Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/2003 f • • Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley November 12, 2003 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, Linda Dolan, Charles Grawe, Neal Heuer, Harald Eriksen, Arthur Zimmerman Members Absent: Dick Asleson Consultants Present: Stephanie Jackson, Glen Van Wormer Others Present: Marty Adams, Ann Arens, Jerry Baack, Stuart Bestul, David Cliffard, Julie Dodds, Miriam Forrest, Terry Forrest, Paul Heisel, Marlowe House, Faith Jara, Barbara Largent, Charles Largent, Dwayne McDaniel, Brenda Olson, Steve Olson, Albert Roggow, Doug Schlieman, Jan Schlieman, JoAnn Shook, Patti Siefert, Denise Sjostrom, Tom Theis, Mike Traub, Bonnie Van Dyke, Rebecca Wagner,Roger Wagner, Judy Yung 2. Approval of A�enda No changes were suggested. MOTION: Mr. Zimmerman moved, second by Mr. Eriksen to approve the agenda as printed. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Approval of September 10, 2003 Minutes MOTION: Mr. Eriksen moved, second by Mr. Zimmerman, to approve the minutes of September 10, 2003. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Audience Items There were no audience items. The Committee members introduced themselves to those present in the audience. � TSAC Meeting Minutes, • • November 12, 2003 Page 2 5. Continue Discussion of Traffic Concerns on Pennock Avenue and 138th Street Mr. Heuer presented background information on the concern previously discussed by � TSAC in September. He said that since the September meeting, studies were conducted on traffic speed and volume. The data was given to Mr. Glen Van Wormer for analysis. Mr. Van Wormer presented the results of his initial review and analysis. He said that data was collected on drivers in the area by recording license plates of cars exceeding the speed limit. He said the initial results of the analysis of the license plates suggest that many of the speeding vehicles on 138th Street originated from a variety of areas, including other cities such as Lakeville and Farmington. However, speeding vehicles on Pennock Avenue originated largely from within the surrounding neighborhoods. Mr. Van Wormer also noted that there were relatively few vehicles that actually violated the 30 miles per hour speed limit on Pennock Avenue and that the range of speeds was much greater on 138�' Street. Mr. Van Wormer presented several possible strategies that can help solve the problem of vehicles exceeding the speed limit. One solution is increased enforcement of the existing speed laws. Enforcement has limitations, especially if speeds are not much greater than the speed limit. He explained that judges often do not uphold tickets for speeds that are one ar two miles per hour over the limit. A second possible solution is influencing drivers to reduce speeds voluntarily through traffic calming, or by changing how the environment looks to them. As with enforcement, traffic calming has limitations, especially if speeds are not much greater than the speed limit. After presenting the general strategies, Mr. Van Wormer presented specific options for 138th Street. Option l: A median could be installed on the west end of 138th Street near the intersection with Pennock Avenue to the north. Option 2: A median could be installed on the south end of Pennock Avenue near the intersection with the west end of 138�' Street. Option 3: A traffic circle could be added at the intersection of 138th Street and the north end of Pennock Avenue where it approaches from the south. Mr. Van Wormer noted that this option presents a number of problems. Option 4: Sections of the east end of 138tn Street near Cedar Avenue could be narrowed. Option 5: Medians could be added near the ir�tersectior� �f 13oth Street and the north erid oi Pennock hvenue where it a��r�a���es �orn the south. Option 6: Large plantings could be added at various locations along 138th Street. Mr. Van Wormer noted that the presented options would generally help to slow speeds, but would not likely significantly decrease traffic volumes in the area. He also noted that the presented options would need to be designed to accommodate buses and delivery trucks. He also noted that the road would need to be widened to accommodate the medians and parking restrictions would need to be implemented in some areas. ( TSAC Meeting Minutes,• • November 12, 2003 Page 3 Several residents asked questions of Mr. Van Wormer. He was asked if speed bumps or speed humps would be an effective solution. Mr. Van Wormer responded that speed bumps are very disruptive to emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks. As this roadway is a primary route for emergency vehicle traffic to the neighborhood, this would be a problem. He was asked if he prepared any cost estimates for the various options. He said he had not prepared any cost estimates at this time. Several residents voiced concerns over drivers going through the neighborhood to reach Cedar Avenue. Mr. Wagner said he believes a four-way stop is the best solution and would cost less money to install than the presented options. Mr. Grawe noted that the neighborhood's complaint is that drivers are currently violating the law on vehicle speeds. He said that installing an unwarranted stop sign is likely to create stop sign violations in addition to the speed violations. He noted that the concept of traffic calming is to encourage drivers to choose to slow down and recognize their own concern for safety. Mr. Anglin noted that installing a stop sign would require additional police patrol time as well to enforce stop sign violations. Mr. Van Wormer also noted that temporary curbs or medians could be used initially. Mr. Heuer noted that the construction season it basically fmished and the adjoining property owners should be notified before changes are made that would restrict parking. Mr. Van Wormer said the options for Pennock Avenue are somewhat different. He said the curves along the street require a slower speed of travel. The large number of driveways onto the street prohibits effective use of inedians. Narrowing traffic lanes through use of chokers