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trips per day is low and project fifteen trips per day. Schaffer stated the standard will soon be changing. Schaffer referred to information provided to the Commission on traffic volume based on 24-hour totals. Clearly 23rd Avenue has a great deal of rush hour traffic. Much of the rush hour traffic is speeding. Walkers and children are out at those times. There are no stop signs on 23rd. A few years ago, Schaffer conducted a stop sign experiment on 15th and 23rd during the rush hour. Of the thirty cars that came to that stop sign during the rush hour, only 20 percent of the cars came to a full stop. More traffic will increase these problems. Schaffer stated the data provided in the Planning Report underestimates the problem. Livingston asked where Schaffer got her traffic data. Schaffer responded this was a 1992 traffic study that we provided to the Commission. Livingston asked if Schaffer contacted the Police Department regarding vehicles not obeying the traffic laws. Schaffer answered that Meilahn talked to them. Schaffer suggested a new traffic study should be done in the area because traffic has increased since 1992. Schaffer said she was very concerned about the increased traffic from the proposed development. Schaffer said the data showed that, since there is already an outlet onto Silver Lake Road, traffic controls should be on Silver Lake Road rather than on the residential street. Bob Swoverland, 1614 23rd Avenue NW, stated the 1992 traffic study was conducted because of the concerns about traffic and speed raised by the neighborhood. To summarize Schaffer’s statistics, 27 percent of the trips on 23rd Avenue NW are in excess of the speed limit. One in every three trips on 17th is in excess of the speed limit. Meilahn has called the Police Department often with license numbers of cars that were speeding. The Police Department does the best they can to follow up on these drivers. The neighborhood may appear to be a quaint neighborhood, but 23rd is used as a bypass for Silver Lake Road. 17th is becoming an artery off Silver Lake Road. Swoverland said he agreed something will be done with the property and the neighborhood stands to benefit if the property is developed appropriately. However, we could lose the quaintness of our neighborhood. Mr. Beach said he wanted to develop a cozy neighborhood. Swoverland agreed, we have a cozy neighborhood now and do not want to lose that. We do not want to lose the pond. There are many good things in the neighborhood that are potentially at risk if some issues are not addressed before the property is developed. The traffic situation must be understood. Swoverland said he was interested to see what the Rice Creek Watershed District has to say about the development. Betty Rolland commented that the water level was increasing. There are trees standing in water that were not in water previously. The pond is a fragile pond that cannot take more abuse. There is a septic system on the property now that they will have to remove. How will that be done? Swoverland said he doubted that the two homes along the easement meet the 30-foot setback for a corner lot. They may have been platted years ago when the code was different. If they do not have a 30-foot setback, building a new road is not appropriate. Regarding utilities, there have been comments about saving trees along the side of the easement. The sewer line is 25 feet deep. They have to dig down 25 feet to connect into the sewer. They would probably have to excavate the entire width of the easement and lose every tree on the easement. Swoverland stated that when Brighton Village and Windsor Green were developed, it was decided to not allow additional traffic into those residential neighborhoods. Therefore, this development should go onto Silver Lake Road. Traffic is a significant issue to our neighborhood. Swoverland said they had a pleasant neighborhood. If the potential new home homeowners have a quaint neighborhood, we should have a quaint neighborhood also. Quiset Montague, 2419 17th Street NW, stated they bought their house because of the wooded lot at the back of their home. Montague said her home was secluded in the summer, but in the winter and spring when there are no leaves on the trees, they can hear the traffic on I-694. Montague stated her biggest concern is that, when the developer removes the trees from the site, they would lose the buffer from I-694 and Silver Lake Road. Montague said she knew someone would develop the property, but she hoped the trees will be considered. I:\COMMISSIONS\PLANNING\MINUTES\1998\06-16-98.WPD 4