Minutes - Public Works Committee - 08/17/1999

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Case #2: Consider Requests for Stop Signs City Engineer Jankowski stated that since the last Public Works Committee meeting, the City has received requests for stop signs at three locations. Susan Fiztpatrick, 13680 Garnet Street NW, Ramsey, stated that she was asked by the homeowners association to address the Public Works Committee in regards to placing stop signs at 137th Avenue and Garnet Street, and 137th Lane and Garnet Street. She explained that the intersections are becoming the main intersections in Rivenwick and that people are driving at excess speeds plus the visibility at the intersections is poor. There have been two major accidents involving injuries, one involving herself. She stated that the homeowners association met last fall and discussed both intersections and made a recommendation with 60 families voting, in favor of, to request the City install stop signs at both intersections. In addition, the association sent letters to all homeowners in the area requesting them to slow down, which didn't seem to have much success. Ms. Fiztpatrick stated that they have requested that the City's Police Officers give a better appearance during the busy times, but have not as of yet been present. It was her opinion that if action is not taken to slow traffic down in the area someone will be killed. City Engineer Jankowski reviewed the traffic study of 137th Avenue and Garnet: Accident History - During the 61/2 year period beginning January 1, 1993 to the present, there has been one accident at this location according to Police reports. Sight Distance - The approach sight distances are as follows: NB - significant limitation to east from landscaping berm SB - good visibility EB - slight limitation to the south from rising grade WB - slight limitation to the south from landscape berm Traffic Volume - Traffic counts were taken on 137th Avenue and Garnet Street in July 1999. The north leg of the intersection has 448 ADT, the west leg 218 ADT, the east leg 178 ADT, and the south leg is estimated to generate 80 ADT. Observations - According to the petitioner's request, the placement of stop signs would be an attempt to slow down traffic. The length of 137th Avenue is 2100 feet long through the Rivenwick subdivision. A stop sign would provide reduced speed through a 300-foot stretch of this distance, 150 feet either side of the intersection. The sight distance from the southern leg of this intersection has some limitations. This limitation may have contributed to the single accident recorded at that intersection. Posting a stop sign as requested on 137th Avenue would give the right-of-way to northbound and southbound traffic on Garnet, which is not the predominant movement. Granting the right-of-way to the non-predominant movement is unwise, particularly on low-speed, low volume intersections such as this, since there is a significant percentage of traffic that will disregard the stop because of the low probability of having a Public Works Committee/August 17, 1999 Page 5 of 8