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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/10/19921 1 1 CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION DECEMBER 10, 1992 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Chavers called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chairman Gravdahl. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Ury, Cheng, Beke, Vice Chairman Gravdahl, and Chairman Chavers. Also present were Administrative Analyst Tseday Aberra, Traffic Engineer Warren Siecke, Sergeant Rawlings, and Contract Secretary Liz Myers. MINUTES: C/Ury requested the Minutes of November 12, 1992 be amended on page 8, the first line, to indicate that Nov. 12, 1992 he "recommended the following corrections", and amend the second to the last line to indicate "the deposit plus...". C/Cheng requested that the minutes be amended on page 8 to properly spell the words "indicate" and "read". C/Beke and VC/Gravdahl will be abstaining from voting on the minutes of November 12, 1992 because they were not present during that meeting. Motion was made by C/Ury, seconded by C/Cheng and CARRIED to approve the Minutes of November 12, 1992, as amended. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: U r y, C h e n g, a n d Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None. ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: C/Beke and VC/Gravdahl. COMMISSION C/Ury, referring to the Quail Summit area recently COMMENTS: resurfaced, inquired when the restriping of the intersections with stop signs will be completed. AA/Aberra indicated that those areas will be painted once the slurry seal has been inspected. C/Beke requested that the matter regarding the 3 way stop sign on Brea Canyon Road/Pathfinder Road be placed on next month's agenda, with a staff report as to the reason why the sign cannot be installed immediately, as was recommended repeatedly by the Commission. He also expressed his concern that the staff report, to the City Council, regarding the Grand Ave./Gold Nugget issue, did not accurately convey the Commission's action. December 10, 1992 Page 2 j PUBLIC COMMENTS: Clem Ziroli, from the First Mortgage Corporation, j expressed his concern with the posting of the "2 Hour Parking, 8:00 'a.m. to 5:00 p.m." signs at Fallow Field/Brea Canyon Cut-off Road area. The posting of the 'signs `creates an unsafe environment for the employees, who either must move their cars every two hours, or: park on Brea Canyon Cut-off Road. A stop sign should be placed at Brea Canyon Cut-off Road so that the employees could park in that area, and safely cross the intersection. He inquired why parking has been prohibited along westerly side of Fallow Field Drive directly across from the building even though no homes are impacted there. Chair/Chavers explained that the signs have been posted as an attempt to resolve the problem of people parking in that' residential neighborhood. Staff has been directed to post the signs, monitor the results, and'report back to the Commission. He explained to Mr. Ziroli that it is not the responsibility of the citizens of Diamond Bar to provide parking for businesses on every street. C/Ury stated that he was under the impression that the signs were, not to extend to the building area on either side of the street.' Sgt. Rawlings noted that 'the signs are posted on the north and south side of the street, however, on the south side of the street, the signs do not begin until the first _residential home. The community service officer has issued warnings as directed by the Council. Chair/Chavers suggested that staff determine why the signs along the hillside bank on the north side of Fallow Field Drive the street were posted. If it is determined that the signs need to be bagged, then staff is to handle it administratively. INFORMATIONAL Hardy Strozier, Project Manager of the South Pointe ITEMS: Master Plan, gave _abrief overview of the project description, as 'presented in the draft EIR. The Intro of following is a summarisation of that overview% the South Pointe proposed 171 acre project site is located north of Project Pathfinder Road, and west of Brea Canyon Road; there is an existing 30 acre temporary South Pointe Middle School located on theprojectsite, and part of the project is to complete the final grading in order to construct the permanent school; there are three tracts associated with this project, totaling approximately 100 lots ranging in size from 8,000 to 10,000 square feet; there is a proposed 31 -acre specific to the various subdivisions. A traffic consultant will be available next time this matter is brought before the Commission to respond to the Commission's concerns regarding traffic management and on-site traffic configurations. The draft EIR was circulated on November 30, 1992, and the environmental review period will close on January 18, 1993. The Commission will receive the responses made, to the comments received on the draft EIR from other public agencies and interested persons. December 10, 1992 Page 3 Associates, stated that both Arciero and RNP commercial site; there is a proposed 8 to 10 -acre community park site; there is an approximate 2 -acre land transfer from the City's existing Larkstone Park to the Walnut Valley Unified School District; there has been a 4 -acre acquisition of land by the City from the Water District; there will be a transfer or vacation of 6 acres of City -owned land to the developers; there will be a transfer of 10 to 15 acres of commercial property to the City; and there will be a transfer of 8 to 10 acres of usable community park site to the City. Mr. Strozier pointed out that the majority of the Commission's traffic issues can be found in section IV, of the draft EIR, on page IV -93, which gives a brief and thorough evaluation of the impacts of the existing