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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/30/1995CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MARCH 30, 1995 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Ortiz called the meeting to order at 7:02 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 Chavers. ROLL CALL Commissioners: Chairman Ortiz, Vice Chairman Istik, Commissioners Chavers, Gravdahl, Leonard Staff: Senior Engineer, David Liu; Consultant Engineer, Michael. Myers; Administrative Assistant, Tseday Aberra; Sergeant Rawlings; and Recording Secretary, Carol Dennis I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Meeting of February 9, 1995. A motion was made by C/Gravdahl and seconded by Chair/Ortiz to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was approved 3-2 with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Gravdahl, Chair/Ortiz, VC/Istik NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Chavers, Leonard ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None II. COMMISSION COMMENTS - None III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: - None March 30, 1995 Page 2 T&T Commission V. OLD BUSINESS: A. Prohibition of parking on Golden Springs Drive between Diamond Bar Boulevard and Sylvan Glen Road. SE/Liu reported that this item was presented as an informational item at the February 9, 1995 Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting and CE/Myers would now be making the formal presentation. CE/Myers reported that at the February 9, 1995 Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting a preliminary design report was presented. The Commission and the City Council had previously considered upgrading and improving the bicycle lane on Golden Springs Drive from a Class III bicycle route to a Class II bicycle lane. This project proposes the phasing of a bicycle lane on Golden Springs Drive from Diamond Bar Boulevard to Temple Avenue, with the f irst phase from Diamond Bar Boulevard to Sylvan Glen Road and the second phase from Sylvan Glen Road to Temple Avenue, which would then complete the bike lane from Brea Canyon Road northerly to the northern City limits. The phase I portion of the project would restrict parking on both sides of Golden Springs Drive from Diamond Bar Boulevard to Sylvan Glen Road. Parking restrictions currently exist on both sides of Golden springs Drive between Diamond Bar Boulevard and E1 Encino Drive; on the east side this prohibition continues to 300 feet north of Ballena Drive; on the west side between 300 feet southerly to 300 feet northerly of Carpio Drive and on the west side between 300 feet southerly of Sylvan Glen to 300 feet northerly of Sunset Crossing Road. In order to implement the continuous bibycle lane it is necessary to prohibit stopping any time in those areas where parking is now permitted. This includes the west side of Golden Springs Drive from El Encino Drive, northerly to 300 feet south of Carpio Drive continuing on the west side 300 feet north of Carpio Drive to 300 feet south of Sylvan Glen Road and continuing on the west side 300 feet north of Sunset Crossing Road. On the east side of Golden Springs Drive, parking is permitted from 300 feet north of Ballena Drive to Temple Avenue. CE/Myers continued that the matter before the Commission concerns the issue of prohibition of parking in these areas. He stated that on two occasions he has met with March 30, 1995 Page 3 T&T Commission the principal of Golden Springs school because the school was judged to be the most critical area of concern where parking now exists and where parking would be removed. This project does not envision acquisition of right-of- way or widening of the roadway from the current 64 feet. The project does include four travel lanes (two in each direction of 11 feet each), turn lanes (10 feet of roadway) at intersections, and the proposed five feet of bicycle lane on each side of Golden Springs Drive. There is no room within the designated 64 feet for street parking at intersections. However, there would be a less than desirable opportunity for a 12 foot parking and bicycle lane combination on one side only of Golden Springs Drive. In this instance, travel lanes would be reduced to 10 1/2 feet. CE/Myers stated that the remaining $28,000 funding for this project was acquired in 1990 and is scheduled to be withdrawn by MTA in June, 1995. When the Commission has considered this matter and determined that the project should move forward, the item will be scheduled for City Council. SE/Liu reported that the City of Diamond Bar was granted $98,000 through the Transportation Development Act (TDA) SB 821 regional funds in fiscal year 1991/1992. At that time the staff from Public Works identified the following four arterials for Diamond Bar: 1) Diamond Bar Boulevard; 2) Golden Springs Drive; 3) Brea Canyon Road; and 4) Grand Avenue. SB 821 monies are to be used for various bicycle or pedestrian facilities. The utilization of these funds carry very stringent requirements. Additionally, approximately $22,000 was apportioned to the City of Diamond Bar for fiscal year 1994/1995 which will be incorporated as part of the Golden Springs Drive upgrade project. VC/Istik asked if the curb to curb width is consistent for the entire length of the proposed project. CE/Myers responded that it is. Responding to C/Leonard, CE/Myers indicated that the principal of Golden Springs school acknowledges that parents utilize Golden Springs Drive for drop off and pick up of their children in the morning and afternoon hours and there has been a problem with parking at the school for several years. The school has issued several March 30, 1995 Page 4 T&T Commission memorandums encouraging parents to utilize El Encino Drive. Recently, the school district constructed a pedestrian access through the parameter fencing on the northwesterly corner of E1 Encino Drive. CE/Myers further stated that while he was at the school, the principal asked several parents if they would like to have a crossing guard on the back side of the school at Palomino Drive and the parents indicated they were enthusiastically in favor. C/Chavers asked that the resolution be corrected as follows: The resolution states parking is restricted on Golden Springs Drive. In fact, there are houses on a cul-de-sac off of Ballena Drive and a frontage road connecting Platina Drive and El Encino Drive. Therefore, the resolution should read that the restriction of parking is only on the 64 foot width and not on the frontage roads. He