HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-2021 Traffic Commission Packet
TRAFFIC COMMISSION
City Hall—Council Chambers, 590 40th Ave NE
Tuesday, September 21, 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 851 5020 2900 or by Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85150202900. For
questions please call the Public Works Department at 763-706-3700.
APPROVE MINUTES
1. ACCEPT AUGUST 17, 2021 MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
OLD BUSINESS
2. REQUEST FOR STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF 6TH STREET AND 41ST AVENUE
NEW BUSINESS
3. REQUEST FOR 4-WAY STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF JACKSON STREET AND 50TH
AVENUE
REPORTS
City Engineer
4. MMUTCD DEFINITIONS
PAST PRACTICES FOR STOP SIGN INSTALLATIONS
PEDESTRIAN ACCESS NEAR CENTRAL AVENUE AND 40TH AVENUE CONSTRUCTION
Police Chief
5. TRAFFIC ON 49TH AVENUE AT JEFFERSON STREET
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, August 17, 2021
6:00 PM
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Schluender at 6:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Ciesynski, Davis, Finkelson, Nekora, Schluender
Staff present: David Cullen, Street & Park Superintendent
Captain Markham, Police
Council Liaison: Amáda Márquez Simula (via Zoom)
APPROVE MINUTES
1. Motioned by Davis, seconded by Schluender, to approve the minutes of July 20, 2021 as presented.
Motion passed unanimously.
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.
Present: Christopher Elsenbast, Prodeo Academy (via Zoom)
At the July Traffic Commission meeting commissioners called for a Public Hearing to 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.
A Public Hearing notice was published in the LIFE newspaper on August 6, 2021 and affected
residents were notified via postcard.
No residents were present at for the public hearing.
Mr. Elsenbast reiterated the importance of having the signage for their student arrival and
dismissal periods. He added that Prodeo Academy wants to be a good neighbor and make sure
things are as least restrictive as possible. Having these signs should make things efficient for arrival
and dismissal of their students and will hopefully eliminate the hassle for residents in the area.
They are enjoying their new spot in Columbia Heights and want to maintain a good relationship
with the City and everyone else in the neighborhood.
2
Item 1.
City of Columbia Heights MINUTES August 17, 2021
Traffic Commission Page 2
Motion by Davis to designate “No Parking” on the south side of 42 nd 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. Seconded by Finkelson. Motion passed unanimously.
3. DESIGNATE “NO PARKING” ON THE EAST SIDE OF HEIGHTS DRIVE BETWEEN THE DRIVEWAY
ENTRANCES FOR 4617 HEIGHTS DRIVE AND 4623 HEIGHTS DRIVE
Residents Present: Mike Morris, 4713 Heights Drive
At the July Traffic Commission meeting commissioners called for a Public Hearing to designate “N o
Parking” on the east side of Heights Drive between the driveway entrances for 4617 Heights Drive
and 4623 Heights Drive.
A Public Hearing notice was published in the LIFE newspaper on August 6, 2021 and affected
residents were notified via postcard.
There were no comments at the public hearing.
Motion by Davis 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 Nekora. Motion passed
unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
4. REQUEST FOR STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF 6TH STREET AND 41ST AVENUE
Residents Present: Erikka Curran, 4220 6th Street
Alexandra Evens, 4040 6th Street
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 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.
Ms. Curran lives at 4220 6th Street which is one block down from the intersection of concern. She
has lived there four years and stated she can’t count how many times she’s run down the street
after hearing a crash. She understands part of the requested signage is dependent on the number
of reported accidents but stated many accidents go unreported for various reasons. There have
been two accidents within the last 14 days, approximately 10 days apart. In one accident a minivan
ended up in someone’s yard three houses down and there’s still chemical dust on the street from
the last accident. There are lots of pedestrians and children in the area. Stated her neighbor who’s
lived there for 40 years said this intersection has always been an issue and there have always been
a lot of accidents. Ms. Curran stated Columbia Heights has grown approximately 10% in the past 3
Item 1.
City of Columbia Heights MINUTES August 17, 2021
Traffic Commission Page 3
year and younger families are moving into the area, potentially meaning more friends coming to
visit who don’t live in Columbia Heights and know there are uncontrolled intersections . When she
moved here from NE Minneapolis she had no idea there were uncontrolled intersections in
Columbia Heights. Many people are moving here from the city because it’s affordable so they’re
not used to these uncontrolled intersections; feels they seem indicative of a smaller town, which
Columbia Heights is not anymore.
In reading the guidelines, besides the number of accidents—three crashes in two years or five
crashes in three years, another qualifier is if it’s an unsignalized intersection in a signalized area.
