HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-17-2021 Traffic Commission Packet
TRAFFIC COMMISSION - PUBLIC HEARING
City Hall—Council Chambers, 590 40th Ave NE
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
6:00 PM
AGENDA
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC
Members of the public who wish to attend may do so in-person, by calling 1-312-626-6799 and
entering meeting ID 857 0257 8216, or by Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85702578216 at the
scheduled meeting time. For questions please call the Public Works Department at 763-706-3700.
APPROVE MINUTES
1. APPROVAL OF JULY 20, 2021 MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. DESIGNATE “NO PARKING” ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF 42ND AVENUE FROM UNIVERSITY
AVENUE TO 4TH STREET, NEXT TO PRODEO ACADEMY; AND DESIGNATE “LOADING ZONE 6
AM TO 3 PM SCHOOL DAYS” ON THE WEST SIDE OF 4TH STREET FROM 235’ SOUTH OF
42ND AVENUE TO THE SOUTH PROPERTY LINE OF PRODEO ACADEMY.
3. DESIGNATE “NO PARKING” ON THE EAST SIDE OF HEIGHTS DRIVE BETWEEN THE DRIVEWAY
ENTRANCES FOR 4617 HEIGHTS DRIVE AND 4623 HEIGHTS DRIVE
NEW BUSINESS
4. REQUEST FOR STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF 6TH STREET AND 41ST AVENUE
REPORTS
City Engineer
Police Chief
Commissioners
ADJOURNMENT
Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request when the request is
made at least 72 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763-706-3610 to make arrangements.
1
TRAFFIC COMMISSION
City Hall—Council Chambers, 590 40th Ave NE
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
6:00 PM
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Schluender at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Ciesynski, Davis, Finkelson, Nekora, Schluender
Staff present: Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer
Captain Markham, Police
Council Liaison: Amáda Márquez Simula
APPROVE MINUTES
1. Motioned by Davis, seconded by Ciesynski, to approve the minutes of June 7, 2021, with
amendment. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Present: Christopher Elsenbast, Prodeo Academy (via Zoom)
2. REQUEST FOR NO PARKING DURING STUDENT ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL TIMES ON THE SOUTH
SIDE OF 42ND AVENUE AND THE WEST SIDE OF 4TH STREET FOR PRODEO ACADEMY
Prodeo Academy is a new building on University Avenue. Christopher Elsenbast has requested
No Parking adjacent to Prodeo Academy on the south side of 42nd Avenue and the west side of
4th Street from 6:00 am to 8:00 am and from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. to facilitate student drop off
and pick up. Due to parked cars in the area it’s been challenging for parents to drop off and pick
up students quickly.
At the last meeting commissioners felt that 42nd Avenue was narrow enough to consider no
parking along the south side. However, according to the dismissal diagram for student pickup,
they questioned if 4th Street should be designated as no parking or as a loading zone. Item was
tabled until the next meeting in July pending more information from the Prodeo representative.
Davis stated that according to the arrival diagram Prodeo is only utilizing the area on 4th Street
for dismissal at a different time. He questioned why there’s a difference between the arrival and
dismissal zones because it seems like this should be consistent. Mr. Elsenbast advised this will be
consistent during the upcoming year. Both areas will be used for arrival and dismissal because
they won’t have distance learning, so a lot more kids will be dropped off and picked up. They
plan to build in 4th Street for cars lining up so both streets will be used for the same amount of
time at arrival and dismissal. Schluender advised that we have a proposed motion for either no
parking or a loading zone. Asked if they are currently using the designated no parking on 4 th
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Item 1.
City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 20, 2021
Traffic Commission Page 2
Street as a loading zone with cars moving through. Mr. Elsenbast advised this will be used as a
loading zone and its high traffic in the afternoon.
There are also approximately 10-15 vans and taxis that pick up the students. Buses are up front
in the parking lot and the taxis and vans come through the back. Students do not walk to 42 nd
Avenue to load; vehicles pull up on 4th Street. The most traffic is in the morning and the
beginning of the dismissal time. This is when cars need a holding area until they come through
the traffic line.
Young advised we can call a Public Hearing to designate No Parking, but can step down to a
loading zone. Mr. Elsenbast stated times for the loading zone would be 6:30 am to 8 am and 1
pm to 3 pm or 6:30 am to 3:30 pm. Davis suggested 6 am to 3 pm. Young advised it will depend
on how the residents feel regarding the 6 am to 3 pm; they may want midday parking available
to them. Parking will still be allowed on the east side of 4th Street. Commissioners agreed with
no parking on 42nd Avenue.
Motion by Davis to call a Public Hearing to designate “No Parking” on the south side of 42nd
Avenue from University Avenue to 4th Street, next to Prodeo Academy. Seconded by Schluender.
Motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Davis to call a Public Hearing to designate “Loading Zone 6 AM to 3 PM School Days”
on the west side of 4th Street from 42nd Avenue to the south property line of Prodeo Academy.
Seconded by Schluender. Motion passed unanimously.
3. REQUEST FOR TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES ON RESERVOIR BOULEVARD FROM 37TH AVENUE
TO 40TH AVENUE
Carrie Gille had requested traffic calming measures on Reservoir Boulevard from 37 th Avenue to
41st Avenue, the concern being traffic speed.
Speed counts collected by the Police Department were reviewed at the June meeting. One
traffic calming measure is to add striping to make the travel lane seem narrower. The City
Council supported the idea of adding white parking lane and bicycle lane striping at a council
meeting. On Reservoir Boulevard this will make the travel lane 10’, bicycle lane 5.5’, and parking
lane 7’. Speed counts would be retaken in approximately one year to see if the striping has
helped. Staff would also obtain a neighborhood perspective to see if residents feel this has
slowed traffic or not.
There will also be upcoming meetings regarding the 37th Avenue project and this could be tied
into these meetings to see what people think about the bike lanes. In the meantime, staff will
advise residents on Reservoir Boulevard about the striping and allow them to comment. The
striping is currently scheduled for August as part of a citywide project. Schluender asked about
bicycle counts. These would need to be done manually. Some of the consulting engineers we
work with have video equipment, but the tape would then need to be reviewed.
Davis does not feel three blocks of bike lanes are very useful, feels it would make more sense to
have them the full length of Reservoir. He understands part of this is Anoka County. He would
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Item 1.
City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 20, 2021
Traffic Commission Page 3
like to see some discussion from the City Council as to whether they would want a continuation
of the striping and what it would take to work with Anoka County for options and guidance. He
knows residents from 40th to 44th have complained about speed on Reservoir Blvd as well.
Finkelson asked if this would be a good opportunity to discuss a crosswalk at 39th Ave and
Reservoir Blvd. There’s a fair amount of traffic at this intersection making it a good spot for a
crosswalk. Young advised we can look at the parameters. There are sidewalks on both sides of
Reservoir Blvd but none on 39th Ave; however, this is an offset intersection so we would be
running into a landing issue for the crosswalk. Young advised a pedestrian ramp would need to
be installed on the opposite side of the street that would point back onto Reservoir Blvd.
Finkelson thinks one crosswalk across Reservoir between the two 39th Avenues would be the
best, then there would only be one crosswalk and it would be 90 degrees perpendicular to the
street. Davis would not feel comfortable with this because this is a common jog for cars-- going
from one 39th to the other. He would recommend the north end of the east intersection. He also
feels the lighting is insufficient on those corners. There’s only one overhead light for the two
intersections. Finkelson agrees. Having only one light makes it difficult to see pedestrians.
Motion by Nekora to direct staff to contact property owners on Reservoir Boulevard from 37 th
Avenue to 40th Avenue regarding plans to stripe bicycle lanes on Reservoir Boulevard. Seconded
by Finkelson. Motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Present: Mike Morris, 4713 Heights Drive
4. REQUEST FOR NO PARKING AT THE INTERSECTION OF HEIGHTS DRIVE AND UPLAND CREST
Mr. Mike Morris has requested NO PARKING along the east side of Heights Drive and Upland
Crest, near the intersection. The issue is limited visibility for southbound vehicles on Upland
Crest, continuing south on Heights Drive.
Upland Crest intersects with Heights Drive at an angle. Southbound traffic on Upland Crest has a
YIELD sign before entering the intersection with Heights Drive. The topography of the
intersection combined with the curve on Heights Drive limits visibility for southbound traffic.
Drivers must proceed cautiously to continue southbound.
Heights Drive and Upland Crest are both 31’ back of curb to back of curb. This width is typical for
residential streets in Columbia Heights.
Mr. Morris has lived at 4713 Heights Drive for over 20 years. There hasn’t been a lot of parking
on this corner until recently, which has caused a visibility issue. He hasn’t seen any accidents but
drivers need to approach very, very slowly and it’s difficult to see traffic coming from Upland
Crest. It would help visibility if there was no parking designated between the two driveways on
Heights Drive. Schluender questioned the amount of parking in the general area. Overall, the
amount of parking in the area is relatively full along Heights Drive between 45th and 49th. There’s
also quite a bit of parking in the wintertime. When traveling north on Heights Drive drivers need
to cross over Upland Crest. Due to parked cars on the right hand side of the curve, you can’t see
approaching southbound cars from Upland Crest until you’re in the intersection, making crossing
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Item 1.
