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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/13/20001 CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION JULY 13, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Morris called the meeting to order at 6:13 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 Chairman Morris. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Chairman Roland Morris, and Commissioners Joseph Kung and Joyce Leonard -Colby. Vice -Chairman Virginkar and Commissioner Istik were excused. Also Present were: David Liu, Director of Public Works; Rose Manela, Associate Civil Engineer; Linda Smith, Development Services Assistant, and Sonya Joe, Development Services Assistant, John Easin, Engineering Technician and Sgt. Bill Flannery. H COMMISSION COMMENTS: None Offered. III APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. Minutes of May 11, 2000. C/Leonard-Colby moved, C/Kung seconded, to approve the Minutes of May 11, 2000 as corrected. Without objection, the motion was so ordered. 2. Minutes of Joint T&T/P&R Commissions Meeting of May 11, 2000. C/Leonard-Colby moved, C/Kung seconded, to approve the Minutes of May 11, 2000 as corrected. Without objection, the motion was so ordered. 3. Minutes of June 8, 2000. Continued to August 10, 2000. IV PUBLIC COAIMNTS: Joe Beck, 21109 Gemdal Street, asked for consideration of a pedestrian crossing across Brea Canyon Road at Gemdal Street. He complained about semi trucks making illegal U turns in that area. DPW/Liu indicated that staff will monitor the area and report back to the Commission. V OLD BUSINESS: 4. Proposed Multi -way Stop Signs at the Intersection of Eldertree Drive and Birdseye Drive. AE/Manela presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission receive public comments and discuss the traffic concerns. John Hoffner, 1504 Kiowa Crest, continues to oppose a three-way stop sign at this intersection because he does not like the idea of garbage trucks, school buses, delivery truck and vehicles stopping in front of his house and making additional noise starting up from a dead stop. He is concerned about the speed of the downhill traffic. However, he is not necessarily concerned with the speed of the uphill traffic. His suggestion was to install a two-way stop. He said he attended a seminar in Monrovia last month where he observed a two-way stop at the corner of Canyon Drive and Scenic Drive. He spoke with Don Barker, Monrovia's traffic engineer, telephone number 932-5557, who advised Mr. Hoffner that the intersection had been signed that way since 1990 and that there have been no reportable accidents at that intersection in the past three years and no reports of serious problems during the past five years. He reiterated that he would prefer cautionary signs for the downhill traffic in lieu of stop signs. He presented the Commission with a picture of the Monrovia intersection. AE/Manela responded to C/Kung that there have been no reportable accidents at the intersection of Eldertree Drive and Birdseye Drive. DPW/Liu indicated to Chair/Morris that there according to the City's records, there was never a stop sign at the intersecting leg. There may have been a stop sign at that location some time prior to incorporation. The originator of the request for a three-way stop sign installation was not present at the previous meeting. She is the only person who has made such a request. Staff can look into the installation of warning signs along Kiowa Crest and Birdseye Drive. Chair/Morris asked staff to present its recommendation to the Commission regarding installation of a stop sign at Eldertree Drive only. 5. Prospectors Road Speed and Traffic Concerns. AE/Manela presented staff s report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission receive public testimony and discuss possible mitigation measures.... Samuel E. Kazarian, 318 S. Prospectors Road #40, stated his concern about the hazards of the road curvature and downhill slope turning right onto Prospectors Road from Golden Springs JULY 13, 2000 PAGE 3 T&T CONMUSSION Road. It is difficult to exit the condominium complex onto Prospectors Road in order to get to Golden Springs Road due to the oncoming traffic. He said that perhaps a caution light or stop sign would help residents of the complex. Douglas Renfro, 329 N. Prospectors Road, said there is a problem with commuter cut through traffic exceeding the speed limit on his street, particularly during the morning hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and the peak p.m. hours. People run the stop sign at Eaglespur Road. He is aware that the speed trailer was placed on his street but is not aware of the outcome. Although he has not witnessed an accident he has seen many close calls. In addition, there are more children in the neighborhood and he is concerned for their safety. DPW/Liu responded to Chair/Morris that within this year's budget is a capital improvement project expenditure for the resurfacing of Prospectors Road between Sunset Crossing Road and Golden Springs Road. It is possible that during the design phase measures can be instituted to solve