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Home My WebLink About2004-12-07 Work Session PacketJoint City Council/Edina Transportation Commission Meeting To: Mayor & City Council Agenda Item # From: Steven Lillehaug, PE, PTOE Consent Traffic Eng./Assistant Eng. Information Only Date: December 3, 2004 Mgr. Recommends To HRA To Council Subject: DRAFT Transportation Action Motion Commission Policy Resolution Ordinance Discussion Info/Background: Attached is the DRAFT Transportation Commission Policy that was approved by the Transportation Commission for public comment and all public comments received regarding the policy to date. cc: Transportation Commissioners (Public comments only.) Original Message From: Rob Webb [mailto:rwebb3@mnsr.com] Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 11:28 AM To: Steve Lillehaug Subject: Sun Current Article Steve, Please pass this along to Fred. Fred, Thank you for all your work on the Traffic Commission. The policy goes a long way towards removing the subjectivity from the appropriate engineering of the City's traffic system. Now the City staff can get back to designing a road system in accordance with widely accepted traffic design principals instead of the whims of a vocal few. On that subject, I was disappointed to see Joni Bennett speaking on Traffic Commission matters at length in the Sun Current. Given that Joni was the only dissenting vote to passing the policy through the Commission (6 votes for and Joni against), she clearly was representing the minority view, not the view of the Commission. It did not come across this way in a widely-read community publication. It may make sense to have Commission members, and City staff, agree that the Chairperson is the only one that can speak to the press on Commission matters. Joni is clearly using the Commission to further her own agenda, which I believe is an inappropriate use of City resources. Her misappropriation of City resources is a serious offense in my opinion, and no different than if she had embezzled money from City coffers. I believe this offense should be grounds for removal from the Commission. This is consistent of the biases Joni has demonstrated throughout her participation on the Commission. On the MNA web site the response to, "Who is Joni Bennett, and what is her role?" is: Bennett has lived in the Morningside neighborhood since 1987. She first became involved with City issues in 1993, when she spoke before the City Council against proposed restrictions to through traffic sought by the Country Club Traffic Committee. She also joined others in the neighborhood to fight the threatened loss of Weber Park in 1998. She has been active in the Morningside Woman's Club and local politics. She also has planned the neighborhood parties in September for the past six years. Bennett has applied to serve on Edina's new Transportation Commission [and was appointed in December 2003.1 I find it interesting that of the six data points she chooses to define herself, she chooses one of them to be clearly anti-Country Club traffic calming. I didn't think the Traffic Commission was intended to foster biases, and the misappropriation of City resources. Please call with any questions at (952) 922-1034. Sincerely, Rob Webb 4516 Drexel Avenue Edina, MN 55424 From: Steve Lillehaug Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 8:53 AM To: 'Wayne Whitman' Cc: Steve Lillehaug Subject: RE: Country Club Neighborhood Traffic Thank you for your comments regarding traffic issues in Edina. They will be forwarded to the Transportation Commission and Council for consideration. An Open House is scheduled for Thursday, December 9th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edina City Hall regarding the DRAFT Transportation Commission Policy. Steven L. Lillehaug, P.E., P.T.O.E. Edina Traffic Engineer/Assistant Engineer Engineering Department 952-826-0445 slillehaug@ci.edina.mn.us City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424-1394 www.cityofedina.com (fax) 952-826-0389 Original Message From: Wayne Whitman [mailto:wwhitman@fastmail.fm] Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 4:01 PM To: Steve Lillehaug Cc: CCNA Subject: Country Club Neighborhood Traffic Dear Steve, I am a Country Club neighborhood resident who is very concerned about cut-through traffic in our area