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Home My WebLink About8.3 Motion to approve a traffic-calming project within the Hatlen Heights Subdivision on Audrey Lane, Hatlen Avenue, Grindel Drive, Connie Lane and Meier Road.Subject Meeting Fiscal Impact (Y/N) Dollar Amount Budget Source Category Type Information Item Cover Page Motion to approve a traffic -calming project within the Hatlen Heights Subdivision on Audrey Lane, Hatlen Avenue, Grindel Drive, Connie Lane and Meier Road. December 2, 2025 - REGULAR MEETING OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT VILLAGE BOARD Y $305000.00 Capital Improvements Fund NEW BUSINESS Action Item The Transportation Safety Commission transmits their recommendation to construct a traffic - calming project within the Hatlen Heights Subdivision on Audrey Lane, Hatlen Avenue, Grindel Drive, Connie Lane, and Meier Road and approve associated traffic regulations. This project was developed through the Friendly Neighborhood Streets Program, an update to the Village Traffic Calming Program. Proposed improvements include: • Mini -traffic circles at the intersection of Audrey Lane and Grindel Drive as well as Hatlen Avenue and Grindel Drive. • Speed feedback signs on Audrey Lane and Hatlen Avenue. • All -way stop control at the intersection of Audrey Lane and Connie Lane with centerline pavement markings on approach to the intersection. • Pavement markings on Meier Road between Lincoln Street and Connie Lane to match the pavement markings on Meier Road south of Lincoln Street. In 2022 and 2023, the Public Works Department Engineering Division conducted multiple traffic studies on Audrey Lane at the request of a resident to quantify perceived traffic issues and to determine if the street was eligible for traffic -calming measures. The studies determined the street was not eligible based on the criteria of the original Traffic Calming Program (adopted in 2011) but the Transportation Safety Commission charged staff in the summer of 2023 with reviewing and updating the traffic -calming program as appropriate. While the program was being updated, Public Works installed radar speed feedback signs as an interim measure to address speeding concerns on the street. The new traffic -calming program, the Friendly Neighborhood Streets Program, was adopted by the Village Board in May 2024. A petition for a traffic -calming project on the 0 and 100 blocks of South Audrey Lane was submitted to Public Works on October 2, 2024. This came after the Friendly Neighborhood Streets Program was adopted and with the speed feedback signs in place. Based on the traffic data collected after installation of the speed feedback signs, the street did not qualify to be included in the new Program. Staff agreed to consider the traffic data prior to installation of the speed feedback signs and consider a new traffic -calming project. The traffic data prior to installation of the speed feedback signs did qualify the street to be included in the new Program. After receiving the petition, staff advanced the project through the Friendly Neighborhood Streets Program process, expanding the limits to include additional streets in the Hatlen Heights Subdivision. The focus of the process has been to consider traffic -calming measures that will reduce vehicle speeds while discouraging through traffic. The Police Department, Fire Department, and Public Works Department do not support closing streets that will limit access and redistribute traffic in the neighborhood. The Village tried closing Connie Lane at Meier Road in the mid-1990s but was determined it would not be an effective solution. Staff concentrated on speed reduction measures for the neighborhood. The process has included traffic studies, alternative analysis, preferred design development and multiple public meetings. Residents within the study area were mailed information on the project four times, including surveys and ballots. Additionally, a traffic -calming trial was installed in May 2025 and remained in place for three weeks to allow residents to experience proposed improvements and for staff to evaluate their effectiveness. The speed feedback signs on Audrey Lane were turned off during the trial. More project information is available on the project website, including design memos, plans and public outreach summaries: https://www.mountprospect.org/departments/public- works/engineering/traffic/traffic-calming/hatlen-heights- neighborhood -traffic-calming-study Traffic counts recorded that 8% of all vehicles traveling on the street traveled at speeds