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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 135 - Test Traffic Control Barricades Around Tech Terrace Park For 90 Days - 04/26/1979N ON JCR:cl RESO #135 - 4/26/79 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, traffic volumes around the Tech Terrace Park have increased greatly, and WHEREAS, traffic congestion, unsafe conditions and excessive noise have resulted, and WHEREAS, it is necessary for the City to make a study to determine whether it is practical to re-route traffic utilizing the streets surrounding the Tech Terrace Park, and WHEREAS, in order to accomplish such study it will be necessary to install certain stationary traffic control barricades to facilitate the re-routing of traffic, and WHEREAS, such action is necessary in order to obtain valid test data needed by the City to determine how to best control and regulate the traffic congestion in the area, NOW THEREFORE: BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK, TEXAS: THAT stationary traffic control barricades meeting acceptable traffic engineering and safety standards be installed as follows: On 23rd Street West of Flint Avenue. On 25th Street West of Flint Avenue. On Gary Avenue North of 25th Street. On Gary Avenue South of 23rd Street. BE it further resolved that the City Manager Be and is hereby directed to see that all appropriate traffic control signs, signals, or other devices as required by law or are deemed necessary by our traffic engineer are erected in conjunction with the barricades hereinabove set forth in this Resolution so as to give adequate warning and notice to the public of the existence of said barricades during the period of this traffic test. BE it further resolved that said traffic control barricades shall remain in place as a test of such traffic control system for a period not to exceed 90 days. Passed by City Council this 26th day of Al2ri1 ,1979. WEST, MAYOR ATTEST: Evelyn Gaf ga,.City Sec t - easurer APPROVED AS T.0 CONTENT: Bill McDaniel, Traffic Engineer ApOmved his !o tom} John C. Ross, 1r,, CRY Attorney Regular City Council Meeting r 4/26/79 Motion was made by Councilman McAlister, seconded by Councilman Aderton to uphold P & Z 'and pass said ordinance on first reading, Condition No. 2 reflecting that a subsequent site plan being submitted for approval be on Tracts "E", "L" and "M" only. Motion carried: Mayor West, Mayor Pro Tem Henry, Councilwoman Jordan, Councilmen Aderton and McAlister voting Yea; none voting Nay. Resolution No. 135 (18) Authorization for traffic barriers around Tech Terrace Park. City Manager Larry Cunningham indicated he had met with representatives from the Tech Terrace area to determine if a more permanent solution can be found for the continuing traffic and noise problem around the Tech Terrace Park on weekends. The continued use of Police Officers and temporary barricades is now costing $1,000 per weekend and has not proven to be a permanent solution. Mr. Cunningham recommends that permanent appearing wood barricades be installed in the locations of 23rd Street at Flint, 25th Street at Flint, Gary Avenue just north of 25th Street, and Gary Avenue just south of 23rd Street for the purpose of running a test traffic period without the presence of uniform policemen, said test being in effect continually for a recommended 60 or 90 -day period, whichever the Council deems appropriate. These barricades would differ from the previous types in that they would use wire and railroad spikes to secure them to the pavement where they could not be easily moved; that this method would comply with the standard traffic requirements; and would cost only $650.00 to install. Additionally, he indicated the soccer games would be reestablished on the Tech Terrace Park in attempt to reinstate a "family -type" atmosphere. Councilman Aderton inquired whether or not this was a good time to run the test pattern inasmuch as the school.year ends in the near future, to which the City Manager responded that the complaints from the residents in the area indicated that it was primarily high school students that composed most of the traffic. Councilman McAlister inquired whether or not there had been consideration given to eliminating the parking around the park area. Following all discussion, the motion was made by Councilman McAlister, seconded by Councilwoman Jordan to install temporary barricades, type described above, for a period of 90 days for the purpose of determining a traffic pattern in the area referenced above, at a cost of $650.00; that a followup report as to the results of the test traffic pattern be presented to the Council at the end of the test period. Motion carried: Mayor West, Mayor Pro Tem Henry, Councilwoman Jordan, Councilmen Aderton and McAlister voting Yea; none voting Nay. (19) Ordinance No. 7854 An ordinance designating one way alley adjacent to*Parsons'School. 10 Regular City Council Meeting 6/14/79 (11) Representatives of the Tech Terrace Neighborhood to appear to discuss the policy related to barricades adjacent to Tedh'Terrace Park On April 26, 1979, the City Council authorized a placement of barricades around Tech Terrace Park at 23rd and Flint and 23rd and Gary Avenue, and also at 25th and Flint and 25th and Gary Avenue. These barricades were to be left for a 90 -day period to determine whether or not they should be placed on continuing basis. Reports from the Police Department indicated there had been very little traffic and few people using the park at this time. Subsequently, letters and a petition from residents in the area requesting the barricades be removed have been received, a copy which is on file in the Office of the City Secretary. Appearance: Dr. Carl Anderson, 3311 -24th Street Dr. Anderson indicated it appeared to him and other residents that there were three issues at stake: 1. The assumption by some residents that those residents immediately adjacent to the park should have access to the park which pre-empts other uses. 2. The solution that has been in effect is for the convenience of a few and at the same time has provided a great hard- ship and additional expense for other residents in the area. - 3. The erection of any sort of permanent barricade system would be only for a seasonal or a temporary problem. Following his presentation, Dr. Anderson was queried