City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 20, 2021
Traffic Commission Page 4
over to continue on Heights Drive difficult . There is a yield sign coming from Upland Crest but no
other traffic control, so it can be a surprise for both parties. When cars are parked on both sides
of Heights Drive it becomes even narrower. However, the only real problem spot is when cars
are parked between the two driveways on Heights Drive. Cars parked before or after these
driveways don’t really affect the visibility.
Motion by Finkelson to call a Public Hearing to designate “No Parking” on the east side of Heights
Drive between the driveway entrances for 4617 Heights Drive and 4623 Heights Drive. Seconded
by Davis. Motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS
City Engineer
5. SIGNAGE IMPROVEMENTS NEXT TO 4003 STINSON BOULEVARD
Public Works added an arrow sign as close to the corner as possible and a flashing light was
installed on that arrow sign. A reflective strip was also added to each of the posts.
A disabled parking sign will be installed at 4912 4th Street at the request of the property owner.
Police Chief
None
Commissioners
None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Schluender, seconded by Ciesynski to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m. Motion
passed unanimously.
Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request when the request is
made at least 72 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763-706-3610 to make arrangements.
5
Item 1.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION
AGENDA SECTION PUBLIC HEARING
MEETING DATE AUGUST 17, 2021
ITEM:
DESIGNATE “NO PARKING” ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF 42ND AVENUE FROM UNIVERSITY AVENUE TO
4TH STREET, NEXT TO PRODEO ACADEMY; AND DESIGNATE “LOADING ZONE 6 AM TO 3 PM
SCHOOL DAYS” ON THE WEST SIDE OF 4TH STREET FROM 235’ SOUTH OF 42ND AVENUE TO THE
SOUTH PROPERTY LINE OF PRODEO ACADEMY.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works BY/DATE: Kathy Young/August 11, 2021
BACKGROUND: At the July Traffic Commission meeting commissioners called for a Public Hearing to designate
No Parking/Loading Zone areas next to Prodeo Academy.
Prodeo Academy has requested “No Parking” on the south side of 42nd Avenue and “Loading Zone 6 am to 3
pm School Days” on the west side of 4th Street to facilitate student drop off and pick up. Due to parked cars in
the area it’s been challenging for parents to drop off and pick up students quickly.
Next to Prodeo Academy, 42nd Avenue is 24’ wide from back of curb to back of curb and 4th Street is 31’ wide.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: At the last meeting commissioners felt that 42nd Avenue is narrow enough to
consider no parking along the south side. Commissioners agreed with designating a loading zone on 4th Street
from 6 am to 3 pm on school days. The most traffic is in the morning and the beginning of the dismissal time
and this is when cars need a holding area until they come through the traffic line. Parking would still be
allowed on the east side of 4th Street.
Staff supports the recommended motions.
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S):
MOTION: Move to recommend the City Council designate “No Parking” on the south side of 42nd Avenue
from University Avenue to 4th Street, next to Prodeo Academy.
MOTION: Move to recommend the City Council designate “Loading Zone 6 AM to 3 PM School Days” on the
west side of 4th Street from 235’ south of 42nd Avenue to the south property line of Prodeo Academy.
ATTACHMENT(S): Aerial
Arrival Diagram
Dismissal Diagram
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Item 2.
³
Prodeo Academy
Owner Information:
Disclaimer: Map and parcel data are believ ed to be a cc urate, b ut accura cy is not gu aran teed. This is not a legal docume nt and sho uld not besubstituted fo r a title searc h, apprais al, survey, or for zoning verification.
Date: 4/26/20211:1,200Anoka County GIS
Parce l Information: Approx. Acres:
Commissioner:
Plat:
PROPOSED
NO PARKING
PROPOSED
LOADING ZONE
EXISTING
NO PARKING
7 AM to 4 PM
7
Item 2.
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DISMISSAL DIAGRAM
9
Item 2.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION
AGENDA SECTION PUBLIC HEARING
MEETING DATE AUGUST 17, 2021
ITEM:
DESIGNATE “NO PARKING” ON THE EAST SIDE OF HEIGHTS DRIVE BETWEEN THE DRIVEWAY
ENTRANCES FOR 4617 HEIGHTS DRIVE AND 4623 HEIGHTS DRIVE
DEPARTMENT: Public Works BY/DATE: Kathy Young/August 11, 2021
BACKGROUND: At the July Traffic Commission meeting commissioners called for a Public Hearing to designate
“No Parking” on the east side of Heights Drive between the driveway entrances for 4617 Heights Drive and
4623 Heights Drive.
Upland Crest intersects with Heights Drive at an angle. Southbound traffic on Upland Crest has a YIELD sign
before entering the intersection with Heights Drive. The topography of the intersection combined with the
curve on Heights Drive limits visibility for southbound traffic. Drivers must proceed cautiously to continue
southbound.
