Public Works Committee - MINUTES - 10/17/2002
APPROVED
SPECIAL PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – OCTOBER 17, 2002
INFORMATION MEETING ON THE INTERSECTION OF DURHAM DRIVE AND
COUNTY HIGHWAY “L” (JANESVILLE ROAD)
Chairman Ald. Nancy Salentine called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM. Also present
was committee member Ald. Butch Le Doux, Ald. Rick Petfalski and Mayor Mark A.
Slocomb. Committee member, Ald. Patterson, arrived at 6:55 PM.
Ald. Salentine stated that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting
law and led those present in the pledge of allegiance.
Ald. Salentine welcome all present and informed them that the Public Works Committee
has been working on this intersection reconfiguration over the last several months and
that representatives from Atonement Lutheran Church have been in attendance at
several of these meetings. At this time, Ald. Salentine turned the meeting over to Sean
McMullen, Engineering/Building Inspection Director for the City of Muskego.
Sean explained that this is an informational meeting to be able to explain options and to
obtain citizen input on the configuration of Janesville Road. He explained that, as a
result of the City’s mailing for this hearing meeting, he received more calls on questions
with the Janesville Road project than the intersection on Durham Drive and Janesville
Road. He reiterated that this meeting is strictly to discuss that intersection and that
property owners will be receiving notification within the next couple of weeks from
Waukesha County, through their consultants, URS, of an informational meeting that
they will be holding on the Janesville Road project.
The Durham Drive/Janesville Road intersection has been a subject of controversy over
the past several years regarding the traffic backups that occur on Durham Drive during
the AM and PM hours. Because of the vertical and horizontal alignments of this
intersection, and the amount of traffic, it is difficult to make a left hand turn in this area
or to make a left hand turn on Durham Drive going south. As part of the entire
Janesville Road project, Sean stated that they are trying to address these areas. In
1999, when the original plan for Janesville Road Reconstruction was designed for
construction in 2004, they had looked at adding a signal at this intersection. At that
time, this intersection warranted a traffic signal. He went on further to explain that with
the construction of Moorland Road extension, this intersection no longer meets those
signal requirements. He went on to explain the requirements needed to meet the
warrants. A question was raised as to why Kohl’s received a traffic signal. Sean
explained that because of the amount of traffic that is generated at that area and the
area meets the warrants for volume of traffic and square footage.
Chairman Salentine requested that those present please allow Sean McMullen to finish
his presentation and then raise their hand and state their name and address for the
record prior to making their statements.
Informational Meeting Minutes – 10/17/02 Page 2
Sean proceeded with his brief presentation. In conjunction with Waukesha County, the
City is trying to look at how to address this intersection. The original plan from
Waukesha County, starting at where the existing construction project ends right now, is
to begin a road cut down the centerline at 2 to 2 l/2 feet through this area to take the
vertical rise out of the roadway. As you take that out you look at the natural vertical rise
that already exists and becomes a problem at this intersection as this intersection from
the centerline of the road down would be cut anywhere from 9 to 11 feet. As you start
looking at that you look at how Atonement Luther Church access points are going to
work and how the existing access points for Tess Corners Elementary School are going
to work. Some other things that are being looked at are creating a right-turn only lane
or creating a cul de sac. Sean reiterated that nothing at the present time is cast in stone
and that is the reason why this meeting was scheduled, to receive input from the
citizens. Sean went on to explain that the Public Works Committee will listen to the
comments of this informational meeting, make a recommendation to Waukesha County
and Waukesha County will make the final determination.
The meeting was then open for questions.
Mr. Brent Foye, W147 S6960 Durham Drive, voiced his concern that Durham Drive, with
more new development, will become busier. He felt access points onto Janesville Road
should be limited and felt that constructing a cul de sac would be good but would not
eliminate the excess traffic that will be going onto Durham Drive. Sean responded that
intersection of Woods Road and Durham Drive is being cul de saced off just north of
Woods Road. He also stated that 95% of the development is occurring south of this
area. Sean also stated that once Moorland Road South is completed, a traffic study
would be done to determine traffic in those areas.
Mr. Daniel Rehorst, W146 S7488 Durham Drive, voiced his concern with if you cul de
sac Durham at Janesville Road, how will it affect the police and fire protection? Also, he
is concerned with how the school busses will be rerouted, and he feels that Durham
Drive will become a short cut. Sean responded that the Police Department and both
volunteer Fire Departments have indicated that it will not be an issue. Sean advised
that he has met with Gary Rosploch and George Haynes of the Muskego-Norway
School District to talk about how the impact this cul de sac will have on Tess Corners
Elementary School. Presently the children are dropped off on Janesville Road.
Waukesha County will restrict any loading or unloading on Janesville Rd. He also
talked with Chief Johnson and Captain Daley, as well as representatives from the
Fire departments and neither one have any concern with this proposed cul de sac.
Mr. Michael Cherney, W147 S7010 Durham Drive, stated he lives in a nice quiet
subdivision and is not happy to now be getting additional fire trucks, school busses, and
traffic on Durham Drive. He is against the proposed cul de sac.
Ms. Sheri Davidson, S71 W14937-39 Westcot Drive, felt if you cul de sac, it would force
her to go through existing quiet subdivisions in order to get to Tess Corners Drive. She
Informational Meeting Minutes – 10/17/02 Page 3
also asked about access onto Janesville Road. Sean advised that Rosewood Estates
Subdivision has just submitted their final plat for their second addition and there will be
access from that Subdivision onto Moorland Road, giving her two accesses.