some of the concerns voiced by the speakers. Chair/Morris suggested that Mr. Kazarian ask his homeowner's association to send their written comments to the City. C/Leonard-Colby asked staff to contact the Fallcreek Homeowners Association to advise them about the rehab project. DPW/Liu stated that typically, the roadway improvement project process includes meeting with the residents to inform them about the upcoming project and to solicit their input. C/Kung recommended consideration of a "No Left Turn" installation on Sunset Crossing Road during a.m. peak hours. Chair/Morris said that sometimes such mitigation measures designed to prevent cut through traffic can prove to be a burden to the residents. VI NEW BUSINESS: Washington Street Permit Parking. DSA/Joe presented states report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with staffs recommendation to create Preferential Parking District No. 3 and forward said recommendation to the City Council for approval. Michael Kellogg, 1034 Jason Place, said he and his wife chose to move to D.B. about a year and a JULY 13, 2000 PAGE 4 T&T COMAUSSION half ago primarily because of its proximity to the train. Originally there was no problem with parking. However, success of the station created the need for expansion. He outlined how the problem has escalated to the point where Washington Street and Windwood Drive have become burdened by overflow parking. Although he sympathizes with the residents, he and others need parking in order to use the train. He believes D.B. should support train commuters. He is embarrassed that his City encourages him to take the train but will not do its part to share the burden of supporting the station. He recommended the following: 1) Permit park the Windwood Drive neighborhood only and leave Washington Street open; 2) Offer to help expand the City of Industry lot; 3) arrange shuttle service with Foothill Transit to and from D.B. Park N Ride and expand those services if necessary, and 4) encourage the City of Pomona to complete their station. Brandon Reeder, 23601 Diamond Bar Boulevard A7, said he is against the recommendation to install permit only parking restrictions along Washington Street and nearby residential streets. He takes the train every day. Today the lot was full by 6:58 a.m. By the time he arrives at the station the parking lot is full. In addition, Washington Street is nearly full and he has no alternative but to park in the residential neighborhoods. He has no problem with a parking permit system in the Windwood district. The City of Covina has a free parking lot with a shuttle service and a pay lot. He pays City and County taxes. The Metro Link fees have recently increased and he feels residents should not have to pay additional fees for parking on public streets. Rose Hoskins, 733 Windwood Drive, said that she has difficulty leaving her residence in the early morning hours due to the Metro Link overflow parking on Washington Street. Monica Walker, 910 N. Golden Springs Drive, has lived in D.B. for approximately 15 years and is pleased that Metro Link is available to the community. She understands that a number of carpoolers regularly park in the Metro Link lot. She suggested that passengers of the Metro Link receive a sticker to place in their window at the time of their permit purchase. People who purchase Metro Link permits should be granted preferential parking in the lot. Metro Link is reaping the benefit from the station and she feels that the City of Industry and D.B. should be discussing this matter with them to encourage Metro Link to provide additional parking. Melody Chu, 758 Summerwood Avenue, favors parking permits for Washington Street and nearby neighborhoods as a temporary solution. The City of Industry should provide sufficient parking for their riders. Elisabeth Bonner, 743 Summerwood Avenue, said that during daylight savings hours she walks to the Metro Link Station. However, when the time changes she drives and she parks on Washington Street. She agrees with the residents who do not live in the area that parking should be allowed. She believes additional parking should be encouraged on Brea Canyon Road and that perhaps a traffic signal could be installed on the City of Industry side of Brea Canyon Road to JULY 13, 2000 PAGE 5 T&T COMMISSION allow foot traffic to cross the street. Steven Jones, 2237 Monteclaro Drive, Chino Hills, has ridden the Metro Link for about five or six years and he has parked on Washington Street for the past two years which has allowed him to be closer to the train. He agrees that parking in a residential area is a burden to the residents. He has no problem with residential parking on residential streets. However, Washington Street should not be a problem because of the industrial businesses along the street and he believes Washington Street and Brea Canyon Road should remain open to anyone who wishes to park on those streets. Anthony Gonzales, 852 Silver Fir Road, said he is not in favor of permit parking and would like to see other solutions attempted before permit parking is instituted. Most of the problem with parking is from the