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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/8/1997CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MAY 8, 1997 TO ORDER: I called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality District Hearing Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. GE OF ALLEGIANCE The a�dience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Vice Chair Virginkar. ROLA. CALL: I. D 1 Commissioners: Chair/Leonard, Vice ChairNirginkar, and Commissioners Istik and Morris Staff: City Engineer George A. Wentz; Assistant Engineer Rose Manela, and Administrative Assistant Tseday Aberra. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of April 10, 1997. C/Istik asked that Page 6, second sentence, be changed to reflect that Craig Clute presented the Commission with a page from the City's General Plan that referred to Fountain Springs Road as a "residential" street which conflicted with the DKS Associates report which classified the street as a "residential collector". C/Istik said that it effected the volume of traffic the street can carry. He said it is important that the DKS Associates study not call Fountain Springs Road a "residential collector" street in the study. C/Istik asked that paragraph 3, on Page 9 be changed to state the following: "C/Istik questioned that DKS defined cut -through traffic as traffic coming from . Brea Canyon (Road) to Fountain Springs Road in through the driveway (Country Hills Towne Center driveway) and then exiting the tract in the manner up to Pathfinder (Road). Commissioner Nice arrived at 7:10 p.m. C/Istik moved, CNirginkar seconded, to continue the April 10, 1997 minutes to June 12, 1997. Without objections, the motion was so ordered. MAY 8, 1997 PAGE 2 T&T COMMISSION II. COMMISSION COMMENTS: C/Istik asked for Commission concurrence to move Item B. under Old Business ahead of Item A. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Debby O'Connor welcomed Commissioner Morris. She spoke about calling the Code Enforcement number for City Hall at approximately 8:30 Monday morning (May 5, 1997), regarding a possible hazardous waste spill on Bower Cascade Place. She said an answering machine picked up her call. She left her message. She stated she did not receive a confirmation of her call or a call back. She indicated that at the Tuesday, May 6, 1997 City Council meeting she approached Community Development Director DeStefano to inquire why she had not received a response. She stated CDD/DeStefano commented that it was possibly a Public Works problem and that he would look into it. Mrs. O'Connor said she received a call on Wednesday afternoon, May 7, 1997 at about 3:20 p.m. from someone in the Public Works Department indicating Rose would get back to her as soon as the. situation was investigated. She said that as of this time, she has not received a response. She feels that if there is a hazardous spill it should be handled immediately by somebody. About 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 1997, she said her husband spoke with Al Flores, Code Enforcement Office who stated it was a Public Works Department situation and he would look into the matter. She indicated her husband received a call back from Al Flores today explaining the situation. However, she said she has never received a telephone call. She stated it was determined that the house had illegally drained their Jacuzzi going out into the street. It has left a rust colored stain all down the brand new resurfacing on Sunset Crossing Road. She requested that the homeowner pay for the cleanup or that the City clean the street. Craig Clute suggested Debby O'Connor contact the fire department regarding possible hazardous waste. He asked for the City to eliminate truck parking on Brea Canyon Road between Pathfinder Road and Diamond Bar Boulevard in excess of the 30 minutes indicated and to stop the commercial truck traffic on Fountain Springs Road between Brea Canyon Road and Diamond Bar Boulevard. He indicated his desire to have this matter addressed in the Brea Canyon Road reconstruction phase. DPW/Wentz stated staff will look at enforcement to determine if the signage is adequate. In addition, staff will monitor the situation. He said he is not certain the City should do anything differently for truck restrictions on Brea Canyon Road, even after the improvements. Whatever signage is installed now will likely be retained. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR - None 1 �I MAY 18, 1997 PAGE 3 T&T COMMISSION 1V OLD BUSINESS: B. Evaluation of Centerline Striping on Minnequa Drive. DPW/Wentz presented the staff report. Staff presented a videography of traffic moving through the street with the speed trailer present. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with staffs recommendation and retain the existing solid double yellow centerline striping along Minnequa Drive between 23911/23912 Minnequa Drive and Del Sol Lane, and that no new striping between 23911/23912 Minnequa Drive and Del Sol Lane be installed but that speed limit signs be placed instead. DPW/Wentz responded to Chair/Leonard that the vehicle speeds may have changed somewhat when the black and white was attached to the speed trailer versus when the speed trailer stood alone. He indicated the typical speed on the street during the trailer's presence was 25 to 30 mph with several vehicles traveling at a speed below 25 mph_ AE/Manela responded to C/Morris that the videography was taken between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. DPW/Wentz stated there was much more traffic on the street during the 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. period than during the peak period which was also videographed. DPW/Wentz responded to Craig Clute