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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-02 PACKET 08.C.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM # DATE 01/02/08 • � . PREPARED BY: Enpineering Jennifer Levitt OR(GWATWG DEPARTiViENT STAFF AUTHOR ����,��������,�����������������������������,..�� COUNCI� ACTION REQUEST: Approve the modifications to the City Sign Request Policy dated December 28, 2007. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Recommend approval of the modifications to the City Sign Request Policy dated December 28, 2007. ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION: ❑ PLANNING � PUBLIC SAFETY � PUBLIC WORKS �' � 11 /20/07 10/8/07 & 11 /20/07 . � ■ ►1 ....• � ■ 11 � ■ � ■ ❑ PARKS AND RECREATION ❑ HUMAN SERVICESlRIGHTS ❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: // ■ ■ ■ �' /1 ■ ■ � �, � MEMO/LETTER: Jennifer Levitt December 28, 2007. ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: � OTHER: Public Works Commission Excerpt, and Sign Request Policy. ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS: ■ ■ ■ � ■ � ?e'� " ��°� � '� — c� �''s _ C%P � � Administrator Date ����������������� ������������������������������ COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE MINNESOTA To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator From: Jennifer M. Levitt, P.E., City Engineer Date: December 28, 2007 Re: City Sign Request Policy - Amendments Background: The City's sign request policy was first adopted on March 19, 2003 which covers six general categories that establishes how the City determines the need, installation and maintenance of a resident requested sign. The need for the policy was to have consistent placement of signs and ensure that necessary warrants were met for their placement. Discussion: Since the original policy, was adopted other issues have surtaced regarding stop sign placement, warning signs, pedestrian crossing signs, autistic children signs and no outiet signs in which the City's policy is silent. The proposed changes to the policy are highlighted in red in the attached documents for easy identification. The changes help clarify the City's position on these signs to help ensure consistency in their use. The Public Works Commission reviewed the policy changes on October 8, 2007 and approved the recommended changes. The Public Works Commission and Public Safety, Heaith and Welfare Commission on November 20, 2007 approved the criteria outlined in the revised policy for stop sign, warning signs, pedestrian crosswalks, and no outlet signs. Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the modifications to the City Sign Request Policy dated December 28. 2007. -1- Excerpt from Public Works Commission Meeting, October 8, 2007 Revised Sign Policy City Engineer Jennifer Levitt stated this topic is coming before the Commission to clarify issues and questions that in the past have been unclear under the Sign Policy. Church Advertisina Sians The City received a request from All Saints Lutheran Church asking to upgrade and slightly adjust the position of their sign. At this point the City doesn't have a specific ordinance or policy providing guidance over these types of signs. Levitt added pylon signs are not the issue because there is an ordinance prohibiting them, but not for the small trailblazing-type signs. Commission Member Gary Kjeilberg had a question regarding Special Purpose Signs. He inquired how the City would know when those particular signs are no longer needed. He noted the Crime Watch signs as an example. Would signs outlive their usefulness? Levitt replied that few signs are that specialized with the Crime Watch sign being one, but signs dealing with children (Watch for Children, etc.) have been eliminated. Kjellberg also inquired about cost of requested signs. Who would the responsible party be? Levitt replied the only signs installed of late that have a charge associated with them would be stop signs for businesses. There are very few signs a person could request where a charge would be incurred. Stop Sians Kjellberg noted the area of Jamaica Avenue at 100 Street, does not comply with the T- intersection guidelines stating the existence of a stop sign at Jamaica and also at 100 Street going eastbound. Levitt concurred this is one instance that wouid not follow the policy adding the volume of the street probably dictates the stop sign. Levitt stated the policy is being reviewed now in the pavement management area through the traffic analysis. It is being found once again, like in Thompson Grove, stop signs, yieid signs and others were extremely inconsistent. Our goal is to develop a policy for citywide sign consistency. Street Name Sipns Kjellberg read that "Signs will be replaced by the City when a street name is changed or the sign is vandalized". He suggested the sign be replaced once it becomes unreadable. Some signs due to wear and weather are very difficu{t to read. This condition should be criteria for replacement. Levitt commented that Les Wick of the Sign Division has been changing some signs because the lettering was not compliant to the new adopted standard size. Public Works Commission October 8, 2007 Revised Street Sign Policy Page 2 Crime Watch Sians Kjellberg noted these signs are not recommended and there is a question whether they are doing any good or not. Commission Member Ken Boyden commented that a Crime Watch Sign may be an advantage to deter illegal activity, or if something happens in the area, it may assist police to have residents take an active part in observing neighborhood