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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/10/1995CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 1995 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Istik called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Hearing Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Gravdahl. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Chairman Istik, Vice Chairman Leonard, Gravdahl Absent: Commissioner Ortiz Staff: Senior Engineer, David Liu; Administrative Assistant, Tseday Aberra; Consultant Engineer Michael Myers; Sergeant Rawlings; and Recording Secretary, Carol Dennis Chair/Istik stated that Commissioner Ortiz would be absent and excused from the meeting. Chair/Istik requested that the Traffic and Transportation Commission dispense with the stated meeting Agenda and begin with the Neighborhood Traffic Management Study. The Commission concurred. V. OLD BUSINESS: A. Neighborhood Traffic Management Study. Chair/Istik declared the public comments open. Craig Clute, 21217 Fountain Springs Road, stated that although he had not read the report in detail, it appears that most of the items discussed in previous public meetings and with the steering committee have been included. He requested that Page 4 indicate that Castle Rock Elementary School is located on Castle Rock Road between Bronco Lane and Cool Springs Drive. He took exception with the statement on Page 4 of the study which states that "the overall traffic circulation operates with minimal constraints when school ends in the afternoon". Regarding the Trip Generation, Table 2-3 on Page 14, he suggested that August 10, 1995 Page 2 T&T Commission some of the figures might be too high. He further stated that he would like to see "No Commercial Truck" signs on Cold Springs Lane as well as on Fountain Springs Road. He requested that the study indicate the existing four-way stop at Cold Springs Lane and Brea Canyon Road. Chair/Istik referred the Commission to the study's recommended actions beginning on Page 35. Robert Close, DKS Associates, stated that the thrust of the improvement is to put chokers on Fountain Springs Road and Cold Springs Lane. In light of the cost of this improvement, staff questions the effectiveness of chokers. He cited a DKS Associates study conducted in Atherton located in San Mateo County. Atherton installed an active series of chokers. This effectively reduced cut -through traffic by 75 percent. In addition, the average speed was reduced by 10 percent. DKS Associates believes that the implementation of chokers is an integral part of the solution to the cut -through traffic and vehicular speeding problems associated with the neighborhood.. DKS Associates has included the chokers as Part Two of Plan I because the funding and plan design for this implementation may require greater consideration on the part of the City. However, DKS Associates considers Part One and Two of the implementation plan to be equally important. DKS Associates believes Part One of Plan I can be implemented immediately. Prior to implementing Plan II, Plan I implementations should be analyzed for their effectiveness. The City may determine that Plan II will be unnecessary if Plan I is effective in eliminating most, if not all, of the current traffic problems. Responding to Chair/Istik, Mr. Close stated DKS Associates recommends that Plan I be implemented in its entirety. Chair/Istik stated that if the City Council approved Plan I the funding would be immediately available. He indicated the total cost of Plan I, Part One and Two, is approximately the cost of one traffic signal. IAugust 10, 1995 Page 3 T&T Commission Mr. Close, responding to C/Gravdahl, stated that the current trend indicates truck traffic enters Country Hills Towne Center from Cold Springs Lane and exits the center onto Fountain Springs Road, or enters the main entrance from Diamond Bar Boulevard and exits onto Fountain Springs Road. With the implementation of Plan I, it is expected that trucks travelling through the neighborhood and finding chokers would most likely use another route. In response to Chair/Istik, Mr. Close stated that he did not believe trucks would use alternative routes to avoid the physical restrictions on Cold Springs Lane and Fountain Springs Road. In his opinion, the effectiveness of Plan I should be studied in order to avoid the implementation of Plan II which would be overkill. Chair/Istik suggested that the Commission consider a motion to send a recommendation to the City Council which would not include any financial considerations. A motion was made by C/Gravdahl and seconded by C/Leonard to recommend that the City Council adopt Plan I, Part One and Two and conduct a follow up study to determine the effectiveness of Plan I prior to implementation of Plan II. Chair/Istik stated that he would support the motion if it included a recommendation for a "right turn -out only" reconstruction of the Country Hills Towne Center driveway at Fountain Springs Road. He recommended that the shopping center management discuss the neighborhood concerns for truck traffic with the tenants and seek their cooperation. C/Gravdahl and Vice-Chair/Leonard concurred with Chair/Istik and the motion was revised. The motion was approved 3-0 with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Gravdahl, VC/Leonard, Chair/Istik NONE: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Ortiz August 10, 1995 Page 4 T&T Commission VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Request to install speed bumps on Decorah Road. AA/Aberra stated that in February, 1992, the Traffic and Transportation Commission discussed the issue of speed bumps and recommended to the City Council denial of installation. