Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/9/1993CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 9, 1993 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Chavers called the meeting to order at 6:35 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 Commissioner ALLEGIANCE: Cheng. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Ury, Beke, Cheng, Vice Chairman Gravdahl, and Chairman Chavers. Also present were Senior Engineer David Liu, Administrative Analyst Tseday Aberra, and Contract Recording Secretary Liz Myers. MINUTES: VC/Gravdahl and C/Cheng stated that they will be abstaining from voting upon the Minutes of August 12, 1993 because they were Aug. 12, 1993 absent at that subject meeting. C/Beke requested that the Minutes be amended on page 2, second paragraph to add, "...should be held to discuss possible removal of'. ' Motion was made by C/Ury, seconded by C/Beke and CARRIED to approve the Minutes of August 12, 1993, as amended. C/Cheng and VC/Gravdahl abstained. COMMISSION C/Ury, noting an article in the August 25, 1993 Tribune, stated that COMMENTS: the Los Angeles County is contributing $280,000 to help pay for a traffic signal synchronization project along Grand Ave. VC/Gravdahl noted that the red light on the traffic signal on northbound Diamond Bar Blvd. at K -Mart (on the right hand side) is not working. The red light on the traffic signal on Ballena Dr. and Golden Springs Dr. is also not working. VC/Gravdahl then reported that the City of Industry has sent out a Notice of Preparation on an EIR for the Material Recovery Facility. At their meeting of September 1, 1993, it was implied that the trucks traveling eastbound off of the 60 freeway would come from Golden Springs Dr. and loop back on to Brea Canyon Road. Also, it was intimated that trash may also be received from Western Waste in Riverside County, traveling on Grand Avenue. C/Beke, referring to an article in the Windmill regarding the safety of crosswalks, stated that a study conducted by other cities concluded that painted crosswalks are generally the scene of more accidents per pedestrian crossing than unpainted crosswalks because it creates a false sense of security. C/Beke then noted that the 60 freeway ramps eastbound to Golden Springs Dr. appear to be September 9, 1993 Page 2 running on recall, as is the signal timing at Golden Springs Dr. and Brea Canyon Rd. The situation seems to be deteriorating rather than improving. SE/Liu stated that staff is currently investigating the situation. C/Cheng stated that the left -turn arrow on southbound Diamond Bar Blvd. (before Gentle Springs Ln.) to go east on the 60 freeway is not aligned with the proper lane. P U B L I C Ken Anderson, residing at 2626 Rising Star, regarding the issue of COMMENT'S: parking enforcement on Fountain Springs Rd. and the accident history on Fountain Springs Rd. and Diamond Bar Blvd., stated that the Sheriff Department and the City has indicated that there is no way to record a non injury accident if the parties involved don't report it. He informed the Commission that he observed a rear end collision on August 2, 1993 at the intersection of Fountain Springs Rd. and northbound Diamond Bar Boulevard. i SE/Liu reported that a traffic signal at Fountain Springs Rd. and Diamond Bar Blvd. is currently under design. OLD BUSINESS: Feasibility of SE/Liu presented the staff report regarding the inquiry made by a left -turn C/Cheng of the feasibility of including a left -turn signal phase on signal phase northbound Diamond Bar Blvd. at Pathfinder Road. Staff has on northbound included information pertaining to CalTrans' guidelines for left -turn DB Blvd. at phases and available data for the Pathfinder Road/Diamond Bar Pathfinder Rd. Boulevard intersection in the staff report. At this time, only through - movement traffic volume counts are available for said intersection. It is recommended that the Traffic and Transportation Commission direct staff as necessary. C/Cheng explained that she has received many complaints that northbound Diamond Bar Blvd. at Pathfinder Rd. needs a left turn signal phase, particularly in the morning peak hours because of the heavy traffic. Chair/Chavers stated that there is probably a need to put a hose (counter) across both approaches to verify the peak hours for the left turn and south bound through movement to determine if there is a need for either exclusive phasing or the protected -permissive on Diamond Bar Boulevard at Pathfinder Road. At this point, there is not sufficient data to give the appropriate direction. C/Cheng noted that the situation may improve after the installation 11 September 9, 1993 Reorganization of TTC members NEW BUSINESS: Page 3 of the traffic signals on Diamond Bar Blvd. at Shadow Canyon Dr. and Fountain Springs Rd. Motion was made by Chair/Chavers, seconded by C/Ury and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to direct staff to collect the appropriate traffic volume to determine the traffic volume warrant status at the subject location, to be brought back to the Commission as soon as it is collected. AA/Aberra stated Commission as tc Chairman position. that staff would request direction from the the reorganization of the Chairman and Vice C/Beke suggested that it may be more appropriate if the Commission postponed reorganization of the Commission following the November, 1993 City Council election. Motion was made by C/Ury and seconded by C/Beke to table the matter until the November Traffic and Transportation meeting. ROLL CALL: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: The Motion CARRIED 5-0. Beke, Ury, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. None. None. None. Request AA/Aberra presented the staff report regarding the request received not to remove "2 -Hr. from Rinehart Management Company, which manages the 30 -unit Parking" restriction office building located on 21308 Pathfinder Road, to reconsider the signs: Pathfinder elimination of the current "2 -Hour Parking, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m." Road between SR signs when the Pathfinder Road Bridge Widening Project is 57 off -ramp & completed. The Rinehart Management Company feels the Brea Canyon Rd elimination of the parking spaces on Pathfinder Road will in some way cause hardship to the businesses. It is recommended that the Commission deny the request for "2 -Hour