activity. Deaf Child/Autistic/Blind Child Sians Levitt commented that some people are of the belief that autistic child signs have the same benefit as deaf or blind child signs. Once again, it is felt these signs give a false sense of security for those children. She knows of one community who posted 12 of these signs as a test program, however, feels the City of Cottage Grove should not proceed down this road. Levitt stated another concern of the engineering firm performing the sign review and analysis were warning signs such as those indicating "Curves Ahead", noting there is a liability associated with these types of signs. She commented there is a similar sign in the pavement management area (Imperial Avenue) indicating "Sharp Curve Ahead — 15 mph". In the Pinecliff First Addition, the curves are designed to be 20 mph and no signs were to be posted because this is a residential setting. Essentially, Council had given immunity in the fact this may cause an over-amount of signs that must be posted in every single development, for every single curve in town. Essentially, we don't post the speed of the curve. Common sense in a residential setting should be enough to guide a motorist to drive at a safe speed. No Outlet Sians Staff has been utilizing an unwritten policy: if the end of the road cannot be seen from the intersection, a"No OutleY' sign shall be installed. Recommendation for All Saints Lutheran Church Sian Reaues# MOTION MADE BY KEN BOYDEN, SECONDED BY DAVID ANDERSON TO ALLOW ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH TO CONSTRUCT A REPLACEMENT SIGN CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT SIZE AND SHAPE OF THE EXISTING SIGN WITH �OCATION MODIFICATION TO BE APPROVED BY ENGINEERING. THE REQUEST TO PLACE AN ADDITIONAL SIGN ON GRANGE BOULEVARD AND HAD�EY AVENUE IS DENIED. MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED. Policy Adopted Date: 3/19/03 Latest Revision Da4e: 12/28l07 SIGN REQUEST POLICY For Signs �ocated Within the Public Right-of-Way Rationale: The City of Cottage Grove receives many requests for sign installations within the public right-of-way from residents and City Councii members directed to Public Works, Engineering, and Public Safety. This policy establishes how the City will respond to such requests and allocate the resources necessary for determining need, installation, and maintenance. Sign Types: This document classifies signing into six general categories: 1. Regulatory 2. Warning 3. Directionai 4. Construction 5. Special Purpose 6. Not Permitted Regulatory Regulatory signing is defined as signing that informs drivers on how to function at an intersection or on a street. In the case of most regulatory signing there are certain criteria that must be met before they are installed. These criteria are set out in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the Minnesota Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD). Both documents specify conditions for installation as well as requirements of maintenance. The courts look to this national publication, MUTCD, and also state pubiication, MMUTCD, when determining the reasonableness of installation and maintenance. Examptes of Regulatory Signs: Stop signs, Yield signs, Do Not Enter, No U-Turn, etc. Warning Warning signs are signs that provide advanced warning to drivers or pedestrians that something dangerous or unexpected may be ahead. As with the Regulatory signs, these signs are generally mandated by the standards as to where and when they must be installed. Once installed, the City is required to maintain them. Examples of Warning Signs: Curve Ahead signs, Steep Siope signs, Stop Ahead signs, etc. Directional Directional signs provide additional information to help drivers find particular streets or to direct them in certain areas. Directional signs are required on higher speed roadways and must be maintained and are sometimes installed on lower speed roadways but they are not required. Examples of Direction Signs: Jamaica Avenue South, Ideal Avenue South, 70� Street South, etc. Construction Construction signing is self explanatory. These signs are installed to move vehicles and pedestrians safely through or around a construction zone. These signs provide safety to both vehicles and workers in the area. Their placement is mandated by law. Specia/ Purpose Signs Speciai Purpose Signs are signs that are not required to be provided by the City for general traffic purposes to provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. These signs are usually requested by a small group of people or individuals and benefit only a limited number of citizens. Examples of Special Purpose Signs: Crime Watch, Drug Free Zone, Special Events, Deaf Child, Duai Street Names, No Parking Between Signs, Building Entrance, Children Playing, Limited Time Parking, etc. Not Permitted Not Permitted signs are those that are prohibited by State Statute, City Ordinance, or City Policy. Examples are private signs on the public right-of-way and advertising. Other signing that falls into this category are signs that may fall into any of the above categories, but studies have shown that the sign has no effect on influencing the public's behavior. These signs may create a false sense of security that actually worsens the situation, detracts from other signs which have a much higher public safety benefit or the cost of installation and maintenance far outweighs the benefit. Procedure for Sign Requests: All signs installed in the public right-of-way must be approved by the Engineering Department or by City Council resolution. When