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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/10/1992CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 10, 1992 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Chavers called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District Room, 21856 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Cheng. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Ury, Cheng, Beke, Vice Chairman Gravdahl, and Chairman Chavers. Also present were Associate Engineer David Liu, Administrative Assistant Tseday Aberra, Sergeant Rawlings, and Contract Secretary Liz Myers. MINUTES: Aug. 13, 1992 C/Ury requested the following amendments to the minutes: page 1, Commission Comments, should indicate that he had expressed disappointment that the Commission had recommended against the medians on Golden Springs; page 5, to reflect the proper spelling of "past"; page 8, ninth paragraph, to change "curve" to "curb and page 8, last paragraph, to read".. participation program, if feasible,...". Motion was made by C/Beke, seconded by C/Ury and CARRIED to approve the Minutes of July 11, 1992, as amended. VC/Gravdahl abstained because he was not present at that meeting. COMMISSION C/Ury inquired if anything is being proposed to COMMENTS: improve the lines marking the left turn from Diamond Bar Blvd. to Grand Avenue. AE/Liu stated that staff is considering improving that intersection as part of the Grand Ave. Rehabilitation Project. C/Beke requested an update to the 3 way stop sign at Pathfinder and Brea Canyon Road. The 3 way stop would be beneficial during construction. AE/Liu explained that, because the County has indicated that the Pathfinder Bridge Widening Project was scheduled in November, staff had decided to put that project on hold. City Council has recently authorized staff to go ahead with the installation of the 3 way stop. A signal is included with the bridge project. VC/Gravdahl informed staff that one of the "No Parking Signs" at Diamond Point School, at the drive closest to Del Sol Lane, has been knocked down. He requested that another sign be ordered. September 10, 1992 Page 2 I C/Cheng stated that her neighbor has commented that there are not a sufficient number of school bus stops for the children in "The Country". AE/Liu stated that this concern should be addressed to the School District, and "The Country Chair/Chavers suggested that staff advise CalTrans that the Red Umbrella Restaurant, at the Diamond Bar Blvd. off ramp at the 60 freeway, has attached one of their signs to a "Do Not Enter" sign within CaltTrans right of way. CONSENT CALENDAR:Chair/Chavers requested that item A be pulled from the Consent Calendar to allow public comment on the issue. Motion was made by C/Ury, seconded by VC/Gravdahl and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to approve item B, of the Consent Calendar, as recommended by staff. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury, Beke, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and �. Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None. ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None. Remove red AA/Aberra presented the staff report regarding the curbing request made by Canyon Park Homeowners Association Silver Hawk/ to remove approximately 200 feet of red curb that Diamond Bar currently exists on Silver Hawk Dr. at Diamond Bar Blvd. Boulevard. Staff views the red curb on Silver Hawk Drive as an attempt to provide clear visibility, and to minimize potential safety hazards that may be created as vehicles noticeably increase their speed when approaching Diamond Bar Boulevard. The stopping, starting, and backing of vehicles at the subject area during the parking maneuver physically restricts other traffic movements. It is recommended that the Commission deny the request to remove the red curb on Silver Hawk Drive at Diamond Bar Boulevard. Kim Reuland, residing at 2306 Shady Hills Dr., representing the Canyon Park Homeowners Association, stated, at the time of the request, the Association diad not realize that the red curbing was installed to provide clear visibility. She then inquired if there was a way to prevent the church members from driving into their private property area in order to find another outlet. September 10, 1992 Page 3 C/Beke suggested that staff be directed to judiciously place a "Not A Through Street" sign. C/Ury suggested that the Association consider posting signs at the driveways as well. Motion was made by C/Ury, seconded by C/Beke and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to recommend the placement of a "Not A Through Street" sign on Shady Hills Drive. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury, Beke, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None. ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None. Motion was made by C/Beke, seconded by VC/Gravdahl and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to accept staff's recommendation to deny the request to remove the red curb on Silver Hawk Drive and Diamond Bar Boulevard. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury, Beke, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None. ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None. Chair/Chavers called a recess at 6:50 p.m. upon the request of the AQMD to vacate the premises. The meeting was reconvened at 7:07 p.m. at the City Hall Conference Room. OLD BUSINESS: Uniform Analysis AA/Aberra reported that, pursuant to the Standard for Commission's direction, at the August 13, 1992 Crossing Guard meeting, requesting staff to research the Service feasibility of developing a uniform warrant analysis standard for crossing guard services, staff has obtained the services of Austin -Foust Associates, Inc., traffic engineer consultant, to study and bring back the findings before the Commission. The report by Austin -Foust Associates, Inc. is attached to the staff report. Staff has also invited the Walnut Valley and Pomona Unified School Districts, pursuant to the City Council's direction of September 1, 1992, to attend this meeting. It is recommended that the Commission review and discuss the report submitted by Austin - Foust Associates, Inc. and solicit comments from both School Districts. September 10, 1992 Page 4 Chair/Chavers explained to Joanne Leon, representative from the Pomona Unified School District (PUSD), and Clyde Evans, representative from the Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD), that the City has had a number of needed school crossing guards. The public has indicated that they need crossing guard services regardless of whether or not the CalTrans warrant standards are met. The Commission requested staff to have the traffic consultant give some input as to more conservative school crossing guidelines. He welcomed the School District's representatives to also -give input with regard to the use and application of crossing guards, and how they are warranted. Clyde Evans stated that he has not had an opportunity to talk with any of the school principals as of yet. He asked that this discussion be deferred to the next meeting. C/Ury noted that it was also recommended that any new, unwarranted crossing guards could be allowed, as long as the school districts provided the funds for them. Joanne Leon passed around a copy of a section from the California Education Code pertaining to responsibility for crossing guards. She stated that, upon contacting the principals at the schools, the following comments were made: the principal at Diamond Point has indicated that a crossing guard and a light at Golden Springs and Sunset Crossing is sufficient; the principal at Lorbeer Junior High School would like a crossing. guard for the corner of Diamond Har Blvd. and Golden Springs; the principal at Armstrong Elementary stated that a signal is needed at Prospectors and Golders Springs Blvd., or Prado and Golden Springs Blvd., and that neither location is safe enough for a crossing guard, that no child can cross Golden Springs Blvd. because there is no crosswalk, and a stop sign is needed at Sunset Crossing at Prospect; and the principal at Golden Springs Elementary stated that though he has a crossing guard at Meadow Falls and Golden Springs, and El Encino and Prospect Valley, but he would like another one because 95% of the students are carpooled. Joanne Leon indicated that the cities usually take the responsibility for crossing guards because of traffic.and traffic congestion. She then noted that there had been some question as to whether or not the counts were taken at the appropriate times. C/Beke, in reference to the California Education Code section, pointed out that the City does have standards in place, so that portion is not applicable. The code section goes on to state that if the standards are not met, then there is no obligation for the County or City to pay. He stated that, besides receiving input from the School Districts, the Commission needs to address the issue of establishing the criteria to be used for crossing guards, as well as the issue of the nine existing crossings. The schools will be given the opportunity to submit a list of locations that they feel need crossing guards. AE/Liu stated that staff will provide the Commission, at the next meeting, with a list of the existing nine locations with crossing guards, as well as information of the pedestrian traffic counts. Clyde Evans, in response to Chair/Chavers, explained that when the principal gets pressure from the parents for a crossing guard, the School District sends a letter to the authorized agency requesting a crossing guard study. The Commission may want to write a letter back to the -district stating that under our guidelines it does not warrant a crossing guard. The school districts hands are tied because it is the City's responsibility to provide traffic control. C/Ury stated that the Commission is looking into lowering the criteria, and needs to determine how far to do so and remain realistic about it. September 10, 1992 Page 5 Chair/Chavers stated that the recount verified the initial results, and we know, undoubtedly, that the count was taken during the appropriate student times, He pointed out that if the City continues to use CalTrans criteria, many of the schools would lose their crossing guards, when the annual counting program is done, because it will not meet CalTrans warrants. He inquired what criteria the school district uses in determining the need for a crossing guard. Clyde Evan stated that the County of Los Angeles Department of Education put in the existing crossing guards and funded them. The counting