and I am willing to support any measures to reduce the volume of this traffic. While we no longer have small children in our house, many residents on Drexel Ave. do and the children are frequently playing on front lawns and the city sidewalks. It concerns me greatly to see many vehicles travelling down our street quite often above the speed limit, with no regard for the local residents safety. I suspect this is also the case on a few other Country Club streets such as Wooddale Ave. and Edina Blvd. To be frank, I am tired of living on a speedway for Morningside and Minneapolis residents on their way to Hwy 100. or points west. Any action you can take to improve this situation would be welcome. Thanks, Wayne Whitman Cell :612-270-1522 wwhitman@fastmail.fm Page 1 of 1 From: Steve Lillehaug Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 8:50 AM To: DSUNBERG Cc: Steve Lillehaug Subject: RE: country club traffic Thank you for your comments regarding traffic issues in Edina. They Commission and Council for consideration. will be forwarded to the Transportation An Open House is scheduled for Thursday, December 9th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edina City Hall regarding the DRAFT Transportation Commission Policy. Steven L. Lillehaug, P.E., P.T.O.E. Edina Traffic Engineer/Assistant Engineer Engineering Department 952-826-0445 slillehaug@ci.edina.mn.us City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424-1394 www.cityofedina.com (fax) 952-826-0389 Original Message From: DSUN BERG [mailto:DSUNBERG@msn.com] Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2004 4:16 AM To: Steve Lillehaug Subject: country club traffic We desperately need to do something about the amount of traffic that is going throught this neighborhood. we live on sunnyside and not only is it too busy, but people are driving so fast. My daughter needs to cross Sunnyside to the corner of Bruce to catch her bus to OLG for 2nd grade, and there are many times that we have to run across because cars come barreling over the hill heading east on sunnyside. And I realize this is small compared to other traffic issues on these streets. There is too much cut through traffic. We have noticed people using the alley behind our house to go from Grimes to Wooddale and Woodale to Grimes. Hope that we can change something in the neighborhood to help resolve some of the traffic issues. Thanks for your time Angela Sunberg file://GAInfrastructure\Streets\traffic\Transportation Commission\Correspondance\2004 Co... 12/3/2004 Page 1 of 1 From: Steve Lillehaug Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 8:49 AM To: 'Pat McKinley' Cc: Steve Lillehaug Subject: RE: Edina Traffic Issues Thank you for your comments regarding traffic issues in Edina. They will be forwarded to the Transportation Commission and Council for consideration. An Open House is scheduled for Thursday, December 9th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edina City Hall regarding the DRAFT Transportation Commission Policy. Steven L. Lillehaug, P.E., P.T.O.E. Edina Traffic Engineer/Assistant Engineer Engineering Department 952-826-0445 slillehaug@ci.edina.mn.us City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424-1394 www.cityofedina.com (fax) 952-826-0389 Original Message From: Pat McKinley [mailto:mmckinley@mn.mcom] Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2004 10:34 AM To: Steve Lillehaug Subject: DEAR STEVE, I AM HOPING THAT ONCE HWY. 100 IS THREE LANES WIDE, WE WILL SEE LESS TRAFFIC THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. MY SUGGESTION TO HELP UNTIL THEN IS TO OPEN FRANCE AVE. DURING RUSH HOURS. THAT WOULD MEAN NOT ALLOWING PARKING ON FRANCE FROM 7-9AM AND 4-6 PM.THIS WOULD MAKE FRANCE FOUR LANES DURING THESE TIMES. IT WOULD HELP TO TIME THE LIGHTS BETTER, ALSO. LETS NOT SPEND ALOT OF MONEY CHANGING STREETS ETC. UNTIL WE SEE WHAT HAPPENS AFTER HWY 100 IS IMPROVED. SPEEDING AND RUNNING STOP SIGNS IS A HUGE PROBLEM NOT ONLY IN THE COUNTRY CLUB NEIGHBORHOOD BUT EVERYWHERE. HOW TO CHANGE THIS I DO NOT KNOW BUT I SEE IT DAILY IN THE C.C. AREA ESPECIALLY WHEN CHILDREN ARE GETTING ON BUSES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, PAT MCKINLEY 4510 MOORLAND AVE. file://G:\Infrastructure\Streets\traffic\Transportation Commission\Correspondance\2004 Co... 12/3/2004 Page 1 of 1 From: Steve