CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Waive the first reading and pass the ordinances switching the student loading zone on Spring Avenue and the bus loading zone on Douglas for Washington Junior High School (requires six positive votes)
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Michael Prousa, TED Project Manager
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
On July 7, 2022, the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) recommended approval to revise the student loading zone and the bus loading zone at Washington Junior High School. Approved (7-0). Staff concurs.
BACKGROUND:
City staff fielded concerns from both parents and the principal of Washington Junior High School regarding congestion and potential vehicle and pedestrian conflicts with the current traffic control plan.
Washington Junior High School is bounded by Washington Street to the east, Douglas Avenue to the south, Webster Street to the west, and Spring Avenue to the north. Currently, students are dropped off and picked up on Spring Avenue along with Webster Street. With parking on both sides of the street along with higher traffic volumes on Spring Avenue compared to Douglas Avenue, the segment of road has the potential for vehicle and pedestrian conflicts.
Spring Avenue is classified as a neighborhood connector that has an average daily traffic volume of 2,600 vehicles. Douglas Avenue is a local street with an average daily traffic volume of 1,100 vehicles.
DISCUSSION:
Staff evaluated the school's concerns and found the following:
1. The north side of Spring Avenue does not have parking restrictions related to the school because of the need for the on-street parking for the Big Rail subdivision.
2. Some parents were using the north side of Spring Avenue for pick-up and drop-off. This created a potentially hazardous situation as students were crossing Spring Avenue between parked vehicles.
3. Parents had to back up onto Spring Avenue to leave the area. This created...
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