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission deny the request to install speed bumps on Decorah Road. Staff recommends the installation of 25 MPH" signs and double -yellow centerline striping on Decorah Road as indicated in the plan attached to the staff report. Responding to Chair/Istik, SE/Liu stated that the City does not have a formal policy with respect to speed bumps. He stated there was an opinion issued by the previous City Attorney. Chair/Istik declared the public comments open. Chinh Pham, 24145 Decorah Road, related the hazards of speeding vehicles in his neighborhood. Since a 25 MPH would involve voluntary compliance on the part of the driver, he indicated he feels a speed bump would promote involuntary compliance. He stated that is very concerned about numerous near -accidents and he fears for the safety of children who might move into the area. In lieu of a speed bump, he indicated he would favor the installation of a 25 MPH speed sign and double yellow striping. Mercedes Hernandez, 23943 Decorah Road, stated her residence is located two houses from Del Sol Lane. She indicated she cannot allow her children to be outside of the house because of the vehicles speeding down the hill. She indicated she would like to have a stop sign or a speed bump to slow the traffic. She further stated that she believes law enforcement targets Del Sol Lane for speeding. Dennis Block, 23746 Decorah Road, stated he has lived -" in the neighborhood for 23 years and his street has been a drag strip since he moved there. He further stated he would hope that stop signs and speed bumps 1 August 10, 1995 Page 5 T&T Commission would deter the speeding traffic. He indicated that during a week the law enforcement officers patrolled the street there was no speeding. He stated he is not aware of any accidents in the area during the time he has lived there. Chair/Istik stated he concurs with staff's recommendation. City's such as Pasadena have adopted speed hump policies. In these instances, speed humps are not permitted when the street grade exceeds five percent because of the safety concerns. Sixty-five percent of residents who would be effected by the installation of speed humps must concur by signing an agreement. In addition, the City's Engineer and the City Council must agree that such an installation is safe. If there is a request to remove the speed hump, sixty-five percent of the residents must agree to the removal. C/Gravdahl stated he drove the area and concurs with the residents that there is a need for mitigation of the speeding problems. He further stated he is concerned that the installation of speed bumps in the tract would increase the noise level. Regarding the hairpin turn at Navajo Springs and Decorah Road, striping is needed. He recommended the City install downhill speed and curve signs to alert motorists. He stated with the addition of the signs he would concur with staff's recommendation. SE/Liu, in response to C/Gravdahl, stated "Watch Downhill Speed" and "Curve" signs can be supplemented with the 25 MPH signs. C/Gravdahl stated there are hills all through the 30 year old tract and that there are no center lines and no speed control signs. He recommended that staff review the entire tract for striping at the curves. A motion was made by C/Gravdahl and seconded by C/Leonard to approve staff's recommendation and supplement "Watch Downhill Speed" and "Curve" signs. The motion was approved 3-0 with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Gravdahl, VC/Leonard, Chair/Istick August 10, 1995 Page 6 T&T Commission NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Ortiz Chair/Istik requested concurrence from the Commission to have a discussion regarding a speed bump policy for the City of Diamond Bar. C/Gravdahl requested an opinion on speed bump policy from the City Attorney. Responding to Chair/Istik's request, SE/Liu stated staff will work with the City Manager to obtain an opinion from the City Attorneyfs office. In addition, staff will provide copies of the three year old Speed Bump Study as an informational item for the September 14 Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting. A motion was made by VC/Leonard and seconded by C/Gravdahl to carry over the balance of the agenda items to the September 14, 1995 Traffic and Transportation meeting. The motion was approved 3-0 with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Leonard, Gravdahl, Chair Istik NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Ortiz XZ. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Istik declared the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully, id Secretary Atte7-*�a Jac Istik Chairman