Circulation Committee Says Speed is Problem; Not Parking

The Circulation Committee last night decided to leave parking as is on Michael Lane, and to ask the police to spend more time monitoring speeders Michael Lane using their new motorcycles. They will also paint SLOW on the street along with the 15 mph advisory limit.  This will go to the City Council on Sept. 26 for final approval.

Despite two speed reports showing that drivers are doing an average speed on the street  within the 25 mph range, the City Council agreed with the dozen or so Michael Lane homeowners who showed up at the meeting that speed is the issue.  Committee members also stated that they visited Michael Lane in August and didn't see any parked cars on the street, so what's the problem?

The Michael Lane homeowners charged that the signatures received on a petition to address the parking issue were obtained fraudulently.  They insist that no one has a problem with the parking on Michael Lane, and those that do can use other streets.

One bright spot:  the owner of the mini Cooper that has been constantly parked at the top of the hill is moving so that car will no longer be a fixture on the street.  

Is Parking on Michael Lane Dangerous? City Engineer Says "No. Leave it As Is."

Meeting:   Tuesday, Sept. 6  at 7:00 at the Lafayette Library
Comments to:  City Manager Steve Falk  at sfalk@lovelafayette.org. 

In June, over 50 Burton Valley residents signed a petition asking the city to review the parking situation on Michael Lane.  The city’s final 19-page report was posted on the city website on Thursday before Labor Day weekend.   A meeting which could determine the final outcome is scheduled for the Tuesday after Labor Day.  The city has refused requests to move the meeting to allow more time for the public to review the report and submit comments. 

Link to report on city's website: http://lafayette.waterware.com/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-628

What is City Engineer Tony Coe recommending for Michael Lane?

His recommendation is to:

·        Leave the on-street parking essentially unchanged

·        Add signs and striping to further slow down traffic

On page 10 of his report, Mr. Coe concludes that “there is minimal safety concern and on-street parking has the added benefit of limiting speeds.”  

Is speeding an issue on Michael Lane?

No.  And it never has been.  The city did two separate speed reports on Michael Lane:

·                    In 2009,  27 mph average, -- 85% at 32mph or less

·                    In Aug. 2011,  25 mph average --  85% at 29 or less (with few, if any, parked cars)

Did the city look at alternatives to doing nothing?

Yes. Mr. Coe’s report includes alternatives ranging from installing concrete curb bulbs to protect parked cars and slow down traffic (Cost to city:  $7500) to re-landscaping the front yards of the three houses on the uphill side and installing a sidewalk to serve them. (Cost to the city:  $50,000 -  $65,000.)

Is there a cheap, common sense solution?

Yes.  Eliminate parking on one side and repaint center line.   According to the city report:

“If on-street parking were eliminated on at least one side of the street, there would be sufficient road width to stripe two standard lanes and obviate the need for vehicles to cross the centerline to pass around parked vehicles.”

This solution would not require pouring concrete or relandscaping private property.

!!! It would only require paint !!!

  

FAQ on Michael  Lane

Does parking on the hill create a safety issue?

Yes.  It forces cars into oncoming traffic lanes on a blind hill.   And the City knows it.   Page 9 of the City Engineer’s  report notes that, “When there is a parked vehicle, which typically takes up 6 feet of space, the remaining 8 ft lane width is barely sufficient to allow a standard vehicle to pass without driving across the centerline…”

Is the City open to lawsuits in case of an accident?

The city’s insurance consultant says the city would have a “defensible position” in case of accident, but notes that a judge or jury might have a different reaction  His report concludes that because parking at the top of the hill “appears to be not used very often” the risk is limited.  (He noted no cars parked there on August 10.)

                    

Why would the city consider spending $65,000 to build a sidewalk in front of
only three houses?

The residents who could receive either protected parking or new landscaping and a sidewalk have been the loudest voices at the “neighborhood” meetings dominated by Michael Lane residents, and are also leading the fight against the St. Anselm’s cell tower, claiming it decreases their property values. 

If pedestrian safety is a concern, why not put a sidewalk on the flatter, cheaper to build side of the street?

Michael Lane residents oppose a sidewalk on the flat side, which could connect with the new trail.  They say increased foot traffic would create “an unwanted change in the character of their street.”  (Michael Lane Homeowners Association letter, March 24)

Did the City address Michael Lane residents concerns about speed?

Despite repeated studies showing speeds were well within acceptable limits, the city spent eight months of staff time addressing residents concerns about speed, then decided to post advisory 15 mph signs.  

Will Michael Lane residents continue to park on the hill?

Yes, most deifintely.  Michael Lane residents seem to have taken their cars off the street in the past month while a new speed study was being conducted.  But they will be back, as the city report indicates on page 10:

 “Some residents assert that on-street parking provides a ‘protected’ area… vehicles are reportedly parked strategically to provide a shield.” 


