TRAFFIC COMMISSION MINUTES The Lancaster City Traffic Commission met on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, 3:30 PM at City Hall, City Council Chambers. Present: Absent: Mayor J. Richard Gray Paula Jackson Charlotte Katzenmoyer Dean Evans Chief Keith Sadler Councilwoman Barbara Wilson Dino Mandros Staff: Tyresa Bailey Cindy McCormick Larry Cohen M. Ibrahim Aman Guests: Frank Felizzi Andy Hoover Irene Aco Adriana Alencio Emily Landis Wane Pagan Jon Kolcus Mike Irwin Erika Sweigert Roseanne Oyer Gary Witmer Andrew Longnecker Lori Longnecker Geary Zern Eric Eshleman Greg Paulson Kathleen Kora Dan Kora Nicholas Myers David DiSavino Cynthia DiSavino Jerry Wiswosky Michael Ervin Bill Gofenocn Nancy Sechrist Alan Sechrist Debra Webb Walter Webb Jonathan Bornman Linda Novosel Peter Novosel Samuel Neff Danene Sorace John Haney
TRAFFIC COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, September 12, 2017 Lancaster City Council Chambers 1530 hrs. (3:30 PM) 120 North Duke Street Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17602 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Gray called the September 12, 2017 Traffic Commission meeting to order at 3:30 PM. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS 79-2015 Consider the request from the Department of Public Works for a proposed West Chestnut Street bikeway from College Avenue to Charlotte or North Mulberry Streets. - The City Staff toured the City of Baltimore to look at their bike network The Commission discussed the similarities between Chestnut Street and Maryland Avenue in Baltimore as well as the possibility of placing bike lanes on Walnut Street. - Ms. Wilson asked about education to the community if vehicles are already speeding prior to the installment of the bike lanes. The City is considering 2 alternatives; a one-way bike lane and a two-way bike lane. - Two-way bike lane: bike lanes would be on the north side, eliminate one travel lane on Chestnut Street, except through downtown, and eliminate parking: 1 space per block & 28 spaces throughout downtown - One-way bike lane: maintain 2 lanes of travel on Walnut, eliminate one lane of travel on Chestnut, keep 2 lanes of travel on Chestnut between Water and Duke, and eliminate 1 space per block and 22 parking spaces throughout downtown. Resident - The Mayor asked if the City considered other alternate East-West routes like Christian Street. There are no other continuous streets like Christian Street. - Ms. Felizzi stated that since bike enforcement is at a minimum, how will the City create a safer environment for all street users. The City is working with Lancaster Bikes to put together an educational campaign. - Bill Hoffman expressed his concerns about signalization as well as accessing certain places and agrees with the Mayor with turning
Chestnut and Walnut into two-way streets and placing the bike lanes elsewhere. Ms. Katzenmoyer stated that Chestnut Street is only 40 feet wide and gets smaller in other areas. Charlotte and Mulberry streets work this way because they are more than 40 wide. - Mr. Disavino stated that the recommendation from Jeff Speck was not what is being proposed and requests that the City keep the 2-lane traffic on Chestnut Street with a one-lane bike lane, without the 3ft protection. Mr. Disavino collected 198 signatures from the residents on Chestnut street as well as the connecting streets. - Sam Neff spoke on behalf of Arthur Morris and request that Chestnut Street retain the 2-lanes, stating that it violates the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance adopted in 2015. - Cynthia Haines stated that the buffer takes up too much space and may be best to eliminate the buffer lane. Ms. Katzenmoyer stated that there is a legislation proposal to change the Motor Vehicle Code to include the bike network. - The Mayor asked if the residents would be opposed to Chestnut Street being a two-way street. The residents believe that changing traffic two-way would be a better traffic calming method. - The residents all suggest education before the bike network gets put in. - The Mayor thanked the residents for coming out, there will not be a decision made today and there will be other opportunities to speak before a final presentation will be made. 40-2017 Consider the request from Ambar Hernandez to discuss the safety issues at the intersection of S. Water, E. Strawberry, and E. Farnum Streets. - Ms. Katzenmoyer stated that a grant application had been made to improve Water Street through a Smart Growth Transportation Fund. - Mr. Evans motioned to deny the request due to the inclusions made by the improvement request, seconded Ms. Wilson. The motion was unanimously approved. 47-2017 Consider the request from Devon and Maria Thornton to discuss safety issues on the 200blk of Hazel Street. - Ms. McCormick stated that the 85 th percentile of the vehicles traveling on this road were going around 35mph headed east and 33mph headed west. This area will also be improved through the SMART fund. - Ms. Wilson asked if the speed limit sign was posted. The City posted the speed limit sign. - Ms. Katzenmoyer motioned to deny the request due to the inclusions made by the improvement request, seconded by Ms. Jackson. The motion was unanimously approved.
