Streets & Roads Commission

STREETS AND ROADS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2020 7:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE THIS MEETING WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE AT https://www.facebook.com/TownofMountAiry/ I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE 7/7/20 Meeting called to order at 7:21pm. In attendance: Chairwoman Lynne Galletti, Mary Hushour, Luci Riegel, Mary Beth Obremski, Councilwoman Washabaugh. II. APPROVAL OF PRIOR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES No correction to the minutes. Member Luci Riegel motioned to approve, and Mary Hushour seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. III. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT – Councilwoman Washabaugh reported that the Town Council had a long productive meeting this past week. One of the main things they looked at was Mixed Zoning for the town. This is a mix of residential and commercial property. This is a complex zone. The tract of land that they are considering is called the Beck property. This is property goes from Center Street at Main Street all the way to Center street by Watkins Park. And several acres across from Watkins Park. They want to get the decision right, so they are changing the process to have the Town Council look at the concept plan before it is approved. They wanted to have the elected officials involved before the decision is made. The benefits of the review process are that it will allow a charette for the public to attend, create a workshop for the council and the planning commission to work out the details, and then a public hearing. This will create a pro-active approach for the public. They will discuss again at the August meeting. The vote to approve might not happen until September or October. Councilwomen Washabaugh also reported that they discussed a neighbor precautional. The piece of property is located by Burger King and an eye doctor in town wants to tear down the exciting old building and build to expand his business. Member Luci Riegel asked if the Beck property was a done deal and Councilwoman Washabaugh reported that no it is not. The developer wants to see what type of zoning is approved for that property. Nothing was finalized. This is a developer that has come to the town before. They want to make sure the mix zone is appropriate for our town. Would like to give a round of applause to Gina Campanile and the person who has been raising money Councilwoman Pamela Reed. They were informed they got a grant for a little over $200,000. This is to be used to put in the all-inclusive playground in Watkins Park. Phase one is a pavilion and pods that will be around the area and that is important for children with down syndrome. Many benefits to many children. Next Meetings are August 3rd and September 14th V. COMMUNITY CONCERNS/CITIZENS COMMENTS – Question was asked about water use and Councilwoman Washabaugh said that the developer must bring the water for the Beck Property. There were no other reported comments on Facebook from the community. VI. OLD BUSINESS a. Speed and Traffic Studies-Chairwoman Galletti requested a few reports last month and shared the document with the results. a. The first was Leafy Hollow at Twin Ridge. The speed limit is 25mph. Directly in front of Twin Ridge Elementary school. This was reported at 85% of the traffic was within 10 mph of the posted speed. Could be because of school being closed. b. The second was East Ridgeville Boulevard east bound going past Burger King and heading around to Woodenbridge Lane. This was also reported at 85% of the traffic within 10 mph of the posted speed. Member Luci Riegel reported that she can see many trucks going fast around the turn daily and most seem to be trucks heading to work. The low speeds could be because of school being closed and people telecommuting. Can revisit again later. c. The third was Kingsbridge Terrace at Crossbow. The latest reports show that 85% of traffic is within 10 mph of the posted speed. They have previously moved a crosswalk and it is noted that school is not in session. This could account for the low number of cars and low number of cars over the speed limit. d. The fourth was Flower Ave from Merridale Blvd. This also shows that traffic is 85% within 10 mph of the posted speed. Again, this could be contributed to telecommuting and schools being out. Councilwoman Washabaugh asks if there was a problem because of a blocked stop sign and Chairman Galletti said that both stop signs were visible. Chairman Galletti asks for any other questions and there were none. She will send these reports to Chief Reitz. b. Route 27 speed limit status update- Councilwoman Washabaugh said the state has not completed that report. It has been delayed and will pass along the report as soon as it is received. Action-Keep on Agenda. c. Chick fil A Traffic consultant study-Chairman Galletti sad that the town uses one traffic consultant and Chick fil A has their own and then they bring it to the town for the town to review. The study we received was not updated with the changes that the staff wanted. Barney Quinn reported that that are waiting for the other site plan which will contain the updated traffic study.  Councilwoman Washabaugh mentioned that Chick fila A will not have a left turn because the state highway will not put a left turn signal at RT 27 because we do not have enough volume. If chick fil A goes in, they can do away with the ability to do away with making a left. They are hoping the new traffic study has the new information. The state highway has placed new signs on Ridgeside drive about making a right to get back to 70. Action Item- Waiting for new report from Barney Quinn. VII. NEW BUSINESS a. Merridale Stop Sign- Resident comment. Ridge Ave. at Merridale. There are vehicles parked on the road that block the stop sign. The residents need to park there and Chairwoman Galletti asked for suggestions on what to do. The recommendation is to do a traffic study there and then give that data to Chief Rietz to decide what is best to do. Town Engineer Barney Quinn said we could also paint STOP on the road so that the vehicles could also see that. Action-Chairwoman Galletti will put this location on the list to add a traffic study. b. Speed on Kings Forest Trail -Resident concern about the high speeds on the road. We have done a study on the top part of the road and now they are speeding further down. Chairman Galletti will reach out to resident and driver over there and see exactly where the issue it. Action- Chairwoman Galletti will visit site and take photos to see the problem. c. Buffalo Road Speeding-The area of concern is coming down Buffalo Rd. approaching Sterling Glen. We have had complaints about that previously, but that area is out of the town area. This is a county-controlled area. They previously asked us to lower the speed, but we told them that area is not under our control. Councilwoman Washabaugh reported where you see 25mph that is our part. Once it gets to 35mph that is a county-controlled road. Mary Hushour asked about the speed going into the playground in Summit Ridge Park. There is already a stop sign there. Mary Hushour asked if Washabaugh could send a letter to the county and ask for assistance. Washabaugh responded that she will talk to Chief Reitz about how to send a letter. Action-Take off the agenda d. South Main Street Improvement-Chairman Galletti reported that there was an accident at South Main Street when a car tried to get to Rt. 70 by going straight. The staff has added a bump out so that people cannot easily go straight. There are signs and they are very visible. Washabaugh reported that Councilwoman Reed said that it really has made a difference with traffic and speed. Cost of this was about  $15,000.00. This was a good recommendation instead of a circle. Action- Remove from Agenda e. Hood and Main Street. -There was an issue brought forth about the concrete falling apart. The town has repaired the concrete. Completed. Action-Remove from agenda f. Safeway-Concern brought to our attention- when walking down Ridge Avenue and turning into Safeway the sidewalk ends. An elderly person was walking and had to walk in the road. Town Engineer Barney Quinn is going to do a review and see what can be done. Action-Take off agenda. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Member Mary Hushour motioned to adjourn the meeting and member Luci Riegel seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:34pm. The next meeting date is 9/1/2020 at 7:00 pm. via Zoom.