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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/14/2002 � � Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley August 14, 2002 7:00 p.m. Municipal Center Minutes 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.by Chair polan. Members Present: Craig Anglin,Dick Asleson,Linda Dolan,Harald Eriksen, Charles Grawe,Neal Heuer,Arthur Zimmerman Consultants Present: Stephanie Jackson, Glen Van Wormer Others Present: John Bergman,Kay Bergman, Cathy Brown,Raymond Frappier, Beverly Hermes, Jay Hermes, Scott Hoeppner,Ann Hoffarth,Vince Hoffarth,Andrew Krim,Paula Lammers,Jon Pfeifer, Chuck Russell, Sandy Russell,Lori Satrang, Christopher Smith,Julie Stuttgen,John Thiele,Dan Swanson, Gwen Torgerson, Joanne Trader Members Absent: 2. Approval of A eg nda Ms. Dolan asked to add an item regarding a social event and an item regarding the newspaper article under the Other Business topic. Mr.Zimmerman moved, second by Mr. Eriksen,to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Approval of June 12, 2002 Minutes Mr.Asleson moved, second by Mr.Zimmerman,to approve the minutes of June 12, 2002. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Audience Items There were no audience items. 5. Traffic Concerns Communicated to the Citv A) Requested Removal of Channelizing Islands at Haven Drive and 147th Street Ms.Dolan read the received petition written as follows: We the under signed are in support of the removal of the porkchops at 147th&Haven Drive. • � Mr.Van Wormer provided a brief history of the installation of the islands. He said that during the Wal-Mart review,concerns were raised about increased traffic on Pennock Avenue. Residents also raised concern about"cut-through"traf�c using Haven Drive and Guthrie Avenue. The channelizing islands were proposed to prevent Wal-Mart traffic from using Haven Drive and Guthrie Avenue to get to other destinations to the west and north. The islands deter traffic. Removing the islands will increase traffic. He estimated that traffic volumes would increase by 250 to 500 vehicle trips per day if the islands were removed. However, due to lack of right-of- way,the islands were not installed as originally designed. The islands could be improved with the acquisition of more right-of-way. He also noted that widening the channelized lanes to better accommodate large trucks would make it easier for small vehicles to maneuver around the islands. Mr.Bergman provided photographs of the islands for the audience's reference. Ms.Dolan asked that those supporting the petition present their comments. Ms. Brown said she is concerned about traffic maneuvering around the islands. She noted it is difficult for traffic intending to travel east to make a left-turn onto County Road 42. Ms. Torgerson said the snowplows are not able to completely clear snow and ice from the narrow channel lanes, causing snow to pile in her yard and create drainage issues. Ms. Satrang said she doesn't believe the islands decrease traffic volumes or deter speeds. She said other methods could be used to decrease speeds. Mr.Heuer said he received comments from a resident unable to attend expressing concerns about the ability to make left turns and go east. The resident requested a solution that would permit left turns out of Haven Drive,while preventing access from 147th onto Haven Drive. Ms.Brown said the alternarive is for residents drive through the neighborhood to the east to get to Hayes Road in order to make a left- hand turn and go east. Ms. Trader said she also favored a resident permit system. Ms.Dolan asked that those opposed to the petition present their comments. Mr. Frappier expressed concern about vehicle speeds and opposed removal of the islands because of potential increases in traffic volumes. Mr. Thiele said he would prefer to limit traffic on the street to neighborhood traffic only through permits. He requested traffic accident statistics from U-turns. He said he favors other methods of traffic calming and keeping the islands. Ms.Lammers said she believes safety is more important than convenience and favored keeping the islands. Mr. Hoeppner said he believes the current traffic counts justify keeping the islands. He claimed that the neighborhood has experienced a 38 percent turnover rate since the islands were installed. He believes the islands are doing their job,but don't control speed. Ms. Russell said the islands are a safety concern. Mr.Russell said speed is already an issue on Haven Drive and he doesn't want traffic volume to increase. He expressed concern for the safety of children if traffic volumes increase. Ms. Stuttgen said she would accept the inconvenience if there were greater safety and less traffic. Mr. Swanson said he believes removal of the islands would increase traffic volumes and speed violations. Mr.Bergman said he approached the Committee at the last meeting concerning moving violations and illegal left-hand turns. He said he does not believe the Haven Drive islands have worked properly. He said he would like to see the islands at Haven Drive and Guthrie Avenue expanded to their original design standard with the i • overlay project in 2003. He said he would like to see 100 percent agreement among the residents of Haven Drive before deciding to remove the islands. He expressed concern about increased traffic volumes in the future if the Wal-Mart site is fully developed. He expressed concern about removing the islands if the site will develop in the future. Staff was asked several questions regarding the area. Staff was asked about the Children at Play and Local Traf�c Only signs on a nearby street. Mr. Heuer said MNDOT has advised cities to remove most of the Children at Play signs because they too common. He said remaining signs should be near a park, school, or other area with a high concentration of children,not on residential streets. He said the City is in the process of removing the signs. He said the Local Traffic Only sign should be removed as it is not appropriate. Staff was asked if there was accident data for that area. Mr.Anglin said he would look at the City's records. Staff was asked to clarify the projected traffic volumes. Mr.Van Wormer said there are about 200 vehicle trips per day with the current configuration. There were about 700 vehicle trips per day prior to the installation of the islands. He projects an additional 250 to 500 vehicle trips per day if the island is removed. Mr.Van Wormer said