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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_12/03/1997 F tf ~ ~ ~ GP J'~ 9 ~ ~ < ° 'j o 4v F'cN CO y VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Yost Office Box 3273 3>? Teyuesri 1)I~I I~(' Tequest~i, Florida 33 i6)-03,3 (;61 ~ 57~-631X) Fax:(~61) 7?~-6203 VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 3, 1997 • I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Village Council held a workshop meeting at the Village Ha11, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Wednesday, December 3, 1997. The meeting was called to order at 6:31 P.M. by Mayor Elizabeth A. Schauer. A roll call was taken by Betty Laur, Recording Secretary. Councilmembers present were: Mayor Elizabeth A. Schauer, Alexander W. Cameron, Joseph N. Capretta, and Ron T. Mackail. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, and Department Heads. Absent from the meeting were vice Mayor Carl C. Hansen and Village Clerk Joann Manganiello. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Couacilmember Mackail made a motion to approve the Agenda as submitted. Councilmember Cameron seconded the motion. The vote on the motioa was: Elizabeth A. Schauer - for Alexander W. Cameron - for Joseph N. Capretta - for Roa T. Mackail - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the Agenda was approved as submitted. • Recycled Paper • VILLAGE COUNCIL ~PORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES December 3, 1997 PAGE 2 III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS (NON-AGENDA ITEQSS) There were no communications from citizens. IV. INTRODUCTION OF MR. IAN LOCR~OOD, TRANSPORTATION PLANNTR, CITY OF gPEST PALM BEACH. (Mayor Elizabeth A. Schauer) Mayor Schauer introduced Ian Lockwood, currently a Transportation Planner with the City of West Palm Beach, and provided a biography of Mr. Lockwood's education and experience. V. TRAFFIC CALMING PRESENTATION BY MR. IAN LOCICNOOD • A) Fuadameatal Coacepts of Traffic Calming Mr. Lockwood provided a slide presentation and discussed the importance of transportation language and effective communication, as well as the concept that language and thought are very intertwined and that with an increased vocabulary a person can think of things differently; and how the words people choose can show bias, create bias, or perpetuate bias. An example used by Mr. Lockwood was that the words improvement and upgrade as used by traffic planners mean to make things better for automobiles, and not necessarily for pedestrians or for the homeowners or businesses along the way. Mr. Lockwood pointed out various words used to describe traffic that provide the wrong connotation and how using other objective or neutral words could change bias. Mr. Lockwood reported that the City of west Palm Beach had adopted a language policy to use neutral language, which over time should change the way people think of traffic planning. B) Territory • Mr. Lockwood described various methods of how people • VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP FETING MINUTES December 3, 1997 PAGE 3 ------------------------------------------ establish their own space and territory in personal ways, as well as in their homes and countries, where permission is asked before space and territory is invaded; however, in neighborhoods there is the assumption that there are no barriers and that neighborhoods may be accessed freely, which creates a feeling of resentment. Mr. Lockwood described the concept of hard space and soft space relating to roadways, with hard space being straight, boring roadways and soft space being pedestrian friendly streets with landscaping and variety. Fixed use space and multiple use space were described by using the analogy of a large house with separate rooms for various activities compared to a one-room apartment where all activities took place in one space. Applied to zoning in municipalities, this fixed use space concept meant that many streets were required for automobiles to move • between the various sections allocated for different uses; while in Shakespearean times streets were used for multiple activities--access, street festivals, etc. 'transportation planning was discussed, where historic levels of car use were projected into the future, then planners tried to plan roads wide enough to accommodate future traffic. Mr. Lockwood recommended stepping back to consider whether this rising trend was desirable or whether there was anything that could be done to change the trend, considering limiting factors such as the amount of urban space, the effect of pollution levels on the Everglades, etc. Mr. Lockwood described computer models used in transportation modeling, and Palm Beach County's transportation model which would require spending millions of dollars to create many more roads. Mr. Lockwood expressed his opinion that the public, politicians, and professionals must go on record to call a halt to the perpetuation of sprawl and automobile dependence. In viewing cities, Mr. Lockwood explained, if pedestrians are well accommodated then planning has been done well. The transportation land use cycle was discussed, along with the negative effect of the • VILLAGE COUNCIL ~PORRSHOP b~I3TING MINUTES December 3, 1997 PAGE 4 ------------------------------------------ automobile on that cycle. Mr. Lockwood stated that deterioration of housing and the rise of social problems can be definitely linked to high automobile use areas. C) Traffic Calming Mr. Lockwood explained that traffic calming is all about taking mean, angry cars and physically changing their