Lillehaug Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 8:46 AM To: 'Douglas Gervais' Cc: Steve Lillehaug Subject: RE: Thank you for your comments regarding traffic issues in Edina. They will be forwarded to the Transportation Commission and Council for consideration. An Open House is scheduled for Thursday, December 9th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edina City Hall regarding the DRAFT Transportation Commission Policy. Steven L. Lillehaug, P.E., P.T.O.E. Edina Traffic Engineer/Assistant Engineer Engineering Department 952-826-0445 slillehaug@ci.edina.mn.us City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424-1394 www.cityofedina.com (fax) 952-826-0389 Original Message From: Douglas Gervais [mailto:DGERVAIS@mnsr.com] Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2004 11:10 AM To: Steve Lillehaug Subject: We approve of the traffic commissions' policy. Thank you, Douglas and Lisa file://GAInfrastructure\Streets\traffic\Transportation Commission\Coffespondance\2004 Co... 12/3/2004 Page 1 of 1 From: Steve Lillehaug Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 8:36 AM To: 'lisa miller' Cc: Steve Lillehaug; Wayne Houle Subject: RE: traffic Thank you for your comments regarding traffic issues in Edina. They will be forwarded to the Traffic Commission and Council for consideration. Regarding your comments and questions for the TH 100 sound wall project, I have forwarded them to Wayne Houle, City of Edina's City Engineer/Public Works Director. Steven L. Lillehaug, P.E., P.T.O.E. Edina Traffic Engineer/Assistant Engineer Engineering Department 952-826-0445 slillehaug@ci.edina.mn.us City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424-1394 www.cityofedina.com (fax) 952-826-0389 Original Message From: lisa miller Emailto:clmiller@flash.net] Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2004 4:18 PM To: Steve Lillehaug Subject: traffic From the Millers 4600 Sunnyside rd Please leave the traffic issue alone. Keep it the way it is. Every idea makes it better for some and worse for others. I am tired of trying to spend money and time on this issue. Thank you for your consideration. Also, I would like to know who I need to email in regard to the sound barrier for 100: Which effects us. I am very unhappy that it passed. We were out of town an unable to attend the meeting. The original one was switched. What is next? Lisa and Clay Miller file://G:\Infrastructure\Streets\traffic\Transportation Commission\Correspondance\2004 Co... 12/3/2004 Page 1 of 1 From: Steve Lillehaug Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 8:44 AM To: 'Michael Fernandez' Cc: Steve Lillehaug Subject: RE: traffic policy Thank you for your comments regarding traffic issues in Edina. They will be forwarded to the Transportation Commission and Council for consideration. An Open House is scheduled for Thursday, December 9th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edina City Hall regarding the DRAFT Transportation Commission Policy. Steven L. Lillehaug, P.E., P.T.O.E. Edina Traffic Engineer/Assistant Engineer Engineering Department 952-826-0445 slillehaug@ci.edina.mn.us City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424-1394 www.cityofedina.com (fax) 952-826-0389 Original Message From: Michael Fernandez [mailto:mhfernandez@msn.com] Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2004 8:00 PM To: Steve Lillehaug Subject: traffic policy I am for the traffic policy. Arden Avenue has major cut through traffic. Having three children under the age of 5 my wife and I are very concerned about the number of vehicles and the speed these vehicles go through Arden Avenue. We would like to see a study sanctioned on Arden Avenue. Mike & Heather Fernandez 4630 Arden Avenue Edina 55424 mhfernandez@msn.com file://G:\Infrastructure\Streets\traffic\Transportation CommissionTorrespondance\2004 Co... 12/3/2004 Page 1 of 1 From: Steve Lillehaug Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 8:43 AM To: 'Rusk, Shannon' Cc: Steve Lillehaug Subject: RE: traffic policy Thank you for your comments regarding traffic issues in Edina. They will be forwarded to the Transportation Commission and Council for consideration. An Open House is scheduled for Thursday, December 9th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edina City Hall regarding the DRAFT