DRAFT
MINUTES AND HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE TAC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
VILLAGE OF VERNON HILLS, IL
With a quorum being in attendance the meeting of the
Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) was called to order at 7:04 PM CDT. In
attendance were:
Larry LaLuzerne, Chairman
Susan Oster, Member
James Schultz, Member
Anthony Ugaste, Member
Mark Fleischhauer, Chief of Police, Member
Ex-Officio
Ed Laudenslager, Director of Public Works, Member
Ex-Officio
Cindy Hebda, Village Trustee, Member Ex-Officio
Absent:
Thom Koch, Village Trustee, Member Ex-Officio
X/copies:
Mike Allison, Village Manager
Evan Teich, Assistant Village Manager
Guests:
Ms. Donna Einhorn 50
Monterey Drive
Mr. Ray Amidei 55
Monterey Drive
Mr. Josh Goodman 67
Monterey Drive
Mr. Robin Himley 49
Monterey Drive
Mr. Dave Hanson 120
Monterey Drive
·
The minutes of the September 17, 2003 meeting were reviewed.
Motion: Approve minutes as
published: By Mr. Schultz; Seconded Ms.
Oster.
Vote: Mr. LaLuzerne - Yes ; Ms. Oster -
Yes ; Mr. Schultz – Yes ;
Mr. Ugaste - Yes . Motion adopted 4
to 0 .
·
Issue
Sight lines down Hawthorn Parkway
at Lafayette are obstructed by parked vehicles along Hawthorn Parkway, making
entrance from Lafayette Street hazardous.
·
Details / Concerns
If a no parking zone could be
established along Hawthorn Parkway, sight lines would be greatly improved.
·
Update:
Chief Fleischhauer communicated to
the New Century Home Owners Association that a recommendation was made by Staff
and TAC at their 9/17/03 meeting to the Village Board to create a No Parking
Zone on Hawthorn Parkway. Based on the anticipated approval of the required
Ordinance, a No Parking Zone should be established by December 1, 2003.
·
Summary
Mr. Laudenslager / Chief Fleischauer are to manage the request for
establishing the specified No Parking Zone on Hawthorn Parkway through the
approval process.
2) Monterrey Drive No Parking Request
· Issue
Mr. Richard Lachman raised a safety concern
he has noticed on Monterey Drive. Specifically, there is a curve in the road
where when vehicles are parked on both sides of the street. Drivers have very
limited visibility for oncoming vehicles and for children who might dart into
the street. He is particularly
concerned, as Monterey Drive has increasingly become a through street for
traffic. Mr. Lachman is requesting that
a no parking zone be installed on the inside radius of this curve.
· Details / Concerns
Mr. LaLuzerne and Chief Fleischhauer reviewed
for the benefit of the guests, the materials and the scope of discussion from
the last meeting on this subject.
Chief Fleischhauer presented photographs and
plan view renderings that took the committee and the guests through this
stretch of road from both directions. Based on the presentation materials, it
was apparent that this lack of visibility is a genuine hazard. It was further
noted that while there are many other 90 degree curves on residential streets
in the village, Monterey has a significantly higher traffic volume due to the
perception / use as a “short cut” or bypass of Deerpath Rd between Aspen Rd and
US 45.
Mr. Laudenschlager and Chief Fleischhauer
also reviewed what the anticipated traffic change results would be. The most
direct would be the improvement in motorist visibility allowing them to see
further and have more time to react to adverse situations (Oncoming traffic,
persons crossing the roadway, etc.). Additionally, because not all parking was
being banned, the throttle effect created by cars parked on both sides of the
roadway would not be totally eliminated, just moved back from the curve.
Residents then were asked to address the
committee outlining there concerns / issues with the proposed No Parking Zone.
Ms Donna Einhorn indicated that she had no
problem with the proposed No Parking Zone, although she acknowledged that she
was not directly affected, as her residence was not in the specific area. Her
concern was that of motorists traveling down Monterey at an excessive rate of
speed. She indicated that she was a victim of a hit and run incident where a
car travel across her lawn and momentarily came to rest at her front stairs.
Mr. Ray Amidei indicated that while he had no
problem with the No Parking Zone being enacted to improve sight lines, he was
concerned that removing parked cars would remove a barrier that he felt helped
reduce speeds. His concern was also about the high volume of cut through
traffic that he felt was traveling down this residential side street at too
high a rate of speed, such that it was in excess of the posted 25 MPH.
Mr. Josh Goodman indicated that his only
concern with the proposal was that limiting parking at “All Times” was slightly
punitive to the residents and their guests at holiday times, etc. The concern
of motorists traveling too often at too high a rate of speed was Mr. Goodman’s
greatest concern. Additionally Mr. Goodman requested if additional signage or
saw cut rumble strips would be possible.
Mr. Robin Himley was concerned that the
removal of the parked cars would remove the throttle that, to a limited extent,
keeps motorists from speeding to a greater degree down this residential side
street. Mr Himley indicated that some of the neighbors have gone so far as to
purchase and put out on the curb a plastic miniature Men at Work - Slow Down
caricature traffic control device.
Mr. Dave Hanson indicated that that while he
lives well down the street from the area / curve in question, and will not be
directly affected, he wished to support the comments of the other residents
concerning motorists traveling at excessive rates of speed, as his section of
Monterey is the “Acceleration Zone”. He compared traffic going by his
residence, with racecar drivers crossing the starting line.
·
Motion:
Recommend to the Village Board the
implementation of a “No Parking at Any Time” zone along the inner radius of
Monterey Drive between 67 and 53 Monterey Drive.
·
Motion Made By: Mr. Ugaste: Motion Seconded By: Ms Oster.
Vote: Mr. LaLuzerne - Yes; Ms. Oster - Yes; Mr. Schultz -
Yes; Mr. Ugaste – Yes.
Motion adopted 4 to
0.
·
Summary
The committee recommends that Mr. Laudenschlager / Chief
Fleischauer are to request concurrence from the Village Board for the installation
of a “No
Parking at Any Time” signs via an ordinance on the inner radius / northeast
side of Monterey Drive, approximately between 67 and 53 Monterey Drive. Public
Works will determine the appropriate location and style of signage.
As an aside Mr Laudenslager committed to review the existing signage
(Speed and Curve Ahead) and determine if more applicable, informative / higher
visibility signage is available for installation. Mr Laudenslager will also
review and comment at the next meeting the applicability and desirability of
installing sawcut rumble strips to assist in reducing traffic speed on
residential side streets.
Chief Fleischhauer committed to conduct a Traffic Volume and Speed Study
on Monterey Drive at the earliest possible time. The study will be for three
days and will run from 6:30AM through 9:00PM, and will include a Saturday.
III.
New Business
1)
None
A motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Oster and
seconded by Mr. Ugaste.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 PM.
The above constitutes the authors understandings of
the proceedings.
James E. Schultz
Acting Secretary
Traffic Advisory Committee
Vernon Hills, IL