further stated that if the bicycle lanes narrow the car lanes, it could be beneficial since smaller lanes tend to slow traffic. In addition, there are no land uses along Golden Springs Drive that rely on street parking. He suggested that staff consider this presentation as part of improving and upgrading Golden Springs Drive and part of this improvement could consist of an eight foot wide landscaped median between San Leandro Drive and Ballena Drive. He stated he is in favor of adopting staff's recommendations with the above suggestions included. C/Gravdahl stated that for this project to go into effect, the Sylvan Glen Condominium complex street parking which has been in effect since 1976 will be eliminated. He indicated he would like to have the Commission ask the condo owners for their input. Responding to C/Gravdahl, CE/Myers stated that this meeting was noticed strictly as a Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting. The Golden Springs school principal was notified, however, surrounding homeowners were not. He further responded that Temple Avenue is not designated as a bike route by Pomona and the Diamond Bar General Plan does not provide any expansion of bike routes along Temple Avenue. SE/Liu responded to C/Gravdahl that the San Gabriel Valley Bikeway Master Plan includes ridership data which could be provided to the Commission. 1 1 March 30, 1995 Page 5 T&T Commission CE/Myers agreed with C/Gravdahl that the City's Master Bikeway Plan should include provision for looping around the City and joining with regional bikeways. Chair/Ortiz stated he is concerned with the influx of bicycle riders to the area and the fact that there has been no notification to residents. He indicated he is also concerned with the lighting conditions and safety issues. Responding to Chair/Ortiz, Sgt. Rawlings stated that the two year history of Golden Springs Drive and Ballena Drive has produced four collisions, none of which involved parked vehicles or bicycle traffic. CE/Myers responded to Chair/Ortiz that there is street lighting on Golden Springs Drive and in his judgement it may not meet the current standards for illuminating a secondary roadway. He stated that upon approval of staff's recommendations to proceed with the project the matter will be referred to City Council and staff will comply with any additional requirements regarding noticing prior to that time. Responding to Chair/Ortiz, Sgt. Rawlings stated there has only been one non -injury pedestrian/vehicle collision in the east crosswalk at the Golden Springs school location. C/Chavers motioned, seconded by VC/Istik, to accept staff's recommendation to move the issue to the City Council with the additional suggestions that some form of notification be provided to the frontage road homeowners and to the school and surrounding neighborhoods to be determined by staff, and that the resolution should indicate that parking removal does not affect the frontage roads, and that staff carry forward the recommendation that this is the first phase in the upgrading of Golden Springs Drive. The motion was approved 4-1 with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Chavers, VC/Istik, Leonard, Chair/Ortiz Gravdahl None None March 30, 1995 Page 6 T&T Commission VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Reorganization of the Traffic and Transportation Commission. SE/Liu stated that according to the City Ordinance, the Traffic and Transportation Commission is to elect a Chairperson and Vice -Chairperson at its first regular meeting in March and the newly elected officers are to serve for a term of one year or until March, 1996. Staff recommends that the Commission consider selection of a Chairperson and Vice -Chairperson to serve until March, 1996. Chair/Ortiz declared the nominations open for Chairperson. C/Gravdahl nominated Commissioner Istik. C/Chavers seconded the nomination. The nomination was approved unanimously with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Gravdahl, Chavers, Leonard, VC/Istik, Chair/Ortiz NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None Chair/Ortiz declared Commissioner Istik as the newly elected Chairperson and turned the meeting over to Chair/Istik. Chair/Istik declared the nominations open for Vice - Chairperson. Chair/Ortiz nominated Commissioner Leonard. C/Gravdahl seconded the motion. The nomination was approved unanimously with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ortiz, Gravdahl, Chavers, Leonard, Chair/Istik NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None March 30, 1995 Page 7 T&T Commission VII. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEM: SE/Liu stated that the Grand Avenue street rehabilitation and synchronization project was approved by the City Council on March 21, 1995. The bid opening is scheduled for April 20 and, tentatively, the award of contract will be May 2 with the notice to proceed to the contractor on May 15. The project is scheduled to be completed by September 15, 1995, and in order to minimize traffic impact, the overlay portion of the construction will take place while school is in summer recess. VIII.ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS: C/Chavers thanked Commissioner Ortiz for his service to the Traffic and Transportation Commission. C/Gravdahl stated that his vote on the bikeway project might have been different if there had been notice to the homeowners and if the entire project had been one phase rather than two phases. Chair/Istik stated that he agreed with C/Gravdahl that this approach would have been better. IX. ITEMS FROM STAFF SE/Liu stated that the two agenda items for April 13 are: The first of two public workshops regarding the Neighborhood Traffic Management Study to be held at Heritage Park Community Center at 7:00 p.m.; and the results of the left turn signal warrant studies conducted at three intersections. Responding to C/Chavers, SE/Liu stated the April 13 meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. for regular Traffic and Transportation meeting followed by the public workshop at 7:00 p.m. X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: SE/Liu referred the Commission to the City Council Appointments memorandum. C/Ortiz and VC/Leonard stated they would attend the April 22, 1995 League of Cities workshop. March 30, 1995 Page 8 T&T Commission BI. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Istik declared the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respect ful1 , D G. Liu Secretary Att t: - / T /, �,, Ja Istik cifairman