow a road user to stop or yield in compliance with the normal right -of -way rule if such stopping or yielding is necessary; and/or C. Crash records indicate that five or more crashes that involve the failure to yield the right -of -way at the intersection under the normal right -of -way rule have been reported within a 3 -year period, or that three or more such crashes have been reported within a 2- year period. Traffic Commission Agenda December 1, 2014 Page 2 A. REQUEST TO INSTALL "YIELD" OR "STOP" SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF WASHINGTON STREET AND 42ND AVENUE In 2011, residents on Washington Street submitted a petition for yield or stop signs at the intersection of Washington Street and 42nd Avenue. The neighborhood's concern was the speed of traffic and safety of children on the block. At that time, there had been 3 reported accidents in 3 years. Two of the accidents (one in 2009 and one in 20 10) were caused by operators with no driver's license. The Traffic Commission denied the request for traffic control. Recently, Ms Becky Chudek requested the Public Works Department review the pine tree on the southeast corner of the intersection for compliance with the City's visibility ordinance. In a subsequent conversation, Ms Chudek requested stop signs be installed at the intersection because of the number of accidents (8 since last fall) and concern for safety of children in the neighborhood. The visibility at the intersection is fair. On Washington Street, traffic yields at 40 Avenue and stops at 43`d Avenue; on 42nd Avenue, traffic stops at 5d' Street and Jefferson Street. Staff review found approximately 2' to 3' of the pine tree branches extend into the visibility triangle, as shown on the attached photo. Staff has requested the tree be trimmed to comply with the ordinance. Staff has also inquired about removing the tree. Police Department staff researched the accident records and found five accidents within the last five years. There was one accident in 2011 and four accidents in 2014. The memo from Captain Austin is included in your packet. If the pine tree is only trimmed to comply with the ordinance, staff recommends installing YIELD signs, yielding traffic on Washington Street, based on the combination of the serious accident record and the topography. If the lower branches are removed around the circumference of the tree, or if the pine tree is completely removed, staff recommends tabling the request for six months to document the effects of visibility improvements. RECOMMENDED MOTION: A. If only the branches within the visibility triangle are trimmed, move to calla public hearing at the January Traffic Commission meeting to install STOP or YIELD signs at the intersection of Washington Street and 42nd Avenue, stopping/yielding traffic on Washington Street. B. If the pine tree is removed or if the lower branches of the pine tree are removed around the circumference of the tree, move to table the request for six months to document the effect of improved visibility at the intersection. Traffic Commission Agenda December 1, 2014 Page 3 VI. OTHER NEW BUSINESS VII. 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, JULY 7, 2014 Leonard Olson was appointed Chairman Pro -tern Kathy Young was appointed Secretary Pro -tern CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Leonard Olson at 5:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Clerkin, Olson, Tyler Members absent: Carlson, Doty Staff present: Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer Lenny Austin, Police Captain Council Liaison: Donna Schmitt (absent) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Tyler, seconded by Clerkin, to approve the minutes of April 7, 2014, as presented. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS None. OTHER OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST TO REMOVE YIELD SIGN AND INSTALL STOP SIGN ON UPLAND CREST AT HEIGHTS DRIVE Young provided the background information: A letter was received by Ms. Bonita Entsminger requesting the YIELD sign on Upland Crest be changed to a STOP sign at the intersection with Heights Drive. The concern was drivers running the yield sign and presenting a danger to vehicles on Heights Drive. Heights Drive curves south of the intersection and is straight north of the intersection. Upland Crest intersects Heights Drive at an angle. Visibility for both streets north of the intersection is good. Visibility south of the intersection is limited somewhat with the combination of the curve in Heights Drive, the angle of Upland Crest and area landscaping. Each leg has a yellow PLAYGROUND sign with 20 MPH plaques (advisory). The Police Department reviewed accident records and found no reported accidents in the last five years. The Commissioners discussed the visibility at the intersection and considered it good. It was felt that a STOP sign would not be any more effective than the YIELD sign. Motion by Tyler, second by Clerkin to deny the request to remove the yield sign and install a stop sign on Upland Crest at the intersection with Heights Drive. Motion passed unanimously. Traffic Commission Minutes — July 7, 2014 Page 2 OTHER NEW BUSINESS None. REPORTS A. CITY ENGINEER None B. POLICE None C. COMMISSIONERS None ADJOURNMENT Motion by Tyler, seconded by Clerkin to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer City Code: 9.106 B (12) Traffic visibility. No planting, structure or other obstruction shall be placed or allowed to grow on corner lots in a manner that will impede vision on the intersecting rights -of -way, in accordance with the following sight triangles: (a) Street intersections. No planting or structure in excess of 30 inches above the abutting curb line shall be permitted within the sight triangle, defined as the area beginning at the intersection of the projected curb line of two intersecting streets, then 30 feet along one curb line, diagonally to a point 30 feet from the point of beginning on the other curb line, then back to a point of beginning. COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT Ate= MEMORANDUM To: Columbia Heights Traffic Commission Members From: Lenny Austin, Captain Subject: Accidents at 42nd Avenue and Washington Street Date: November 20, 2014 I have reviewed the number of recorded accidents that have occurred at the intersection of 42nd Avenue and Washington Street over the last five years. The breakdown is as follows: • 07/11/2011 at 12:20 pm. Property Damage Accident. • 01/26/2014 at 3:08 pm. Personal injury accident. Minor injuries. • 02/27/2014 at 12:44 pm. Personal injury accident. • 08/09/2014 at 10:52 am. Hit and Run property damage accident. Driver cited. • 10/23/2014 at 2:41 pm. Property damage accident. cc: Scott Nadeau, Chief of Police Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer