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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 08/06/1991 PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE AUGUST 6, 1991 PRESENT: Jim White Ed White Leona Orr Ed Chow Steve Dowell Carol Proud Don Wickstrom May Miller Carol Morris Jerry Hayes Gary Gill Jerry McCaughan Richard L. Costanzo, Safeway; Phil Davidson, Tollef son-Davidson Properties; Hal Eden, Carlson/Ferrin Architects; David Markley, TSI: Robert Crittenden, TSI; Dan Balmelli, Barghausen; Arthur Martin, Alex Cugini; Jerry Crawford, Jack Cosby, Warren Secord, Russ Stringham, Lyle Price. Langston Landing Jim White stated it had been brought to his attention there were access problems associated with the development. He indicated he had asked staff to see if they could work out solutions to the • problem. Ed White explained the development is proposing to have access off Meeker between the Firestone Tire Store and Family Circle Drive-In. Ed White demonstrated that the main access to the development is on Washington with two driveways. An additional right-in, right-out driveway is proposed for Meeker Street access. Staff is recommending a 24-foot wide driveway access on Meeker with two radii that are spiral in order to accommodate emergency vehicles. Easements on both sides of the access would be required. Jim White asked about the impact of this on the driveway into the Tire Store. Ed White stated it is suggested the two driveways into the Tire Store be combined into one large one to provide access into the entire site. The large vehicles could still get into the furthest bay. David Markley stated there were a couple of issues being discussed with this project. One of the primary questions is the access off Meeker. Another relates to the turning radii being required at the entrances off Washington and another relates to the depth of the entrance "throat" into the shopping center. The City has required 50-foot radii at the entrances be designed into the plan. Mr. Markley stated this is appropriate if there is a high volume or predominance of truck traffic. There will be truck traffic coming in and out but will not be the predominant traffic. He continued that the State guidelines indicate 30-foot radius is appropriate when the predominant type of vehicle is a single unit vehicle. He Public Works Committee August 6, 1991 Page 2 stated he felt the 30-foot radius is appropriate for several reasons. One is that the 50-foot radius allows higher speeds into the driveway. One of the entrances is right in front of the Safeway entrances and exits. Additionally, a 50-foot radius is quite a distance for a pedestrian to cross. He summarized that they feel the 30-foot radius adequately accommodates the times the large tractor/trailer trucks are entering and no through traffic is affected because accel/decel lanes will be constructed on Washington. Mr. Markley addressed the entrance "throat" item. The city is requiring a 100-foot depth to the entrance throats. The entrance immediately in front of the store is designed with a 96-foot throat. The second entrance is designed for 84-feet. While the 100-foot throat is a desirable goal; however, Mr. Markley contended there would be no more than two cars in the throat during the peak volume period. Even if there were four cars in the entrance there would be only need for 80-feet. He stated he felt the storage is provided even though less than the 100 feet being required by the City and he felt there would be very little, if any, potential for vehicles to back onto the street. Mr. Markley stated the development is requesting that left turns off Meeker into the site be allowed. The left turn volumes off Meeker into the site are forecasted to be 40 vehicles per hour. He stated he felt the access could be designed to force the right-out, preclude left turns out and allow the left turns in and retain the driveways as proposed. Mr. Markley suggested, since there is no history of problems with left turns off Meeker, a conditional approval allowing left turns in and if safety problems or accidents occur then a revised solution will be accomplished. He continued they concur that theoretically left turns can be a problem but there is no evidence of that and in many cases it never materializes. He concluded they are requesting that the radii be reduced to 30- feet from 50-feet, that the throats be allowed to be slightly less than 100-feet, and that a conditional approval for left turns off Meeker be allowed and if a problem is identified that all parties get together and design a solution to meet a specific problem. Markley further explained the right-out only design for Dowell. Orr asked about the traffic volumes on Meeker and whether there were left turn lanes. She expressed concerns about the traffic backing up on Meeker when cars are attempting to make a left. Public Works Committee August 6, 1991 Page 3 Mr. Secord who is the owner of the Tire Store stated that he would not be able to get the large vehicles into the end bay with the proposed driveway redesign. Also he would not be able to get the large tractor trailers into the back part of his property. There was considerable discussion regarding access into Mr. Secord's business. Mr. Doolittle supported the 50-foot radius on the driveways. He suggested the landscaping and sidewalks be eliminated. Jim White stated he was concerned about the left turn in off Meeker. Ed White stated he was concerned what would occur as a result of the stacking of vehicles attempting to make a left turn into Langston's Landing off Meeker. Mr. Markley stated the stacking would occur whether the left turns were allowed or not. If they can't turn left off Meeker they will go on down to the left turn pocket to turn on Washington. He added that when the vehicles are turning left at the light there is no opposing traffic except those turning right off Washington onto Meeker thus natural gaps would occur. Wickstrom stated if the left turn were prohibited the vehicles would go down to Willis and enter the development from Washington. It is a question of how much additional traffic you would put on Meeker and how far that would back up. Gill stated that when they were videotaping the area, there were drivers getting so frustrated with the lack of left turn pockets at West Valley, they started turning into the oncoming lanes and driving for several hundred feet in the opposing traffic lane to cut back over into the left turn pocket. Orr commented she thought the DNS prohibited left turns. Wickstrom stated the DNS states right-in and right-out unless the Public Works Department approves otherwise. Orr questioned whether they were discussing* something they could not change. Wickstrom clarified that ' the DNS says right-in and , right-out subject to the Department approving otherwise. If the Department approves right-in, right-out only, the Council would be acting on an appeal of, an administrative decision. Jim White asked if widening Meeker Street was a possibility. Mr. Davidson stated it had