residents within the Silver Fir area who use their garages for storage rather than for parking of vehicles. He suggested that parking spaces along Washington Street and Brea Canyon Road be painted to maximize the number of parking spaces. Ignacio Covarrubias, 805 Windwood Drive, said the residents fought hard to get parking banned on Brea Canyon Road. He proposed that the City of Industry provide shuttle service to Metro Link. He is tired of living under the present conditions and he feels like he is a prisoner in his own home because of Metro Link. The residents also fought hard to eliminate commercial parking on Washington Street. He understands that the City of Industry will be grading additional land adjacent to the Metro Link parking to accommodate additional vehicles. He does not believe a parking permit system will work in his neighborhood. Written comments by Ed Bravo, 20365 Julliard Drive, who arrived after this item was discussed: "To the extent that Diamond Bar as well as, Walnut residents commute to work, I believe the parking lot at theMetro Link station should be expanded to meet the (parking) needs. The commuters make no noise or disturbance on Washington Street. They walk quietly to their cars on that street which is walled off from residents. (He is against the recommendation to establish a Preferential Parking District.) DPWlLiu stated that staff received one letter and two telephone calls this afternoon regarding this matter. DSA/Joe stated that the City received an e-mail from Daniel Mackenzie, resident of D.B. who recommends that the streets within the Windwood Condominium Complex be posted "Residential Parking Only." He supports staff s recommendation to create a Preferential Parking District and believes that waste removal trucks have a difficult time getting to the curb to handle garbage cans and street sweepers never reach the gutters because of the car lined streets. The City received a call from Mr. Ron Raynard who indicated that he does not believe a Preferential Parking District JULY 13, 2000 PAGE 6 T&T COMMISSION is appropriate and that it may cause more problems because it may be more of a temporary solution than a permanent solution. He is unable to attend tonight's meeting but will forward a letter to the City. Staff also received a call from Ben Park, a Chino Hills resident, who feels that permit parking will impact the convenience of ridership on the Metro Link and does not believe that a Preferential Parking District should be formed. DPW/Liu stated that Mayor O'Connor recently contacted the Mayor of the City of Industry to discuss this situation. D.B. has made several requests for the City of Industry to consider such as the opening of the easterly side of Brea Canyon Road to allow parking and the expansion of the existing Park N Ride lot. As part of the Industry East project the land north of the existing parking lot is to be graded for creation of approximately 600 additional parking spaces. No time line for this proposed project has been provided. Further, D.B. has proposed tandem parking within the existing parking lot. Although the City of Industry has made no formal commitment, they have indicated that they will work with D.B. toward mitigation of the situation. The intent of the proposed Preferential Parking District is to insure that the residential neighborhoods are protected and that the needs of the residents as well as, the commuters are balanced. Chair/Morris suggested that a shuttle service might provide short term relief. In addition, the opening of the Pomona station would likely offer additional relief. He thanked residents for speaking on this matter this evening. He said he is not comfortable with making a recommendation to the City Council at this time. He would like to have additional information such as time line on any additional Metro Link parking, either an extension to the existing parking lot and/or parking along Brea Canyon Road, exploration of the possibility of a city permit parking lot, shuttle service, the exact date of the opening of the Pomona Metro Link and its impact to D.B./City of Industry Metro Link, contact with Metro Link with the possibility of lifting the zone fee which would cause additional ridership to use Pomona and a survey of current ridership. C/Leonard-Colby concurred with Chair/Morris. However, she would discourage parking on Brea Canyon Road due to the safety hazards for the pedestrian traffic. She is not prepared to make a recommendation to Council until she has further information and additional dialogue between staff, Council and City of Industry and Metro Link has taken place. C/Kuo said he would encourage parking along the easterly portion of Brea Canyon Road. Shuttle service from car pool lots in D.B. is a good idea and should be pursued. He respects the resident's right to the protection of their privacy. Chair/Morris thanked the speakers for their input. He stated that it is greatly appreciated when residents offer their suggestions. 