HomeMy WebLinkAbout96-191 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 1996/12/02r
RESOLUTION NO. 96-101
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING POLICY FOR
THE CONSIDERATION AND INSTALLATION
OF TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
WHEREAS, the purpose of a traffic control policy is to provide fair and uniform treatment of all
requests for traffic controls and the consistent application of a policy is to serve both the residents and the
motorists within our community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is granted the authority, under state statute, to approve or deny all traffic
control requests based on conformance with the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MnMUTCD) and local ordinances and regulations which may be influenced by environmental, social, economic,
and/or financial implications within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Council understands that because of the emotional situation often associated with
some requests, it is sometimes difficult to analyze such requests using rational criteria and to enhance the
Council's ability to use rational criteria in evaluating stop sign and other traffic control requests guidelines should
be established; and
WHEREAS, guidelines to aid in neighborhood traffic calming by promoting a basketweave stop sign
pattern along with other various specific calming devices or geometric modifications are felt necessary; and
lirWHEREAS, it is felt that guidelines will minimize the proliferation of unnecessary signage or devices
throughout the City and provide for safer and more livable neighborhoods and streets.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of St. Louis Park,
Minnesota, that:
All traffic control requests will be reviewed by staff, but requests will only be considered and processed if
supported by staff, by Council, or by petition of at least ten families (heads of households) within one (1) block
of the site. Traffic controls may be warranted and authorized by the Council as follows:
1. The provisions of the MnMUTCD shall be followed on all arterial, collector and Minnesota State Aid
(MSA) routes.
2. The provisions of the MnMUTCD shall be used as a guideline on all residential/neighborhood streets. In
addition, the following criteria shall be used when determining need for traffic controls within a
residential/neighborhood street system:
1
• Installation of any type traffic controls or traffic calming controls must not significantly increase
traffic volumes on adjacent residential/neighborhood streets.
• Traffic calming controls such as, parking controls, traffic calming devices, or other traffic controls,
must not jeopardize the safety of the motoring public or any non -motoring traffic using the roadway
or sidewalks.
(continued)
• Where 50% of the traffic, as determined by traffic studies, is cut -through, installation of traffic
calming controls may be considered.
• Installation of traffic calming controls for speed control, 60% of the traffic surveyed must exceed the
posted speed limit and/or 35% must exceed posted limit by 5 miles per hour.
• Stop signs will be considered and allowed as a traffic calming measure in residential areas when fit
into a basketweave pattern in an area or a neighborhood. This will require areawide resident
involvement to develop and to support this as an area traffic calming measure or plan (see Policy
Section 3). Implicit in this provision is the understanding that some stop signs may require removal in
order to achieve a reasonable and acceptable basketweave pattern.
• Intersections with volumes less than 5,000 vehicles per day entering the intersection, one of the
intersecting streets may be controlled (2 way controls).
• Intersections with volumes greater than 5,000 vehicles per day entering the intersection, traffic
controls on both intersecting streets may be considered (4 -way or all way controls).
• Where pedestrian levels in safety sensitive areas (parks, schools, houses of worship, senior centers,
hospitals, trails) warrant, then traffic controls may be considered for pedestrian safety. This may
include stop signs, marked crosswalks, and/or other traffic calming controls.
• When engineering data and/or geometric design clearly indicates the need for traffic controls, then
traffic controls should be considered.
• If an intersection experiences five (5) or more accidents correctable by traffic controls in a three (3)
year period, traffic controls should be considered.
• If the presence of a sight obstruction is a factor (potential or documented), removal of the obstruction
should be sought before considering traffic controls.
3. Non -qualifying devices (from #1 and 2 above) and traffic calming devices/methods may be considered if
both of the following are satisfied:
• 70% of residents within a six hundred (600) foot radius from the intersection/site request by petition
(residents will be provided with a map with the appropriate radius lines and a petition form) or a
neighborhood association supports a neighborhood study and calming strategy.
• Special studies (site specific or neighborhood wide) and installation of traffic controls (except signs)
would be at residents or neighborhood cost (specially assessed to benefited residents or areas).
(continued)
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Necessity of devices is to be monitored and devices should be removed if:
• They prove to be ineffective or unnecessary.
• Accidents increase or benefit to the public decreases from prior situation.
• Neighboring residential streets would be adversely affected.
5. As with all traffic safety issues, the City Council is the final authority by which a traffic control change
shall be authorized or denied. The City Council will make their decision based on the facts presented, all
pertinent guidelines plus relevant environmental, social, economic, and financial considerations at the
time.
Adopted by the City Council D ber 2, 1996
Attest:
Reviewed for administration:
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