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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdmin Order 58-16-04ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 58-16-04 of the Traffic Engineer of the City of Eugene CLOSURE OF DRIVEWAY ACCESS ON THE EAST SIDE OF WILLAMETTE STREET FOR THE DRIVEWAYS SERVING 2837 AND 2839 WILLAMETTE STREET. The Traffic Engineer of the City of Eugene finds that: A. Section 5.040 of the Eugene Code, 1971, authorizes the City Manager or the Manager's designee to take administrative action designating the direction of traffic flow; altering all traffic control areas and traffic control devices; and providing for and regulating access to and from any street. Section 5.055 of the Eugene Code, 1971, sets forth the criteria the City Manager or the Manager's designee should consider when taking administrative actions authorized by EC 5.040. B. On September 24, 2009, the City Manager issued Administrative Order No. 58-09- 14 granting the Traffic Engineer of the Public Works Department the authority to exercise all of the duties and responsibilities specifically defined as those of the City Manager in Sections 5.040 and 5.050 of the Eugene Code, 1971. C. On April 2, 2015, the City Manager issued Administrative Order No. 58-15-04 appointing me as the City's Traffic Engineer. D. Pursuant to the above -authority, I intend to close the two driveways accessed from the east side of Willamette Street that serve 2837 and 2839 Willamette Street ("the two Willamette St. driveways"). In making the decision to close the two Willamette St. driveways, I considered all of the applicable criteria set forth in EC 5.055, including the consideration of traffic engineering principles and traffic investigations. Based on the applicable criteria set forth in EC 5.055 the following findings support my decision to close the two Willamette St. driveways: 1. The new traffic signal at the west side Willamette Street driveway entrance to Woodfield Station north of 29th Avenue was planned and designed as a "T" or three- legged intersection. Due to the high volume of left- and right -turning traffic entering and exiting the Woodfield Station driveway entrance, the driveway is effectively an intersection. The installation of a traffic signal at this location formalizes the intersection for the purpose of allowing pedestrians safer crossing opportunities between high-volume transit stops as they travel to and from the area. In addition to safer pedestrian crossing, the traffic signal allows for protected (and protected/permissive) left -turns for traffic turning into and out of the Woodfield Station driveway entrance. If left open, the two Willamette St. driveways will be hazardous to the public's use of the right-of-way. Administrative Order -- Page 1 of 3 2. The existing site conditions include the two driveways on the east side of Willamette Street, opposite the west side Woodfield Station driveway entrance. The east side driveways are located within the new signalized intersection and the intersection influence area, prohibited by Section 7.420(2)(a) of the Eugene Code, 1971. The north - side pedestrian crosswalk also conflicts with the northern driveway. Due to the low volume of traffic expected to enter and exit these two driveways, the new traffic signal was not planned or designed to control those movements. 3. The properties served by the two east side driveways are also served by access and an access easement from Oak Street east of Willamette Street. As such, the properties have access available from a street with a lower street classification (classification of Local Street for Oak Street and Minor Arterial for Willamette Street) consistent the requirements of EC 7.420(1)(c). 4. The South Willamette Street Improvement Plan was accepted by the Eugene City Council on May 27, 2014. At that time, the Eugene City Council also provided direction to make permanent street improvements (the traffic signal at the Woodfield Station driveway entrance), conduct a year-long pilot study of a reconfigured Willamette Street, and report back to the Eugene City Council following the pilot study. The South Willamette Sheet Improvement Plan identified the permanent traffic signal at the Woodfield Station driveway entrance. The Plan was prepared following traffic engineering principles and traffic analysis consistent with engineering standards of practice. 5. Closing the east side driveways to 2837 and 2839 Willamette Street is consistent with traffic engineering principles regarding access management near intersections and specifically within the influence are of an intersection (where driveways conflict with the safe and efficient use of the public right-of-way). 6. Closing the east side driveways to 2837 and 2839 Willamette Street is consistent with traffic engineering principles that call for access to be taken from a minor street when possible. The properties served by the closed driveways are also served by access and an access easement from Oak Street. Additionally, closing the two driveways is consistent with the intensity of use of Willamette Street in the vicinity of the new permanent traffic signal. 7. If left open, the pedestrian crosswalk on the north side of the intersection and the safety of the public using that crossing that would conflict with the existing northern driveway. Both driveways also create conflict with people walking on the sidewalk and riding bicycles along Willamette Street. Thus, closing the east side driveways to 2837 and 2839 Willamette Street as part of the construction of the new traffic signal will enable the public to use Willamette Street in a more efficient, safe, and multi -modal manner, and therefore, is in the best interest of the public health, safety, and welfare. E. City staff met with the owners of the affected properties to discuss the closures. The owners of 2837 Willamette voiced their concern regarding the effect the closure would have on the value of their property, and fire and life safety issues. The Junior League, who had owned Administrative Order -- Page 2 of 3 the property at 2839 Willamette, were opposed to the closure. However, the property has since been sold to Jessica Bonin and Ms. Bonin has demonstrated little opposition to the closure. F. While the City understands the property owners' concerns, based upon the circumstances set out in paragraph D of this Order, I find that closure of the two driveways at issue is in the public interest. On the basis of these findings, I order that, as of the effective date of this Order, driveway access on the east side of Willamette Street for the driveways serving 2837 and 2839 Willamette Street are closed. Dated and effective this � .day of January, 2016. Ro ert . Lankst Traffic Engineer Administrative Order -- Page 3 of 3