| Siskiyou - 4th to Walker: Council approved staff's
recommended design elements at the December 18th meeting which
included:
1) Accepted the compromise solution for the Ashland Street to Walker
Avenue section of the Siskiyou project which includes:
· bike paths on both sides - 6 feet in width;
· a single lane in the southbound direction;
· a single lane in the northbound direction from Walker to Frances
Lane - then continuing with two lanes northbound from Frances to the intersection
with Ashland Street;
· a middle left turn lane (no median) throughout the section
(except right at the intersection across from Omar's as described below);
· enhanced landscaping and some parking/loading bays on the west
side of the road along the entire stretch past Omar's, and on the east side
of the road in sections between Frances and Walker;
· a short section of raised median at the intersection of Siskiyou
and Ashland Street in front of Omar's Restaurant which will act as both a
pedestrian refuge and as a barrier restricting cars coming out of the northern
entrance of the Omar's parking lot to a right in - right out movement.
· significant intersection improvements and a section of paving
modifications for a block just south of the Walker intersection as a result.
2) Accepted staff's recommendation to close the end of Iowa at Siskiyou.
The hammerhead closure as shown on the drawings is acceptable to the Fire
Department.
3) Accepted staff's recommendation to realign Beach Street, modify
the current traffic signal and negotiate with the property owner for these
improvements. The property owner has not been supportive of discussing changes.
Staff will continue to reconcile prior to legal action.
4) Accepted staff and W&H Pacific's recommendation to NOT include
the signal at Morton Street, as it does not meet current signal warrants.
The design will include the necessary electric underground elements so that
a future signal could be easily accommodated once the signal warrants are
met.
In addition, staff discussed the following driveway closures or
modifications with property owners and received solutions at the following
locations:
-
Subway - thanks to Mr. Hackstead, the driveway off Siskiyou will be
closed.
-
Flagship Inn - thanks to Mr. Brouder, one driveway at the intersection
will be closed and the other driveway will be modified for a 30-foot
entry.
Staff is recommending two additional driveway consolidations on Siskiyou
and would like council's support to
-
Consolidate the driveways at 7-11 to one access on Siskiyou. Staff
has not had any response from the 7-11 property owners in Texas.
-
Staff has not yet discussed the consolidation of two driveways to
one driveway at the Ashland Motel and would like to pursue this change with
Council's support.
In all, staff, the consultant team and the Boulevard Design Committee
are VERY pleased with the community support and the final design product
for Siskiyou.
Ashland Street Final Design Concepts (60%)
Staff, the design team of consultants and the ad hoc combined group
are pleased to present recommendations on Ashland Street. The design represents
some compromise, but significant safety elements that will improve bicycle
access and pedestrian crossings along this stretch of Ashland Street. This
design has several raised medians to help lower speeds and remove the temptation
to drive in a dual left turn lane. That will improve the traffic safety along
the highway. There are several restricted accesses and a few raised concrete
barriers to facilitate the right in right out movements. This is used to
eliminate or significantly reduce conflict points especially those close
to intersections or several driveways right next to each other.
Although not all of the recommendations seen on the drawing to be
presented to Council at the meeting have been fully supported by each "Group
66" member or by each affected business owner, the recommendation provides
an excellent opportunity for safer transportation elements for all users.
These elements include:
1. Raised planter median from Siskiyou to the first driveway to
Blockbuster/Great American Pizza. That driveway remains fully functional
for all left turn movements. There will be an opening in the raised median
to accommodate any trucks that are making the sharp left turn from Siskiyou
to Ashland Street.
2. Raised planter median in front of the Timbers Motel. There are
three accesses to the motel. The three driveways so close together cause
conflicts to vehicles making left turns. The median will restrict vehicles
coming in and going out of the center motel access to right in-right out
only. The motel manager does not favor this restriction.
3. SOU has agreed to eliminate all three of their driveway accesses
off Ashland Street. Their future development will be accessed off Stadium
and Walker Streets.
4. Raised planter median for a short section between the last unrestricted
access for the Ashland Shopping Center and Walker Avenue.
5. Raised concrete curb from Walker to the second driveway at Wiley's
World. This will eliminate dangerous conflicting left turns immediately prior
to the Walker intersection and restricts movements in and out of the Beanery
and the first Wiley's World/Trailer Park (upper Pines) access to right in-right
out.
6. Protected left turn lane on Ashland Street south bound after Lit
Way for access into the Shopping Center.
7. Raised planter median with a break for pedestrian access from 40
feet north of Lit Way to immediately north of Ray Lane. Raised planter median
just south of Ray Lane transitioning to a left turn pocket for turns onto
Normal Avenue.
8. No signal at Normal, but potentially installing the underground
conduits to facilitate a new signal in the near future as warrants are
met.
9. Thanks to Simonson Litwiller Funeral Home one of the two accesses
on Ashland Street have been removed.
10. Thanks to State Farm and Fashions for Windows, they have agreed
to consolidate their access and provide safer parking so that their patrons
do not back out onto Ashland Street.
11. Sections of raised planter medians between Normal and Sherwood
(across from both cemeteries) and Sherwood and Park Street. Mr. Johnson (Ross
Johnson Tires) would not discuss closing the small driveway at the north
end of his lot, and is not in favor of the raised planter.
12. Raised planter median at the southern entrance of Napa Auto Parts
up to Faith Avenue. No changes to driveway accesses for Napa Auto Parts.
13. Raised planter median from south of Faith up to the bridge.
There are three areas that staff would like to address further and
needs Council's support:
-
Staff recommends removal of one driveway at the Klamath First Bank
on Ashland Street.
-
Staff recommends removal of one driveway at the Three Harmonics on
Ashland Street.
-
Staff recommends proceeding with removal of one driveway at the Advanced
Check Cashing on Ashland Street. The owner has stated that this access is
necessary, but has two access points on Ray Lane and can fully circle the
building envelope. Removing the access on Ashland Street causes no long term
impacts.
Maps of both projects will be presented to Council and are available
in the Public Works office prior to the meeting. Staff will look for
an opportunity to have this information available on the City's web site
as well. |
