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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/13/19941 1 1 CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION OCTOBER 13, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Ortiz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Hearing Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Gravdahl. ROLL CALL Commissioners: Esposito, Chavers, Gravdahl, VC/Istik and Chairman Ortiz. Staff: Senior Engineer, David Liu; Consultant Engineer, Mike Myers; Administrative Assistant, Tseday Aberra; Sergeant Rawlings, and Engineering Secretary, Linda Smith. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Meeting of August 11, 1994. VC/Istik abstained from voting since he was absent from the August 11, 1994 Commission meeting. Motion was made by C/Chavers and seconded by C/Gravdahl to accept the Minutes as presented. The Motion was passed with the following ROLL CALL vote: AYES: Chair/Ortiz C/Chavers, C/Gravdahl, C/Esposito. NOES: None ABSTAIN: VC/Istik ABSENT: None II. COMMISSION COMMENTS VC/Istik asked if the City maintains a log when people call in with a request for stop sign or other traffic related questions and concerns. SE/Liu responded that the City does maintain a list of all complaints, concerns and requests and has the records on file at City Hall VC/Istik then asked SE/Liu if the records are forwarded to the Traffic Engineer. October 13, 1994 Page 2 T&T Commission SE/Liu responded that the City looks at the requests on -- a case-by-case basis and if the request requires studies or warrants then the request is referred to the Traffic Consultant. However, if it requires a routine investigation, the City handles the items administratively. If the items require outside consultant assistance, they .will come back before the Traffic and Transportation Commission. VC/Istik voiced his concern regarding the speed limits on some of the residential streets. VC/Istik further stated that he feels that the prima facie 25 miles per hour might be more appropriate for a residential street which is double loaded with driveways every 50 feet on either side of the street. He requested that the Commission place a new business item on the agenda for discussion of this item at the next meeting. In response to Chair/Ortiz's question regarding enforcement with regard to speed, Sgt. Rawlings responded that the reason this item came up at the last meeting was because the.Sheriff's Department made contact with the City and requested that at least two of the streets be _.. surveyed. California Vehicle Code Section 40802 states that if a residential street is more than one-half mile in length without a stop sign, or more than 40 feet wide, it is a speed trap if radar is used for traffic enforcement and, therefore, radar cannot be used on these streets. However, he continued, if a speed survey is done, it enables law enforcement to use radar on these streets and that is the reason the speed survey was requested on those residential streets. The survey will assume the 85 percentile rule. That is, at whatever speed 85 percent of the people drive, that speed will be assumed to be the safe speed. It was the consensus of the Commission that this item be placed on the agenda for the next meeting under New Business. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS Craig Clute, 21217 Fountain Springs Road stated that he is present at the Commission meeting on behalf of the people of Fountain Springs Road. With regard to request for citations on Fountain Springs Road from the Sheriff's Department, he thanked Sgt. Rawlings for his quick and thorough response. In addition, he stated that he has had no response to his request to the City for cost and traffic study results with respect to the light at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Fountain Springs Road. He further indicated that he has not received a response to D 1 October 13, 1994 Page 3 T&T Commission his request for a traffic study from the Traffic and Transportation Commission. Mr. Clute indicated that he had a request for closure of the entrance to the Country Hills Town Center which has been denied and passed on to the Planning Department. He cited the General Plan verbiage "Maintain the integrity of residential neighborhoods by discouraging through traffic and preventing the creation of new major roadway connections through existing residential neighborhoods" as applicable to the situation under study on Fountain Springs Road. He further indicated that the one year speed study provided by Sgt. Rawlings is inadequate. Mr. Clute stated that he did not understand the reason for the City denying the three-way stop at Sunbright Drive and Fountain Springs Road and the four-way stop control at Castlerock Road. He does not believe that law enforcement will solve the problem. in response to C/Gravdahl, Mr. Clute stated that there were supermarket trucks still using the street. C/Chavers stated that