VILLAGE OF VERNON HILLS, IL

TRAFFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

June 16, 2004

Meeting Minutes

 

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

Linda Reilly, Member

James Schultz, Member

Anthony Ugaste, Member

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

Cindy Hebda, Village Trustee, Member Ex-Officio

Thom Koch, Village Trustee, Member Ex-Officio

Mark Fleischhauer, Chief of Police, Member Ex-Officio

 

Absent:

None

 

X/copies:

Mike Allison, Village Manager

Evan Teich, Assistant Village Manager

 

Guests:

Mr. Russell M. Vitalino    614 Crooked Stick Court    Vernon Hills

 

               I.      Minutes

1)      The minutes of the January 21, 2004 meeting were reviewed.

 

Motion: Approve minutes as published: By Mr. Schultz; Seconded  Ms. Reilly.

Vote: Mr. LaLuzerne - Yes; Ms. Oster - Yes; Ms. Reilley – Yes; Mr. Schultz – Yes;

Mr. Ugaste -  Yes . Motion adopted   5   to  0 .

 

 

             II.      Old Business

1)                  Proposed Stop Sign Request at Lakeview Parkway and Continental Drive & Lakeview Parkway and Executive Way

 

·         Issue

In a letter from Mr. Chuck Solomonson of Libertyville, it was pointed out that during peak traffic volume periods Eastbound Traffic on both Continental Drive and Executive Way, which are main feeders from Milwaukee Ave into Continental Executive Park, have difficulty in turning either north or southbound on to Lakeview Parkway.

 

·         Details / Concerns

The committee discussed the concerns of restricting the flow of traffic on Lakeview Pkwy.  As it is designed, it is the primary collector throughout the Continental Executive Park properties. Intersection controls such as lights or stop signs, to prevent a limited number of riskier movements onto Lakeview Parkway would potentially have adverse flow consequences.

Aerial photos of the intersection were presented along with accident reports which indicated that a total of 10 accidents have occurred at these intersections over the last 3 years. Of those accidents only 3 were intersection related. Traffic counts completed by Public Works interns indicate that this is a heavily traveled intersection and that potentially the volume of activity could warrant a traffic signal light.

The committee discussed the fact that in cases such as this the preliminary step would be to install All Way Stop Signs at this intersection first. This was felt to be a step that may in fact create more disruption and create the potential for rear end accidents far in excess of the current potential for intersection or cross traffic accidents. Additionally, the Committee reviewed the fact that the current motor vehicle code clearly states that the through traffic on Lakeview has the right of way, and that traffic entering onto Lakeview Pkwy may only do so when the intersection is clear. Therefore by placing stop signs on Lakeview we are only trying to control impatience, and not traffic flow.

As a final point, the Committee reviewed the fact that traffic patterns may be changing with the opening of Fairway Dr to US-45 in 2005. This change may have significant impact that cannot be clearly identified at this time

 

·         Motion

Recommend that the Director of Public Works and Chief of Police bring forward no recommendation for consideration by the Village Board of Trustees.  

 

Motion made by: Mr. Ugaste; Seconded by: Mr. Schultz.

Vote: Mr LaLuzerne – Yes; Ms. Oster – Yes; Ms. Reilley – Yes;

Mr. Schultz –Yes: Mr. Ugaste – Yes. 

Motion adopted 5 to 0.

 

            III.      New Business

1)      No Parking request for Grosse Pointe Blvd between Hunter Court and Southfield Drive.

 

·         Issue

It has been noted that during baseball season vehicles are being parked on both sides of Grosse Pointe Blvd during games even though adequate parking is available off street in the recently completed park district parking lots.

 

·         Details / Concerns

Even though Grosse Pointe Blvd is a 36’ wide thoroughfare a local resident advised the committee of his concern for traffic moving quickly through this area while individuals are walking out between the park cars to cross the street. In addition it was reported that more than adequate parking space was available for the baseball fields within the Park District lots if parking was prohibited on Grosse Pointe Blvd.

The committee reviewed the fact that this has come up previously and that no action was recommended at that time. However, that was prior to the completion of the second parking lot, which now provides more than adequate capacity

 

·         Motion

Recommend that the Director of Public Works and Chief of Police bring forward a recommendation for consideration by the Village Board of Trustees to create a No Parking Zone on both sides of Grosse Point Blvd between Hunter Court and Southfield Drive. 

 

Motion made by: Mr. Schultz; Seconded by:           .

Motion failed due the lack of a second.

 

·         Motion

Recommend that the Director of Public Works and Chief of Police bring forward a recommendation for consideration by the Village Board of Trustees to create a No Parking Zone on the north side of Grosse Point Blvd between Hunter Court and Southfield Drive. 

 

Motion made by: Mr. Schultz; Seconded by:           .

Motion failed due the lack of a second.

 

2)      No Parking request for cul de Sac of Crooked Stick Court.

 

·         Issue

 Illegally parked cars in Cul de Sac’s in the Gregg’s Landing area that are blocking driveways and access to mailboxes etc. has been brought to the attention of the committee by an affected resident.

 

·         Details / Concerns

Mr. Russell M. Vitaliano addressed the Committee noting the fact that within his Cul de Sac vehicles are being parked during day light hours such that they are blocking driveways, access to mail boxes and garbage collection. The point was noted that due to the pie shaped lots and the typical width of the driveways (3 cars wide), the curb space between the homes precludes the practical use of most street parking within the cul de sac.

 

·   Motion

Recommend that the Chief of Police issue a letter to the residents of Crooked Stick Ct identifying what constitutes illegal parking and advise them that in the future, citations can be issued for violations. The Chief is further directed to use whatever other means of highlighting this type of violation within the websites and or using any other media sources available.

 

3)      Updates

·         Mr Laudenslager advised the Committee that additional trees have been planted along Deerpath Drive at Malvern as an additional buffer between this busy collector street and the residences that line it. This was completed in response to an accident that occurred where a vehicle went up over the curb and crashed into a rear yard fence.

·         Mr. Laudenslager and Chief Fleischhauer indicated that a citizen concern requesting traffic control signs (Yield Right of Way Signs) be erected in Greg’s Landing on Maidstone and on Sycamore. Neither was sure if TAC review would be required. If it is, it will be included on the next meetings agenda.

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Schultz and seconded by Mr. Ugaste. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 PM.

 

Motion made by: Mr. Ugaste; Seconded by: Mr. Schultz.

Vote: Mr LaLuzerne – Yes; Ms. Oster – Yes; Ms. Reilley – Yes;

Mr. Schultz –Yes: Mr. Ugaste – Yes. 

Motion adopted 5 to 0.

 

The above constitutes the authors understandings of the proceedings.

 

James E. Schultz

 

 

 

Acting Secretary

Traffic Advisory Committee

Vernon Hills, IL