Streets & Roads Commission

Streets and Roads Commission Meeting Minutes January 29, 2019 Commission members in attendance: Bart David, Mary Hushour, Luci Riegel, Jennifer Smith, Councilwoman Washabaugh I. Call to Order and Pledge - The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. II. Approval of Commission Meeting Minutes – Mary Hushour motioned, Luci Riegel, unanimously approved. III. Council Liaison Report – Councilmember Washabaugh stated that there would be a brief presentation by Town engineer Barney Quinn on the proposed changes to Center Street and Park Avenue. She stated that this presentation would also be made at the February council meeting and if approved would go forward for a request for information (RFI). IV. Mayor/Staff Report - Mayor Rockinberg commented about the traffic/parking issue on Back Acre Circle and the Dance Studio. Mayor Rockinberg thanked all the citizens for being patient. He stated at this time the no parking signs would stay but that the situation is going to be watched closely. He stated that we tried other solutions and he wants to see how the no parking signs work out. He stated that Back Acre road is wide due to the industrial traffic and heavy equipment that frequent that road. He went on the state that he shut down parking on Back Acre road out of a safety concern. Again, he stated that the situation will be monitored and that he was going to follow up with the dance studio to do a walk through the studio to get an idea of the layout. V. Community Concerns/Citizen Comments Loren Belsky, owner of Center Stage Performing Arts Academy dance studio, stated that the studio has parking on both side and around back. However, when she moved into the studio, she was told that she had parking in the front of the business as well. She cited code stating that the streets are wide enough, however she understands that with parking on both sides of the street it would be tight. She went on to state that she has worked with her clients about not making “U” turns in the residential neighborhood. That 70% of her clients are Mt Airy residents and that in her opinion, it seems that complaints on facebook are taken into account more. She stated that MAPD patrolled the area for a month and found that with parking only allowed on one side of the street that no changes needed to be made. Then 1 ½ weeks later no parking at all. She asked for reconsideration of this finding. Scott Sirchio – Twin Arch Townhomes - Mr. Sirchio stated that he liked the businesses in the Back Acre area. He stated that how the road is currently striped is not safe. If the line was moved over that would be okay with parking on the side. He stated that maybe relining would be a happy medium. 1  Mayor Rockinberg followed up: We have looked at restriping the road but that would cost $10,000. He stated that the road was built for industrial meaning large industrial trucks etc. However, we will continue to explore options but for now let’s see how the road does without parking on it. Tara Schlosser – Assistant Dance Studio - Ms. Schlosser read a statement from a dance studio client (Alaina Kenny) liked being able to drop dance studio kids off especially parents with small children–just like Health Unlimited. Ryan Turner – Twin Arch Townhomes. Mr. Turner thanked Mayor Rockinberg and the Town for the no parking. He mentioned that moving the lines would cause the dance studio people to use Searchlight for a “U” turn which is bad especially during the summertime when children are outside playing. Chris Cobleigh – Twin Arch Townhomes – Thanks for everyone for their help. He stated that when he comes home from work during peak dance studio times that he has experienced people pulling out in front of him. He would like to know how the new construction (Brittany Manor) is going to impact the area. Adding extra vehicles. Problems grow with more children. He mentioned he thought Twin Arch Road at the Shopping Center with the increase traffic turning in is going to be tricky. He suggested thinking about it before more families move in. Mayor Rockinberg stated that Twin Arch Road is in failure mode and will need to be studied and looked at. Ron Thompson- Van Mar – Stated that they did a traffic study for Brittany Manor and the Industrial Park and the study showed an increase in traffic of less than 2%. No need for mitigation. Mayor Rockinberg stated that Back Acre Road is going to go through and that would provide some relief to the roads. VI. Old Business a. Back Acre Circle Parking Issue – Mayor Rockinberg stated that the Town is currently doing a speed study – no current update Frank Dertzbaugh – owner of 2904 Back Acre Circle – Mr Dertzbaugh stated that there were issues concerning street parking being wrapped around safety issues. Not true, in his opinion, safety is subjective. He suggested having Rules/Standards for roads. In 2002 (Mr. Dertzbaugh stated) the Planning and Zoning Commission created a standard for roads in developments. Back Acre 36 feet. Road was built to that standard 36 feet wide – 8 feet parking width. Addressed in Mt Airy code. Two driving and two parking lanes, two 18 foot travel lanes on Back Acre Circle. Why is that for safety? Main Street has less. Why is Back Acre any less of an issue? Mr. Dertzbaugh passed out a handout and went on to go over it. Chair Jennifer Smith, reminded Mr. Dertzbaugh of his time length to speak. Mayor Rockinberg followed up to Mr. Dertzbaugh that Back Acre was not designed for cars it was designed for industrial trucks. People complain about parking on Main Street and Main Street is a state road. Parking should be on site not on the street. However, the Town is going to keep working with y b. Speed and Traffic Studies – Chair Jennifer Smith went over the traffic study. From the traffic study it looks like the worst area for speeding is near North 2  Towne Court. It was suggested that it was because of where the speed limit sign change was located. Action: Ask Chief of Police where the traffic study was set up. c. Requests for Temporary or Permanent on-street parking –Chair Jennifer Smith went over the Request for Street Parking form. Councilwoman Washabaugh questioned the three months prior to start date. Commission member Luci Riegel stated that was necessary due to our S&R meetings being every other month. Action: Leave copies with commission members to look at and make changes if necessary, Town Council to look at form. d. Crosswalk Locksley and Kings Forest – Barney Quinn, Town Engineer stated that the crosswalk is moved to where the stop sign is and that they would black out the other crosswalk. Action: Take off agenda e. Route 27 speed limit – Councilwoman Washabaugh stated that the study is due by the end of the month and that she hadn’t heard from the Chief of Police. Action: hear findings from Chief of Police. f. South Main Street – Barney Quinn, Town Engineer will have Town Staff darken the lines, signs will be moved into the island that is going to be installed and built in Spring. Action: Island to be built in Spring g. Growth Task Force Survey – Growth Task Force Survey has been mailed out. Action: take off agenda h. Fairwood and Main Street Barney Quinn, Town Engineer stated that the Town staff was going to move the bus stop to where the mailbox was. Councilwoman Washabaugh asked if Barney Quinn had heard back from Frederick County Public School? At present time no he had not. Action: wait to hear from FCPS. i. Windy Knoll pothole - Barney Quinn, Town Engineer stated that the pothole is not the Town’s. He will verify. Councilwoman Washabaugh stated that it might be a good idea to have a Town staff employee respond to the online emails. Action: Barney Quinn and Councilwoman Washabaugh to look into this. j. Stops signs on Park Ridge - CSX has changed to yield sign. Action: Take off agenda. k. Ridgeside Drive @ Starbucks - Area is more clearly marked now. Commission Member Luci Riegel stated that Town Staff had added a new sign. Action: Take off agenda. VII. New Business a. Citizen Requests Through the Town Web Site – Councilwoman Washabaugh to update the Commission at the next meeting on the Town website b. Slow Down Campaign – Mary Hushour requested this item be removed from the agenda VIII. Adjournment Respectfully Submitted by, Mary Hushour (filling in for Secretary) 3