by Councilwoman Jordan whether or not he had any objections to temporary barricades if used in the spring and summer, or whenever the problem was the greatest, to which Dr. Anderson responded that he had no objection to a Saturday and Sunday barricade system, but would object to an all -week barricade system even though it would be for a six to.ten- week period. Councilwoman Jordan asked if -the barricade located at 23rd and Gary or 25th and Gary were removed,if it would help the problem, to which Dr. Anderson replied that the removal of both barricades at 23rd and Gary and 25th and Gary would be preferable, but he could live with the removal of one of the referenced barricades. Appearance: Mrs. Susan Sawyer, 3107 25th Street Mrs. Sawyer was representing the group in favor of permanent barricades and distributed to the Council results of a poll conducted by their delegation reflecting the sentiments of the -residents adjacent to or near by the Tech Terrace Park, their interpretation from the poll reflecting 79% of those polled favoring permanent blocking of the streets. 7 r The following appearances reflected miscellaneous comments: OSCAR CRAIN, 3316 24th St. Mr. Crain has lived around the park for 21 years and indicated there has never been a cause for the erection of barricades; that the problem is seasonal consisting of about 6 weeks • in the spring time; that there is no need for a drastic measure, and in his opinion the temporary solution far exceeds the problem. (Ret. Col.) G. D. KIIMP, The barricades have caused the traffic 3202 26th St. to be redirected by his house; there is need for signs on the outer perimeter of the park area saying "no parking," or "no halting" at any time; that the Parks & Recreation Department should be forbidden to issue any permits for organized athletics in the park, if for no other reason then there is no public latrine. MRS. STOKES (address unknown) The park's use is for everyone. CARMEN HOPKINS, 3109 25th St. The barricades being erected for special privileges, as indicated by Dr. Anderson, is in error; that the circling traffic was the prime nuisance; that the congested traffic was hazardous to the safety of the residents living adjacent to the - park; that possibly all four barricades would not be needed, thus, providing relief for residents in the outer perimeters of the park. (Ms. Hopkins lives directly across from the the park.) MRS. LINDA ANDERSON, The congested traffic is a safety 3311 24th St. hazard, and the redirection of the traffic -with the use of barricades is not only inconvenient, but likewise hazardous on 26th Street. MRS. C. L. DEAN (address Mrs. Dean is not opposed to the unknown) athletic activities in the park; was in favor of permanent barricades. (Mrs. Dean likewise lives directly across from the park.) 8 RON REIMAN, (address unknown) 24th Street is a two-way deadend - a barricade on one end, the median on Indiana on'the others; that the problem is a seasonal one-1&sting approximately six weeks. MRS. BILL MARQUIS, 3201 25th St. MARY GUERRANT, 3301 24th St. SARAH PARK, 3212 25th St. - MRS. A. D. CROW, 3314 24th St. Mrs. Marquis expressed appreciation to the Council for their interest and concern and attempted solution; that it was evident the residents on 24th Street are handicapped by the presence of the barricades; that one barricade located at 23rd and Gary could be removed thus allowing relief to residents on 24th Street. The barricades are inconvenient to all residents, but they are acceptable. Mrs. Crow confirmed, along with others, the inconvenience of the barricades in providing accessibility to their homes; recommended that the -barricade at 23rd and Gary Avenue be removed. MRS. J. H. BROCK, 3106 23rd St. Mrs. Brock confessed to writing the letter to the editor regarding the traffic situation and had many other .statements, entertaining in nature: MR. BILL ARMSTRONG, He did object to the traffic, but did 3012 25th St. not object to the use of the park; that enforcing "no parking" around the park area would not solve the problem. BURL HOBBS$ 3305 24th St. ALICE CARTWRIGHT, on behalf of Catheryn Middleton, 3303.24th St. MRS. DEAHL, 3212 25th St. If the barricades are to become permanent, he suggested the Council give consideration to opening up 24th Street across Indiana Avenue for the flow of residential traffic. The permanent barricades would provide greater safety for children and adults. 0... MR. BOB BLOOM, 3108 23rd St. DURWOOD MAHON, 19th St. DR. GUNDERSON, 3103 25th St. JUNE HINTON Would prefer permanent barricades. There were many alternatives that the Council had not considered or tried and should be tried before a final decision is made, i.e. 23rd Street and 25th Street being one way going east during the morning hours; one way going west in the afternoons; that traffic around the parkway be of a one- way direction. In support of permanent barricades on Flint with modifications on Gary Avenue at 23rd and 25th Streets. Recommended 23rd Street be one way allowing redirection of traffic. Following additional discussion, rebuttal by those in opposition to the barricades, response from those in favor of the barricades, the Council recessed for lunch, reconvening at 1:35 -p.m. The motion was made by Councilman McAlister, seconded by Councilwoman Jordan to (1) remove the barricade located at 23rd Street and Gary Avenue; (2) in order to find a suitable solution amenable to all parties involved, to appoint a six -person study committee - three in favor of the barricades, three in opposition to the barricades to meet with members of the City staff for the purpose of preparing recommendations -for the solution of the problem, said recommendations to be presented to the Council at the end of the 90 -day temporary test period; that recommendations be for the purpose of a long-range solution; and that the committee be -comprised of the following: 1. Those committe members in favor of the barricades: MRS. TOM SAWYER MRS. BILL MARQUIS DR. MARTIN GUNDER80N 2. Those committee members in opposition to the barricades: DR. CARL ANDERSON MR. OSCAR CRAIN MRS. J. B. MCPHERSON 3. -.Staff members: MR. JIM BERTRAM, Director of Planning POLICE CHIEF J. T. ALLEY LARRY CUNNINGHAM, City Manager Motion carried: Mayor West, Mayor Pro Tem Henry, Councilwoman Jordan, Councilmen Aderton-and McAlister voting Yea; none voting Nay. 10