AGENDA #4c
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Traffic Calming Devices on Brookstone Drive
DATE: April 14, 2003
Adoption of the attached resolution would authorize the Manager to have a speed table (raised crosswalk) constructed on Brookstone Drive.
Enactment of the attached ordinance would establish a 20 mph speed limit on Brookstone Drive.
At its February 24 and March 24, 2003 meetings, the Town Council received information from the Town Manager responding to a petition from the residents of the Brookstone Apartments regarding alternative options for vehicular access to the Chapel Ridge Apartments. The Manager’s reports discussed the possibility of installing traffic calming measures on Brookstone Drive and of opening Northfield Drive as a second means of ingress/egress for the Chapel Ridge Apartments. Attachment #1 is a map of the area in question.
The Council reviewed the information presented, and took no further action on the question of whether to open Northfield Drive as a second means of access for the Chapel Ridge Apartments. However, the Council directed the Manager to have traffic calming measures installed on Brookstone Drive. At the March 24, 2003 meeting, the developer of the Chapel Ridge Apartments informed the Council that he would not contribute funds for Brookstone Drive traffic calming.
TRAFFIC CALMING PLAN
Brookstone Drive is 27-feet wide with curb/gutter, and is approximately 600 feet long. We reviewed the site and believe that Brookstone Drive could benefit from traffic calming measures as a practical response to the expected increase in traffic volume once the Chapel Ridge Apartments are occupied. We believe that a speed table with crosswalk markings would serve as an appropriate traffic calming device for Brookstone Drive, in addition to providing a clearly marked crosswalk for local residents. The proposed location of the speed table is presented on Attachment #1, and the construction details are presented in Attachment #2. We estimate that the cost of installing the proposed speed table on Brookstone Drive would be approximately $3,000, including signs and pavement markings.
FUNDING
The Town Council approved $44,000 for traffic calming devices Town-wide in the FY 2002-03 budget. To date, $37,634 has been encumbered for construction of traffic calming measures in several neighborhoods as directed by the Council. A total of $6,366 remains available for as yet unidentified traffic calming projects.
We are currently working with several neighborhoods to develop traffic calming plans. However, no traffic calming proposals are finalized for these neighborhoods. Therefore, we recommend that the Council approve $3,000 of the remaining $6,366 available in the traffic calming budget for installing a speed table on Brookstone Drive.
20 MPH SPEED LIMIT:
We also recommend enacting an ordinance establishing a 20 mph speed limit on Brookstone Drive and installation of the appropriate speed limit signs to call drivers’ attention to the need to drive slowly through the residential area surrounding Brookstone Drive.
That the Town Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the installation of a speed table on Brookstone Drive, and enact the attached ordinance that would establish a 20 mph speed limit on Brookstone Drive.
1. Vicinity Map with Speed Table Location (p. 5).
2. Details of Speed Table (p. 6).
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF CERTAIN TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES ON BROOKSTONE DRIVE IN CHAPEL HILL (2003-04-14/R-4)
WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill is concerned about vehicular and non-vehicular safety and mobility on Town streets; and
WHEREAS, the Council has received a report from Town staff regarding proposed traffic calming measures on Brookstone Drive;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council directs the Manager to have a speed table installed on Brookstone Drive.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes the expenditure of not to exceed $3,000 for construction/installation of the speed table on Brookstone Drive.
This the 14th day of April, 2003.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21 OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING SPEED REGULATIONS (2003-04-14/O-1)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill as follows:
Section 1. Section 21-11(A) (1) of the Town Code of Ordinances, “Twenty miles per hour.” is hereby amended by adding the following:
“(f) Brookstone Drive. ”
Section 2. This ordinance shall become effective immediately.
This the 14th day of April, 2003.