4 Traffic Control Lake Lucy RdClT OF
CHAN EN
City Center Drive, PO Box 147
Janhassen, Minnesota 55317
Phone 612.93Z 1900
.Teneral l ax 612.93Z5739
jneering Fax 612,937.9152
'~lic Safity Fax 612.934.2524
?b www. ci. chanhassen, mn. us
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor and City Council
Scott A. Botcher, City Manage~
May 26, 1999
SUB J:
Traffic Control Signage and Striping Request, Lake Lucy Road,
Proj eot 97-5
I received a memorandum from our City Engineer dated May 7, 1999, regarding a
traffic control signage and striping request made on April 9, 1999 to the
Engineering Department. The Engineering Department has completed their
analysis and a copy of their findings is attached herein as is the memorandum
dated May 7, 1999. tn summary, I am in agreement with the memorandum.
The Engineering Department applies industry standards and guidelines to requests
in an effort to quantify proposed activities that may occur on the roadways they
are asked to review. As in any review process, there must be quantification of the
criteria in order to perform analysis and make recommendations. In this case, the
request does not meet the standards for the installation of the signage. As a lay
person, I have also reviewed the site and I agree with the findings of the
Engineering Department. Lake Lucy Road is a collector roadway in the City of
Chanhassen, and to place a stop sign at this point certainly defeats the purpose of
Lake Lucy Road being a collector road. It is not an internal general municipal
street. It was not designed as such. Certainly, as Anita recommended at the end
of the memo, there are possibly some enforcement issues on this roadway which
are more properly addressed with our county and public safety officials. The
striping recommendations made by Anita in the conclusions are appropriate and
should be done.
In conclusion, it is important for the Council to generally follOw the
recommendations of the professional engineers. The placement of signage in a
community is a very important issue, and we need to be careful not to simply
install a sign every time we receive a request from a citizen or group of citizens.
Sometimes the installation of signage contrary to the AASHTO standards may be
appropriate, but these cases are few and far between. If we deviate often from
these standards and the recommendations of our professional engineers, we run
the risk of exacerbating and worsening traffic and pedestrian conditions in our
community as opposed to helping them, which may be the general assumption.
If you would like to discuss this, please contact my office and I would be glad to
discuss this with you. Thank you.
g:\user\scottb\lake lucy sign request.doe
570, of Chanhassen. ,4 growing comrauniff with clean lakes, qual~ schools, a charming downtown, thdving businesses, and beaut~l parks A ~reat place to live, work, and play.
CITYOF
CH I SEI
690 City Center Brive, PO Box147
Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317
Phone 612.93Z 1900
General Fax 612. 937. 5739
Engineering Fax 612.93Z9152
Public Safety Fax 612.934.2524
Web www.5.chanhassen, mn. us
MEMORANDUM
TO: Scott A. Botcher, City Manager
FROM: Anita L. Benson, City Engineer
DATE: May 7, 1999
SUB J: Traffic Control Signage and Striping Request Evaluation on L~e
Lucy Road- Project No. 97-5
Residents in the WoodridgcHeights subdivision submitted a petition dated A.p~l
1999 to the Engineering Department requesting that parking beallowed along
Lake Lucy Road between Manchester Drive and HighoverDfive. Additionall~
residents have requested that the double yellow lines on the road beremoved'
entirely and that the intersection of Lake Lucy Road and Manchester Drive be~
signed as a four-way stop. Residents have requested that, based on the following
reasons, a four-way stop should be installed at this location regardless of whetfier
or not it meets the criteria.
1. This comer is a school bus stop forages 5 to 15.
2. Neighbors must cross to the walking path located on thenorth side.
3. The intersection is a higher elevation which creates blind spots.
4. Cars coming from Highway 41 and Galpin Boulevard (with higherspe~
limits) travel at high speeds down this stretch.
A resolution was passed by the City Council at their April 12, 1'999 meeting.t6~
designate the north side of Lake Lucy Road between l~Ianehester Drive and
Highover Drive as a no parking zone and to allow parking along the south si~of
Lake LucyRoad between Manchester Drive and Highove~DrNe. Additionail~3
staff was directed to perform a warrants analysis fo(the intersection of Manc~ster
Drive and Lake Lue~ Road to evaluate the need fora four-way stop at this
~eti~nuca, n~tfagr°vide C°uncil with the rati°nale f°r'the d°uble yell°w lines~
ROADWAY CHARACTERISTICS · ~
Lake Lucy ?ad isclassifiedasa blass 1 collector roadway in the. City of -
Chanhassen s Comprehensive Plan. A collector rOadway, by definition, will h~e
higher traffic volurhes than locaineighborhood streets and ~erves to provide ~ess
for neighborhoods to higher volume roadways. The speed limi~t on L~e Lucy~
Road from Galpin Boulevard to Trunk High'ray 41is 30 milesper hour.- An~
foot wide bituminous4xail is locatedappr~ximately 5 feet behin~t thecurb once
north side of Lake Lucy Road.
Manchester Drive is a north/south residential street with 10 residential lots located
north of Lake Lucy Road and 15 residential lots located south of Lake Lucy ~ad.
No sidewalk or trail exists along Manchester Drive. Manchester Drive both n~rth
and south of Lake Lucy Road are controlled by stop signs.
The Gt~ of Chanhassen. A growing community with clean lakes, qualiv/ schoo& a charming downtown, thriving businesses, and he~autiM parks. A ~eat pla~ to live, work, and
Scott Botcher
May 7, 1999
Page 2
FOUR-WAY STOP SIGN WARRANT ANALYSIS
The Engineering Department collected traffic volume data on Tuesday, April 29
through Thursday, April 30, 1999 for the intersection location. The average daily
traffic on Lake Lucy Road west of Manchester Drive is 594 vehicles per day and
east of Briarwood is 770 vehicles per day. Manchester Drive north of Lake Lucy
Road had an average daily traffic of 200 vehicles per day and south of Lake Lucy
Road 267 vehicles per day. It should be noted that homes in the development are
under construction and the actual average daily traffic counts could be expected to
decrease upon completion of home construction for Manchester Drive. Traffic
volumes on Lake Lucy Road are expected to increase as development occurs in
the area.
The Minnesota Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD) provides
specific criteria known as warrants which must be met prior to the installation of
any regulatory sign. The criteria for installation of a multi-way stop are as follows:
Where traffic signals are warranted and urgently needed the multi-way stop
is an interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while
arrangements are being made for the signal installation.
An accident problem, as indicated by five or more reported accidents of a
type susceptible of correction by a multi-way stop installation in a 12-
month period. Such accidents include right and left turn collisions as well
as right angle collisions.
3. Minimum traffic volumes:
a) The total vehicular volume entering the intersection from all approaches
must average at least 500 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average
day, and
b) The combined vehicular and pedestrian volume from the minor street or
highway must average at least 200 units per hour for the same 8 hours,
with an average delay to minor street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds
per vehicle during the maximum hour, but
c) When the 85-percentile approach speed of the major street traffic
exceeds 40 miles per hour, the minimum vehicular volume warrant is 70
percent of the above requirements.
The Lake Lucy Road/Manchester Drive intersection does not meet any of the
required warrants for installation of a multi-way stop.
Scott Botcher
May 7, 1999
Page 3
A stop sign is a regulatory sign which causes a substantial inconvenience to
motorists; therefore, federal standards have specific criteria which must be met to
warrant the installation of a stop sign. The purpose of stop signs is to assign right-
of-way at intersections. When used correctly, a stop sign is one of the most
effective traffic control devices available. However, stop signs are commonly
requested to control speeds and/or arbitrarily interrupt through traffic causing such
an inconvenience so as to force traffic to use other routes. A stop sign is
ineffective as a comprehensive speed control device. When stop signs are installed
without meeting proper criteria, the result is a high occurrence of violations and
increased disrespect for traffic signs in general. At locations where vehicles do
stop, the speed reduction is effective in the immediate vicinity of the stop sign and
frequently speeds are actually higher between the intersections. In instances where
stop signs are installed as nuisances, many drivers realize that it is an unreasonable
restriction and therefore ignore the sign. In such cases the stop sign creates a false
sense of security for a pedestrian and an attitude of contempt for all traffic signs in
the motorist. Therefore, the safety of the intersection for both motorists and
pedestrians may be greatly decreased upon improper installation of a stop sign.
DOUBLE YELLOW PAVEMENT MARKING LINES
The purpose of the double yellow pavement marking lines, otherwise known as no
passing zone pavement markings, is to designate the entire length of Lake Lucy
Road as a no passing zone. The no passing zone lines have been installed on Lake
Lucy Road as it is a Class 1 Collector Road with traffic levels higher than that one
would expect on a normal residential street. The double yellow lines prohibit
vehicles from passing slower moving vehicles along the roadway and thus
eliminate concerns of potential head-on collisions and additionally force drivers to
drive at the speed of slower moving vehicles through the corridor. Residents in
the neighborhood have requested that the double yellow lines on Lake Lucy Road
be removed entirely from the road surface as it is their opinion that the markings
encourage drivers to drive faster.
Scott Botcher
May 7, 1999
Page 4
RECOMMENDATION
Since it appears the concerns of the neighborhood are primarily with the speed the
traffic travels on Lake Lucy Road and the safety of crossing Lake Lucy Road to
access the trail located along the north side, it is recommended that:
1. The double yellow no passing zone striping be reinstalled along Lake Lucy
Road shifting it to the north to provide the 8~foot parking lane and 12-foot
driving lanes,
2. A crosswalk be installed on the east side of the intersection to provide
pedestrian access to the trail on the north side of Lake Lucy Road,
3. The Public Safety Department provide enforcement of the 30 m.p.h, speed limit
on Lake Lucy Road.