that 1000 or fewer vehicle trips per day is considered normal for a residential street. More than 1000 vehicle trips per day is considered heavy for a residential street. He said the islands would decrease traf�c volume,but will not prevent all violations. He also noted that people who violate the islands might also violate the speed laws. He noted that signs only work if motorists obey the signs. He said if redesigned,the channels could be made longer to create a sharper U-turn for those attempting to turn left around the island. Staff was asked if the islands could be widened. Mr. Heuer said 147th Street would be widened in 2003. It would be timely to either modify or remove the islands with this project. He said modification would require additional easements. Mr.Heuer said the redesign would allow for better plowing operations. Ms.Dolan asked if the redesign of the islands is the best option. Mr. Van Wormer said that if the islands are to remain,they should be redesigned to cut down on violations made out of ignorance. Ms.Dolan said she believes safety is the most important factor and doesn't want to see traffic volumes increase. Mr. Zimmerman said he would like the redesigned islands to be given time for evaluation to see if the redesign improves functionality. Mr. Asleson, second by Mr.Zimmerman,to recommend to the City Council that the islands remain,but be installed per the original design as part of the 2003 overlay project. If significant improvements in the island design can not be accommodated in the 2003 overlay project,the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee should revisit the issue with written notice of the meeting provided to the residents of Haven Drive. Motion passed unanimously. B) Fairgreen Avenue and Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church Traffic Concerns Mr.Pfeifer requested that the City close Fairgreen Avenue due to concerns about traffic generated by Shepherd of the Valley Church activities. Mr.Pfeifer said the problem is caused by traffic attempting to access Johnny Cake Ridge Road. With increasing Church membership,the neighborhood has raised complaints about churchgoers parking close to driveways,parking in front of mailboxes,parking in � � front of fire hydrants,turning around in driveways and running through stop signs. Mr.Pfeifer requested that the City close Fairgreen Avenue,post no parking signs on 126th Street between Fairgreen Avenue and Johnny Cake Ridge Road and from Fairgreen Avenue to 150 feet to the east,and post signs prohibiting parking on Fairgreen Avenue on Sundays from 8:00 a.m.to 1:00 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Ms.Hermes said that past requests to close the street have been delayed by attempts by the pastor of the church to deal with the issue internally. Pastor Smith said he was unaware of past discussions. He admitted that Church staff parks on the street because the church lot is full. He said 200 people are shuttled from the Falcon Ridge School lot on Sunday. He said he would be interested in the traffic volume data. Ms.Hermes said the traffic impacts are very great on Sundays and Wednesday evenings. Mr.Asleson said he didn't believe it made sense for the public street to empty into the Church parking lot. He said he was intrigued with the idea of a gate. Mr. Asleson said the Church could erect barricades on its property. Mr.Krim said he thought it would be easier to permanently close the street. Mr.Van Wormer said there have been a number of traffic counts on Fairgreen Avenue. He provided the following data: October, 1995 125 on Saturday 284 on Sunday(169 in four hours) April, 1997 44 on Saturday 187 on Sunday April, 1997 32, 35 on Thurs. &Fri. 194 on Wednesday October, 1997 266 on Sunday July,2002 low counts due to summer season Mr.Van Wormer noted that a gate would not solve the parking issue. He also noted that any parking restrictions would apply equally to the residents. He said the access to the Church from County Road 38 was not approved contingent upon the closing of Fairgreen Avenue. He said a barricade across the street would be problematic for snowplow operations. He said a cul-de-sac would need to be provided for vehicles to make turns. He also said there might be legal issues involved with such a closing. Mr. Heuer said there are some areas around school in which the City has parking restrictions that are calendar sensitive. Ms. Dolan asked for a month to review the information and allow the Church to respond. Mr.Heuer concurred and requested time to research the legal issues and explore the options. Mr. Zimmerman moved, second by Mr.Asleson,to table the issue until the meeting of October 9,2002. C) Police � . Mr.Anglin reported that due to a data error,he did not have the monthly report ready. He noted one pedestrian-auto accident in July. He also noted that the City applied with the City of Lakeville for a Safe and Sober grant. D) Public Works Mr.Heuer distributed the monthly list of concerns. He reported that he received verbal notice from MNDOT that the speed limit on 145th Street between Cedar Avenue and Pennock Avenue could be dropped to 30 miles per hour and the speed limit on 145th Street between Pennock Avenue and Hayes Road could be dropped to 35 miles per hour. The speed limit findings for Foliage Avenue and Flagstaff Avenue were both 45 miles per hour. Mr.Asleson expressed concern about the change in speed along the two stretches of 145th Street. Mr.Heuer explained this was not at the City's discretion. Mr.Heuer reported that the mid-block crosswalk on 140th Street across from Scott Highlands Middle School was removed. 6. Traffic Safety Educational Efforts a) Informational Booth at Apple Valley High School Fall Festival on September 29 Mr. Grawe said the City would be setting up a booth at the Fall Festival from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the purposes of promoting traf�c safety. Mr. Grawe and Mr. Anglin volunteered to prepare the booth and evaluate possible games. Other members said they would review their schedules to see if they could work part of the event. 7. Other Business a) Ms.Dolan asked staff to check the status of the letters requested at the last meeting. b) Ms.Dolan said she has contacted the Eastview Driver's Education instructor. c) The Committee agreed to hold a social meeting at 6;00 p.m. on August 21st. 8. Adjourn Mr.Asleson moved, second by Mr.Anglin,to adj ourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.rn.