that the Sheriffs Department is investigating the possibility of acquiring a "dummy" police officer to occupy a stationary black and white for speed enforcement purposes. Tim Good, 23864 Minnequa Drive, architect and Planner and homeowner said there is a tendency for motorists to slow down when they approach a speed trailer. He suggested an unmarked vehicle with video camera be placed at the site for vehicle speed comparison. He said that if the eight foot wide motorhome parked on Minnequa Drive was parked within six inches of the curb and had its door open, it would leave approximately 5'8" for passing vehicles to remain within the centerline striping and the curb area. He indicated that in order for moving vehicles to pass parked vehicles with open doors, the passing vehicle must cross the center line. He'indicated his belief that motorists' primary consideration should for the cluldren's safety. Historically, double yellow centerline striping is not placed on minor residential streets such as Minnequa Drive. He stated CalTrans recommends that streets at 35 mph and greater in rural areas is one of the criteria for installing double lines, This street is not a collector street. He said the City is MAY 8, 1997 PAGE 4 T&T COMMISSION forcing people to break the law. He asked that the Commission recommend the double yellow centerline be removed and that a dashed centerline be installed in its place. Don Gravdahl, 23998 Minnequa Drive, spoke about accidents involving vehicles and curb side mailboxes that have occurred on his street during the years he has lived in his home. He said Minnequa Drive definitely needs a centerline in the area being discussed and he has no problem with either a double or single yellow center line. He indicated he believes the vehicles are moving at a faster speed going uphill than going downhill. However, his main concern is vehicles crossing over to the opposite side of the street in the path of oncoming vehicles. He would like to see the parking striped on both sides of the street. Debby O'Connor said she thinks double yellow centerline striping should be removed from all City streets. She stated is still waiting for questions about her street to be answered. She indicated she travels Minnequa Drive at least four times a day. She agrees with Mr. Good's comments that the City should enforce the street striping or remove it. She asked the City to install 25 mph signs on Minnequa Drive that were promised a year ago. Craig Clute asked what options are available other than enforcement with respect to residential speeding. He said he believes Commissioner's should petition their City Council member to provide additional funds for traffic enforcement. He asked if the City has determined a centerline striping policy. DPW/Wentz stated the Traffic and Transportation Commission tabled the centerline striping policy discussion. Chair/Leonard said her main consideration is traffic safety. C/Nice stated he can understand the neighborhood resident's reluctance for the double yellow center line. There seems to be a need to separate the bi-directional traffic. He indicated he believes residents might be willing to compromise with some kind of striping such as skip striping. He questioned the costs involved in making the change from double yellow centerline striping to skip centerline striping. C/Morris, speaking about the motorhome parked on Minnequa Drive, asked if the City has every considered overnight parking policies or the length of time a motorhome can be park on residential streets. 1 1 MAY 18, 1997 PAGE 5 T&T CC14MISSION DPW/Wentz responded that overnight parking on City streets has been discussed several times. There is a 72 hour parking restriction on motorhomes parked on residential streets. Chair/Leonard asked that staff take appropriate action to investigate the motorhome in question since it has been discussed by the Commission numerous times. DPW/Wentz reiterated Mr. Clute's comment that it is a Code violation to run an extension cord to a vehicle. He said he will talk with the motorhome owner to determine whether other parking alternatives might be available. C/Virginkar referred to Commission meeting minutes from October 10, 1996. He reiterated the Commission's vote to reject staffs recommendation and recommend a single solid yellow centerline be installed the entire length of Minnequa Drive with a broken yellow centerline stripe at the curve of the street. The motion passed 3-1 with Commissioner Istik voting no. Previous discussion indicated that the Commission generally felt that double yellow centerline striping was excessive. He indicated his preference was to recommend a dashed line for the entire street. However, he reached a compromise by agreeing to the recommendation. He reiterated his understanding which has been confirmed by Commissioners in other cities that double yellow centerline striping was recommended more for larger commercial streets within the City and not for residential streets. C/Istik said he agreed with Tim Good's comments regarding the difficulty of getting around parked cars. He indicated that Sgt. Rawlings previously told the Commission a solid double yellow centerline prohibits passing and does not offer greater restriction than a skipped yellow center line. C/Istik indicated he came to the meeting prepared to vote for staffs recommendation. After listening to Commissioner Virginkar, he said he would now consider recommending a single line for Minnequa Drive. He indicated he is still concerned about speeding. DPW/Wentz responded to Chair/Leonard that staff would determine whether sandblasting was necessary to remove both lines and repaint. However, the Commission should not consider the potential cost in making its decision. The matter will be taken