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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/14/19971 CI CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 1997 CALL TO ORDER: Chair/Leonard called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board Hearing Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. 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 and Morris Staff. Deputy Director of Public Works David Liu; Assistant Engineer Rose Manela, Planning Technician Susan Cole. Absent: Commissioner Nice 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of June 12, 1997. C/Intik moved, C/Morris seconded, to approve the June 12, 1997 minutes as submitted. The motion was approved 2-0-2 with the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Istik, Morris NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Virginkar, Chair/Leonard ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Nice B. Minutes of July 10, 1997. C/Istik asked that the minutes be corrected to reflect that Chair/Leonard called the meeting to order. AUGUST 14, 1997 PAGE 2 T&T COMMISSION VC/Virginkar moved, C/Morris seconded, to approve the minutes of July 10, 1997 as corrected. The motion was approved 4-0 with the following Roll Call vote.- AYES: ote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Virginkar, Morris, Istick, Chair/Leonard NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Nice H. COMMISSION COMMENTS - None III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR -None V. OLD BUSINESS: A. Parking Restrictions on Washington Street Between Brea Canyon Road to South Alder Lane. DDPW/Liu presented staffs report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission receive further comments and input from residents and property owners and discuss various alternatives to the parking restriction to forward to the City Council. Lyle Kennedy, Industry Machinery Sales, Washington Street, stated he is not opposed to a parking ban on Washington Street. However, he proposes something less than a ban such as "No Overnight Parking" or no engines running on parked vehicles for the residential portion of the street. Dr. Lawrence Rhodes, 21224 Fibre Court, said he represents approximately 15 people who live in the area who are concerned about sight safety when exiting from Lincoln Avenue north onto Washington Street because trucks are parked too close to the intersection. He and the people he represents are asking for 150 feet of red curbing on both sides of Washington Street at Lincoln Avenue. He indicated he concurs that refrigeration units should not be allowed to run all night. Several residents of the trailer park on Washington Street drive trucks or tractor trailers and cannot park their vehicles inside the trailer park. Sgt. Rawlings cited Diamond Bar Ordinance No. 4 which addresses parking ofi commercial vehicles on city's streets. He suggested the Ordinance be posted 1 1 1 AUGUST 14, 1997 PAGE 3 T&T COMMISSION on Washington Street to alert commercial vehicle operators regarding the law. Dr. Rhodes said that the cabover portion may not meet the restrictive commercial weight standard and that is the reason the residents are asking for the red curbing. Following discussion, C/Istik moved, VC/Virginkar seconded, to recommend to the City Council the installation of "No Commercial Vehicle Parking Over Five Tons" (10,000 pounds) on both sides of Washington Street from Brea Canyon Road easterly to its terminus, and install 150 feet of red curbing on the southwest corner and the northeast corner of Washington Street at Lincoln Avenue. The motion was approved 4-0 with the following Roll Call vote: AYES NOES: ABSENT I. NEW BUSINESS: COMMISSIONERS: Istik, VC/Virginkar, Morris, Chair/Leonard COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONERS: Nice A. Intersection Markings on Carpio Drive and Armitos Place. AE/Manela presented staff s report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with staffs recommendation to install 100 feet length intersection markings on three legs of the intersection of Carpio Drive and Armitos Place. Debby O'Connor asked what kind of striping is proposed to be installed. DDPW/Liu responded that a solid double yellow line striping is proposed. C/Morris moved, C/Istik seconded, to concur with staff s recommendation to install 100 foot length intersection markings on three legs of the intersection of Carpio Drive and Armitos Place. The motion was approved 4-0 with the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Morris, Istik, VC/Virginkar, Chair/Leonard NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMIVIISSIONERS: Nice AUGUST 14, 1997 PAGE 4 T&T COMMISSION VII. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS - None VIII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS - None IX. ITEMS FROM STAFF: A. Monthly Traffic Enforcement Update: Sgt. Rawlings presented the July, 1997 traffic enforcement update. B. Future Agenda Items: DDPW/Liu reported that two items are proposed for the September 11, 1997 meeting: 1) Parking Restriction - North Side of Walnut Drive at Lemon Avenue 2) Comprehensive School Traffic Access and Circulation Study - Austin - Foust X. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: A. Comprehensive School Traffic Access and Circulation Study, Joe Foust, Austin -Foust Associates, Inc., reported on the Comprehensive School Traffic Access and Circulation Study for Diamond Bar High School. Summary of Recominendations: 1. Open up the Brea Canyon Road access to all traffic both in and out. 2. Construct a new right -turn only entrance to the senior lot. 3. Install a physical barrier on Pathfinder Road to prevent left turns out of the main driveway. Chair/Leonard asked if Mr. Foust discussed with the Diamond Bar High School staff the possibility of closing the Evergreen Springs Drive gate. Mr. Foust responded that the Evergreen Springs Drive gate will need to remain open on a limited basis because there is some amount of staff parking at this AUGUST 14, 1997 PAGE 5 T&T COMMISSION time. He indicated that his recommendation would be to close the gate to student pedestrian access. C/lstik reminded the Commission that by a 3-2 vote, the Commission recommended to the City Council that the Birch Hill Drive traffic problems be addressed as part of the School Traffic Circulation Study. Mr. Foust stated that in order to address the problem of Diamond Bar High School traffic on residential streets, the City would need to address enforcement and/or consider a "permit" parking program. There is a small grassy area at the front of the school that could be converted to a limited number of additional parking spaces. The school suffers a parking shortage. VC/Virginkar explained that his children preferred the Evergreen Springs Drive access and that he feels it is a safe and major dropoff and pickup point. He indicated his understanding that the Evergreen Springs Drive gate cannot be closed due to the on-site automotive workshops. Mr. Foust stated his suggestion was to close the gate to pedestrian traffic only and not to vehicular traffic. Mr. Foust explained proposed usage of the four traffic ingress/egress points on Pathfinder Road and Brea Canyon Road in response to VC/Virginkar's inquiry. VC/Virginkar suggested it may be more reasonable to suggest vehicles enter from Pathfinder Road and exit onto Brea Canyon Road. VC/Virginkar asked why Mr. Foust did not recommend a physical barrier on Brea Canyon Road similar to the barrier suggested for Pathfinder Road, Mr. Foust responded that a left turn out onto Brea Canyon Road should be allowed and not prohibited by a physical barrier. Mr. Foust responded to C/ Morris that in his opinion closing the Evergreen Springs Drive school access gate to pedestrian traffic would not relieve the residential streets of student parking. C/Istik asked if additional signs are needed to regulate student parking in the Birch Hill Drive area. AUGUST 14, 1997 PAGE 6 T&T COMMISSION Sgt. Rawlings responded that missing signs leave gaps and the signs that are present are in disrepair and leave the driver guessing. If the ticketed vehicle owner complains, the Sheriffs Department frequently dismisses the citation because the signs are in disrepair. Signs with arrows pointing in different directions would assist enforcement. He pointed out that the signs should extend the full length of the streets in question. U-turn signs are more often obeyed when officers are present. Elizabeth Beard, Birch Hill Drive, suggested one-way traffic in the school parking lot and a traffic signal to regulate left turn ingress to the parking lot from Pathfinder Road. She further suggested installation of red curbing from the southwest corner of Evergreen Springs Drive at Pathfinder road southerly to the driveway entrance. She talked about a lone 1 hour parking sign at the easterly corner of Lost River Drive that relates to nothing. She spoke about signage on one side of the street and no signage on another side of the street and about sign posts that have been knocked down. She said there is a great deal of parking availability for student vehicles on Pathfinder Road north of Diamond Bar High School. She reiterated her suggestion that the school parking lot needs a logical one-way traffic flow pattern, and a control light and left turn lane for traffic proceeding west on Pathfinder Road. Rudy Wallachy, Sunset Crossing Road, spoke against the white curbing in front of Diamond Point Elementary School which seems to be in conflict with the signage. He suggested the curb should be changed back to the natural grey color. DDPW/Liu stated the Diamond Point Elementary School study was presented at a previous meeting. The inconsistencies between the white