HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/9/1992CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION JULY 9, 1992 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Chavers called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District Hearing Room, 21856 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Beke. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Ury® Cheng, Beke, Vice Chairman Gravdahl, and Chairman Chavers. Also present were Interim City Engineer George Wentz, Associate Engineer David Liu, Administrative Analyst Tseday Aberra, Sergeant Rawlings, and Contract Secretary Liz Myers. MINUTES: June 11, 1992 C/Ury requested that the minutes be amended on page 1, sixth paragraph, to indicate "all day delivery parking". Motion was made by C/Ury, seconded by VC/Gravdahl and CARRIED to approve the Minutes of June 11, COMMISSION 1992, as amended. C/Beke abstained. C/Ury thanked staff for delivering the Commission's COMMENTS: agenda packets in a timely manner. He further thanked Chair/Chavers and VC/Gravdahl for attending the City Council meeting. VC/Gravdahl requested staff to investigate if the City has a policy to provide crossing guard service for summer school. ICE/Wentz indicated that staff will include an evaluation regarding the policy for crossing guard services during summer school, and the school year, at the August of 1992 meeting. ICE/Wentz, in response to VC/Gravdahl's request, stated that staff will provide the Commission with a copy of the Circulation Element, after it's adoption by the City Council, including it's appendices. Chair/Chavers, referring to comments made by a member of the general public, during the last City Council meeting, indicating that the TTC had a "trading of issues with respect to the potential opening of Sunset Crossing", stated that the ITC's intentions have always been that if Sunset Crossing had to be opened, then it should be appropriately mitigated so it is an acceptable and tolerated condition. July 9, 1992 Page 2 C/Cheng requested staff to investigate the overflow of the sprinkler system on the center divider on Diamond Bar Boulevard. She further requested that staff investigate the paving of the sidewalks on Diamond Bar Boulevard. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Milton Miner, residing at 23915 Cougus Street, stated his concern regarding the excessive speeds occurring on the intersection of Cougas Creek Road and Flint Rock Road. Chair/Chavers explained that this item is the first item on the Consent Calendar. He requested staff provide Mr. Miner with a copy of the staff report and to allow him a few minutes to determine if the recommendations made are acceptable. Stan Granger, residing at 23800 Gold Nugget Avenue, suggested that a "No U-turn" sign be installed at the corner of Cleghorn at Grand Avenue. Simon Contrero, residing at 23631 Gold Nugget Avenue, stated his concern for the danger and noise resulting from the cars traveling down hill on Grand Avenue. Chair/Chavers, noting that this matter is to be discussed under New Business suggested that all comments be held following discussion of the items previous to that. AA/Aberra informed the Commission that a resident has requested that this item be discussed earlier in the meeting because they are unable to stay. Chair/Chavers stated that the matter will be discussed following approval of the Consent Calendar. CONSENT CALENDAR:Motion was made by C/Beke, seconded by VC/Gravdahl and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to pull item A from the Consent Calendar and to approve items B and C. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury, Beke, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None. ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None. Operational Chair/Chavers inquired if Mr. Miner, upon reading Analysis of the the staff report, concurred with the intersection of recommendations made by staff regarding the Cougas Creek/ intersection of Cougas Creek and Flintrock Road. Flintrock July 9, 1992 Page 3 Mr. Miner indicated that he is in concurrence with the recommendations made. Motion was made by C/Ury, seconded by C/Beke and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to approve item A of the Consent Calendar. ........._.._ NEW BUSINESS: Soundwall on AA/Aberra presented the staff report regarding the Grand Ave. at request, received from citizens residing on Gold Gold Nugget Ave. Nugget, to construct a soundwall on Grand Ave. at Gold Nugget Avenue. The request for a soundwall resulted from the increase volume of noise levels, traffic accidents, speeding vehicles, and debris on Grand Avenue. It is recommended that the Commission discuss the subject matter and direct staff as necessary. Simon Contura, residing at 23631 Gold Nugget, reiterated his concern for the danger and noise resulting from the cars traveling down hill on Grand Avenue. tPatricia Ayu, residing at 23656 Gold Nugget, stated that the major concern, regarding Grand Ave., is safety and privacy. She indicated that it was fortunate that no one was hurt in the accident, that occurred on Grand Ave. in April of 1992, in which a car went through her property and stopped in her neighbors property after colliding with a tree midway. Stan Granger, residing at 23800 Gold Nugget, told of an injury accident that had occurred on Grand Ave. a few years back. He suggested that some kind of a barrier needs to be constructed on Grand Ave. for the safety of the residents. Marcella Singer, residing at 23860 Gold Nugget, stated her concern for safety as well as the potential for fire hazards occurring from vehicular accidents. Nina Goncharov, residing at 23631 Gold Nugget, the resident that corresponded with the City and presented the petition, requested that the Commission respond to their concern regarding the ' safety issue on Grand Avenue. ICE/Wentz, in response to C/Ury's inquiry, stated that to his understanding, the City's policy, in the past, has been not to construct soundwalls on private property. He would suggest that the