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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/11/2006 SC minutes Director Glen R. Andler Mount Prospect ~ Deputy Director Sean P. Dorsey Mount Prospect Public Works Department 1700 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056-2229 MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT SAFETY COMMISSION DRAFT CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Mount Prospect Safety Commission was called to order at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, December 11, 2006. ROLLCALL Present upon roll call: Chuck Bencic John Keane Kevin Grouwinkel Fred Pampel Carol Tortorello Buz Livingston Jeff Schmitz Paul Bures Matt Lawrie Absent: Marshall Petersen Chairman Vice Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Fire Department Representative Police Department Representative Public Works Representative Traffic Engineer - Staff Liaison Commissioner Others in Attendance: Ken Kapps, 315 Russel Street APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Bures, seconded by Commissioner Keane, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Safety Commission held on November 13, 2006. The minutes were approved by a vote of 7-0. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD There was no one in attendance that spoke on an issue not on the agenda. Phone 847/870-5640 Fax 847/253-9377 www.mountprospect.org Current Parking Conditions 1. During typical working hours Monday-Friday, vehicles are parked along the west side of Elmhurst Avenue between Henry Street and Central Road. During random checks throughout the week, the area between Central Road and 17 Ridge Avenue was usually fully occupied by vehicles. Between 17 Ridge Avenue and Henry Street, there were typically a few parked vehicles. 2. On Saturdays, vehicles again were parked along the west side of Elmhurst Avenue. 3. Henry Street and Ridge Avenue did not experience a significant amount of on-street parking. 4. The rear parking lot at the Post Office was usually full or nearly full during working hours. The number of occupied spaces in the front parking lot fluctuated throughout the day. 5. The parking lot at 15 & 19 N. Elmhurst Avenue was usually half full during working hours. 6. The east side of Elmhurst A venue between Henry Street and Central Road rarely experienced on-street parking during the study. 3) Staff Study Issues 1. Earlier this year, the resident at 21 Ridge Avenue replaced a chain linked fence with a solid white fence along the backyard. A permit was issued for this work and the fence was installed per Code. Vehicles stopped at the stop sign on Henry Street at Elmhurst A venue used to be able to look through the fence and landscaping with limited visibility. Now, with a solid fence, vehicles must move closer to the intersection beyond the stop bar to see opposing traffic. 2. The on-street parking along the west side of Elmhurst Avenue appears to be mostly Post Office employees. When vehicles are parked close to Henry Street, the combination of the fence and vehicles force motorists on Henry Street to pull into the intersection in order to see northbound vehicles. This situation increases the chances of an accident. Evaluation 1. According to the Police Department, there have not been any recorded accidents at Elmhurst Avenue and Henry Street over the past three years because of the sight obstruction concern. 2. The severity of the sight obstruction and the potential for accidents, however, causes the Engineering Staff concern and to consider prohibiting parking near the intersection. 3. It appears the Post Office relies on on-street parking for its employees. Therefore, the amount of on-street parking prohibited should be kept to a minimum while still improving safety for motorists. 4. The key concern is the ability of eastbound motorists on Henry Street to see northbound vehicles on Elmhurst Avenue in order to safely turn left. According to engineering practice, a motorist on Henry Street needs to be able to see a northbound vehicle on Elmhurst Avenue at least 300' from the intersection in order to safely turn left. This is assuming the northbound vehicle is traveling at the speed limit (25mph). In order to achieve this condition, parking would need to be prohibited for the first 150' south of Henry Street. 5. By prohibiting parking along the west side of Elmhurst Avenue for the first 150' south of Henry Street, it is estimated four parking spaces would be lost. It does not appear this would be a hardship for the Post Office, the other businesses or nearby residents as parking is not often seen in this area and there were always some off-street spaces available in the parking lots observed during our study. 6. It would not be recommended to only restrict parking during certain hours as a vehicle parked near the intersection at any time presents a sight obstruction concern and the potential for an accident. 7. Nearby residents and businesses were given the opportunity to send the Village comments on this issue. Four responses were received. Phone 847/870-5640 Fay G4712t'::;".93l7 \NW\N .mo untpro'3pc.,ct, orG Commissioner Grouwinkel said there are No Parking signs along the 600 block of Can-dota A venue. He was curious to know the reasoning for the signs. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he would look into it and get back to the Commission. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Safety Commission voted 8-0 to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Tortorello. Mr. Bures seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, ~, Matthew P. Lawrie, P.E. Traffic Engineer h:\engineering\traffic\safety _ commission\recs&mins\dec06min.doc Phone 847'/870-5640 Fax 847/253-9377 WINW. mO!J ntprospect.o rg