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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/12/2001 SC minutes Glen R. Andler Roder[ck T. 0'Donovan Depu~ Director Streets/Buildings SupeHn~.endent, Jeffcey A. Wulbecker Sandra M, Clark Mount; Prospect; Public Works Depar~;ment 1700 W. Phone 847/~7C)-5S4(3 Fax 847/253-93777 TD~) 84'7/392-1235 ~[NUTES OF ~i_~ ~OUNT ?ROSPECT SAFETY COMMISSION DRAFT CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Mount Prospect Safety Commission was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 12, 2001. ROLL CALL Present upon roll call: Lee Beening Chairman Chuck Bencic Commissioner John Keane Commissioner Andy Mitchell Commissioner Nancy Bobikewicz Commissioner Ted Adamczyk Police Department Buz Livingston Fire Department Paul Bures Public Works Matt La~wie Public Works/Engineering Division Absent: Joan Bjork Commissioner Others in Attendance: See Attached Attendance Sheet. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Mitchell, seconded by Commissioner Keane, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Safety Commission held on February 12, 2001. The minutes were approved by a vote of 8-0. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD No citizens came forth at this time to discuss any topics that were not on the current agenda. 1 Recycled Paper - Printed with Soy Ink NEW BUSINESS A) CONSIDERATION OF PERMANENT CURB EXTENSIONS AROUND LIONS PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1) Background Information At the July 2000 Safety Commission Meeting, the Safety Commissioi~ directed Village Staff to perform a traffic study along Council Trail in the vicinity of Lions Park Elementary School. Providing pedestrian safety improvements around the school was to be the focus of the study. At the August 2000 Safety Commission meeting, the Safety Commission agreed to install temporary curb extensions around Lions Park Elementary School. The two locations included Council Trail at its intersections with School Street and Elm Street. Before considering permanent measures, the Safety Commission requested Staff to restudy the area and solicit the opinions of residents in the area, parents and teachers. The school district, after a few meetings, supported the temporary curb extgnsions and the review process. The Village installed temporary traffic calming measures, in the form of curb extensions, at two locations around Lions Park Elementary School in December 2000. The Safety Commission directed Staffto study the effect of the curb extensions and solicit the opinions of those who live in the area to determine if permanent curb extensions should be installed later this summer. 2) Conclusions of Study Pedestrian SafeW a) The curb extensions have reduced the walking time and distance to cross Council Trail and School Street. This is a benefit to pedestrian safety. b) Many parents said the curb extensions have made it safer for children to cross the street. Others said they are difficult to see in the snow and are dangerous. Still others said they made no difference. c) Motorists may be given the illusion a pedestrian is standing in the middle of the street. This can be considered a negative to pedestrian safety. Curb Extension Design a) Should permanent measures be installed, additional curb extensions at the intersection of Council Trail & School Street should be considered to improve traffic flow and reduce the potential for conflicts between oncoming vehicles or even pedestrians. b) The design of permanent curb extensions needs to take into account snow accumulation at the edge of the street and assure two-way traffic can be maintained. Motorist Speed a) The curb extensions did not have a significant effect on reducing motorists' speed along Council Trail. Overall, motorists' speed reduced only 1-2mph on average. 2 Other Traffic-Related Issues a) In order to reduce traffic congestion along Council Trail during the drop~off and pick-up' times, the street ought to be widened approximately 4' to provide a dedicated parking lane. Children could then be dropped-off and pickedmp without affecting thru traffic. b) Vehicles parking for long term should not use the west side of School Street as this area is necessary for drop-off and pick-up. Also, the school should consider restricting vehicles from using the parking lot off of Council Trail for drop-off and pick-up. Either prohibiting it altogether or have someone monitor the entrance to avoid having a back-up on Council Trail are a couple of suggestions. Other Views a) A vast majority of the residents oppose the installation of permanent curb extensions. While some of their reasoning is simply misconceptions, it is important to consider their views a factor when deciding on this issue. A majority of their concerns such as the road being too narrow, congestion along Council Trail and poor aesthetics could be addressed during a final design phase. These issues are not related to the primary objective of the curb extensions, that being pedestrian safety. However, an effort should be made to address their concerns and get their support before installation of permanent curb extensions. b) Both the Fire Department and Public Works have not encountered any negative issues with the temporary curb extensions. Cost Analysis a) The total cost of installing permanent curb extensions and road improvements to relieve some of the traffic congestion has been estimated to be approximately $60,000. Is there a benefit that can justify the cost? The school supports the project while the residents oppose it at this time. The Safety Commission needs to weigh ail the above factors when making a decision. 3) Recommendation The Village Traffic Engineer sees a benefit to the curb extensions in terms of pedestrian safety. However, the current layout has shown that some modifications should be made if permanent curb extensions are to be installed. Also, I would recommend that all proposed curb extensions be considered as part of the project for the benefit of pedestrian safety and improved traffic flow. During the design phase, Staff should also look at reducing traffic congestion. This may include widening Council Trail and looking for ways to promote School Street for drop-off and pick-up. If the Safety Commission believes the benefits outweigh the negatives and the cost is justified, I would recommend to the Village Board moving forward on creating construction drawings. Before construction, however, I would recommend keeping the school and residents involved in the process and allow for their feedback during the design phase. The temporary curb extensions should be left in place until the time of constructign. 