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.