02/22/1982 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Heide Berthold, 37 West 11th Avenue, said that the diverters may protect streets near Monroe Park, but that they cause increased traffic on West 11th and on Polk. Charles Goettling, 892 West Broadway, said that he is opposed to the diverters but did not feel animosity toward the people who want the diverters. There being no further testimony, public hearing was closed. Mr. Hanks addressed the suggestion of installing stop signs at intersections near Monroe Park. He said that he believed there is only one intersection that was not controlled and noted that the Public Works Department had been ready, before the diverters were put in, to install a stop sign at 10th and Adams. Ms. Wooten said she interpreted the traffic counts done by the Public Works Department as showing that the diverters had reduced traffic volume on the residential streets in the area but had had an imperceptible effect on the arterials to which the traffic had been diverted. Mr. Hanks responded that this was the case. e Ms. Smith and Ms. Schue questioned Mr. Hanks about the difference in the results of the survey conducted by the Public Works Department and that conducted by the neighbors. Mr. Hanks responded that the City survey had been sent to every resident and property owner in the area, with only one vote being permitted per household, unless the household was non-owner-occupied, in which case both the residents and the owner were permitted to vote. He said that a careful record had been kept of those who voted, to avoid double voting. He reported that the staff survey had a 40-percent return rate. He said it was possible that the residents had responded differently to a survey conducted by their neighbors than they had to the more anonymous City survey. Ms. Miller asked if statistics were available on the number of reported traffic accidents before and after installation of the temporary diverters. Mr. Hanks said that the diverters had not been in place long enough to get any valid figures for comparison. Mr. Lindberg asked if traffic control options other than diverters and stop signs had been explored. Mr. Hanks responded that other options such as partial diverters or one-street diverters would present similar problems to those caused by the present diverters. Ms. Wooten said the problem is one of competing needs in a central city area. She noted that as a part of its dedication to preserving a compact urban growth form, the City has encouraged families to move into central city areas. She felt that the City was therefore committed to maintaining the integrity of these neighborhoods and to protecting the inner streets that serve them. She said she lives near Monroe Park and has seen the traffic dangers firsthand. She urged the council to maintain the diverter program for the Broadway-10th Avenue area. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 22, 1982 Page 6