Streets committee advances package of traffic and encroachment bills for first reading

The Committee on Streets and Services on Friday advanced a package of ordinances that would change traffic directions, authorize sidewalk and right-of-way encroachments, and add a red-light camera site to the city's automated enforcement program.

Council member Scuilla moved that bills 250844, 251068, 251069, 251102, 260025, 260095, 260115, 260131, 260132 and 260161 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules be suspended to permit first reading at the next Council session; the motion was seconded and the committee voted aye. Chair Young noted bill 260114 was held by its sponsor and excluded from the package.

Key items in the package include: a one-way designation on West Lippincott Street between 22nd and 23rd (bill 250844); authorization for a red-light camera at Schoolhouse Lane and Henry Avenue (251068); directional changes on sections of Adams Avenue and Lypher/Lieber Street (251069); a sidewalk-café encroachment for 1001 South 10th Street allowing two tables and four seats while maintaining a six-foot clear pedestrian path (251102); and several right-of-way encroachments tied to the Avenue of the Arts and the America 250 public-art program (260025, 260131, 260161).

Department of Streets witnesses told the committee they are generally not opposed to the directional and encroachment measures and said signage for the traffic changes can be posted within 30–60 days depending on the item. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the sidewalk-cafe proposal and of several encroachments pending standard encroachment agreements.

The committee's action reports the bills out with a favorable recommendation to full Council; no final ordinance takes effect until Council votes in a later session and, where required, the mayor signs the bills into law.