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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/13/1997CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION NOVEMBER 13, 1997 CALL TO ORDER: Chair/Leonard called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District Hearing Board Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Istik. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Chair Leonard, Vice Chair Virginkar and Commissioners Istik and Morris Absent: Commissioner Nice Staff: Deputy Director of Public Works David Liu, Assistant Engineer Rose Manela, Planning Technician Susan Cole, and Tseday Aberra, Adminsitrative Assistant. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of September 25, 1997. VC/Virginkar moved, C/Morris seconded, to approve the minutes of September 25, 1997 as presented. Without objections, the motion was so ordered. B. Minutes of October 2, 1997. The minutes of October 2, 1997 were continued to the January 8, 1998 meeting. C. Minutes of October 9, 1997. C/Morris moved, C/Istik seconded, to approve the minutes of October 9, 1997 as presented. The motion was carried 3-0-1 with VC/Virginkar abstaining. NOVEMBER 13, 1997 PAGE 2 T&T COMMISSION II. COMMISSION COMMENTS - None III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR -None V. OLD BUSINESS - None I. NEW BUSINESS: A. Diamond Bar School Safety/Traffic Study. Joe Foust, Austin -Foust Associates, Inc. presented the following updated recommendations. He spoke about the January 1, 1998 flashing red light law for school buses which will further effect traffic flow. Diamond Bar High School: The use of the Brea Canyon Road school bus ingress/egress for school vehicular traffic and student dropoff and pickup; expand interior parking lot driveway to accommodate traffic turn around; left turn in and right turn out only between school property and Pathfinder Road with left turn signal installation at the intersection of Pathfinder Road and Brea Canyon Road, left turn signal on northbound Brea Canyon Road at Pathfinder Road and installation of diagonal parking on the east side of Brea Canyon Road north of Fountain Springs Road southerly to the current school bus ingress/egress. He indicated that without the ingress/egress opening on Pathfinder Road (the current school bus ingress/egress) there may be a need for a left turn signal at Evergreen Springs Drive and Pathfinder Road. Mr. Foust explained that although there are opportunities to enhance the traffic flow at the school site, he is doubtful that the school district will be forthcoming with the $16,000 of needed improvements to accommodate these recommendations. Quail Summit Elementary School: Mr. Foust stated that the school district does not wish to provide student pickup and dropoff at Forest Canyon Drive. However, a new staff parking lot is being constructed east of the current parking lot which will provide more room for student dropoff and pickup at the current main parking lot. The projected enrollment increase of 200 additional students has been reevaluated to a possible maximum increase of 50 additional students. NOVEMBER 13, 1997 PAGE 3 T&T COMMISSION Evergreen Springs Elementary School: Mr. Foust proposed that parents enter the school parking lot from the most southerly Castle Rock Road entrance of the school, proceed through the parking lot to the most northerly driveway with right turn only in and out of the parking lot. In order to accomplish this method, scheduling of school bus loading and unloading will need to be coordinated with the traffic flow. Traffic attempting to proceed south on Evergreen Springs Drive and turn left into the school parking lot would be prohibited from doing so during school bus loading and unloading because of the new law. Debby O'Connor, Diamond Point Elementary Safety Committee, said she concurs with the Diamond Point Elementary School's principal to strongly recommend a warrant study to determine the need for a second crossing guard at Sunset Crossing Road and Del Sol Lane, and that no ladder crosswalk be installed at the mid point of the block on Sunset Crossing Road. Steve Tye asked if there was student dropoff and pickup activity observed on El Encino Drive at the rear of Golden Springs Elementary School. Mr. Foust responded that there is activity at the rear of the school and he would encourage more activity with supervision. His recommendation includes a crosswalk installation just south of the rear gate on El Encino Drive. Mr. Tye concurred with the recommendation for loading and unloading on Diamond Bar Boulevard at Lorbeer Middle School. He said he is concerned about the elimination of left turns out of the school parking lot and asked how the prohibition improves traffic flow. Mr. Foust responded that the prohibition of left turns out of the school parking lot is a safety and visibility recommendation. By eliminating the left turn out of the parking area, the traffic flow in and out of the parking lot will improve. In addition to allowing dropoff and pickup on Diamond Bar Boulevard, visibility areas and right turn in areas are provided adjacent to the parking lot driveway. Kathleen Worland said she strongly supports the Walnut Elementary School principal's recommendations for a stop sign at Lycoming Street and Glenwick Avenue and for a crossing guard at the crosswalk