Transportation Commission Policy. Steven L. Lillehaug, P.E., P.T.O.E. Edina Traffic Engineer/Assistant Engineer Engineering Department 952-826-0445 slillehaug@ci.edina.mn.us City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424-1394 wwvv.cityofedina.com (fax) 952-826-0389 Original Message From: Rusk, Shannon [mailto:srusk@northstarpartners.net] Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 6:33 AM To: Steve Lillehaug Subject: traffic policy I am for taking more serious measure in studying the traffic problem in Country Club. I have lived here with my family for 9 years and the traffic only gets worse. I fear the final decision will not be made until one of the small children is hit or killed by an unsuspecting, non resident who does not appreciate the character of the neighborhood in that children do play freely. It needs to be studied again and remedied. How can Minneapolis figure this out and we can't? Shannon Rusk file://G:\Infrastructure\Streets\traffic\Transportation Commission\Correspondance\2004 Co... 12/3/2004 Page 1 of 1 From: Steve Lillehaug Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 9:06 AM To: 'todd.riddle@fallon.com' Cc: Steve Lillehaug Subject: RE: edina traffic commission policy Thank you for your comments regarding traffic issues in Edina. They will be forwarded to the Transportation Commission and Council for consideration. An Open House is scheduled for Thursday, December 9th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edina City Hall regarding the DRAFT Transportation Commission Policy. Steven L. Lillehaug, P.E., P.T.O.E. Edina Traffic Engineer/Assistant Engineer Engineering Department 952-826-0445 slillehaug@ci.edina.mn.us City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424-1394 www.cityofedina.com (fax) 952-826-0389 Original Message From: todd.riddle@fallon.com [mailto:todd.riddle@fallon.com] Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 9:00 AM To: Steve Lillehaug Subject: edina traffic commission policy hi steve- i'm a resident of country club neighborhood- living on drexel, and just wanted to pass on my support for the traffic commission policy. the neighborhood has way too much dangerous traffic - and is constantly used as a major thoroughfare. if there's anything you could do to help reduce the traffic to a tolerable level it would be greatly appreciated by the residents. best, todd riddle 4517 drexel ave edina file://GAInfrastructure\Streets\traffic\Transportation Commission\Correspondance\2004 Co... 12/3/2004 Page 1 of 1 From: Steve Lillehaug Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 10:14 AM To: 'Michael Fernandez' Cc: Steve Lillehaug Subject: RE: traffic Thank you for your comments regarding traffic issues in Edina. They will be forwarded to the Transportation Commission and Council for consideration. An Open House is scheduled for Thursday, December 9th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edina City Hall regarding the DRAFT Transportation Commission Policy. Steven L. Lillehaug, P.E., P.T.O.E. Edina Traffic Engineer/Assistant Engineer Engineering Department 952-826-0445 slillehaug@ci.edina.mn.us City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424-1394 www.cityofedina.com (fax) 952-826-0389 Original Message From: Michael Fernandez [mailto:mhfernandez@msn.com] Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 10:12 AM To: Steve Lillehaug Subject: traffic Our household supports the Edina Traffic Commission policy. The city needs to reduce the number of "cut through" cars driving on our streets. Neighborhoods do not need cars rushing to and from work. I think of the children waiting at their bus stops and playing after school. We bought a family neighborhood home not a condo on Vernon Ave.. file://GAInfrastructure\Streets\traffic\Transportation Cornmission\Correspondance\2004 Co... 12/3/2004 Page 1 of 2 From: Steve Lillehaug Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 11:11 AM To: 'CiscoandClint@aol.com' Cc: Steve Lillehaug Subject: RE: Traffic Feedback Thank you for your comments regarding traffic issues in Edina. They will be forwarded to the Transportation Commission and Council for consideration. A quick response to one of your comments: The Transportation Commission does not have the final say on implementing any type of plan. The Commission will be making recommendations