over 35 mph, or about 75 vehicles per day, prior to any traffic -calming. The traffic -calming trial showed that proposed traffic -calming measures reduced the percentage of vehicles traveling over 35 mph on the street to 2%, or 25 vehicles per day. The trial also showed the proposed traffic -calming measures would successfully address the reported traffic concerns. The measures also resulted in loss of on -street parking adjacent to the mid -block median islands that the residents on the street were vocally against. Therefore, staff adjusted the traffic -calming plan in response to residents' comments. Staffs recommended traffic -calming plan was presented to the Transportation Safety Commission at their September 8 meeting. This plan included: • Mini -traffic circles at the intersection of Audrey Lane and Grindel Drive as well as Hatlen Avenue and Grindel Drive. • Speed feedback signs on Audrey Lane and Hatlen Avenue. • All -way stop control at the intersection of Audrey Lane and Connie Lane with centerline pavement markings on approach to the intersection. • Pavement markings on Meier Road between Lincoln Street and Connie Lane to match the pavement markings on Meier Road south of Lincoln Street. Discussion After discussion and resident input, the Transportation Safety Commission voted to approve staff's recommendations and submit them to the Village Board for approval. These recommendations meet the goals of the Friendly Neighborhood Streets Program. With the Village Board's approval of the traffic -calming plan, staff will create design plans and incorporate the improvements into the 2026 Street Resurfacing Program. The estimated cost for these improvements is $30,000 for two speed feedback signs, two mini -traffic circles, and pavement markings. Funding is included in the 2026 Village Budget for general traffic -calming and would cover the amount of this project. The Friendly Neighborhood Streets Program, the Village's updated traffic -calming program, was adopted by the Village Board on May 21, 2024. Per the Program, the Village Board may approve the traffic -calming project by simple majority (with or without amendments), direct staff to revise the project and discuss further at a future meeting, deny the project and end further consideration, or take other actions as the Village Board deems appropriate. If this traffic -calming project is approved by the Village Board, the Village Code will require updates to incorporate new traffic regulations. These traffic modifications will be presented as a separate agenda item. Public Works notified the neighborhood that this project is scheduled to be presented to the Village Board at the December 2nd meeting through Resident Information Bulletin #5 that was distributed door to door last week. Alternatives 1. Approve the traffic -calming project within the Hatlen Heights Subdivision as recommended by the Transportation Safety Commission. 2. Action at the direction of the Village Board. Staff Recommendation Staff concurs with the recommendation of the Transportation Safety Commission to implement a traffic -calming project in the Hatlen Heights Subdivision. Attachments 1. 01- Hatlen Heights Traffic Calming Plan 2. 01 - TSC Minutes 3. 03 Hatlen Ballot Summary CIVMJ _MJiN 30 CIVM:1 W` :UN30 BMP'paeo8 aBell!n - leuH - (IV 3Ne-1 A3�:jane jo NOlivnNIlNOO 2:J0J 3NO 30Vd 33S C� ao O Cy Gvo2:] J 3131A � 2JOJ 1H, BMP'paeo8 aBell!n - leuH - (IV MAYOR VILLAGE MANAGER Paul Wm. Hoefert� Michael ). Cassady lk Mount Prospect TRUSTEES DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS Vincent J. Dante Sean Dorsey Elizabeth B. DiPrima Terri Gens William A. Grossi Phone: 847/870-5640 John J. Matuszak Fax: 847/253-9377 Colleen E. Saccotelli www.mountprospect.org Village of' Mount rrospect Public 1700 W. Central Road,, �Mount Prospect., Illinois 60056 DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COMMISSION rAl I Tr) r pni:p The meeting of the Mount Prospect Transportation Safety Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025. ani i roi i Present upon roll call: Justin Kuehlthau Chairman B-L Pellicore Commissioner Tina DeAragon Commissioner Todd Novak Fire Department Representative Nicholas Mavraganis Police Department Representative Scott Moe Public Works Department Representative Luke Foresman Project Engineer —Staff Liaison Absent: Christopher Prosperi Vice Chairman Jeffrey Nejdl Commissioner Charlie Lowry Commissioner Others in Attendance: George and Roula Chartouni Resident 205 Audrey Lane Vito LiRosi Resident 17 S. Audrey Lane Carol A. Cimo Resident 100 Audrey