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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/2/1997CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION SCHOOL STUDY PUBLIC WORKSHOP #2 OCTOBER 2, 1997 CALL TO ORDER: Acting Chairperson Morris called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District Hearing Board Room CC -2, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Acting Chair Morris. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Acting Chair Morris, Vice -Chair Virginkar, Commissioners Istik and Nice. Chair Leonard: Absent. Stam Deputy Director of Public Works David Liu; Assistant Engineer Rose Manela, Planning Technician Susan Cole, Administrative Assistant Tseday Aberra, Consultants Joe Foust and Cathernine Lawrence of Austin -Foust & Associates, Inc., Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ron Hockwalt, Walnut Valley Unified School District; Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools Ed Walsh, Pomona Unified School District and Pomona Unified School District Facilities Department Assistant Planner Isela Lovato. Dr. Hockwalt said he supports the consultant's recommendations. He indicated that significant traffic is generated as a result of day care and employment concerns. The temporary buildings at Diamond Bar High School are in place to accommodate current enrollment needs and not to accommodate additional students. PUBLIC WORKSHOP #2: 1. Discussion of Findings: Consultant Joe Foust reported on his recommendations for four elementary schools and two intermediate (middle) schools. 1 OCTOBER 2, 1997 PAGE 2 SCHOOL TRAFFIC WORKSHOP #2 T Chaparral Intermediate School Patty Tye recommended the speed bumps remain in the school's parking lot. Dr. Hockwalt responded to Tom Ortiz that it would be the school district's responsibility to pay for removal of speed bumps, if warranted. Tom Ortiz asked for a definition of jaywalking. Joe Foust stated the legal definition of jaywalking. He explained that he is using the term "jaywalking" to indicate persons walking across the street at locations other than marked intersections. Tom Ortiz said he would refer to such crossings as "unsafe crossings". He indicated he was present when the video was recorded and that it did not show students sitting on the street curb which is not illegal but very unsafe. He reiterated his concerns for classroom and parent traffic safety education. Evergreen Elementary School C/Istik asked if a 5 foot bus turnout would assist the flow of traffic. Mr. Foust responded that a bus turnout to free up the traffic along Evergreen Springs Drive would be beneficial. C/Nice asked if the more westerly driveway of the parking lot area could be used for through traffic and a right turn out of the parking lot and thereby continue using the main driveway for left turn out traffic. Mr. Foust reiterated that he recommends no left turn out of the main driveway to relieve congestion of neighborhood traffic at the knuckle curve in front of the school. Mice suggested the main driveway be used for ingress and the secondary driveway used for egress. PT/Cole explained that school buses and student traffic block the secondary driveway. Trish Howard recommended the Castlerock Road and Evergreen Springs Drive be converted to a one-way street in the school area. OCTOBER 2, 1997 PAGE 3 SCHOOL TRAFFIC WORKSHOP #2 Mr. Foust stated he has never seen a one-way street work successfully in a residential neighborhood and does not believe the community would consider such a change. Laurie Troudy, Walnut Unified School District staff and Diamond Bar resident, said that converting Evergreen Springs Drive to a one-way street would impede Diamond Bar High School traffic as well. Debby O'Connor suggested moving the crosswalk to the far side of Harmony Hill Drive to allow the school buses additional parking room. W. Foust responded that it is illegal for the school buses to park in a crosswalk area. Mrs. O'Connor asked if Mr. Foust considered the traffic area behind the soccer field on Castler Rock Road for student dropoff and pickup. Mr. Troudy explained that there is no staff supervision in that area. Elizabeth Beard said that although the leg of Castlerock Road between the front of the school and Lost River Drive is of sufficient width, there is not room enough for traffic to successfully maneuver in the area. She asked if placement of "No U -Turn" signs at the intersections of Lost River Drive at Castlerock Road and Harmony Hill Drive at Sunbright Drive are still under consideration. Mr. Foust indicated that "No U -Turn" signs will not eliminate the problems caused by the left turn out of the school parking lot. Lorbeer Middle School Assistant Superintendent Ed Walsh thanked staff and the consultants for their efforts. Pomona Unified School District Facilities Department Assistant Planner Isela Lovato said she enjoyed working with staff and the consultant. The school district is in agreement with the recommendations presented for all of the schools. C/Istik asked what would happen to the loading/unloading zone if the City decided it needed three traffic lanes on the west side of Diamond Bar Boulevard. Mr. Foust responded that if the Diamond Bar Boulevard becomes a six lane roadway, the City would need to give consideration to the bicycle lane as well as, a right turn lane into the school parking lot. OCTOBER 2, 1997 PAGE 4 SCHOOL TRAFFIC WORKSHOP #2 Bill Brogie, Lorbeer School instructor, speaking on behalf of the Lorbeer School Principal, asked for consideration of signage to permit parking on