a sign request is received, the receiving department will complete Part A of the City of Cottage Grove Sign Request form, including the requester's information, and will forward the form to the Engineering Department. The Engineering Department will gather additional information required and assign the request to one of the six sign classifications explained above. Once the sign has been classified, the necessary judgment will be applied and any studies and reviews required for that classification will be completed. This evaluation will result in one of the following actions: 1. Recommended for installation: Engineering Department recommends, or sees no harm in, instailing the sign, installation of the signs will be approved and cost allocations for the installation will be set. The requester will be notified and Part B of the Sign Request form will be completed. 2. Not recommended for installation: Engineering Department determines that the sign will not be installed. The department representative will send a letter explaining the decision to the requester, including available informational materials, and a summary of the following appeals process. Part B of the Sign Request form will be completed and the documentation supporting the decision will be filed. Appeals Process The requester may appeal the not recommended for installation decision by implementing the following procedure: The requester may present their rationale and additional information at tne next available Public Works Commission meeting. A decision regarding the sign request will be made by the Commission and the requester will be notified about the decision in writing. If the Public Works Commission concurs with the not recommended for installation decision, the Commission will send a letter to the requester and Engineering Department summarizing the basis for the decision and explain that the requester may appeal the decision further at the Open Forum session at the City Council meeting. If the Public Works Cornmission disagrees with the not recommended for installation decision, the Commission wiil notify the Engineering Department and the Staff will prepare a REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION form and supporting documentation. The Council decision regarding the sign installation and cost allocation will be implemented and the requester will be notified in writing. 3. Additional information needed: If the department requires more information from the requesting parry and / or other departments, the department will schedule the sign request to be reviewed at the next available Pubiic Works Commission meeting and wili invite the requester to present additional information to the Commission. A decision regarding the sign request will be made and the requester will be notified about the decision in writing. Procedure for Sign Installation: All signs installed in the public right-of-way shall be installed by the Department of Public Works or under the DepartmenYs supervision. Once cost allocations have been determined, and all funding received, a work order to install the signs will be written. The Department of Public Works will administratively establish guidelines for the location, number, design and maintenance of the signs. Routine maintenance of the signs, once they are installed, will be performed by the Department of Pubiic Works at no charge. Extraordinary maintenance, such as a high amount of vandalism or theft will cause the removal of the signs, or the costs of all maintenance to be billed to the requesting party. Procedure for Sign Maintenance and Removal The City will inspect signs approximately every twelve years. At this time, all Special Purpose signs will be removed. If the Special Purpose signs are still desired, the requesting party must participate in the funding for reinstallation according to the schedule of fees for that year. When a sign is scheduled to be repBaced or removed, the Department of Public Works will attempt to notify the original requesting party and publish a notification in the local newspaper. If the requested sign is to remind the public of a state law, statute or City ordinance, the Department of Public Works shall install and maintain the sign only after receiving a writtan r�ques# to �o so from the Cottage Grove Pubiic 8afe4y Commission. Procedure for Cost Allocation: When the City determines that a sign is necessary and/or a sign meets warrants, the City shall pay for engineering services required (such as a traffic study), installation, and maintenance of the sign as follows: Regulatory, Warning, Directional, Construction Signs: These signs are required to be installed and maintained by the City of Cottage Grove for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. The City shall be responsibie for ail costs of installation, routine maintenance and refurbishing of signs. For extraordinary maintenance such as vandalism, theft, damage, etc., the City shall charge for the full cost of replacement to the responsible party and they shall be held responsible according to state and local ordinances. For signs not recommended for installation by Engineering staff and Public Works Commission but approved by Council through the appeals process, the requesting party shall be responsible for costs incurred for engineering services, document preparation and sign manufacture and installation. Special Purpose Signs: Speciai Purpose signs serve a limited number of citizens' needs and are not signs required for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. Since the signs benefit only