Lane Mary McCloskey Resident 14 Audrey Lane Rick McNulty Resident 1908 Connie Lane Debbie Geavaras Resident 200 S. Audrey Lane Matt Lawrie Village Engineer APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Pellicore, seconded by Commissioner DeAragon, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Transportation Safety Commission held on August 11, 2025. The minutes were approved by a vote of 6-0. TSC Meeting Page 1 of 7 September 8, 2025 CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. OLD BUSINESS None. niFXni Ri ICiniFcC Hatlen Heights — Audrey Lane, Hatlen Avenue, Bonita Avenue, Connie Lane and Meier Road north of Lincoln Street — Friendly Neighborhood Streets Program Project Staff Liaison Foresman presented the following on the Hatlen Heights Friendly Neighborhood Streets Program Project: Overview: Staff presents their recommendation for a traffic calming project in the Hatlen Heights Neighborhood, including Audrey Lane, Hatlen Avenue, Connie Lane, Bonita Avenue and Meier Road, in accordance with the Friendly Neighborhood Streets Program. The Commission will then vote on whether the project should move forward to the Village Board for approval or not. PrBelow are the steps of the Friendly Neighborhood Streets Program, we are currently at Status: the bolded steps: 1. Initiation 2. Petition Review 3. Traffic Study 4. Eligibility 5. Prioritization 6. Initial Public Outreach 7. Initial Plan 8. Second Public Outreach 9. Temporary Measures 10. On -Site Meeting (hosted at TSC meeting) 11. Revised Plan 12. Balloting 13. TSC Meeting 14. Board Approval 15. Construction Background: Detailed project information can be found on the project website including the initial petition, traffic counts, public outreach summaries, alternative analysis memos and previous versions of the plan. https://www.mountprospect.org/departments/public- works/engineering/traffic/traffic-calming/hatlen-heights-neighborhood-traffic- calming-study This memo will give a brief overview of the history of the project that was covered at the previous meeting. Refer to the above mentioned documents for more information. TSC Meeting Page 2 of 7 September 8. 2025 Initial A petition for the Friendly Neighborhood Streets Program for Audrey Lane was received Outreach and on October 21 2024. Staff found the street qualified for the program and determined Plan the study area. In addition to Audrey Lane, the study area was expanded to include Hatlen Avenue, Bonita Avenue, Connie Lane and Meier Road north of Lincoln Street. Staff sent a letter to all properties within the study area soliciting feedback on existing traffic issues, 134 surveys were sent out and 27 were returned. Primary concerns included vehicle volume and speed, reducing cut through traffic, stop sign compliance and pedestrian safety. An initial plan was developed to address traffic issues on the street. The initial plan included median islands, mini -traffic circles, parking changes, pavement markings and speed feedback signs. The initial plan was mailed to residents within the study area soliciting input. As the initial plan was developed, the study area was expanded to include Meier Road north of Lincoln Street. Additionally, the plan was presented to the Transportation Safety Commission for feedback. In general, residents were concerned over the impact the traffic calming measures would have on the street and were unsure how effective they would be. Staff then developed a traffic calming trial to demonstrate the proposed traffic calming measures to the public and to conduct additional traffic counts to determine their effectiveness. Traffic A traffic calming trial was implemented on the street for three weeks from May 19th Calming Trial to June 6th. This trial consisted of cones, rubber curbs and temporary pavement markings to demonstrate median islands, mini -traffic circles and parking changes. Full details of the trial are included in the attached memos. The results showed the trial measures reduced the number of drivers exceeding 35 MPH on the street by about 70% without an adverse impact on traffic operations. This shows how the traffic calming measures were designed to make it difficult for vehicles to reach excessive speeds but still allow vehicles to travel at appropriate speeds down the street. There was a relatively small change in average speed showing the measures have a limited impact on vehicles that previously were traveling close to the speed limit. However, the traffic calming measures would require parking changes on the street. Residents were sent a letter prior to the trial requesting feedback on the trial measures. A total of 36 comments were received. 