been explored and the cost was prohibitive. Ed White added that Meeker Street is currently a substandard street with 10-foot lanes. The City has previously listed Meeker Street widening as a project on our TIP but the problem is monetary. What The City is proposing is an attempt to get the traffic off the substandard street on to a facility that is more able to accommodate the traffic. West Valley has 11-foot lanes, has a two way left turn lane and has an accel-decel lane on the, west side and with this development would have one on the east side as well. Public Works Committee August 6, 1991 Page 4 Don Wickstrom suggested that he be allowed to review the left turn proposal by the developer before any decision is made. It appears that the left turn off Meeker has become the primary issue. Jim White asked that the concerns of Mr. Secord's business be kept in mind when reviewing any proposal. Dowell suggested the matter be scheduled for the August 20 Council agenda and if the issued is resolved by that time, it can be removed from the agenda. Leona Orr added that the City already has a problem with driveway widths into parking lots and shopping centers. She asked that these driveways be large enough that the trucks and vehicles can get in. Mr. Davidson said he concurred with that and he would make sure they are wide enough. The Committee unanimously concurred that the matter be placed on the 8/20 Council agenda and if resolution is reached before that time, it will be removed from the agenda. Extension of Utility Services Jim White stated he was suggesting that we allow the extension of utilities if an annexation has been initiated for a given area. Orr said she would not support anything that would contribute further to the transportation problems. Morris asked if White wanted the extension allowed for any property. White asked if it could be done for single family and not for multifamily. Morris replied not unless there was a rational distinction to be made between single family and multifamily. Orr asked if there were any guarantees that the Boundary Review Board will approve an annexation even if we have all the signatures. There was clarification of zoning on areas that are annexed into the City. Orr stated she would like to see single family homes built but if the City can't extend services to one classification without extending to another she would be hesitant to open it up until the urban boundaries are designated. Dowell asked what options were available. They are: wait until the annexation is complete or put in a well. However, the well could only be for one home. A community well could only be developed if the City gave a release that we would not service the area. White stated maybe now is the time to find out if our annexation agreements are valid. White asked that Carol Morris prepare an amended resolution, incorporating Orr's concerns, and bring it back before the Committee. Orr added that it could possibly include conditions that we have the required signatures and the 10t petition presented. j Public Works Committee August 6, 1991 Page 5 Street Occupation Ordinance Carol Morris stated that at the last Planning Committee meeting some people were expressing their concerns with sandwich board signs and the problems resulting from the Planning Department's enforcement of the zoning code. Carol continued that she had indicated if the sandwich boards were placed on public right of way the Planning Department shouldn't even be dealing with them and that the Public Works Department has jurisdiction over the public right of way. The Zoning Code addresses only private property. Dowell asked if that meant you could put signs on public property. Morris stated that if we allowed such use we should assess the person who is -using the public right of way. The ordinance she has prepared gives Public Works Department authority to review the type, size and location of signs. The ordinance also addresses indemnification, insurance problems, illegal signs, assessment of fees, and revocation of permits. It was determined that the ordinance did not establish criteria for the sign or permit fees. Don Rust stated he had suggested''a committee be established consisting of staff and interested citizens to work this out rather than establishing another regulation on the books. He wanted to be able to provide input into the development of the ordinance. Jim White stated he has previously asked the Chamber of Commerce numerous times to develop a committee to address this sign ordinance. But nothing has been done there either. Stringham commented that no support had been marshaled previously to change the ordinance. There is now a group of several business owners who are concerned with this. Stringham stated he had presented over 20 signed copies of regulatory review requests to Jon Johnson. Jim White asked that the costs and sign criteria be included in the ordinance and it be brought back before the Committee on August 20. Mr. Rust suggested that all signs, including real estate signs, be tagged so they can be identified as legal signs. It was determined that Mr. Rust's sign problem had to be addressed through the Planning Committee since his sign is on private property. Dowell suggested that the responsibility for signs be left in the Planning Department rather than splitting the responsibility. Carol repeated that the Zoning Code addresses use of private property and is administered through the Planning Department. The ordinance she has prepared deals with signs in public right of way which should be administered .through.Public Works Department unless a decision is made that ,the Planning Department administer that as well. Jim White asked that Carol Morris prepare the appropriate ordinance so that a Director does not have to be reviewing sign applications and that the fees and criteria be specified in the ordinance. This matter will be brought back before this Committee at their next meeting. v Public Works Committee August 6, 1991 Page 6 196th Corridor Wickstrom explained we have received notice from TSB of a grant for design of the 196th Corridor and we are requesting authorization for the Mayor to sign the grant agreement. The Committee unanimously recommended approval. Reith Road Guardrail Wickstrom explained that we had previously budgeted funds to place guardrail on a section of roadway on Reith Road. Vehicles are missing the guardrail and going over the edge. He requested authorization to transfer additional funds from the Frager Road Guardrail project and to construct additional portions of guardrail on Reith Road. The Committee unanimously agreed. Guiberson Street Reservoir Since the property owner concerned with this item haFd to leave the meeting early,` this item was rescheduled for the neat agenda. Budget Wickstrom explained that Finance had expressed concern that the Public Works Department had proposed increasing revenue rather than cuts to meet the budget call. The material included in the packet detailed the additional cuts the Department would propose.