criteria used is different than CalTrans. C/Beke, in reference to the California Education Code section, pointed out that the City does have standards in place, so that portion is not applicable. The code section goes on to state that if the standards are not met, then there is no obligation for the County or City to pay. He stated that, besides receiving input from the School Districts, the Commission needs to address the issue of establishing the criteria to be used for crossing guards, as well as the issue of the nine existing crossings. The schools will be given the opportunity to submit a list of locations that they feel need crossing guards. AE/Liu stated that staff will provide the Commission, at the next meeting, with a list of the existing nine locations with crossing guards, as well as information of the pedestrian traffic counts. Clyde Evans, in response to Chair/Chavers, explained that when the principal gets pressure from the parents for a crossing guard, the School District sends a letter to the authorized agency requesting a crossing guard study. The Commission may want to write a letter back to the -district stating that under our guidelines it does not warrant a crossing guard. The school districts hands are tied because it is the City's responsibility to provide traffic control. C/Ury stated that the Commission is looking into lowering the criteria, and needs to determine how far to do so and remain realistic about it. September 10, 1992 Page 6 Chair/Chavers requested staff to provide the Commission with the pedestrian counts of the existing locations with crossing guards, as well as provide the previously met warrants, if that information is available. Motion was made by Chair/Chavers, seconded by C/Ury and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to table the item to next month to allow staff and the school districts 'an opportunity to work together, collect data, and share information so that they can bring back a recommendation in regards to crossing guard warrant criteria, maintenance of the existing guards, and the potential of new crossing guards as the schools see them. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury, Beke, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None. ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None. Diamond Bar AE/Liu reported that the Commission approved red Blvd,/Fountain curbing the northerly curb of Fountain Springs Road Springs between Diamond Bar Blvd. and Rising Star Dr. for approximately 50 feet, and the installation of a "One Way" sign in the median island on Diamond Bar Blvd. as response to a possible visibility restriction. The Commission also requested staff to develop a "Right Turn Only" lane from,,,the southbound Diamond Bar Blvd. to Fountain Spings Rd., and the relocation of the limit line currently on Fountain Springs Road. It is recommended that the Commission review the conceptual signing and striping plan, as presented in the staff report, from southbound Diamond Bar Blvd. to Fountain Springs Road, and to direct staff as necessary. Ken Anderson requested that the August 13, 1992 minutes be amended to indicate that the original request was for 50 feet of red curbing "on the Southside". He stated that the southbound Diamond Bar Blvd. bike lane and the "Right Turn Only" lane do not coexist very well, and that he is not anxious to have more traffic adjacent to his property. C/Beke pointed out that this design will not change the through traffic patterns at all. It will become an area of joint use. C/Ury stated that he does not like the raised curb in that particular area. September 10, 1998 Page 7 C/Beke suggested striping the bike lane in a definitive manner, to bring the stop bar out four or five feet, and the median can be painted instead of raised. The "Right Turn only" lane shouldn't be a problem. it could be designed the same as the one at Diamopnd Bar Blvd. southbound at Golden Springs. AE/Liu, in response to C/Beke, stated that the only thing that has been done is the red curbing on the northside of Fountain Springs. Staff still needs direction for the loading and unloading on the southside of Fountain Springs. The owner of the business complex, Dr. Cho, will be notified of the Commission's final recommendation. C/Ury requested staff to bring back the sketch, that shows the limits of the striping, as a Consent item. Chair/Chavers clarified the direction to staff: the bike lane would end on southbound Diamond Bar Blvd., and the bicycles and right turn only would share that facility; there is to be a painted median on Fountain Springs Road, with the nose of that painted median and an associated stop bar, out five feet past the flow line; and then we would continue the bike lane, as it is today, at the ECR of Fountain Springs Road into southbound Diamond Bar. Staff is to bring back a recommendation for the southside of Fountain Springs. Motion was made by Chair/Chavers, and seconded by C/Beke to direct staff to take the information that has been supplied, and come back with a sketch showing the limits for the curb painting and the striping for approval as a Consent item at the next meeting. AE/Liu, in response to VC/Gravdahl, explained that the location of the red curbing, on the northside, has been determined to start from the ECR, on Fountain Springs, going 50 feet westerly, just short of the fire hydrant. Ken Anderson stated that having the red curbing stop short of the fire hydrant adds is confusing. ' Chair/Chavers directed staff to also bring back a recommendation to possibly extending that red curb on the northside, along with the recommendation for the southside. September 10, 1992 Page S The Commission voted on Chair/Chavers Motion. