HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/13/19951
CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
AND NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP #1
APRIL 13, 1995
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Istik called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. at the
Heritage Park Community Center, 2900 South Brea Canyon Road,
Diamond Bar, California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Vice -
Chairperson Leonard.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners: Chairman Istik, Vice Chair Leonard,
Commissioners Gravdahl, Ortiz
Staff: Senior Engineer, David Liu; Administrative
Assistant, Tseday Aberra; Sergeant Rawlings;
and Recording Secretary, Carol Dennis
Also Present: Bob Close and Mario Sanchez of DKS Associates
Commissioner Chavers arrived at 6:15 p.m.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Meeting of March 9, 1995.
A motion was made by C/Ortiz and seconded by VC/Leonard
to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was
approved 4-1 with the following roll call:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
II. COMMISSION COMMENTS:
COMMISSIONERS: Ortiz, VC/Leonard,
Chavers, Chair/Istik
COMMISSIONERS: None
COMMISSIONERS: Gravdahl
COMMISSIONERS: None
C/Ortiz requested that the Commission recommend that the
$325 Handicapped Parking space fine be posted throughout the
City so that offenders may be warned/fined. He also cited
the parking problems at Lorbeer Junior High School and
requested that an enforcement officer be present at the
beginning and at the end of the school sessions. He further
requested that a tally report of citations and accidents.
He further stated that he needs to be excused around 7:45
April 13, 1995 Page 2 T&T Commission
p.m.
VC/Leonard suggested that traffic lights be considered for
Diamond Bar Boulevard at Silver Hawk Drive and Diamond Bar
Boulevard at Goldrush Drive.
C/Gravdahl suggested that, in accordance with C/Ortiz's
request, all City Handicapped Parking signs should reflect
the appropriate fine for non-compliance.
C/Chavers commented that he believes that approximately 95%
of the Handicapped Parking signs are on private property,
therefore making it a private matter rather than a City
matter. He recommended that the item be referred to the
Planning Commission.
SE/Liu stated that the fine can be indicated on the Heritage
Park Handicapped Parking space signs.
III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Request by Tallywood Homeowners Association to park on
northbound Diamond Bar Boulevard, between Kiowa Crest Drive
and Morning Canyon Road.
AA/Aberra reported that on behalf of Tallywood Homeowners
Association located on Diamond Bar Boulevard at Kiowa Crest
Drive, Lordon Management Company has contacted the
Department of Public Works to request parking on northbound
Diamond Bar Boulevard, between Kiowa Crest Drive and Morning
Canyon Road, between April 17 and April 21, 1995.
It is the Department's understanding that the asphalt within
the Tallywood homes complex will be resurfaced between April
17 and April 21, 1995. Lordon Management Company has asked
the Department if vehicles could be permitted to park on
northbound Diamond Bar Boulevard, between Kiowa Crest Drive
and Morning Canyon Road during this resurfacing project.
They have requested residents be permitted to park between
the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
There are 109 condominium units in the Tallywood Homes and
Lordon Management Company anticipates that approximately 20
April 13, 1995 Page 3 T&T commission
residents will utilize Diamond Bar Boulevard during the
project. The remaining residents will be able to park
within the complex during the resurfacing project since one
half of the complex will be resurfaced at a time.
Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation
Commission approve Tallywood Homeowners Association's
request to park on northbound Diamond Bar Boulevard between
Kiowa Crest Drive and Morning Canyon Rod between April 17
and 21, 1995 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Staff recommends
that the "No Parking" signs on said street be appropriately
covered and taken down by Lordon Management Company.
Peter Fahey, Vice President Tallywood Homeowners
Association, stated that the request was for 24 hour parking
rather than 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the designated dates
only.
A motion was made by VC/Leonard and seconded by C/Ortiz to
allow the Tallywood residents 24 hour parking on northbound
Diamond Bar Boulevard between Kiowa Crest Drive and Morning
Canyon Road beginning on April 17, 1995 at 7:00 a.m. and
ending April 21, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. In addition, Lordon
Management Company will cover and uncover the "No Parking"
signs on said street for the appropriate dates. The motion
was approved unanimously with the following roll call:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Leonard, Ortiz,
Chavers, Gravdahl,
Chair/Istik
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
V. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Progress update of the Neighborhood Traffic Management
Study.
