AGENDA #4d
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM : W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Multi-way Stop Signs at the Intersection of Branch Street and Justice Street
DATE: January 28, 2002
The following report is in response to a citizen request to install stop signs at the intersection of Branch Street and Justice Street. Please see the attached map.
Adoption of the attached ordinance would authorize installation of the stop signs as requested. The Manager recommends approval.
At the November 12, 2001 meeting, the Council reviewed and approved a special use permit for “Airport Drive Office” development. Ms. Barbara Carraher expressed concerns about increased cut-through traffic on Barclay Road and Branch Street due to the proposed development. The Town Council approved the special use permit with a provision of possible traffic calming measures in the area. Ms. Carraher requested that the Town implement immediately all-way stop conditions at the intersection of Branch Street and Justice Street to reduce the on-going cut-through traffic.
According to the existing Ordinance, Justice Street is designated as a “through” street at the subject location, and vehicles currently continue through the intersection without being required to stop. Branch Street is designated as “stop” street, and vehicles are required to stop at the existing stop sign before continuing through the intersection. However, our field visit indicates that stop signs were installed on Justice Street instead of Branch Street.
In 1989, the Town Council adopted a policy for the placement of stop signs and assignment of speed limits. A copy of the policy is attached. The policy was adopted to provide guidance and consistency in responding to requests for the installation of stop signs and the assignment of speed limits on public streets.
The policy includes a variety of conditions and situations that could warrant the installation of stop signs and/or changes in speed limits. It also includes situations in which stop sign installations or speed limit changes would not be recommended. These criteria are based on a combination of generally accepted traffic engineering principals and our observations of stop sign installations in Chapel Hill and other communities in North Carolina. Please refer to the attached policy document for more specific information. We think that the installation of the requested stop signs could reduce the potential increase in cut-through traffic and provide safe traffic circulation at the subject intersection. If the additional stop signs are authorized by the Council, we would include “stop ahead” warning signs on the approaches to the intersection.
That the Council adopt the attached ordinance authorizing placement of stop signs on Justice Street at Branch Street.
1. Vicinity Map (p. 4).
2. Town’s Policy on Placement of Stop Signs (p. 5).
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING STOP REGULATIONS (2002-01-28/0-2)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill as follows:
Section 1. Section 21-13(a) of the Town Code of Ordinances, “Right-of-way and stop regulations.” is hereby amended by deleting the following:
“Through Streets Stop Streets
Justice
Street Branch Street”
Section 2. Section 21-13(c) of the Town Code of Ordinances, “Right-of-way and stop regulations.” is hereby amended by inserting the following, in appropriate alphabetical order:
“Intersection(s)
Branch Street and Justice Street”
Section 3. This ordinance shall become effective February 28, 2002.
This the 28th day of January, 2002.