a limited group of people or individuals, the City wili charge for instai�ing such signs in order to defray costs and maintenance of signs in this category. If the City recommends, or sees no harm in, installing a requested Special Purpose sign, the City will charge the requester per the City's established fee schedule. The sign costs also will be determined based on the availability of other fund sources and the contribution that the sign makes to the public good. The public will be informed about the fees through the Sign Request procedure and the fees will be approved by City Council annually in the Schedule of Fees. For signs not recommended for installation by Engineering staff and Public Works Commission but approved by Council through the appeals process, the requesting party shall be responsible for costs incurred for engineering services, document preparation and sign manufacture and installation. Attachments: City of Cottage Grove Sign Request Form Regulatory Sign Procedures for: Do Not Enter Sign No U Turn Sign Regulatory Speed Limit Sign Stop Sign Yield Sign Warning Sign Procedures for: Advisory Speed �imit Sign Playground, Park and Trail Sign School Pedestrian Sign Pedestrian Crosswalks Warning Signs Directional Sign Procedures for: Street Name Sign Special Purpose Sign Procedures for: Crime Watch Sign IVo Outlet Sign Not Permitted Sign Procedures for: Deaf Child/Autistic/Blind Child Sign Watch for Children Signs DO NOT ENTER SIGNS The City of Cottage Grove installs Do Not Enter signs, which are regulatory signs, to p! vehic!es from sntering a restr�cted roadway. These signs can aisc� be installed to eliminate a traffic movement on a minor street or where a traffic engineering investigation indicates an unusual or hazardous condition. Rationale: When complied with, Do Not Enter signs are an effective tool in minimizing inappropriate traffic circulation in neighborhoods and other local traffic areas. The requester should be reminded that when Do Not Enter signs are used to discourage through traffic on a residential street they are difficuit to enforce and compliance with them is based strictly on the motoring public. Procedure: Once a sign request is received, an educational brochure may be distributed to the requester. Afterwards, accepted traffic engineering procedures and the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Controf Devices, will be used to determine if conditions warrant the sign(s). If conditions warrant signing, appropriate signs are then installed and maintained by the Public Works department, and the City will pay for the engineering services. If conditions do not warrant signing the requester will be invoiced for the engineering services. NO U-TURN SIGNS The City of Cottage Grove instalis No U-Turn signs, which are regulatory signs, to prohibit vehicl�s from making turns which rrray disrupt the fiaw for on-coming trafific, thereby increasing danger to all motorists. Rationale: When complied with, No U-Turn signs are an effective tool in minimizing inappropriate traffic circulation in neighborhoods and other local traffic areas. The requester should be reminded that when No U-Turn signs are used to discourage through traffic on a residential street they are difficult to enforce and their compliance is based strictly on the motoring public. Procedure: Once a sign request is received, an educational brochure may be distributed to the requester. Afterwards, accepted traffic engineering procedures and the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices will be used to determine if conditions warrant the sign(s). If conditions warrant signing, appropriate signs are then installed and maintained by the Public Works department, and the City will pay for the engineering services. If conditions do not warrant signing the requester will be invoiced for the engineering services. REGULATORY SPEED LIMIT SIGNS The City of Cottage Grove instalis Regulatory Speed Limit signs, which are regulatory signs. The Minnesota Department of Transportation's Commissioner of Transportation sets regulatory speed limits for the state based on engineering and traffic investigations. These signs are installed to remind the motoring public of the most common statutory speeds. Whether the speed limit is posted or not, drivers are required to reduce speed below these values for poor weather conditions, curves, hills, potential hazards, such as pedestrians, and when approaching or passing emergency vehicles with emergency lights flashing. Rationale: The regulatory speed limit is 30 miles per hour on residential roadways in the City of Cottage Grove unless posted otherwise, per Minnesota Statute 169.14. Procedure: Once a sign request is received, an educational brochure may be distributed to the requester. Afterwards, accepted traffic engineering procedures and the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices will be used to determine if conditions warrant the sign(s). If conditions warrant signing, appropriate signs are then installed and maintained by the Public Works department, and the City will pay for the engineering services. If conditions do not warrant signing, the requester wiil be invoiced for the engineering services. STOP SIGNS The City of Cottage Grove installs Stop signs, which are regulatory signs. Stop signs are not used as a means to slow traffic. Rather, stop signs are used to assign right-of-way at intersections. L.ocal-Locat "T" Intersections: At T-intersections, State law dictates that traffic on the "T" approach leg shall yield to traffic on the through leg. Therefore, T-intersections with local-local roadways will be uncontrolled. Migh Voluane Collector "T'" Intersections: Because of the higher volume of traffic on collector and higher roads, it is desirable for traffic on the "T" approach leg to stop at these intersections. Therefore, stop signs will be installed at the "T" approach legs at all T-intersections with roadways with a classitication of collector or higher. 