what this points out is a seemingly inability on the part of the City to do what he terms an "adequate" traffic study. The Commission has had these same issues presented with respect to other areas of the City. He further stated that he believes a comprehensive study of the area bounded by Pathfinder Road, Brea Canyon Road, and Diamond Bar Boulevard needs to be conducted, and that such a study should look at the overall traffic patterns, not just look at one intersection at a time in order to see if something can be done on a more encompassing basis. C/Chavers requests that Consultant Traffic Engineer, Warren Siecke, conduct an all-encompassing study, compile the data, and give the Commission a picture of what is happening in order that the Commission can make recommendations regarding solutions to the situation. SE/Liu responded that staff will identify all of the issues on the table and bring them back to the Commission for discussion and determine which items need to be addressed. Dr. Lawrence Rhodes,.P.O. Box 2258, Walnut, stated that he has read the recommendations under NEW BUSINESS VI. A. and totally agrees. He further stated that he is looking for a verbal update on X. C. which was the no overnight parking on Washington Street between Brea Canyon Road and Lincoln Avenue. He indicated that he reported to Sgt. October 13, 1994 Page 4 TAT Commission -. Rawlings four cars in the past three years which were parked there over 72 hours and all four are still there. At the request of Dr. Rhodes, Chair/Ortiz moved New Business Item VI. A. "Right -Turn Lane" on southbound Brea Canyon Road at westbound SR 60 on-ramp and Information Item X.C. before the other items. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. "Right -Turn Lane" on southbound Brea Canyon Road at westbound SR 60 on-ramp. SE/Liu reported that the feasibility of installing a right turn lane on southbound Brea Canyon Road at the westbound 60 on-ramp was investigated by the City Traffic Engineering Consultant, Warren Siecke. SE/Liu referred to the sketch contained in the packet and indicated that it is feasible to install a 200 -foot long right -turn lane. He indicated that the striping configuration would provide a 13 -foot wide curb lane and two 11 -foot through lanes. In order to implement the right -turn pocket, the existing right lane stripe will need to be modified for- a distance of 300 feet from the 60 westbound on-ramp. SE/Liu further stated that concurrently, a "No Stopping Anytime" zone on the west side of Brea Canyon Road over the same 300 -foot length must also be established and while there is no data to indicate an overwhelming need to install a right -turn lane on Brea Canyon Road, observation reveals that during peak traffic periods, it would help relieve congestion. Furthermore, he stated, it would also provide a safe queuing area out of the Brea Canyon Road on those occasions when congestion develops on the on-ramp. SE/Liu stated that it is staff's recommendation that the Traffic and Transportation Commission recommend to the City Council the installation of a right -turn lane on the southbound Brea Canyon Road at the westbound 60 on-ramp and, also establish a "No Stopping Anytime" zone on the west side of Brea Canyon Road from the 60.on-ramp to a point 300 feet northerly thereof. Motion was made by VC/Intik and seconded by C/Chavers to recommend to the City Council the installation of a right turn lane on the Southbound Brea Canyon Road at the westbound 60 on-ramp and, also establish a "no stopping anytime" zone on the West side of Brea Canyon Road from the westbound 60 on-ramp to a point 300 feet Northerly. October 13, 1994 Page 5 T&T Commission The Motion was passed unanimously with the following ROLL CALL vote: AYES: Chair/Ortiz, VC/Istik, C/Chavers,' C/Gravdahl, C/Esposito NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS C. Residents requet to install "No overnight Parking" signs on Washington street between Brea Canyon Road and Lincoln Avenue. AA/Tseday Aberra reported that Dr. Rhodes came before the Commission and requested that Washington Street between Brea Canyon Road and Lincoln Avenue be observed. The request indicated that consideration be given to installing a "No overnight Parking" on Washington Street. AA/Aberra further reported that Dr. Rhodes concern is that the street is occupied by vehicles which are there more than one day and indicated that he has called the SherifffIs Department requesting that they look at the vehicles. AA/Aberra indicated that on three separate occasions Engineering -and Public Works staff have gone to the street and observed no vehicles parked on two of the visits and two vehicles parked on the third visit. Chair/Ortiz then requested the Commission to consider New Business Item VI. B. "Request by Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar to park along southbound Diamond Bar Boulevard between Cherrydale Drive and Brea Canyon Road on Sundays." VI. NEW BUSINESS