HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-08_Reconsideration of Commission direction from May 19, 2008 to Install Temporary Median Pod on North Tracy Avenue at its Intersection with Cottonwood Street
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Debbie Arkell, Director of Public Services
Chris Kukulski, City Manager
SUBJECT: Reconsideration of Commission direction to install temporary median
“pod” on North Tracy Avenue at its intersection with Cottonwood Street
MEETING DATE: October 27, 2008, Regular Agenda, 6:00 p.m., Bozeman City Hall
121 North Rouse Avenue
RECOMMENDATION: Rescind previous direction to staff to install temporary median
“pod” on North Tracy Avenue at its intersection with Cottonwood
Street.
BACKGROUND:
• MAY 19, 2008 COMMISSION DIRECTED STAFF TO:
1. Install STOP signs on Cottonwood Street at its intersection with North Tracy Avenue;
2. Install a temporary (pin-down) median pod, similar to those installed at the
intersection of North 20th Avenue and Beall Street on Tracy Avenue, at the south
quadrant of the intersection;
3. Install a PARK/15 mph sign in the center of the pod, and
4. Install 25 mph signs on both the north and south lanes of North Tracy Avenue,
between Peach Street and Tamarack Street.
Staff asked for direction on the issue of installing stop signs on Cottonwood Street at its
intersection with North Tracy Avenue because of the strong neighborhood support to
install a four-way stop, which was not warranted. Staff recommended the installation of
STOP signs on Cottonwood Street.
One member of the public requested a temporary median pod, similar to those installed at
the intersection of North 20th and Beall Street, be installed on Tracy Avenue at the south
quadrant of the intersection, because of the adjacent park. Staff previously considered
this but did not recommend it because it would eliminate parking on Tracy Avenue in
front of the three homes at the corners, and while these devices may serve to slow traffic,
they will not help with the sight vision obstruction, and may even exacerbate the problem
because drivers will be focusing on the median rather than potential side-street traffic.
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After reviewing this direction, the Public Services Director further directed Staff to give
consideration to installing 15 mph signs on all streets adjacent to Centennial Park, and to
install PARK signs on the other street approaches to the park, similar to what we have
near Beall Park.
• JUNE 13, 2008 PROPERTY OWNER NOTIFICATION. Following policy, property
owners in the area were notified of this direction, and were advised that the installation of
the pod would prohibit parking on Tracy Avenue south of Cottonwood Street a distance
of approximately 75 feet from the south curb line of Cottonwood Street, and that “no
parking” zones would be established on the other three legs of the intersection, which are
30 feet from the stop signs and 20 feet from crosswalks.
• JUNE 23, 2008 COMMISSION MEETING PUBLIC COMMENT. A letter from
Mike and Gale Figgins, 623 N. Tracy, was submitted asking the Commission to
reconsider the decision to install the pod. No action was taken at that time.
• AUGUST 11, 2008 COMMISSION MEETING PUBLIC COMMENT. Gale Figgins
asked the Commission to reconsider the decision, citing the loss of three parking spaces
from in front of their R-4 zoned property and requested and asked the Commission to
first see how the STOP and 15 mph signs addressed the situation before installing the
temporary pod.
• AUGUST 11, 2008 AGREEMENT TO BRING ISSUE BACK FOR
RECONSIDERATION. During the FYI portion of the meeting, the commission
unanimously agreed to bring back to the issue for reconsideration.
• AUGUST 18, 2008 DIRECTION ON RECONSIDERATION OF INSTALLATION
OF POD. One member of the public spoke in favor of reconsideration, one e-mail was
received in favor of reconsideration, and one e-mail was received opposed to
reconsideration. Commission voted to reconsider the direction to install the
temporary median pod.
• EFFECTS ON PARKING WITH POD. The installation of stop signs on Cottonwood
Street required the curb on Tracy Avenue to be painted yellow 20-feet back from the
intersection (BMC 10.32.030) (loss of one space). The curb on Cottonwood Street will
be painted yellow 30-feet back from the intersection (BMC 10.32.030) (loss of up to 2
spaces (if compact cars) on each leg). The installation of the pod will require an
additional 45-feet of no parking on each side of Tracy Avenue (loss of 2 spaces each
side). Parking along Tracy Avenue at 623 and 624 North Tracy will be totally eliminated
(parking along Cottonwood would still be available), and will reduce the parking at 620
N. Tracy to one spot (this lot is only 50-feet wide and they will lose 14-feet of that
space.)
• WORK COMPLETED: At this time, all of the directed work has been completed, with
the exception of the pod installation.
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FISCAL EFFECTS: The estimated cost of the temporary pod installation is $1,500. The
installation will be done by poured-in-place concrete curbing. The poured-in-place concrete
curbing could remain as a permanent structure. To make the pod permanent, thermoplastic
striping would be installed at an estimated cost of $800. If the pod is installed and it is later
decided to remove it, the estimated cost to remove it is $450 for the concrete removal and
disposal, paint obliteration, and sign relocations.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
CONTACT: Debbie Arkell at darkell@bozeman.net.
Report Compiled on October 22, 2008:
Cc: Property owners:
- Mike and Gale Figgins
- Christopher & Mary Ellen Spogis
- Ronald W. Evans
- Brian & Constance Wagner
- Donald G. Murphy
- Daniel Krza/Angela Kociolek
- Susan Mathre
Andrew Kerr, Engineering Assistant
John Van Delinder, Streets Superintendent
Richard Hixson, City Engineer
File 690k
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