City Council Planning Sessions

Monday, Oct. 8, 2018 1. Call to Order The Planning Session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Suess. The following were: Physically Present: Mayor Pro Tem Suess Councilman Barbier Councilwoman Fitch Councilman Prendiville Councilman Rutledge Councilman Scalzo Absent: Mayor Gresk City Staff Present: Michael Dzugan, City Manager John Duguay, Assistant City Manager Paul Redman, Director of Engineering James Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Development Susan Bishel, Public Relations Coordinator 2. Approval of Aug. 13, 2018 Minutes The City Council approved the Aug. 13, 2018 City Council Planning Session minutes. 3. Gary Avenue Corridor Traffic Study Michael Werthmann of traffic engineering consultant KLOA summarized the findings of their traffic study of Gary Avenue from Jewell to Harrison and the intersection of Harrison and West Street. The study is part of the City’s Capital Improvement Plan, with the purpose of examining the operations of these intersections and defining modifications to mitigate existing or future operations. Mr. Werthmann reviewed the data collection methods used in the study, including field observations at different times, review of existing conditions, intersection traffic counts, speed surveys, and examining crash data for the study’s intersections. The study also reviewed projected traffic volumes for the year 2040, based on CMAP projections of growth and the Wheaton Park District’s master plan proposal to significantly expand Cosley Zoo. KLOA’s study found that overall the corridor operates well, but there is some congestion at peak times on weekdays. Mr. Werthmann stated the average speed is at the posted speed limit, with the 85th percentile speed of 39-40 mph. Daily traffic counts are approximately 17,500-18,000 vehicles, which is near capacity for the current design. Mr. Werthmann stated KLOA recommends creating a 3-lane cross section on Gary from Jewell to just south of Winfield Creek, which would allow for left turns at Prairie Avenue. The study also 10-8-18 PLANNING SESSION MINUTES PAGE 2 recommends a multi-use pedestrian and bicycle path from Jewell to Harrison that ties into the existing sidewalk system. The study examined 5 intersections, the first of which is Gary Avenue and Prairie Avenue. Mr. Werthmann stated the intersection operates on a poor level of service at peak times, with vehicles heading north on Gary turning left on Prairie causing traffic backups. He stated the proposed Cosley Zoo expansion and growth in the area would negatively affect the intersection. The traffic study found a traffic signal could be warranted and widening this intersection would require widening the culvert at Winfield Creek. In response to Council questions, Mr. Werthmann stated the study recommends reworking the traffic lanes on Prairie at this intersection to allow vehicles turning left or right onto Gary to fit side by side. Traffic engineers would consider removing the median to create more space for those turning lanes. To answer Council questions about this intersection, Mr. Werthmann stated if a traffic light were added at Prairie and Gary, it would need to be coordinated with the intersection of Gary and Jewell. Director of Engineering Redman answered a Council question about the culvert at Winfield Creek by stating it is only about 20 years old, with a life expectancy of 60-80 years. The City would look to widen the culvert rather than fully replace it. For the intersection of Gary and Jewell, Mr. Werthmann stated the study showed it operates at a very good level of service, though the left turn lane is not adequate in length during peak times. If higher expected traffic volumes occur, the City could add a southbound right turn lane and consider extending the left turn lane on Gary. At the intersection of Gary, Harrison and Ellis, Mr. Werthmann stated the all-way stop acts as a calming measure for traffic moving into the downtown, but it operates at a fair to poor level during peak times. The intersection meets minimum warrants for a traffic signal, but the City would have to take other factors into account, such as the platooning of vehicles, or possible increased speed of traffic southbound on Gary into the residential area. In response to Council questions, Mr. Werthmann confirmed that there is enough room to widen Harrison. He stated that about half of the traffic travelling south on Gary turns onto Harrison, and the other half onto Ellis. As an alternative, Mr. Werthmann reviewed the possibility of a adding a roundabout at this intersection. Based on the number of vehicles, KLOA concluded it would need to be a double-lane roundabout between Gary and Ellis. He stated a further study would need to be done to determine the most practical design, taking into account the existing homes and necessary right-of-way. In response to Council questions, Director of Engineering Redman stated the City has not received many complaints about this intersection, though there are often wait times during the peak hour in the morning and evening. He confirmed that this intersection has a low accident rate. Mr. Werthmann responded to a Council question about the benefits of a roundabout by stating it is more environmentally friendly and keeps an even flow of traffic, but a traffic light would be less expensive to install.  