VILLAGE OF VERNON HILLS, IL

TRAFFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meeting Minutes

October 20, 1999

With a quorum being in attendance the meeting of the Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) was called to order at 7:04PM (CDT). In attendance were:

Larry LaLuzerne, Chairman

Ken Abrams, Member

James Schultz, Member

John Kincaid, Acting Chief of Police, Member Ex-Officio

Ed Laudenslager, Director of Public Works, Member Ex-Officio

Thom Koch, Village Trustee, Member Ex-Officio

Absent:

Mike Allison, Village Manager

Evan Teich, Assistant Village Manager

Guests:

Tracy Marsek-Rieke, 2010 Laurel Valley Dr

Jack Rieke, 2010 Laurel Dr

Andrea Nugent, 2062 Broadmoor

Dan Kim, 1986 Broadmoor

Keith Schoenfeld, 2047 Broadmoor

Cindy Galisdorfer, 2026 Broadmoor

Claudia Lannan, 2059 Laurel Valley Dr

Roger Summers, 331 Cherry Valley Rd

Donna Summers, 331 Cherry Valley Rd

I. Minutes

· The minutes of the October 28, 1998 minutes were reviewed.

· Motion: Adopt minutes as published:

· Motion Made By: Mr. Abrams; Motion Seconded By: Mr. Schultz.

· Vote: Mr. Abrams – Aye; Mr. LaLuzerne – Aye; Mr. Schultz – Aye. Motion adopted 3-0.

II. Old Business

None

III. New Business

1) Issue: Board Membership

Mr. LaLuzerne advised all present of the resignation of Ms. Laurene Farino-Becker from the committee effective April 1, 1999. The resignation resulted from Ms. Farino-Becker relocating from our community.

2) Issue: Traffic control signage at intersection of Broadmoor and Laurel Valley in Greggs Parkway

· Details / Concerns: A high incidence of speeding and higher than anticipated traffic volume on which is being used a s a cut through between Greggs Parkway and points south along Broadmoor. The residents noted that because their portion of the Greggs Landing Development is slow to develop sidewalks have not been completed, therefore children must use the street to move between one another’s homes. The following requests were made.

1. Add additional signage, such as “Children at Play” to warn motorists of impending danger.

2. Create a no right turn sign from Greggs Parkway onto Broadmoor to prohibit excess traffic that uses Broadmoor as a cut off.

3. Place stop signs at the corner of Laurel and Broadmoor to impede the flow of cut through traffic.

The Director of Public Works and the Acting Chief of Police, noted none of these signs could be justified under the Uniform Sign Manual. The following actions were recommended as a result of the discussions:

1. Public Works Department is to evaluate what type of temporary signage would be most appropriate for this situation until such time as the sidewalks throughout the area are in place.

2. Public Works Director will make contact with the Zale Sales Management Team to:

· Identify if they could include in the sales brochures a warning to potential customers who are touring the area, that sidewalks are not in place ant that extreme caution should be exhibited while driving through the partially developed areas.

· Evaluate the potential of installing a complete sidewalk system prior to the sale and development of the remaining vacant lots.

3. Vernon Hills Police Department will begin an increased traffic enforcement patrol of this area during specific times of the week.

· Motion: Table a formal recommendation pending review of the above action items and a formal report back to the Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

· Motion Made By: Mr. Abrams Motion Seconded By: Mr. Schultz

· Vote: Mr. Abrams: Aye Mr. LaLuzerne: Aye Mr. Schultz: Aye

· Summary: Motion carried 3-0.

3) Issue: Request for the Public Works Department to stripe and sign a handicapped only parking space at 331 Cherry Valley Dr to accommodate Mr. And Mrs. Summers who are valid holders of a handicapped licensed vehicle.

