HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-2 Traffic Commission Minutes APPR�O�7ED
Caldwell Traffic Commission 3I�I
Wednesday March 2, 2022 @ 1:00 Date
Minutes
Present: Brent Orton (BO),Jake Clinger (JC), August Medellin (AM), Jerome Mapp (JM), Robb
MacDonald(RM), Randy Deleon (RD) Secretary:Tammy Frans (TF)
*MUTCD () *ROW (Right-of-Way) *TC (Traffic Commission) *MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)
Old Business—None
New Business—
1. Request Alleyway at Dearborn and 111h be one-way—Cassandra Shafer
This request is to make the alleyway at Dearborn and 11'Ave. a one-way street,proposing traffic to
move only in the direction of northwest to southeast. We will defer to the traffic commission's
preferred direction of traffic flow if the opposite direction is preferred.
This alleyway will serve a new multifamily project located on the corner of 11'Ave and Dearborn St.
(BC21-00092)
Traffic Commission discussed possible impact on neighbors sharing the alley.A motion was made
and TC agreed unanimously,the alleyway at Dearborn and 111 could be made a one-way running
NW to SE. The Developer must indicate where signs will be in the plans they submit to Engineering
and the developer will be responsible for purchasing and installing the signs.
Action: TF to notify Cassandra Shafer of the determination-Done.
2. Request—Bridget Mix—Her reply from last month's reply from TC
Speed tables are longer than speed humps and flat-topped, with a height of 3-3.5 inches and a length
of 22 feet. Vehicle operating speeds for streets with speed tables range from 25-45 mph, depending
on the spacing. Speed tables may be used on collector streets and/or transit and emergency response
routes.
The difference between speed table and speed bump.Not the same. Speed tables are throughout Boise
neighborhoods. Also showing up in Nampa and also in Middleton.Not a speed BUMP!! On Lake
Ave from Hwy 55 to Ustick. There are eight roads that feed into Lake Ave. One including the
intersection of Homedale and Lake . When you have no turn lane on this long of a stretch. One car
can hold up to 15 to 20 cars. Speed limit goes up to 50 MPH from Fairlight to Hwy 55. With building
not even close to slowing down in this area . And it sounds like a drag racing track most of the time.
Last thing we need is widening Lake Ave. Turn lanes and lowering speed limit might help a lot.
Many roads in the area could benefit from just turn lanes put in .People would love to not hold up
traffic and just get in and out of their subdivision or driveway.
Request—Bridget Mix—2
The Homedale and 10th should be addressed as well.Full turn lane in and out would be very helpful.
Homedale and Lake Ave is a hot mess in the morning and late afternoon.Thank you for your quick
response.
TC discussed Bridget's additional input and the following reply was sent.
Thank you for your interest and effort regarding safety on Caldwell streets and roads.Traffic Commission
reviewed your additional input and I share with you the Traffic Commissions response.
You are correct that speed tables and speed bumps are physically different.The issue is they create the same
difficulties for street maintenance,snow plowing and most importantly emergency vehicles. Minutes can be
the difference in the outcome of a fire or medical emergency.
Regarding Lake Ave,you points are valid for turn lanes. However,adding turn lanes requires road widening.
Turn lanes will be installed wherever they can be and still follow traffic standards and the Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Device guidelines.The City continually looks at ways to mitigate traffic.
There is a 4-way planned at Homedale and Lake and at Homedale and Midway.The installation is scheduled to
begin in four weeks.The Street department is waiting for safety beacons to come in and once those are
received,the project will start.
Homedale and 10th Ave is Canyon Hwy District jurisdiction.The Hwy District implemented islands on
Homedale.The Canyon Hwy district and the City of Caldwell are working together on a Homedale Corridor
Intersection Study and are waiting on those results to insure actions.
Again,thank you for your time and interest in the safety of our community.
3. Request for parking improvements around County Courthouse Campus—Rick Britton
I would like to install some parking stalls on the streets around the County campus for safety reasons.
Traffic Commission agrees with what the County wants to accomplish. TC would recommend going
forward if the project could include;
• Canyon County take responsibility for stripping and maintenance going forward
• The City would like the area to include 111 and 12°i and Albany to Chicago
• City Engineering would like to see a drawing detailing where and dimensions
A motion was made and TC agreed unanimously to have a meeting with Rick,Robb, Brent and
Jerome to discuss details, streetscapes and possible assistance through a LID
Action: Tammy will share TC input with Rick and coordinate a meeting to discuss-Done
4. Request to Vacate adjacent to 2509 Lincoln—Art and Teresa Solis
Solis's would like to vacate a parcel of land adjacent to their property to the North and East end of
Nixon. The reason for the request is at the end of Nixon Street the ground slopes approx. 40 degrees
as you go further east it drops at an increased slope causing erosion at the North/East corner of their
property. In order for them to solve the problem,they need to install a pipe to correct the drainage
issue off Nixon Street on the South side and bring to the North and drain to a natural swale. They
would do this at their own expense with no cost to the City.
Traffic Commission reviewed the request to vacate and understands the situation described. When
reviewing the parcel it was noted that the subdivision below will not connect in the future due to the
extreme ridge with no connectivity.
Traffic Commission proposes two possible solutions.
• The Solis' could enter into a license agreement allowing them to use the parcel until such
time as the city would need to use it.
• The Solis' request vacation of the parcel. In the reply to the Solis's it was mentioned that
Council and the Mayor are in discussion regarding if ROW should be charged for and that
State statute does allow ROW to be charged for if vacated.The Solis' may have to purchase
the ROW if vacated and would be obligated to pay taxes on the property going forward.