10-8-18 PLANNING SESSION MINUTES PAGE 3 For the intersection of Gary and Hawthorne, the study showed it operates at a poor level of service during weekday peak periods. Mr. Werthmann stated the City could consider widening Hawthorne to provide a separate right turn lane or widening Gary to a 3-lane cross section, but low traffic counts do not warrant a traffic light. At Harrison and West, Mr. Werthmann stated the all-way stop intersection generally operates at a good or fair level of service, so their recommendation is to continue monitoring the intersection to ensure that delays do not increase. In response to Council questions, Director of Engineering Redman stated the cost to add stoplights is approximately $300,000 per intersection. He reviewed this project’s eligibility to apply for federal funding for a large portion of the project expenses and suggested the City would need to engage a consultant to complete more detailed highway designs for the application. He stated the very rough estimate for improvements from Jewell to Gary, including adding traffic signals, lanes, etc. would be $2 million. City Manager Dzugan stated if the City is interested in applying for federal assistance, it would need to submit the project by the summer of 2019. He stated the City would have a good chance of receiving federal funding for 70% of the project. Director of Engineering Redman stated the cost of engineering plans to prepare an application would be likely between $10,000 and $15,000. The general consensus of the City Council was to move forward with hiring an engineering consultant to prepare an application for federal assistance. City Manager Dzugan stated staff would come back to the Council with a plan for their consideration. 4. Draft IGA – Village of Carol Stream – Proposed Boundary Change, Main & Geneva Director of Planning & Economic Development Kozik stated the City recently met with staff from the Village of Carol Stream to discuss a proposed redevelopment project at the northeast corner of Geneva and Main, where an applicant has proposed the purchase of three parcels to build a gas station and convenience store. Two of the parcels are within the Village of Carol Stream, and one is in the City of Wheaton. For this property to be redeveloped, there would need to be a change in boundaries and an intergovernmental agreement. Carol Stream approached the City with a proposal to disconnect Wayne’s Service Center, 2201 N. Main Street, from the City of Wheaton, and annex it into Carol Stream. In return, Carol Stream would forgo annexation rights to 3 nearby parcels that are currently unincorporated. Director of Planning & Economic Development Kozik stated the City discussed the possibility of revenue sharing for the new gas station/convenience store, but Carol Stream is not interested and feels that giving annexation rights for the three unincorporated properties is a suitable trade. The three properties do not currently receive City water service, so unless the City force-annexes the properties, City staff believes it is unlikely that this arrangement would be beneficial for the City of Wheaton, and City staff are not aware of any instances in which it has force-annexed properties. In response to Council questions, Director of Planning & Economic Development Kozik stated Carol Stream does not want to allow Wheaton to incorporate the two Carol Stream parcels for this project because it has a local motor fuel tax and sees this as a good revenue possibility. He stated the property taxes for the current properties are not significant. 10-8-18 PLANNING SESSION MINUTES PAGE 4 City Manager Dzugan stated if the City of Wheaton were to implement a motor fuel tax, the City could seek to work out a revenue sharing option with Carol Stream, but Carol Stream officials stated they are not interested in this. Council members expressed the opinion that the City should not force-annex the three unincorporated businesses, as the businesses would incur costs to hook up to the City’s water main and would be faced with a higher tax rate. Andrew Coan, who represented the developer who would like to build the gas station/convenience store, stated the developer requires all three parcels to move forward with the redevelopment project and will not redevelop it with a smaller area. The City Council directed City staff to draft a different proposal to discuss with Carol Stream. 5. City Council/City Staff Comments Mayor Pro Tem Suess thanked the downtown business community for their patience as the City moves toward completion of the Front Street portion of the Downtown Streetscape Plan. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.