Streets & Roads Commission

Streets and Roads Commission Meeting Minutes November 5, 2019 I. Commission members in attendance: Cindy Dunigan, Lynne Galletti, Susan Harbison, Mary Hushour, Luci Riegel, Jennifer Smith, Councilwoman Washabaugh II. Call to Order and Pledge - The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. III. Approval of Commission Meeting Minutes – Luci Riegel motioned, Susan Harbison seconded, unanimously approved. IV. Council Liaison Report – Councilwoman Washabaugh introduced new member to the Streets and Roads Mary Hushour. She reported on the Improvements to Center Street and the 4 different options for Phase I. Council agreed to move ahead with Option 3 with the Town Engineer looking into a consultant recommendation. V. Community Concerns/Citizen Comments There were no citizen comments. VI. Old Business a. Back Acre Circle Parking Issue – Jennifer Smith asked for status update on reason this is still on agenda. Lynne Galletti read from prior minutes stating the only remaining issue is possibility of day light saving time and enforcement issues. Chief Reitz has completed visual observations, he did not observe issues with illegal U turns, no traffic issues or violations, only a handful of cars in front of the business during the evening. Councilwoman Washabaugh asked the Chief to confirm that there were no issues with illegal U turns, no cars driving around parked cars, the traffic was moving consistent with the roadway design – the Chief confirmed his observations. Susan Harbison stated that there are still problems with U turns and parking and that the residents have been told to call the Mount Airy Police Department when these violations are seen. Susan then questioned the Police Chief as to why the town does not have 24 hour coverage and what do the citizens do when they can’t depend on the police department for enforcement, she also questioned the police departments limited budget and resources. She then asked the Mayor about other lots in Back Acre Circle that have been told they cannot park on the road. Councilwoman Washabaugh called a Point of Order as the discussion was not related to the current parking issue. Mayor Rockinberg asked for Susan Harbison to stop her aggressive discussion about a topic unrelated to Back Acre Circle Parking such as the police department coverage times. Mayor Rockinberg told Susan Harbison that it was irresponsible of her to 1 discuss the coverage by the police department and that it was a safety issue and inappropriate as a Commission Member for her to be attacking the Police Chief. Susan Harbison stated that she wanted to speak during citizen comments but that she was told not to. Jennifer Smith clarified that as a member of the Streets and Roads Commission she cannot act as a citizen but as a Commission member. Councilwoman Washabaugh again stated that the topic of discussion was currently the Back Acre Circle Parking issue. Susan Harbison then asked Councilwoman Washabaugh if she had read the Facebook posts in her neighborhood (Twin Arch Crossing). Councilwoman Washabaugh stated that she had spent 6 hours responding to facebook posts. She summarized everything that was and has been done for the last year regarding the Back Acre Circle Parking Issue. Mayor Rockinberg asked the Chief to do a visual study and make a recommendation and do a Public Safety Report. The Mayor asked if any commission members would volunteer to do another visual study during peak time. Luci Reigel volunteered to do Tuesday, Cindy Dunigan volunteered to do Wednesday. Councilwoman Washabaugh asked dance studio owner, Loren Belsky for her input regarding any steps they have taken. She reported that they have staggered their class times, the building owner did create a drop off spot which seems to be making the traffic flow issue better, there is a sign up notifying their patrons about proper procedures for dropping their children off and the studio sends monthly communication reminders and a newsletter. Mayor Rockinberg asked Jennifer Smith if static cars were parked in front of the building if that would alleviate any issues, as parking is currently allowed on that portion of Back Acre Circle, most of the complaints have to do with car doors opening and safety issues. Jennifer Smith stated that this would not be a solution to the problems and that it would be a temporary band aid on the problem – to alleviate the problem, you prohibit parking on the street. Councilwoman Washabaugh asked the dance studio owner if prohibiting street parking would have any affect on their business – she said no they have plenty of parking in the lot behind the building. However, she later changed her position and asked if she could review the issue again to make certain there would be no impact on the business. Chief Reitz said it would have to be no parking, no stopping, no standing but that it would become an enforcement issue. Mayor Rockinberg said a recommendation can be made to block off the front of the building. There was further discussion about safety issues that could arise from prohibiting parking. Councilwoman Washabaugh suggested that the Commission hold off making any recommendations until the January meeting when data from the visual studies were presented, the Public Safety Report from the Chief was presented and the dance studio could assess the business impact. Mary Hushour asked if it was possible to make a cut out in the shoulder to move the parking in front of the building in and off the road. Jennifer Smith said that a sidewalk and curb still need to be put in and due to the hill and grading it may not be possible. Mayor Rockinberg said that the 2  building owner owns the sidewalk and land and any options to move the road in would be cost prohibitive. Mayor Rockinberg asked the Commission to evaluate the data received in January and consider making a recommendation to prohibit parking and block off the area. Jennifer Smith made a motion to evaluate and come back in January with recommendations once all the data has been received, motion seconded by Lynne Galletti, unanimously approved. It was agreed to hold this item on the agenda. b. Speed and Traffic Studies –Lynne Galletti picked up 4 more recent traffic studies. They will be added to the spreadsheet of the Speed and Traffic Studies done and sent to each commission member. It was recommended that this commission look at the high-volume areas and recommend to Chief Reitz that law enforcement look at these areas during the high volume, high