SE/Liu recommended that the Commission hold this matter for
the 7:00 p.m. workshop at which time the Commission would
receive and file the report. The Commission concurred.
B. Left -Turn Signal Phasing Warrants and Prioritization.
it
April 13, 1995 Page 4 T&T Commission
SE/Liu stated that staff has provided, for the Traffic and
Transportation Commission's review, a summary of the left -
turn signal phasing warrants and prioritization for the
intersections of Brea Canyon Road at Golden Springs Drive,
Golden Springs Drive at Diamond Bar Boulevard, and Diamond
Bar Boulevard at Mountain Laurel Way.
Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation
Commission receive and file the report.
Chair/Istik stated that he would be abstaining from this
item and turned the meeting over to VC/Leonard.
C/Chavers indicated that he has concerns about
protective/permissive types of conclusions to warrant
studies and suggested that the Commission should reject the
study. He suggested that the study did not go far enough
and that staff should look into the matter further.
C/Gravdahl concurred that the matter should be further
investigated.
C/Ortiz stated he agrees with the summary. However, he also
believes that the matter should be looked into further.
VC/Leonard indicated she agrees that the matter should be
further investigated.
Responding to C/Gravdahl, SE/Liu stated that the Left -Turn
Signal Phasing was included in this fiscal year's CIP. He
further stated that staff would request a further study in
the design phase to see if an alternative can be
implemented.
C/Chavers asked staff to consider exclusive phasing. He
stated he would like to see a Left -Turn Phasing study
recommendation brought back to the Traffic and
Transportation Commission for consideration.
In response to C/Gravdahl, SE/Liu indicated the item could
be carried over to next year's fiscal budget.
A motion was made by C/Chavers and seconded by C/Ortiz to
direct staff to make a more in-depth study of the types of
left -turn operations and return to the Traffic and
D
1
April 13, 1995
Page 5
TST Commission
Transportation Commission with its report and
recommendations and the basis for the recommendations. The
motion was approved 4-1 with the following roll call:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Chavers, Ortiz, Gravdahl,
VC/Leonard
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Chair/Istik
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
VI. NEW BUSINESS - None
VII. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS:
SE/Liu reported that staff is seeking clarification on the
legislative intent between Sections 445 and 40802 of the
California Vehicle Code.
VIII.ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS:
C/Ortiz stated he had been approached by more than one
person regarding the person who stands at the intersection
of Golden Springs Drive and Grand Avenue exhibiting signs.
He asked if there had been any investigation of who he is
and why he is there. He indicated he is concerned that
there might be accidents at the intersection as a result of
people being sidetracked by the signs. SE/Liu responded
that the Sheriff's Department has received inquiries,
however, there have been no formal complaints to the City's
Code Enforcement Officer. He stated he would investigate
the matter further to determine if there had been any
complaints filed with the City. C/Ortiz further stated that
all complaints or lack of complaints need to be recorded for
purposes of potential liability to the City.
C/Gravdahl stated that with regard to the bicycle lane on
Golden Springs Drive in front of Golden Springs School, he
cited Page 27, Article 463 of the Vehicle Code. He
requested to know how the Sheriff's Department would
interpret this item for purposes of enforcement. Sgt.
Rawlings responded that it is legal to load and unload in a
"No Parking" zone. It would not be legal to load and unload
if the area was posted "No -Stopping Anytime".
April 13, 1995 Page 6 T&T Commission
IX. ITEMS FROM STAFF - None
X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
Chairman Istik declared the 6:00 p.m. regular meeting of the
Transportation Commission adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
XI. PUBLIC MEETING
Chair/Istik called the Public Meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
A. Neighborhood Traffic Management Workshop #1
SE/Liu stated that three goals have been set for this study:
1) Identify the through traffic and other
neighborhood traffic problems;
2) Attempt to identify the specific location, nature
and cause of the problems; and
3) Develop neighborhood traffic management plans that
will resolve the traffic problems in a systematic
way, with the consensus approval of the
neighborhood residents.
He indicated that the critical component of achieving these
stated goals is the involvement of the residents. Tonight's
meeting is to preview the study and review the range of
possible solutions that might be contemplated. Information
will be collected from the neighborhood residents to create
an inventory of problems and concerns. Ideas regarding
mitigation measures that the residents feel should be taken
or should not taken will be recorded and mapped. He stated
that staff would also like to identify volunteers from the
neighborhood who would be willing to work with the City and
the consultants in developing the Neighborhood Traffic
Management Plan.
