HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-2004 TRAFFIC COMMISSION MINUTES . �
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Caldwell City Traffic Commission Minutes
• May 11t 2004
- Present: Gordon Law, Chairman, Mayor Nancolas, Chief Mark Wendelsdorf, and Steve
Hasson,
Old Business
1. Intersection Survey/ Nixon St. � Plateau Drive
Historical records indicate there has been only 1 accident at the intersection of Nixon St. &
Plateau Drive during the past 13 years. Brent Brooks conducted a survey of the above
interseetion and concluded the intersection does not require stop signs and yield signs.
Action: Brent Brooks will contact the applicant with information found.
New Business
1 2" request by Spruce Street Property Owners, represented by Mr. Gary Deulen to
dismiss or modify plans currently in process to expand Spruce Street. �
Mr. Gary Duelin appeared before the Traffic Commission to express the following concems
Spruce Street property owners have with the Spruce Street Expansion pl�n presently being
pursued.
1. Safety of Spruce Street residents exiting from driveways and school children being
dropped off/ picked up at Jefferson Jr. High School
2. Speed of Traffic
• 3. Plan in place does not senre the direct need of emergency vehicles or the common
, public.
4. Location of crosswalk
5. 90 Degree tums with blocked vision
Altematives/ modifications to the present plan were discussed and feasible solutions where
then ranked as follows according to residents' preference:
1. Obtain property, currently in use as parking, from Jefferson Jr. High School and
modify the project design to flow East/ West traffic to the back of the residential
properties rather than flowing traffic through residential neighborhood.
2. Adjust the current plan by installing a Guardrail system at the southem Fircrest and
Spruce intersection and installing Signage at the northern Fircrest and Spruce
intersection.
After conclusion of testimony, further discussion was conducted among the Traffic
Commission members. Steve Hasson noted Spruce Street as an important transportation
corridor to the long term plan flowing East and West traffic. The motion was made and
carried unanimously by the Tra�c Commission to reconfirm the need for the collector and
make further effort to re-route Spruce along the south boundary of the subdivision. Action:
Engineering Dept. The motion was also made and carried unanimously by the Traffic
Commission to revisit the placing of crosswalks on Spruce Street. Action: Engineering
Dept.
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� 2. Request for traffic signal or 4-way stop at the intersection of Chicago � 21 � Street.
Barbra Higgs phoned in the above request. Steve Hasson suggested looking at a 4-way
stop as an interim step toward future growth. Gordon Law and Mayor Nancolas noted that
installation of a 4-way stop does not give preference to the higher traffic loads on 21S' Street.
Chief Wendelsdort also noted that traffic may queue across the tracks. The motion was
made and carried unanimously by the Traffic Commission to not change the intersection to a
4-way stop and send a letter to Barbra Higgs informing her that the City will continue to
moni�or the above intersection and install a traffic signal when waRanted. Action:
Engineering Dept.
3. Request to remove Jersey Barriers from Rotary.Pond.
Rotary Club made the above request for aesthetic reasons. Street Superintendent, Dennie
Shippy drove to the site and noted numerous tire marks on the Jersey barriers indicating
th�y serve a purpose. The motion was made by the Mayor and carried unanimously by the
Traffic Commission to remove the Jersey barriers and replace with guardrail to improve
aesthetics while maintaining the necessary level of safety. Action: Gordon Law.
4. Analysis of vacation of Right of Way on Michigan Street.
The City submitted a request to the Traffic Commission to evaluate the possibility of
vacation of Right of Way on Michigan Street for the reasons of developmental ability of
adjacent property. Darren Hibbs presented the request to the Traffic Commission and
• provided necessary information including diagrams indicating the extent of developed
utilities presently in the Right of Way in question. Having analyzed the request by utilizing
the decision tree the Traffic Commission concluded the right of way could be vacated
provided the existing waterline was relocated to the Public Works Director's satisfaction.
The next Tra�c Commission meeting is scheduled for June 7�' at 10:00 am
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