10/11/1976 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Keller moved second by Mr. Haws that the bill be approved and given final passage. Rollcall vote. All Council members present voting aye, except e Councilman Haws voting no, the bill was declared passed and numbered 17769. 2. Proposed change in traffic flow a. On Alder to one-way southbound from 11th to 18th b. On 11th to two-way from Kincaid to Hilyard Manager explained that the changes, particularly those on Alder and 11th, were proposed to improve traffic flow and make distinct improvement in bike paths to more safely move pedestrian, vehicular, and bike traffic. Al Williams, traffic engineer, said the plan presented for Alder/11th was a compromise coming from a number of meetings with Sacred Heart and others in the business community in that area as well as the West University Neighborhood group. Staff felt the proposal would work effectively for all; it would extend the present southbound one-way system on Alder, between Broadway and 11th, all the way to 18th, with parking between 11th and 13th in order to allow bike lanes on both sides for that distance. Traffic Engineer explained details of the change,' including the change to two-way on 11th between Kincaid and Hilyard to facili- tate general traffic movement in that vicinity. I-A-3 Public hearing was opened. Speaking in favor of the plan were Thorn Chambliss, 1510 Mill Street, chairer of WUN; Ruth Bascom, 2114 University Street. Mayor's bicycle committee chairer; a Mr. Starkweather, 2173 Alder Street; Clark Cos, Jr., 1085 Patterson Street #9. The thrust of their testimony was that the proposed change would improve traffic . movement by relieving congested conditions and at the same time provide safer bike accommodations. Iva Parker, 2990 Pearl Street, commented on problems encountered now with lack of traffic movement in the alley near Sacred Heart Hospital where delivery trucks block the way for extended periods of time. He said the proposed change to one-way traffic on Alder would only worsen that situation as well as heighten the existing dangerous movement through the intersection at 11th and Alder. Mary Clerin, 2992 Pearl Street, was also concerned about the safety aspect, particularly in terms of bicycle vs. automobile movements. Neither did she think the width of Alder Street was sufficient to accommodate a safe bicycle path and at the same time accommodate two lanes of auto traffic and parking. Tom Slocum, 2125 Fairmount Boulevard, expressed concern about the change to two- way traffic on 11th between Hilyard and Alder, saying that existing problems with egress and ingress for the medical clinic on the south side of 11th would be worsened - eastbound traffic backing up at the Alder intersection light would complicate an already difficult egress situation. Mr. Slocum suggested that the change, if it is made, be on a temporary basis to determine the effect before it is made permanent. With the amount of traffic entering 11th from Franklin Boulevard, he said, it wouldn't seem that removal of the westbound lane would be of benefit. He commented on the vacation of the alley near Sacred Heart and the agreement between the Hospital' and the city with regard to land in that area, saying that he didn't want to sell any of his property because of lack of space now for parking. He reiterated that the proposed change would adversely affect - the existing traffic situation in the 11th and Alder area, and he urged a temporary change only until the ffect of such a change was known. Public hearing was closed. there being no further testimony presented. ~78 10/11/76 - 3