Waiting On Data Before Decisions Are Made
WARSAW — Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission tabled any decision on parking and speed limit issues on Park Ridge Drive until more information is received from a Michiana Area Council of Government traffic study. The commission met today, Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Warsaw Police Lt. Kip Shuter presented photos he took where concerns were expressed by Michal Piwonski and Aaron Gaff, at the October meeting. The concerns were presented by the duo on behalf of the home owners association.
Shuter noted placement of the 30 mile per hour sign within the subdivision is too close to the entrance and should be moved. MACOG has been asked to conduct a traffic count, in which counting devices have been installed. The data will determine speed, direction and time of day of traffic use. Shuter noted the federal highway administration has a tool to help determine the appropriate speed based on the data.
Shuter also presented photographs of the parking area concerns. In two of the three sets of photographs, it was evident there is a visibility issue with parked vehicles in the area of the playground. The third set pertained to vehicles parking near the intersection of Park Ridge, Highlander and Nuthatch drives, which is at or near a curve. Photographs show there have been vehicles parked near the intersection, which is against state statue.
During discussion it was noted the home association’s covenant was provided, but did not include any details about parking. An amendment to the covenant would still not provide teeth to a no parking enforcement. Information was presented there has been no accidents reported on those streets in the last 3 years, 10 months.
It was a unanimous decision to table the matter. Because no meeting is expected to occur in December, a special meeting will be called if information is received prior to January.
Other Business
During other business updates were given on the four areas of construction and/or concern and discussion about solutions to alert motorist of a school zone on Scott Street.
- James Emans, city engineer, reported paving of Market Street should be completed by the end of today, with striping to take place next week. The barricades will remain in place until striping is complete. There will be minor landscape work continuing, which will impede traffic flow.
- Shuter reported traffic is still backing up on Parker Street and he will be checking with the Indiana Department of Transportation if any further changes are planned to alter timing on the traffic light.
- Jeff Beeler, city street superintendent, reported Mariner Drive should be completed the end of this week or next week. Surface work is complete with sodding and seeding to take place. The Mariner Drive extension, into the Y, and a few driveway entrances still need to be completed.
- Beeler reported the Country Club Road work is ahead of schedule and more will be known at the end of the week, but it will re-open soon.
- Repair to the Ranch Road railroad crossing is slated for next year, unless the weather continues to cooperate after the opening of Country Club Road and crews are still in the Leesbrug area. “They have received many calls and are well aware of it (the problem). But we need to get Country Club opened first,” said Beeler.
- Discussion on solutions to safety concerns at Lakeview Middle School, due to the darkness of the area even with additional lighting added was held. Daily, police have reported near misses as cars are not slowing down, even with the presence of police. Motorist are not speeding, it is the darkness of the area allowing the school zone to be seen. Pricing of school crossing lights are being investigated and the street department has installed high visibility reflective markings on the crosswalk. Other alternatives are being investigated.