Parking, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m." signs to remain as currently posted and recommend to the City Council the installation of "No Stopping Anytime" signs on the south side of Pathfinder Road, between SR 57 off -ramp and Brea Canyon Road. September 99 1993 Page 4 C/Beke noted that the striping plan furnished by the County does not indicate if there will be parking or no parking. Since diagonal parking would not be permitted, the present 12 spaces would convert to 6 or 7 spaces for parallel parking, if parking is allowed. Since the striping plans proposed neither preclude nor provide for parallel parking, why not allow parking. I Chair/Chavers opened the meeting for public testimony. Patricia Hernandez, a State Farm Insurance agent and a tenant in the subject building, correcting the staff report, stated that there are 36 units in the building with 108 employees in the building. There are approximately 35 parking spaces for the building. If a few parking spaces could be maintained, it would help the situation. Carol Rinehart, owner of Canyon View Offices and Rinehart Management Company, requested that the Commission consider allowing some parallel parking spaces in front of the building. Vacancies have increased in the last few years because of the recession. The elimination of parking in front of the building will create difficulty for the small businesses. Terry Rinehart, owner of Canyon View Offices and Rinehart Management Company, stated that ICE/Wentz, after viewing the area in February of 1993, had indicated that there probably would not be a problem with maintaining some parallel parking in front of the building. At this point, there is already a shortage of parking for the building and in the area. It is very important for the tenants facing Pathfinder Rd. to have parking for their customers and employees. SE/Liu, in response to C/Beke's inquiry, explained that staff, working with Warren Siecke, the Traffic consultant, felt that there was a concern for safety and that the subject arterial should have a minimum sight distance of 400 feet from the midpoint of the first driveway. C/Beke stated that visibility for motorists in a car parked in one of the parallel spaces appears to be unlimited. Chair/Chavers concurred with C/Beke that there does not appear to be any sight distance problem looking from a parallel parked car to the west across the bridge and west of Pathfinder Rd. The only possible conflict might be visibility of those motorists coming to the off ramp and turning right on green. SE/Liu stated that staff is comparing existing conditions to the proposed roadway after the bridge widens. The eastbound traffic 1 �l C September 9, 1993 Page 5 will be about 30 feet closer to the south curb than before, creating a potential problem at a later date. Chair/Chavers pointed out the importance of making sure that traffic on Pathfinder Rd. flows freely. There's a need to maintain a clear zone of about 40 feet on the south side of Pathfinder Road east of the SR 57 off -ramp. During the middle of the day traffic would probably not be a problem, but not after 4:00 p.m. because of the increase in traffic. Furthermore, the striping plan should indicate a right -turn lane on eastbound Pathfinder Rd. at Brea Canyon Road, striping it very similar to the right -turn lane on the other side of Pathfinder Rd. as it enters the freeway on ramp, making it a right tum or an emergency bay. He suggested that parking be permitted, as indicated, with a 2 -hour limit between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. C/Ury concurred. VC/Gravdahl suggested that staff be directed to investigate the situation and determine how many spaces would be allowed in the subject area, restricting parking to 2 hours between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., taking into consideration the sight clearance getting off the freeway, and into the first driveway. SE/Liu stated that CalTrans would require that there be no parking activity 20 feet from the end of that curb return. Additionally, a minimum of 30 -foot "No Parking" zone should be created from that first driveway. Chair/Chavers suggested that staff develop a plan for 5 parallel spaces, leaving a 40 -foot clear zone at the west end. Motion was made by C/Ury and seconded by C/Beke to direct staff to develop a plan with 5 parallel spaces, permitting parking for 2 hours only between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., monitoring the situation, and to include the eastbound right -turn pocket for Pathfinder Rd. to go south on to Brea Canyon Road. ROLL CALL: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: The Motion CARRIED 5-0. Beke, Ury, Cheng, VC/Gravdahl, and Chair/Chavers. None. None. None. September 9, 1993 Page 6 ITEMS FROM C/Ury and VC/Gravdahl indicated that they would like to attend the COMMISSIONERS: Workshop by City Traffic Engineers Association, scheduled for October 30, 1993. ITEMS FROM SE/Liu reported that the City has installed one of the City's Entrance STAFF: Signs on Diamond Bar Boulevard south of Temple Avenue. Four more signs will be installed, one at Diamond Bar Blvd. north of Brea Canyon Road, one at Grand Avenue west of Long View Drive, another at Grand Avenue east of the 57 freeway, and one at Golden Springs Drive near the westerly City limit. SE/Liu confirmed that the landscape work along the northerly side of Grand Ave. between the Country entrance and Rolling Knoll Road is part of the guard rail project, which had been delayed due to the relocation of the irrigation line. The guard rail will be constructed starting from where the sidewalk ends near Rolling Knoll Road and go easterly about 2,000 feet towards Summit Ridge Drive. The City is currently contemplating concrete bollards for that portion of the sidewalk that will not have guard rails. INFORMATIONAL SE/Liu, in response to C/Beke, confirmed that Area 5 is scheduled ITEMS: to be slurry sealed during the FY 9495., C/Beke informed staff that the vacant property located'` on the easterly side of Brea Canyon Road south of Golden Springs Drive is still being poorly maintained. ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made by VC/Gravdahl, seconded by C/Beke and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to adjoutn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Respectively, David G. Liu Secretary Attest: i /J. 'fodd Chavers Chairman L