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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/8/19951 n J MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT STUDY WORKSHOP #2 JUNE 08, 1995 CALL TO ORDER: CITY OF DIAMOND BAR Chairman Istik called the meeting to order at 6:05 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 Istik, Commissioners Chavers, Gravdahl Absent: Vice -Chair Leonard Commissioner Ortiz arrived at 6:46 p.m. Staff: Senior Engineer, David Liu; Administrative Assistant, Tseday Aberra; Sergeant Rawlings; and Recording Secretary, Carol Dennis I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. Meeting of May 11, 1995 C/Chavers stated Page 4, Paragraph 3, Line 13 should be corrected to read 10,000 GVW instead of GAW. A motion was made by C/Chavers and seconded by C/Gravdahl to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was approved 3-0 with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Chavers, Gravdahl, Chair/Istik NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Leonard, Ortiz May 11, 1995 Page 2 TAT Commission II. COMMISSION COMMENTS: C/Gravdahl requested that staff look at the placement of the light head and the sign for the permissive left turn from North Golden Springs Lane onto Diamond Bar Boulevard. He indicated the placement of the left hand turn sign is not over the left hand turn pocket. Instead, it is between the other two traffic lanes. SE/Liu responded that staff will review the sign and report back to the Commission. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Craig Clute, 2121.7 Fountain Springs Lane, asked if the City is responsible for placement of stop signs within shopping centers. He stated there are two signs within the Towne Center shopping center that are extremely faded and unreadable. One sign is at the entrance to Great Western Bank and one sign is at the entrance between Radio Shack and Tarbell Real Estate. He requested consideration of placement of a right turn lane at the SR 57 entrance of west bound Pathfinder Road. Responding to Mr. Clute, SE/Liu stated that the City is not responsible for stop signs in shopping centers. Staff will convey his concern to the Towne Center Shopping Center management. Regarding the right turn lane, C/Chavers stated the City and Cal Trans was concerned that the bridge might become too congested to allow for emergency vehicle traffic. The City decided that since the bridge was new it should operate for a period of time before the City made further decisions regarding traffic flow. He suggested that it would be an appropriate time to review the traffic flow at the location. The Commission concurred. SE/Liu stated staff would bring the item before the Traffic and Transportation Commission as an agenda item on July 13, 1995. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR - None V. OLD BUSINESS: A. Traffic Signal Warrant Study. SE/Liu stated that the Traffic Signal Warrant Study evaluated nine intersections. Of the nine intersections, five (5) intersections met the criteria need to warrant a signal. A priority list for 1 June 8, 1995 Page 3 TAT Commission discussion purposes has been developed as follows: Priority Rank Intersection 1 Diamond Bar Boulevard at Palomino Drive 2 Diamond Bar Boulevard at Goldrush Drive 3 Golden Springs Drive at Calbourne Drive 4 Golden Springs Drive at Racquet Club Road 5 Sunset Crossing Road at SR 57 on/off ramp This priority list has taken into consideration factors Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with the ranking priority for traffic signal installation. Joe Foust, Austin -Foust Associates, Inc., responding to C/Gravdahl, stated that there is a potential for traffic jam up at Diamond Bar Boulevard at the south SR 60 exit. To prevent this occurrence, traffic signals could be coordinated to provide an inside clearance. With regard to Diamond Bar Boulevard at Palomino Drive, C/Chavers stated the City receives many complaints about the cut -through traffic on Palomino Drive back into the residential neighborhood to the north of Gentle Springs Lane. In his estimation, protected phasing will be required at this location. Responding ' to C/Chavers, Mr. Foust stated that the potential impact to the Palomino Drive neighborhood traffic was not considered in the ranking study. The results were such as funding availability, partial sharing of cost by others, etc. For fiscal year 1995-1996, the City Council budged three (3) traffic signals at a cost of $125,000 each. In addition, the City is discussing Proposition C monies with the MTA. Proposition C funds are derived from the 1/2 percent sales tax adopted by the Los Angeles County voters in 1990. These monies must be used for transportation programs. Staff feels Diamond Bar Boulevard and Golden Springs Drive are major regional arterials which should qualify for the Proposition C funds. He pointed out that priority ranked project #5 at sunset Crossing Road at SR 57 on/off ramp is totally funded by Cal Trans. This intersection was added to the warrant study as a result of numerous citizen requests. The warrant study may expedite the signal installation by Cal Trans. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with the ranking priority for traffic signal installation. Joe Foust, Austin -Foust Associates, Inc., responding to C/Gravdahl, stated that there is a potential for traffic jam up at Diamond Bar Boulevard at the south SR 60 exit. To prevent this occurrence, traffic signals could be coordinated to provide an inside clearance. With regard to Diamond Bar Boulevard at Palomino Drive, C/Chavers stated the City receives many complaints about the cut -through traffic on Palomino Drive back into the residential neighborhood to the north of Gentle Springs Lane. In his estimation, protected phasing will be required at this location. Responding ' to C/Chavers, Mr. Foust stated that the potential impact to the Palomino Drive neighborhood traffic was not considered in the ranking study. The results were June 8, 1995 Page 4 T&T Commission based strictly on the numbers and did not consider funding, public demand, public acceptance, and other data to be considered