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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/20/1997CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION BREA CANYON IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 20, 1997 CALL TO ORDER: Chair/Leonard called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. at the Heritage Park Community Center, 2900 South Brea Canyon Road, Diamond Bar. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Morris. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Chair Leonard, Vice -Chair Virginkar, Commissioners Istik, Nice and Morris Staff: Deputy Director of Public Works David Liu, City Engineer George Wentz, Assistant Engineer Rose Manela, Deputy City Manager James DeStefano, Associate Planner Ann Lungu and Administrative Assistant Tuesday Aberra. Commissioner Nice recused himself from consideration of this matter. CE/Wentz stated tonight's presentation is informal. He requested citizens provide input toward finalizing plans for the Brea Canyon Improvement Project. The City is proposing to maintain a two lane street through the Brea Canyon section of roadway from Cool Springs Drive north to Heritage Center. The goal is to provide a scenic look for the area by maintaining the trees. One possibility for providing additional parking is to install curb and gutter on the easterly (non -freeway) side of Brea Canyon Road and allow for parallel parking, and include a bikeway and/or sidewalk walkway through the area. An alternative is to install angle parking between the existing trees and include a bikeway and/or meandering walkway. A wall may be constructed to level the area and a stairway access will be provided to the ballfield from the parking area. He pointed out that the City is concerned with potential vehicular conflict if angle parking is provided. He discussed the possibility of providing additional parallel or angle parking in the vicinity of the Heritage Park Community Center. He indicated that a number of additional vehicles can be accommodated by providing either parallel or angle parking. 1 NOVEMBER 20, 1997 PAGE 2 T&T WORKSHOP CE/Wentz stated that no walkway or bikeway will be provided on the westerly portion of Brea Canyon Road (the freeway side) to encourage people to use only the east side of the street. He said the City is investigating the cost to construct a wall along the roadway because CalTrans has determined they will not provide a sound wall. The City is also considering what type of lighting will best suit the area. RECESS: Chair/Leonard recessed the meeting at 7:00 p.m. to give the participants an opportunity to observe the conceptual drawings. RECONVENE: Chair/Leonard reconvened the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Al Garcia, 21029 Cool Springs Drive, said he feels there is already too much congestion on Brea Canyon Road. He would like to see less parking in the area. He indicated he would prefer to see the area cleaned up and preserved as an historical area. He stated he would like to see the old wall demolished and a new wall constructed in the Cold Spring Lane area adjacent.to the residences. Nancy Keefer, 21005 Dametta Drive, asked if a sidewalk is proposed to be placed along the parkway adjacent to the school. CE/Wentz responded to Mrs. Keefer that the proposal is to install a sidewalk and/or bikeway next to the school yard fence which will extend to the Heritage Center. A sidewalk area is proposed to extend the length of Brea Canyon Road from Diamond Bar High School to Diamond Bar Boulevard. Cliff Elmer, Fountain Springs, said the wall between Fountain Springs Road and Cold Spring Lane should be extended to a height of eight feet to mitigate sound and provide security. Ken Reed, 2811 Castle Rock Road asked that some type of lighting be included in the project to assist people walking in the area during the early morning or late evening hours. He said he likes the proposed project. Carolyn Elfelt, Silver Cloud Drive, asked if the City could ask CalTrans to remove the mounds of dirt and landscape the area on either side of Cold Springs Drive at the SR 57 underpass. Craig Clute, 21217 Fountain Springs Road, said he favors a sidewalk and lighting in the area. He asked if the City sees a need for a bus stop in the area. He indicated he favors angle parking to provide additional parking for the school and Heritage Park Community Center. He asked what period of time the proposed construction will take to complete and if the City has estimated a start date. He said he does not favor a bikeway mingled with a walkway. He asked if there is room to provide trees, angle parking and maintain the bike lane on Brea Canyon Road. He said he would like to see more trees planted on the westerly section of Brea Canyon Road. He suggested that Sunbright• Drive residents request an eight foot sound wall. He pointed out that additional CalTrans construction material cleanup is needed in the area. He asked if the utilities could be placed NOVEMBER 20, 1997 PAGE 3 T&T WORKSHOP underground in the project area. CE/Wentz responded to Mr. Clute that the City believes area lighting is important. The concept includes