· Details / Concerns: Mr. Summers requested this striping to insure a parking space in front of his residence. Cherry Valley is not typically a street parking location. However, this residence had parkway parking prior to its reconfiguration when all parking was relocated to the rear of the buildings. These parking spaces at the rear of the building are separated from the building with a significant grade change that is compensated for with a series of stairs, which Mr. Summers cannot negotiate in his wheel chair.

· Motion: Recommend the creation of one handicapped parking stall at 331 Cherry Valley. This parking space would be designated using signposts and appropriate roadway stripping. The signposts identifying a handicapped space would also note the snow removal parking ban requirements.

· Motion Made By: Mr. Abrams Motion Seconded By: Mr. Schultz

· Vote: Mr. Abrams: Aye Mr. LaLuzerne: Aye Mr. Schultz: Aye

· Summary: The notion carried 3-0. The Public Works Director and the Acting Chief of Police are to review with the Village Attorney the requirements for implementing the above signage.

4) Issue: Mr. Richard Paul of 410 Albany Lane requests the installation of a four way stop sign at Augusta and Aspen Roads.

· Details / Concerns: Due to the new school campus and the expansion of the Park District’s Sullivan Center recreational capabilities, additional pedestrian traffic is crossing Aspen in higher numbers than ever before. In reviewing this issue the Committee ascertained that the traffic volume was not sufficient, not were the site lines impeded, nor was there a sufficient accident history, to recommend locating stop signs at this intersection, even in consideration of the current non-peak hour recreational pedestrian traffic.

· Motion: Not to recommend the installation of stop sign at this intersection.

· Motion Made By: Mr. Schultz Motion Seconded By: Mr. Abrams

· Vote: Mr. Abrams: Nay Mr. LaLuzerne: Aye Mr. Schultz: Aye

· Summary: The motion to not recommend the installation of a stop sign passed by a vote of 2 to 1.

5) Issue: Mr. Richard Paul of 410 Albany Lane requests installation of stop signs at Albany/Warrington Rds and Augusta/ Cherokee Rds at Deerpath Roads.

· Details / Concerns: With the opening of the new school campus and the increased recreational use of the Park District Sullivan Center a concern was brought forward that pedestrian traffic crossing from the east Deerpath neighborhood to the west Deerpath neighborhood across Deerpath Road did not have proper protection that could be afforded by stop signs at these two locations. The discussion on this issue centered on the fact that as part of the Deerpath reconstruction these locations were reviewed and found that neither met a requirement in the state code for stop signs.

· Motion: Not to recommend the installation of stop signs at the intersections of Albany/Warrington at Deerpath and Augusta/Cherokee at Deerpath.

· Motion Made By: Mr. Schultz Motion Seconded By: Mr. Abrams

· Vote: Mr. Abrams: Nay Mr. LaLuzerne: Aye Mr. Schultz: Aye

· Summary: The motion to not recommend the installation of stop signs passed by a vote of 2 to 1.

6) Issue: Mr. Richard Paul of 410 Albany Lane identified an issue concerning snow removal from sidewalks to mitigate the amount of pedestrian foot traffic using the Village streets.

· Details / Concerns: While it is desirable for each individual to remove the snow from the sidewalks in front of their residence, it is not a public policy, nor would it be in the best interest of the Village’s enforcement community to enforce snow removal. At these point in time the Village does not have the resources to unilaterally remove snow from the Village sidewalks.

· Motion: Not to recommend a policy requiring snow removal of public sidewalks and subsequent enforcement.

· Motion Made By: Mr. Abrams Motion Seconded By: Mr. Schultz

· Vote: Mr. Abrams: Aye Mr. LaLuzerne: Aye Mr. Schultz: Aye

· Summary: Motion not to recommend a policy change requiring snow removal from sidewalks and subsequent enforcement passed 3 to 0. It was recommended that the village communicate to the residents that on a case by case basis the Village will assist in the removal of large accumulations of snow resulting from street snow removal work to facilitate the flow of pedestrian traffic at any intersection.