condition in that area, as well as an evaluation of the existing conditions plus the project in its phase one and phase two anticipated configuration. The mitigation measures are on page IV -99. The draft EIR, chapter VI, page VI -31, outlines various alternatives to the project, dealing with different street and land use configurations that are site specific to the various subdivisions. A traffic consultant will be available next time this matter is brought before the Commission to respond to the Commission's concerns regarding traffic management and on-site traffic configurations. The draft EIR was circulated on November 30, 1992, and the environmental review period will close on January 18, 1993. The Commission will receive the responses made, to the comments received on the draft EIR from other public agencies and interested persons. Jan Dabney, Senior Partner of JC Dabney & Associates, stated that both Arciero and RNP Development have been attempting to develop their parcels for a few years. The City requested that all the owners get together and develop the entire 171 acres as a planned project. The plan is well represented, and includes mitigation measures to help alleviate the traffic problems, associated with the South Pointe Middle School, in that neighborhood. The City is also requesting that the developers participate immediately, upon approval of the project, in the improvements of Pathfinder Road, the overpass, and Brea Canyon Road. Hardy Strozier, per Chair/Chavers' request, explained that he is retained by the City of Diamond Bar to act as project manager, to manage a series of consultants that have been utilized in the preparation of the Master Plan and a Development Agreement, to assist in the review of December 10, 1992 Page 4 i the various entitlement documents, tentative tract maps, and so -forth, and to help construct the various findings and statements that will be required by the Commissions, and the Council, as part of the planning process. OLD BUSINESS: AA/Aberra presented the staff report regarding the request made by a citizen for the installation of a Cut through "No Right Turn, between 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m." sign, traffic on on Rolling Knoll" Road and Country View Drive at Quail Summit Grand Ave., in -order to mitigate cut -through Dr. from Diamondtraffic on Quail 'Summit Drive from Diamond Bar Bar Blvd. to Boulevard to Grand Ave. Grand Ave. Warren Siecke stated that the technique of prohibiting rightturns during certain hours in residential areas has been effective in the past. Therefore, it is recommended that, initially, a "No Right Turn, between 4:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" sign be installed on Rolling Knoll Road at Grand Avenue along with. a W-41 sign on Rolling Knoll in advance of the traffic signal at Grand Ave. If motorists 'do begin to turn on to Country View Drive , off of Rolling Knoll Road, to access Grand Ave., then the same kind of restriction at the Country View Drive/Grand Ave. intersection can i be implemented, if deemed necessary. AA/Aberra, in response to C/Ury, stated that the residents were not notified of this proposed action because it was staff's understanding that the j matter may be, postponed to the January, 1993 meeting and discussed along with the matter of the right turn lane on Diamond Bar Blvd. at Grand Avenue. C/Beke noted that many motorists will get trapped within that neighborhood because they can get into the area but are not allowed access out. Chair/Chavers pointed out that cut through traffic is a learned behavior. Those using the route know the area, and will find out quickly that it cannot be used any longer.`, He inquired if a sign can be installed to warn motorists of the proposed restriction so that they do not get trapped and wander around more streets than necessary. Warren Siecke suggested that a warning sign can be posted at Diamond Bar Blvd. and Quail Summit Drive that indicates, "No Right. Turn at Diamond Bar and Rolling Knoll". December 10, 1992 Page 5 C/Beke pointed out that the "Local Access Only" sign at Diamond Bar Blvd. and Quail Summit Drive did not stop the cut -through traffic. He indicated that, normally, he would be opposed to this type of action, however, in this case, he concurs with staff because the residents will not want to, for the most part, turn right at those hours of the day. Mike Hemy, resident of Chino Hills, with an office at Fallow Field Dr./Diamond Bar Blvd., inquired if the signs have been requested because of increased accidents in that neighborhood. Chair/Chavers explained that there is a queue of 5 to 10 cars waiting to turn right from Rolling Knoll, most going to Chino Hills. There have not been any accidents largely because the children in that neighborhood do not play outside during the week because of the increase in traffic. Mike Hemy stated that he feels the traffic problem coming from Diamond Bar Blvd. on to Brea Canyon Cut-off Road heading towards Fairway is a much more serious problem than this residential problem in which no accidents have occurred. Chair/Chavers pointed out that the two situations are not the same. There are financial considerations for a signal on Brea Canyon Cut-off, Road and there are technical and legal considerations why a stop sign cannot be installed. Don Lemly, residing at 1387 Rolling Knoll Road, expressed his concern that if a sign is not also installed at Country View Drive, the traffic will just reroute to that street. He suggested that the time of the restriction be extended to 7:00 p.m. Debbie Renegar, residing at 1386 Rolling Knoll Road, stated that she had also requested, at the November meeting, that a blinking light be installed just before the Rolling Knoll Road/Quail Summit Drive intersection to warn motorists of the upcoming traffic signal. That same intersection needs to be restriped. She concurred that the right turn restriction signs need to be posted on Country View Drive as well, and that the time be extended to 7:00 p.m. She requested that the signs be installed as soon as possible and that the matter not be postponed to January of 1993. Warren Siecke stated that staff's suggestion, that the signs be as least restrictive as possible, was December 10, 1992 Page 6 so not to inconvenience than necessary.. Staff neighborhood is willing, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.