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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6. TSC Minutes 06/10/2013 (Draft)Director Sean P. Dorsey Mount Prospect Public Works Department 1700 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056 -2229 MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COMMISSION DRAFT CALL TO ORDER Deputy Director Jason H. Leib The regular meeting of the Mount Prospect Transportation Safety Commission was called to order at 7:02 p.m. on Monday, June 10, 2013. ROLL CALL Present upon roll call: John Keane Chuck Bencic Angel Campos Robert Fisher Justin Kuehlthau Carol Tortorello Bob Smith Randy Uidl Jeff Wulbecker Matt Lawrie Absent: None Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Police Department Representative Fire Department Representative Public Works Representative Traffic Engineer —Staff Liaison Others in Attendance: Jason Dubas-1401 Cottonwood Lane Apt. 10A APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Tortorello, seconded by Commissioner Fisher, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Transportation Safety Commission held on April 8, 2013. The minutes were approved by a vote of 6 -0 with Commissioner Bencic, Commissioner Kuehlthau and Battalion Chief Uidl abstaining. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Jason Dubas, 1401 Cottonwood Lane, Apt. 10A, received a ticket from the Police Department for parking on Cottonwood Lane. Mr. Dubas did not have the ticket on hand and could not confirm the details. It TSC Meeting Page 1 of 4 June 10, 2013 may have been for parking overnight on the street or parking too close to a STOP sign. Police Commander Smith said he would review the nature of the ticket and contact Mr. Dubas. Mr. Dubas asked if a No Parking 2AM -6AM sign could be placed in front of his apartment building. Traffic Engineer Lawrie explained the signs are reserved for key entrances to the neighborhood. He said he would consider installing one at Cottonwood Lane and Busse Road if one was not already there. Mr. Dubas thanked the Commission for their time. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to discuss. NEW BUSINESS A. THOMAS MORE TERRACE & EUCLID AVENUE ACCESS MODIFICATIONS 1) Background Information The Thomas More Subdivision was built in the early 1990's. There are 18 homes with only one access, Euclid Avenue. The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways has jurisdiction over Euclid Avenue and approved a raised median that only permits right turns in and right turns out of the subdivision. This configuration has been in place for 20 years. Knowing that Thomas More Terrace was scheduled for resurfacing in 2013, the Engineering Division contacted Cook County to see if they would be open to allowing the Village to modify the raised median to enhance access for those living in the subdivision. This was not done at the request of a resident or homeowner's association but at the Engineering Division's initiative. Upon receiving confirmation Cook County would allow left turns out of the subdivision, the Engineering Division developed construction plans and submitted them for formal review. With sufficient gaps in traffic along Euclid Avenue, Cook County determined it would be safe to allow left turns from Thomas More Terrace. They would not, however, permit left turns into the subdivision from Euclid Avenue as it would be in direct conflict with vehicles turning left onto Wimbolton Drive from the opposite direction. In May construction plans were approved by Cook County. The Village intends to incorporate the work into the street resurfacing program. However, work will not take place without the approval of the Transportation Safety Commission and Village Board of Trustees. Current Traffic Regulations 1. Parking is allowed on both sides of Thomas More Terrace during the day. 2. Parking is prohibited along both sides of Euclid Avenue at all times. 3. Parking is prohibited between 2:OOAM and 6:OOAM on all Village streets. Current Layout 1. Thomas More Terrace is 31' wide (back -of -curb to back -of- curb). 2. Euclid Avenue is approximately 60' wide with two lanes in each direction plus a center left turn lane for eastbound Euclid Avenue onto northbound Wimbolton Drive. 3. A raised concrete median restricts lefts turn into and out of Thomas More Terrace. A Right Turn Only sign is in place for northbound traffic exiting the subdivision. A No Left Turn sign for westbound traffic entering the subdivision is missing. It should be noted the prohibition of these two turning movements are not cited in the Village Code. TSC Meeting Page 2 of 4 June 10, 2013 4. On Euclid Avenue, an exclusive left turn lane exists (serving Wimbolton Drive to the north) in front of Thomas More Terrace. 2) Analysis When the subdivision was built, the turning movements that were to be prohibited into and out of Thomas More Terrace were not added to the Village Code. During this latest analysis it was noted the ordinances were missing. With the recommended physical change to the raised median, an ordinance will need to be enacted that formally prohibits left turns from westbound Euclid Avenue onto southbound Thomas More Terrace. 