Agenda - Council - 01/14/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

DRAFW (Revised i2/4/96) POLICY FOR PROCESSIiNG CITIZEN Pt;QUESTS FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAGE AND TRAFFIC CALM]lNG MODIFICATIONS Preamble; It is the goal of the City of Ramsey to address citizen requests for modification to traffic control signage and traffic calming modifications in a uniform manner consistent with legal requirements and relying on practical experience to ensure the requested modification achieves the desired goal. It both is the objective of this policy to set forth the procedure by which requests for traffic control modifications will be processed by the City, and also to provide supporting criteria and guidelines upon which specific requests will be evaluated. Specific traffic calming modifications covered by this policy shall include: stop signs, yield signs, all-way stop signs, watch for children signs, deaf child signs, lower speed limits, and geometric roadway modification including street enclosure, and speed humps. As a general rule, the City shall attempt to minimize signage in order to (1) minimize taxpayer expense; (2) reduce visual clutter along City roadways; and (3) increase the visibility and effectiveness of signage which is deemed prudent and necessary. Procedure[ A request for any traffic calming measure shall be considered only if made in writing and signed by the petitioners. The request shall also contain the address of all petitioners so that the written findings may be transmitted back to the petitioners. Each request shall be reviewed by a staff committee comprised of the Chief of Police, City Engineer, and Public Works Supervisor or their designated representatives. A written summary of the staff committee's findings shall be transmitted to the Road and Bridge Committee. The Road and Bridge Committee shall comment on staffs recommendation. Copies of both staff recommendation and Road and Bridge Committee comment shall be transmitted to the petitioners and to the City Council at the next regular Council meeting. If the Road and Bridge Commit-tee concurs with staff recommendations, the approval of the minutes of the Road and Bridge Committee shall constitute approval of the recommendation. If the Road and Bridge Committee is not unanimous with staff recommendation, the Council shall consider the request as a Council case. Requests for Stop Signs A "STOP" sign is intended to assist drivers in deciding who has the right-of-way at an intersection. Because a stop sign causes substantial inconvenience to motorists, it should only be used where it is determined to be warranted in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (hereinafter referred to as the MUTCD). Acceptable warrants for placement of a stop sign include: 1. Intersection of a less important road with a main road where application of the normal right-of-way is unduty hazardous. 2. Street entering a through highway or street. 3. Unsignalized intersection in a signalized area. 4. Other intersections when a combination of high speed, restricted view, and serious accident record indicates a need for the stop sign. The use of a stop sign to control or reduce speed is not appropriate. Multiway Stop SJgn~ A muItiway stop sign is one which requires a stop sign be posted on all legs of an intersection. It should only be used where determined to be warranted by the MUTCD. Acceptable warrants for a multiway stop include: I I I I I I