AGENDA #4i
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to a Petition Requesting Traffic Safety Improvements in the Vicinity of the Coker Hills West Neighborhood
DATE: September 11, 2006
PURPOSE
The following report responds to a petition from the Coker Hills West Neighborhood Association requesting traffic safety improvements in the vicinity of their neighborhood. Please see the area map provided in Attachment 1.
We recommend the following traffic safety improvements as requested by the Association:
We recommend adoption of the attached resolution that would authorize using $7,000 from 2003 Sidewalk and Street Improvements Bonds for installing the above recommended crosswalk markings, ADA ramps, and in-street pedestrian sign.
At its June 12, 2006 meeting, the Town Council received a petition (Attachment 2) from the Coker Hills West Neighborhood Association requesting that the Town implement the following traffic safety improvements:
Town staff met with representatives of the neighborhood association and evaluated their requests. We conducted field studies in June and observed pedestrian activity at the intersection of Kensington Drive and Curtis Road/North Lakeshore Drive. We think that the requested crosswalks at this intersection along with the ADA ramps would improve pedestrian safety.
We also observed that several children from the area use a path along Kensington Drive to reach their schools. The posted speed limit is 25 mph, and there are no sidewalks on Kensington Drive. A mid-block crosswalk with an in-street pedestrian sign would improve the safety of the pedestrians attempting to cross Kensington Drive.
Town staff will install the “intersection” warning sign on North Lakeshore Drive in advance of Rock Creek Road within the next two weeks.
The 2003 Sidewalk and Street Improvements Bonds include $650,000 for neighborhood safety improvements including installation of traffic calming measures, signing, lighting, and pedestrian/bicycle safety improvements. The Council issued $300,000 of the bonds in fiscal year 2004-05 of which approximately $162,000 has been spent or authorized to spend on several traffic calming and pedestrian/bicycle safety improvements. The estimated cost of the recommended traffic safety improvements in the Coker Hills West Neighborhood is approximately $7,000. The Town Council is also considering traffic calming recommendations at tonight’s meeting at an estimated cost of $31,500.
CONCLUSION
We think that the recommended improvements would improve safety conditions for drivers and pedestrians in the area. If approved by the Council, we expect to contract out the work related to crosswalk markings and ADA ramps; and Town staff would install the approved signs.
That the Council adopt the attached resolution that would authorize the Manager to use $7,000 from 2003 Sidewalk and Street Improvements Bonds for implementing traffic safety improvements in the Coker Hills West Neighborhood.
1. Area Map (p. 4) and Aerial Photo (p 5).
2. Petition (p. 6).
