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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/14/2010 SC minutes Mount Prospect Director Deputy Director Glen R. Andler Sean P. Dorsey Mount Prospect Public Works Department 1700 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056 -2229 MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT SAFETY COMMISSION CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Mount Prospect Safety Commission was called to order at 7:02 p.m. on Monday, June 14, 2010. ROLL CALL Present upon roll call: Chuck Bencic Commissioner Angel Campos Commissioner Robert Fisher Commissioner Fred Pampel Commissioner Carol Tortorello Commissioner Mike Eterno Police Department Representative Buz Livingston Fire Department Representative Jeff Wulbecker Public Works Representative Matt Lawrie Traffic Engineer — Staff Liaison Absent: John Keane Chairman Others in Attendance: None. Commissioner Bencic served as Chairman in John Keane's absence. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Pampel, seconded by Village Engineer Wulbecker, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Safety Commission held on February 8, 2010. The minutes were approved by a vote of 6 -0 with Commissioner Bencic and Battalion Chief Livingston abstaining. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD There was no one in attendance that spoke on an issue not on the agenda. Safety Commission Meeting Page 1 of 3 June 14, 2010 OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to discuss. NEW BUSINESS A. HELENA AVENUE PARKING STUDY 1) Background Information Current Traffic Regulations According to the Village Code: 1. Parking is prohibited at all times along both sides of Helena Avenue between Haven Street and Lincoln Street according to the Village Code. There is also an overlapping ordinance that prohibits parking at all times along both sides of Helena Avenue for the first 360' south of Lincoln Street. However, there are currently only two signs posted on the west side of the street. 2. Parking is prohibited 2:OOam — 6:OOam on all Village streets including the 400 block of Helena Avenue. 3. Parking is prohibited along the west side of Douglas Avenue between Lincoln Street and White Oak Street because of its narrow width. 4. None of the other local streets in the neighborhood have daytime parking restrictions. Current Layout 1. Helena Avenue is 31' wide (back -of -curb to back -of- curb), a standard width street. 2. Other local streets in the neighborhood vary between 24' and 31' wide with some having curb and gutter and others without. 3. Lincoln Street, an east -west collector street, is approximately 40' wide (back -of -curb to back -of- curb). Current Traffic Conditions 1. During a typical day, the 400 block of Helena Avenue experiences a level of on- street parking similar to other neighborhood streets. The few parked vehicles observed during the day appear to be associated with those properties along the block. 2. None of the other local streets in the neighborhood appear to have a parking issue. Issues 1. The parking prohibition along the 400 block of Helena Avenue appears to have been enacted approximately 30 years. At the time, a portion of the street was much narrower making travel difficult with vehicles parked on both sides of the street. 2. Approximately 10 years ago, the Village widened the street so that the entire block is now a standard 31' wide neighborhood street. During construction, parking prohibition signs on the east side of the street were removed and not replaced. Two signs on the west side of the street were left and are currently in place today. A parking ordinance review did not take place during the road widening project. 3. Recently, the Village received an inquiry from a resident on Helena Avenue about removing the signs. 4. Removing the signs would allow residents the benefit of on- street parking. Services such as emergency vehicle access, garbage pick -up, street sweeping and mail delivery should not be impacted with allowing on- street parking. 5. A notification letter was sent to the 16 properties along the block soliciting their comments on this issue. The Village received night completed surveys. Eight properties supported allowing on- street parking and one property desired that the parking prohibition remain. Safety Commission Meeting Page 2 of 3 June 14, 2010 2) Recommendation Many years ago the parking prohibition along the 400 block of Helena Avenue addressed a specific problem. Today, however, the circumstances that led to the ordinances are different and the parking prohibition does not appear to be relevant. Further, a majority of residents along the block who returned a survey favor removing the signs. Recommendation: Repeal the ordinances that prohibit parking at all times along the east and west sides of Helena Avenue between Haven Street and Lincoln Street. 3) Discussion Traffic Engineer Lawrie summarized the parking study performed by the Engineering Division along Helena Avenue. He also mentioned that a majority of those residents who responded to the survey supported removing the signs. Sergeant Eterno said that even with the lack of signs parking has not been an issue on the street and that no citations have been written in the past. Battalion Chief Livingston had no objection to allowing parking on the street as emergency vehicle access should not be impeded. Commissioner Pampel made a motion to repeal the ordinances that prohibit parking at all times along the east and west sides of Helena Avenue between Haven Street and Lincoln Street. It was seconded by Commission Tortorello. The motion was approved by a vote of 8 -0. COMMISSION ISSUES Commissioner Tortorello shared a concern with vehicles making illegal turns where Prospect Avenue, Hi -Lusi Avenue & Central Road intersect. Sergeant Eterno said the Police Department would monitor it. Commissioner Tortorello also questioned whether stop signs on private property are enforceable. Sergeant Eterno responded that the Police Department will only issue tickets for stop sign violations on private property if the owner has a written agreement with the Village. Commissioner Campos raised a concern about a possible sight obstruction at the intersection of Lincoln Street and We -go Trail. He also mentioned that construction vehicles are parking on both sides of Hatlen Avenue near Michael Street making it difficult for vehicles to pass by. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he would look into these issues. Commissioner Campos also was concerned about parked vehicles blocking the sidewalk along Hatlen Avenue near Lincoln Street. Sergeant Eterno said he would monitor this situation. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Safety Commission voted 8 -0 to adjourn at 7:25 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Pampel. Commissioner Campos seconded the motion. h: \engineering \traffic\ safety_ commission \recs &mins \june l Omin.doc Safety Commission Meeting Page 3 of 3 June 14, 2010