A March 24 letter signed by 17 Michael Lane residents said that drivers concerned about parking on their street are “free to use other, wider roads” channeling more traffic to Burton Drive, a major route to schools and the trail for school children, moms with strollers, kids on bikes, etc.  

Update on Michael Lane - 4 Things You Should Know

1. Plans to limit parking at the top of Michael Lane hill have been delayed to protests by those on Michael Lane. 

A meeting held just before the 4^th of July weekend (City Engineer Tony Coe refused to reschedule the meeting after the holiday so that Lucas Drive representatives could attend.)  The “consensus” at that meeting was that 15 mp speed limit signs were urgently needed but that the parking situation could wait until later. In his report to the Traffic Commission the following week, the City Engineer Tony Coe reported this “consensus” opinion.  His report did not include or mention the petition signed by over 50 Burton Valley residents, asking the City to address the parking situation. 

2. Traffic Commission is set to rule on the parking issue on Sept. 5 – the Tuesday after Labor Day. 

City Engineer Tony Coe will not issue a final recommendation on the parking situation until Sept. 1 or 2 – the Thursday or Friday before Labor Day -- giving residents only a holiday weekend to review the proposal.  Requests to move the meeting away from the Labor Day weekend and allow more time to review the Engineer’s proposal have so far been denied.  The City is asking that public comment on this matter be received before August 29 – three days before the report is issued. (Send comments to Tony Coe at TCoe@ci.lafayette.ca.us.  Specifically state that you want them included for review by the Commission)

3. The City has issued Michael Lane residents speed guns to monitor and report speeders.

According to the City's Traffic Calming Handbook (page 23) in certain circumstances, residents can be issued speed guns and collect liscense plate numbers to be forward to the City for action.    The problems with this plan are obvious:

-          Residents are not professionally trained to use speed guns, resulting in inaccurate readings by people who have a vested interest in the outcome; 

-          Because there is no oversight, citations can be used as retaliation or harassment

-          Overuse of speed monitoring tools on one street can unnecessarily divert traffic to other streets, like Burton Drive.

Results of the City’s own monitoring showed that the majority of Michael Lane drivers were within the speed limit and 85% were driving at 32MPH or less -- below the threshold where police will generally write a ticket.


4. Some Michael Lane residents are now demanding that a sidewalk be built at city expense at the top of the hill only, not connecting through to Lucas Drive.

Residents on the flat side of Michael Lane residents objected to sidewalks as they would increase foot traffic.  So the City Engineer proposed a plan to build the sidewalk in front of only three or four residences at the top of the hill and a raised crosswalk.   Usually such paths are funded in part by the homeowners, but Michael residents are demanding that the city fully fund the project.  We won’t know if this is included in the City Engineer’s final plan until September 1^st or 2^nd.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Send your comments to:

 City Engineer Tony Coe at TCoe@ci.lafayette.ca.us.

State specifically that you want your comments presented to the Traffic Commission  and send a copy:

 City Manager Steve Falk sfalk@lovelafayette.org and

 Mayor Carl Anduri canduri@lovelafayette.org

  

Attend the Sept. 6 Traffic Commission meeting at 7 p.m.

            The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center in the Arts and Discovery Room which is on the middle level.  Usually at least five or six Michael Lane residents show up, so it would be nice to have some representatives from the greater neighborhood there as well. 

City to Address Parking on Michael Lane Hill

Thanks in part to a petition signed by Burton Valley residents asking the city to address the dangerous parking situation on Michael Lane, there is finally some movement. After five months of meetings, here is the city's final recommendation:

•  Limit parking on both sides of the street at the crest of the hill and restripe to widen the traffic lanes
•  Post "blind hill" warning signs and an advisory 15 mph speed limit 
•  Install a flashing speed limit sign opposite the church
•  Paint 25 mph speed limit  warnings on the street
• Install a raised crosswalk at the trail at Michael and Murray ( this would  be paid for by the Michael Lane homeowners)

A longer discussion of this plan is below in a letter from Transportation Planner Leah Greenblat.

Next Steps

Assuming there are no objections from the Michael Lane homeowners, this proposal will go before the city's Transportation Commission on July 5th for final approval.

Thanks to everyone who signed the petition or contacted the city to voice their concerns.  And, please everyone observe the speed limits and drive safely throughout Burton Valley.  Keep all our neighborhood streets safe for kids, pedestrians and bikers.  

Danger on Michael Lane

The good news:  City Engineer Tony Coe told the Traffic Planning Commission in May that the city is “on notice” that something must be done about the dangerous situation created by parked cars on Michael Lane. 

The bad news:  The city is delaying any action until the traffic control process is completed – which has gone on for five months and is now on hold.  – see details below). 