`. the neighborhood anymore has no objection, if the to accept those hours from C/Ury stated that the matter should have been noticed so that further input could have been provided. It is reasonable to request that something be done to keep intrusion traffic out of their neighborhood. If the signs are installed, then he would recommend that there be a period of time to notice_: motorists of the upcoming restrictive signs. VC/Gravdahl concurred. C/Cheng concurred, that the signs should be installed at Country View Drive as well because the street may become congested if placed only at Rolling Knoll Road. Chair/Chavers stated that, though he supports the restrictive signs, there needs to be more of an open forum notifying the public of this proposed action. Once the signs are installed, there will be an increase: of traffic milling throughout the neighborhood for several weeks, which could upset a lot of residents. die' -suggested that staff contact the corner house, .facing east on Rolling Knoll Road abutting up to Grand Ave., to see if they would allow a construction panel sign on their property for a couple, of weeks to warn motorists of the proposed restrictive signs. Once the signs go up, the Sheriff Department would then issue warnings i for the five-day period, and then issue citations. C/Beke, concurring with C/Ury that if, a sign is posted on Country View Drive', motorists may take a left turn during rush hour, at an unsignalized intersection, to ,cross Grand Avenue, inquired if there is a way to avoid that situation. He suggested that the sign be posted at Rolling Knoll Road first, and if there is a problem than change it to Country View Drive , with some advanced notice that there is no outlet there during rush hour. Chair/Chavers suggested that the item be tabled, with direction to staff to provide formal notice to the residents, and include a specific procedure as to how this process will occur, such as the posting of the large advance warning sign for a designated period of time, and the following kinds of restrictive signs to beposted, and their locations. December 10, 1992 Y.Page i C/Ury suggested that a "Not a Through Street" sign be posted at Deer Crossing .Drive so that the motorists could circle around, and eventually end up back down at Grand Ave. and Diamond Bar Blvd. There are alternate solutions, and a little bit more investigation should take place on it. He concurred that the residents should be notified. Don Lemly suggested that the signs be installed to see what the reaction will be. There will always be some objections to change regardless what is done. If an issue arises that cannot be dealt with, then the signs can be bagged until it is resolved. Debbie Renegar pointed out that they have come before the Commission with this issue a year ago. We are the people who care and who are consistently here year after year. She suggested that the signs be posted first to draw out any comments from the residents. Motion was made by VC/Gravdahl and seconded by ' C/Ury to request staff to give legal notification to the residents, with a specific plan included in that notification, to include Rolling Knoll Road and Country View Drive for the warning signs and the restrictive signs as recommended by staff, and brought back to the January, 1993 Commission meeting. C/Ury reiterated that the residents should be notified before a decision is made. Staff needs to investigate other alternatives because he is concerned that people will make a left hand turn at Grand Ave. and Country View Drive. There is probably a better solution than no right turns at both locations. C/Beke pointed out that a better solution is prohibiting a right turn on Quail Summit at Diamond Bar Blvd., however, the community may not want to live with that. There will probably not be a great demand for those residents to make that right turn during those hours. C/Cheng suggested a permit system to allow the neighboring tract to make a right turn. ' C a' C h ir/ havers explained that a permit idea has been brought to the attention of the City Manager and the Council, and the response has been that the City is not in the position to fund such a program. December 10, 1992 Page 8 AA/Aberra, in response to C/Ury's inquiry if staff can give notification in time to bring the matter back in January of 1993, stated that staff will send out notification of the proposed signs immediately. The Commission voted upon the Motion made by VC/Gravdahl. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury, Beke, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None. ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None. Remove Parking AA/Aberra reported that, pursuant to the Restrictions Commission's request of November 12, 1992, staff on Colima Rd. has provided a site plan identifying the lane east of designations and street dimensions to study Lemon Ave. potential ,traffic movement conflicts on Colima Road, east of Lemon Avenue. The owner of Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe is requesting the removal of the existing "No Stopping Anytime" sign on the north side of Colima Road, east of Lemon Avenue, and is requesting the consideration of a 2 -hour parking restriction sign in front of the shopping center in order to provide delivery trucks an area to load and unload, thus allowing smaller vehicles to maneuver easier within the current parking lot. It is recommended that the Commission recommend to the City Council the removal of the existing "No Parking Anytime" signs and install "2 -hour parking" signs in front of the shopping center. Charles Ricotta, residing at 20651 Colima Road, Walnut, owner of Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe, expressed his support for staff's recommendation. Sgt. Rawlings reiterated the Sheriff's Department's opposition to the continued expansion of time parking controls because of the difficulty in enforcement. C/Beke stated that there needs to be some striping to channelize the 36 foot area to protect motorists exiting the driveway, to include another through lane, and designate a right -turn only lane. Chair/Chavers, concurring with C/Beke, stated that he is not opposed to the parking scenario, but is uncomfortable that street is in an untenable position. Staff can take care of the channelization plan without bringing it back to the Commission. 1 December 10, 1998 Page 9 C/Beke stated that the channelization plan is to include a second through lane striped, the right turn lane striped, and stripe at least 10 or 12 feet out from the curb so that there is room to pull out of that driveway and see around a truck. Charles Ricotta, in response to C/Ury, stated that the 2 -hour parking is needed for added parking for the customers, as well as for deliveries. C/Ury pointed out that even with a 2 -hour parking area, the trucks may still park inside the parking area. A loading zone may handle the situation better than a 2 -hour parking zone. Charlie Ricotta stated that a 2 -hour parking sign would allow parking for either customers or delivery trucks. C/Ury suggested that the area be left without the "No Parking" signs, and the employees should be instructed to park out in the street to let the customers have the convenience of parking inside ' the lot. This would probably promote less movement of traffic. C/Beke pointed out that the City does not want overnight parking of rigs on Colima Road. Chair/Chavers stated that since the owner feels that the 2 -hour parking would work, he has no objection to the recommendation made. However, if the 2 -hour parking does not work, then the owner should be responsible to pay for the next set of signs. Motion was made by C/Beke, seconded by Chair/Chavers and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to accept staff's recommendation, with the provisions that the #2 traffic lane, a right turn only lane, be striped through there, and that the lane be far enough from the curb so that the cars exiting the driveway can see around the parked vehicles. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury, Beke, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None. ' ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None. Policy AA/Aberra reported that the Commission requested Statement that the current locations, which are served by for estab. adult crossing guards, be identified and ranked warrants for accordingly. Based on the counts of school adult crossing children, conducted during the week of September December 10, 1992 Page 10 guards 14, 1992, staff has compiled the following list, as presented in the staff report. It is recommended that the Commission adopt the attached policy for determining crossing guard warrants. C/Beke stated that there is not a crossing guard at the intersection of Golden Springs Drive/Ballena Road, but at Ballena Drive/Meadow Falls Drive, and that he doubts there are 416 average daily trips at that location. AA/Aberra stated that the number is the total count made throughout the day. C/Beke noted also that the Ballena Drive/Meadow Falls Drive intersection should not be priority #1 because it is within 200 feet of a signalized controlled intersection, and is not eligible for a crossing guard under the warrants. Chair/Chavers explained that the list is simply a ranking list according to the number of students. The crossing guards are all grandfathered in for the year. He had requested this list for some measure to be provided for purpose of comparison, and not for ranking. Warren Siecke, in response to C/Beke, confirmed that, typically, a crossing guard is not warranted if it is 200 feet within a signalized intersection. He suggested that the Commission consider a ranking scheme where the number of conflicts of vehicles vs. children are looked at. Chair/Chavers pointed out that CalTrans has never had control of a residential street in it's entire existence. They created their warrants for two lane highways that had no driveways, and had high speed traffic. Those warrants are for their own use, and not a municipal based warrants. C/Beke concurred with Chair/Chavers, but pointed out that there are other warrants available, such as LA County. Motion was made by VC/Gravdahl, seconded by C/Ury and CARRIED to adopt staff's recommendation. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Beke. ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Cheng. ITEMS FROM C/Ury noted that the next meeting date will be COMMISSIONERS: January 14, 1993. December 10, 1992 Page 11 ITEMS FROM Sgt. Rawlings reported that there was a fatal STAFF: accident on Brea Canyon Cut-off, south of Pathfinder. C/Beke stated that the City may need the help of the Sheriff Department in determining if the accident happened within the City or County boundary. C/Ury suggested that staff, in the future, not try to out guess the Commission's action, and that notification be given when so requested. ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made by Chair/Chavers, seconded by VC/Gravdahl and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m. Respectively, orge A. Wentz Secretary Attest: Ko d d"Cha e s Chairman 1