7) Issue: Traffic control signage for Cumberland Ave at Hampton and Hanover in the New Century Townhouse Association #1.

· Details / Concerns: Ms. Linda Wool, Property Manager, for New Century Townhouse Association #1 requested the placement of stop signs on Cumberland at Hampton on behalf of the membership of the Townhouse Association. Prior to this meeting, the Public Works Department placed additional speed limits signs along Cumberland and the Police Department has reviewed enforcement within this area.

· Motion: Not to recommend the placement of stop signs on Cumberland at Hanover and Hampton Roads.

· Motion Made By: Mr. Schultz Motion Seconded By: Mr. Abrams

· Vote: Mr. Abrams: Nay Mr. LaLuzerne: Aye Mr. Schultz: Aye

· Summary: Motion to not recommend the placement of stop signs carried 2 to 1.

8) Issue: New Century Town Manor Homes parking on Lakeview Parkway, south of Regency, resulting from the reconfiguration of Lakeview Parkway as it now enters Greggs Landing.

· Details / Concerns: As there was no specific request and gated Park District lots to the north and south of the Manor Home sub-division are available on a case by case basis for special events, and no specific issue could be identified the Acting Chief of Police and/or the Public Works Director were requested to arrange for a spokesperson make presentation on a specific request to the committee.

· Motion: Table discussion until a specific request can be brought before the committee.

· Motion Made By: Mr. Schultz Motion Seconded By: Mr. Abrams

· Vote: Mr. Abrams: Aye Mr. LaLuzerne: Aye Mr. Schultz: Aye

· Summary: Motion to table further discussion on this item until the nest regularly scheduled meeting and/or specific recommendation is brought forward carried 3-0. The Townhouse management team is to be contacted by the Acting Chief of Police and invited to the next regularly scheduled meeting at which time they could present their case.

9) Issue: Mr. Rajendraqumar C. Gandhi, 112 Saratoga Ct, has requested the Traffic Committee review the current ban on overnight parking in New Century Town on Saratoga Ct. along with village wide ban overnight street parking.

· Details / Concerns: a preliminary discussion indicated that for snow plowing and for crime prevention it was felt to be in the best interest of the community to maintain a ban on street parking in all areas other then were absolutely necessary.

· Motion: To table discussion until Mr. Gandhi could make himself available at the next regularly scheduled meeting to present his case to the committee.

· Motion Made By: Mr. Schultz Motion Seconded By: Mr. Abrams

· Vote: Mr. Abrams: Aye Mr. LaLuzerne: Aye Mr. Schultz: Aye

· Summary: The motion to table further discussion on this item carried. Mr. Gandhi is to be contacted by the Acting Chief of Police and invited to the next regularly scheduled meeting at which time he could present his case for the elimination of the overnight street parking ban within Vernon Hills.

10) Issue: Mr. John Lason of Sussex Circle requested the Committee to review the parking situation on Sussex between Nardis and Montclair. The concern is that individuals are parking on Sussex to avoid paying the parking fee in the Metra Station. Sussex Circle has access to the Metra Station via the newly installed bike trail.

· Details / Concerns: the Committee felt obliged to provide for a no parking recommendation consistent with the recommendation previously made within the Stone Fence Farm Community.

· Motion: Motion to recommend the installation of No Parking signs between 7:00AM and 9:00AM, Monday through Friday.

· Motion Made By: Mr. Schultz Motion Seconded By: Mr. Abrams

· Vote: Mr. Abrams: Aye Mr. LaLuzerne: Aye Mr. Schultz: Aye

· Summary: The motion to create a no parking zone carried 3 to 0. The Committee recommended to the Director of Public Works to develop signage consistent with that previously installed in the Village, to insure that train commuter parkers are utilizing the lot made available to them.

11) Issue: Mr. John Lason brought to the Committee’s attention the fact that the retention area and park on Sussex are being utilized as soccer fields. Spectator cars are parking on both sides of Susssex/Sheffield in sufficient numbers that the traffic way is reduced to one lane with large numbers of children moving between and around cars.