care of as a matter of routine maintenance. He indicated that staff intended to carry forward the Commission's October, 1996 recommendation to the City Council along with the staffs comments. C/Morris asked if it is cost prohibitive to install botts dots instead of striping. MAY 8, 1997 PAGE 6 T&T COMMISSION DPW/Wentz stated the City would propose painting rather than installation of botts dots which are used for collector streets and not ordinarily used on residential streets. C/Morris stated his reason for suggesting Botts dots was to address the aesthetics and safety concerns voiced by the residents. Chair/Leonard reiterated the Commission's previous discussion and agreement that double yellow centerline striping was "overkill". DWP/Wentz stated he believes the City should not use a solid single line. The intent of a single yellow line is edge markings. A dashed yellow line makes sense in terms of its purpose which is to guide traffic to where the center of the street is located. It would still permit a vehicle to move across the line. A dash yellow line will not reduce speed or effect driver's reactions in the same way as a more restrictive double yellow line. DPW/Wentz responded to C/Morris that yellow lines delineate the center of a street. White markings delineate lane or street side markings. C/Virginkar moved, Chair/Leonard seconded, to recommend to the City Council that the double yellow centerline striping on Minnequa Drive be replaced as it currently exists by a single dashed yellow centerline as previously recommended by the Commission. VC/Virginkar responded to Mr. Gravdahl and Chair/ Leonard that staff provided a copy of the City's policy regarding street markings when this matter appeared before the Commission some months ago for discussion. Following a lengthy discussion, the Commission voted to table the matter. Clearly, the Commission did not want to have double yellow centerline striping all over the City. C/Virginkar reiterated his motion. The motion was approved 5-0. Chair/Leonard requested that staff provide an updated street marking policy to the Commissioners for their review and direction. A. Sunset Crossing Road Cul -de -Sac. DPW/Wentz presented the staff report. He suggested that if the Traffic Commission - determines that should this item be pursued further, that the Commission recommend to the City Council that it allocate funding in its budget to conduct a detailed engineering 1 1 HAY? 8, 1997 PAGE 7 T&T COMBSISSION report. Staff recommends that the Commission receive the report and discuss the matter. Chair/Leonard asked if the Parks and Recreation Commission is currently considering proposals for this area in its Parks Master Plan. DPW/Wentz stated he is aware that the Parks and Recreation Commission is considering pocket park plans for the cul-de-sac portion only and not for the remainder of Sunset Crossing Road. Chair/Leonard stated she feels the cul-de-sac has been adequately designed and choked down. Craig Clute supports narrowing the remainder of Sunset Crossing Road from Diamond Bar Boulevard to the cul-de-sac. C/Istik stated staffs report indicates the Sunset Crossing Road street width is 80 feet. Other 80 foot wide City four lane streets are not considered residential streets. The General Plan refers to Sunset Crossing Road as a "residential" street. He said the City of Industry could tie into Sunset Crossing Road at the boundary line, ask Diamond Bar to remove the cul-de-sacing curb and gutter, and then they would have freeway access from the SR 57 or eastbound SR 60. Sunset Crossing Road was designed to accommodate collector street traffic but it is all residential through the City of Diamond Bar. He suggested the street could accommodate a 14 foot wide median, two lanes in each direction, and street parking on both sides of the street. He stated he believes this type of street buildout would discourage the City of Industry from proposing to use the street for an ingress/egress. C/Istik responded to Chair/Leonard that the plan he viewed some time ago from Los Angeles County showed Sunset Crossing Road connecting to Washington Street which would serve the adjacent City of Industry property. C/Morris asked if the City would have to remove street improvements if the City of Industry gained access to the street. DPW/Wentz responded to C/Morris that in his opinion, there are things the City can do to prevent the City of Industry from gaining access such as restricting truck traffic from the street because it is a residential street. C/Morris asked for confirmation that if the City installed a recreational parkway strip with a walkway or bikeway and truck restrictions would eliminate consideration for City of Industry. MAY 8, 1997 PAGE 8 T&T COMMISSION DPW/Wentz responded that he was not certain it would eliminate consideration but that it would certainly make it more difficult for them to gain access. There is always a potential that something can happen. It is the Commission's decision to determine what other alternatives might be considered, if any. C/Morris stated his concerns regarding the financial impact to the City. DPW/Wentz stated he believes the consideration goes beyond economics. There may be some significant costs involved. For this reason, staff has recommended funds be budgeted to conduct a formal study and preliminary engineering report. C/Nice stated he believes a good offense is the best defense in this instance. He indicated he has a lack of trust with the City of Industry and agreed with C/Istik. He said he spoke with residents of Sunset Crossing Road who indicated their support of the recommended street enhancements. He further stated he believes the recommended enhancements would greatly improve the area. He indicated the residents were concerned