3) Resident Survey As part of this report, 18 letters were sent to properties along Thomas More Terrace notifying them of the recommended change. 5 letters (28 %) were returned with comments. Three properties expressed a desire to allow left turns into the subdivision. Two properties expressed appreciation to be able to turn left out of the subdivision. 4) Recommendations The Engineering Division views this project as an opportunity to enhance access for 18 homes in the Village. Allowing left turns onto Euclid Avenue from Thomas More Terrace will make it easier for motorists to reach destinations to the west. It will also eliminate any U -turns made by motorists turning right onto Euclid Avenue and then turning around in the middle of the street to head west. An ordinance, however, is needed to prohibit left turns into the subdivision from Euclid Avenue. It is recommended that the raised median island be modified to allow left turns out of the subdivision and an ordinance be enacted to prohibit left turns from westbound Euclid Avenue onto southbound Thomas More Terrace. 5) Discussion Chairman Keane introduced the item and asked Traffic Engineer Lawrie to present the Engineering Division's report and recommendations. Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided the Commission with background, analysis and recommendations. He also shared feedback he received from the resident survey. There was no one in the audience to speak on the issue. Chairman Keane questioned whether the raised median could be removed altogether and a shared left turn lane be installed on Euclid Avenue. Traffic Engineer Lawrie and Village Engineer Wulbecker explained the Village initially made this request to Cook County but it was decided by them that left turns into the subdivision must be prohibited. Left turning vehicles into the subdivision would be in conflict with vehicles turning onto Wimbolton Drive in the opposite direction. Chairman Keane asked if it could be a painted median. Village Engineer Wulbecker responded Cook County required concrete curb for the median. Commissioner Bencic expressed concern that vehicles would illegally turn into the outbound side of the raised median. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said the existing Do Not Enter sign would remain but it would be reviewed to make sure the sign is properly located. TSC Meeting Page 3 of 4 June 10, 2013 There was some discussion whether the project should proceed given a low percentage of residents responded to the survey. Commander Smith told the Commission he thought modifying the raised median would improve access for the residents. Cook County would eventually replace the missing No Left Turn sign reinforcing the right -in /right -out requirement as originally designed. Commissioner Tortorello questioned if there is an accident history at the intersection. Commander Smith said he is not aware of any recent accidents at this location. Commissioner Tortorello said her first choice is to remove the raised median and make the intersection full access but understands the County's concern. Other Commission members also expressed their desire to allow full access but acknowledged it was not the Village's decision. Commissioner Kuehlthau made a motion to concur with the recommendations as presented by Traffic Engineer Lawrie: modify the raised median island to allow left turns out of the subdivision and enact an ordinance to prohibit left turns from westbound Euclid Avenue onto southbound Thomas More Terrace. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Campos. Commissioner Bencic asked that the Engineering Division review the location of the Do Not Enter sign to make sure it is properly located with the redesign of the raised median. The motion was approved by a vote of 9 -0. COMMISSION ISSUES Traffic Engineer Lawrie asked if the Commission was available to meet next month to discuss traffic concerns around Indian Grove Elementary School. The principal recently raised some issues and has requested on- street parking modifications prior to the start of the next school year. Everyone said they were available to meet. Traffic Engineer Lawrie shared that the Engineering Division was working with the Cook County Highway Department and Illinois Department of Transportation on projects that would improve pedestrian safety at a couple of intersections. Details of these projects would be shared at a future meeting. Chairman Keane asked if any traffic - related ordinances associated to the Kensington Road Reconstruction Project would be brought before the Commission. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said there were none at this time. There was some discussion on the current state of construction. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Transportation Safety Commission voted 9 -0 to adjourn at 7:46 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Fisher. Commissioner Bencic seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, Matthew P. Lawrie, P.E. Traffic Engineer h:\ engineering\ traffic\ safety_ commission \recs &mins \TSC- junel3min.docx TSC Meeting Page 4 of 4 June 10, 2013