Every other intersection within that one block range has some type of signage so it seems shocking
that this intersection is unmarked, and many drivers don’t know who has the right of way. Also
many vehicles cut through from 40th to 4th on her street.
Ms. Evens lives at 4040 6th Street so she’s right by the intersection. She stated the two really bad
accidents in the past two weeks encouraged her to come and support putting up a stop sign. She’s
lived here since 2013 and the seemingly random uncontrolled intersections in the city have always
thrown her off. The traffic control in Columbia Heights has always concerned her.
Captain Markham had crash data dating back to 2012. There were two accidents in 2012, one in
2014 and one in 2019. He did not have anything yet for the two most recent accidents. He did
state that there are more controlled intersections on 41 st Avenue because there was a school there
prior to Prodeo Academy. Schluender advised he drives this road often and this intersection does
cause him to slow down, but only because he knows it’s uncontrolled. If you didn’t live in the area
he sees how it could take you by surprise, also many drivers assume they have the right of way
when they come upon an uncontrolled intersection. He thinks this is the only intersection in a long
stretch that does not have any traffic control which makes it a little more dangerous.
Finkelson asked if a third party can report an accident, thinking if residents report the accidents this
may bring the number up to meet the MUTCD guidelines. Captain Markham stated a third party
can report an accident but one or both parties involved would need to be present to qualify it as a
reported accident.
Schluender questioned the MUTCD definition of reported crashes. Do they have a specific
definition of reported, i.e., we have the accidents reported to the police, but if we had a report
from residents of the number of crashes here at a public hearing would we, as a body, be able to
take that report(s) into consideration. The guidelines do not state reported to police, it just says
reported.
Commission members discussed moving the stop signs so they are more evenly distributed so
there’s not a stop sign on every corner—perhaps going every other. Davis questioned if we are
allowed to deviate at all from the MUTCD guidelines. Captain Markham did not have the answer;
he thinks they need to be followed. He advised that perhaps going with the unsignalized
intersection in a signalized area and focusing on 41st Ave may be a better option than the number
of reported accidents, but would need to speak with the Assistant City Engineer to see if this is a
possibility. Davis is open to installing some type of signage on 6th Street but would need to know if
we’re allowed to do this because it doesn’t meet the MUTCD guidelines. Schluender agrees he
would like to see some control at this intersection. The guidelines are produced federally and then
4
Item 1.
City of Columbia Heights MINUTES August 17, 2021
Traffic Commission Page 4
passed down to the state and then the city. They provide guidance to implement safe and correct
traffic safety but there’s also the matter of local control; there’s a reason we have a Traffic
Commission and we may want to do something we feel is safer. He feels we need input from the
Assistant City Engineer as to how closely we need to follow these guidelines. He would like to see a
diagram at the next meeting of uncontrolled intersections in the core of the city to see if this is
indeed a rare uncontrolled intersection.
Ms. Curran questioned the MUTCD guideline of three accidents in two years. The last reported
accident Captain Markham had was on December 10, 2019. Ms. Curran asked if we would be at
the three accidents in two years mark if you include the two accidents that just occurred. The
report Captain Markham had was run on August 9th so he would need to check his records for the
two accidents on the 5th and 14th. If they’re not in the state records he will check the database.
Motion by Schluender to table this item until the next meeting pending additional information
from Police, either a crash report or details of the two accidents. He would also like a report
showing the location of unsignalized and signalized intersections in the general area of Central Ave
and University Ave to see if there is a pattern. Seconded by Davis. Motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS
City Engineer
None
Police Chief
None
Commissioners
Finkelson advised that due to the construction of the new City Hall he sees a lot of people
walking in the street where the sidewalk is closed and feels there should be more crosswalk
signage for pedestrians. Davis agreed we’ve gone quite a while without pedestrian access.
There’s no easy way to get around the construction. On Central Avenue it’s difficult to see
pedestrians due to the turn lane and the way the fencing is put up. Davis suggested we contact
the developer to get the pedestrian access back soon. Currently the only place to cross is on
Gould Ave unless you walk all the way to Reservoir Blvd and come around down 37th Ave.
Commissioners would like a report from City staff showing the timeline and options to improve
pedestrian safety, especially for the handicapped.
Ciesynski asked if speed monitoring was done on 49th Avenue between University and Central
Avenues. Captain Markham would need to go back and look at his notes. Ciesynski stated 49th
Avenue is a very fast, high traffic street. Captain Markham advised he can request more speed
enforcement there.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Finkelson, seconded by Davis to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 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 OLD BUSINESS
MEETING DATE SEPTEMBER 21, 2021
ITEM: REQUEST FOR STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF 6TH STREET AND 41ST AVENUE
DEPARTMENT: Public Works BY/DATE: Kathy Young/September 15, 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 Traffic Commission tabled this item to the September meeting to review updated accident information .