4-Oegged Intersections: It is difficult to clearly determine which vehicles are required to yield at a 4-leg intersection. Therefore, all 4-leg intersections will have stop control on the minor street. If the intersection is of two local roads, determination of the road to stop will be made by reviewing the surrounding roadways. For higher volume intersections, analysis will be made based on the warrants in the MMUTCD regarding ail-way stop control. Rationale: Requesters may ask for stop sign(s} due to an accident that recently occurred. However, there can be many reasons for accidents, including driver error, decreased visibility, etc. Faulty traffic control is just one reason. In addition, studies show that drivers have a tendency to speed up between stop signs to make up for lost time, which may resuit in more accidents. Procedure: Once a sign request is received, an educational brochure may be distributed to the requester. Afterwards, accepted traffic engineering procedures and the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices will be used to determine if conditions warrant stop signs. If conditions warrant signing, appropriate signs are then installed and maintained by the Public Works department, and the City will pay for the engineering services. If conditions do not warrant signing the requester will be invoiced for the engineering services. YIELD SIGNS The City of Cottage Grove installs Yield signs, which are regulatory signs. Yield signs are not used for traffic controi at conventionai intersecfions. Their use is reserved only for special locations. Rationale: The limited use of yield signs is for safety reasons. Studies of yield signs vs. stop signs vs. no control in similar residential areas that compared intersection control related accidents for the three areas show that the accident rate for intersections with yield signs was six times higher than intersections with stop sign control. Intersections with yield signs had an accident rate twice as high as intersections with no control at all. The reason for the high accident rate at yield controlled intersections might be in part that drivers generally react to a stop sign with their foot on or near the brake pedal, preparing to stop. The same people's reaction to a yield sign seems to be to have their foot on or near the gas pedal, preparing to accelerate. Thus, yield signs should be reserved for locations such as freeway entrance ramps. PCOCeCIUY@: Once a sign request is received, an educational brochure may be distributed to the requester. Afterwards, accepted traffic engineering procedures and the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices will be used to determine if conditions warrant the sign(s). If conditions warrant signing, appropriate signs are then installed and maintained by the Public Works department, and the City will pay for the engineering services. If conditions do not warrant signing the requester will be invoiced for the engineering services. ADVISORY SPEED LIMIT SIGNS Advisory speed limit signs are warning signs. They are installed, where appropriate, to warn motorists that the maximurrr safe speed far conditions is iess than the statutory speed limit for that segment of roadway. Rationale: The statutory speed limit on residential roadways in the City of Cottage Grove and on other streets where no signs are posted is 30 miles per hour per Minnesota Statute 169.14. Some collector and arteriai roadways may have a higher speed Iimit and are posted accordingly. Occasionally conditions such as curves in the roadway make it advisable for the motorist to travel at a speed less than the statutory limit, and in those locations an advisory speed Iimit sign may be installed. Advisory speed enforceable, or Conventional, e background. limit signs supplement a warning sign. In addition, they are not y informational, and have black lettering on a yellow background. �forceable speed limit signs have black lettering on a white Procedure: Once a sign request is received, an educational brochure may be distributed to the requester. Afterwards, accepted traffic engineering procedures and the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices will be used to determine the recommended safe speed for conditions. If that speed is less than the statutory speed limit, appropriate signs are then installed and maintained by the Public Works department, and the City will pay for the engineering services. If that speed meets or exceeds the statutory speed limit, safe speed conditions, and the sign is installed through the appeals process, the requester will be invoiced for the engineering services and the sign per the schedule of fees. PLAYGROUND, PARK, and TRAIL SIGNS Playground signs, Park signs, and Trail signs are warning signs used where a playground, park, or trail is adjacent to an arterial street. They may aiso be used on a minor street where a tra�c engineering investigation indicates an unusual or hazardous condition. Rationale: This sign is intended to warn motorists of a potential hazardous condition that may call for a reduction in speed. It is not intended to regulate speed. Procedure: Once a sign request is received, an educational