is not a good solution for areas with many curves. The combination of curves and the steep slope of the street are not favorable for the use of speed humps. A resident from the Diamond Path neighborhood said that past use of speed bumps in that neighborhood resulted in considerable damage to residents' lawns. Mr. Van Wormer presented several specific options that might be better solutions for the neighborhood. Option 1: The City could paint the curb line. Option 2: The City could � ask MNDOT to re-evaluate and possibly lower the existing speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. This would allow for more effective enforcement than if vehicle speeds remain the same as the current time. He noted that the City attempted to persuade i�,�OT into lowerii�g the s�eed limit for this s�etch cf roadwa� �n t�e early 1990's. He also noted that MNDOT has generally set the speed limit around the 85tn percentile of existing speeds under the assumption that most drivers will drive at a safe speed. Mr. Van Wormer said that while this might have been true several decades ago, his opinion is that this is not an appropriate standard far today's drivers. Mr. Van Wormer was asked if changing the speed limit would have any impact. Mr. Van Wormer said that 490 vehicles were observed over a two-day period. Only about ten percent of the vehicles were traveling above the current 30 miles per hour limit. He explained that if the speed limit were lowered, the police patrols would likely be more successful in getting the courts to uphold tickets written for drivers traveling a few miles , TSAC Meeting Minutes, • • November 12, 2003 Page 4 ', per hour over 30. Mr. Van Wormer asked if the street could have traffic only in one direction. He responded that the direction would need to be north bound and that a one way street would likely result in increased speeds. Some residents expressed concern about possible changes in traffic patterns once the median is closed on Cedar Avenue. Mr. Van Wormer was asked if further study could be done on the impacts and feasibility of closing the north end of Pennock Avenue at the intersection with 138th Street. He was asked if pavement grooves would be an effective tool for the roadway. He noted that the noise impact from pavement grooves would be substantial and the noise would likely strongly affect the adjoining properties. Several residents expressed concern about the intersection of Pennock Avenue and 140th Street. One concern was that pedestrians and bikers violate the traffic signal at the intersection. Anoth�r concern was that the sight lines to the north are not ideal. Another concern was that there are not enough speed limit or caution signs on Pennock Avenue north of the intersection. Other residents expressed concern about the lack of left turn arrows at the signal. Mr. Heuer said he would follow-up on the schedule to install the turn lanes and turn signals. Mr. Van Wormer suminarized the possible next steps resulting from the discussion. He said he could look at adding signage on Pennock Avenue. The Police Department could provide more enforcement activities. He said he could examine possible additions of speed humps on Pennock Avenue. He said he could examine the impacts of making Pennock Avenue a one-way street or possibly closing the street at the intersection with 138th Street. He said he could further develop possible solutions for 138th Street and the less costly solutions for Pennock Avenue. He noted that a more detailed evaluation would be necessary for the larger changes to Pennock Avenue. MOTION: Mr. Heuer moved, second by Mr. Grawe, to request staff to continue to work with the traffic engineering consultants to further evaluate the next step ideas that were presented and discussed at the meeting and to return with further information at the next meeting. Motion passed unanimously. �. Traffic Cor�cz���s on Dia����nu Fath betiveen Pi1ot Kn�b Road and Mc��dr�ws Road Mr. Traub presented information on behalf of the neighborhood and distributed copies of the slide presentation. Mr. Traub said he expected the Committee to hear the neighborhood's concerns, but realized that more time would be needed to analyze the issues. He also said he recognizes that a "balloon" solution that pushes the problem to another neighborhood is not a good solution. Mr. Traub said the neighborhood is concerned about traffic volumes, traffic speeds, and noise. He requested that the Committee consider installation of turn islands and diverters. � TSAC Meeting Minutes,� � November 12, 2003 Page 5 Mr. Heuer noted that while the City can look at some of these concepts, to the extent that the proposals involve either of the County roadways (Pilot Knob Road or McAndrews Road), the County would have ultimate authority in approving improvements located in those intersections. Mr. Van Wormer presented some initial information gathered on Diamond Path. He noted that traffic volumes have not increased significantly in recent years, despite large developments along Diamond Path in Rosemount. He noted that the neighborhood itself should generate approximately 3,300 vehicles trips per day, yet traffic counts show only 3.600 total vehicle trips per day. This would suggest that "cut through" traffic from outside the neighborhood is about 300 to 400 vehicle trips per day. 7. Other Traffic Concerns Communicated to the Citv Mr. Anglin reported no other concerns for the Police Department. Mr. Heuer reported no further concerns for the Public Works Department. There were no additional concerns communicated. 8. Update on Palomino Drive Reconstruction Open House Ms. Jackson said the City held an open house to answer questions and take comments on the reconstruction of Palomino Drive. Mr. Heuer said that letters of invitation were sent to 800 homes along Palomino. He said 82 people were in attendance. 9. Traffic Safety Education Efforts Ms. Dolan requested a special meeting in February, tentatively set for Tuesday the 17th to discuss education efforts. 10. Adj ourn MOTION: Mr. Anglin moved, second by Mr. Eriksen, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.