4 were generally in favor of some or all of the proposed measures, 29 were against them and 3 were general comments. The general theme from comments received was that the impact the traffic calming measures have on vehicle speed and pedestrian safety needs to be greater than any negative impact to residents in the neighborhood. Revised Based on comments received, traffic count results and staff observations, the following Design changes were made to the initial plan: • Remove mid -block medians as the impact to residents was deemed too great for the traffic calming benefit they provided. • Remove the striped parking lane on Connie Lane, replace it with centerline markings near the stop signs. • Install all -way stop control at the intersection of Connie Lane and Audrey Lane. Traffic counts confirmed similar operating conditions on both streets, warranting all -way stop control. TSC Meeting Page 3 of 7 September 8. 2025 The revised design is described in detail in the attached Revised Design Memo. Overall, there are four items that were included for residents to vote on: • Item 1: Raised median islands at the entrance to the neighborhood off Central Road. • Item 2: Mini -traffic circles (Option 1), speed feedback signs (Option 2) or both (Option 3) at the intersections of Audrey Lane and Hatlen Avenue with Grindel Drive. • Item 3: All -way stop control at the intersection of Audrey Lane and Connie Lane. • Item 4: Pavement markings on Meier Road for parking lanes and a centerline. Balloting The revised design plans and a ballot were sent to all residents within the study area. A detailed breakdown of the balloting is included in the attachments. The below table provides a brief summary: Hatlen Heights Balloting Summary Item 1 Item 2 IFor Neither For or I Against I Against For Option 1 For Option 2 For Neither Option For or 3 Against Against Both Options 16 4 46 5 21 25 0 18 Item 3 Item 4 Neither For or For Against Against 38 15 16 For Neither For or Against Against 47 6 14 Staff also looked at how residents who live on the block where the traffic calming measures were proposed voted, the result of that analysis is shown below. The results of balloting are non -binding and were used to inform Staff's recommendation. Comments that were submitted with the ballots are included as an attachment to this memo. Hatlen Heights Balloting Summary Responses from the Block the Traffic Calming Measure is Proposed Item 1 Item 2 Neither For For For Neither Against For or Option Option Either For or Both For Against Against 1 2 Option Against Options 6 0 17 3 10 16 0 10 Item 3 Item 4 Neither Neither For or For or For Against Against For Against Against 21 1 2 7 1 0 TSC Meeting Page 4 of 7 September 8, 2025 Staff Staff's recommendation is shown on the Final Design Plans. This includes: Recommend- . No changes at the entrances to the neighborhood off Central Road ation: . Mini -traffic circles and speed feedback signs on Audrey Lane and Hatlen Avenue at their intersections with Grindel Drive • All -way stop control at the intersections of Audrey Lane and Connie Lane • Pavement markings on Meier Road. This combination of traffic calming measures are expected to meet the projects goals of improving safety on the street while not greatly impacting residents. The total cost for these improvements is $20,000 to $30,000. Funding is included in the Village Budget for general traffic calming. Construction would take place next year, either as part of the resurfacing program or as a stand alone project. Options: The Transportation Safety Commission can vote to: • Advance the project to the Village Board in accordance with Staff's recommendation • Advance the project to the Village Board with changes to Staff's recommendation • Send the project back to Staff for changes and to bring it to a future Transportation Safety Commission Meeting • Reject the proposed changes, effectively terminating the project Or action at the discretion of the Commission. Discussion: Commissioner Pellicore asked for a clarification on speed feedback signs and their lead time. Liaison Foresman described them and indicated the lead time would likely be a few months based on past procurement. There was general discussion from the audience and the Commission on the following topics: • How the Village collects traffic data — pneumatic tube counters • How decisions are being made in the program — Staff use traffic data and proven traffic calming measures to develop a traffic