Bob Close, DKS Associates, emphasized that this study is
conducted primarily to consider the input from the community
and, in particular, the neighborhood residents. It is
imperative that the residents understand the study and agree
April 13, 1995 Page 7 T&T commission
with the findings and solutions. The study was initiated by
gathering technical information regarding the traffic
statistics and other data, truck movement, conditions of
roadways, etc. The next step involved gathering information
from the residents through the use of a questionnaire and
through tonight's public meeting process. This meeting may
be followed by a second questionnaire explaining what has
been done and asking for further input from the residents.
This information will then be analyzed from a traffic
standpoint, from an public input standpoint and a consensus
building standpoint as to what is seen as key issues and
what types of things might be done to solve the problems.
From this information, a draft report will be generated
which will identify everything that has been done and make
recommendations for types of improvements or actions to
resolve the issues. After the report is generated, a second
public meeting will be held in order to gather input and
from this meeting, a final document will be prepared to
answer all questions and concerns. He reiterated SE/Liu's
request to have volunteers from the neighborhood work with
the City and his firm in a small group setting in order to
work through the project.
Mr. Close referred the residents to graphic displays which
offer potential traffic solutions that have been utilized
for other projects. He stated that 592 questionnaires were
sent to neighborhood residents and approximately 58
questionnaires have been returned. He pointed to a graphic
display of concerns generated by the questionnaires. In
order of importance, the primary concern is speeding and the
second concern is school traffic. The third concern is a
combination of items such as stop signs, traffic noise,
parking problems, etc. The fourth concern is cut -through
traffic and the fifth concern is truck traffic.
Mr. Close pointed to a map of the area and indicated that
certain items have been identified and catalogued. These
are, classification of the roadways, posted speed limits,
traffic counts, location of traffic signals, and four-way
stop signs.
Mario Sanchez, DKS Associates, stated that the locations
used for traffic counts, were conducted at Castle Rock Road,
Evergreen Springs Drive and Fountain Springs Road. In
addition, vehicle classification counts were conducted at
April 13, 1995 Page 8 T&T Commission
Fountain Springs Road to determine the percentage of trucks
that are utilized. Results indicate counts of 2-4% of the
traffic traveling on Fountain Springs is commercial trucks.
He indicated it appears that most of the commercial truck
traffic is headed for the Country Hills Towne Center. By
traffic engineering standards, the count indicates that
Fountain Springs functions as a Residential street rather
than a Collector. Responding to C/Chavers, Mr. Sanchez
stated a truck is any vehicle above and beyond six wheels.
Mr. Close referred to additional generic graphics which
offer solutions to general neighborhood traffic problems.
He stated that some of the easier solutions include such
things as signing, better enforcement of speed limits, truck
routing. Shown on the graphs are hardscape solutions such
as chokers, traffic converters, and closed streets with
walkways for emergency vehicles, traffic circles in the
middle of streets with parking bumpers.
RECESS: Chair/Istik declared the meeting recessed at 7:25 p.m.
RECONVENE: Chair/Istik declared the meeting reconvened at 7:35
p.m.
Commissioner Ortiz left the meeting at 7:27 p.m.
Chair/Istik announced that C/Ortiz had been excused from the
public meeting at 7:27 p.m.
Chair/Istik asked the attendees to indicate their names,
addresses and telephone numbers on the sign-up sheet at the
front entrance. He requested that the consultants from DKS
Associates provide copies of the graphs as handouts within
the meeting packets. He asked for input from the
neighborhood residents noting that the results of the
meeting will be forwarded to the City Council and that the
Traffic and Transportation Commission is acting as an
advisory board only.
C/Chavers stated that this is the first time the City of
Diamond Bar has held this type of public workshop and as
such, this is a test case being observed by the City Council -�
and the citizens in general. He indicated he was glad to
see such a good turnout and hoped that everyone would give
their input and participate in the process. He further
April 13, 1995 Page 9 T&T Commission
stated that the process is intended to result in a series of
measures that will likely require funds to implement. The
Traffic and Transportation does not spend the City's money.
The City Council must authorize the expenditure of funds.
