Title
Public Hearing on Roads in Cedar Grove II Subdivision (B)
Explanation
On February 25, 2002, the City Commission approved street modifications in the Cedar Grove II subdivision for a six-month trial period. The street modifications were: 1) close NE 12th Avenue-2300 block to vehicular traffic, 2) convert the intersection of NE 11th Place and 22nd Street to create an entrance only southbound onto NE 22nd Street, and 3) convert the intersection of NE 11th Place and 23rd Street to create an exit only northbound onto NE 11th Place.
The issues discussed at the February 25, 2002 meeting were: 1) the importance of maintaining multiple access points into the neighborhood for delivery of emergency services, 2) traffic volumes in Cedar Grove II, 3) balance traffic volumes on NE 22nd Street and NE 23rd Street, and 4) address the Police Department's issues with burglaries in Cedar Grove II.
The Public Works Department has completed the follow up traffic study that analyzed: 1) the impact the street modifications had on traffic patterns in the Cedar Grove II neighborhood, and 2) the impact the opening of NE 12th Avenue to Waldo Road had on the Cedar Grove/Duval Heights neighborhood. The results of the traffic study are:
1) NE 12th Avenue is an important access to the neighborhood and should remain accessible to all neighborhood residents. This is evidenced by the volume of traffic on NE 12th Avenue, 1014 vehicles per day, which is just below the volume for a minor collector street, and the fact that traffic entering/exiting the neighborhood via NE 8th Avenue decreased from 4130 to 3597 vehicles per day (13%) from October 1996 to September 2002. NE 8th Avenue and NE 12th Avenue provide emergency service vehicles multiple access routes into the neighborhood.
2) The street modifications reduced the traffic volumes on NE 12th Avenue from 1498 to 1014 vehicles per day, a reduction of 33%. This confirms that the street modifications did reduce traffic volumes in Cedar Grove II.
3) The street modifications balanced traffic volumes on NE 22nd Street and NE 23rd Street between NE 10th Avenue and NE 11th Place. Before the street modifications, the traffic volumes on NE 22nd Street and NE 23rd Street-1000 block were 630 and 336 vehicles per day, respectively. After the street modifications, the traffic volumes were 571 and 606 vehicles per day respectively.
The Public Works Department recommends the street modifications on NE 22nd and 23rd Streets in the Cedar Grove II neighborhood be made permanent. Permanent construction should include the installation and maintenance of landscaping by the Cedar Grove II Homeowners Association.
From a transportation viewpoint, the Public Works Department recommends that NE 12 Avenue be opened to provide maximum connectivity and distribution of traffic flow. Staff recognizes that there are circumstances that may go into consideration of a permanent closure of NE 12 Avenue that have less to do with transportation as with livability of a neighborhood. If the City Commission chooses to provide permanent closure of NE 12th Avenue between Cedar Grove II and the Duval Heights neighborhoods, the closure needs to be designed with: 1) a gate that the Fire Rescue Department can activate to pass through, and 2) provide access for pedestrians and bicyclists without having to activate the gate. The Cedar Grove II Homeowners Association should be responsible for all the costs associated with the installation and maintenance of an emergency gate system.
A letter has been sent to all residents in the Cedar Grove/Duval Heights area advising them of this recommendation and the time it is scheduled on the City Commission agenda.
Recommendation
The City Commission hear a presentation, conduct a public hearing, and take appropriate action.