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury, Beke, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES.* COMMISSIONERS: None. ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None. The Motion CARRIED. "No Parking" Motionwasmade by C/Ury, seconded by C/Beke and sign on CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to continue the matter as Fallowfield Dr. recommended by staff. & Pasco Court C/Ury suggested that items, recommended by staff to be continued, should be placed on the Consent Calendar. NEW BUSINESS: Stop sign on AA/Aberra presented the staff report regarding the Prospectors Rd. request made by the residents of Fall Creek at Fall Creek Condominium complex to install stop signs on Condominium Prospectors Road at the condominium complex entrance. It is recommended that the Commission deny the request because it was determined that the priority of traffic flow shall be given for those travelling on Prospectors Road since it is a major collector. It is further recommended that the Commission approve the installation of the side road sign (W -7A) on Prospectors Road in advanee of the condominium entrance driveway. C/Beke questioned the appropriateness of that particular sign for this particular location. Linda Thorn, residing at 338 Prospectors Road #71, inquired why a stop sign cannot be installed. The visibility is restricted, exiting the complex, because of the blind curve. Chair/Chavers explained that there must be a minimum amount of vehicles on Prospectors, and a minimum amount of vehicles entering and exiting the driveway, within an hour, in order to warrant a stop sign. The Commission will discuss possible solutions to the visibility restrictions. C/Beke suggested that the item be continued to next month to look at the possibility of channelizing the traffic away from the driveway, as was done for Cimmarron Oaks on Golden Springs Drive. Sgt. Rawlings informed the Commission that Diamond Bar recently purchased a "Parrot", a radar speed trailer. ITEMS FROM AE/Liu, in response to Chair/Chavers, stated that COMMISSIONERS: staff has not received any response, from the residents, in regards to the rumble strips placed in the Summitridge area. C/Beke stated his concern that there has not been anything done to those intersections that have met the warrants for signalization. The Commission had recommended that at least one signal be funded under the Capital Improvement Program. Chair/Chavers requested staff to add this as a Future Agenda Item for October 8, 1992, to include the priority list, restating the warrant list. C/Ury requested that the list also include those intersections that were investigated, even if they are not on the list. ITEMS FROM Sgt. Rawlings informed the Commission that, for the STAFF: first time in over a year, there was a traffic fatality, last month, eastbound on Golden Springs at Gateway Center Drive. 11 September 10, 1992 Page 9 C/Ury, concerned with safety, suggested that the item not be deferred, but that the Commission take action, and make the recommendation. The signs will probably be part of the solution, ultimately. Linda Thorn, in response to Chair/Chavers, indicated that she is not aware of any accidents, but there has been a lot of near misses. Motion was made by C/Beke, seconded VC/Gravdahl and CARRIED to accept staff's recommendation to deny the request to install stop signs and the W -7A signs, and to direct staff to look at other signing or channelization solutions to the problem. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Beke, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Ury. ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None. Sgt. Rawlings informed the Commission that Diamond Bar recently purchased a "Parrot", a radar speed trailer. ITEMS FROM AE/Liu, in response to Chair/Chavers, stated that COMMISSIONERS: staff has not received any response, from the residents, in regards to the rumble strips placed in the Summitridge area. C/Beke stated his concern that there has not been anything done to those intersections that have met the warrants for signalization. The Commission had recommended that at least one signal be funded under the Capital Improvement Program. Chair/Chavers requested staff to add this as a Future Agenda Item for October 8, 1992, to include the priority list, restating the warrant list. C/Ury requested that the list also include those intersections that were investigated, even if they are not on the list. ITEMS FROM Sgt. Rawlings informed the Commission that, for the STAFF: first time in over a year, there was a traffic fatality, last month, eastbound on Golden Springs at Gateway Center Drive. 11 September 10, 1992 Page 10 i ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made by C/Beke, seconded by VC/Gravdahl, and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to adjourn the meeting at 8050 p.m. Attesto o Chaver Chairman Respectively, David G. Liu Secretary