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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20131113minutesAPPROVED MINUTES Transportation and Traffic Commission Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Commission Members (present) Jeff Ahlers Michael Hughes Roger Schwartze Mark Kross Ryan Towner Timothy Diemler Donna Deetz Jeremy Murray Commission Members (absent) Ron Fitzwater Staff Liaisons (present) Councilman Carlos Graham Staff Liaison (absent) Sgt. Douglas Ruediger Staff Britt Smith Todd Logan Tia Jenkins Jayme Abbott Eric Barron Guest(s): Madeleine Leroux (News Tribune), Ryan Prenger, Dorothy Clemons, Eileen Lampe, and Michael Brownstein. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ahlers at 8:15 a.m., and a quorum was present at that time. 1. Introduction Chairman Ahlers welcomed all, requested attendees to sign in. 2. Acceptance of the August 14, 2013, meeting minutes Mr. Kross motioned to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Mr. 5chwartze. All in favor, motion carried. 3. New Business a) Request for disabled parking space at 325 Ash Street. (Requestor: Dorothy Clemons) Britt Smith — Staff report: Ash Street is a mixed use street with both residential and commercial businesses. This area has been in transition for some time. Currently, the City of Jefferson has undertaken a project to reconstruct the curbs and sidewalk in the 300 block by use of Community Development Block APPROVED Grant monies. Previously, the developer of Prison Brews restaurant requested an accessible space to be added to the street in front of the establishment. This request was granted after the building owner completed improvements such as adding a compliant curb ramp. With this said, if an additional space were to be provided in this area, staff would recommend that it to be located at the end of the block adjacent to the new constructed curb ramp. In the past, the Commission has recommended approval of "mid -block" accessible spaces, when adjacent property owners agreed to fund the cost associated with adding a curb ramp. The current request is to approve a disabled parking space at the residents of 325 Ash Street. Typically, when placing these spaces, location is at the corner of the street as ramps are usually already installed. However, if the resident will fund the improvements, and it is approved thru this commission, and City Council approves other areas could be designated. From the city standpoint, if approved, we would recommend the space be placed at the comer or as nearby for ADA requirements. The requestor has expressed the space be placed in front of her residence of 325 Ash Street. Staff added, this space would not be designated exclusively for the requestors use. Also, staff recommended to requestor, the option to utilize the driveway behind the requestor's residence which would control personal use only. Ms. Clemons, requestor, was given the opportunity to speak to the commission, and expressed the medical condition and challenge she endures to get to/from her residence in front and behind her home, especially when the parking is limited. Michael Brownstein, residence of the area was also present, and reiterated to the commission her brittle health and the challenges she has especially when parking close to her residence is occupied. Staff again, explained the options available with funding the project to the requestor and the expense it would entail. Also, the driveway at this time is not ADA compliant. Staff stated, would approve IF all funding was paid by requestorlowner per City/Federal guidelines. City Staff, Jayme Abbott, Neighborhood Services Coordinator approached the commission and recommended a grant option through the Department of Planning and Protective Services and would work directly with the requestor/owner. After a lengthy discussion took place between the commission members and guests, a motion was made by Michael Hughes that the City grant the location, the right -a -way, and space for improvements, seconded by Mr. Kross. Motion carried by the following vote. Aye: Michael Hughes, Roger Schwartze, Mark Kross, Ryan Towner, Timothy Diemler, Donna Deetz, and Jeremy Murray Nay: Chairman Jeff Ahlers b) Request for a four-way stop at the intersection of Lincoln Street and Hough Street. (Requester: Pastor Kevin) Britt Smith — staff report Britt introduced City Staff, Tia Griffin, Design Engineer and indicated Griffin conduced the traffic study in regards to this agenda item and Griffin would report. Griffin reported, no accidents from 2003-2010, a speed study was conducted in 2010 and found to be no issue/concems as most vehicles where under the posted speed limit. pedestrian volume consistent with current traffic control, Vehicle volumes consistent with current traffic control. One slight concern was existing sign distance on North Lincoln Street, but warrants no change at this time, staff recommended to keep intersection as is. APPROVED Request for a four-way stop at the intersection of Lincoln Street and Hough Street. No motion made. c) Request for no -parking on the north -side of Portabello Place Drive (Requestor: Eileen Lampe / Debbie Mullally) Britt Smith — Staff report: Portabello Place Drive is a relatively new subdivision which has a width of 32 foot face to face of curb and is located within a newer subdivision which was platted prior to being annexed into the City. Under current ordinances, streets of this width would have parking removed on one -side, however, numerous streets within the City have similar widths without a parking restriction. Staff would support the removal of parking as requested if broad support exists within the neighborhood. Citizens of the area have been notified of the request. Eileen Lampe, requestor was present at the meeting and was given the opportunity to speak in regards to the agenda item. Ms. Lampe is also the President of the Condo Association on Portabello Place Drive. Eileen main concern was the excessive crowding of vehicles on the street and the inability to maneuver thru with oncoming traffic especially during inclement weather and when school busses are running. Ryan Prenger, owner of Ryan Prenger Construction was present at the meeting, spoke in support, and apologized, as he felt he may have caused some havoc as well with construction on the street. He believes Lampe and supports/applauds her efforts. Prenger suggests, removal of parking should be held off a year until all construction is complete, however, staff expressed and suggested to work with the neighborhood and local police during construction. Prenger indicated construction will be another year for sure but definitely wants what is best for the subdivision. After a lengthy discussion between staff, guest, and commission members, Mrs. Deetz motioned to approve for no parking on the north side of Portabello Place Drive, seconded by Mr. Towner. Motion carried by the following votes. Aye: Chairman Jeff Ahlers, Michael Hughes, Mark Kross, Ryan Towner, Tim Diemler, Donna Deetz, and Jeremy Murray. Nay: Roger Schwartze d) Request to change various parking restriction within the metered zones downtown (Requestor: Staff) Britt Smith — Staff report: Periodically, staff reviews parking restriction within the downtown, to ensure current signing in the field reflects the ordinances in place and to look for areas where improvements can be made. The attached proposed revisions to Schedule N reflect those updates. For the most part, we would consider the changes "clean-up." One possible exception is our recommendation to change the one hour metered parking zones to two hours. We receive numerous complaints that one hour generally is not enough time to conduct business at the adjacent businesses and/or government offices. We believe this change will increase compliance with ordinances and still provide the needed turnover of the parking spaces. In addition, this will provide constancy with other restrictions downtown. APPROVED After a very brief discussion between staff and commission members, a motion was made by Mrs. Deetz to change various parking restriction within the metered zones downtown as indicated and seconded by Mr. Kross. All in favor, motion carried. 4. Old Business None S. Other Business a) 2014 Calendar A motion was made by Mr. Schwortze to approve the 2014 Calendar, and seconded by Mr. Murray. All in favor, motion carried. b) Inclement Weather / Cancellation Policy Staff reviewed with commission members the policy in effect with inclement weather / cancellation policy. No motion required. 6. Adjourn Mr. Towner motioned to adjourn meeting at 9:06 a.m., seconded by Mr. Murray. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully Submitted Glen Vernon