in the Commission's decision making process. SE/Liu stated that the warrant studies for traffic signals at the intersections of Palomino Drive at Ballena Drive and Palomino Drive at Platina Drive will be considered as a part of the Diamond Bar Boulevard at Palomino Drive upgrade. The neighborhood residents will be notified that this warrant study for stop signs is in response to the safety issues and not intended to be an intrusion into the area. C/Chavers stated that while he feels the Diamond Bar Boulevard at Palomino Drive priority ranking of #1 is appropriate, he feels that City Council should be aware this is a major solution which may involve considerably more than a $125,000 signal. He indicated the signal might cost as much as $300,000. In response to C/Chavers, SE/Liu stated that in accordance with the objectives of the Pomona Valley Traffic Forum and the City of Diamond Bar, all of the signals on Diamond Bar Boulevard into the City of Pomona will be synchronized. This priority will consider only a hard wire interconnect. The five year plan includes a monitoring control for Diamond Bar. This priority list will fit into the overall intent of the Diamond Bar Boulevard synchronization project. Any future signals installed along Diamond Bar Boulevard will fit into the Pomona Valley Traffic Forum project. The signal could be installed at the City's expense and the call for projects program would fund the interconnect project. C/Chavers suggested that it might make more sense to state that the signals will be installed at such time as the call for projects comes in and creates the interconnecting operation capability to organize the signals in a logical manner. SE/Liu responded that this project is within the budgetary range of the MTA and will be funded. However, he indicated he is unable to substantiate, the time. It could be two years before the money is available and involves the cooperative efforts of the City of Pomona. The City of Diamond Bar could begin putting in signals since they would ultimately fit into the overall regional system. There 1 June 8, 1995 Page 5 T&T Commission is a considerable amount of Proposition C monies available and because Diamond Bar Boulevard and Golden springs Drive are regionally significant, staff proposes to prove to MTA that these monies can be used to fund these priority ranked five locations for signalization and several other future signals along the City's major arterials. C/Chavers suggested that the Commission direct staff to Chair/Istik stated that installation of the Palomino Drive and Diamond Bar Boulevard signal was a condition of approval for the Ramada Hotel and this condition could be waived by the County Engineer. He suggested that staff review the circumstances of this condition to present to the City Council. He indicated the signal could have been paid for by the developer. The motion was approved 3-0 with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Chavers, Gravdahl, Chair Istik NOES: COMMISSIONERS; None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Leonard, Ortiz include the statements regarding Palomino Drive in its recommendation to City Council. If and when the City Council chooses to fund and authorize development of a signal at Palomino Drive those efforts should include careful coordination with Cal Trans to tie the two signals together; that the funding include a hard wire interconnect so that the controllers talk to one another; and that the City pursue the MTA's call for projects funds and tie the two projects together such that if the City has to install interconnect and bury conduit, etc., that expense could be borne by the project opportunity; the warrant study for Sunset Crossing Road at SR 57 was done to provide information to Cal Trans so that they might move forward with the construction of a traffic signal. A motion was made by C/Chavers and seconded by C/Gravdahl to approve the priority ranking as presented and revise the staff report to City Council to reflect the previous items as outlined. Chair/Istik stated that installation of the Palomino Drive and Diamond Bar Boulevard signal was a condition of approval for the Ramada Hotel and this condition could be waived by the County Engineer. He suggested that staff review the circumstances of this condition to present to the City Council. He indicated the signal could have been paid for by the developer. The motion was approved 3-0 with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Chavers, Gravdahl, Chair Istik NOES: COMMISSIONERS; None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Leonard, Ortiz June 8, 1995 Page 6 T&T Commission B. City Attorney's response to Vehicle Code section 40802. SE/Liu stated the City Attorney had been requested to respond to whether a City street could be a local street when it is interrupted every 1/2 mile by a traffic control device other than a traffic signal. The City Attorney's position is that there is an ambiguity. Sgt. Rawlings stated that Pomona Traffic Commissioner, Mark Lauper, indicated that, in his opinion, a traffic signal is not the only thing that constitutes an interruption. However, a stop sign is definitely an interruption. In addition, in some cases, cross streets may be considered interruptions. Commissioner Ortiz arrived at 6:46 p.m. SE/Liu stated that with this understanding from the Pomona Court, the City will move the matter forward to the City Council in July with the Traffic and Transportation recommendations. Chair/Istik indicated the information provided to the City Council from the Commission should be consistent with the original motion approximately 10 months ago. In response to C/Chavers, he indicated the motion was to bring the four streets in the City that are now posted at 30 MPH and the two streets that were proposed to be posted at 30 MPH based on the 1994 speed survey, to the 25 MPH prima facia if they met the criteria of a double loaded residential street with a traffic control device 1/2 mile or less. Because the streets had to be called a residential and not a residential collector, the City Manager was holding this item in abeyance until the General Plan was approved. C/Chavers reiterated that the action the Commission is reinforcing, as a result of this information, is to reduce the speed limits on certain streets. Chair/Istik responded that this is correct. Chair/Istik made a motion to reinforce the previous action on this matter. 