B. Request by Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar to park along southbound Diamond Bar Boulevard between Cherrydale Drive and Brea Canyon Road on Sundays. Bob Huff, 1641 Fire Hollow Drive, representing Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Boulevard, commented that in the information presented by the Commission, which states that the request for parking from Cherrydale to Brea Canyon Road should be changed to Crooked Creek. He indicated that the request does not cost a lot of money since it would involve only the changing of some signs. Also, it does not impact the traffic flow, and it is an opportunity to do something for the residents of Diamond Bar. October 13, 1994 Page 6 T&T Commission Mark Hopper, Pastor of Evangelical Free Church and resident of Diamond Bar, 1125 Grubstake Drive, stated that he is disappointed to see that staff has denied the request to grant Sunday parking on Brea Canyon Road and because another Church has been granted that permission, he asked that the Church be allowed to do the same. He further stated that the Church understands the restriction of a Sunday only situation and would wish that the Commission will allow the same consideration as it has for St. Denis. C/Chavers asked staff to comment on the traffic studies for the development projects in the "Country" which indicated that a double left -turn is needed for southbound Diamond Bar Boulevard at Brea Canyon Road, and whether re -striping the intersection, narrowing the bike lane, or eliminating the bike lane, has been investigated. In addition, C/Chavers asked where would the transitions begin and end with reference to the Church driveways and with reference to Cherrydale Drive. C/Chavers inquired about the options available with respect to the remaining shopping center property expansion. Robert Huff responded that there are some unofficial parking spaces on the land to which Mr. Chavers refers. He stated that currently, approximately 75-80 vehicles are parked at that site on Sundays. There will be another phase built which places a new building in the middle of the largest green area with peripheral parking. At that time, 75 dedicated parking spaces will be developed. The plan for the next phase after that is to put peripheral parking around the entire facility. That will place the number of developed parking spaces at approximately 130. Mr. Huff stated that the Church also has an agreement with Peppertree Medical Center for parking. C/Chavers requested further study and recommendation by staff on the geometric information regarding the double left -turn on Diamond Bar Boulevard at Brea Canyon Road. A motion was made by C/Gravdahl and seconded by C/Chavers to allow the Church to temporarily cover the no parking signs on the west side of Diamond Bar Boulevard from Crooked Creek Drive to the northerly driveway of the Church on Sunday mornings (signs to remain the same the rest of the week) for a period not -to -exceed 90 days to allow staff to evaluate the geometric concerns at the intersection of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Brea Canyon Road and to also allow input from the residents on Cherrydale and Crooked Creek Drive. October 13, 1994 Page 7 T&T Commission C/Esposito asked staff if it would take staff 60 to 90 days to look into this matter. SE/Liu responded that the time frame would probably be 60 to 90 days. However, any decision or recommendation made would have to go before City Council for the final decision. SE/Liu indicated that staff has information regarding the intersection in question as part of the JCC Development, as well as, drawings submitted by Weston Pringle. However, the study has been put on hold. He further stated that staff can compile the information and bring it to the Commission for review and discussion at the next meeting. The Motion was passed unanimously with the following ROLL CALL vote: AYES: Chair/Ortiz, VC/Istik, C/Chavers, C/Gravdahl, C/Esposito NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None VC/Istik requested of SE/Liu that a copy of the staff report to the City Council be sent to the Traffic and Transportation Commission and to Mr. Huff and Pastor Hopper. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS (Continued) Oscar Law, 21511 Pathfinder Road, stated that recently the City Council sold $300,000 Proposition A funds to the City of Lancaster for 69 cents on the dollar. This is at a time when our surplus with the County is in the realm of $15,000,000 and when our annual budget is in the area of $8,500,000. If nothing changes, the City will have approximately two years of money with which to operate, assuming no incoming monies. Mr. Law stated that it is his understanding that Proposition A funds should only be used for Transportation. If this is the case, we are taping from our citizens, such as the handicapped and the senior citizen population, who do not have a way to get around the City. Mr. Law suggested