that they may lose street parking. VC/Virginkar concurred that the City should pursue this matter. DPW/Wentz briefly explained the pocket park considerations under the Master Parks Plan. He reiterated his suggestion that the Commission recommend budgeting $25,000 to conduct a formal study and preliminary engineering report for Sunset Crossing Road street enhancements and place truck traffic restrictions on the street. C/Istik moved, C/Nice seconded, to approve staffs recommendation to recommend to the City Council to budget $25,000 to conduct a formal study and preliminary engineering report for Sunset Crossing Road street enhancements. The motion was approved with the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Istik, Nice, Morris, VC/Virginkar, Chair/Leonard NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None 1 1 1 MAY1 8, 1997 PAGE 9 T&T COKMISSION 01to NEW BUSINESS: A. Evaluation of Washington Street East of Brea Canyon Road. AA/Aberra presented the staff report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with staff to install "No Commercial Vehicle Parking" signs on Washington street as deemed appropriate by staff and forward said recommendation to the City Council. John Rapiajan said there are no parking problems in his neighborhood. He wanted to know who is objecting to the parking and why, Chair/Leonard responded that as a result of citizen input, the matter has come before the Commission for discussion. DPW/Wentz explained that a citizen raised a concern about semi tractor -trailer trucks parking in the area and leaving their vehicles running for extended periods of time which caused a significant amount of noise to the adjacent residential area. He reiterated that staff is recommending restriction of commercial vehicle parking only and not residential. Mr. Rapiajan responded to C/Istik that it does not bother him that trucks park on his street but he would not like for it to be a regular occurrence. Raymond Van Dorn said that although residents need street parking, the semi - trucks parked on the street with motors running all night concern him. He indicated he is also concerned with sight safety because of the parked trucks. He recommended that the Commission place a weight limit restriction on the parking so that it does not penalize the residents and prevent them from parking their cars, pickups and campers. He said the person who filed the complaint with the City is concerned about the refrigerator trucks parking in front of his home and leaving their units run all night which generates a significant amount of noise and interferes with the quality of life in the area. Eric Flodine said he passes Washington Street at least three times a day. He can verify that trucks park on the street and leave their motors or refrigeration units running all night. He indicated he feels the elimination of semi -truck parking needs to extend the full length of Washington Street. In addition to the semi -trucks, there are usually three rental trucks parked on Washington Street which is very aesthetically displeasing. He agrees that there is a need for residential street parking. He suggested that the Commission restrict commercial parking for the MAY 8, 1997 PAGE 10 T&T COMMISSION full length of Washington Street. Craig Clute stated the City has granted relief to residents in other parts of the City. He favors granting this request for Washington Street area residents. He is concerned with the placing signs that restrict "commercial" vehicles. He said he agreed that business vehicles such as rental trucks should be prohibited from street parking. He indicated he favors restricting vehicles of 3 ton gross weight and over. DPW/Wentz in response to C/Nice, explained that restricting vehicles 3 ton and over would include larger utility vehicles and recreational vehicles. Therefore, staff is recommending that commercial vehicles be restricted from parking on the street. Following discussion, C/Morris moved, C/Istik seconded, to approve staffs recommendation to install "No Commercial Vehicle Parking" signs the entire length of Washington Street to Alder Street as deemed appropriate by staff and forward said recommendation to the City Council. The restriction applies to the rental agency trucks. The motion was approved with the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Morris, Istik, Nice, VC/Virginkar, Chair/Leonard NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None DPW/Wentz indicated this item will appear on the June 3, 1997 City Council agenda for further consideration. VII. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS - None VIII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS: DPW/Wentz confirmed that the City's Code Enforcement Department deals with disabled. vehicles on private and public property. DPW/Wentz stated he will discuss the matter of disabled vehicles parked at the truck rental agency on Washington Street with the proper City staff" VC/Virginkar commended the Public Works staff on their public notices. Chair/Leonard and VC/Virginkar stated they will be absent from the June 12 meeting. 1 1 I L _J MAY 8, '997 PAGE 11 T&T COMMISSION IX. XI. J ITEMS FROM STAFF: A. Monthly Traffic Enforcement Update - None B. Future Agenda Items: 1. Heritage tract signing and striping 2. Evaluation of Lemon Avenue parking conditions 3. Austin -Foust Associates School Study Report X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: A. Brea Canyon Road Improvements update B. School Study Update There being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission, C/Istik moved, C/Morris seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. Chair/Leonard adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m. to June 12, 1997. Respectfully, David G. Liu Secretary