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. A map of the traffic control in the area between University Avenue and Jefferson Street from
40th Avenue to 44th Avenue is included in the packet.
The Police Department found the following accident records for this intersection:
Date Type
03/05/2012 Angle
11/03/2012 Angle
12/10/2014 Angle
12/10/2019 Angle
08/05/2021 Angle
08/14/2021 Angle
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: With three or more crashes that involve the failure to yield right-of-way within a
2-year period, the number and type of reported accidents meet the MMUTCD guideline for installing Stop or
Yield signs. To designate right of way at the intersection, staff recommends stopping or yielding the traffic on
41st Avenue.
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S):
MOTION: Move to call a Public Hearing to install stop signs at the intersection of 6th Street and 41st
Avenue, stopping traffic on 41st Avenue.
ATTACHMENT(S): MMUTCD Guidelines for Two-Way Stop and Yield Signs
Aerial
Yield and Stop sign map 6
Item 2.
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.
7
Item 2.
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:
8
Item 2.
4141
4306
233
4310
4100
300
4101
4200
4160
4141
4111
4130
5734001
4171
310
4322
4242
4155
4120
636
315
535
4201
4233
249
253
349
224
257
250
248
411
4250
612
615
252
256
4255
4039
4323
4407
4308
4312
4100
240
4205
4136
4332
4332
4025
4136
4100
241
320
636
649
221
4333
4241
4255
4301
4236
4357
637
605
4211
4256
4226
4220
4245
4115
4042
4117
4311
4330
4061
4041
4340
4045
4142
4245
4141
4309
4216
4156
4154
4345
4335
4404
4043
4233
4056
4209
4148
4243
4239
4256
4031
4032
4206
4223
4401
4232
4344
4212
4403
4347
4321
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4337
4354
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4016 40174016
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543
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539
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313
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432
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652
656
672
640
662
666
648
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615
643
609
585
670
4015 4017
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4211
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4240
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665
4328
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528
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330
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4319
423
401
401
410
301
580
427
509
4245
4251
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4314
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4306
4320
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4002
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4111
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508
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500
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506
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4110 4110
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4329 4322
4328
4340
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4159
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4256
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4311
4323
4329
4327
4353
4345
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4314
43104307
4303
4307
4341
4312
4028
4355
4341
4345
4311
4156
4100
4120
4052
4151
4032
4150
4140
4120
4131
4140
4156
4036
4056
4126
4106
4139
4146
4157
4046
4130
4138
4026
4042
4129
4147
4022
4122
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4126
4141
4126
4235
4150
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4055
4057
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4047
4143
4043
4037
4131
4137
4033
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4107
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UNITS:
101-103
201-203
UNITS:
101-104
&
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GARAGES:
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201-202
UNITS:
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201-204
UNITS:
101-106
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201-206
UNITS:
101-103
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201-203
UNITS:
101-103
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201-203
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City of
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GIS / ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Map Date:
Map Author:
LEGEND
!"$STOP SIGN
4 WAY STOP
YIELD SIGN
August 2021
K Young
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YIELD
9
Item 2.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION
AGENDA SECTION NEW BUSINESS
MEETING DATE SEPTEMBER 21, 2021
ITEM: REQUEST FOR 4-WAY STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF JACKSON STREET AND 50TH AVENUE
DEPARTMENT: Public Works BY/DATE: Kathy Young/September 15, 2021
BACKGROUND: Mr. David Wenzel has requested the traffic control be changed from a two-way stop to a
four-way stop at the intersection of Jackson Street and 50th Avenue. The concern is accidents and near
misses at the intersection. The email correspondence is attached.
Staff reviewed visibility at the intersection and found it to be good.
On Jackson Street, traffic stops at 49th Avenue and 51st Avenue. On 50th Avenue, traffic stops at Central
Avenue and Monroe Street. Supplemental “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop” signs were recently added to the
stop sign posts on 50th Avenue.
The Police Department found one reported accident in both 2014 and 2016, two accidents in 2019 and one
accident in 2021. Two accidents were angle collisions, two were rear end collisions and one was listed as
other.
The most recent accident was after the supplemental signs were installed. The driver on 50th Avenue failing
to stop indicated she was not able to see the sign because the sun was in her eyes.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends denying the request for a four-way stop at the intersection of
Jackson Street and 50th Avenue based on not meeting the MMUTCD guidelines for Multi-Way Stop. The most
pertinent guideline is listed below:
Five or more reported crashes in a 12-month period that are susceptible to correction by a multi-way
stop installation. Such crashes include right-turn and left-turn collisions as well as right-angle
collisions.