that Diamond Bar look at the City of San Diego's use of Proposition A funds for taxicab subsidy and adopt a similar program. Chair/Ortiz turned the meeting over to VC/Istik and was excused at 8:20 p.m. October 13, 1994 Page 8 T&T Commission C/Chavers asked SE/Liu why City Council decided to sell Proposition A funds for general revenue. SE/Liu responded that the Proposition A money is a one- half cent sales tax which was adopted by the voters in 1989 and the money can only be used for transit related improvements. He further stated that the level of Proposition A money that the City has at this time is more than adequate. C/Chavers asked VC/Istik if the use of Proposition A funds falls within the jurisdiction of the Traffic and Transportation Commission. VC/Istik responded that it is very typical of cities to trade Proposition A funds for monies to be used for other purposes. He stated that he believes the Commission cannot take formal action on an item which is not on the agenda. C/Gravdahl requested that the matter of the use of Proposition A funds be placed on the Traffic and Transportation Commission agenda. C/Chavers asked that staff convey this request to the City Manager's office. SE/Liu responded that he will convey the message and for the next meeting, he will provide the Commission with the Proposition A and Proposition C guidelines. Mr. Law then urged approval of Item VI. C. VC/Istik requested staff report on Item VI. C. VI. NEW BUSINESS C. Four-way stop control on Brea Canyon Road at Cold Spring Lane and 25 MPH zone study on Brea Canyon Road in the vicinity of Heritage Park Community Center. SE/Liu responded that this item is related to the four- way stop control at the intersection of Brea Canyon Road and Cold Spring Lane. This intersection was analyzed for a four-way stop control based upon the criteria established by CalTrans and, at this time, it is warranted for a four-way stop control. } SE/Liu reported that the second subject matter is the 25 mph speed zone which the City Council has requested be considered at the July 19, 1994 meeting. With regard to 1 1 11 October 13, 1994 Page 9 T&T Commission the establishment of the special zone, staff does not recommend implementation of the special zone due to the ambiguity of the vehicle code provisions, the potential conflict with the existing school zone signing and the additional traffic enforcement problems. Currently, in the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22352, (b) (3) establishes a prima facie 25 mph speed limit when passing a senior center or other facility primarily used by senior citizens. This provision was added to the vehicle code relatively recently and, as a result, CalTrans has not published any guidelines for its application. The vehicle code is ambiguous in that "senior center" is not defined. Staff contacted several cities, Los Angeles County and the Auto Club to ascertain if they have established "senior" speed zones and their definition of "senior center". Staff were unable to find any agencies that have established such zones. The general opinion of the people contacted is that the intent of the legislation is to apply the 25 mph zone where large senior residential complexes are located and where there is senior citizen pedestrian activity.. Our contact with the court disclosed that the judges probably would find that a 25 mph zone is not appropriate at such a location and would dismiss citations. Heritage Park is adjacent to Castle Rock Elementary School. Because of the school, a school zone speed limit of 25 mph is in effect on Brea Canyon Road in front of Heritage Park when children are present. Posting a special zone for the Heritage Park Community Center would create conflict with existing school zone signing. It would most likely also be ignored by a majority of motorists creating additional traffic enforcement problems. Currently, there are 36 on-site parking at the Center. Two of the 36 are handicap parking spaces. Pursuant to the Council's direction of July 19, 1994, as part of the need to increase the number of parking spaces for seniors who utilize Heritage Park Community Center, the number of handicap parking spaces are proposed to be increased from two to five. With the new layout, the total number of •parking spaces will be increased from 36 to 39. Staff .has been working with California Pavement Maintenance Company (CPM) for the re -slurry and striping of Heritage Park Community Center parking lot. Just this afternoon we received a cost proposal of approximately $3,800. Regarding the final item, off-site parking, at this time, approximately twenty (20) vehicles can parallel park on Brea Canyon Road adjacent to the Center. Angle parking October 13, 1994 Page 10 T&T Commission would add approximately ten (10) more spaces on Brea Canyon Road. As we have stated previously, staff's main concern is safety and liability issues that will be related to vehicles back -out maneuvers to traffic