curbing and existing signage has been addressed. Mr. Wallachy will be notified regarding the future meeting. Craig Clute, Fountain Springs Drive, suggested the Brea Canyon Road access be opened to allow ingress/egress, angle parking on Brea Canyon Road, a left turn traffic signal and que on Brea Canyon Road and Pathfinder Road at the Diamond Bar High School entrances, and adequate signage to advise vehicular traffic about the 25 mph school zone. He suggested the curb in front of the high school and around the corner on Brea Canyon Road to the school driveway be designated "student drop-off' (green zone) to alleviate the traffic congestion on Evergreen Springs Drive. He suggested the Commissioners and staff visit the Tustin schools to see how they have incorporated angle parking to relieve traffic congestion. He suggested staff discuss with the high school 1 1 1 AUGUST 14, 1997 [a PAGE 7 T&T COMMISSION the possibility of removing portable classrooms from the parking lot. Missing Signs: Evergreen Springs Road and Brea Canyon Road. AE/Manela presented staffs report. DDPW/Liu responded to Chair/Leonard that staff is considering replacing some signs. However, it would not be feasible to replace certain signs that are in conflict with current legal authority. Staff and Foust Associates is conducting a citywide survey of signage in conjunction with the school traffic study. C/Morris stated that due to resident's testimony and the fact that the Walnut School District has place portable classrooms in areas previously reserved for parking without consideration to replacing the parking spaces, communication between staff, City Council and the school district is essential. The school principal has ultimate authority. He said the Walnut School District's absence from the school traffic study process is disturbing to him. DDPW/Liu indicated staff continues to communicate with the Walnut School District. Dr. Hockwalt has been apprised of the school traffic study recommendations. In addition, the Walnut School District has been invited to participate in the community workshops. Mr. Foust responded to Chair/Leonard that his firm has kept the Walnut School District current with the scope of work and provided draft copies of all materials submitted to the Traffic and Transportation Commission for consideration. The school district has been encouraged to attend Commission meetings and community workshops. VC/Virginkar stated he believes Mr. Foust has made a good start in recommending improvements. He believes that there is a lot more work that needs to be done with respect to Diamond Bar High School. He pointed out that Diamond Bar High School is the largest school in the City; that it is located at the intersection of two important streets - Pathfinder Road and Brea Canyon Road, and that there is a significant impact to the adjacent residential community. He stressed the need for further school ingress/egress consideration as well as, parking within the school parking lot. He requested that Austin -Foust Associates make a more detailed presentation to the Commission for Diamond Bar High School, AUGUST 14, 1997 PAGE 8 T&T COMMISSION C/Istik suggested that the city offer to reconfigure the first school parking lot entrance on Pathfinder Road immediately east of Brea Canyon Road to allow for ingress only with immediate right and left turns pockets which would circulate traffic throughout both sides of the current parking area. Chair/Leonard recommended that the reconfiguration incorporate a pickup and dropoff area similar to the area recently installed at Quail Summit Elementary School, The Commission concurred to request that Austin -Foust Associates incorporate citizen's and Commissioner's recommendations and concerns for further consideration and offer the Traffic and Transportation Commission a more detailed presentation including graphics. B. Goals and Objectives. DDPW/Liu indicated he has received input from Chair/Leonard and C/Morris. He asked for input from the other Commissioners in order to prepare an update and presentation for the Commission. C. Speed Limit Update - Sunset Crossing Road. AE/Manela presented staffs report. C/Istik asked that staff consider removing the 40 mph sign just west of Prospectors Road on Sunset Crossing Road due to the installation of the cul- de-sac. Following discussion, the Commission concurred to direct staff to establish dates for the Comprehensive School Traffic Access and Circulation Study community workshops. XI. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY MEETINGS: Received and filed. AUGUST 14, 1997 PAGE 9 T&T COMMISSION XII. ADJOURNMENT; There being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission Chair/Leonard adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m. to September 11, 1997. Attest: Jon, lwl"l Jode eonard C airperson 1 Respectfully, Davi G. Liu Secretary