As a Professional Engineer, I cannot in good conscience condone the installation
of any stop sign which doesn't meet any warrants as to do so would endanger the
public whom it is my duty to serve.
Attachment: Location Map
Resident petition dated April 9, 1999.
C:
Charles Folch, Director of Public Works
Dave Hempel, Assistant City Engineer
g:Xeng~project s\woodridge'~traffic memo.doc
C D
~mbenva~cl Dr
April 9,1999
Dear Anita,
We are responding to your letter dated March 30,1999
regarding the Parking issue on Lake Lucy Road as well as our request
for a four way stop sign at the intersection of Manchester and Lake
Lucy Rd. The following pages briefly address both issues separately
with supportive signatures from the Woodridge Heights residents.
One of the greatest concerns we have is the speed of the traffic
using Lake Lucy Rd. between Galpin and Hwy. 41. We strongly
believe that with on street parking on the South side, the removal of
the double yellow lines, a four-way stop at Manchester and Lake
Lucy, and speed limit signs of 25 or 30 m.p.h., the speed of the traffic
will slow down.
Please consider carefully all the points we have brought up.
We know that Lake Lucy Rd. is considered a "urban collector
roadway" by the city, but to us it is a residential street with many
children. There safety is essential in this matter.
Sincerely,
Sue & Larry Marty
2117 Lake Lucy Rd.
612-470-9550
March 30, 1999
CITYOF
CHANHASSEPl
690 City Center Drive, PO Box I47
Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317
Phone 612.937.1900
General Fax 612. 93 7. 5739
Engineering Fax 612.937.9152
Public Safety Fax 612.934.2524
Web www. ci. chanhassen, mn. us
Re~
Parking Restriction on Lake Lucy Road From Galpin Boulevard to
Trunk Highway 41 - Project No. 97-5
Dear Property Owner:
The issue of whether or not to allow parking along one side of Lake Lucy Road
through the Woodridge Heights 2na Addition development has been raised by
residents in the neighborhood. The Chanhassen City Council will be considering
allowing parking on one side of Lake Lucy Road at their regular meeting on April
12.
Lake Lucy Road is 36 feet wide from face of curb to face of curb. Municipal State
Aid geometric standards established for urban collector roadways with an ADT of
less than 10,000 allow for one parking lane on a roadway of this width. In
reviewing the residential development along the segment of Lake Lucy Road
between Galpin Boulevard and Trunk Highway 41, the City Council will consider
allowing parking on the segment of Lake Lucy Road from Manchester Drive to
Highover Drive which has several homes directly accessing the roadway.
Please submit any comments you may have regarding allowing parking along one
side of Lake Lucy Road to the Engineering Department prior to April 12 so. that
they can be submitted to the City Council for consideration.
Sincerely,
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
Anita L. Benson, P.E.
City Engineer
ALB:ktm
c:
Dave Hempel, Assistant City Engineer
Todd Gerhardt, Acting City Manager
g:XengXprojects\woodridg¢.2 nd~esident letter.doc
The Gty of Chanhassen. A growing community with clean/,~kes, quality schools, a charming downtown, thriving businesses, and beautifid parks. A great place to live, work, and
Dear City Council Members,
The residents of Woodridge Heights in Chanhassen wish to request
that a 4 Way Stop exist at the Comer of Lake Lucy and Manchester Streets.
While we are unclear of all the criteria that typically needs to be met to
allow these stop signs to be installed, we feel that the following reasons
should provide sufficient concern for which the City of Chanhassen to see to
installing this 4 Way Stop regardless of whether or not it meets the criteria.
· This comer is a school bus stop for ages 5-15.
· Neighbors must cross to the walking path located on the north side.
· Intersection is a higher elevation which creates blind spots.
· Cars coming from Hwy 41 and Galpin (with higher speed limits)
travel at high speeds down this stretch.
We the residents of Lake Lucy Road listed below request that a 4
Way Stop be installed ASAP at the Comer of Lake Lucy and Manchester.
Name: Address:
'¸7
4 Way Stop Issue
Name:
Address:
~'7 7~
4 Way Stop Issue
March 24, 1999
Dear City Council Members,
The residents of Woodridge Heights in Chanhassen wish to raise the
issue of on street parking on Lake Lucy Road. The residents that front to
Lake Lucy Road have shared driveways which limit the parking due to the
shared driveways. It is a necessity that parking exist on one side of Lake
Lucy Road as the driveways don't allow sufficient parking otherwise.
We the residents of Lake Lucy Road listed below agree with the
original recommendation from the Staff Meeting notes from March 10,
1997; to allow parking on the South side of Lake Lucy Road. In addition
to the parking we respectfully request that the double yellow lines on the
road be removed entirely from the road surface.
Name:
' - .~ ~ L
L~e Lucy On S~eet Pinking Issue
Address:
March 24, 1999
Nalne:
Address:
Lake Lucy On Street Parking Issue March 24, 1999