If the neighborhood reaches consensus with respect to what
needs to be done to improve the traffic situation, the next
step would be to appear before the City Council to reiterate
the importance of the implementation of solutions and to
state to the City Council that the neighbors agree and that
there is consensus that these solutions need to be
implemented to improve the neighborhood. C/Chavers referred
to the proposed solutions indicating that several gave the
appearance of narrowing the street. He cited an example of
lane narrowing barriers on freeways under construction which
serves to dramatically slow traffic.
C/Gravdahl requested a copy of the area map. Mr. Close
responded that C/Gravdahl could obtain a copy from SE/Liu.
Chair/Istik stated there are a number of solutions which
neighborhoods utilized. He suggested that the residents
imagine themselves going to the area to buy a house and
visualize solutions that would not appear severe or out of
place but would fit into the surroundings and not detract
from the value of the homes.
Responding to Chair/Istik, Mr. Close stated that the
original area street design may not have contemplated major
street connections.
Chair/Istik declared the public testimony portion of the
meeting open and invited the residents to speak.
Karl Fekete, 2220 Evergreen Springs Drive, stated that his
primary concerns have to do with the parking and congestion
at Diamond Bar High School. He indicated he has spoken to
the principal and advised him that the residents have
difficulty getting up and down the street because the
students interfere with traffic by making u -turns in the
middle of the street. He further stated that once the SR 57
freeway was built, traffic became a problem in the area. If
the traffic stayed on the major roads instead of cutting
down Fountain Springs and if traffic was routed to Diamond
Bar Boulevard from the freeway and from the high school, it
would cut down the through traffic considerably. Once the
April 13, 1995 Page 10 T&T Commission
back gate was opened (the freeway and Pathfinder Road) it
created a bottleneck at Evergreen Springs Drive.
Joe Johnston, 3177 Castle Rock Road, stated that at night
trucks are pulling off of the freeway and going to Denny's
restaurant. The residents get a lot of peak traffic in his
location. Drivers are pulling off of the freeway at Brea
Canyon Road and cutting through Brea Canyon Road and jumping
back on the freeway at Pathfinder Road to save time. He
talked about a neighborhood resident who has turned a garage
into a guest house and has had guests living there for 12 to
18 months at a time. In addition, he stated the guests have
a number of cars which are blocking driveways. He further
stated that there are occasions when his wife cannot get out
of her driveway.
In response to Mr. Johnston, Chair/Istik stated that the
question of how many people can occupy a residence is a
matter of Land Use. He referred Mr. Johnston to the
Planning Commission and Code Enforcement.
Ted Cross, 21310 Hidden Pines Drive, thanked the City for
the four-way stop at Cold Springs Lane and Brea Canyon Road
stating it is a definite improvement and it has slowed the
traffic on Brea Canyon Road. He stated that his concerns
for his neighborhood include the fact that his street is
only 30 feet wide and traffic is parked on both sides of the
street permitting only one-way traffic. He indicated he is
not sure what would be a satisfactory solution because if
parking is limited on one sides, the residents on that side
will be unhappy. In addition, the corner of Hidden Pines
Drive to Sunbright Drive is less than a 90 degree radius and
as vehicles approach the corner in a westerly fashion shave
the corner to the left. On many occasions there have been
near -miss collisions. He suggested that an inexpensive
solution would be to stripe the middle of the street so that
the traffic would hug the line rather than hug the curb. He
also suggested four-way stops for Cold Springs Lane and
Castle Rock Road, and at Fountain Springs Road and Castle
Rock Road.
Ted Thurlo, 21245 Cold Springs Lane also thanked the City
for the four-way stop at Cold Springs Lane and Brea Canyon
Road. He indicated he would like to see a stop sign at Cold
Springs Lane and Castle Rock Road. He also cited a problem
April 13, 1995 Page 11 T&T Commission
with the signal at Cold Springs Lane and Diamond Bar
Boulevard stating that there is a five minute wait at the
red light to merge onto Diamond Bar Boulevard and when the
signal turns green from Cold Springs Lane it turns yellow
before you can get into the intersection. He asked that the
City look into resetting this signal.