1 June 8, 1995 Page 7 T&T Commission Mr. Clute stated he is concerned about the recommendation. He indicated that SE/Liu had indicated a potential problem with a reduction of the speed limit to 25 MPH on Fountain Springs Lane since the speed study shows an 85 percent/40 MPH. He wanted to know what would happen if a speeding ticket was written under these circumstances. Chair/Istik responded this report would drop the speed to 25 MPH if, on Fountain Springs Lane, there was an additional stop sign. However, there is no action being taken to add a stop sign. Mr. Clute stated his understanding that a stop sign on Fountain Springs Lane would not be necessary to reduce the speed limit to 25 MPH. However, stop signs would be needed for Kiowa Crest Drive and Palomino Drive. SE/Liu stated certain streets meet the current definition of a local street, i.e., Fountain Springs Lane. These streets do not require the City to conduct a speed zone survey study. The Sheriff's Department can enforce the speed limit with a radar gun. In order for enforcement to take place on Kiowa Crest Drive and Palomino Drive, an enforcement device will have to be installed. The Traffic and Transportation Commission has made it very clear that they want the local streets speed limit reduced to 25 MPH prima facia. The recommendation will go before the City Council in July. The final decision will be made by the City Council. With respect to enforcement, if the Sheriff's Department issues a ticket based upon the 25 MPH speed limit, the recipient could challenge the ticket since the speed zone survey data reflects that 85 percent of the traffic moves at 40 MPH. The matter would be resolved by the Pomona Traffic Court which has jurisdiction for this area. C/Chavers seconded Chair/Istik's motion to reinforce the Traffic and Transportation Commission request to City Council to adopt the 25 MPH speed limit on the designated streets and to pursue the 25 MPH speed limit on the streets that have excessive length through the investigation of stop sign warrants. The motion was approved 4-0 with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Chair/Istik, Chavers, Gravdahl, Ortiz NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Leonard June 8, 1995 Page 8 T&T Commission VI. NEN BUSINESS A. Request by Lorbeer Middle School to install "Loading and Unloading, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m." signs on southbound Diamond Bar Boulevard, in front of the school. AA/Aberra stated that in November, 1991, the Traffic and Transportation Commission reviewed concerns experienced at Lorbeer Middle School. Recently the school has contacted the City requested "Loading and Unloading" signs. This request is based upon their desire to allow parents to legally pick up and drop off students on southbound Diamond Bar Boulevard. The 1991 review determined that parents were making illegal U- turns, crossing travel lanes and impacting bicycle lanes. In staff's opinion, if parking is allowed in front of Lorbeer Middle School, motorists in the area will experience similar issues. Parents can use the semi -circle in front of the school for drop-off and pick-up. In addition, there is parking available in the semi -circle area and at the lower -level close to the basketball courts. Staff advises against the installation of "Loading and Unloading, 7:OO a.m. and 6:00 p.m." signs along southbound Diamond Bar Boulevard, in front of Lorbeer Middle School. The area in front of the school is congested during school hours and impacts traffic circulation in the area. With regard to allowing parking on southbound Diamond Bar Boulevard after 6:00 p.m., staff recommends that Lorbeer Middle School utilize their existing parking spaces in the semi- circular driveway as well as the basketball court located at the lower -level of the school. AA/Aberra stated she contacted the principal of Lorbeer Middle School to advise her of the meeting. C/Ortiz stated there have always been problems at the school. He indicated he sees the area as unsafe for a "Loading and Unloading" zone. C/Chavers stated he concurs with C/Ortiz and made a motion to accept staff's recommendations for denial. The motion was seconded by Chair/Istik. The motion was approved unanimously with the following roll call: June 8, 1995 Page 9 T&T Commission AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Chavers, Chair/Intik, Gravdahl, Ortiz NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Leonard VII. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEM - None VIII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS: C/Chavers asked staff to bring information regarding parking of vehicles on lots or in front of lots, driveways, on yards, etc. located in the Property Maintenance Ordinance as an agenda item for July. SE/Liu responded that the information would be provided for the July meeting. IX. ITEMS FROM STAFF - None X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: SE/Liu stated one of the agenda items for the June 13 City Council meeting will be the Grand Avenue street rehabilitation and traffic synchronization project. The Council will consider the construction contract award to the low bidder, Gentry Brothers. The 90 calendar day project is scheduled to beginning immediately after the July 4 weekend. The plan calls for new streets, signal synchronization, and the widening of the intersections at Grand Avenue at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue at Golden Springs Drive. Chairman Istik declared the regular meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. XII. PUBLIC MEETING: Chair/Istik called the public meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. A. Neighborhood Traffic Management Study: Workshop #2. SE/Liu stated that the Neighborhood Traffic Management Study is a response to the residents request to mitigate or resolve the various traffic problems in the area bounded by Pathfinder Road, Diamond Bar Boulevard and Brea Canyon Road. June 8, 1995 Page 10 T&T Commission Rather than addressing each resident's concerns on a case- by-case basis, the Traffic and Transportation Commission felt it would be best to address the area as a whole and in a systematic fashion. Three goals have been set for the Neighborhood Traffic Management Study: Identify the traffic related problems such as cut -through traffic, speeding, and parking; attempt to identify the specific location, nature and cause of the problem; and develop a Vehicle Traffic Management Plan to resolve the identified problems in a systematic manner. Bob Close, DKS Associates, stated the study was initiated by collecting traffic data relating to speed, number of vehicles, etc. He presented several graphs relating to the data. He indicated a questionnaire was sent to the residents in order to solicit views on the types of issues they wished addressed. Of the 600 questionnaires sent out, approximately 60 were returned. The category "other" which is a series of lesser issues, was third ranked behind speeding and school traffic. The remaining issues were cut - through traffic and truck traffic. Subsequent to the first workshop held April 13, 1995, DKS Associates met with two resident volunteers, Craig Clute and Ted Cross. A third volunteer, Michelle Hunter, was unable to attend the session. A second questionnaire was sent to the residents to reinforce the issues presented at the first workshop and to attempt to gain feedback from the residents of the level of acceptance of some of the potential solutions. The second questionnaire resulted in the following ranking beginning with the most important issue 1) speeding 2) school traffic 3) cut -through traffic 4);parking violations. The "other" issues include narrow streets and curves, signal timing at Cold Springs Lane and Diamond Bar Boulevard, commercial traffic, Brea Canyon Road traffic and trucks, and a stop sign at Evergreen Springs Drive and Sunbright Drive. The second part of the questionnaire looked at a series of potential solutions and resident's rating as to their acceptability. The ranking of "Most Acceptable Solution in Neighborhood" includes: 1) Stop signs 2) Reduce Speed Limit to 25 MPH 3) Restrict on -street parking 4) Street diverters 5) Reduce street width at intersection 6) One-way streets 7) Street closures. With respect to speeding, residents assumed the current speed limit was okay; they wanted the speed limit enforced. The basic comment was that the residents could see the value of the more restrictive items. However, they also viewed these solutions as self - restricting. He indicated their study indicates that stops IJune 8, 1995 Page 11 T&T Commission signs for Fountain Springs Road at Castle Rock Road and Cold Springs Lane at Castle Rock Road are close to being warranted. An additional study will be necessary to put the warrant down for these locations. As an interim solutions the high school could add "No -Parking" signs and red curbs. The primary problem at Evergreen Springs Elementary School is the p.m. rush hour. There appears to be an opportunity for the school to park their buses in a different location which would allow additional traffic to flow through the parking lot and reduce some of the congestion. The traffic is not as severe at the Castle Rock School. Therefore, the recommendation is to maintain the current status and continue monitoring the location. As a result of the investigation, certain preliminary improvements are proposed. The proposed solutions are not expensive and could control many of the neighborhood problems. After a period of time, the City could conduct a followup workshop, conduct speed studies, or send out another questionnaire to determine if the solutions have resulted in improvement and whether additional solutions are deemed necessary or advisable. If the survey indicates the situation has not improved, the recommendation would be to incorporate the more restrictive solutions. These more restrictive solutions would require resident's acceptance and engineering studies for feasibility. With respect to the cut -through traffic, DKS Associates recommends weight limit signs on the Fountain Springs Lane and Brea Canyon Road. There are currently weight limit signs on Cold Springs Lane. In addition, it is contemplated that the addition of the stop signs on Fountain Springs Road and Cold Springs Lane at Castlerock Road would deter truck traffic. It appears that the sole purpose of a large percentage of truck traffic on Fountain Springs Lane is to enter the commercial site. Therefore, the recommendation is that the driveway from the commercial center onto Fountain Springs Lane be restricted to a right -out only with no right or left turn in. Regarding parked vehicles, DKS Associates recommends that the City review the individual complaints to determine if there is a resolution from a traffic or enforcement standpoint. Since restricted parking is unacceptable to the residents, the narrow streets may have to continue as they are presently developed. It is possible that double yellow lines may, to some degree, control the traffic on tight June 8, 1995 Page 12 T&T Commission corners. We recommend that the City check the traffic signal at Cold Springs Lane and Diamond Bar Boulevard to determine if it is functioning properly. There is a current plan in place by the City for improvement of Brea Canyon Road which is outside the parameters of the DKS Associates study. Regarding a stop sign at Evergreen Springs Drive and Sunbright Drive, DKS Associates suggests this be reviewed for a warrant. The final recommendation by DKS Associates is to re-evaluate the effect of the proposed recommendations at some future date with the neighborhood residents. If the preliminary solutions are not working, the more restrictive solutions could be implemented. With the current information available and additional input from the volunteer committee, DKS Associates will prepare a draft final report for presentation to the Planning Commission in July. Responding to C/Chavers, Mario Sanchez