Traffic Commission Meeting

URBANA TRAFFIC COMMISSION Tuesday, April 2, 2013 MEMBERS PRESENT: Joe Smith, Senior Civil Engineer Pat Connolly, Police Chief MEMBERS ABSENT: Dennis Roberts, City Council Member, Ward 5, Chair OTHERS PRESENT: Tonja Henze, 406 E. High Street Sallie Wilkins, 102 East Main Street The meeting began at 4:10 p.m. Additions to the agenda: There were no additions to the agenda. Approval of Minutes: Joe Smith moved to approve the minutes as read. Pat Connolly seconded the motion. The Commission voted 2-0 to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2013 meeting. Public Input Those in attendance asked to speak to items as they were discussed. Unfinished Business None New Business Item #1- Discussion of the installation of a stop sign on Shurts Street at Cottage Grove Avenue. Joe Smith discussed a resident’s concern about visibility at the intersection of Shurts Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. He noted that a tree created a visibility problem for eastbound traffic on Shurts Street as traffic approached Cottage Grove Avenue. Joe Smith moved to install a one-way stop sign for eastbound traffic on Shurts Street at Cottage Grove Avenue to provide better visibility for motorists travelling on Shurts Street. Pat Connolly seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0.  Traffic Commission Minutes April 2013 Page 2 This item will go to Council for consideration. Item #2- Discussion of the installation of a stop sign on Greenridge Drive at Country Squire Drive. Mr. Smith discussed a resident’s concern about right of way at the intersection of Greenridge Drive and Country Squire Drive. He reviewed the history of the development in that area and mentioned that there were no streets to the east of Greenridge Drive before Smith Road was extended. He added that the configuration of Country Squire Drive and the tree at that intersection blocked the view for motorists on Greenridge Drive when approaching the intersection from the south. Joe Smith moved to install a one-way stop sign for northbound traffic on Greenridge Drive at Country Squire Drive to provide better visibility and to clarify right of way at the intersection. Pat Connolly seconded the motion. The item passed 2-0. This item will go to Council for consideration. Item #3- Discussion of the removal of parking restrictions on Urbana Avenue from High Street to Illinois Street and on High Street from Urbana Avenue to Maple Street. Tonja Henze stated that she supported the removal of the parking restrictions, but she wanted to know why the restrictions were placed on the street. Joe Smith stated that downtown employees parked in the residential area when the post office had its main office in the downtown area. He added that since the post office moved to its current location, the demand for parking had decreased. He suggested that the parking restrictions be removed on High Street between Urbana Avenue and Maple Street since that area was the farthest from downtown Urbana. He requested that parking restrictions remain on Urbana Avenue since that area was located near the entrance to the Fire Department. Tonja Henze asked about the possibility of issuing parking passes for residents. Joe Smith mentioned that passes for those in West Urbana were $135 per year to pay for the enforcement of the program. Joe Smith moved to remove the parking restrictions on High Street from Urbana Avenue to Maple Street on a trial basis and bring back to Traffic Commission to determine whether or not the restrictions should be removed permanently. Pat Connolly seconded the motion.  Traffic Commission Minutes April 2013 Page 3 The motion passed 2-0. This item will be reviewed by the Traffic Commission after the 90-day trial period has expired. Item #4- Discussion of one-way northbound traffic flow on Walnut Street between Main Street and Water Street. Joe Smith stated that this request was to accommodate the planned improvements for Main Street in downtown Urbana. Sallie Wilkins asked about parking on the west side of Walnut Street. Specifically, she wanted to know if parking would remain after traffic flow was changed to one-way. Joe Smith said that he would contact Ms. Wilkins to let her know what the plans for parking would be. Ms. Wilkins stated that the tenants of the County Plaza thought the one-way traffic would be safer, but wanted to know if one space could be removed to improve visibility. Joe Smith said that he would look at the possibility of removing the space. He asked that this item be discussed at the May 7th Traffic Commission meeting. Discussion followed about upcoming Traffic Commission issues. The meeting adjourned at 4:22 p.m. The next meeting will be held on May 7, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. at the Urbana City Building, 400 South Vine Street, second floor conference room. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Stiehl Recording Secretary