Ken Anderson, 2628 Rising Star Drive, thanked the City for
the traffic signal on Fountain Springs Road at Diamond Bar
Boulevard. He stated that he believes installation of four-
way stops at the two locations previously mentioned would
solve much of the traffic problem. He cited the Evergreen
Springs Drive problem indicated he had no solution to offer
because of the downhill speed reached by students leaving
the Diamond Bar High School. He indicated that a turn -out
is needed at the high school for student loading and
unloading. He requested copies of the generic solution
graphs be included in the record. He stated he particularly
likes the choker which he believes would work well at the
Country Hills Towne Center driveway which spills onto
Fountain Springs Road. He further stated it was his
understanding that one of the conditions for approval of the
shopping center was that there would be no driveway from the
shopping center onto Fountain Springs Road and that the
location was to have been redesigned following completion of
the center and if any additional development was completed
within the center, the driveway would be limited to inbound
traffic only. The late night traffic dumping onto Fountain
Springs Road is a major problem for the residents. This
traffic could better be redirected to the large
entrance/exit on Diamond Bar Boulevard.
Michelle Hunter, 2749 Sunbright Drive, thanked the Traffic
and Transportation Commission for conducting the public
meeting. She stated that it was exciting to see that a
number of items that she and her husband have been
discussing over the past year showed up on the survey and it
is encouraging to them that other residents feel the way
they do. She stated their greatest concern is their street
width. Parking on the street is a problem and if two
vehicles are attempting to pass each other going in opposite
directions, one car must pull over and come to a complete
stop in order for the other to pass by. She indicated she
is also very concerned about children in the area because
the congestion of traffic prevents clear visibility and
April 13, 1995 Page 12 T&T Commission
makes it very difficult to see if children are leaving their
yards and entering the street. She further stated that they
are concerned with diminishing property values. There are
large campers parked on her street 24 hours a day and with
that and the congestion of parked cars, she feels it is not
appealing for property values and encouraging people to move
into the area. She indicated she would like to have an
ordinance preventing 24 hour parking on her street, however,
she is concerned that the neighbors would then park in their
yards and she does not want that to occur. She said she has
seen this happening in the neighborhood.
VC/Intik stated he believes there is an ordinance regarding
parking of cars on the street in excess of 72 hours.
Responding to VC/Istik, Sgt. Rawlings cited a County
Ordinance which prohibits the parking of vehicles in the
same spot for more than 72 hours. If the Sheriff's
Department is notified that there is an offender, they will
go to the site and mark the vehicle tires and return
sometime after 72 hours to see if the vehicles is still
there. If the vehicle has not been moved at all, the
Sheriff's Department can tow the vehicle. Generally
speaking, in many cases, the individual who owns the vehicle
will move it forward or backward a few feet and the
Sheriff's Department cannot tow the vehicle. The County
Council states that the Sheriff's Department may not tow a
vehicle that has been moved even slightly or the Sheriff's
Department will pay the storage.
Joe Johnston stated that when he first moved to Diamond Bar,
the Sheriff's Department cleaned up the street because there
was no overnight parking allowed and he does not understand
why they cannot do the same thing now.
Sgt. Rawlings responded that the City of Walnut Sheriff's
station has three City contracts. They are, Diamond Bar,
Walnut and San Dimas. The Cities of Walnut and San Dimas
have "No Overnight Parking" ordinances and the City of
Diamond Bar does not. When the matter was brought before
the City Council several years ago, the standing room only
residents vehemently opposed a "No Overnight Parking"
ordinance. The Sheriff's Department is charged with
enforcing applicable City ordinances.
C/Gravdahl stated that there is a maintenance ordinance
April 13, 1995 Page 13 T&T Commission
which prohibits parking on yards and this can be enforced by
citizen's reporting the incident to the Code Enforcement
officer at City Hall.
Bill Lovell, 2660 Crooked Creek Drive, stated his complaint
is that his street dead ends at the Evergreen Elementary
School. At the corner of Fountain Springs Drive and Crooked
Creek Drive, a business is being conducted from a house and
eight or nine vehicles are constantly parked at that
location. As long as the vehicles are moved every 72 hours,
there is no recourse. He indicated he would like to have
"No Parking" on Fountain Springs Drive between Diamond Bar
Boulevard and Castle Rock Road. There are no driveways
dumping onto Fountain Springs Drive in that area with the
exception of Country Hills Towne Center driveway which is a
problem that has been discussed.
Chair/Istik asked DKS Associates to obtain a copy of the
minutes from this meeting in order to arrive at suggestions
for mitigation. This could include parking restrictions in
and near the Country Hills Towne Center. He suggested that
this item be included in the second questionnaire going out
to the residents.