53-2017 Consider the request from Jessica Serrano to address the speeding issues on Hand Avenue. - Ms. McCormick stated that the 85 th percentile of the vehicles traveling on this road was 14mph. - Ms. Jackson motioned to deny the request, seconded by Ms. Wilson. 58-2017 Consider the request from Frank Felizzi to have a speed study done for the 300blk of N. Broad Street. - Ms. McCormick stated that the 85 th percentile of the vehicles traveling on Walnut Street was 35mph. - The City can install a bike facility to help slow the traffic. - The Commission discussed the dangers of traffic in that street. - The Mayor suggested installing a speed sign to show the drivers their speed. - Ms. Katzenmoyer motioned to table the item to further consider ways to slow traffic, seconded by Ms. Wilson. The motion was unanimously approved. 60-2017 Consider the request from Yolanda Cole to address the speeding issues on the 500blk of Pershing Avenue. - Ms. McCormick stated that the 85 th percentile of the vehicles traveling on this read was 17mph. - Ms. Katzenmoyer motioned to deny the request, seconded by Mr. Evans. NEW BUSINESS CONSENT AGENDA 64-2017 The following Handicapped signs have been installed at: 343 E. Ross St 620 Fourth St 320 E. Liberty 665 Hebrank 39 S. West End Ave 129 Laurel St 75 Wise Ave 65-2017 The following Handicapped signs have been removed at: 525 Dauphin 419 Ruby St 466 Atlantic Ave 57 Wise Ave 643 Fremont 333 Fairview Ave 318 W. Lemon St 613 Beaver 34 N. Mary 309 S. Marshall 315 S. Marshall 333 S. Marshall 536 Reynolds Ave 516 S. Shippen 533 Locust 579 Pershing 511 Third 767 Clermont 348 College Ave 856 Garnet 449 Hillside 619 East End Ave 712 Third 311 Susquehanna 528 N. Jefferson 126 S. Ann 608 N. Lime 435 Howard Ave 731 New Holland 355 S. Marshall 22 S. Franklin St 567 S. Christian 113 N. Plum 241 N. Marshall 826 Seymour 519 East End Ave 703 Manor 914 Union 7 Howard Ave 3 N. Mulberry
66-2017 The following signs have been installed at: 320 E. Liberty St Do Not Block Driveway 67-2017 The following signs have been removed at: 401 N. Queen Load Zone - Ms. Katzenmoyer motioned to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Mr. Evans. ACTION AGENDA 68-2017 Consider the request from Erika R. Sweigert to have a parking permit for her home on 34 Caroline Street. This home already has the maximum number of permits allowed. Ms. Swigert addressed Traffic Commission to have a 3 rd parking permit for her home. She is staying with someone and needs a permit for her vehicle. The home already has two permits. - Ms. Jackson stated that under the Rules and Regulations, there is a limit of two parking permits per single family dwelling. - Traffic Commission discussed other areas for Ms. Sweigert to park. - Ms. Jackson motioned to deny the request due to the restrictions set by the Rules and Regulations, seconded by Me. Evans. The motion was unanimously approved. 69-2017 Consider the request from Raonel Moreno to have a parking permit for his home located at 11 South Plum Street. The home already has the maximum number of permits allowed. Mrs. Moreno addressed the Commission to have a third permit for her husband s work vehicle. They each have one for their home. - The Commission discussed parking options for Mr. Moreno s work vehicle. - Ms. Wilson motioned to deny the request due to the restrictions set by the Rules and Regulations. Seconded by Ms. Katzenmoyer. The motion was unanimously approved. 70-2017 Consider the request from Emily Landis to install a yield to pedestrian sign at their facility located at 454 New Holland Avenue. See attached letter. Ms. Landis and Mr. Whitmer addressed Traffic Commission to have a crosswalk sign placed in front of their building between them and the parking lot across the street. - The City cannot install a crosswalk mid-block. - Ms. Katzenmoyer suggested applying for an advance pedestrian signal phase from PennDOT and sign the parking lot to use the crosswalk that is at the corner. - Mr. Evans suggested to change the crosswalk to the piano keys.
- Ms. Wilson motioned to approve the suggested improvements: request to PennDOT to do an advance pedestrian signal phase, add signage on the mast arm to yield to pedestrians, and add piano keys to the crosswalk, seconded by Mr. Evans. The motion was unanimously approved. 71-2017 Consider the request from George Colon to request that the 700blk of Union street become One-way. See Attached letter. Mr. Colon was not present - The Commission discussed the safety hazards of the area. The Mayor suggested to table the item to look at the safety hazards. - Mr. Evans motioned to deny the request, seconded by Ms. Jackson. The motion was approved with Ms. Wilson opposing. 72-2017 Consider the request from Evelina Perez to install a stop sign on N. Franklin Street. See attached email. Ms. Perez was not present. - Mr. Evans motioned to deny the request, seconded by Ms. Katzenmoyer. 73-2017 Consider the request from Nicholas Myers to address the speeding on the 000blk of Locust Street. Vehicles are speeding up the block, currently there are no speed limit signs. Mr. Meyers addressed Traffic Commission to address the speeding on the 000blk of Locust Street. Currently there are no speed limit signs. - Ms. Jackson stated that it looks like there is room for parking on the other side of the street. - Traffic Commission discussed the possibility of having parking on the other side of the street. - Ms. Jackson motioned to table the item to review the possibility of adding parking on the other side of the street, seconded by Ms. Wilson. 74-2017 Consider the request from Wane Pagan of Catalina s Restaurant to have a load zone installed at 38-40 West Orange St. Mr. Pagan was denied due to the current length of the turning lane. Mr. Pagan addressed the Commission to install a load zone in front of his business at 38-40 W. Orange Street.
