03/28/1989 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 28, 1989 PAGE 2 Mr. Ricci, Mr. Olear, Mr. Nicholson, and others from Toys "R" Us presented ? revised plans and introduced Mr. Lepisto, traffic consultant from Traff-Pro. Mr. Nicholson explained that the revised survey has located all the trees on the property, shows all adjacent streets and drives as requested by the Commission, and reflects the recommendations of the Architectural Board of Review regarding the landscaping. He further explained that this plan has 287 parking spaces including fifty six smaller spaces designated for compact cars. Mr. Lepisto gave an overview of the traffic study and presented an accident analysis which had been omitted from the copies presented previously. The survey was taken on Tuesday, March 14th, and he explained that they purposely looked at an off day rather than a more heavily travelled day to determine a minimum use, and used the standards set by the Institute of Transportation Engineers to estimate the number of trips generated by such a facility. He explained that there were 11 basic warrants required by the State of Ohio for the installation of a traffic signal and stated that based on the data collected for the report a traff ic signal was recommended at the Lorain entrance to.the Toys "R" Us store. Since there have been complaints about the Whitethorn and Lorain intersection, that too was studied, and it was concluded that since the . proposed driveway is off set about 50 feet from Whitethorn there could be conflicts with the two drives. He advised that there were three options: the re-alignment of Whitethorn so it would be opposite the Toys "R" Us drive especially since there is a problem with the angle at which Whitethorn comes into Lorain Road; the proposed drive for Toys "R" Us could be re- located so that it is opposite Whitethorn; or, finally, a three phase traffic system which would aceommodate all three streets, but since the ? main concern should be to move traffic on Lorain Road, this would not be the optimal solution. He advised that ther.e had only been one accident at the Whitethron exit in the past two years. The residents who were present advised that there had been another accident in the past few days. Mr. Nicholson stated that they had no objection to installing a traffic light, but that they would prefer .to relocate the Whitethorn Boulevard intersection rather than relocating their proposed driveway. P4r. Ricci explained that relocating their drive would hinder their traffic flow .on the lot (especially for truck traffic) and would make it necessary to remove additional parking spaces.. They also belie.ve that relocating the Whitethorn.intersection would benefit the people using that street, and believes that this could be done within the existing right of way, and without acquiring any additional land. Mr. Lepisto estimated that the road is 24 feet wide and the right of way is probably about 50 feet. He further stated that this would be a traffic activated signal for Toys "R" Us and for Lahitethorn. Mr. Thomas suggested that this issue should be studied further and that more definite plans must be submitted for this relocation. In reference to the parking plan, it was stated at ttfe last meeting that no variances would be needed for the smaller spaces since they are pro- viding more spaces than required and could provide the minimum number of conforming size parking spaces. Building Conmissioner Conway advised that, after some study, it was decided that since the code does define the size of the parking spaces, a variance will be required. Mr. Gorris pointed out that they could easily turn the 56 smaller spaces into 28 conforming spaces and still have more than the required spaces. Building Commissioner Conway verified that they are required to have 252 parking spaces and are providing 287 spaces including the smaller ones. Mr. Ricci stated that the compromise was that if they put in the additional landscape areas to save tr.ees, they could have the smaller spaces. He pointed out that now