· Details / Concerns: Mr. Lason recommended that parking be banned on one side of the street at all times to insure that emergency vehicles could move freely down this thoroughfare along with the fact that this would mitigate potential for accidents occurring with children darting out between cars.

· Motion: Motion for the Police Department to conduct a survey along Sussex and Sheffield between Nardis and Evergreen to determine

· Resident’s desire to ban parking on one side of the street for safety concerns.

· If such a ban were put into place, should that ban be on the park side or should it be on the resident side.

· Motion Made By: Mr. Schultz Motion Seconded By: Mr. Abrams

· Vote: Mr. Abrams: Aye Mr. LaLuzerne: Aye Mr. Schultz: Aye

· Summary: Motion to survey residents carried 3 to 0. The police Department will conduct an informal survey and report back to the Traffic Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting, with the results of the survey. The Committee will review the appropriate action to be taken from the survey.

12) Issue: Mr. Mang Zhu brought to the Committee’s attention the fact that Greggs Landing Parkway is operating with higher than anticipated traffic volume, including some truck traffic.

· Details / Concerns: Mr. Zhu recommended that stop signs be placed along Greggs Parkway to make this a less than desirable traffic route. Mr. Zhu also requested that truck traffic be prohibited. The committee was advised that the road was designed in conjunction with county planners and that the design met all the criteria for a secondary arterial route. Additionally, it is felt that the truck traffic described by Mr. Zhu was in fact delivery trucks supporting the White Deer Run Golf course operation.

· Motion: Table discussion until Mr. Zhu can make a personal appearance at the next regularly scheduled meeting to present his case.

· Motion Made By: Mr. Schultz Motion Seconded By: Mr. Abrams

· Vote: Mr. Abrams: Aye Mr. LaLuzerne: Aye Mr. Schultz: Aye

· Summary: Motion to table carried 3 to 0. The acting Chief of Police will contact Mr. Zhu and advise him of the date of the next regularly scheduled meeting.

13) Issue: Ms. Eva Harasimowicz of Dover Court brought to the Committee’s attention the fact that the intersection of Indianwood and Greenleaf maybe unsafe.

· Details / Concerns: Ms. Harasimowicz recommended that this intersection become an all way stop to mitigate potential for accidents occurring. The committee reviewed past minutes, which noted that this intersection was reviewed in August 1998. At that time it was determined that the intersection did not meet the minimum requirements for additional stop signs. Additionally, The Public Works Dept, made several changes to improve the sight lines.

· Motion: Not to recommend the installation of stop signs at the intersections of Greenleaf and Indainwood.

· Motion Made By: Mr. Schultz Motion Seconded By: Mr. Abrams

· Vote: Mr. Abrams: Nay Mr. LaLuzerne: Aye Mr. Schultz: Aye

· Summary: The motion to not recommend the installation of stop signs passed by a vote of 2 to 1.

14) Public Works Director Laudenslager presented an overview of the current status of the Prairie Rd / Fairway Ln / Lakeview Rd extension. The key points were:

· Construction could take place as early as 2001 for the reconfiguration of the intersection of Prairie and US Rt 45.

· Fairway / Lakeview extension should occur during the 2002/2003 timeframe.

15) Mr. Schultz advised the committee that as a private citizen acting on his own behalf he lobbied the Cook Library board to relocate the Library’s Book-mobile from its prior location on Evergreen Rd to a less traveled side street. This change was implemented in May 1999, creating in Mr. Schultz’s opinion, a safer environment for the Bookmobile to operate. This issue had been previously presented to the committee with no recommendation for action being the recommendation of the committee.

A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Abrams and seconded by Mr. Schultz. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 PM

The above constitutes the authors understandings of the proceedings.

James E. Schultz

Acting Secretary

Traffic Advisory Committee

Vernon Hills, IL