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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action form dated July 8, 2003 0 �Q Item # 41� Date: JuIv 8 2V a4 o COUNCIL ACTION FORM SUBJECT: APPROVE/REJECT CONCEPT OF VACATING A PORTION OF MANNING AVENUE AT LINCOLN WAY AND SETTING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING. BACKGROUND: During the neighborhood meetings on the Lincoln Way and State Avenue study, discussion took place concerning "cut-through" traffic using Manning Avenue to avoid the signal at Lincoln Way and State Avenue. The residents along Manning Avenue were concerned that high-speed vehicles taking the short cut would eventually cause accidents. A map showing the area is attached. In addition to the traffic concerns, the neighborhood raised concerns about stormwater running off of Lincoln Way and down Manning Avenue, which is a gravel street. As a result of these concerns, the attached petition was developed requesting that Manning Avenue access to Lincoln Way be closed. The petition is signed by all of the property owners, except one. That owner has indicated he would not protest the closure, but did not want to sign the petition. That property owner (115 State Avenue) has full access from State Avenue. Staff concurs with the concept of closing the northerly portion of Manning Avenue since turns into and from Lincoln Way would be eliminated and thus traffic safety improved. The closure would also allow improvements to drainage such that Lincoln Way stormwater would be able to be diverted from Manning Avenue by removal and modification of the intersection paving. ALTERNATIVES: 1 . Approve the concept of closing a portion of Manning Avenue by setting July 22nd as the date of public hearing to vacate the north thirty (30') feet of Manning Avenue. 2. Reject the petition. MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION: It is recommended by the City Manager that the City Council adopt alternative number one above and approve the concept of closing a portion of Manning Avenue by setting July 22nd as the date of public hearing to vacate the north thirty (30') feet of Manning Avenue. COUNCIL ACTION: v Petition to close vehicle access to Manning Avenue from Lincoln Way (3200 block) in Ames Iowa June 2003. We the undersigned petition the City of Ames for relief. Please act upon this petition to close vehicle access to Manning Ave. from traffic from Lincoln Way. Manning Avenue is one block long running north to south from the 3200 block of Lincoln Way to Lettie St. We request this relief from the ever-increasing flow of traffic caused by the traffic lights at State and Lincoln Way. The future remedy of traffic flow to and from State St. will not decrease this over used through way,which continuously acts as an escape from stop lights at State Avenue. This access from Lincoln Way is a hazard to residents of our small neighborhood. Description of cause for petition to close access to Manning Avenue from Lincoln Way Safety The restricting of traffic flow from Lincoln Way will increase the safety of the intersection of State Street by stopping any left turns down Manning off Lincoln Way which is an obstructed turn from both the East bound traffic flowing over the hill before the light and the restricted sight of the west bound traffic from the left lane following turning vehicles. The various maneuvers at this intersection to turn down Manning from the right lane flowing West and the many lane changing maneuvers from all lanes to avoid turning vehicles and stopped autos turning at both Manning and State are obviously dangerous. Apparently not"enough"accidents occur at this point to warrant investigation but traffic engineers who have viewed and inspected this site are aware of the problem and future affects the expected increase of traffic on Lincoln Way may have on safety. Conditions of Roadway Manning Avenue is an unpaved and poorly maintained, insufficiently graveled roadway, which is accessed as a rear alley and side entrance to all but the duplex at 115/117 Manning which maintains the only frontage on this street. (No other lot has frontage available.) That frontage is pummeled by flying rocks and speeding vehicles as it is the center of the road way and affected most by the disturbances and less cautious drivers who travel at rates over forty miles per hour to access State Ave via Lettie. In addition to blocking the flow of traffic, using a sidewalk and curb on Lincoln Way will relieve the excessive water flow caused by the lack of drainage off of the hill on Lincoln Way down Manning Ave. Manning Ave has no Storm Sewers, curbs,pavement, or grass restraints to prevent the winter and summer rivers from creating the mud and ice and flooding the rear and side yards from this runoff. Frontage of 117 Manning and rear yard of 125 State have become reservoirs for this run-off. We respectively seeks remedy of this situation with this petition. 3202 Lincoln way is as well, plagued by an ever- increasing ditch formed by water flow outside the driveway access. Maintenance Infrequent maintenance and garbage service vehicles use the street by backing their vehicles from Lettie or Lincoln way to expedite their function. Note the owners have no desire for the paving of this roadway since it borders almost exclusively rear and side yards. Street maintence is minimal and will surely be a reduced with reduction in traffic. Property owners The affected parties are the owners of all properties bordering Manning as side yards, rear yards and the single property frontage (duplex at 115/117 Manning). It is our belief that this closing of access will have no effect of any other property owner or occupants of the city or necessary services needing access The undersigned are the complete list of owners bordering Manning Avenue and are unanimoutin this petition to have access from Manning Ave. blocked from traffic and restrict surface drainage from Lincoln way. 3202 Lincoln Way, Marie Bender s�- /71 - '� o�4•Z' � 3106 Lincoln Way, Jim Gunning ✓ �/ �� ����Z-W/Z- I I I State Avenue, Jim Gunning 113 State Avenue, Jim Gunni �� rr � `vim �/� s 115 State Avenue, I�ett Faborg �`�G-03 36-2- 67s 125 State Avenue, Sharon Gfuber d 3 �9l - y7 3 Z 129 State Avenue, Joe Paulson o.- 4-?1. 740 9 3204 Lettie Street, Dyer& Hubbard a wig 44 115/117 Manning Ave, Jay Avellino 003 Exhibit A s , AvjJoi Ku a ,nn4 f i a.