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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/13/1997CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION FEBRUARY 13, 1997 CALL TO ORDER: Chair/Istik called the meeting to order at 7:05 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 C/Tamaya. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Chair/Istik, Vice Chair/Leonard, Commissioners Tamaya and Virginkar Absent: Commissioner Nice Staff: Deputy Director of Public Works David Liu; Assistant Engineer Rose Manela, Administrative Assistant Tseday Aberra; and Sergeant Rawlings. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of January 9, 1997. The approval of the minutes of the January 9, 1997 meeting were continued to March 13, 1997. II. COMMISSION COMMENTS Chair/Istik stated that today he attended funeral services for Parks and Recreation Commissioner and Community Activist Oscar Law. He said the Rabbi indicated we should remember Oscar and what he campaigned for including a Senior Center and parking at Heritage Park. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Craig Clute, 21217 Fountain Springs Road, stated he thinks the public notice colored envelopes are a good idea. He asked staff to consider a different color rather than yellow. He said he is disappointed that it took so long to approve the sound signalization. He hopes the City proceeds with installation immediately. He indicated he is disappointed with City Council's response to the Quail Summit Traffic Study and asked the Traffic and Transportation Commissioners to follow up with their February 13, 1997 Page 2 T&T Commission Council Members. With respect to the School Traffic Study, a Walnut Sheriffs Department officer Matthew Lin told him they are ready and willing to write tickets if they are instructed to do so by the City Council. The officer indicated that parents violate "No Parking Zones" when officers are present because they know the officer will not issue a ticket. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR - None V. OLD BUSINESS: A. Request to red curb the entrance/exit driveway of the Diamond Bar Post Office at Montefino Avenue - Traffic circulation for Diamond Bar Postal Office and Towne Centre Village. DDPW/Liu presented the staff report. He indicated this item previously appeared before the Traffic and Transportation Commission. The City Council has returned the item to the Commission for further consideration. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission discuss this matter and direct staff to forward its recommendation to the City Council. VC/Leonard suggested the matter be continued to March 13, 1997 in order to notify the surrounding businesses. She asked if any red curbing would be installed as a result of the traffic signal installation at the intersection of Montefino Avenue and Diamond Bar Boulevard. DDPW/Liu responded that the Traffic Engineer will design the channelization and circulation trunk. He said he believes that prohibition of parking on both sides of Montefino Avenue will result from the traffic signalization of the intersection. DDPW/Liu responded to C/Virginkar that the length of red curbing is determined on a case-by-case basis. Responding to VC/Leonard, DDPW/Liu indicated staff will proceed with the intersection designs for Montefino Avenue and Quail Summit Road. The City Council has requested consideration of the safety February 13, 1997 Page 3 T&T commission of the surrounding areas instead of limiting the discussion to the Post Office and Towne Centre Village entrances. C/Virginkar stated he is concerned about who is responsible for following through with changes to the Post Office and Towne Centre Village entrances. Chair/Istik suggested consideration of one-way only traffic through the Post Office parking lot to help mitigate the overparking situation. The City Council minutes indicate the concern was expressed by the Post Office. However, the Postmaster did not attend the City Council meeting. He agreed that Mayor Huff's suggestions for limiting Montefino Avenue street parking to 15 minutes would be reasonable and asking the Post Office to take responsibility for a situation they have created. C/Virginkar stated he is concerned with the safety issues. C/Virginkar moved, VC/Leonard seconded, to recommended red curbing as proposed by staff be installed immediately and continue with discussions involving the surrounding businesses. C/Tamaya stated he believes by approving this recommendation that the Commission runs the risk of having the City Council overrule the Commission a second time. He recommended that the motion specifically state that the red curbing is a separate issue and that the Commission considers the issue of safety and sight distance warrant immediate interim action. C/Virginkar and VC/Leonard agreed to amend the motion to include C/Tamaya's recommendation. DDPW/Liu responded to C/Tamaya that the City is unaware of any accidents occurring at the location. The motion was approved with the following Roll Call vote: February 13, 1997 Page 4 T&T commission AYES: COMMISSIONERS: C/Virginkar, VC/Leonard, C/Tamaya, Chair/Istik NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: C/Nice Continuing with the discussion, Chair/Istik concurred with the aerial map indications recommending closure of one of the Diamond Bar Boulevard Post Office entrances and initiating one-way traffic entering from the Towne Centre Village and exiting at Montefino Avenue. C/Tamaya concurred that one-way traffic would be appropriate. He recommended that the Postmaster be asked which way he would prefer the one-way direction. C/Virginkar suggested staff meet with Postal authorities and Towne Centre Village Management Company personnel to discuss the recommendations and report back to the Traffic and Transportation Commission at the March 13, 1997 meeting. DDPW/Liu stated the aerial map contained in the Commissioner's packet does not reflect the current conditions. Staff is not suggesting that the Diamond Bar Boulevard entrance be closed. However, the one-way in and out has been discussed by staff. DDPW/Liu stated the Postmaster has not returned staff's calls. The Towne Centre Village Management Company has not received any notice from their lessee's regarding traffic concerns. He indicated that in his opinion, a Commission invitation to attend the March meeting may garner a more favorable response. The Commission concurred to request staff to forward an invitation to the Post Office and the Towne Centre Village Management Company to attend the March 13, 1997 meeting. VC/Leonard stated that the traffic signal may mitigate the traffic concerns. She indicated that if the Post Office and Towne Centre Village Management Company do not respond to the February 13, 1997 Page 5 T&T Commission Commission's invitation, that the Commission should move on to other areas of concern. VI. NEW BUSINESS: A. "No Parking 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., School