to the City Council based on requests, information, studies, concerns from residents, etc. The City Council still remains the approving authority. Also, an Open House is scheduled for Thursday, December 9th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edina City Hall regarding the DRAFT Transportation Commission Policy. Thanks. Steve Steven L. Lillehaug, P.E., P.T.O.E. Edina Traffic Engineer/Assistant Engineer Engineering Department 952-826-0445 slillehaug@ci.edina.mn.us City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424-1394 www.cityofedina.com (fax) 952-826-0389 Original Message From: CiscoandClint@aol.com [ma ilto:CiscoandClint@aoLcom] Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 11:22 PM To: Steve Lillehaug Subject: Traffic Feedback Dear Steve, This e-mail is feedback for the Edina Traffic Commission Policy recently released. Although I have only seen a review of the policy via e-mail, it sounds like the city traffic commission has final say on which traffic routes get altered and which do not. I have no problem with the policy being set and determined by the commission as long as the commission is willing to carefully listen and fully review all legitimate requests. I live at 4624 Drexel Avenue. My name is Dan Delianedis. I am amazed that none of the children or pets on our street have been seriously injured or worse due to speeding drivers that cut through our neighborhood at both morning and early evening rush hours. My street and a few others - Woodale, Edina Blvd., Casco, Bruce, and Arden unfortunately get the majority of the "cut through" traffic that wants to avoid 50th/France. The residents on Woodale and Edina Blvd. have a little reprieve (but not much) in that their roads are much wider and property setbacks much larger than the other streets. If my kids just step off of the curb on Drexel, they are into oncoming traffic. We had many close calls this summer. It is a very dangerous situation. Many of the children at the south end of Drexel (there are over thirty kids under the age of 10 on the south block alone) are just learning to ride bicycles. I worry that next spring will be an even more dangerous situation of you don't implement some changes. This is my written notice therefore, to you and the Edina Traffic Commission to consider making some file://GAInfrastructure\Streets\traffic\Transportation Corrunission\Correspondance\2004 Co... 12/3/2004 Page 2 of 2 changes in our neighborhood. The cut through traffic must be stopped or at least slowed. It is simply too dangerous and unsafe for our families and children. I know that there is not a simple fix to any traffic problems. A few low cost interum solutions that I ask you to consider are the following: 1.) Install speed bumps on Drexel, Arden, Casco and Bruce. This will at least slow traffic down so the speed at which drivers travel will ultimately be reduced. My neighbors and I have seen many drivers (of all ages) traveling along Drexel at rush hour well over 50 miles per hour. A few speed bumps will leave those cars and drivers without a transmission and maybe someday save a life. 2.) Eliminate the turnouts at each end of the above streets. I argue that drivers increase their rate of speed once they come through the stop signs off of Countryclub Drive. The drivers do not have to come to a full stop to turn onto our streets. They accelerate much more quickly through the turnout. Some residents in our neighborhood have mentioned that certain streets become one way streets. This is probably unfair to some and more fair to other neighbors. Others have suggested that we simply close off Sunnyside by France Ave so that cutting through is not an option. This is unlikely as you can argue that businesses could get hurt or lose customers that are unwilling to drive another route for dry- cleaning, bagels, convenience stores, and gasoline (a few of the businesses on the Sunnyside/France Ave block). Speed bumps might work and not be harmful to anyone except those drivers that speed. Three on the North side and three on the South side blocks of each street ought to be enough. Please consider this request Steve. Best Regards, Dan Delianed is file://GAInfrastructure\Streets\traffic\Transportation Commission\Correspondance\2004 Co... 12/3/2004 Page 1 of 1 From: Steve Lillehaug Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 