SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Meeting was held on October 28, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. with Chairman Slavin presiding. Members present were Mr. Hogan, Mrs. Russell, Mr. Davis, and Mr. Harmon. Councilman Ruane was also present.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. Davis moved for approval of the revised agenda, seconded by Mrs. Russell and unanimously carried.

Waiver Request - Villages of Maple Dale: Planned Neighborhood Design - Senior Citizen Housing Option - Appendix A: Land Subdivision Regulations, Article VI - Subdivision-General Requirements and Design Standards, Section A - Streets and Appendix B: Zoning, Article 5 - Supplementary Regulations, Section 17 - Emergency Access Requirements

In accordance with Appendix B - Zoning, Article 5 - Supplementary Regulations, Sections 17.3 and 17.5(a), a request for waiver was received by Maple Dale Country Club, Inc. for property located on the northeast side of Kenton Road, east of Maple Dale Road. The applicant has requested a waiver for the elimination of the alley and emergency rear access alley for townhouses.

Mr. Koenig, Public Services Manager, reviewed the petition to waive certain street design standards and rear access requirements. He noted that this waiver request is for the proposed project known as the Villages of Maple Dale Senior Housing Community, a 54 unit condominium complex consisting of three (3) buildings.

Mr. Koenig advised members that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the waiver for the elimination of the alley and emergency rear access alley for townhouses. Members were provided a summary of the requested waiver, as follows:

Mr. Davis moved to recommend approval of the requested waiver, as recommended by the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Russell and carried with Mr. Hogan abstaining. Mr. Hogan advised members that his abstention was due to his membership status with Maple Dale Country Club.

Traffic Calming Solutions - Kesselring Avenue

Mr. Slavin introduced Senator Brian Bushweller and Representative Brad Bennett, and advised members that, based on a discussion he had with them, they had relayed safety concerns regarding traffic along Kesselring Avenue.

Representative Bennett stated that he has received several complaints and concerns from his constituents regarding traffic safety on Kesselring Avenue, noting that the roadway is an old street located in the City of Dover and is very wide and serves as a "cut through" roadway. Due to its width, there are many speeders and there are several who do not stop at the stop sign. He explained the seriousness of this problem and noted that the presence of police officers has not resolved the issue. He requested that the City consider the use of traffic calming measures, such as a double yellow line in the center of the roadway, along with the installation of the "tin men - slow down reminder" along the roadway to serve as a deterrent for speeders.

Senator Bushweller advised members that there are several roadways in neighborhoods that have this same problem and he recognizes that police officers cannot always be present. It is their hope that if a possible solution is discovered for Kesselring Avenue, the solution could be expanded to other areas that have these similar problems.

Mr. Koenig advised members that the double yellow line has been used along Spruance Road and that the residents have indicated that the speed of traffic has been reduced. It was his opinion that roadway markings and signage better serve as traffic calming devices in a subdivision (residential streets) than in other areas (those roadways without any driveways). He noted that staff has attempted to address some of these traffic concerns by reducing street widths for new developments. Mr. Koenig reminded members that the Dover Code prohibits the use of speed bumps in the City, explaining that they serve as a safety hazard for emergency personnel.

Mr. Mike Sommers, State of Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), provided a copy of the Traffic Calming Treatments Presentation made to committee members in February (Attachment #1) and reviewed the various options and their use in certain areas. Recently, DelDOT has been considering the use of radar speed signs and, although they are expensive (approximately $5,000 each), they are movable and he noted that they have proven to be successful in reducing vehicular speeds.

With regards to the speed bumps, Mr. Sommers advised members that DelDOT has been utilizing speed cushions, which, although similar to speed bumps, are segmented to provide a "break" in the bump along the roadway. These cushions have proven to be very successful in deterring speeders and cost approximately $1,500.

Mr. Hogan advised members that in Phoenix, Arizona, there was a trial for the use of Speed Cameras, similar to the "Red Light Cameras", that proved to be very effective. Mr. Slavin noted that such a concept may have legal issues since moving violations must be cited against the driver of a vehicle rather than the owner of a vehicle. Responding, Mr. Sommers stated that legislators have indicated their support for the "Speed Cameras" and suggested that if the City has an interest, they should contact their local legislators for their support.

Mr. Sommers advised members that further information regarding the speed cushions and radar speed signs can be obtained from www.trafficlogics.com.

Mr. Hogan moved to recommend that Kesselring Avenue be adopted as a project to attempt to find ways to calm traffic on roadways and direct staff to begin working to find a method to improve that roadway. The motion was seconded by Mr. Harmon.

Responding to Mr. Davis, Mr. Koenig stated that the speed limit for all residential streets is 25 mph. Mr. Davis reminded members that DelDOT began a campaign last year and posted signage indicating "35 she's dead, 25 she's alive". He suggested the possibility of posting such signage. Noting that driving is a visual experience, he also questioned the difficulty with painting a chicane, rather than building a structure. Responding, Mr. Sommers stated the possibility of utilizing flexible posts to create a chicane and noted the ability to determine its effectiveness. If it is determined to be effective, he suggested the possibility of obtaining community support, as well as monetary support for erecting a chicane.

In response to Senator Bushweller, Mr. Slavin stated that there was a formal survey conducted with the residents of Spruance Road that indicated a desire for the City to address a series of issues, one of which was speeding. There was then a "walk through" conducted with members of Council, public works staff, inspectors, and the Police, which resulted in the action that was taken.

Senator Bushweller advised members that although he and Representative Bennett are willing to support the City, there is not much funding available in the community transportation fund for this year. He requested the opportunity to remain involved with this issue and suggested that the City begin by taking action that is the easiest and most economical, such as the painting of the lines.

The motion recommending that Kesselring Avenue be adopted as a project to attempt to find ways to calm traffic on roadways and direct staff to begin working to find a method to improve that roadway was unanimously carried.

Mr. Slavin requested that Mr. Koenig take the lead on this project and suggested the possibility of creating a working group. He also requested that Representative Bennett and Senator Bushweller, as well as any other representatives of the committee, be included.

Mr. Slavin noted that the next two (2) committee meetings (November 25^th and December 23^rd) would conflict with the upcoming holidays; therefore, he stated that those meetings will be cancelled and a Special Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. (unless there are no items for the committee's agenda).

Mr. Hogan moved for adjournment, seconded by Mrs. Russell and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:57 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Timothy A. Slavin

Chairman

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Attachments to Original Minutes and File Copy:

Attachment #1 - Copy of Presentation of Traffic Calming Treatments (from the February 10, 2009 Committee Meeting)