stated that the data compiled from Fountain Springs Lane and Castlerock Road meets the warrant based on the 40 MPH, 85 percentile speed. If the speed limit is reduced, the data will not meet the warrant. Chair/Istik declared the public hearing open. Craig Clute, 21217 Fountain Springs Lane, indicated he does not hear enough about cut -through traffic and to him it is most of the problem for the area. It may be a combination of school traffic and through traffic. He feels the traffic count has been understated and offered the Commission a video tape to prove his theory. He questioned the need for a warrant to place a four-way stop sign.' He stated he sees no reason that there should, be a four-way stop at Armitos Place and Darrin Drive, or a three-way stop at Armitos Place and Bowcreek Road if the warrant was needed. It seems to him the purpose of these stop signs were speed breaks. He also indicated he feels there are other places in the City where stop signs are used to break the speed of traffic. He stated he is concerned with the increase in traffic at the Country Hills Towne Center with the addition of American Automobile Association. If the Hacienda Heights office is closed, the traffic will increase significantly and the `- vehicles will use Fountain Springs Lane and Cold Springs Lane as cut -through streets to the center. IJune 8, 1995 Page 13 T&T Commission Mr. Clute continued that a preliminary recommendation is a grand start but it requires enforcement. In speaking with Sgt. Rawlings and others it appears there is a poor attitude with respect to enforcement. He indicated one officer had stated he did not believe 40 miles per hour was a problem on Fountain Springs Lane. Signs can be installed but if there is no enforcement they will not be effective. He recommended changing the weight limit signs on Cold Springs Lane to indicate "No Commercial Trucks 3,000 pounds or over". A double yellow line does not work as it is intended. While he is not in favor of Botts dots, he feels they would be a more effective deterrent than yellow lines. A right -turn -lane only onto Fountain Springs Lane from the Country Hills Towne Center is good. However, there is enough room for a U-turn from the exit prior to reaching Diamond Bar Boulevard. He indicated he would prefer to have the Fountain Springs Lane ingress/egress closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles. feels a stop sign is necessary to prevent accidents at this intersection. In addition, she is concerned for the safety of her children and other children in the neighborhood. She suggested the Senior Citizens patrol could patrol the Earl Cox, 3051 Crooked Creek Drive, stated he has complaints that were not addressed by survey. He indicated he is in complete agreement that Fountain Springs Lane and Cold Springs Lane have the greatest share of problems in the neighborhood. In his opinion, people are speeding because they are using the streets as a cut -through. He stated the SR 57 south exit at Brea Canyon Cutoff Road is a very difficult left turn intersection. He suggested that by installing a traffic light signal at the intersection, much of the cut -through traffic could be eliminated because it would make it easier for vehicles traveling to the shopping center to use the proper exit to put them onto Diamond Bar Boulevard. He encouraged the installation of 25 MPH signs and enforcement of the designated speed limit. Responding to C/Chavers, Mr. Cox stated that speeding on Crooked Creek Road is an issue for him. However, he feels the bigger problems should be addressed first. Linda Muchelvane, 2904 Crooked Creek Drive, spoke about an accident which involved the utility pole on the corner of Castle Rock Road and Crooked Creek Drive. She indicated the officers investigating the accident told her there was no warrant for a stop sign at that location. She stated she feels a stop sign is necessary to prevent accidents at this intersection. In addition, she is concerned for the safety of her children and other children in the neighborhood. She suggested the Senior Citizens patrol could patrol the June 8, 1996 Page 14 T&T Commission intersection and be a deterrent to the traffic. Responding to Linda Muchelvane, Mr. Sanchez stated that a warrant is a nationally recognized guideline outlined in the Manual of Uniform Control Devises or through Cal Trans. There are specific guidelines and thresholds that warrant a particular stop signs. For instance, for a stop sign there needs to be a minimum threshold of traffic volumes to meet the warrants. The warrants are based on studies conducted nationwide. For a multi -stop sign warrant, it is necessary that at least 500 vehicles enter a particular intersection per any eight hours of any given day and for five accidents to have occurred per any 12 month period. C/Chavers stated that while warrants have been referred to as guidelines standards and are not ordinances or codified, they are held as a standard of practice. For an agency to install a devise that has not met a commonly accepted warrant causes the agency to incur a certain amount of risk. For example, if a stop sign is installed without having met warrants that the engineering community generally agrees upon and someone is injured at that stop sign, an attorney can say that stop sign should not have been installed at that location. Therefore, the agency is at fault for the accident. As a result, agencies must use extreme care in applying these guidelines to stop sign installation. Chair/Istik stated some people are under the impression that there are stop signs put up at every intersection where a child crosses the street. It is difficult to say no. However, the answer is that the warrant study is done and it indicates whether there is sufficient volume on the street to justify a stop sign. If there is a stop sign at every location requested there would be so many stop signs that drivers might start running them. The idea is, in his opinion, to be frugal and install the stop signs where they are most needed. Hence, the warrant study, so that when people see stop signs they generally will stop. Jacqueline Wolf, Manager, Country