in front of the school. Patty Tye asked if the study recommendation #4 includes signage with pavement legends at Golden Springs Elementary School. NOVEMBER 13, 1997 PAGE 4 T&T COMMISSION W. Foust responded that the intent of the recommendation is to install signs as well as, pavement legends. Mrs. Tye concurred with C/Morris that the school signage hours should be extended from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. where applicable. C/Morris responded to Mrs. Tye that recommendation #6 for Golden Springs Elementary School is to provide walkway paving for students at the rear of the school. He explained where the crosswalk is proposed to be installed just south of the current gate opening. C/Morris stated that several Golden Springs Elementary School residents have requested consideration of a three-way stop at Ballena Drive and Palomino Drive. C/Istik stated he believes Mr. Foust has provided a good study and the City is protected by having completed the study through improved safety. He asked staff to point out to the City Council that the purpose of the study was not to recommend significant structural changes but to propose cost effective traffic flow safety measures. He reiterated his proposal to seek Proposition A funds to subsidize student busing and his request that the study be forwarded to the City Council with sections for each school, and that meeting minutes applicable to each school be included at the end of that particular school's study and related recommendations. Chair/Leonard thanked Mr. Foust for a good study and thorough package for the City Council's consideration. She asked if a left turn signal on Pathfinder Road onto Evergreen Springs Drive would cost $25,000. Mr. Foust responded that a left turn signal will more likely provide a U-turn opportunity for vehicles to exit onto Pathfinder Road (a right turn only) and U- turn at Evergreen Springs Road in order to proceed in a westerly direction. Chair/Leonard stated she observed the effectiveness of the security personnel directing traffic on Pathfinder Road at Diamond Bar High School. Sgt. Rawlings stated he is pleased that this matter is concluding and that Mr. Foust has provided many good recommendations. DDPW/Liu stated the revised final draft will be presented to the Commission for consideration on January 8, 1998 in order for the Commission to present its recommendation to the City Council. L 1 1 NOVEMBER 13, 1997 PAGE 5 T&T COMMISSION C/Morris asked staff to consider including cover sheet for the draft proposal outlining the study parameters. DDPW/Liu responded that the study will include an executive summary which will discuss the goals and objectives. C/Istik moved, C/Morris seconded, to approve the Diamond Bar School Safety Study in concept and receive the draft study for final recommendation in the previously recommended format to the City Council at the January 8, 1998 Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting. B. Consideration of December, 1997 Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting. Following discussion, the Commission concurred to continue its December 11, 1997 meeting to January 8, 1998. VII. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS: DDPW/Liu stated the City Council approved installation of red curbing on Walnut Drive at its November 4, 1997 meeting. VIII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS: VC/Virginkar asked staff to consider two items: Prohibition of right turn on red light at the northbound Diamond Bar Boulevard exit from westbound SR 60, and improvement of the Diamond Bar Boulevard exit from the SR 57 on-ramp north of Sunset Crossing Road. DDPW/Liu responded that the right turn from the SR 60 onto Diamond Bar Boulevard may be a sight visibility problem which can be mitigated by hedge trimming. Staff will investigate this matter and advise the Commission. With respect to the SR 57 on-ramp on Diamond Bar Boulevard north of Sunset Crossing Road, he believes this is a CalTrans issue. Staff will research the matter and advise the Commission. IX. ITEMS FROM STAFF: Sgt. Rawlings provided the Monthly Traffic Enforcement Update for October, 1997. The monthly index was 43.0% and statistics included one fatality at the easterly City entrance of Grand Avenue. NOVEMBER 13, 1997 PAGE 6 T&T COMMISSION Sgt. Rawlings responded to C/Morris that he is satisfied with the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department's pursuit policy in conjunction with the fatal accident. He indicated the pursuit was cancelled prior to entering Diamond Bar. The accident report was written by the Walnut Sheriffs Department. X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: A. City Traffic Engineers Meeting: Saturday, November 22, 1997. C/Morris indicated he will attend the meeting and provide resource materials to his fellow Commissioners. XI. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY MEETINGS: As scheduled. XII. ADJOURNMENT: VC/Virginkar moved, C/Istik seconded to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission Chair/Leonard adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m. to the Brea Canyon Road Parkway Improvement Project Workshop at 6:30 p.m. on November 20, 1997 at Heritage Park Community Center, 2900 South Brea Canyon Road, Diamond Bar. Respectfully, David G. Liu Secretary Attest: