Traffic Commission Meeting

URBANA TRAFFIC COMMISSION Tuesday, March 11, 2014 MEMBERS PRESENT: Joe Smith, Senior Civil Engineer Pat Connolly, Police Chief MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Madigan, City Council Member, Ward 6, Chair OTHERS PRESENT: Craig Shonkwiler, Assistant City Engineer John Collins, Operations Manager Nancy Strong, 2004 North Willow Judi Kutzko, 807 East Main Street Dennis Roberts, City Council Member, Ward 5 The meeting began at 4:05 p.m. Additions to the agenda: There were no additions to the agenda. Approval of Minutes: Pat Connolly moved to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2014 meeting. Joe Smith seconded the motion. The Commission voted 2-0 to approve the minutes of the meeting. Public Input Those present wished to speak to the Commission at the time the item was discussed. Unfinished Business Item #1- Discussion the removal of the No Turn on Red restrictions within the Central Business District. . Joe Smith summarized the discussion from the February meeting. Dennis Roberts said that the only comments he had heard were ones in favor of removing the restrictions in the downtown area.  Traffic Commission Minutes March 2014 Page 2 Mr. Smith stated that he had observed the visibility at the Main Street and Race Street and Main Street and Broadway Avenue intersections to determine the impact of removing the right turn on red signal light restrictions. He stated that after improvements were made on Main Street, there was only one leg that still had visibility problems. As a result of his observations, he recommended that all restrictions be removed except for the restrictions for eastbound traffic on Main Street at the Race Street intersection. Pat Connolly agreed that the restriction should remain for that leg of the intersection since the buildings on the west side of Race Street, north of the Main Street intersection limited visibility for eastbound traffic. Joe Smith moved to remove no turn on red restrictions for all legs of traffic at the Broadway Avenue and Main Street intersection and for all legs at the Race Street and Main Street intersection, except for the eastbound leg of Main Street. Pat Connolly seconded the motion. The motion was approved 2 to 0. This item will go to Council for consideration. New Business Item #2- Discussion of parking restrictions in the 800 block of East Main Street. Judi Kutzko explained her concern about vehicles parking on the south side of the 800 block of East Main Street in such a way as to block or reduce access to the alley. She asked if the parking could be moved to the north side of the street. Joe Smith stated that there were bike lanes on the north side of the street and the parking restrictions were there for the bike lanes. Dennis Roberts asked if the alley served any residents. John Collins stated that there were a couple of garages that connected to the alley. Joe Smith moved to restrict parking from 34 feet west of the centerline of the alley to 18 feet east of the centerline of the alley to provide adequate visibility for those exiting from the alley onto Main Street. Pat Connolly seconded the motion. The motion was approved 2 to 0. This item will go to Council for consideration.  Traffic Commission Minutes March 2014 Page 3 Mr. Smith added that there would be seven parking spaces remaining if the restrictions were approved. Discussion took place regarding the early observations of the Wiley Elementary School traffic plan. Mr. Smith said that traffic adjusted to the new plan. He added that morning traffic flow went smoother than the afternoon since most of the afternoon traffic was leaving at about the same time. He recommended reviewing the traffic plan during the summer to determine whether or not to continue with the one-way northbound traffic on Anderson Street during times when students are entering or leaving the school resumed for the next school year. The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m. The next scheduled meeting will be held on April 8, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at the Urbana Public Works Department, 706 South Glover Avenue, second floor conference room. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Stiehl Recording Secretary