calming plan then present that to residents to ensure the traffic calming plan meets resident expectations, allowing for public input throughout the process • Comments that the originally proposed median islands at the neighborhood entrances were too close to Central Road and could be a safety issue if installed • Comments that speeding and traffic issues are only present during rush hour and therefor a large intervention is not needed • Suggestion to add stop signs to Audrey Lane and Hatlen Avenue at Grindel Drive — Staff investigated this and found that stop signs were not warranted due to low traffic volumes on Grindel Drive compared to Audrey Lane and Hatlen Avenue. Stop signs are used to assign right-of-way at an intersection and not for speed control. When traffic volumes are drastically different and one street has very low volume, there often becomes a high rate of disobedience at an all -way stop. Motorists on the major road soon realize there is little opposing traffic and they will roll through and even not stop at the STOP sign. This can become a safety concern if a motorist on the minor street pulls out thinking the opposing vehicle is going to stop. • Comments that traffic enforcement works TSC Meeting Page 5 of 7 September 8. 2025 Motion: The Commission elected to do separate motions for each of the items included on the ballot. The results of the motions are described below. Ballot Item #1: Median islands on Audrey Lane and Hatlen Avenue near Central Road. Motion by Chairman Kuehlthau, seconded by Commissioner Pellicore: Approve Staff's recommendation to make no changes to the entrances to the neighborhood. Motion passed by a vote of 6-0. Ballot Item #2: Intersection treatment at the intersections of Audrey Lane and Hatlen Avenue with Grindel Drive. Motion by Commissioner Pellicore, seconded by Representative Moe: Approve Staff's recommendation (Option 3) including mini -traffic circles and speed feedback signs at the intersections with Grindel Drive. Motion passed by a vote of 6-0. Ballot Item #3: All -way stop control at the intersection of Connie Lane and Audrey Lane. Motion by Representative Moe, seconded by Commissioner DeAragon: Approve Staff's recommendation to install all -way stop control and centerline pavement markings at the intersection of Connie Lane and Audrey Lane. Motion passed by a vote of 6-0. Ballot Item #4: Pavement marking on Meier Road between Connie Lane and Lincoln Street. Motion by Representative Moe, seconded by Commissioner Pellicore: Approve Staff's recommendation to add pavement markings to Meier Road north of Lincoln Street to match the pavement markings on Meier Road south of Lincoln Street. Motion passed by a vote of 6-0. Overall, the Commissions recommends the following: • No changes on Audrey Lane and Hatlen Avenue at the entrances to the neighborhood off Central Road • Install mini -traffic circles and speed feedback signs at the intersection of Audrey Lane and Gindel Drive and Hatlen Avenue and Grindel Drive • Install all -way stop control at the intersection of Audrey Lane and Connie Lane with centerline pavement markings on approach to the intersection • Install pavement markings on Meier Road north of Lincoln Street to match the pavement markings on Meier Road south of Lincoln Street TSC Meeting Page 6 of 7 September 8. 2025 COMMISSION ISSUES Liaison Foreman updated the Commission on golf cart regulations as requested by the Commission at the August meeting. The Village has no regulations regarding golf carts. According to state law (625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1), golf carts are considered a "non -highway vehicle". They are not allowed on any street in the state unless a municipality authorizes them. Since Mount Prospect has not authorized them, they are not allowed on any streets in the Village. Since they are not allowed in Mount Prospect, Staff does not recommend pursuing safety regulations at this time, should the Village Board desire to allow golf carts or other non - highway vehicles on Village Streets, then, at that time, safety regulations for golf carts can be evaluated, including seat belts. Chairman Kuehlthau announced that Commissioner Nejdl had resigned from the Commission. Ar)ini IRNMFNT With no further business to discuss, the Transportation Safety Commission voted 6-0 to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. upon the motion of Chairman Kuehlthau Nejdl. Commissioner Pellicore seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, w. Luke Foresman, P.E. 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