first July 9, 1992 Page 4 I ' source of funding not come from the City but rather that the residents be contacted regarding their willingness to participate in funding such a project. He further responded that staff has not yet determined where the exact location of the sound wall might be placed. C/Beke suggested that staff contact Dick Hoff for a rapid verification of where the right of way ends. He noted that, since sound travels the line of sight, the soundwall may not be effective because of the steep grade of Grand Avenue. He requested staff to research the number of accidents that have occurred in the area. Nina Goncharov indicated that they are willing to accept recommendations on alternatives to the sound wall. She also noted that the election signs have never been removed from Grand Ave. in back of her property. Chair/Chavers suggested that Mrs. Goncharov contact Al Flores, the Code Enforcement officer, to remove those signs. He made the following requests of staff regarding the soundwall issue: examine the criteria to determine if the accident rate necessitates a need for a barrier; obtain Caltrans guidelines as to when a soundwall is necessary, and it's effectiveness; determine if a combination solution is required to mitigate the debris problem such as a guard rail, a grouping of trees, and/or a short fence behind the trees; and investigate if there are funds available for some of the suggested mitigation measures. C/Beke stated that he will obtain an estimate on the cost of a guardrail. Motion was made by C/Beke, seconded by C/Ury and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to continue the item to the next meeting, to include the accident report data, advisement on the ownership of the right of way property, as well as information on the availability of funds for Grand Avenue. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury, Beke, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None., ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None. July 9, 1992 Page;; -5 OLD BUSINESS: Intersection AE/Liu presented the staff report regarding the of Diamond Bar request to investigate the intersection of Diamond Blvd./Ft. Springs Bar Blvd. and Fountain Springs Road. It is recommended that the Commission concur with staff's recommendation to consider painting the northerly curb red, on Fountain Springs Road, for approximately 50 feet, and to install a "One Way" sign in the median island on Diamond Bar Blvd., in front of the driveway of the shopping complex located at the southwest corner of Diamond Bar Blvd. and Fountain Springs Road. ICE/Wentz indicated that staff will be meeting with Mr. Long, the property owner of 2640 Rising Star Drive, to discuss options on adjustments, to that wall, that may be feasible, and to present any costs that may be there. Dr. Pam Anderson, residing at 2628 Rising Star, stated her concern that the intersection of Fountain Springs and Diamond Bar Blvd. is becoming more dangerous, and that more protection for the residents are needed. She suggested that the increase in traffic could be a result from the addition of the new office development located on the corner, and the Krikorian theater. She further noted that in order to obtain appropriate visibility of upcoming traffic on Diamond Bar Blvd., a motorist must pull ten feet beyond the stop sign, which is located flush with the curb on Fountain Springs, thereby blocking the existing bike lane. Ken Anderson, residing at 2628 Rising Star, made the following comments: to obtain visibility, the limit line on the stop sign must be exceeded; there is a lot of traffic from the median of the Boulevard to Crooked Creek; since the parking on the intersection has caused several of the accidents, the curb should be painted red beyond staff's recommendation, 100 feet on the northside of the curb and 50 feet on the southside of the curb; a "Do Not Block Intersection" may be needed; a marked crosswalk may be appropriate; and a traffic study should be conducted to determine if a traffic light is needed. ' C/Beke explained that the crosswalk is P not marked for safety reasons. He suggested the following options: put in a right turn only lane for southbound Diamond Bar Blvd. and extend the limit July 9, 1992 Page 6 line another 10 feet® or make Fountain Springs a right only out. The Commission then discussed the possible affect the Shadow Canyon street light may have on the Fountain Springs/Diamond Bar Blvd. intersection. C/Beke suggested that staff's recommendation be accepted, with the request that staff investigate the right turn only in from south bound Diamond Bar Boulevard to Fountain Springs as a way to bring the limit line out. ICE/Wentz stated that staff will investigate this design alternative. He pointed out that redesigning the existing wall will improve visibility considerably. In response to Chair/Chavers, he stated that staff has not yet spoken to the office building owner about restricting parking along his frontage on Fountain Springs. Staff has not observed many vehicles parked in that area. Chair/Chavers requested staff to research the appropriateness of a "No Parking" situation. Motion was made by C/Beke, seconded by Chair/Chavers and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to accept staff Is recommendation as presented, and to request staff to investigate extending the red curb as discussed by Mr. Anderson, and to investigate the potential of aright turn only lane as a means of pushing the limit line out into Diamond Bar Blvd., to be brought back to the Commission on the August 13, 1992 meeting. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury, Beke, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None. ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None. Street Name Chair/Chavers stated that this item is a noticed Change public hearing The public hearing was declared opened. AA/Aberra presented the staff report regarding the desire to change the street name Colima Road to Golden Springs Drive, between Brea Canyon toad and westerly City limit. When the public hearing is complete, testimonies will be forwarded to the City Council with a recommendation. If the City Council approves the name change, it is anticipated that the transition period will take between four and July 9, 1992 Page 7 six months. It is recommended that the Commission receive and forward the public testimony with the recommendation to change the street name Colima Road to Golden Springs Drive, between Brea Canyon Road and westerly City limit, to the City Council for approval. AA/Aberra, in response to a series of Commission inquiries, stated the following: the property owners were notified, of the name change, by letter, prior to the meeting; the Council desires the name change to maintain consistency; and staff has determined that the cost of replacing the street signs will be approximately $3,000. Motion was made VC/Gravdahl, and seconded by C/Ury to hold the decision of the name change until it is determined if the Brea Canyon Cut-off/Fairway Drive area is annexed. Chair/Chavers stated that it does not make sense to extend the name change to Lemon at this time since it would have to be changed again if we annex to Fairway. C/Ury suggested that a more logical location for the name change would be Brea Canyon and Golden Springs/Colima, or move down to the next major intersection. He questioned why the Council desires the name change. C/Beke indicated that, though it is unusual, it is not unprecedented to change the name in the middle of a block. The Council may desire the name change simply because Golden Springs sounds more like Diamond Bar, and sounds more prestigious. He would support the name change at the Golf Course, and would not want to hold off until some annexation that may never happen. C/Cheng noted that Colima is a better known name generally than Golden Springs. The Commission voted upon VC/Gravdahl's Motion to consider the name change at a later date. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Beke. ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Cheng. The Motion CARRIED. Fixed Route VC/Gravdahl requested that this item be postponed Deviation to the next meeting because he and C/Ury were Transit Program unable to meet with the Heritage complex. July 9, 1992 Page S C/Beke pointed out that the questionnaire demonstrated that though two thirds of the people want it, only one third of the people are willing to use it. AE/Liu® in response to Chair/Chavers, explained that there will be a joint meeting, with staff and the consultants, at the end of the phase one, which is the feasibility study. The consultants will be asked to present their findings to the Commission so the Commission can provide input. Motion was made by C/Ury, seconded by Chair/Chavers and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to accept staff's recommendation to receive and file. Feasibility ICE/Wentz inquired if the Commission had additional of median input regarding the preliminary design layout of islands on the proposed medians on Golden Springs Drive, Golden Springs between Brea Canyon Road and the State Route 57 Overpass. C/Beke stated that, after reading the Minutes of June 11, 1992, he is in concurrence with the statements made by Chair/Chavers indicating that the pocket lengths at Brea Canyon is too short. He stated that there is not sufficient room, on the east end, to do the proposed two bike lanes, four lanes of traffic, and a turn pocket. He noted that the water, used by In and Out Burger, to wash their driveway, flows across Colima helping to deteriorate the pavement. He suggested that staff investigate this matter. He also pointed out that the raised channelization will force a lot of u - turns out of the pockets. C/Ury, in assumption that there is sufficient widths to accommodate the proposals, stated that he preferred a combination of the last portion of option 1 and the top portion of option 3, with the modification of increasing a turn island near the intersection of Brea Canyon Road and Golden Springs, and taking out the left hand turn, so that there is more to landscape. ICE/Wentz stated that it is his understanding that part of the drive for the project is to establish a theme for Golden Springs. It was also felt that, because of the proposed overlay of Golden Springs, this would be the time to determine if a change should be made in the medians. Motion was made by C/Beke, seconded by Chair/Chavers and CARRIED to continue operating 1 U 1 July 9, 1992 Page 9 with the two left hand turn lanes, with no raised channelization. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Beke, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury. ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None. STATUS OF PREY. The Commission concurred to receive and file this ACTION ITEMS: item. ITEMS FROM THE C/Ury, noting that the striping, northbound on COMMISSION: Diamond Bar making a left turn on to Grand Avenue, is in the center of one of the lanes, requested staff to investigate the matter. He also suggested that the Commission consider recommending that the areas between the walls and the back of the sidewalk be filled in with concrete. Chair/Chavers requested staff to investigate the possibility of paving the area, on Brea Canyon Road, from Pathfinder south to Diamond Bar Blvd., utilizing angled parking to encourage our carpoolers along that area. In reference to the statement made by the City Manager, at the Council meeting, indicating that the City is in close working relationship with Caltrans on the upgrading of the 57 freeway, he requested staff to investigate the possibility of the Commission becoming a conduit for that information. He further requested that Caltrans be informed that the light mounted at the ramp turn, northbound 57 freeway at Grand Ave., is not visible until you stop at the intersection, and therefore a mast arm signal should be considered. ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made by C/Ury, seconded by C/Beke and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Attest: ,..