W. MAPLE RD. STEERING COMMITTEE. A subcommittee of the Multi-Modal Transportation Board

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1 W. MAPLE RD. STEERING COMMITTEE A subcommittee of the Multi-Modal Transportation Board AGENDA THURSDAY, March 19, :00 PM ROOMS 202 & MARTIN STREET, BIRMINGHAM A. Roll Call B. Introductions C. Review of the Agenda D. Approval of Minutes, Meeting of February 26, 2015 E. Miscellaneous Communications 1. Citizen letters RE: West Maple Road F. Meeting Open to the Public for items not on the Agenda G. Adjournment Notice: Due to Building Security, public entrance during non-business hours is through the Police Department Pierce St. Entrance only. Individuals with disabilities requiring assistance to enter the building should request aid via the intercom system at the parking lot entrance gate on Henrietta St. Persons with disabilities that may require assistance for effective participation in this public meeting should contact the City Clerk s Office at the number (248) , or (248) (for the hearing impaired) at least one day before the meeting to request help in mobility, visual, hearing, or other assistance. Las personas con incapacidad que requieren algún tipo de ayuda para la participación en esta sesión pública deben ponerse en contacto con la oficina del escribano de la ciudad en el número (248) o al (248) (para enos un dia antes de la reunión para solicitar ayuda a la movilidad, visual, auditiva, o de otras asistencias. (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964).

2 CITY OF BIRMINGHAM W. MAPLE RD. STEERING COMMITTEE A subcommittee of the Multi-Modal Transportation Board THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, :00 PM ROOMS 202 & MARTIN STREET, BIRMINGHAM Minutes of the initial meeting of the W. Maple Rd. Steering Committee held Thursday, February 26, The meeting was convened at 6 p.m. A. ROLL CALL Present: Ad-Hoc Committee Members Stuart Bordman (MMTB) Mike Clawson (Resident on W. Maple) Lara Edwards (MMTB) Eugene Nelson (Resident South of W. Maple) Karen Rock (Resident North of W. Maple) Russ Ives (Church Member) Terry Lang (Resident at Large) Absent: Vionna Adams (MMTB) Karen Daskas (Business Owner from CBD) David Underdown (Business Owner from W. Maple) Administration: Paul O'Meara, City Engineer Jana Ecker, Planning Director Lauren Chapman, Assistant City Planner Mark Clemens, Deputy Police Chief B. INTRODUCTIONS Guests: Joe Wolf- S. Glenhurst resident Mike Labadie - Fleis & Vandenbrink Steven Russo - Fleis & Vandenbrink Julie Fielder- Bloomfield Village Resident Jim Fielder- Bloomfield Village Resident Don Beasley- Birmingham Resident C. REVIEW OF THE AGENDA D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, MEETING OF JANUARY 22, 2015 Mr. Lang noted that he was marked as present for the January 22 meeting,but should have been marked absent as he was not there. Motion by Mr. Clawson Seconded by Mr. Nelson to approve the Minutes of January 22, 2015 as presented.

3 Motion carried, 7-0. E. TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER MIKE LABADIE PRESENTATION Mr. Labadie and Mr. Russo presented on the existing conditions on W. Maple Rd. Fleis & VandenBrink evaluated existing peak hour vehicle delays and Levels of Service (LOS) at the study intersections along Maple Road from Cranbrook to Chester based on the existing land use and traffic control, existing peak hour traffic volumes, and the methodologies presented in the Highway Capacity Manual, 2010 (HCM). LOS D is considered acceptable, with LOS A representing minimal delay, and LOS F indicating failing conditions. Additionally, SimTraffic network simulations were reviewed to evaluate network operations and vehicle queues. The results of the existing conditions analysis are attached and summarized below: 1. Vehicular turning movement counts were collected at almost all intersections during the AM (7:00 AM to 9:00 AM) and PM (4:00 PM to 6:00 PM) peak periods. Additionally, pedestrian and bicycle volumes were collected at the signalized study intersections and are included in the analysis; however, the number of pedestrians and bicycles are combined under one number and are not distinguishable from one another. 2. F & V analyzed sight distance along the study corridor and found sight distance at the Maple Road cross streets and driveways to be adequate. 3. Gaps in the traffic stream along Maple Road represented in the SimTraffic network simulations. 4. Traffic signals along Maple Road provide for platooning of vehicles to create gaps in the traffic stream for cross streets and driveways. 5. Presently all of the signalized study intersections operate at an overall LOS C or better during the AM and PM peak periods. 6. All signalized study intersection approaches and movements currently operate acceptably at a LOS D or better during the AM and PM peak periods, except the southbound approach at the intersection of Maple Road and Chester Street which operates at a LOS E, with the southbound right turn movement operating at a LOS F during the PM peak period. 7. In the traffic simulations the intersection of Maple Road and Southfield Road experienced the worst traffic congestion: a. At the intersection of Maple Road and Southfield Road, long vehicle queues were observed for the eastbound approach during the AM peak period and the eastbound and northbound approach during the PM peak period. b. At the intersection of Maple Road and Chester Street a long vehicle queue is observed for the southbound right turn movement (from Willits St.) during the PM peak period. c. The eastbound right turns onto Southfield southbound do not have an adequate length of lane for merging into southbound traffic from Maple Road. d. There is inadequate storage length for eastbound left turns from Maple Road onto Chester Street. This causes left turning vehicles to spill back into the through travel lane along Maple Road and block through traffic. e. Field observations indicate that some eastbound through traffic on Maple Road utilizes the outside through lane before and after the Southfield Road