brochure may be distributed to the requester. Afterwards, accepted traffic engineering procedures and the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices will be used to determine if conditions warrant the sign(s). If conditions warrant signing, appropriate signs are then instailed and maintained by the Public Works department, and the City will pay for the engineering services. The Playground sign or Park sign shall generally be installed approximately 150 feet in advance of the playground or park block. Unique conditions may dictate special sign locations. When a playground is used in conjunction with a school, the "school" sign shall take precedence, and no "Playground" signs shall be placed. If conditions do not warrant signing and the sign is installed through the appeals process, the requester will be invoiced for the engineering services and the sign per the schedule of fees. SCHOOL PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS The school pedestrian crossing signs are warning signs intended for use at established crossings including signalized locations used by pupils going fo and from school, except that at crossings controlled by stop signs where the sign should be omitted. Only crossings adjacent to schools and those on established school pedestrian routes shall be signed. Whenever a school pedestrian sign is used, a school advance crossing sign must also be installed. The school crossing advance sign may be used in advance of school crossings where the schooi crossing location sign is absent. Should a request from the schooi district exceed compliance standards, as stated in the current Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Controi Devices, it will be the responsibility of Public School District #833 to absorb the cost of requested traffic devices and controls. Rationaie: These signs are intended to warn motorists of a potential pedestrian/motorist conflict that may call for a reduction in speed. They are not intended to regulate speed. Procedure: Requests for signs related to school pedestrian crossings will be considered the jurisdiction of Public School District #833. The Engineering department will forward requests to School District #833 and react to their recommendations based upon their conformity to federally recommended guidelines. STREET NAME SIGNS The City of Cottage Grove installs and maintains Street Name signs, which are directional signs. The signs are installed at intersections to serve as navigationai and safety devices. Posts are installed for the street name sign, or the street name signs may be mounted on street light posts or overhead traffic signals mast arms. On residential intersections, a post with two signs identifying the cross streets is mounted on one of the quadrants. On collector or arterial streets two posts mounted on diagonally opposite corners may exist. Rationale: The signs contain the street name as well as the approximate streeUpostal address number for the segment of roadway. Procedure: Signs will be replaced by the City when a street name is changed or the sign is vandalized or unreadable. CRIME WATCH SIGNS Crime Watch signs are special purpose signs that can be installed upon citizen request and completion of petition process. Signs wili be lirrrited to local residential streets with generally 500 vehicles per day or less. Only one sign, per direction, per block will be installed. Rationale: Crime Watch signs are not recommended. Placement of signs such as Crime Watch on collector and arterial roadways may lead to sign clutter and distract from the effectiveness of important regulatory signs. They shall therefore only be allowed on low volume roadways. Procedure: Once a sign request is received, an educational brochure may be distributed to the requester. The City Engineer or representative will review the request and determine if the street is eligibie by contacting the Public Safety commission. If eligible, the Engineering department will contact the requesting party and provide information, regarding the petition process. After receiving the written approval of the property owner(s) abutting the location of the sign, and payment in accordance with the City's fee schedule, the Engineering department will determine the location of the Crime Watch signs. Signs will generally be located near the beginning of the block. DEAF CHI�D / AUTtSTIC/ BLIND CHI�D SIGNS Deaf Child / Autistic/ Blind Child signs are not permitted signs in Cottage Grove and will no: be insta!!ed o, � resider�tial streets; rathe� the City wili focus efforts on educating residents and the motoring public and Council Members on the rationale behind this decision. Rationale: Deaf Chiid / Autistic/ Blind Child signs and signs like these are warning signs, but may also be considered Speciai Purpose signs, or even Not Permitted signs. This is because they benefit only a smail number of people (Special Purpose) and they have little or no effect on traffic volumes, traffic speeds, or safety (Not Permitted). The City has adopted the understanding which states that Deaf Child ! Autistic/ Blind Child signs are Not Permitted because the City does not wish to create a false sense of security for the child or the child's parents, despite the good intentions of the requester. Furthermore, a Deaf Child / Autistic/ Blind Child sign cannot guarantee improvements in traffic safety, even though the hope is that the sign would remind the neighborhood motorists that a deaf, autistic or blind child may be present. Procedure: Once a request for this type of sign is received, a representative