Traffic and Transportation Commission
Minutes

 Black Eyed Susan Conference Room
Meeting No. 02-09
March 24, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
  

1.    Announcements and Public Comment Period

a.    Chair Crane welcomed the commissioners and residents.
b.    Chair Crane outlined the content of the Commission memo to Mayor and Council, the Planning Commission, and the City Manager regarding Montgomery College as well as the content of her testimony to the Montgomery College Board of Trustees.
c.    Ms. Sanders provided copies of the Commission memo regarding Montgomery College and Chair Crane’s testimony to the Montgomery College Board of Trustees to Commissioners and guests.

2.    Permit Parking Submission: 400 and 500 Blocks of Saddle Ridge Lane—Commission Recommendation

a.    Commissioner Thomas moved to approve the permit parking request for the 400 and 500 blocks on Saddle Ridge Lane, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The motion passed, with  Commissioner Thomas, Commissioner Oberg, Commissioner Klein and Commissioner Telesco voting in favor.  Chair Crane, Commissioner Resnick, and Commissioner Martin voted against the motion.
b.    Commissioner Resnick stated that the Saddle Ridge petition is premature and that the parking problem should be evaluated after the buildings are occupied.
c.    Commissioner Oberg stated that the City should have been more proactive to work with construction workers and the developers to prevent parking issues from arising.
d.    Commissioner Klein agreed with Commissioner Oberg’s statement.

3.    Montgomery College Access from Princeton Place - Discussion

a.    Ms. Sanders confirmed that the Mayor and Council, the Planning Commission, and the City Manager received the Traffic and Transportation Commission memo regarding Montgomery College access.
b.    Commissioner Oberg asked what the staff timeline is on when the fence will be opened at Montgomery College.
c.    Mr. Heyliger stated that public meetings would take place on March 31, 2009 and on April 6, 2009 to present plans to the community.  After the meetings the city will have a timeline.

4.    Revising the Permit Parking Policy – Discussion of Issues with the Policy Faced by the Traffic and Transportation Commission

a.    Commissioner Resnick stated that the Commission has a lack of detailed evidence on whether or not there is a parking problem.  He suggested a system where the occupancy of parking spaces is measured and recorded throughout the day.
b.    Commissioner Martin recommended that standards needed to be developed to determine the severity of the parking problem.  For instance, whether the parking area is 70 percent full or 50 percent full are example thresholds that could be used to help determine whether permit parking is justified.  Commissioner Martin also recommended that temporary permit parking could be provided during construction work.
c.    Commissioner Oberg stated that permit parking applicants should receive a copy of the Principles and Guidelines for City of Rockville Permit Parking Approval.  Commissioner Oberg stated his disappointment that staff did not anticipate the parking problem on Saddle Ridge and did not communicate with the developer in order to prevent it. Commissioner Oberg stated his disappointment with overall City staff performance in other divisions with regard to the Saddle Ridge problem and the closing of access to and through Montgomery College, both of which he thought were preventable.  Mr. Elshafei, chief of the T&T Division, contacted Commissioner Oberg and met with him on 4/24/09 to discuss his concerns.
d.    Commissioner Resnick suggested changing the permit parking guidelines to remove the consideration of permit parking applications for anticipated parking problems. 

5.    Staff Update on the Pedestrian Policy

a.    Ms. Sanders informed the Commission that the revised Pedestrian Policy was approved by the City Manager and provided the memo confirming this to the Commmission.

6.    The Draft Complete Streets Policy – Staff to Brief the Commission

a.    Ms. Sanders provided background on the City’s Complete Streets initiative, the receipt of grant funds to hire a consultant to help with the Complete Streets Policy, and provided a copy of the draft policy for Commissioner’s review, explaining that during the April meeting staff will solicit Commissioner comments and input on the draft policy.

7.  Review and Approve February 2009 Meeting Minutes

a. The minutes were approved with minor changes.

8. Staff Report and Updates (Weekly)

a.    Chair Crane inquired about the Judicial Center development and what the trip generation, plan for construction traffic, and parking plans are for the development. Ms. Sanders stated that she would get more information from the development review staff to provide to the Commission.
b.    Commissioner Thomas asked what amendment is being introduced for Twin brook Station. Ms. Sanders stated that she would get more information from the development review staff to provide to the Commission.
c.    Chair Crane requested that the Commission review the CIP.  Ms. Sanders emailed the Commission the CIP website link and copies will be provided at the April Commission meeting.   

9. Additional Discussion of agenda Items/Other Items

a.    Commissioner Thomas inquired about the delay on the MD SHA intersection projects at MD 355 and Edmonston and MD 355 and Halpine. SHA has had issues with getting PEPCO to make a connection to the new signal.  As soon as this connection is made, the signals will go live.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 pm.