12:11 PM To: 'Anita Hidding' Cc: Steve Lillehaug Subject: RE: Traffic Policy Thank you for your comments regarding the DRAFT Transportation policy for Edina. They will be forwarded to the Transportation Commission and Council for consideration. An Open House is scheduled for Thursday, December 9th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edina City Hall regarding the DRAFT Transportation Commission Policy. Steven L. Lillehaug, P.E., P.T.O.E. Edina Traffic Engineer/Assistant Engineer Engineering Department 952-826-0445 slillehaug@ci.edina.mn.us City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424-1394 www.cityofedina.com (fax) 952-826-0389 Original Message From: Anita Hidding [mailto:anitahOmostholytrinity.org] Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 12:06 PM To: Steve Lillehaug Subject: Traffic Policy I am in favor of the policy Anita Hidding Sunnyside Rd file://G: \Infrastructure\ Streets \traffic \Transportation Commission\Correspondance\2004 Co... 12/3/2004 Page 1 of 1 From: Steve Lillehaug Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 11:16 AM To: 'Maureen Brener' Cc: Steve Lillehaug Subject: RE: Thank you for your comments regarding traffic issues in Edina. They will be forwarded to the Transportation Commission and Council for consideration. An Open House is scheduled for Thursday, December 9th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edina City Hall regarding the DRAFT Transportation Commission Policy. Steven L. Lillehaug, P.E., P.T.O.E. Edina Traffic Engineer/Assistant Engineer Engineering Department 952-826-0445 slillehaug@ci.edina.mn.us City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424-1394 www.cityofedina.com (fax) 952-826-0389 Original Message From: Maureen Brener [mailto:Maureen.Brener@genmills.com] Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 4:01 PM To: Steve Lillehaug Subject: I am a resident of the Country Club neighborhood and live on 46th and Wooddale, in regards to the current work being reviewed by Traffic Commission, I would strongly ask hat somthing be down to slow down the traffic that comes thru this street. I realize that we can't cut off the traffic down the street, but most people that do not live in the neighborhood - drive over the speed limit and am very concerned that one of the kids on the street will get hurt. Have we ever considered speed bumps to cut down traffic on Wooddale. Please strongly consider this request. Maureen Brener 4621 Wooddale Avenue file://G:\Infrastructure\Streets\traffic\Transportation Commission\Correspondance\2004 Co... 12/3/2004 Page 1 of 1 From: Steve Lillehaug Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 7:12 AM To: 'Xet33@ao1.com' Cc: Steve Lillehaug Subject: RE: Traffic Policy Thank you for your comments regarding the DRAFT Transportation Policy. They will be forwarded to the Transportation Commission and Council for consideration. The DRAFT policy is available for your review on the City's website or you may stop by City Hall to review a copy. Also, an Open House is scheduled for Thursday, December 9th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edina City Hall regarding the DRAFT Transportation Commission Policy. Thanks. Steve Steven L. Lillehaug, P.E., P.T.O.E. Edina Traffic Engineer/Assistant Engineer Engineering Department 952-826-0445 slillehaug@ci.edina.mn.us City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424-1394 www.cityofedina.com (fax) 952-826-0389 Original Message From: Xet33@aol.com [mailto:Xet33@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 5:43 PM To: Steve Lillehaug Subject: Traffic Policy I would suuggest a policy which has the following features: 1) There should be an approriate amount of support from the citizens of a particular area to initiate a study by the city to determine what changes if any should be made. 2) If the city authorities deem the proposed changes to be viable then communicate this to people in the area and conduct a test. 3) The test should be conducted and feedback invited to determine if changes are to be made. I think that this would be a better process than what occurred with the Country Club study where it was not even tested. Paul Kennedy 4502 Moorland Ave file://GAInfrastructure\Streets\traffic\Transportation Commission\Correspondance\2004 Co... 12/3/2004