Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Legal Services Department
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TO: |
David L. Corliss, City Manager
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FROM: |
Toni Wheeler, Director of Legal Services
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CC: |
Charles Soules, Public Works Department Director David L. Woosley, Traffic Engineer
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Date: |
August 6, 2008
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RE: |
Traffic Safety Commission’s Action On City Commission’s Request to Alter City Truck Routes |
On July 1, 2008, the City Commission voted to request the Traffic Safety Commission (“TSC”) consider designating 31st Street from Iowa Street to Haskell Avenue and Haskell Avenue from 23rd Street to 31st Street as truck routes under the City’s Truck Route ordinances. On August 4th, the TSC met and considered the request.
Background
The City has designated certain streets in the City as truck routes and truck delivery routes. Under City Code, trucks, trailers or semi-trailers with a registered gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds must travel only on designated truck routes. However, the code authorizes trucks to deviate from the truck routes and use truck delivery routes in certain circumstances. Generally, truck routes are designed to restrict large vehicles to major thoroughfares in a city for the public’s safety and because the major streets and highways are designed and constructed to withstand the stress of the larger vehicles.
Mayor Dever requested a review of the designations for portions of Haskell Avenue and 31st Street because he had been contacted by members of the public regarding the effects of the truck route designations on various commercial endeavors. Mayor Dever stated that designating portions of Haskell Avenue and 31st Street as truck routes could relieve congestion on 23rd Street. Commissioner Amyx noted that the designations may provide an opportunity for conservation of fuel and fuel costs. The truck route ordinance also creates challenges for some large agriculture vehicles delivering grain to grain elevators during harvest.
At its meeting on August 4th, the TSC declined to designate 31st Street from Iowa Street to Haskell Avenue and Haskell Avenue from 23rd Street to 31st Street as truck routes.[1] Instead, the TSC recommended an ordinance be prepared to amend the city code to allow trucks having an origin or destination in the City to use truck delivery routes. This recommendation will have implications city-wide. Notice of the August 4th TSC agenda was mailed to property owners of lots adjacent to Haskell Avenue from 23rd Street to 31st Street, including industrial properties that have access from Haskell Avenue, and owners of lots adjacent to 31st Street from Iowa to Haskell located in the city limits. The Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods also routinely receives the TSC agendas. However, other interested neighborhood associations and members of the public who may have an interest in the TSC’s recommended code changes were not notified or given an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes. The Lawrence Police Department reports it receives complaints from citizens about large truck traffic in neighborhoods.
Staff has prepared a number of draft ordinances and provides the following options for the City Commission to consider:
· Option 1: Adopt Ordinance No. 8311 amending Section 17-212 of the City Code consistent with the recommendations of the TSC;
· Option 2: Adopt Ordinance No. 8309 designating the portion of 31st Street within city limits from Iowa Street to the east city limits and Haskell Avenue from 23rd Street to the south city limits as truck routes. A copy of a map showing the amended routes is attached;
· Option 3: Adopt Ordinance No. 8310 authorizing trucks transporting grain to or from a grain elevator during harvest season to use truck delivery routes;
· Refer the matter back to the TSC for a full hearing on the truck route / truck delivery route issue with expanded neighborhood notification.
Staff requests City Commission direction.