on Brea Canyon Road. The lack of adequate visibility for the driver" during the back -out maneuver is a principal hazard. The traffic engineers and the Sheriff's Department concur on this matter. Regarding items before the Commission, staff recommends that the Commission recommend to the City Council, the installation of a four-way stop control on Brea Canyon Road at Cold Spring Lane and deny the establishment of a 25 mph special zone on Brea Canyon Road in the vicinity of Heritage Park Community Center based on results of the study. These matters will be discussed before the City Council on Tuesday, October 18. C/Chavers asked for clarification on the proposal to narrow Brea Canyon. Consultant Engineer Mike Meyers responded that the proposal has not been included in this year's proposed capital improvement program. The designation in the General Plan remains as a secondary highway with no special consideration for a different width or configuration. The proposal for a four -lane secondary highway previously presented to the Commission has been tabled and will probably not be presented again this year. C/Gravdahl asked if the area on Brea Canyon Road between Diamond Bar Boulevard and Pathfinder Road is designated as a no -truck route. Consultant Engineer Mike Meyers responded that it is not a truck route and that the City would not mark "no truck route", it would only mark "truck routes". If trucks are not conducting local business they would be in violation of the vehicle code if they use the route which is not designated. Sgt. Rawlings stated that trucks are allowed to deviate " from the truck route to go to delivery and/or pickup points. C/Gravdahl expressed concerns with trucks in the Heritage Park area and inquired as to the enforcement of a four- way stop on Brea Canyon Road. October 13, 1994 Page 11 TAT Commission Sgt. RaT,:Tlings responded that anytime a new stop sign is installed there is a transition period where there is a fair degree of violation. VC/Istik asked for consideration of a weight limit restriction on Fountain Springs Road and Cold Spring Lane. Motion was made by C/Chavers and seconded by C/Gravdahl to accept the recommendation by staff and request a neighborhood traffic study to include Brea Canyon Road as one of the components. The Motion was passed unanimously with the following ROLL CALL vote: AYES: C/Chavers, C/Gravdahl, C/Esposito, VC/Istick NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: C/Ortiz VII. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS - NONE VIII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS C/Chavers requested an agenda item for the upcoming. meeting to decide if the information provided on how the City arrived at the Botts dots on Gold Rush Drive will now be standard policy, and if so, what will be done about other installations of Botts dots in the City and what kind of policy will be implemented for further requests for those kinds of devices. IV. ITEMS FROM STAFF SE/Liu stated that the Diamond Bar Street Rehabilitation Project will commence on Monday, October 17, 1994. There are three notification signs at the intersection of Grand and Diamond Bar Boulevard and one on eastbound Pathfinder Road at Diamond Bar Boulevard and one on northbound Diamond Bar Boulevard at Brea Canyon Road. The project will last approximately 60 calendar days. Additionally, Slurry Seal project for Area 5 has just begun. X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. Staff met with DKS & Associates, consultant for Pomona Valley Traffic Signal Forum on September 22, 1994. They are still in the data collection stage and once the data is compiled they will give the City a list of suggested recommended projects. October 13, 1994 Page 12 T&T Commission VC/Istik requested a copy of the checklist the City will be forwarding to DKS & Associates which identifies the congested streets in the City and items of concern. B. AA/Aberra stated that the City began selling Transit and Metro -Link passes in June, 1994. The City offers 20% discount for the general public and for students, and 50% discount for senior citizens. The City allocated $60,750 for fiscal year 1993/1994 and $80,000 for fiscal year 1994/1995. Residents are responding favorably and there has been an increase in sales. The Metro -Link passes and the Foothill Zone 14 providing service to downtown Los Angeles seem to be the most popular. As the sales have increased, so has the amount of subsidy the City of Diamond Bar provides. The program was implemented and is being administered by AA/Aberra and ES/Smith. VC/Istik asked if the Holiday Shuttle program was requested by the Chamber of Commerce. SE/Liu responded that the Holiday Shuttle program started four years ago, and that it is a joint effort between the City and the Chamber of Commerce. XI. ADJOURNMENT The motion was made, seconded and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully, vid G. Liu Secretary Attest: ,5eZW Toii Ortiz' Chairman