One condition would need met either way. The installation of the pipe does not cause harm to the
storm drain.
Action: Tammy will send correspondence to the Solis' explaining the determination of the Traffic
Commission; Done
5. Future traffic issue on Lincoln Street; Mosaic School to Georgia Street—Art and Teresa Solis
We,Art and Teresa Solis, live at 2509 Lincoln Street in Caldwell. It is our understanding that there is
a proposal to develop the land east of our property and North of Lincoln Street wrapping around
Mosaic School. There are currently two or three additional developments under review in the same
area.Taking all this into consideration, the amount of homes being proposed in the area,now and in
the near future, is it the developer and City of Caldwell responsibility to solve the problem that is
going to be created on Lincoln street from the Mosaic School to Georgia Street?This stretch of road
is very dangerous for car and foot traffic due to the steep grade and multiple speed limit signs posted.
These signs range from 20-40MPH and are not consistent.
The City of Caldwell rely on Development to mitigate traffic by requiring a traffic study be done with
each development. East of the bottom of the hill is Canyon Hwy Districts jurisdiction. These concerns
should be differed to the Canyon Hwy District. Traffic Commission alerted the Caldwell police
department and the Idaho State police that there is a speeding issue in this area.
Action: Tammy will send correspondence to the Solis' differing this to the Canyon Hwy District-
Done
6. Traffic Control North and South on Ward Road—Scott Warren-Delaware Park HOA
(Summarized)My name is Scott Warren. I am a resident of Delaware Park in Caldwell and also the
HOA President for our Neighborhood.The specific section of Ward road we are talking about it
between Chinden and Linder.
We have had multiple residents complain about the amount of traffic that travels north and south
bound on Ward with no due regard to speed. We have had several incidents where cars have easily hit
upwards to 50 mph down this road.
My main reason in writing is we would like to see a four way stop placed at Ward and Skyway.
Those signs we would also like to see have warning flashing lights on them too. There probably
needs to be more signs indicating school zones and more warning lights during school hours as
well.Multiple kids cross this intersection due to Skyway Elementary and Vision Charter.
Currently it is just a two way stop east bound and west bound on skyway.
Additionally,and I know that IDT has some roll in this too, but there needs to be lights placed at the
following spots
1. KCID and Skyway
2. KCID and Chiden
3. Ward and Chiden
4. Ward and Linden
Currently ITD and the City of Caldwell are working on many projects in the area:
• ITD is scheduled to signalize the intersections at KCID&20-26 and Ward and 20-26 in 2023
with the project starting later this year
• The City is looking into a protective crosswalk in the vincinity of Jefferson& Skyway
• A RAB at Ward and Linden is designed and will be built in 2023
• There is a study planned at Skyway and Ward to determine what type of traffic control would
satisfy National Standards
A motion was made and TC agreed unanimously to inform Mr. Warren of the above projects that are
currently underway and reassure him that the City of Caldwell works diligently on finding new and
better ways to mitigate traffic. Especially during this unprecedented time of growth.
Action: Tammy will send correspondence to Mr. Warren outlining current projects-Done
7. Request Vacation of ROW on Montana—Merry Puffe
I am requesting a vacation of right of way from the City of Caldwell between the two parcels of 4707
South Montana Avenue and 4801 South Montana Avenue. I have attached two exhibits showing the
section in question.The parcel is approximately 60'wide and 120'deep and formally known as Fern
Street. Hayden Homes has vacated Fern Street as an access road to the Femcroft subdivision and will
be erecting a fence across the entry. If the City of Caldwell has no use or interest in said right of way,
I would like to petition that it be conveyed back to and split between the two adjoining properties of
4707 South Montana Avenue and 4801 South Montana Avenue.
ROW can be vacated when vacating the property is in the best interest of the public. The City of
Caldwell is in need of frontage ROW at 4801 Montana Ave. and has requested frontage from Merry
Puffe.Traffic Commission would recommend a swap for the ROW vacation in exchange for the
frontage needed on Montana.
Action: Tammy sent a reply to Merry Puffe to see if she would be interested in this exchange.—Done
8. Overview of Downtown Parking Study—Jerome Mapp
Jerome shared results of the recently conducted Downtown Parking study. Per Jerome, Currently,
the City Center has approximately 1,359 parking spaces with a need of roughly 1,541 parking
spaces at the time of this study. We are short 182 parking spaces. The needed parking space
could rise up to 400 parking spaces based on proposed developments.
9. 4'Avenue Closure between Main and Albany—Robb MacDonald
Railroad ROW is required for the Ustick Widening project.The Railroad will give us the needed
ROW on the condition the City agrees to vacate 4'avenue between Main and Albany. The ROW
requested from the Railroad for the Ustick project is essential to the project. It is the
recommendation of the TC and City Engineer to vacate the ROW requested by the Railroad.
Resource/Weather Pending Business:
1. A signal is planned at 24`h Avenue and Blaine Street in front of the Simplot Stadium. The signal
currently installed at Santa Anna and Ustick Road midblock will be repurposed for this project once
the Ustick/Santa Anna RAB is complete.
2. Extend red curbing at 20" & Cleveland —CPD created a package solution for parking and sight issues in
this area.The Traffic Commission requested a copy for review before the plan is added to the Council
Agenda for approval.Aug 2020
3. Restripe Skyway in late spring or early summer. Nov 2019
4. Engineering to conduct a traffic control and flow study of the greater South Downtown area. Aug
2020