AGENDA #5b

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Response to Concerns Regarding Traffic Issues on Cameron Avenue

 

DATE:             September 9, 2002

 

The following information responds to concerns expressed by Mr. Richard Goldberg regarding a staff report on his petition requesting changes in existing parking regulations and bicycle overlay zones in Cameron Avenue area of the Town.

 

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

 

At its June 24, 2002 meeting, the Council received a staff report (Attachment 1) in response to a petition from Mr. Richard Goldberg regarding several traffic issues on Cameron Avenue, Columbia Street and McCauley Street. At that meeting, Mr. Goldberg expressed the following comments regarding our report:

 

Comment:  The bike lanes are designated from 7:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. on signs posted on Cameron Avenue, not from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. as stated in our staff report.

 

Staff Response:  Mr. Goldberg is correct.  The Ordinance approved by the Council for bike lanes on Cameron Avenue from Monday to Friday is as follows:

                             

Side                       From                            To                                Time

South                     Graham Street              Pittsboro Street            7:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

North                     Graham Street              Fetzer Lane                  3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

 

The signs in the field correctly reflect the Ordinance and we incorrectly listed the times in our June 24 report provided to the Council.  Because the times posted on the signs reflect the current ordinance, no revisions to the signs are necessary.

 

Comment:  The Town is not providing enforcement of the no-parking areas on Cameron Avenue.

 

Staff Response:  Parking Enforcement Officers from the Town Parking Services Division conduct periodic enforcement on Cameron Avenue.  The Town Parking Services Division issued a total of 545 parking tickets on Cameron Avenue from January 1 to July 31, 2002.  There were 138 tickets issued between 7:00 and 9:45 a.m. and 227 tickets were issued between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m.  Cameron Avenue is and will continue to be a priority area for enforcement of parking regulations, to the extent possible with available resources.

 

Comment:  On-street parking routinely occurs adjacent to left-turn bay areas on Mallette Street, and parking in this area is not supposed to be allowed.

Staff Response: At its December 11, 2002 meeting, the Town Council approved elimination of on-street parking on Cameron Avenue adjacent to areas where center (left) turn lanes will remain.  The Town re-striped Cameron Avenue as directed by the Council and posted “No Parking” signs adjacent to center (left) turn lanes.  We reviewed the placement of the signs and believe that they are in accordance to the Council’s direction.

 

We contacted Mr. Goldberg and discussed this matter.  Mr. Goldberg requested that the existing “No Parking” signs on the south side of Cameron Avenue at Mallette Street be relocated to restrict on-street parking on Cameron Avenue to a point at least 40 feet away from Mallette Street.  He believes this change would better provide for the safe and orderly movement of bicycle and motorized vehicle traffic at this intersection.  We agree and will relocate the signs as requested by Mr. Goldberg.

 

In addition to the comments discussed above, Mr. Goldberg requested the following during our follow-up conversations with him:

 

Bicycle counts on Cameron Avenue:  We have provided the most recent bicycle counts in Attachment #2.  The Consultant who prepared the Mobility Report Card conducted these counts in the spring of 2002 on Cameron Avenue at Roberson Street.

 

A new study of Cameron Avenue and removal of current on-street parking:  Mr. Goldberg believes that most cars parked on Cameron Avenue belong to students who can be accommodated by fare free public transit thereby eliminating much of the need for parking in this area.

 

We think the existing traffic controls and on-street parking regulations on West Cameron Avenue provide a reasonable compromise for providing safe and effective services on this multipurpose street.  We do not suggest making further changes on West Cameron Avenue at this time.

 

If the Council desires staff to conduct a new study of Cameron Avenue, as requested by Mr. Goldberg, it can direct the Manager to do so.

  

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.                    June 24, 2002 Council Report (p. 3).

2.                    Bicycle Counts on Cameron Avenue (p. 11).