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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/14/1996CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION NOVEMBER 14, 1996 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair/Leonard called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District Hearing Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by VC/Leonard. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Vice Chair/Leonard, Commissioner Nice, Tamaya, and Virginkar Absent: Chair/Istik Staff: Deputy Director of Public Works David Liu; Administrative Assistant Tseday Aberra; and Sergeant Rawlings. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of October 10, 1996. C/Tamaya made a motion, seconded by C/Virginkar, to approve the minutes of October 10, 1996 as presented. The motion was approved 3-0-1 with VC/Leonard abstaining. II. COMMISSION COMMENTS C/Nice stated he and C/Virginkar recently attended a Traffic Commissioner's workshop at Cal Poly Pomona. He thanked the City for giving them the opportunity to attend this exciting and very worthwhile seminar. VC/Leonard asked seminar attendees to share information with Commissioners who are unable to attend workshops. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS Craig Clute, 21217 Fountain Springs Road, stated that with respect to the Neighborhood Traffic Study mitigation measures, there has been a decrease in vehicle speed on Fountain Springs Road. He indicated the neighborhood residents are pleased with the November 14, 1996 Page 2 T&T COMMission results. He also indicated he believes there has been a slight reduction in the amount of cut through traffic. He asked for an update with respect to the covered no -left -turn sign on Fountain Springs Road at the Country Hills Towne Center ingress/egress. He complained about the truck traffic on Brea Canyon Road between Diamond Bar Boulevard and Pathfinder Road. Although the neighborhood was prepared to have construction vehicles in the area, it appears that Brea Canyon Road is being used for truck through traffic. He requested additional enforcement. He asked why the City did not give residents advance notice of the northbound SR 57 Pathfinder Road freeway entrance closing. He asked why the closure needs to extend to March, 1997. He stated he does not believe the ramp should close unless the other SR 57 ramps are opened. He indicated he is still waiting for the City to present a Brea Canyon Road reconstruction design. He asked for a Diamond Bar High School parking update. He also asked for an enforcement update with respect to the 72 hour parking restriction and if the City or Sheriff's Department has done anything about people living in Recreational Vehicles parked on City streets. DDPW/Liu responded to Mr. Clute that DKS will present the results of the Neighborhood Traffic Study mitigation measures implementation tonight. The evaluation will be forwarded to the City Council and the neighborhood residents will be notified. He indicated he is not aware of truck traffic using Brea Canyon Road as a cut through. The City will work with the Sheriff's Department to determine if Brea Canyon Road is becoming a truck route. Regarding the northbound SR 57 Pathfinder Road ramp closure, CalTrans advised other ramps will be open. CalTrans indicated information has been provided to the surrounding residents. DDPW/Liu stated that DPW/Wentz presented the Brea Canyon Road conceptual reconstruction plan at the October 10, 1996 Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting. The Diamond Bar High School parking status is scheduled for the January 9, 1997 Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting. The 72 hour parking item has been forwarded to the City Council. Sgt. Rawlings responded to Mr. Clute that the Sheriff's Department has always enforced the 72 hour parking November 14, 1996 Page 3 T&T Commission ordinance. A citizen boasted at a recent meeting that he gets around the ordinance by removing the red tag, cleaning his tires and moving his recreational vehicle forward two or three feet. Other citizens do the same thing which makes enforcement ineffective. X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. Presentation by Austin -Foust Associates, Inc.: Traffic Management Study for the Quail Summit Drive/Rolling Knoll Road/Country View Drive area. Joe Foust again summarized the Traffic Management Study analysis and recommended implementation of the following mitigation measures: 1) Skip yellow centerline striping and bicycle lane striping for Quail Summit Drive, Rolling Knoll Road, and Country View Drive. 2) All way stops at Deer Crossing Drive at Country View Drive, and Coyote Springs Drive at Sand Ridge Road. These two locations are warranted. 3) Traffic signal installation at the intersection of Quail Summit Drive and Diamond Bar Boulevard. This location meets the traffic signal warrant. DDPW/Liu thanked Mr. Foust. He stated the study recommendations will be forwarded to the City Council on December 17, 1996 or during January, 1997. B. Presentation by DRS Associates: Heritage Tract Neighborhood Traffic Study. (Area bounded by Pathfinder Road, Diamond Bar Boulevard, and Brea Canyon Road). Mario Sanchez reviewed the original Neighborhood study, the follow-up evaluation and resulting mitigation measures. He presented graphs depicting the results of the followup evaluation study of Part I Plan I mitigation measures implementation. Mr. Sanchez responded to C/Tamaya that the only November 14, 1996 Page 4 T&T Commission recommended mitigation measure not in effect at this time is the no left turn restriction at the Country Hills Towne Center Fountain Springs Drive ingress/egress which the City Council recommended be covered. Mr. Sanchez stated