- Ms. Katzenmoyer stated that it would be at least two weeks before they start shortening the turn lanes. - Traffic Commission discussed the location of the load zone space. - Mr. Cohen stated that since the Lancaster Parking Authority has moved, the space in front of their building has become the load zone for businesses on Market Street, and he would support a load zone in front of the LPA building. - Ms. Wilson motion to approve a double load zone in front of the Lancaster Parking Authority at 30. W. Orange Street, seconded by Ms. Jackson. 75-2017 Consider the request from a concerned neighbor to have install or remove the No Parking signs at Wharton Elementary School. The No Parking signs point continuously towards Harrisburg Avenue. See attached photos. - Ms. Jackson motioned to table the item to look at the signage, seconded by Ms. Katzenmoyer. 76-2017 Consider the request from Walter B. Webb Sr. to install a handicap sign in front of his home located at 534 Locust Street. The application was denied due to the amount of handicap signs on the block. Mr. Webb s neighbor is moving and he requests to have her space. Mr. & Mrs. Webb addressed Traffic Commission to have a handicap space for their home. They were denied initially because the street side was full. The neighbor who had one is moving and had hers removed. Mr. Webb would like to use the handicap space she occupied. - Mr. Evans motioned to approve the space, seconded by Ms. Wilson. 77-2017 Consider the request from Public Works to add an in-street pedestrian crossing sign to Orange Street at Christian Street. - Mr. Evans motioned to approve the request, seconded by Ms. Wilson. 78-2017 Consider the request from Eric Eshleman to install a pick-up drop-off space in front of their building located at 822 Marietta Avenue. The Westend Medical Center is currently exploring options to install handicap accessible doors and would like to have a pick-up/drop-off space. Mr. Eshleman addressed Traffic Commission to have a pick-up/drop-off space at 822 Marietta Avenue. - Traffic Commission discussed the location of the space.
- Ms. Katzenmoyer suggested painting one of the metered spaces there blue for handicap. - Ms. Katzenmoyer motioned to approve a handicap metered space, seconded by Ms. Wilson. 79-2017 Consider the request from Amy Singer to install a 4-way stop sign at West Lemon and North Mary Streets. See Attached email. Ms. Singer was not present and requested for the item to be tabled. - The Mayor requested that we have an accident report pulled for this location. - Mr. Evans motioned to table the item, seconded by Ms. Jackson. The motion was unanimously approved. 80-2017 Consider the request from J. Andrew Hoover to install a 4-way stop on the 700blk of N. Franklin Street. See attached letter. Mr. Hoover addressed Traffic Commission to install a stop sign at the corner of Franklin and Frederick Street. - The Mayor stated that to install a four-way stop sign there must be five (5) reportable accidents within one year or a sight distance issue. - Traffic Commission discussed parking and street curbs. - Ms. Jackson motioned to table the item to look at the accidents and sight distance, seconded by Ms. Katzenmoyer. The motion was unanimously approved. 81-2017 Consider the request from James Shultz from LHOP and SoWe to implement the proposed street improvements for Water Street as soon as possible. LHOP and SoWe are requesting that the City s proposal for improvements at the intersection of West Vine and Water Streets be expedited. Mr. Shultz was not present and requested for the item to be tabled. - Mr. Evans motioned to table the item, seconded by Ms. Katzenmoyer. 82-2017 Consider the request from Jonathan Bornman to install parking spaces in front of the old Giant Food Stores on Reservoir Street. Since the closure of the Giant Food Store, the residents would like to be able to park in the available spaces. Mr. Bornman addressed Traffic Commission to be able to park in front of the barriers at the old Giant Food Store located on Reservoir Street until the lot has been purchased.
OTHER BUSINESS - Ms. Katzenmoyer stated that the City ordinance states that you cannot park in front of a depressed curb. - Ms. Wilson suggested to make a proposal to City Council to amend the City Code to let the residents park in front of the depressed curb if it is not being used. - Ms. Jackson suggested to remove the No Parking signs to give the residents at least 4 additional parking spaces. - Ms. Jackson motioned to remove the No Parking signs and refer the parking matter to City Council to amend the City Ordinance to allow parking in front of driveways that are clearly not in use, seconded by Ms. Katzenmoyer. A resident at Nevin and Spruce questioned why he received a parking ticket for parking on the north side of W. James Street between the cross walk and a bus stop. He also stated that when parked on Pine near Chestnut Street, his car was destroyed by a tractor trailer, noting that there is regular tractor trailer traffic on Pine Street. City resident Mike Irwin suggested that street cleaning signs be adjusted to say parking is permitted on Saturday and Sunday. ADJOURNMENT Upon no further business requiring consideration, the Traffic Commission meeting for September 12, 2017 was adjourned at 6:30PM. Respectfully submitted, Tyresa Bailey Traffic Commission Secretary