Limited clearance and visibility on Michael Lane 

In the meantime, Michael Lane residents continue to park on the hill, even though they’ve been told it creates a dangerous situation.

            Curb painting or temporary signs can be done inexpensively and would address safety concerns while a permanent solution is developed.  If you are concerned about this issue, please write to Lafayette Transportation Planner Leah Greenblat at LGreenblat@ci.lafayette.ca.us or Steve Falk, Lafayette City Manager at sfalk@lovelafayette.org.

Sample Letter

Dear Ms. Greenblatt and Mr. Falk:

We want to make sure you are aware of a dangerous situation on Michael Lane which the city has delayed in addressing.

Cars parked on the hill on Michael Lane between Murray Lane and Lucas Drive create a dangerous traffic situation.  Traffic is forced to cross into the opposing lane to get by parked cars and the lines of sight are shortened because of the hill.     

The city engineer has stated that the city is “on notice” about this dangerous situation, but is delaying action while he responds to demands by residents of Michael Lane for speed control measures.  This process has dragged on for over five months and although Michael Lane residents have been made aware of the issue, cars and trucks are continually parked there.

We feel that in the interest of neighborhood safety, temporary parking restrictions should be put in place immediately.  Signs and/or curb painting could be done at minimal expense and would increase the safety for everyone, while the traffic staff evaluates alternate solutions.

We hope that you will take action on this matter immediately.

Sincerely,

Your Burton Valley Neighbors

 

Update: Traffic Control on Michael Lane

In May, a compromise proposal developed by members of Neighborhood Action Team was presented to the Traffic Commission.  The plan included concrete pinch points, a raised crosswalk, new signage and more.  A date for a public meeting to get neighborhood comments was set.  Then a few, vocal Michael Lane residents insisted that speed bumps be added to the plan, even though the City Engineer doesn’t recommend them..  This put the planning process on hold while Michael Lane residents try to agree among themselves.

Here's a summary of current proposals:

Speed Bumps

City Engineer Tony Coe has recommended against the use of speed bumps on Michael Lane, and has said so both in front of the Traffic Commission and in a written report.  But a few, vocal Michael Lane residents insist that reducing speed to 15 mph through speed bumps is the only option they are willing to consider.

According to a report by Lafayette Traffic Engineer Tony Coe “…speed humps as currently proposed are overreaching in its objective to reduce speeds and could be construed as traffic impediments as opposed to traffic calming.”  The street is too short for effective placement of bumps and the hill limits the visibility of required warning signs.  Currently, 85% of drivers go 32 mph or less on the populated portion of Michael Lane.     

Neighbors have voiced many objections to speed bumps on Michael:

• Unwanted diversion of traffic to Burton Drive, used by walkers, bikers and schoolkids as a route to school, the pool, and the trails
• Bumping aggravates back and neck problems
• Delays  response time of emergency vehicles
• Can increase road rage, causing faster driving elsewhere in the neighborhood

City Planner Leah Greenblat said residents from other parts of Burton Valley should be included in the planning process if speed bumps are considered. 

According to Realty Magazine: “the long-term impacts of speed bumps can be disastrous” and cites various studies that say speedbumps can:

·        Increase the cost of vehicle maintenance by 50%.

·        Increase neighborhood air pollution by 48%.

·        Decrease property values and increase the length of time homes stay on the market.

See:  Traffic Calming: The Evil Speedbump at http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20030428_speedbump.htm

Pinch Points

  

Pinch point on Monroe Avenue

Pinch points are low concrete barriers that slow traffic by narrowing the lanes of travel.  The compromise plan agreed on by the Neighborhood Action Team in April and presented to the Traffic Commission in May included pinch points at the top and bottom of the Michael Lane hill.   Pinch points force drivers to maintain a reasonable speed without the drawbacks of speed humps, and have been used successfully on several streets in Lafayette.  

According to Tony Coe, “Pinch points have a demonstrated potential of reducing overall prevailing speeds. They do not impinge on freedom of movement of reasonable drivers, thus are more consistent with the principles of the traffic calming program.”

Some Michael Lane residents object to pinch points because they limit parking or they question their effectiveness .  Others don’t object to them in principle but don’t want them placed in front of their house. 

Sidewalk or Walking Path

Since the safety of children and pedestrians is a concern, the feasibility of a sidewalk or other walking path connected to the new trail along Murray Lane was explored.

Walking path near Stanley School

The city proposed the installation of a sidewalk or path along the flatter side of Michael (left side traveling from Lucas) as the easiest and least expensive alternative.  Michael Lane residents turned that proposal down, stating in a letter to the city that a walking path would change the character of the neighborhood and would not increase safety. 

