2008-06-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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15 th MEADOW CREEK PARKWAY,” which was offered at the May 5 meeting, as amended, was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Huja, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: Ms. Edwards and Mr. Norris. REPORT/ORDINANCE : REVIEW OF $200 ENHANCED SPEEDING FINES ON CERTAIN STREETS; EXPANDING FINE TO ADDITIONAL STREETS: RUGBY AVENUE (RUGBY ROAD TO BYPASS); ELLIOTT AVENUE (MONTICELLO AVENUE TO RIDGE STREET); BRANDYWINE DRIVE (HYDRAULIC ROAD TO YORKTOWN DRIVE); FRANKLIN STREET (NASSAU STREET TO MARKET STREET); MEADOWBROOK HEIGHTS ROAD (250 BYPASS TO YORKTOWN DRIVE); MELBOURNE ROAD (KENWOOD LANE TO PARK STREET) Ms. Jeanie Alexander, Traffic Engineer, said that the three original streets designated for the increased speeding fine were done to provide one more tool to address speeding in neighborhoods. She said since only three streets were designated, there is not enough information, with the exception of Old Lynchburg Road, to determine if the fine is reducing speed. She said with the new streets added we should be able to get that information. She said all proposed streets meet the criteria, and, if approved, the fines would start September 1. Dr. Brown asked if Ms. Alexander had met with the neighborhoods, and she said no, but that the majority of streets recommended got on the list because they were recommended by neighborhood representatives. She said if the fines do not work there is no need to continue them. Mr. Taliaferro expressed concern about the cost to people and said he thinks the fine is excessive. Mr. Huja said that he thinks unless there is a crying demand or a history of problems, he does not want to support the fines. Dr. Brown said he originally supported the increased fines, but was skeptical, and worried that for a lot of people the fine would be a punishment, not a deterrent. He said he thinks the fine has been effective on Old Lynchburg Road. He said he is willing to go along with the fine where it is clear that the neighborhood wants it. Based on what he has heard today, he said there is neighborhood support for Elliott Avenue and Brandywine Drive. He said if neighborhoods want other streets they can come and ask for them to be added. Mr. Huja said he can go along with that, and we can wait and see about the others. Mr. Norris said he would also add Franklin Street. Ms. Edwards said she is hoping that the fine will create a culture of not speeding. She said we have to slow traffic down in Charlottesville. Dr. Brown made a motion to approve the ordinance, adding only Elliott Avenue, Brandywine Drive, and Franklin Street to the original streets. Mr. Taliaferro seconded the motion, and the ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REORDAINING SECTION 15-101 OF CHAPTER 15 (MOTOR VEHICLES) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA, 1990, AS AMENDED, EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF STREETS SUBJECT TO AN ADDITIONAL $200 SPEEDING FINE” was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Norris noted that Council will hold a work session on the Rt. 250 interchange on June 4. Mr. Taliaferro said he would like staff to look at providing rain barrels at a reduced cost.