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I I I Council Meeting Minutes May 13, 1997 Page 3 Council Business. continued Proper recommends that all stop sign requests be referred for traffic study; stop signs installed when standard warrants are met; and neighborhood speed watches offered in lieu of stop signs when warrants are not met. The watch program trains residents to use hand held radar, installing speed watch signs, and mailing letters to violators. Also, since January staff received inquires for all-way stop signs at: 10th St. NW between Silver Lk. Rd. and Oakwood Dr.; Oakwood between 10th St. and 7th St. NW; 18th Ave NW between 18th St. and 14th St. NW; 20th Ave. NW between 18th St. NW and Rice Creek Rd; and Foss Rd. between Old Hwy 8 and the west corporate limits. Benke asked if feedback was received from those receiving letters. Proper heard of one case which the vehicle had been in Florida for six months, (apparently a wrong license number was copied down). Benke suggested the letter include a paragraph stating all drivers of the vehicle be notified of the speed watch program. Benke asked if installing nonstandard warrants could result in litigation. City Attorney Charlie LeFevere will check with risk management regarding this issue. Samuelson questioned the perceptions of what is a safe speed on 3rd St. She thanked staff, but noted concern of when pedestrian traffic increases in the summer. Williams noted the expanded police presence along the identified areas and asked if citations increased. Benke believes data will reveal violation patterns, and Police would be notified if a pattern begins to emerge. Proper said the 16th Ave. center and driving lanes will be striped next week. Williams asked if the shoulders could be used for bicycles. Proper said bicycles could use the shoulders, but on~street parking is allowed. Williams suggested a traffic study be performed after striping is installed. Williams feels the report shows an aggressive City response and compliments engineering and police staff. Proper understands concerns, but installing unwarranted stop signs is incorrect and the watch program will be helpful. Benke asked if data performed before the 3rd St. modifications are available. Proper said data shows that speeds lowered after the sign installation, however, this may reflect seasonal changes. He thanked staff for the status report. Gunderman arrived at 8: 15 p.m. City Planner Erny Mattila presented a request to grant special permission to allow a garage addition 20 ft. from the street sideyard property line located at 2313 Walnut Ct. The corner lot has a 32 ft. street sideyard setback from the Walnut Ave. right-of-way (ROW). The garage's rear corner is setback 32 ft. from the ROW, and the front corner is actually 41 ft. from the ROW. The addition would place the rear corner 32 ft. from the ROW while the front corner would be setback the required 30 ft. There are several nearby homes with similar setbacks, therefore, special permission could be granted. Benke said the request appears not excessive in relation to other nearby situations. Williams asked if the addition's materials will blend into the existing home. Mattila said the exterior materials will be similar, and Planning Commission review is not required. Council Business 3rd St. and 16th Ave SW Traffic Calming Report 97-105 Walnut Court Garage Addition Report 97-106