At a May meeting of the Neighborhood Action Team, new interest was expressed in a sidewalk by residents on the uphill side (right side traveling from Lucas).  Tony Coe estimated that such a plan may cost up to $30,000 and said that the city would only contribute if a new sidewalk connected to the existing one at the Michael/Murray corner.  This means that all neighbors have to agree, and this is unlikely.

For more on concerns about sidewalks, and reasons to consider them, see: http://www.walkinginfo.org/faqs/answer.cfm?id=3456

What's Next?

The Neighborhood Action Team is currently at a standstill while Michael Lane residents talk about possible solutions and try to reach a consensus among themselves.  There is currently no date set for future meetings.

   

Neighborhood Action Team Meeting March 24

One thing was clear at the Michael Lane traffic meeting   – some Michael Lane residents do not appear to be interested in hearing their neighbors concerns.  In fact, some members of the Michael Lane Homeowners Association (MLHOA) resorted to name calling, shouted down others, and became so offensive that one Lucas Drive resident is seeking legal guidance to stop further verbal abuse and harassment.

The meeting was attended by approx. 10 Michael Lane residents, 2 Lucas Drive residents and three members of the city traffic planning department. 

To date, the City staff has developed six different proposals to address Michael Lane residents’ concerns on traffic and safety.  Michael Lane Homeowners Association (MLHOA)  presented a four-page, single-space letter on the day of the meeting, which signed by 17 Michael Lane residents.  The following points are taken from that letter:

1. Michael Lane residents oppose limits to parking on the hill.

From the MLHOA letter:

“Removing the parking (on the hill) would increase safety for those speeding and decrease it for those trying to access the street, that is the residents of Michael Lane who try and pull their vehicles in to the street, adults and children riding their bikes, and residents walking and jogging on the street…If drivers using Michael Lane are concerned with the width of the road, …they are free to use other, wider roads.”

Please Note:  City Engineer Tony Coe stated that the City agrees that there is a problem at the top of the hill and that the City is obligated to address it.

2. Michael Lane residents oppose installation of a sidewalk or other path on the west side of Michael providing access to the new trail along Murray.  

(A City report notes that this could be done with minimal impact, because area is flat and empty, except for some landscaping).

From the MLHOA letter:

“The MLHOA does not support sidewalks anywhere along Michael Lane due to:

a) the intrusion in to existing landscaping

b) the unwanted change in the character of the street

c) the limited effect on safety (bicycle riding is shown to be safer in the road)”

3. Michael Lane residents want a variety of speed control measures installed.

In their letter, Michael Lane residents ask for speed restriction measures on both sections of Michael Lane (from Lucas to Murray AND Murray to Glenside) including a combination of speed humps, textured pavement, bump outs, traffic circles, flashing lights and signage.   While they concede that lesser measures can be used on Glenside to Murray section, they suggest a  “gateway treatment” such as a “Welcome to Burton Valley” sign with landscaping  be installed either at Glenside and Michael or in a traffic circle in the wide part of the street near the intersection of Murray.

Who will be responsible for landscaping gateways, circles or bumpouts?

The City officials noted that although the city would install any approved landscaping, Michael Lane residents would be responsible for maintaining it, including watering, weeding and trimming growth to keep sightlines clear.  The city report prepared for the Feb. 15 meeting noted at least five properties on Michael right now where overgrown vegetation interferes with sight lines, contributing to a hazardous situation.  The City confirmed that they are issuing a formal trim notice on at least one home.

What are the neighborhood concerns?

There have been four neighborhood meetings and residents from several areas of Burton Valley have written letters or emails asking questions or  expressing concerns. In their letter, Michael Lane residents say they are still not clear on neighborhood concerns. 

From the MLHOA letter:

“Our collective notes are not clear in regards to what the concerns of the Lucas

Drive residents are. We will ask the question at the upcoming NAT meeting of the Lucas residents. We are also requesting that staff please let the group know what the record from the meeting shows on this it will help the MLHOA and the NAT to develop a mutually acceptable solution.”

In short, the issues that have been raised and discussed at meetings and in correspondence include:

• Concern that harsh speed control measures on Michael Lane will channel more (and faster) traffic onto Burton Drive, which is heavily used by schoolchildren, moms with strollers, dog walkers, joggers, kids on bikes, etc.
• Dangerous conditions on Michael Lane due to parked cars and overgrown bushes
• A balanced approach -- concern for safety throughout the neighborhood, not just on one street
• Allocation of limited city funds to the highest priority projects and areas of greatest need

Next meeting:  Thursday, April 21, 6:30 p.m. at the Lafayette City Offices, in Descoe Plaza, 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd.  Please email Transportation Planner Leah Greenblat at lgreenblat@ci.lafayette.ca.us  with questions, comments or concerns.