Hills Towne Center, stated she appreciates the responses from the individuals who are pleased to see that the center is bringing in new tenants. In the interest of being good neighbors, the center is concerned about the safety and the traffic through the neighborhoods. She indicated she would like to have additional information about the request for a right -turn - only exit from the center onto Fountain Springs Lane. Her 1 1 1 June s, 1995 Page 15 T&T commission recollection of the conversation with Mr. Sanchez was that the center would not lose the ingress on Fountain Springs Lane. The center has had a difficult time economically and would need to investigate this matter more fully to determine the impact to the tenants. In response to Ms. Wolf, Mr. Sanchez stated that DKS Associates recommends commercial vehicles use the Diamond Bar Boulevard ingress/egress in lieu of the Fountain Springs Lane ingress/egress. Ms. Wolf requested a study to determine how this change would impact circulation within the center since the center. Because the center is below grade, she requested to know if this would be a safety issue for the truck traffic. Chair/Intik asked how the right -turn -only egress to Fountain Springs Lane would effect the businesses. Ms. Wolf responded that right turns out of the center would be more positive than an ingress only restriction. She indicated she would like to circulate this proposal to some of the tenants of the center for the response. Responding to Chair/Istik Ms. Wolf stated she did not know what impact the restriction of traffic turning right from Fountain Springs Lane into the center would have on the business. Chair/Istik stated the Neighborhood Traffic Management Study began as a result of a resident who came to several meetings of the Traffic and Transportation Commission to express his concerns about the truck traffic on Fountain Springs Lane and a perceived cut -through from the high school and other areas. Some residents of Fountain Springs Lane are concerned about the safety of living on the street. He asked that when the center looks at how the proposed changes impact the businesses to please also consider the safety of the neighborhood due to the speed and volume of the traffic. C/Chavers asked when the center was expanded if, as a part of the site development, there were evaluations of how the truck traffic would enter and exit the site. He requested a copy of the site plans for review by the Commission. Typically, when there is a large grocery store in a center, there is a designated pattern for the parking lot and the parking lot is designed to accommodate trucks entering and leaving the center. If the truck access pattern had relied on Cold Springs Lane and the pavement cross section was never constructed suitable to hold trucks then there is a problem. Although the Neighborhood Traffic Management Study is not designed to address design. However, the City needs to consider the consequences of the design. June 8, 1995 Page 16 TAT Commission Chair/Istik stated if the good design was not provided it would be no reason to consider changing a recommendation of how the center was designed. The Commission is not attempting to justify the center's design, it is looking at a possible change. He indicated he is also concerned that the study should include the conditions of approval of the Conditional Use Permit and the Parcel Map under which the center operates. During the April 13 meeting of the Neighborhood Traffic Management Study there was discussion of a driveway restriction being a part of the Tentative Parcel Map or the Conditional Use Permit. Mr. Close responded his firm would investigate the matter and report back to the Commission. Patty Durkee, 2516 Castle Rock Road, stated she lives three properties from Evergreen Springs Elementary School. She indicated she did not see any proposed solutions for Evergreen Springs Drive except for the comments that were made regarding Sunbright Drive. She stated she has a concern regarding the point at which Evergreen Springs Drive turns into Castle Rock Road at the Evergreen Springs Elementary School. The vehicle speed around the corner are much higher than the curve allows. Cars often go up over the curb on the opposite side of the street. She indicated the house directly across the street has been hit twice, once into the den and once into the bedroom. They have replaced their block wall and actually increased the height because the cars were coming over the block wall and hitting their house. There were two additional accidents where vehicles hit the block wall and knocked it down. Coming down Evergreen Springs Drive past the elementary school, the curve is blind. It is very difficult for the residents to get in and out of their driveways. She stated she is constantly concerned that while backing out of her driveway a car will come around the curve and hit her because the vehicles do not slow down. While there is a caution sign at the school there is no sign to advise motorists that they are approaching a curve and the sign is bent from cars running into it. In her opinion, there have been several single car accidents which tend not to be reported. She stated it is a real concern to her that something be done, if possible, to decrease the speed on Evergreen Springs Drive. She does not believe that reducing the speed limit will be a deterrent because the hill coming from Pathfinder Road toward Castle Rock Road is very steep. A stop sign will may reduce the speed to some degree. However, her concern is that the vehicles will increase speed by the time IJune 8, 1995 Page 17 T&T Commission they reach the curve. At the very least, if a stop sign cannot be put in at the location, a sign indicating there is a curve ahead with a warning that 15 MPH (or whatever MPH the City determines) is the maximum safe speed should be installed at the site. Ms. Muchelvane stated that the motorist who hit her house was not a neighborhood resident. He lives on the other side of Diamond Bar Boulevard and was using her street as a cut - through. Mr. Close stated DKS Associates has been concentrating on four-way stops at the