DKS Associates mailed out approximately 705 residences and businesses in the neighborhood study area. The majority of the 116 (16.7 percent return) respondents indicated that neighborhood traffic has improved. He indicated the residents indicated they do not want the left turn sign at the Country Hills Towne Center. Respondents indicated that the stop signs at Brea Canyon Road and Cold Springs Lane, and Brea Canyon Road at Fountain Springs Road have reduced cut through traffic. As a result of the school traffic circulation study, "No U-turn" and "No Parking" signs were implemented at the intersection of Pathfinder Road and Evergreen Springs Drive. The citizens responded that these signs are favorable and only effective with traffic enforcement. Mr. Sanchez indicated DKS conducted a license plate study which revealed a reduction in cut through traffic on Fountain Springs Road, Cold Springs Lane and Evergreen Springs Drive and that most of the cut through traffic is school traffic. Mr. Sanchez concluded that the implemented traffic mitigation measures have results in overall improvement to the neighborhood traffic flow. Mr. Sanchez responded to C/Tamaya that based upon the installation of red curbing, the decrease in traffic speed and stop sign installations on Fountain Springs Road, he now believes that the "No Left Turn" sign is unnecessary. Leo Lee, DKS Associates representative and Diamond Bar resident, stated the original intent of the "No Left Turn" sign was to discourage truck delivery traffic to the shopping center from using l Fountain Springs Road as a cut through. The "No j Commercial Truck" signs have been very effective in mitigating the commercial cut through traffic November 14, 1996 Page 5 T&T Commission on Fountain Springs Road. In addition, the "No Left Turn" sign is a detriment to the neighborhood residents. Based upon these findings, DKS Associates reversed its original finding for installation of a "No Left Turn" sign at the shopping center. C/Nice concurred that the "No Left Turn" sign was not effective. Mr. Lee reiterated that traffic originating within the neighborhood and merging into Brea Canyon Road or Diamond Bar Boulevard is considered through traffic. The early morning weekday traffic is predominately Diamond Bar residents traveling through the neighborhood to the high school which is considered "through" traffic. The mid afternoon hour statistics reveal a reverse travel pattern. The non -school traffic patterns are reflected in the Saturday survey figures. Mr. Clute again stated he believes that the vehicle traffic would be significantly reduced by closure of the Country Hills Towne Center Fountain Springs Road access. The access was never to have been constructed. The shopping center is poorly designed and if it was built today, it would not DDPW/Nice responded to C/Nice that the City has responded to a citizens request for a left turn signal on Brea Canyon Road at Pathfinder Road. The City sent a letter to the resident informing him that the intersection, along with several other intersections in the City, will be reviewed concurrently for possible left turn signal implementation. Craig Clute stated there has been a slight reduction in neighborhood cut through traffic. The mitigation measures have slowed the vehicle traffic on Fountain Springs Road and other areas of the neighborhood. He indicated he feels the Country Hills Towne Center Fountain Springs Road access is creating an additional neighborhood traffic burden and he would like to see it closed. He acknowledged that the vehicle speed has improved on Brea Canyon Road. Mr. Lee reiterated that traffic originating within the neighborhood and merging into Brea Canyon Road or Diamond Bar Boulevard is considered through traffic. The early morning weekday traffic is predominately Diamond Bar residents traveling through the neighborhood to the high school which is considered "through" traffic. The mid afternoon hour statistics reveal a reverse travel pattern. The non -school traffic patterns are reflected in the Saturday survey figures. Mr. Clute again stated he believes that the vehicle traffic would be significantly reduced by closure of the Country Hills Towne Center Fountain Springs Road access. The access was never to have been constructed. The shopping center is poorly designed and if it was built today, it would not November 14, 1996 Page 6 T&T Commission be built as it is currently constructed. DDPW/Liu responded to VC/Leonard that staff concurs with DKS Associates that as a result of community input and because neighborhood cut through traffic has been reduced, the "No Left Turn" sign should be removed. C/Nice agrees that the "No Left Turn" sign does not work. He stated that in his opinion, the problems are a result of the shopping center traffic circulation pattern. He asked Mr. Clute to continue monitoring the area and to advise him of any further considerations. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Items A. and C. were pulled from the Consent Calendar. B. Re -installation of "No Stopping Anytime" signs on the east side of Brea Canyon Road between Pathfinder Road and south of the Plaza Diamond Bar's first driveway. C/Tamaya moved, C/Virginkar seconded, to approve Consent Calendar Item B. The motion was approved 4-0 Roll Call vote. Items pulled from Consent Calendar: A. Red Curbing both sides of the drive approach to Paul C. Grow Park. DDPW/Liu read the staff report into the record. He indicated that the City received a letter from the Quail Summit School principal stating she supports staff's recommendation. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with staff's recommendation to red curb 20 feet on both sides of the drive approach to Paul C. Grow Park and forward said recommendation to the City Council. DDPW/Liu responded to C/Tamaya that the Montefino Avenue red curb issues involve circulation conditions and safety concerns for the area including the Post Office site. City Council is INovember 14, 1996 Page 7 T&T Commission not denying the Traffic and Transportation Commission's recommendation. They are requesting that staff and the Commission widen its investigation area and provide recommendations for the entire location and not just for Montefino Avenue. With respect to Paul C. Grow Park, the concern is for site visibility. Following discussion, C/Virginkar moved, C/Tamaya seconded, to concur with staff's recommendation to red curb 20 feet on both sides of the drive approach to Paul C. Grow Park and forward said recommendation to the City Council. The motion was carried 4-0 with a Roll Call vote. C. Request for multi -way stop signs at the intersection of Cahill Place and Chisholm Trail Drive. Recommended Action: Concur with staff's recommendation to install 25 MPH Speed Limit signs along Chisholm Trail Drive. AA/Aberra responded to C/Tamaya that the resident who requested multi -way stop signs at the intersection of Cahill Place and Chisholm Trail Drive was contacted by telephone and in writing. He was invited to attend tonight's meeting. She indicated the resident concurred with staff's recommendation. Staff will follow up with the resident to advise him of the Commission's decision. C/Nice moved, C/Tamaya seconded, to concur with staff's recommendation to install 25 MPH Speed Limit signs along Chisholm Trail Drive. The motion was carried with a 4-0 Roll Call vote. V. OLD BUSINESS - None VI. NEW BUSINESS - None VII. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS DDPW/Liu stated that the Traffic and Transportation Commission's recommendation to red curb the north side of Montefino Avenue between Diamond Bar Boulevard and i November 14, 1996 Page a T&T Commission the first Post Office driveway. The City Council has requested a more extensive review of the area. Staff will prepare a report and recommendation for the Traffic and Transportation Commission's consideration at the January 9, 1997 meeting. VIII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS C/Tamaya asked for Commission concurrence to add consideration of a three-way stop request at Pecan Grove Drive and Mountain Laurel Way to the five intersections currently being considered for stop sign warrant analysis. DDPW/Liu responded to C/Tamaya that he will review the stop sign installation on Minnequa Drive at Bower Cascade Drive to determine if the proper street markings are in place. VC/Leonard asked for status of the crosswalk striping at Quail Summit Elementary School. DDPW/Liu responded that the Commission's recommendation will be forwarded to City Council as part of the Austin -Foust Associates, Inc. study. DDPW/Liu responded to VC/Leonard that staff will look at the feasibility of including additional right -turn pocket lanes at Grand Avenue intersections. Sgt. Rawlings stated that right turn pockets are essential for enforcement. He indicated that traffic enforcement is very difficult on Grand Avenue because there is no street parking for officers. DDPW/Liu asked the Commission to consider dispensing with the December meeting. He proposed that the November Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting be adjourned to January 9, 1997. C/Nice moved, C/Tamaya seconded, to adjourn the November Traffic and Transportation Commission, when appropriate, to January 9, 1997. The motion was carried 4-0 by Roll Call vote. VC/Leonard asked the Commissioners to consider the matter of excessive absences of Traffic and Transportation Commissioners from scheduled meetings. November 14, 1996 Page 9 T&T Commission IX. ITEMS FROM STAFF: A. Monthly Traffic Enforcement Update: Sgt. Rawlings presented the Monthly Traffic Enforcement Update for October, 1996. The October Enforcement Index was 25.4. He stated that the number of moving violation citations issued increased substantially from about 30 to 309 for October. Sgt. Rawlings responded to C/Nice that collisions occur on the major thoroughfares of the City. Most accidents involve speeding vehicles rear ending another vehicle, and right-of-way violations. Responding to C/Virginkar, Sgt. Rawlings stated the speed trailer is operational. The Community Patrol is attempting to have a particular vehicle assigned to the trailer for convenience. X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - Continued C. Audible Pedestrian Signals at the intersections of Pathfinder Road/Brea Canyon Road and Diamond Bar Boulevard/Fountain Springs Road. DDPW/Liu reported the completed study regarding this item will be forwarded to the City Council in December. The study concludes that the locations are warranted for pedestrian signals. Staff will recommend the installation of the devices at the two locations. DDPW/Liu responded to C/Virginkar that no other intersections are slated for device installations. D. Draft memorandum regarding traffic enforcement in the City of Diamond Bar. VC/Leonard referred the Commissioner's to the draft memorandum regarding traffic enforcement. DDPW/Liu stated that with the Commission's approval, the draft will be forwarded to the City Council. E. Conference on Neighborhood Street Traffic November 14, 1996 Page 10 T&T commission Management: Wednesday, November 20, 1996. C/Tamaya stated he will attend the conference and share the information with the Commissioners. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission, C/Virginkar made a motion, seconded by C/Tamaya to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chair/Leonard adjourned the meeting at 9:35 to January 9, 1997. Respectfully, -D id Secretary Attest: Jo ce Leonard Vi e hairman