4 intersection and merges over into the through lane or left turn lane between Southfield Road and Chester Street. F & V obtained from the Traffic Improvement Association of Michigan (TIA) historical crash data for the most recent available three years ( ) for the study segment of Maple Road. In addition to crash data, collision diagrams were also obtained for all signalized and unsignalized study intersections. Crash data from the intersection of Maple Road and Cranbrook Road were omitted from the analysis as the City of Birmingham only has jurisdiction over one leg of the intersection and no geometric improvements are proposed at the intersection as part of this project. F. MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS 1. CITIZEN LETTERS RE: WEST MAPLE ROAD Mrs. Ecker informed the committee that any letters received by the city regarding W. Maple will be passed on to the committee. G. MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Mr. Fielder stated that it is currently difficult to turn left onto Maple from the side streets. Mrs. Ecker informed him that that had been previously identified as an issue. K. ADJOURNMENT No further business being evident, the chairperson adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.

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7 3/3/2015 City of Birmingham MI Mail Re: Maple Project Paul O'Meara Re: Maple Project 1 message Joe Valentine <jvalentine@bhamgov.org> Tue, Mar 3, 2015 at 3:09 PM To: Sean Riley <playmaker414@gmail.com> Cc: Paul O'Meara <Pomeara@bhamgov.org>, Jana Ecker <Jecker@bhamgov.org>, Mark Clemence <Mclemence@bhamgov.org> Mr. Riley, Thank you for your sharing your thoughts on improving Maple Road. I will pass along your to our Multi Modal Transportation Board for consideration during their on going reviews of this stretch of roadway. If you wish to following their efforts on studying W. Maple Road you can do so at Again, thank you for sharing your input in this process. Regards, Joe Valentine On Tue, Mar 3, 2015 at 2:37 PM, Sean Riley <playmaker414@gmail.com> wrote: Going to 3 lanes and adding bike lanes is an excellent idea. It lends itself well to Birmingham "walkability" reputation. The turn lane will actually mitigate traffic and safety concerns better than the current 2 lane both direction design. Thank you Sean Riley 2325 W.Maple rd Joseph A. Valentine City Manager City of Birmingham 151 Martin Street Birmingham, MI (248) Office Direct (248) Fax jvalentine@bhamgov.org Get the latest news from the City of Birmingham delivered to your inbox. Visit to sign up. 1/1

8 Ray Massa 125 Aspen Birmingham, MI Birmingham City Commission March 8, Martin Street Birmingham, MI Dear Commissioners, I previously sent a letter on October 31, 2014 regarding my support for the West Maple Road Multimodal Road Plan. This is simply a follow-up on some of the objections from residents regarding the city s continuation of evaluating and studying the plan. It would appear that some opponents do not want the city to continue investigating traffic flow and safety studies. Isn t this how we make informed decisions; by gathering facts based on empirical data rather than popular opinion? We voted the commissioners into office, now we need to let them do their due diligence by researching and fact-finding as much data as possible. Having well-informed and educated sources on traffic flow, accident and engineering studies based on facts seems to me the right way to make a decision. We elect our officials to make these choices for us based on their position in government where they have access to intelligent sources of information that the average resident does not. That is what a democratic republic does. Just because the majority of residents want it to be implemented one way, does not necessarily mean it is the best way. Some national elections have proven in hindsight that the majority has not always chosen wisely. I believe the plan should be a city driven plan and not a resident driven plan. Progress should be made for the many, not just for our immediate neighborhood. I think in concept the city is taking the right approach. If every neighborhood has the ability to micro-manage their own local associations imagine what the city might look like. My primary reason for supporting the plan is to reduce speeding (hopefully making it safer for all) and reduce the noise on Maple and return it to a more subdued road without it feeling like a major roadway. The commissioners have heard the neighborhood s views and I am in the minority it seems, but I hope that all of those who are in favor of it will voice their support in writing. The probability of it passing may be slim, but I am arguing for the process at this point as well as for the plan. Let the facts tell the story and then make an educated decision. I may not agree with the final path but I can respect how the outcome was achieved. Sincerely, Ray Massa 125 Aspen Birmingham, MI 48009