intersections of Fountain Springs Road and Cold Springs Lane at Castle Rock Road. He indicated the City may wish to consider two-way stops at the intersection which have different criteria. He further stated DKS Associates will consider curve signage to include speed reduction. Responding to Chair/Istik, Mr. Close stated this process will lead to a final report which will be turned in to the City. The report will include measures to continue monitoring the situation and future steps which can be implemented. Grace Kuo, 2632 Castle Rock Road, stated that two years ago there was a water hydrant on Fountain Springs Lane at Castle Rock Road. The hydrant was hit by a car which prevented it from hitting her home. Because of the accident, the water hydrant was relocated on Castle Rock Road. There have been some major car accidents at that intersection in the early hours of the morning. C/Chavers stated he takes professional exception to the statements that stop signs reduce speed. Historically, stop signs do not control speed. When drivers perceive stop signs as an annoyance, they jack rabbit start away from the stop sign and are back up to the speed they were travelling whether the stop sign was there or not. In most cases, having a stop sign in a location that is perceived by a driver as an annoyance does not reduce speed and there is more noise generated because of the acceleration and deceleration. He indicated that the residents should not expect great things from stop signs in terms of speed control. With respect to the double yellow lines, the City must be cautious of the street width. Subtracting two eight foot lanes for parking from a 30 foot wide street leaves 14 I June 8, 1995 Page 18 T&T Commission feet for traffic. By adding a center line the traffic lanes are reduced to seven feet which is inadequate. The stop signs on Armitos Place at Darrin Drive and Bowcreek Drive were installed as part of the Subdivision Map under the authority of the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works. They were designed into the subdivision and have never met warrants. Because the stop signs are there, they are difficult to remove. His response is that because several stops signs were done incorrectly does not mean that the City wants to repeat the problem. C/Chavers continued that, although Brea Canyon Road is outside the scope of the DKS Associates study, he sees the street as part of the solution to the neighborhood traffic problem. He suggested that two lanes could be put in along the westerly side of Diamond Bar High School and diagonal parking could be put in along one curb. This solution could reduce some of the parking need on Evergreen Springs Drive and other streets as well. He requested that staff assist with language regarding Brea Canyon Road which could be inserted into the DKS Associates report. In his opinion, the preliminary recommendations by DKS Associates are solid. He has concerns regarding the warranting of stop signs immediately prior to reduction of the speed limit. The key is enforcement and he encouraged the neighborhood to consider making a more serious commitment toward the self - enforcing permanent solutions. He indicated he does not see the traffic problems going away with the installation of stop signs. He would like to see physical barriers as long- term solutions. Chair/Istik stated that his concern with traffic barriers is that they might have a negative effect on real estate values. Responding to C/Gravdahl, Mr. Sanchez stated there are currently no warning signs in the area for the 90 degree curves. The City could place warning signs as requested because there is no warrant needed for such signs. Mr. Close added that DKS Associates will investigate the feasibility of warning and maximum speed signs for curves in the study area. The final report from DKS Associates is proposed to be on the agenda for the July 13 Traffic and Transportation Commission. '" 1 June 8, 1995 Page 19 T&T Commission In response to C/Gravdahl, SE/Liu stated the issue of the 25 MPH prima facia is a policy decision that must be made at the City Council level. C/Gravdahl suggested that the speed limit on Fountain Springs Lane and Cold Springs Lane,could be reduced immediately and stop signs could be installed at the Fountain Springs Lane and Cold Springs Land at Castle Rock Road intersections. The City could then monitor the effects of these implementations prior to fine tuning the study. Responding to Chair/Istik, C/Chavers stated he envisions the Commission will study the final report from DKS Associates. Recommendations from the Traffic and Transportation Commission and the neighborhood residents being forwarded to C/Chavers stated the implementation should not be confused with the implementation guide. The traffic study may contain a number of recommendations. Some of the recommendations may be implemented and some may not be implemented. Certain recommendations may be implemented prior to the completion of the study. In his opinion, confusion will be created by attempting to implement certain solutions and then tailoring the study. He indicated the study should stand on its own merit. If the speed limits are reduced by City Council as a response to recommendations by this Commission, the solution is implemented. He reiterated to the residents that during the regular meeting of the Commission held prior to the workshop, the Commission again requested the City Council to drop the speed limits to 25 MPH prima facia on Fountain Springs Lane and Cold Springs Lane. They are residential streets and the Commission believes the speed should be 25 MPH. This issue. is irrespective of the Pomona Traffic Court Commissioner's ruling. If the City Council approves the speed reduction, then the City will be in a position of determining what will be done with the four-way stop warrants that cannot be met. Because many neighborhood residents have requested four-way stops, the City will need to consider alternatives. The study will provide a range of implementation measures for a series of conditions. As a group these implementation measures will be revisited on a timely basis. Mr. Close