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west side of Melville Avenue, and the parking on the east side remains during construction. The <br />Construction schedule shows that Kingsbury Avenue intersection should be completed by the end <br />of December weather permitting. A letter from the Great Rivers Greenway Executive Director <br />Susan Trautman was submitted to the City respectfully asking for denial of the request for a <br />parking restriction on the east side of Melville Ave. <br /> <br />Ashley Swanson-Hoy representing Washington University explained that 164 residents mostly <br />students live in the building at 6600 Washington and have been impacted during this construction. <br />These residents are afraid that their parking will be taken away, since many of them are students <br />that get home from studies late at night and need parking in close proximity to this building. There <br />are only about 70 parking spaces on this property. Since the sidewalk is closed they are forced to <br />walk or ride their bikes on the street. Ms. Swanson-Hoy is opposed to the request due to safety <br />concerns for these residents that are walking, driving and riding their bikes. <br /> <br />A letter from Cheryl Adelstein from Washington University was submitted to the City asking for <br />denial of the request to remove the existing parking to allow two-way vehicular access to the <br />Parkview gate based on safety considerations for pedestrians and residents in the area. <br /> <br />Commissioner Brot expressed her opinion and wanted to commend the City of University City, <br />Washington University and Great Rivers Greenway for being progressive in a pursuit of an <br />environment that welcomes all residents and students to walk freely without obstacles. <br />Commissioner Brot stated that parking is critical and once the parking lot on Washington is <br />constructed, the Traffic Commission could reconsider whether to restrict any parking on Melville <br />Avenue is necessary. Ms. Brot recommended that Kingsbury Avenue be opened to traffic on <br />December 17, 2010 (weather permitting) in order to allow access to residents in the area. <br /> <br />Patrick Owens explained that when the project is complete there will be two way traffic and parking <br />on the east side. The only permanent change will be the restricted parking on the west side of <br />Melville due to the sidewalk widening as part of this project. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bondareff made a motion to deny this request, seconded by Commissioner Smith <br />and was unanimously approved. <br /> <br />3. Request to eliminate the 7000, 7100 and 7200 blocks of Pershing Avenue strict <br />enforcement zone. <br /> <br />Commissioner Henderson explained that Council Liaison Terry Crow requested that the Traffic <br />Commission consider recommending to the City Council lifting of the traffic restrictions currently in <br />place on Pershing Avenue that relate to “No Tolerance Zone - Strict Enforcement”. <br /> <br />Officer Margul explained that in this case of strict enforcement for traveling speed in a “No <br />Tolerance” zone, if a speeding ticket is issued, a mandatory court appearance is required, and the <br />ticket violation fine cannot be paid out of the court; sometimes depending on the ordinance, the <br />fines can be doubled or tripled. Officer Margul explained that on this stretch of Pershing there is no <br />such ordinance, and the Police Department cannot enforce the “No Tolerance”. <br /> <br />Ms. Gutierrez explained that when the request to remove the “Strict Enforcement Zone – Double <br />fines” signs was considered, an increase of the speed limit from 20 mph to 25 mph was a concern <br />and the Public Works and Police Departments recommended a speed limit of 20 mph at this <br />location due to its proximity (between two to three blocks) to the Flynn Park Elementary School. If <br />that speed limit is to remain, an amendment to the Chapter 10.36.040 School Zones Designated <br />will be necessary to add the referenced blocks of Pershing to the School Zone. <br /> <br />Commission Bondareff made a motion to amend Chapter 10.36.040 School Zones to add Pershing <br />to the School Zone, seconded by Commissioner Nichols and was unanimously approved. <br /> <br />Traffic Commission Minutes – December 8, 2010 Page 2 <br /> <br />