4. Parking Restrictions for Evangelical Free Church on the east side of Diamond Bar Boulevard between Cherrydale and Crooked Creek for Sundays. JULY 13, 2000 PAGE 7 T&T COMMISSION ET/Ilasin presented stall's report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission receive public testimony and discuss any concerns. Van Hardy, 3193 Cherrydale Drive, has lived in his home since 1981. The problem is the lack of view of oncoming traffic moving west on Diamond Bar Boulevard toward Brea Canyon Road. He spoke with his neighbors who favor this mitigation measure. The church needs additional parking and the residents are willing to have members park in their neighborhood rather than on Diamond Bar Boulevard. Ed Shockley, 20845 Northampton, speaking on behalf of Pastor Mark Hopper, said the church is willing to give up parking on Diamond Bar Boulevard in favor of being able to park in the adjacent residential neighborhood. The church appreciates the residents' offer. Chair/Morris explained that if parking on Diamond Bar Boulevard presents a safety hazard to the Cherrydale residents entering Diamond Bar Boulevard that is the issue and there is no trade off of parking in a residential neighborhood. The safety issue supersedes approval of street parking. If the City needs to red curb that area, so be it. If the neighbors are gracious enough to say that the church can park on their streets on particular days, it is of no concern to the Traffic and Transportation Commission and the City. Martha Bruske said she is concerned about the entire City. She is amazed that the City issued a permit to the Church but did not allow for sufficient parking to accommodate their membership. It is a very bad precedent that a small group of residents can make a trade off with any commercial venture for parking. She believes the church should have to make its own arrangements to provide for adequate parking. C/Leonard-Colby complemented the residents for working with the church to solve this problem. She does not believe it is the City's intent to clog the streets on an ongoing basis. This involves 12 vehicles parking on residential streets a few days a year. This is a limited use for a limited period of time and it is not an abuse. C/Kung moved, C/Leonard-Colby seconded, to recommend installation of "No Stopping Anytime" signs along the westerly side of Diamond Bar Boulevard between Cherrydale Drive and Crooked Creek Drive. Parking of vehicles on Sundays between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the westerly side of Diamond Bar Boulevard between Cherrydale Drive and the first driveway of Evangelical Free Church will remain intact. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Kung, Leonard -Colby, Chair/Morris NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None JULY 13, 2000 PAGE S T&T COMMISSION ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Istik, VCNirginkar VII STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTIONS ITEMS, None IX ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS None offered. X ITEMS FROM STAFF: Monthly Traffic Enforcement Update: June 2000 compared to June 1999. Report by Sgt. Flannery. Chair/Morris asked Sgt. Flannery to pass along to his colleagues the Commission's appreciation for enforcement in the school zones. 2. School Safety Study Update. Report by DSA/Smith. Chair/Morris reiterated his request for feedback on crossing guards and how many crossing guards are assigned at each school. He said he believes that Diamond Point and Golden Springs Elementary School. If a crossing guard was placed at the back of the school it would eliminate a lot of the traffic problems because more and more parents would pick up their children in that location. He said he was told by a resident who lives at the corner of Cool Springs Drive and Cold Springs Lane at Castle Rock Elementary School that her child has to fight for the right to cross the street in that location. He asked staff to determine whether there is a designated crosswalk at that location. C/Kung recommended that staff work with every school to provide a drop off area. DPW/Liu pointed out that Attachment #2 contains the information requested by Chair/Morris. Chair/Morris thanked staff and asked them to consider a second crossing guard at Golden Springs Elementary School. DPW/Liu responded that staff will discuss the matter with the school. He commented on the excellent circulation design for Pantera School. Most schools in Diamond Bar were originally designed to be neighborhood schools. Staff and the school boards continue to work to improve the school's circulation patterns. 1 JULY 13, 2000 PAGE 9 T&T COMMISSION XI INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: A. Future Agenda Items - as listed. 1. Highland Valley Road Traffic Concerns. Staff continues to gather information on this matter. 2. Motorized Skate Board Restrictions. XII SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS: As agendized. ADJOURNMENT: Chair/Morris adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. to the July 27, 2000 Joint Parks and Recreation/Traffic and Transportation Commission at 8:00 p.m. in the SCAQMD Headquarters Building, 21865 E. Copley Drive. JULY 13, 2000 PAGE 10 T&T COMMISSION Respectfully, Secretary Attest: Chairman Roland Morns