responded to Chair/Intik that the report is not intended to propose an implementation schedule. DKS Associates could include an implementation schedule if so directed by the Commission. Responding to Chair/Istik, C/Chavers stated he envisions the Commission will study the final report from DKS Associates. Recommendations from the Traffic and Transportation Commission and the neighborhood residents being forwarded to June 8, 1995 Page 20 T&T Commission City Council. City Council will then make the final determination regarding any approval of funding and implementation of proposed solutions. Mr. Close agreed with C/Chavers and added that the study would also include estimated costs for implementation of the proposed solutions. Mr. Close stated that this workshop was envisioned to follow-up the first workshop and the second survey. The more restrictive solutions that were proposed during the first workshop have met with resistance from the residents. Therefore, DKS Associates has used this workshop to discuss less intrusive solutions. Chair/Istik stated it should be made clear that a study will not be conducted for study sake only. The study needs to lead to timely implementation. Part of the approval of the study could be the recommendation for implementation of certain solutions, especially for purposes of safety. C/Chavers stated that he would expect the final approval of the report would contain recommendations for implementation to the City Council. In response to C/Gravdahl, C/Chavers stated that the issues of stop signs and reduced speed are mutually exclusive. The City cannot reduce the speed and install stop signs. The Commission has previously determined to move forward with the recommendation to the City Council to reduce the speed. Mr. Clute stated there are numerous small accidents that go unreported and therefore, are not included in the warrant study. He further stated when a four-way stop went in at Brea Canyon Road and Cold Springs Lane, every person he interviewed in the area commented that the stops signs dramatically slowed the traffic on Brea Canyon. He indicated he is told over and over that stop signs do not work. However, it is the perception of the neighborhood residents that stop signs do work to deter traffic. He has noticed he is personally driving slower as a result of the stop signs. He believes the stop signs will work in the rest of the neighborhood. He stated he would like to see the more restrictive plan as a part of this study. In his opinion, measures beyond stop signs will be needed in the long term. Although he is concerned with a timely implementation of solutions, he indicated he would rather take the time to include information from the Country Hills 1 June 8, 1995 Page 21 T&T Commission Towne Center even if it means pushing the report back one month. He stated he believes the center is a significant part of the traffic problem in the area. In addition, the six traffic lanes entering the center on Diamond Bar Boulevard should be more than sufficient to handle all truck traffic and he believes that was the original intent of the approved development. C/Chavers requested that the DKS Associates study include the traffic flow and truck access information for the center. The study should make the point that this is an issue. Part of the implementation strategy will be to review and resolve this issue. He encouraged the consultants to not let this issue delay completion of the study and final report. Mr. Close, responding to Chair/Istik, stated the proposal for the Country Hills Towne Center driveway located on Fountain Springs Lane is for a right -out only. Chair/Intik suggested that if the study is adopted and implemented and results in the loss of benefit, the shopping center representatives could ask the City for some compensatory consideration. Mr. Cox stated he believes there should be a symbiotic relationship between the shopping center and the residents. He is concerned with the vacancies. However, he does not believe it is good to have truck traffic in the residential areas. He further stated he has visited cities which utilize traffic diverters. He does not believe the diverters would adversely affect the property values. In fact, he believes that, just as they have benefited new subdivisions, they would be a positive impact to the neighborhood and would increase property values. He asked what legal action would be required and what the difficulty would be in the installation of diverters. Mr. Close responded that would need to conduct an investigation to see if any legal action might be required. Responding to Mr. Cox, SE/Liu stated that there are no legal constraints for the implementation of physical barriers. However, the proposal would be presented to City Council as a Capital Improvement Program. SE/Istik asked if there were any residents who wished to participate in the study. He indicated that when the steering committee and DKS Associates have completed the June 8, 1995 Page 22 T&T Commission draft study, the information will be brought back to the Traffic and Transportation Commission for final review. The neighborhood residents will be notified by mail of the meeting date which will most likely be in August. C/Chavers requested that staff bring information to the Traffic and Transportation for the August meeting regarding the process for the Capital Improvement Project. The residents need to understand that, as the report goes away, there are steps that must be followed. SE/Liu responded that he would provide the information during the scheduled workshop. SE/Liu, responding to Chair/Istik, stated the City has reserve funds available. Any expenditure of funds on behalf of the City would have to be approved at the City Council level. The City's priorities are the rehabilitation of the arterials and the completion of approved traffic control improvements. Chair/Istik thanked the participants and invited the residents to attend the July 13, 1995 Traffic and Transportation meeting. Chair/Istik declared the Neighborhood Traffic Management Study Workshop #2 adjourned at 8:43 p.m. Respect ly, iu Secretary Attes Jac Istik Cha rman