HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-06-2023 Street & Traffic Control Committee MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA )(
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COUNTY OF BALDWIN )(
The Street & Traffic Control Committee met at 4:00 p.m.,
Mayor’s Conference Room, 161 North Section Street,
Fairhope, Alabama 36532 on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
Present were: Mayor Sherry Sullivan, Councilmember Jack Burrell, Richard Johnson, Hunter
Simmons, Captain John Hamrick and Mike Jeffries; Jennifer Olmstead took the minutes.
The meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m.
Minutes from the September 28, 2022 meeting were approved as submitted on a motion by
Jack Burrell, seconded by Mike Jeffries; none opposed.
First on the agenda was a discussion of the intersection of Fairhope Avenue and Ingleside.
Richard Johnson is still awaiting a review from Neal Shaffer. Mayor Sullivan suggested only
right-hand turns off and on to Fairhope Avenue. Jack Burrell questioned about a round about
study. It was noted that there are a lot of utilities at that intersection that would have to be moved
if the existing footprint was enlarged.
The committee next discussed a request for an all-way stop at Blue Island and Gayfer
Avenue. A prior traffic study did warrant a calming device around the intersection of Gayfer and
Patlynn, but the approach to that intersection was not acceptable for placement there. Mayo r
Sullivan had met with citizens of that area and suggested to change the location of the all-way
stop from Gayfer Avenue and Patlynn to Gayfer Avenue and Blue Island. Jack Burrell made a
recommendation to recommend installing an all-way stop at Blue Island and Gayfer Avenue;
seconded by John Hamrick; none opposed.
The next item on the agenda was a follow-up on the previously approved projects of
restriping North Ingleside Avenue and the decorative bump out on Mershon St. Richard Johnson
stated that the striping project has been contracted and installation is forthcoming. He will review
the Mershon St approval.
The next item discussed was the request for a speed calming device on Ashley Drive. The
committee discussed the traffic study and petition, noting that the mean speed was 19mph. The
request was denied on a motion by Hunter Simmons; seconded by John Hamrick; none opposed.
The next item discussed was the lack of crosswalks across Section Street at Nichols Avenue.
The committee reviewed the request. They noted that the new sidewalks that were installed on
Nichols did not connect to the sidewalks on the east side of Section Street via cross-walk. Richard
Johnson stated that this can be completed with normal public works maintenance items.
The next item on the agenda was a request for a 3-way stop or speed bumps be installed at the
intersection of South Summit Street and Nichols Avenue. The committee reviewed the traffic
study and petition, noting that the average speed was 10 – 11 mph. The request was denied on a
motion by Hunter Simmons; seconded by Mike Jeffries; none opposed.
The next item on the agenda was a request to remove access to Greeno Road via Prospect
Avenue. The committee reviewed the request. The motion was denied on a motion by Hunter
Simmons; seconded by Mayor Sullivan; none opposed.
The next item on the agenda was a request to install a speed calming device on Farringdon
Blvd and install an all-way stop at Farringdon and Blackfriars Street. The request also asked for
children at play signage and speed limit signage be placed in Old Battles Village. The speed
calming request was denied discussion due to lack of support. Richard Johnson stated he would
look at the signage issue and place the necessary signs.
Streets & Traffic Control Committee
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Page - 2
The next item on the agenda was a request for a speed calming measure be installed on North
Ingleside Street around the intersection of North Ingleside and Audubon Place/Cedar Avenue.
The committee requested a traffic study to be completed for review at the next meeting.
The next item on the agenda was a request for a speed calming device to be installed on
Nichols Avenue Extension around the entrance to Hawthorne Glenn. The committee reviewed
the request. Jack Burrell made a motion to recommend temporarily installing a bolt down device
just west of the Hawthorne Glenn subdivision until 2024; seconded by Mike Jeffries; none
opposed.
The next item on the agenda was a request from the Mayors office to discuss making Pine
Street between Bancroft Street and Section Street a one-way street. The committee discussed this
street, suggesting that the one-way movement would be travelling east. There is right of way
there that could be used for loading zones. Jack Burrell made a motion to recommend that Pine
Street between Bancroft Street and Section Street be made a one-way travelling east; seconded by
Sherry Sullivan; none opposed.
The committee also discussed pedestrian improvements on North Section Street between Pine
and Equality and lack of sidewalk continuity in the area. They also discussed down-town
delivery trucks parking in the roadway for deliveries. The committee would like to work with the
Parking Authority and Downtown Merchants to find solutions.
The next item on the agenda was a request to remove a speed calming device on South
Ingleside between Fairhope Avenue and Morphy Avenue. The committee discussed the request
and the original request for placement. Mike Jeffries made a motion to recommend the speed
calming device be removed; seconded by Hunter Simmons; none opposed.
The next item on the agenda the committee discussed were requests from the Fairhope
Pedestrian & Bicycle Committee (FPBC). FPBC would like to see the installation of pedestrian
activated flashing crosswalk signs for the cross walks on Twin Beech west of Pirate Drive, Twin
Beech/Boothe Rd/Founders Dr intersection, and Twin Beech east of Summer Lake Street.
Richard Johnson thought it would be a good investment. FPBC would like to see implementation
of traffic calming solutions to slow traffic on Twin Beech as it has become a high-speed corridor
and to designate Twin Beech Rd from South Greeno to Summerlake Street as a “School Zone”.
The committee discussed this section of Twin Beech Road in detail. The “School Zone”
designation can only be used on the road the school faces. Richard Johnson made a motion to
recommend that City Council make a recommendation to the MPO for intersection improvements
at Twin Beech and Founders/Booth Roads; seconded by Hunter Simmons; none opposed.
The committee next reviewed a request to help with on-street parking along Summit Street
between St. James & Fairhope Avenue. The committee discussed the request, noting that parking
is an issue all over town and large vehicles make it hard to navigate.
The next item on the agenda was a request to allow scooters in the downtown area. The
committee discussed safety and congestion issues. Hunter Simmons made a motion to deny this
request; seconded by Mike Jeffries; none opposed.
The public was allowed to address the committee. Dave Nelson, 58 Cliff Drive, voiced his
concerns about dangerous road conditions and lack of street lighting along Bayview. He also
asked if St. James and Cliff Drive are on the upcoming paving list. Richard Johnson replied that
they are not on the FY2023 paving list, but could possibly be on the FY2024 list. Clay Godwin,
957 Charleston Lp, questioned the committee about traffic guidelines in subdivisions. Hunter
Simmons replied with the history of subdivision master plans.
There being no further business to discuss the meeting duly adjourned at 5:41 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by Jennifer Olmstead Approved: 10/04/2023