Mr. Michael Wojnowski, S69 W14724 Cornell Drive, is concerned that if they are
blocked off at Durham Drive & Janesville Road by a cul de sac, people will take short
cuts and will end up speeding through the subdivision and he has safety concerns for
children. He is totally against this proposal because of the increased traffic he
anticipates.
Mr. Larry Kober, S69 W14892 Dartmouth Circle, questioned how much would be cut out
of Janesville Road. Sean replied that the average cut would be 2 feet but in certain
areas, like in front of Atonement Lutheran Church, it may be 3 ft. to 4 ft. He is also
concerned with school busses making the turn. He said that if the cul de sac were
installed, he would go right through the cul de sac onto Janesville. He feels that with
the Kohl’s stoplight, it is making a difference in making a left hand turn onto Janesville
Road. Sean explained the federal standards involved in tapering of roads and offered
to review with Mr. Kober the cross sections at another time.
Mr. Eric Johnson, W150 S7222 Westcot Drive, asked why would you restrict the
residents and anyone else making a choice on having to access Janesville Road; what
positive does it bring? Sean answered that traffic safety is one of the main things that
he has to take into account. When questioned about the stop and go light at Kohl’s,
Sean again stated that it meets the standards, and that a stop light at Durham Drive
does not meet the standards and will not be reviewed again until 2011.
Mr. Stuart Scholz, S69 W14934 Dartmouth Circle, questioned with the proposed cul de
sac what is the expected traffic pattern that you look to see in the area and will the
existing roadways that are there and are proposed to be installed handle the traffic? His
comment was that he felt that the City missed the boat in not putting in traffic lights on
Durham Drive when the study was completed in 1999. Sean clarified that the study was
done in 1999 with 2004 traffic projections. In 1999, it did not warrant signals.
Waukesha County projected this installation for 2004. Sean replied that some of the
existing traffic patterns that are going to come through will result in increased traffic but
it is difficult to determine where everyone will be going. We will be looking at speed
limits and additional traffic studies after the project has been completed.
Ms. Janet Knopick, W146 S7434 Durham Drive, questioned what is the projected
amount of traffic that will be going from Moorland Road down to Durham Drive and what
is the allowed tonnage for trucks. Sean replied that this is a city street and will be
limited to 10,000 maximum ton vehicles and that this road will be speed limit enforced at
35 mph.
Ms. Lynn Kurer, S70 W14980-82 Cornell Circle, stated that you are going to be
dumping more traffic on Durham Drive, going through the subdivisions, not Woods
Road. She feels that once the subdivisions have been completed that traffic will even
Informational Meeting Minutes – 10/17/02 Page 4
itself out and that instead of a cul de sac, install a right-hand turn only on Durham Drive
at the intersection of Janesville Road for cars turning east. She feels that the cul de sac
is stupid.
Chairman Salentine interjected that a recent origin of destination study done resulted in
60% going up Durham Drive to Janesville Road originates south of Woods Road so we
are estimating that 60% will use the new Moorland Road.
Mr. Jerry Augustine, W148 S6715 Woodland Place, feels that if you block it off, it will be
mass confusion in the morning. He does not feel that a right-hand lane would be
appropriate either. He thinks the best thing would be to put a stop light there.
Ald. Patterson again explained that this is something that is regulated by federal
standard and it is not something that we can choose to do on our own.
Mr. Michael Murphy, S71 W14526 Hidden Creek Court, questioned if the proposed cul
de sac could be used for the school buses to turn around. Sean advised that there
would be ample room for the buses to make u-turns. It was agreed that potentially there
might be three accesses to the west.
Mr. Larry Kober, S69 W14892 Dartmouth Circle spoke again and suggested putting a
cul de sac across Janesville Road at the intersection of Woodland Place. Sean replied
that he is looking at the amount of vehicle movements a day at both locations and that
intersection has a lesser impact.
Mr. Wayne Wardin, W147 S7070 Durham Drive, stated that he is very concerned with
traffic detouring through Bushy’s Pub property and is concerned with traffic cutting
through Atonement Lutheran Church property. Sean advised that the committee has
met with representatives from Atonement Lutheran Church about concerns and that he
has discussed with Waukesha County the City’s request to install an access in the
median on Janesville Road across from the entrance to Atonement Lutheran Church to
accommodate the traffic coming from the east to enter the church off of Janesville
Road. Sean advised that Waukesha County is receptive to installing this median.
Mr. Brent Foye, W147 S6960 Durham Drive, spoke again and asked if a cul de sac is
not put in, what are your other plans for Durham Drive to take care of traffic? He agrees
with the cul de sac. Sean stated that the final assessment of speed limit for that road
couldn’t be done until all work is completed. Presently there is nothing in the 5-year
plan for widening Durham Drive. Traffic counters would not go in until next June or July
and then additional studies done when school opens in Fall.
Chairman Salentine thanked everyone for coming and there will be more information
forthcoming.
Mr. Gary Rosploch, School District, stated his understanding that if the intersection is
kept and the road is lowered at the intersection, the school will loose an access point.
Informational Meeting Minutes – 10/17/02 Page 5
Sean stated that the northern access point will go away and the school will have two
and one-half access points on the south.
With no further questions, Ald. Le Doux moved to adjourn at 7:55 PM. Seconded by
Ald. Patterson, motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathie M. Anderson
Recording Secretary