Days only" signs on the east side of Brea Canyon Road between Pathfinder Road and Fountain Springs Road. AA/Aberra presented the staff report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with staff's recommendation to consider the feasibility of incorporating the following recommendations into the City-wide comprehensive study: 1. Removal of the existing "No Parking 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., School Days Only" signs on the east side of Brea Canyon Road between Pathfinder Road and Fountain Springs Road. 2. Extension of the existing red curb in the right -turn pocket located at the southeast corner of Brea Canyon Road and Pathfinder Road; and 3. Red curb the curb return located at the southeast corner of Brea Canyon Road and Fountain Springs Road. DDPW/Liu responded to C/Tamaya that staff feels the study should be completed in its entirety in order for appropriate recommendations to be presented to the City Council. The study is anticipated to be completed within six months. Because there are 12 schools involved, the study may take longer. Staff intends to report back to the Commission on individual school studies as they are completed. There are a number of inconsistencies related to Diamond Bar High School parking. C/Tamaya stated the study needs to proceed as quickly as possible because schools will not February 13, 1997 B. Page 6 T&T commission be in session during the summer months. DDPW/Liu stated he will meet with Austin - Foust & Associates next week to determine what approach is most feasible. Staff intends to proceed immediately to collect data. However, staff and the consultant must coordinate the data with School District staff to establish reasonable and achievable goals. Chair/Intik moved, VC/Leonard seconded, to recommend the incorporation of staff's recommendations into the City-wide comprehensive traffic study. Without objections, the motion was so ordered. Traffic circulation at median break on Diamond Bar Boulevard between Grand Avenue and Clear Creek Canyon Drive. DDPW/Liu presented the staff report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission discuss the median break on Diamond Bar Boulevard between Grand Avenue and Clear Creek Canyon Drive and provide input to staff as necessary. DDPW/Liu responded to C/Tamaya that staff is recommending a consultant be hired to conduct a traffic study for the median break. Following discussion, C/Tamaya moved, VC/Leonard seconded, to concur with staff's recommendation to hire a consultant to conduct a traffic study for the median break on Diamond Bar Boulevard between Grand Avenue and Clear Creek Canyon Drive and to seek financial contributions for the study from the two shopping center management companies. Chair/Istik expressed his concern that if this request was a direct result of a Planning Commission approval, perhaps the Planning Commission should have considered making the -- request a part of its initial approval. The Commission concurred to direct DDPW/Liu to February 13, 1997 Page 7 T&T Commission respond with a memo to Community Development Director James DeStefano regarding its concerns with respect to Planning Commission approvals. The motion was approved with the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: C/Tamaya, VC/Leonard, C/Virginkar NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Chair/Istik ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: C/Nice VII. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS DDPW/Liu reported that on January 21, 1997, three items were approved by the City Council: 1) Audible pedestrian signal on Diamond Bar Boulevard at Fountain Springs Road and on Brea Canyon Road at Pathfinder Road. This item took longer to process than anticipated due to the fact that the process involved use of CDBG monies. The item has been approved and Los Angeles County installation is scheduled to commence the early part of April, 1997; 2) Quail Summit Road Neighborhood Traffic Study, and 3) the Comprehensive School District Traffic Study. VIII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS: C/Virginkar stated he received comments from a number of Coyote Springs residents who expressed their indignation about City Council's inaction on the stop sign. The residents have indicated they would like to discuss the matter with the Traffic and Transportation Commission and will speak at the next City Council meeting. Chair/Istik asked when the balance of City handicapped access ramps will be completed. DDPW/Liu asked Chair/Istik to provide a list of intersection locations about which he is concerned for inclusion in the budget. Chair/Istik asked if the City is contemplating a Tonner Canyon Road. DDPW/Liu responded that he is not aware of any current i February 13, 1997 Page S T&T Commission plans for a Tonner Canyon Road. The Circulation Element of the City's General Plan discusses a bypass road outside of the SEA within the City's Sphere of Influence. Staff is not aware of any construction contemplated for the Tonner Canyon area. C/Tamaya commended staff for proposing to reduce City costs wherever possible by asking business to contribute to studies that effect their locations and businesses. Chair/Istik concurred with C/Tamaya's remarks. VC/Leonard asked about the outcome of the January 21, 1997 City Council Meeting Agenda Item 8.5. DDPW/Liu responded to VC/Leonard that Item 8.5 was tabled. IX. ITEMS FROM STAFF: A. MEMORANDUM: Installation of "Deer Crossing" sign(s). DDPW/Liu stated that in response to Don Schad's request, the City will be installing an additional "Deer Crossing" sign on the east side of Brea Canyon Cutoff Road just north of Fallowfield Drive. Don Schad expressed his desire for installation of additional "Deer Crossing" signs to alert the public that wildlife moves through the City and to mitigate safety concerns. He asked the Commission to consider installing additional "Deer Crossing" signs on Grand Avenue. B. Monthly Traffic Enforcement Update: Sgt. Rawlings presented the December and January traffic enforcement update. C. Future Agenda Items: Included in Commissioner's packets. X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: February 13, 1997 Page 9 T&T Commission impact of the parking prohibition on the east side of Brea Canyon Road between Lycoming Street and Washington Street. AA/Aberra reported that Janet Spatz, General Manager of Jones Intercable, stated her company has experienced no problems with respect to the red curbing installation on Brea Canyon Road. XI. ADJOURNMENT: 1 There being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission, C/Tamaya moved, VC/Leonard seconded, to adjourn the meeting in honor of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Oscar Law. The motion carried 4-0. Chair/Istik adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m. to March 13, 1997. Attest: i k "'t, 12- I;a Jacs ik Cha° man 1 Respectfully, e Dav2d'' ' . Li Secretary