of the Engineering department will send a letter explaining the decision to not install the sign and provide information regarding the appeals process. WATCH FOR CHILDREN SIGNS Watch for Children and other such signs are not permitteci in Cottage Grove and will not be installed on residential streets, rather the City will focus efforts on educating residents and the motoring public and Council Members on the rationale behind this decision. Examples of this sign type include but are not Iimited to: Watch For Children, Slow Children, Slow Children at Piay, Handicapped, Children at Play, Slow Handicapped Child. Rationale: Watch for Children signs and signs like these are Warning signs, but may also be considered Special Purpose signs, or even Not Permitted signs. This is because they benefit only a small number of people (Special Purpose) and they have little or no effect on traffic volumes, traffic speeds, or safety (Not Permitted). The City has adopted the understanding which states that Watch for Children and other such signs are Not Permitted because the City does not wish to create a false sense of security for the child or the child's parents, despite the good intentions of the requester. Furthermore, a Watch for Chiidren area sign cannot guarantee improvements in traffic safety, even though the hope is that the sign would remind the neighborhood motorists that children may be present. Procedure: Once a request for this type of sign is received, a representative of the Engineering department will send a letter explaining the decision to not install the sign and provide information regarding the appeals process. t I'. . , :.�. Warning signs shall be used only where special conditions exist. Overuse of these signs �rr�ll make them ineffeetiv�. Ther2for2, s,va� ring signs wiil be instaiied on collector and higher roads to warn of unexpected conditions. On local roads, warning signs will only be installed to warn of conditions not typically encountered on a low speed residential street. All warning signs shall be diamond-shaped with black legend on a yellow background. Examples of Warning Signs: Curve Ahead signs, Steep Slope signs, Stop Ahead signs, etc. Rationale: These signs are intended to warn motorists of a potential pedestrian/motorist conflict that may call for a reduction in speed. They are not intended to regulate speed. Procedure: Once a sign request is received, an educational brochure may be distributed to the requester. Afterwards, accepted traffic engineering procedures and the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices will be used to determine if conditions warrant the sign(s). If conditions warrant signing, appropriate signs are then installed and maintained by the Public Works department, and the City will pay for the engineering services. II . +. * ... . No crosswalk or advanced crosswalk signs required at controlled intersections. All m;d-block �rosswalks wi!! b2 markcd and crossrr�alk signs will be instalied. if fFie speed limit is above 30mph, or if there are sight restrictions approaching a mid-block crosswalk, crosswalk and advance crosswalk signs will be installed. Mid-block crosswaiks with speed limit less than 30mph crosswalk sign only will be instalied. .�� : ., .- • Latex paint for all lane markings on existing roadways and pavement marking tape on new pavement surfaces. • Stop Bars shall be 24" wide tape and placed at intersections on Collector and Arterial roadways. • Crosswalk shall be 12" wide tape and placed on all Collector and Arterial roadways for both sidewalks and trail crossings; regardless if it is a controlled intersection. • Mid-block crosswalks shail have pavement markings tape, if warrants are met for such marking. Rationale: These signs are intended to warn motorists of a potential pedestrian/motorist conflict that may call for a reduction in speed. They are not intended to regulate speed. Procedure: Once a sign request is received, an educational brochure may be distributed to the requester. Afterwards, accepted traffic engineering procedures and the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, will be used to determine if conditions warrant the sign(s). If conditions warrant signing, appropriate signs are then installed and maintained by the Public Works department, and the City will pay for the engineering services ., , The City of Cottage Grove installs No Outlet signs, which are Special Purpose signs, to minimizing inappropriate trafiFic circulation in neighborhoods and other local traffic areas. These signs will be installed, when requested by residents, if the terminus of the roadway cannot be seen from the intersection. Rationale: When complied with, No Outlet signs are an effective tool in minimizing inappropriate traffic circulation in neighborhoods and other local traffic areas. The requester shouid be reminded that when No Outlet signs are used to discourage through traffic on a residential street they are difficult to enforce and compliance with them is based strictly on the motoring public. Procedure: Once a sign request is received, an educational brochure may be distributed to the requester. Afterwards, accepted traffic engineering procedures and the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Controi Devices will be used to determine if conditions warrant the sign(s). If conditions warrant signing, appropriate signs are then installed and maintained by the Public Works department, and the City will pay for the engineering services. If conditions do not warrant signing the requester will be invoiced for the engineering services.