Diamond Bar Boulevard for evening and weekend activities at the school. He said she agrees with the right turn out only from the school's parking lot. However, the southerly left turn lane from Diamond Bar Boulevard into the school parking lot should be retained instead of expecting traffic to U-turn at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Golden Springs Drive for student dropoff and pickup. He asked if the driveway could be flared to allow for easier right -turn -in and right -turn -out traffic. Patty Tye recommended that Diamond Bar Boulevard signage in front of the school incorporate language to permit weekend and evening parking to accommodate other community activities. Debby O'Connor asked if 7th and 8th grade classes could be staggered to improve or eliminate traffic congestion. Tom Ortiz recommended no U -Turn at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Goldrush Drive. He agrees that the red curbing should be eliminated on Diamond Bar Boulevard in front of the school. He agrees that weekend parking should be allowed. AC/Morris suggested the Goldrush Drive at Diamond Bar Boulevard traffic signal could be timed to assist traffic flow at peak school dropoff and pickup hours. Debby O'Connor said she does not agree with the elimination of the U-turn at Goldrush Drive because traffic will turn left at Goldrush Drive, proceed into the residential neighborhood and pull into residential driveways to turn around or make illegal U-turns on the street to get back onto Diamond Bar Boulevard to proceed North. Patty Tye recommended the City look at the timing of the signal on Diamond Bar Boulevard at Golden Springs Drive to eliminate the traffic backup on Diamond Bar Boulevard. Trish Howard presented a newspaper article referring to the West Covina Ordinance prohibiting dropoff and pickup of students under 12 years of age across the street from schools. C/Istick requested that staff obtain a copy of the West Covina Ordinance. Diamond Point Elementary School AC/Morris recommended additional school zone signs, speed zone signs and flashing lights to �I control traffic in the Golden Springs Drive area. OCTOBER 2, 1997 PAGE 5 SCHOOL TRAFFIC WORKSHOP #2 Debby O'Connor said the school attempts to educate students and parents about school traffic. She indicated double parking is a problem at the school. She agrees with the recommendation to place a traffic guard at Del Sol Lane and Golden Springs Drive. She suggested "No Parking" hours be shorted to 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to give residents an opportunity to park on the streets. AC/Morris stated he is concerned about the inconvenience to the residents. Golden Springs Elementary School AC/Morris recommended the El Encino Drive cul-de-sac be opened to Golden Spring Drive and asphalt be installed in the 20 foot area of gate at rear of the school to allow for student dropoff and pickup. Patty Tye said she agrees that El Encino Drive should be opened up and supervised to reduce the traffic congestion on the surrounding neighborhood streets. She recommended the Pomona Unified School District arrange for staff parking. Diane Howard, Ballena Drive, said that the vehicle congestion is so bad on her street that she has been prevented from leaving her driveway. The children cross at all points along Golden Springs Drive to get to and from the school. AC/Morris referred to a letter from Beverly Fleming who lives on Prospect Valley Drive across from the school. She indicated the Golden Springs U -Turn signs cannot be seen due to tree growth. She also indicated that parents are rude, park in the cul-de-sac area in front of her driveway and litter. She asked that the traffic be rerouted. Trish Howard, Ballena Drive, said that vehicles block her driveway and she is unable to leave for work on time. She expressed concerns about the children's safety. Patty Tye said the school bus stops in the red zone on Golden Springs Drive in front of the school to drop off students. C/Istik suggested the parents could be encouraged to have their children use the school if the City subsidize school bus passes. Ed Walsh responded that the Pomona Unified School District is a non -busing district. The City's infrastructure does not offer an alternative to deal with congestion. Public transportation is generally ignored in southern California where people tend to rely on automobile transportation. He said he believes that if school bus transportation was offered OCTOBER 2, 1999 PAGE 6 SCHOOL TRAFFIC WORKSHOP #2 ` free of charge, it would not encourage ridership. Diane Howard asked why the City does not enforce school traffic. AC/Morris stated that although the Walnut Sheriffs Department has designated one motorcycle traffic officer, he cannot cover all schools on a daily basis. Diane Howard asked if the Senior Patrol could help with school traffic enforcement. Craig Clute asked if Golden Springs Drive is posted 25 mph zone in the area of this school and in the Golden Springs Elementary School area. AC/Morris indicated both school areas are posted "25 mph when children are present". Armstrong Elementary School There was no one present who wished to comment on this school. VI. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission, Acting Chair/Morris adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m. to the regular Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. on October 9, in the South Coast Air Quality Management Building's Hearing Board Room. Respectfully, r'> David G. Liu Secretary Attest: Roland Morris Acting Chair