C/Chavers stated that he is aware of a number of complaints
regarding traffic around Diamond Bar High School. He
suggested that a "Parking Permit Program" could be
implemented. The City Council has stated that if citizens
wish such a program instituted in their area and they are
willing to pay for the program, the City Council will
consider the proposal.
David Rubakaba, 2319 Evergreen Springs Drive, stated his
home is located between Lost River Drive and Sunbright
Drive. He indicated he is concerned about the speed of the
vehicles. It is a steep hill and Diamond Bar High School is
located at the top of the hill. Evergreen Springs
Elementary School is located at the bottom of the hill and
there are speeding vehicles both coming down the hill and
going up the hill with speeds reaching upwards of 50 miles
per hour. He further stated he has witnessed drag racing on
the hill and since moving there in 1986, he has personally
suffered two accidents. He recommended the installation of
a stop sign at the corner of Evergreen Springs Drive and
Sunbright Drive.
April 13, 1995 Page 14 T&T Commission
Craig Clute, 21217 Fountain Springs Road thanked the Traffic
and Transportation Commission for conducting the meeting at
Heritage Park allowing more residents to participate in the
process. Most of his concerns have been stated at previous
meetings of the Traffic and Transportation Commission. In
addition, the residents have again voiced many of his
concerns this evening. He stressed the traffic cut -through
problems on Fountain Springs Drive which is an ongoing
problem going beyond rush hour traffic. He recommended
closure of the north entrance to the County Hills Shopping
Center and he requested that DKS Associates supply the
citizens with the various products available with emergency
access for this location. He stated his belief that most of
the traffic problems on Fountain Springs Drive are generated
by the shopping center, cut -through traffic and the high
school. Mr. Clute recommended that parking be limited on
streets such as Sunbright Drive to better allow larger
emergency vehicles access. In addition, although there is
adequate lighting in the neighborhood, some residents have
mentioned to him that lighting was inadequate. There is a
problem with no sidewalk on Brea Canyon Road and children
pedestrian safety. He stated he sees children walking down
Brea Canyon Road every day in the dirt. He does not like
walking in the dirt with his four year old so they take the
long way around to the park. Mr. Clute also recommended a
school crossing at Fountain Springs Road and Castle Rock
Road, as well as a reduction of speed to 25 miles per hour
on Fountain Springs Road. He asked DKS Associates for a
count of access traffic at the Fountain Springs Road
entrance off of Diamond Bar Boulevard. He also questioned
the validity of the traffic counts.
Mr. Close requested a copy of Mr. Clute's written comments.
Chair/Istik asked Mr. Clute to forward his comments to
SE/Liu.
Responding to Mr. Johnston, SE/Liu stated that the issue of
Brea Canyon Road improvement plan is proposed in the
1995/1996 fiscal year Capital Improvement Program. He
indicated there are two conceptual plans for Brea Canyon
Road. One plan is to maintain the existing two lanes with turn
lanes at intersections and the existing parkway areas would be
proposed to be utilized as pedestrian lane facility in
conjunction with a bikeway. The other conceptual plan is to
widen Brea Canyon Road to four lanes (two lanes in each
April 13, 1995 Page 15 T&T Commission
direction). At this time, staff does not believe that the second
plan is necessary. The improvement proposal includes Brea Canyon
Road between Fountain Springs Road to the north down to the
southerly City limit line.
Mr. Cross stated his wife would greatly appreciate a
sidewalk on Brea Canyon Road. He feels that the Heritage
Park area lags behind on improvements and that it has been
generally ignored by the City. He requested consideration
of a drop-off zone for the rear of Castle Rock Elementary
School. He stated that dropping off kids at the school in
the mornings is an absolute nightmare. He extended his
sympathies to the people living in the area of the school.
He feels the principal would be very cooperative in getting
this accomplished. As far as a potential gate for the north
entrance of the Country Hills Towne Center, he stated he is
a Los Angeles County Firefighter and they carry what is
called a "master key". It is a pair of bolt cutters about
five and one-half feet long and he hasn't found a gate yet
that he cannot open in an emergency. If Country Hills Towne
Center is using emergency access as an excuse, it doesn't
wash. He stated that to him, to have a shopping center dump
its traffic onto a residential street seems ludicrous,
especially with the tremendous traffic carrying potential of
Diamond Bar Boulevard. Since he lives behind the shopping
center it would be inconvenient for him, but it would be
well worth the trade-off in his opinion to support the
neighborhood and get the traffic off of Fountain Springs
Road. He further stated that it is ridiculous to have 150
cars dump onto a residential street at 11:30 p.m. and he
does not blame the residents for being upset.