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S):
MOTION: Move to deny the request for 4-way stop signs at the intersection of Jackson Street and 50th
Avenue based on not meeting the MMUTCD guidelines for Multi-Way Stop.
ATTACHMENT(S): MMUTCD Guidelines for Multi-Way Stop and Yield Signs
Aerial
E-mail
10
Item 3.
MINNESOTA MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
SEPTEMBER 2020
The MUTCD guidelines for installing MULTI-WAY STOP signs at intersections are listed
below:
The decision to install multi-way stop control should be based on an engineering study.
The following criteria should be considered in the engineering study for a multi-way STOP
sign installation:
A. Where traffic control signals are justified, the multi-way stop is an interim measure that
can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being made for the
installation of the traffic control signal.
B. Five or more reported crashes in a 12-month period that are susceptible to correction
by a multi-way stop installation. Such crashes include right-turn and left-turn collisions
as well as right-angle collisions.
C. Minimum volumes:
1. The vehicular volume entering the intersection from the major street approaches
(total of both approaches) averages at least 300 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of
an average day; and
2. The combined vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle volume entering the intersection
from the minor street approaches (total of both approaches)averages at least 200
units per hour for the same 8 hours, with an average delay to minor-street vehicular
traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the highest hour; but
3. If the 85th-percentile approach speed of the major street traffic exceeds 40 mph, the
minimum vehicular volume warrants are 70 percent of the values provided in Items 1
and 2.
D. Where no single criterion is satisfied, but where Criteria B, C.1, and C.2 are all satisfied
to 80 percent of the minimum values. Criterion C.3 is excluded from this condition.
Other criteria that may be considered in an engineering study include:
A. The need to control left-turn conflicts;
B. The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations that generate high
pedestrian volumes;
C. Locations where a road user, after stopping, cannot see conflicting traffic and is not
able to negotiate the intersection unless conflicting cross traffic is also required to stop;
and
D. An intersection of two residential neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar
design and operating characteristics where multi-way stop control would improve traffic
operational characteristics of the intersection.
11
Item 3.
1
Kathy Young
From: David Wenzel [mailto:dawenzel14@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 9, 2021 10:30 AM
To: Kathy Young
Subject: Re: Stop Sign Issue
Hi Kathy,
Although I think the “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop”addition has cut down on honking, there was a fairly serious
crash this morning at the intersection. Cops and tow trucks were called, although the people looked to be okay.
I would like to formally request that a 4 way stop be put in at this intersection.
Thank you,
David
On Mon, Aug 2, 2021 at 11:16 AM Kathy Young <KYoung@columbiaheightsmn.gov> wrote:
Hello-
Thank you for the email concerning the intersection of 50th Avenue and Jackson Street. The City will add “Cross Traffic
Does Not Stop” signs to the existing stop signs on 50th Avenue at Jackson Street.
A request to change the location of Stop signs or to add Stop signs would need to be submitted to the Traffic
Commission for review.
Kathy Young | Assistant City Engineer
City of Columbia Heights | Public Works Department
637 38th Avenue NE | Columbia Heights, MN 55421
KYoung@ColumbiaHeightsMN.gov
Direct: (763) 706-3704
Main: (763) 706-3700
From: David Wenzel [mailto:dawenzel14@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, July 26, 2021 4:55 PM
To: Publicworks
Subject: Stop Sign Issue
Hi,
I live on the intersection of Jackson Street NE and 50th Ave NE in Columbia Heights. I work from home and sit in front of
the window and hear about one incident per day, with tires screeching and horns honking. The stop signs at the
intersection just don't really make sense, as the busy road is required to stop while the side road isn't. It seems like the
stop signs should either be switched from 50th onto Jackson instead, or else it should be a four-way stop. There are also
a lot of kids running around the area. Is this something that can be changed?
Thanks,
David
12
Item 3.
³
Disclaimer: Map and parcel data a re believed to be accurate, but accuracy is not guaranteed. This is not a legal d ocument and should not be substituted for a title search, appraisal, survey, or for zo ning verification.
Jackson and 50th
Date: 9/1 5/20211:600
Own er Information:Parce l Information:
Anoka County GIS
Approx. Acres:
Commissioner:
Plat:
13
Item 3.
49th Ave and Jefferson ST NE- Summary & Statistics -1
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Item 5.
49th Ave and Jefferson ST NE-Chart-2
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Item 5.
49th Ave and Jefferson ST NE-Chart-3
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Item 5.
49th Ave and Jefferson ST NE-Chart-4
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Item 5.
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Item 5.