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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVII (H) Discussion re: Proposed Policy for the Installation of No Parking and Stop Signs Agenda 6-04-2002 Item VII H "CENTER OF GOODLIVING-PRIDE OF WEST ORANGE" MAYOR•COMMISSIONER Ocoee S. SCOTT VANDERGRIFT CITY OF OCOEE COMMISSIONERS P n DANNY HOWELL 150 N. LAKESHORE DRIVE o SCOTT ANDERSON 4, �?� OCOEE, FLORIDA 34761-2258 RUSTY JOHNSON �``4 `> (407) 905-3100 NANCY J. PARKER 0f G00° CITY MANAGER JIM GLEASON MEMORANDUM DATE: May 28, 2002 TO: The Honorable Mayor and Board of City Commissionerrss FROM: James W. Shira, P.E., City Engineer/Utilities Director SUBJECT: Proposed Policy Regarding the Installation of Stop Signs and No Parking Signs Attached for your review and discussion is a proposed policy that describes the process to be used by the City in determining where Stop Signs and No Parking signs are to be placed. This policy will allow requests for such signs to be evaluated in a consistent, objective manner, and will help protect the City from legal issues arising from indiscriminate installation of such signs. Essentially, the policy adopts the Stop sign warrants contained within the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. This Manual is a Federal Highway Administration document that is recognized as the authoritative guide for traffic signs, signals and markings. The Manual has been adopted as the standard for these issues by the State of Florida. The proposed policy allows for persons whose request for a sign has been denied to come before the City Commission. If the City Commission finds reason to support the original request, it may order the sign(s) to be installed. We are asking tonight for your input and comments or suggestions, and your direction as to whether or not to proceed to finalize and implement this policy as amended. JWS/jbw Attachment powert1/4 This Street Sign Policy provides a process for identifying and addressing problems on local residential streets related to speeding, traffic volume and pedestrian safety that are subject to correction through the installation of STOP signs, multi-way STOP signs and NO PARKING signs. This Street Sign Policy is established by the Ocoee City Commission and the City Manager is authorized to administer the policy and develop specific procedures for implementation as necessary. Factors to be considered prior to the installation of STOP signs, multi-way STOP signs and NO PARKING signs are listed within the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration document entitled Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and within Florida Statutes Chapter 316 entitled State Uniform Traffic Control. The City of Ocoee will establish and maintain STOP signs, multi-way STOP signs and No Parking signs in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Tragic Control Devices and Chapter 316 Florida Statutes. STOP Signs and Multi-way STOP Signs: Requests for new STOP signs and multi-way STOP signs must be submitted in writing to the City Manager. The request must include the specific location of the requested sign(s), and the reasons for the request. Upon receipt of a request for a STOP sign or multi-way STOP sign, the City Manager will direct staff to investigate the request to determine whether the requested sign(s) meet MIITCD warrants at the requested location. In accordance with the MU'CD, a STOP sign may be warranted at an intersection where one or more of the following conditions exist: 1) Intersection of a less important road with a main road where application of the normal right-of-way rule is unduly hazardous. 2) Street entering a through highway or street. 3) Unsignalized intersection in a signalized area. 4) Other intersections where a combination of high speed, restricted view and serious accident record indicates a need for control by the STOP sign. Prior to the installation of a STOP sign based on the application of these warrants, consideration will be given to less restrictive measures, such as the YIELD sign where a full STOP is not necessary at all times. It is the policy of the City that STOP signs should not be used for speed control. In accordance with the MUICD, a multi-way STOP sign may be warranted at an intersection where one or more of the following conditions exist: I) Where traffic signals are warranted and urgently needed, the multiway stop is an interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being made for the signal installation. 2) An accident problem, as indicated by five or more reported accidents of a type susceptible of correction by a multiway stop installation in a 12-month period. Such accidents include right-and left-turn collisions as well as right-angle collisions. 3) Minimum traffic volumes: a) The total vehicular volume entering the intersection from all approaches must average at least 500 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average day, and b) The combined vehicular and pedestrian volume from the minor street or highway must average at least 200 units per hour for the same 8 hours, with an average delay to minor street traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the maximum hour, but c) When the 80-percentile approach speed of the major street traffic exceeds 40 miles per hour, the minimum vehicular volume warrant to 70 percent of the above requirements. It is the policy of the City that multi-way STOP signs should not be used for speed control. If the City Manager finds that a STOP or multi-way STOP sign is warranted, he shall direct the installation of the sign(s). If the requested sign(s) are not found to meet the MUICD warrants, the City Manager will notify the person(s) requesting the sign(s) of that, and advise that the request can he directed to the City Commission. If the person(s) requesting the sign(s) wishes to have the request heard by the City Commission, the City Manager will place the request on an upcoming City Commission meeting agenda for discussion. Based on that discussion, the City Commission may either approve or deny the request for the sign(s). NO PARKING Signs: The City has established the following areas as NO PARKING areas: 1) On a sidewalk. 2) In front of a public or private driveway. 3) Within an intersection. 4) On a crosswalk. 5) Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. 6) Within 30 feet of any stop sign located at the side of a roadway. 7) Within 30 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing. 8) Within 30 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite. 9) On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped at the edge or curb of a street or on the roadway end of any vehicle parked at an angle to a curb or street edge. 10) At any place where an official sign prohibits parking. 11) At any place that is designated as a handicapped parking place for handicapped persons, unless and except when said vehicle is duly permitted for parking therein by virtue of the fact that there is a handicapped occupant. 12) On both sides of a paved street that is less than 26 feet in width. For the purpose of this section, the width of the paved street is interpreted to he the entire paved area, to include ribbon curb or Miami curb, if either exists. The city's Street Department is responsible for posting the appropriate no- parking signs on one side of the street, as directed by the Chief of Police, prior to this section being enforced by the city's Police Department. Once installed, the removal of a no-parking sign by vandals or any other means will not be grounds to escape citation for illegal parking. 13) On either side of a paved street that is less than 17 feet wide. The city's Street Department is responsible for posting the appropriate no-parking signs on both sides of such a street prior to enforcement of this section by the Police Department. Once installed the removal of a no-parking sign will not be grounds to escape citation. 14) In a cul-de-sac that has a radius of less than 30 feet. 15) Within a roadway other than parallel with the edge of the roadway, headed in the direction of the traffic and with the curbside wheels of the vehicle within 12 inches of the edge of the roadway, except upon a street which has been marked or a sign erected for angle parking, where all vehicles shall be parked at the angle to the curb indicated by such mark or sign. Requests for NO PARKING signs must be submitted in writing to the City Manager. The request must include the specific location of the requested sign(s), and the reasons for the request. Upon receipt of the request, the City Manager will direct staff to determine whether the requested location is one where a No Parking sign is the appropriate solution to the problem.