Marlies Worley, 21339 Hipass Drive, stated she lives on the
corner of Castle Rock Road and Highcrest Drive and between
Cold Springs Lane and Fountain Springs Road and she would
like to see a four-way stop at both of the intersections.
She indicated that getting from her house to Castle Rock
Elementary School is horrendous.
Chair/Istik asked DKS Associates to take each comment and
consider it as an issue for their next questionnaire. In
this way, the issues can be quantified on an area -wide
basis.
Responding to C/Gravdahl, Mr. Close stated that 592
April 13, 1995 Page 16 T&T Commission
residences were targeted for the initial questionnaire
mailing and the same number would be targeted for the second
mailing.
Responding to C/Chavers, Mr. Cross stated he personally
measured his street and it is 30 feet wide curb to curb with
a seven foot parkway to the sidewalk. C/Chavers suggested
that the parkway could be reclaimed as an option to a
parking restriction for one side.
In response to C/Chavers, Mr. Sanchez stated that in order
to meet a warrant, there have to be at least 500 vehicles
entering an intersection during any eight hours of any given
day. A study was conducted at the intersection of Castle
Rock Road and Cold Springs Lane and it did not meet the
requirements for a warrant study. There are also thresholds
of volume and there has to be at least five accidents in a
twelve month period.
C/Chavers stated there are standards that are adopted
throughout the State of California and those standards are
community standards that everybody buys into and if a
community chooses to deviate from those standards in
singular instances the community may accrue a liability or
risk. If a study is conducted at one intersection and an
accident occurs at another intersection having the same
unusual form of risks, the injured party could claim
negligence on the part of the City for not recognizing all
intersections equally. Therefore, it is very important that
the City live by the standards so as not to unecessarily
assume the liabilities of that risk. If you put a stop sign
in a location that obviously does not need the stop sign,
people are often times encouraged to violate the stop sign.
Mr. Close stated that if a stop sign or other traffic device
is installed where it is not warranted, and there are
specific rules on how it is warranted, it is not
enforceable. Traffic standards are set to mitigate traffic
and to be enforceable.
Mr. Clute stated he feels that the residents deserve a four-
way stop at Castle Rock Road and Fountain Springs Road and
he asked DKS Associates to take another look at past
studies.
April 13, 1995
Page 17
T&T Commission
C/Chavers requested that staff share the concept drawings
for Brea Canyon Road with the consultants and bring them to
the next workshop for the residents to view and support.
SE/Liu stated that staff will meet with DKS Associates and
discuss all of the information and concerns accumulated
during this meeting. Using the information gathered, a
second questionnaire will be generated and brought before
the Traffic and Transportation Commission for their approval
at the May 11, 1995 meeting. Staff anticipates the
questionnaire will be mailed to the residents at the end of
May along with a notification of the second workshop.
C/Chavers suggested that the Commission back into the
schedule by tentatively targeting the second workshop for
June so that everything can be fit into the next 60 day
period.
Chair/Istik stated he would like to see the questionnaire
before it is mailed out.
Mr. Close stated he would have the questionnaire ready for
the May 11 Commission meeting. He would like to have at
least one steering committee meeting prior to the second
workshop.
In response to VC/Leonard, Mr. Close indicated he would like
six residents to volunteer for a steering committee to meet
with staff and DKS Associates.
Chair/Istik asked for three volunteers from the audience and
asked that each volunteer bring one additional resident from
the area to serve with them on the steering committee. The
following people volunteered:
Craig Clute, 21217 Fountain Springs Road
Ted Cross, 21310 Hidden Pines Drive
Michelle Hunter, 2749 Sunbright Drive
Mr. Clute encouraged the City to conclude the traffic counts
prior to school summer recess.
Chair/Istik thanked the participants and stated that they
would be notified regarding time and place for the proposed
June workshop. This matter will be discussed at the May 11,
April 13, 1995 Page 18 T&T Commission
1995 Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
Chair/Istik declared the Neighborhood Traffic Management
Workshop #1 adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully,
a Id G.
Secretary
Attest:
Jac Isti
Ch rman