SUBJECT: ADDITION OF STREETS PROHIBITING COMMERCIAL VEHICLES IN EXCESS OF FIVE (5) TONS

RECOMMENDATION

City Council approval of an ordinance amending Section 11.96.070 of Chapter 11.96 of Title 11 of the Municipal Code to add a prohibition of commercial vehicles in excess of five (5) tons on the following streets:

Truck traffic on Mc Kay Road and Wayne Avenue, between Ringwood Avenue and Oakland Road, was investigated in response to concerns raised by area residents that large trucks were using Mc Kay Road and Wayne Avenue as a shortcut to avoid traffic on Murphy Avenue and Oakland Road.

Similarly, truck traffic on Hicks Avenue was investigated in response to concerns of area residents that large trucks were using Hicks Avenue as a shortcut to avoid traffic on Meridian Avenue.

The City currently has an ordinance that prohibits commercial vehicles from using certain specified streets in the City. One part of the regulation specifies the streets upon which commercial vehicles in excess of five (5) tons are prohibited. Another part of the regulation specifies the streets upon which commercial vehicles in excess of seven (7) tons are prohibited.

The regulation sets forth a number of exceptions to the prohibition, including exceptions for commercial vehicles making a delivery or pickup to a property located on the restricted street or involved in construction on a property located on the restricted street, waste hauling vehicles and emergency vehicles.

ANALYSIS

As described below, commercial vehicles in excess of five (5) tons should be prohibited from using Mc Kay Drive, Wayne Avenue and Hicks Avenue. A map of both areas is attached to this memorandum.

Mc Kay Drive and Wayne Avenue

Mc Kay Drive and Wayne Avenue are east-west local, residential streets located between Ringwood Avenue and Oakland Road, which are north-south arterials. Both streets are zoned as Medium Density Residential. Mc Kay Drive and Wayne Avenue are parallel to and north of Murphy Avenue. There are a few businesses on Wayne Avenue near Ringwood Avenue that do not generate significant truck traffic. The businesses on Wayne Avenue will not be impacted by the proposed truck restrictions, as vehicles providing service to these businesses will be exempt from the restrictions, per the existing ordinance.

Traffic counts taken in December 2001 and again in May 2002 on Mc Kay Drive and Wayne Avenue for both directions of traffic indicate that there is significant truck traffic on Mc Kay Drive. The truck traffic consists primarily of large, non-tractor trailer box vans, with some tractor-trailer vehicles using these streets to avoid Oakland Road and the intersection of Oakland Road and Murphy Avenue. Mc Kay Drive is designed to carry primarily local residential traffic, however, the count data revealed that large truck traffic represented more than 4% of the total daily traffic on Mc Kay Drive.

The level of large truck traffic on Wayne Avenue was slightly under 2%. However, prohibiting truck traffic on Mc Kay Drive alone may cause an increase to the truck traffic on Wayne Avenue. Therefore, it is recommended that heavy truck traffic also be prohibited on Wayne Avenue.

Hicks Avenue

Hicks Avenue is a north-south local, residential street located between Minnesota Avenue and Curtner Avenue. It is zoned as Medium/Low Density Residential. Traffic counts taken in January 2002 for both directions of traffic indicate that there is significant truck traffic on Hicks Avenue. Although Hicks Avenue is designed to carry primarily local residential traffic, count data revealed that large truck traffic represented approximately 5% of the total daily traffic. The truck traffic consists primarily of large, non-tractor trailer box vans, with some tractor-trailer vehicles using Hicks Avenue as a cut through to avoid Meridian Avenue, Minnesota Avenue and Curtner Avenue.

The level of truck traffic on local residential streets should be less than 2% of the total daily traffic, based upon our department’s guidelines. The proposed five (5) ton prohibition for

Mc Kay Drive, Wayne Avenue and Hicks Avenue will best address the problem by decreasing noise and vibration, increasing safety, and reducing long-term roadway maintenance costs on all three streets.

PUBLIC OUTREACH

The proposed truck prohibitions have been coordinated with the Council District 4 and 6 offices, as well as the businesses on Wayne Avenue, and with traffic calming committees on Hicks Avenue.