providing sidewalk area from Diamond Bar High School to Diamond Bar Boulevard. The City will access the need for a bus stop in front of Heritage Park Community Center. The City agrees that angle parking should be considered. The City will consider a straight sidewalk and a meandering bikeway through the trees to prevent potential bicycle/pedestrian conflict. Another option is to place the bikeway on the street and meander the sidewalk. Construction design is scheduled for completion during the 1997/1998 fiscal year. Cost considerations will determine whether the project construction will commence during next fiscal year. Undergrounding of utilities may render the project cost prohibitive. The City will ask CalTrans to consider a more appropriate maintenance for the area on the west side of Brea Canyon Road. The City will investigate the feasibility of replacing the block wall on Cold Spring Lane. A resident residing at 2655 Sunbright Drive said he would like to lend his support to construction of the block wall. He believes the wall is a number one priority ahead of improving Brea Canyon Road and installing a sidewalk and/or bikeway. Al Garcia asked if the City could request that CalTrans remove the chain link fence located on the freeway side of Brea Canyon Road. It is unsightly and attracts trash. He said he wants the City Council to get the message that this area needs to get cleaned up. CE/Wentz stated he believes CalTrans will not agree to remove the chain link fence because it prevents people from gaining access to their right-of-way and mitigates potential liability problems. The City can ask for maintenance and repair. Rachel Salazar, 21050 E. Riego, said she has observed children climbing over the chain link gate and going into the freeway right-of-way area. Mike Elfelt, Silver Cloud Drive, asked if the fenced area between Castle Rock Elementary School and Brea Canyon Road will remain fenced off or gated. CE/Wentz responded that the project proposes to install curb and gutter and restrict access to the school from Fountain Springs Road to Cool Springs Drive. Milton Morgan, 20939 Trigger Lane, asked how much parking space will be gained by angle versus parallel. CE/Wentz responded that approximately 23 additional spaces would be realized using angle parking over parallel parking. Staff recommends installing fewer parking spaces in order to save the current trees. NOVEMBER 20, 1997 PAGE 4 T&T WORKSHOP Carolyn Elfelt asked staff to consider providing large enough angled parking spaces to accommodate utility vans instead of compact cars. CE/Wentz stated there are no restrictions with respect to the size of the parking spaces. CE/Wentz responded to Mr. Elfelt that staff does not propose to install any handicapped spaces in the street because they represent a potential safety hazard. The handicapped parking spaces will be limited to the current spaces at Heritage Park Community Center. Craig Clute asked if the street improvements will result in a speed zone change and installation of signs restricting truck travel. Resident of 21250 Fountain Springs Road, asked if restriction of truck travel on Brea Canyon Road will prevent buses from picking up senior citizens at the Community Center. CE/Wentz responded that truck restriction signage will not apply to commercial passenger traffic. Al Garcia asked if this project will extend to the end of Brea Canyon Road. wow CE/Wentz reiterated the project area extends from Diamond Bar Boulevard north to Diamond Bar High School. Improvements to the southern portion of Brea Canyon Road are slated to be a separate project. C/Istik said he favors consideration of a reduced speed limit of 30 mph or 35 mph for Brea Canyon Road when the project is completed. C/Istik asked if the City's current Development Code allows for billboards along freeways. He asked if the billboard at the intersection of the SR 57 and SR 60 is legal. AP/Lungu responded that the City's current code and Draft Development Code do not allow billboards within the City. She indicated she is not aware of what CalTrans allows on its property. If the billboard is on City property it is illegal. If it is located on CalTrans property it is under CalTrans' jurisdiction. C/Istik indicated he favors continuing the tree theme in front of the Heritage Park Community Center with a random grouping of trees along the length of Brea Canyon Road. He stated he prefers the Coast Live Oak tree. A resident indicated the Heritage Community Center needs more parking. Carolyn Elfelt asked how the project will be funded. NOVEMBER 20, 1997 PAGE 5 T&T WORKSHOP CE/Wentz explained that these types of projects are funded through the Capitol Improvement Project program which incorporates various funding sources including General Fund monies, Proposition A/C funding, gas tax funds, etc. Chair/Leonard closed the workshop. She indicated staff will notify residents regarding a future workshop. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission, Chair/Leonard adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on to January 8, 1998. 1 Attest: J010V � � osyb� - Jo+ceJLeonard Chair L Respectfully, David G. Liu Secretary