behavior to create slow, happy cars. The history of traffic calming was traced from the first measures built in the Netherlands changing automobile routes from straight streets to serpentine courses through neighborhood squares, which although very expensive, dropped collision rates dramatically and improved the quality of life incredibly. Germany could not afford these expensive squares, so developed the concept of • using traffic calming measures every 70 to 100 yards with automobile speeds typically of approximately 20 mph, creating almost the same effect in a far cheaper manner. This model has since been replicated in other countries all over the world, with the United States included within the past ten years. Mr. Lockwood commented that the demand for traffic calming was gargantuan, with every town wanting to implement these measures. Mr. Lockwood gave the following definition of traffic calming: Traffic calming is the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for non-motorized street users. Mr. Lockwood explained that traffic calming was not traffic control devices such as stop signs, not transportation demand management such as car pooling, not good land use planning, not parking policies, not closing streets to make them pedestrian only, not road pricing, and not route modification using diverters and road closures. Traffic calming does not affect available routes to • drivers--it only affects driver behavior. . VILLAGE COUNCIL OPORKSHOP b~sSTING MINITTES December 3, 1997 PAGE 5 Various types of traffic calming measures were outlined. Speed bumps versus speed humps were discussed. Speed humps were described as traffic calming measures, since they were effective in slowing traffic, while speed bumps were not traffic calming measures. Cushions, similar to speed humps except shorter so that they did not extend all the way across the street, were effective for emergency vehicles which could straddle them while still reducing automobile speed since they could not avoid them. Flat-top speed humps created far superior and safer pedestrian crossings than regular ones, with no ramps for pedestrians to negotiate, while automobiles did have to go up and down a ramp; these were very good for school children~s safety because the children would be four to six inches taller when crossing the street on top of the ramp; these devices forced automobiles to slow • down, and were conspicuous so that drivers knew to expect pedestrians at that location. A raised intersection was described as basically a flat-top speed hump at all four approaches, giving pedestrians all the advantages at every crossing. Street narrowing advantages included self-enforcing parking regulations, a more beautiful environment using landscaping with trees, and slowing car drivers because of the optical narrowing. Another type of traffic calming device was the mini-traffic circle, which forced drivers to laterally shift when going through an intersection, and also reduced sight lines so that drivers could not see far ahead. In certain neighborhoods, residents adopt these mini-traffic circles, compete to have the best landscaping, and decorate them at holidays, providing a great community activity. Slides were shown of various traffic circles with landscaping, a gazebo used for community activities, a statue, and a band shell. A half circle in the shape of a D used at a T intersection wa s shown, which only affected traffic in one direction. A chicane, or s-turn, at the end of a street was shown which greatly reduced automobile speed and completely changed the social environment on the street. A lateral • VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES December 3, 1997 PAGE 6 shift using flush curbs, bollards, lamps, benches, etc., in a downtown area had slowed automobile speeds and provided a barrier-free area for handicapped individuals during street festivals. A median or island could be used if kept very small, and could create a lateral shift and refuge for pedestrians to cross. A sp.Zit street, split for the specific purpose of placing trees down the center, was rejoined at the end of the planting area, and could be used on either one-way or two-way streets. Mr. Lockwood explained that people would adapt to traffic calming devices, and that if a municipality was unsure of the success of a traffic calming device a temporary device could be installed as a test, however, temporary devices were not always attractive. An example of an attractive product which could be used in many applications as a temporary device was shown. Entryway features to separate conventionally designed streets from traffic-calmed streets were discussed. These entryway features could be used for other purposes also, such as commemorating an historical event, or made to look like an entrance to a driveway in order to eliminate cut- through traffic. Liability and safety were discussed. Because of slower speeds from traffic calming devices, the driver's ability to stop improved, and his or her field of vision widened so that situations such as a child about to dart into the street could be seen, and collisions could be avoided; also, if a pedestrian should be hit, the probability of that pedestrian surviving would be much greater. Mr. Lockwood explained that traffic calming devices must be tailor-made for each roadway or intersection, and that guidelines must be developed rather than standards. In Mr. Lockwood's opinion, signage to alert drivers to traffic calming devices could be changed after an initial period of time to allow drivers to get used to the device to smaller, more tasteful signs. • Mr. Lockwood discussed warrants in connection with VILLAGE COIINCIL 9PORRSHOP FETING MIN'QTES December 3, 1997 PAGE 7 ------------------------------------------ traffic calming devices, and defined a warrant as a threshold which must be reached before any action is taken. Because of the necessary subjectivity and politics involved in traffic calming, warrants were not recommended. Mr. Lockwood explained that traffic calming for each street should be designed to suit the goals for that street, and discussed area traffic calming. Mr. Lockwood explained that traffic calming was being done in West Palm Beach for a lot of reasons other than the standard ones of speeding, cutting through an area, and collisions. A west Palm Beach program being applied in slum neighborhoods is Weed a nd S eed wh er e policemen infiltrate the gangs and get rid of the undesirables, then the remaining people are seeded wit h economic opportunities, training, drug rehabilitation, etc. This and other programs are being combined with traffic calming. The whole character of a street is changed by adding traffic calming devices and neighborhood pride emerges. Mr. Lockwood described the changes which had been made in the city's by-laws to encourage revitalization and the improvements being made in the downtown West Palm Beach area. In the new City Place project, streets will be no more than twenty feet wide, resulting in planned congestion, which was bein g done because the space was designed primarily for pedestrians. Mr. Lockwood commented that Americans go to other countries as tourists to places built in times past when automobiles did not exist, and walk there and enjoy themselves; and the design of the City Place project would cause people here to adapt to that way of thinking. Mr. Lockwood commented that traffic calming has great potential because it is so easy to do and readily available, and that a lot of information on the subject is now available, so that it is up to municipalities to • start applying that information. VILLAGE COIINCIL OPORRSHOP FETING MINiJTES December 3, 1997 PAGE 8 D) Questions and Answers 1) village Council Comments/Questions In response to a question from Councilmember Cameron, Mr. Lockwood explained that warrants were used in connection with traffic signals; and were threshold numbers in connection with traffic at the proposed traffic signal location that must be reached before a signal can be installed. Councilmember Cameron complimented the City of West Palm Beach on the marvelous job they had done in various sections of the city, including the Northwood area. Councilmember Cameron explained that in Tequesta the fundamental problem was that there were several miles of residential roadway which through no fault of the Village has become a connector road, and that growth in unincorporated areas continued to funnel traffic to that street, and the question was whether the Village should expedite or calm this traffic. Mr. Lockwood recommended against 4-way stops or street closure; and explained the concept of "the greater good", comparing the number of homes on the street to the number of cars and the time the cars were on the street; and explained that the cars should be considered as guests when going through the area and must behave on village terms. Therefore, Mr. Lockwood's recommendation was to alter the street to force the drivers to comply to the community's wishes along the street rather than excluding them. For long streets, the street would need to be reconstructed by narrowing or enclosing it with canopy trees, since more than 8 to 12 traffic calming devices on one street became annoying to drivers. • Councilmember Capretta commented that traffic calming was really encouraging drivers to take • VILLAGE COtTNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES December 3, 1997 PAGE 9 ------------------------------------------ alternate routes; and what was happening in northern Palm Beach County and southern Martin county was that each municipality did not want traffic in their area so all were doing negative planning to discourage traffic, which could result in drivers not being able to travel to necessary destinations, and which would have other consequences besides traffic problems. Mr. Lockwood disagreed with discouraging traffic through an area by closing streets, and explained that quite frequently volumes of cars remained the same on traffic calmed streets, however, residents did not mind the cars because they were going slow. Slower speeds result in drivers making more rational choices about travel so that they shop closer to their homes, demand goods and services • closer, etc. Councilmember Mackail commented that he believed today's traffic concerns had been overlooked by the mediator who had been hired to study the traffic situation and try to find a solution, since focus had been on future traffic concerns. Councilmember Mackail expressed his opinion that the village had an opportunity to use traffic calming devices described in Mr. Lockwood's presentation on Country Club Drive, on which the Village had already increased the setbacks and made provision never to widen; and described other streets which could be used as alternate routes. Mr. Lockwood encouraged the use of all available routes, stating that lots of routing choices were good, and urged the Village to adopt the idea that Tequesta did not have to accommodate automobile use. West Palm Beach's plan is to change the design of the city and let people adapt, because it is not worth it to allow car users to dictate the city's design any longer. Councilmember Capretta