At the July meeting it was determined that the only real problem spot is when cars are parked on Heights
Drive between the driveway entrances for 4617 and 4623 Heights Drive.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council designating No Parking on Heights Drive
between the driveway entrances for 4617 and 4623 Heights Drive.
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S):
MOTION: Move to recommend the City Council designate “No Parking” on the east side of Heights Drive
between the driveway entrances for 4617 Heights Drive and 4623 Heights Drive.
ATTACHMENT(S): Aerial
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Item 3.
³
Heights Drive and Upland Crest
Owner Information:
Disclaimer: Map and parcel data are believ ed to be acc urate, b ut accura cy is not gu aran teed. This is not a legal docume nt and sho uld not besubstituted for a title searc h, apprais al, survey, or for zoning verification.
Date: 7/16/20211:600Anoka County GIS
Parce l Information: Approx. Acres:
Commissioner:
Plat:
11
Item 3.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION
AGENDA SECTION NEW BUSINESS
MEETING DATE AUGUST 17, 2021
ITEM: REQUEST FOR STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF 6TH STREET AND 41ST AVENUE
DEPARTMENT: Public Works BY/DATE: Kathy Young/August 11, 2021
BACKGROUND: Mr. Nathan Maghan and Ms. Erikka Curran have requested stop or yield signs at the
intersection of 6th Street and 41st Avenue. The concern is accidents and near misses at the intersection. The
email sent by each resident is attached.
The visibility at the intersection is somewhat limited because of the moderate rise in ground elevations behind
the sidewalk on the east side of 6th Street, similar to many intersections in Columbia Heights.
On 6th Street, traffic stops at 40th Avenue and 42nd Avenue. On 41st Avenue, traffic stops at 5th Street and
Jefferson Street.
The Police Department found one reported accident at this intersection in the previous five years and four
reported accidents in the previous 10 years.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends denying the request for stop or yield signs at the intersection
of 6th Street and 41st Avenue based on not meeting the MMUTCD guidelines.
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S):
MOTION: None
ATTACHMENT(S): MMUTCD Guidelines for Stop and Yield Signs
Aerial
E-mail (2)
12
Item 4.
MINNESOTA MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
SEPTEMBER 2020
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 a less important road with a main 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 units 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.
YIELD or STOP signs should not be used for speed control.
13
Item 4.
³
6th St and 41 st Ave
Owner Information:
Disclaimer: Map and parcel data are believ ed to be acc urate, b ut accura cy is not gu aran teed. This is not a legal docume nt and sho uld not besubstituted for a title searc h, apprais al, survey, or for zoning verification.
Date: 8/9/20211:600Anoka County GIS
Parce l Information: Approx. Acres:
Commissioner:
Plat:
14
Item 4.
1
Kathy Young
From:Publicworks
Sent:Friday, August 6, 2021 7:22 AM
To:Kathy Young
Subject:FW: Request for a stop or yield sign
Categories:Green Category
From: Nathan Maghan [mailto:nmaghan@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 5, 2021 8:38 PM
To: Publicworks
Subject: Request for a stop or yield sign
This message originated from outside the City of Columbia Heights email system.Use caution when clicking hyperlinks,
downloading pictures or opening attachments. If necessary, contact sender by phone.WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT!
Please advise who I can contact to have a stop sign or yield sign placed.
Another accident has happened at the intersection of 6th street and 41st ave ne.This is an open intersection that
is frequently gone through at high speed from both directions. I would like a yield or stop sign placed here to
prevent more accidents, injuries, and possible deaths. This most recent accident involved a child in a car seat.
Regards,
Nathan Maghan
15
Item 4.
1
Kathy Young
From:Publicworks
Sent:Friday, August 6, 2021 10:04 AM
To:Kathy Young
Subject:FW: Stop signs
Categories:Green Category
From: Erikka Curran [mailto:erikkabrooke77@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, August 6, 2021 8:48 AM
To: Publicworks
Subject: Stop signs
This message originated from outside the City of Columbia Heights email system.Use caution when clicking hyperlinks,
downloading pictures or opening attachments. If necessary, contact sender by phone.WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT!
Hello,
As part of a Facebook Columbia Heights community group I have become aware of more and more accidents
at the intersection of 41st and 6th. This is one black from my house and we often hear the screeching tires as
there is no stop sign, not even a yield sign.
How do we get a stop or yield sign? These unmarked intersections dappled across Columbia Heights are an
unnecessary danger.
Thank you,
Erikka Curran
--
Erikka Curran
Artist
erikkabrooke.com
16
Item 4.