Agenda - Public Works Committee - 04/19/2005

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CASE RECEIVE TRAFFIC VOLUME INFORMATION FOR MALLARD PONDS - FLINTWOOD HILLS AREA By:Steven Jankowski, City Engineer Background: At the January 18, 2005 Public Works Committee meeting it was explained that the closure of Barium Street, a private roadway acc6ssing onto CR 116 was anticipated as an element of the County road project scheduled to take place this fall which would upgrade the segment of CR 116 from TH 47 to Germanium Street as a four lane divided highway. There was support for the closure of Barium Street onto CR 116 from both the residents of the Mallard Ponds subdivision and the City. However the closure of Barium Street would leave the Mallard Ponds subdivision with a single access point at 140th Avenue. The consensus of the Public Works. Committee was that there needs to be more than one access into this subdivision. There was also direction to staff to research the feasibility of closing the connection of 142nd Avenue between Argon Street and TH 47, such that the emergency gate access on the south end of Argon Street might be removed and thereby provide a second access point to the Mallard Ponds subdivision. In an effort to begin an analysis of the traffic imPacts that any changes may cause it is important to establish a sound background of the current traffic patterns within.the area. After consultation with a traffic engineer, traffic counter were set out at the locations identified on the attached exhibit. A complete summary of these traffic counts will be made available at the Committee meeting. In evaluating the magnitude of the traffic impacts, a next logical step would be to temporarily modify the street system in the area by (a) closing 142nd Avenue east of Argon Street; (b) opening the gate at the south end of Argon Street; and (c) barricading thc access of Barium Street onto CR 116. The opening of the gate at Argon Street will involve the cooperation with the one of the two Mallard Pond townhome associations. A number of residents of the Mallard Ponds subdivision expressed serious concern over the permanent opening of the gated access on Argon Street, and the Flintwood neighborhood to the north would also be affected. It is therefore important that a forum for public involvement be established in addressing this proposal. Perhaps, an ad hoc committee of residents might be formed to work with staff on identifying specific concerns and how they might be addressed. It would also be advisable to prepare a newsletter outlining the proposed modifications and process. Recommendation: Staff recommends that it be directed to contact the townhouse association to-request the temporary opening of the Argon Street gate ~vhich would be done in conjunction with the temporary closure of 142"d Avenue east of Argon Street and the barricading of Barium 57