commented that every • government of every country knew they must give the • VILLAGE COUNCIL ~PORKSHOP bD3ETING MINUTES December 3, 1997 PAGE 10 ------------------------------------------ people what they want in order to stay in power, and the United States had given Americans cheap food and cheap gas so they could travel all over the country. In other countries, gas prices were high and cars small, encouraging people to walk rather than drive, and neighborhood stores were nearby for daily food shopping. Mayor Schauer questioned whether bike lanes had been found to slow traffic, to which Mr. Lockwood responded that bike paths were not needed on traffic calmed streets, but a wider right-hand lane could accommodate both cars and bikes, which placed the onus on the car driver to overtake the bicyclist safely. Mr. Lockwood explained that grant money is available for traffic calming under • several types of programs, but that by adding traffic calming in connection with underground utility replacement when streets were torn up anyway, the cost was insignificant. village Manager Bradford questioned the County's reaction to traffic calming ideas on collector roads, to which Mr. Lockwood responded that West Palm Beach was calming collector roads, and that although the County's attitude was skepticism and that people would not adapt, they had not stopped West Palm Beach from doing traffic calming. From what had already been done in west Palm Beach it was apparent that people would return to the downtown area; the city believed the County's models to continue to widen roads no longer applied and people would adapt, and that money could be better spent improving schools and in other ways to help people rather than widening streets. Mr. Lockwood reported that County officials were trying traffic calming, but he did not think they were • 100$ believers yet. • VILLAGE COIINCIL WORKSHOP FETING MINUTES December 3, 1997 PAGE 11 2) Public Comments/Questions Mr. Berube agreed with Nlr. Lockwood's traffic calming ideas and asked the Village Council to use traffic calming especially on Country Club Drive and 'requesta Drive, and expressed his opinion that temporary devices could be used until the sewering issue was resolved. Nlr. Lockwood explained that traffic calming was often needed on more than one street which was why he had brought up area traffic calming. Three price types of calming devices described by Mr. Lockwood were the least expensive which were the temporary ugly devices, the most expensive which was total street reconstruction, and in the middle were semipermanent retrofit devices. The danger of installing the temporary • devices was that they would be rejected based on their aesthetics. Nlr. Lockwood commented that all devices should be designed to be appealing, and there needed to be more than one reason for traffic calming so that drivers would not perceive that they were being hassled. Drivers will accept beautification projects, as well as raised intersections near a school where they perceive the device's purpose to be to allow school children to cross the street. Councilmember Mackail stated that the Village had an opportunity to make this happen, and Mr. Lockwood stressed there is no excuse for not improving a street, and that the village should not be concerned about where the traffic would go, because the population would adapt. Ed Resnick complimented Mr. Lockwood on his excellent presentation, and expressed his opinion that many of the devices described would be appropriate for consideration by the Village • Council. Mr. Resnick suggested beginning traffic calming in the area of Country Club Drive which was VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP DIETING MIN~JTES December 3, 1997 PAGE 12 ------------------------------------------ already sewered and that beautification be used as a basis for installing the devices. Mr. Lockwood recommended that devices first be used in obvious areas such as schools. Peggy Verhoeven commented that Florida had not been prepared to handle the influx of population, discussed traffic in Alexandria, Virginia, and expressed her agreement with the ideas presented by Mr. Lockwood. Mrs. Hartley complimented Mr. Lockwood on his presentation and urged the village Council to adopt traffic calming on Country Club Drive using beautification as a basis. Mrs. Hartley commented that if the devices looked good that people would . accept them and would adapt, and reported that from her research she believed Country Club Drive traffoc would never require four lanes. Mr. Lockwood commented that if four lanes were not installed that traffic would not grow. Mr. Lockwood discussed traffic enforcement by the police as babysitting drivers who did not behave on a street that by its design induces speeding. Properly designed streets would free the police by not having to set up speed traps, not having any citizen complaints regarding speeding that require response, and reducing the number of collisions. Mayor Schauer expressed the appreciation of the Village Council to Mr. Lockwood for his presentation. XIV. ADJOUR~N~NT Councflmember Mackail moved that the meetiag be adjouraed. Couacilmember Cameros secoaded the motioa. The vote oa the • motion was: VILLAGE COIINCIL gPORRS80P FETING MINIITES December 3, 1997 PAGE 13 ------------------------------------------ Elizabeth A. Schauer - for Alexander W. Cameron - for Joseph N. Capretta - for Roa T. Mackail - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 P.M. Respectfully submitted, -- Betty Laur Recording Secretary • ATTEST: J ann Mangani to village Clerk DATE APPROVED: P •