speed times. Once this is done the commission would like to repeat the Speed and Traffic Studies to see if the enforcement helped the issues. Held on agenda c. Requests for Temporary or Permanent on-street parking – The form was given to Jennifer Smith to evaluate – held on agenda until next meeting. d. Industrial Traffic – Back Acre circle – Update from staff – the signage is completed, agreed to remove from agenda. e. Crosswalk Locksley and Kings Forest – Councilwoman Washabaugh provided the staff update, she spoke to Barney Quinn who drove over to look at the intersections, Barney Quinn spoke to residents at the bus stop, one bus stops at the crosswalk at Kings Bridge and one stops at Kings Forest. There was discussion on the locations of the bus stops – one of the stops is not at a crosswalk or stop sign. It was decided that both bus stops should be at crosswalks and stop signs for safety reasons, Mayor Rockinberg will reach out to Carroll County Public Schools to see if the bus stop can be moved to the last intersection where the crosswalk and 3- way stop is. Hold for staff update. f. Route 27 speed limit – Chief Reitz attended the Carroll County Safety meeting where the State Highway Administration (SHA) reported on projects, including Route 27 – SHA is currently conducting speed studies that will be completed the end of November. Once they are received by the Chief, he will forward them to Streets and Roads. g. Phase I improvements – Councilwoman Washabaugh gave the status update in the Liaison Report in Section III above. It was agreed to remove this item from our agenda. h. South Main Street – Councilwoman Washabaugh reported that 2 new, larger I-70 signs have been installed at the entrance to South Main Street, however the 2nd weekend in October when there was a local festival, the signs did not help, however, they seem to help on a regular day to day basis. Councilwoman Washabaugh also spoke to Barney Quinn about further measures that could be taken to rectify this traffic issue – Barney Quinn felt that bigger curbs on South Main Street to make traffic go left or 3  an eventual roundabout. There are currently issue with the rezoning of the property and until this is addressed it was recommended that this commission hold off making any recommendations for changes. Mayor Rockinberg suggested additional striping to get traffic to move properly – he will discuss with town staff. i. Growth Task Force Survey – Jennifer Smith read the question that was submitted from Councilwoman Washabaugh – would the residents be in favor of extending Center Street from Main Street to Route 27 if so, would they also be in favor of a possible tax increase to help pay for it. Mayor Rockinberg stated that he was not sure a tax increase would be needed but the question could be worded – would they be in favor of town tax dollars being used to pay for the extension. j. Fairwood and Main Street – With regard to the resident complaint at the September Streets and Roads meetings – Councilwoman Washabaugh reported that Barney Quinn visited the intersection several times and determined that there is enough site distance to make the turn, based on site studies the mailbox is ok and the site distance is ok. The town has asked Frederick County if the bus stop could be moved as this appears to be impacting the site distance during the morning rush hour. The Town is waiting for a response from Frederick County. Hold for staff update. VII. New Business a. Citizen Requests Through the Town Web Site – Councilwoman Washabaugh went through the spreadsheet detailing complaints received since our last meeting. One received on 9/5 – stop sign at Greg’s driving school – staff reported that this is private property and the owner has been notified of the issue, he responded that changes will be made to his site plan and submitted to the town for approval – which will include a request for a stop sign. The 2nd request dates 10/18 with regard to a pot hole on windy knoll drive – hold for staff update. b. Site Distance Issues Century Drive –Susan Harbison had pictures of a new “For Lease” sign at the corner of Twin Arch Road and Century Drive. There was discussion of the ability to see down Twin Arch Road when exiting Century Drive. Mayor Rockinberg will contact John Breeding, Town Planner regarding the zoning and the site plan at this location. Agreed to remove from agenda. c. Rising Ridge/144 blinking light – Lynne Galletti was contacted by a resident, Mr. Becraft regarding the blinking light at 144 and Rising Ridge which frequently blinks instead of operating properly causing many traffic issues. Councilwoman Washabaugh reported that during storms there is an issue with this light as there is a bad controller, the Town has contacted the SHA and the Town was given a key to reset this light when this happens until SHA can get the part replaced. Anyone who sees this intersection blinking is asked to call Town Hall so that it can be reset. d. Stop Signs on Park Ridge – Stop signs were put up on Park Ridge Road at the CSX crossing by CSH. The town is working with CSX to work out a 4  solution – currently a stop is only required if there is a train going on the access road. e. Accidents at 27 and South Main Street – As there are continued issues with this intersection, the Town is in contact with SHA. Councilwoman Washabaugh will work with the new Town Administrator to see what steps, if any, the Town can take. Jennifer Smith suggested to Councilwoman Washabaugh that the town request an Accident Study from the SHA. Chief Reitz has spoken to and is working with the SHA. It was agreed to remove this from our agenda as this is a Town Staff issue. f. Resident Teresa Crompton gave a presentation on the “No Left Turn” sign coming out of Starbucks onto Ridgeside Drive (One way). It was noted that the “No Left Turn” sign was placed at a location where it cannot clearly be seen by drivers exiting the parking lot until they have already made the left turn into oncoming traffic. Jennifer Smith recommended that the town consider a “Do Not Enter” sign. Mayor Rockinberg will ask staff to do a site evaluation and consider moving the sign and installing a “Do Not Enter” sign. Ms Crompton also asked for the Town to look at the one way drive next to Sandy Spring Bank as cars turn into the one way road into oncoming. The Mayor will ask staff to look at that parking lot road signage also. VIII. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm. Respectfully Submitted by, Lynne P. Galletti 5