3 I believe the primary reason for not supporting a project would be the current lack of overwhelming support from the school and residents. Unless more support can be generated and those who are opposed change their opinion by addressing their concerns, I would not recommend installing permanent curb extensions. If the Safety Commission does not believe the benefits outweigh the negatives and the cost cannot be justified, I would recommend to the Village Board removing the temporary curb extensions and not pursue any further traffic calming measures for the area. 4) Discussion Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided a presentation of the study that was performed as part of this issue. He touched on the history, observations and written comments associated with Staff's study of this issue. Commissioner Beening asked for comments from the audience. Three parents of children who attend Lions Park Elementary School all shared about the traffic problems around the school during the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times. Ail felt the curb extensions did not provide a significant benefit and only added to the traffic congestion. Nancy Koschman, a representative of the school, sees benefits to the curb extensions from a pedestrian safety standpoint. She was not in favor of widening Council Trail as this would encourage parents to double-park. She, too, recognized the traffic congestion along Council Trail which is not the result of the curb extensions. Commissioner Beening asked for comments/questions from the Commission. Captain Li¥ingston stated that the curb extensions do not affect their operations. Traffic congestion, which would prevent the emergency vehicles from travelling along the street, would be their biggest obstacle. He commented that the benefit does not seem to outweigh the cost associated with the work. Officer Adamczyk said that based on the input from the school and residents he xvould not be in favor of installing permanent curb extensions. He thought the curb extensions have added to the traffic congestion in the area. Commissioner Keane commented that there doesn't seem to be a strong opinion either way. He expressed a concern with the limited benefit and that permanent curb extensions does not seem to be cost effective. Commissioner Bobikewicz stated there doesn't seem to be significant increase to pedestrian safety which was the primary objective of this project. Commissioner Mitchell believed there hasn't been adequate time to properly evaluate the curb extensions. He would like m see centerline striping added down Council Trail in front of the school to distinguish east and west travel lanes. He wondered if the curb extensions should be left in place until the end of the school year and reevaluated. 4 Commissioner Bencic was not in favor of additional curb extensions at the northeast and southwest comers of Council Trail and School Street. He thought striping the northeast comer would be a better solution. He believed the Curb extension by Elm Street was not effective. Also, he was not if favor of widening Council Trail. Overall, Commissioner Bencic thought the benefit to pedestrian safety does not outweigh the cost associated with the work. Commissioner Beening requested to the school that teachers not park on School Street but rather in the parking lot. Also, he thought that adults should help out as crossing guards at Council Trail and School Street. He would be inclined to l~ave in-place the curb extensions until they could be reevaluated at the end of the school year. He was concerned that motorists have gotten use to the curb extensions and would not want to make a change during the school year. Mr. Bures commented that having the curb extensions in the winter was positive in that it showed some necessary modifications should permanent measures be installed. He would like to see the effect of the curb extensions in the spring before making a final decision even though he doesn't think there has been a significant benefit. Commissioner Beening asked if there was consensus from the Safety Commission. Commissioner Keane, seconded by Commissioner Mitchell, moved to leave in place the temporary curb extensions, add centerline striping along Council Trail in front of the school and bring this issue back to the Safety Commission in the future. Traffic Engineer Lawrie interjected before a vote was taken. He reminded the Safety Commission that the primary objective was pedestrian safety. He wondered what additional data was going to be able to be gathered to measure pedestrian safety that already was not known. If the issue was traffic congestion, he believed it could be addressed separate from the curb extension issue or in conjunction with a permanent curb extension project. Commissioner Keane said the input from the school and residents was mixed. He hoped that over the next few months more of a consensus would be reached. Commissioner Beening commented that with warmer weather approaching, more children would be walking to school and this could provide more information. Commissioner Beening amended the motion by wanting the school and residents to be surveyed to get their input again and to discuss this issue at the June meeting for final consideration. The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0. 5 B) REQUEST FOR PARKING RESTRICTIONS AROUND FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1) Background Information During the morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off there is traffic congestion around the school. especially along Fairview Avenue according to Kerry Swabvell, principal of Fmrview Elementary School. Vehicles park on both sides of the street in the vicinity of the school ~vhich prevents two-way traffic. This causes gridlock and makes it difficult for buses to travel safely down the street and access the bus turn-around. The school is also concerned for the safety of the children and parents. 