VILLAGE OF VERNON HILLS, IL

TRAFFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meeting Minutes

April 24, 2002

With a quorum being in attendance the meeting of the Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) was called to order at 7:02 PM CDT. In attendance were:

Larry LaLuzerne, Chairman
Jeff Hauptman, Member
Susan Oster, Member
James Schultz, Member
Anthony Ugaste, Member
Mark Fleischauer, Chief of Police, Member Ex-Officio
Ed Laudenslager, Director of Public Works, Member Ex-Officio

Absent:
Cindy Hebda, Village Trustee, Member Ex-Officio
Thom Koch, Village Trustee, Member Ex-Officio

X/copies:
Mike Allison, Village Manager
Evan Teich, Assistant Village Manager

Guests:
Mr. James Manfredi
17 Cedar Court Unit 2
Vernon Hills, IL 60061

I. Minutes
The Chairman tabled the review of the minutes of the August 15, 2001 meeting until the next regular meeting.

II. Old Business

1. None

III. New Business

1. • Issue
     

     Citizen request to install traffic control (Stop Sign) on Indianwood at Greenleaf

   • Details / Concerns
     

     Mr. James Manfredi reviewed the contents of an e-mail he had previously sent to Mr. Laudenschlager of the Public Works department, for the committee. The details of his concern revolve around the fact that a lawfully constructed fence and landscaping obstructs the sightlines at this intersection. This sightline limitation is exacerbated by the fact that Indianwood is a through collector street, so that traffic traveling eastbound on Greenleaf looking to turn north onto Indianwood cannot be seen and has difficulty in being seen by the through traffic on Indianwood. Additionally, this intersection has a relatively high level of pedestrian traffic crossing Indianwood to get to the open park space. The pedestrian traffic is subjected to the same sightline problems.

     Mr. Laudenschlager indicated that based on a new federal guideline, this intersection might now qualify for an all way control device (3 way Stop Signage). In previous deliberations by this committee an additional stop sign could not be warranted based on accident history and/or traffic volumes. The four new criteria may be considered as part of an engineered study, without needing to meet the history or volume standards. Those criteria are:

     • The need to control left turn conflicts;
     • The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations that generate high pedestrian volumes;
     • Locations where a road user, after stopping, cannot see conflicting traffic and is not able to safely negotiate the intersection unless conflicting cross traffic is also required to stop; and
     • An intersection of two residential neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar design and operating characteristics where multiway stop control would improve traffic operational characteristics of the intersection.

     The committee in its deliberation determined that for all intents and purposes that this intersection in fact met all four points of the new criteria.

     Further discussion of the committee centered on the applicability of these new criteria at other locations within the village that have been previously identified by the public. The direction of the committee was that the Indianwood and Greenleaf intersection was the only location in the village that appears to meet all the points of the new criteria.

   • Motion:
     

     Recommend for Village Board action / approval the installation of traffic control stop signs on Indianwood at Greenleaf creating an "All Ways" stop intersection, pursuant to completion of a supporting engineering study to be completed by the Public Works department.

   • Motion Made By: Mr. Ugaste Motion Seconded By: Ms. Oster
   • Vote: Mr. LaLuzerne - Yes ; Ms. Oster - Yes ; Mr. Schultz - Yes ; Mr. Ugaste - Yes; Mr. Hauptman - Absent . Motion adopted / rejected 4 to 0 .
   • Summary: Committee recommends the creation of an "All Ways" stop intersection at Indianwood and Greenleaf.

2. • Issue
     Long Range Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the Village of Vernon Hills

   • Details / Concerns
     The village staff is requesting the Traffic Advisory Committee to review and comment on traffic issues related to areas under consideration for development.

   • Motion:
     None

   • Summary:
     The committee was directed to study the land use plan document and be prepared to present opinions / concepts concerning enhanced traffic flow in areas of new development in particular and throughout the village in general.

3. • Issue
     Chief Fleischauer noted that his office received a phone request to evaluate the installation of a stop sign in both directions on Lakeview Parkway at Museum Drive.

   • Details / Concerns
     While the new federal criteria concerning sightlines and vehicular/pedestrian conflicts may apply, the intersection of collector streets is not met.

   • Motion:
     None made

   • Summary:
     Based on the discussion of the committee, the Public Works Department will investigate upgrading the crosswalk markings and adding additional crosswalk signage.

The above constitutes the authors understandings of the proceedings.

James E. Schultz
Acting Secretary
Traffic Advisory Committee
Vernon Hills, IL