TITLE: Title
Update on Starlite Drive Traffic Calming and Approval of Town Code Amendments Relating to Parking and Traffic Control Signage
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the Town Council with an update on the installation of traffic calming and other safety measures for Starlite Drive, and to request adoption of the recommended amendments to the Town Code related to signage for on-street parking and traffic control devices.
body
DEPARTMENT: Planning & Public Works
CONTACT INFORMATION: Tina Moon, Planning Administrator, 919-918-7327, cmoon@carrboronc.gov <mailto:cmoon@carrboronc.gov>; Kent Johnson, Transportation Planner, 919-918-7329, kjohnson@carrboronc.gov; Max Randall, Engineer I, 919-918-7436, mrandall@carrboronc.gov <mailto:mrandall@carrboronc.gov>
INFORMATION: An update on Transportation projects was provided to the Town Council on June 14, 2022 (Town of Carrboro - File #: 22-206 (legistar.com) <https://carrboro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5681978&GUID=D417627C-CE28-43BB-8085-365F9D02DC4C&Options=&Search=>, which included information on the Starlite Drive Traffic Calming project. In response to an inquiry from Addie Wilson, a resident of Starlite Drive, who addressed the Town Council at the June 7th meeting, Council members requested an update on the status of the Starlite Drive project. After discussion, staff was directed to:
1) move forward with the installation of one to three speed table(s) on Starlite Drive
2) arrange for a community meeting to ensure that residents were kept up to date on the project, and
3) reach out to a resident with mobility challenges to discuss wheelchair accessibility
Following the Town Council meeting, staff from the Planning and Public Works departments met with the Town Manager on July 7th to discuss the design and schedule for implementation. The Traffic and Parking Committee, an interdepartmental workgroup consisting of representatives from Public Works, Police, Fire, Economic and Community Development and Planning met on July 21st to review the recommended design: one speed table, in front of 110 Starlite Drive, a new stop sign for westbound traffic at 104 Starlite Drive and modifications to existing signage to clarify the location on-street parking (Attachment A).
Starlite Drive residents/owners were invited to a neighborhood information meeting on July 23, 2022, at Baldwin Park to discuss the plan and solicit feedback (see Attachment B, invitation mailing & follow-up mailing). There was some discussion of a temporary speed bump being used instead of an asphalt one. Staff noted that the asphalt installation results in a more accessible path for non-vehicular users and is less damaging to the pavement itself. There was also some discussion about the use of mirrors at one or both 90-degree turns on Starlite Drive. Convex minors are not a recommended treatment for traffic calming as they can generate glare and distort the view/sense of speed of approaching cars.
Those in attendance were supportive of the plan and eager to see it advance, particularly the installation of the speed table. The improvements included in the plan of action appear to address community interests related to slowing down vehicles in a manner that would not hinder accessibility and will clarify where on-street parking is or is not allowed. There was previous exploration of installing a designated pedestrian lane along the west side of Starlite Drive, but this would involve the removal of the existing on-street parking on the east side of Starlite Drive, something that is not desired at this time.
A draft ordinance has been prepared, that if approved, would amend Chapter 6 of the Town Code in Article II, Traffic Control and Traffic Devices, to add the new stop sign at 104 Starlite and in Article IV, Parking, to limit on-street parking to one side of the street to improve emergency access (Attachment C). The amendment also addresses a clerical error by removing a reference to the intersection at Fowler Street and Starlite Drive in Section 6-4(a).
Construction of the speed table and associated pavement markings is anticipated for October 2022; the installation of the signage would occur about the same time.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: There is minimal staff impact associated with updating the Town Code. Costs associated with the installation of the speed table and pavement markings, approximately $8,000 was included as part of the speed table contract (approved on September 13th) and will be charged to the Powell Bill fund. The sign costs, estimated at $250 will be paid for out of the streets and grounds maintenance budget for Public Works.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends that the Town Council receive the update and adopt the Town Code amendments as provided in Attachment C.