2) Conclusions of Study a) Fairview Avenue - A definite traff~c problem was observed between Gregory Street and Isabella Street. Restricting parking on the east side of the street will allow two-way traffic, improve bus access to the mm-around and ~mprove pedestrian safety by preventing children from crossing the street at a non-crosswalk area. The traffic problem was only observed 100' north and south from this block. While restricting parking is necessary near the school, it is probably not required for the entire two blocks north and south of the school. In determining the distance north of Gregory Street and south of Isabella Street to restrict parking, three factors should be taken into account: 1 - maintain two-way traffic for acceptable u:affic flow, 2 - the restrictions should not be close enough to the school to encourage vehicles to park on both sides of the street beyond the parking restrictions and 3 - the restrictions should not be too far from the school to be an over-inconvenience to the residents. b) Gregory Street - Traffic congestion was observed between Forest Avenue and Fairvie~v Avenue. East of Falrvie~v Avenue, the street was not as congested. However. because many vehicles leaving the long term parking lot use Gregory Street as well as buses, it would appropriate to restrict parking to maintain two-way traffic. c) Isabella Street - Parking restrictions are already in place west of Fairview Avenue. Based on observations and resident input, it would be appropriate to modify the current restrictions and add restrictions east of Fairview Avenue. By moving some of the on- street, all day parked vehicles and allowing drop-off and pick-up on the north side of the street, this may relieve some of the congestion on Fairview Avenue. d) Forest Avenue - Based on observations and resident input, the entire block may not have to have parking restrictions. The parking restrictions, however, should extend far enough south of the school to not encourage parents from parking beyond the parking restrictions but not too far to over-inconvenience residents. e) The school has also requested "No Parking Any Time" s~gns near the intersections around the school to ~mprove the visibility of children when crossing the street. The Village Code currently prohibits parking within 30' upon the approach of a Stop sign. The opposite side of the street prohibits parking within 20' of a crosswalk at an intersection. Appropriate signs will be installed. Safety Commission action is not required. 6 3) Recommendation In order to maintain two-way traffic, reduce traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety in the vicinity of Fairview Elementary School: The Village Traffic Engineer recommends: a) Repealing the current "No Stopping, Standing, Parking" ordinance between the hours of 8:30am to 4:00pm along the south side of Isabella Street between Oak Street and Fairview Avenue and the north side of Isabella Street between the two parking lot driveways. b) Approving "No Stopping, Standing, Parking School Days 8:00am-4:00pm" signs along the: · east side of Fairview Avenue from a point 300' north of Gregory Street to 300' south of Isabella Street · north side of Gregory Street between Forest Avenue to Prospect Manor Avenue · south side of Isabella Street between Oak Street and Prospect Manor Avenue · west side of Forest Avenue from Isabella Street to a point 300' south of Isabella Street. c) Approving "Drop-Off / Pick-Up Zone, No Parking School Days 8:00am-4:00pm" signs along the north side of Isabella Street between Oak Street and Fairview Avenue. 4) Discussion Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided a presentation of the study that was performed as part of this issue. He touched on the school's observations, Staff's observations, written commems and recommendations associated with Staff's study of this issue. Commissioner Beening asked for comments from the audience. Shannon Chez, 3t3 N. Fairview Avenue, lives directly across from the bus mm-around. She supported the parking restrictions along Fairview Avenue. Often times, cars are parked in her driveway and on her grass. She also expressed concern for the safety of her children because of the traffic congestion. Kerry Swalwell, principal of Fairview Elementary School, supported the parking restrictions around the school. There have been accidents involving buses because of the traffic congestion. She is also concerned for the safety of the children. Commissioner Beening questioned whether it was appropriate to have a drop-off / pick-ul: area along the north side of Isabella Street between the east parking lot driveway to the school and Fairview Avenue. Since it's such a short area, he thought it would lead to traffic congestion and create a potential safety problem if more than one vehicle parked there. Captain Livingston supported the parking restrictions because of the potential safety hazard. Officer Adamczyk supported the parking restrictions and recommended posting the north side of Isabella Street between the east parking lot driveway and Fairview Avenue "No Parking Any Time". Mr. Bures too supported prohibiting parking at the one location along Isabella Street to improve visibility of children crossing at the intersection. Commissioner Keane questioned why the west side of Forest Avenue was chosen to restrict parking rather than the east side. Traffic Engineer Lawrie stated that only the east side of the street had sidewalk. Staff wants drop-off and pick-up to be on the east side so children would not have to cross the street. Commissioner Bencic was concerned that many residents would be upset with the parking restrictions. Commissioner Beening pointed out that a majority of the residents supported the parking restrictions according m the survey. Commissioner Keane, seconded by Commissioner Bencic, moved to follow the recommendation of the Village Traffic Engineer except to prohibit parking on the north side of Isabella Street between the east parking lot driveway to the school and Fairview Avenue at all times. The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0. COMMISSION ISSUES Commissioner Mitchell raised a concern with the Village's policy on specifying breaka~vay couplings on street light projects. He believes they should not be used. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded that other communities still use them and the Village Attorney has stated they are acceptable to use. One of the street lights projects about to begin does specify the use of breakaway couplings. Staff, however, will reevaluate this issue to determine if the Village should continue m use them on future projects. No additional issues were brought forth by the Safety Comm~sston. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Safety Commission voted 8-0 to adjourn at 9:25 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Bencic. Commissioner Keane seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, Traffic Engineer x:\files\engincerXsafecomm\tcaffickrecs&min\march01 rain-doc 8