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Home My WebLink About2/8/2001CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION FEBRUARY 8, 2001 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Morris called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District Headquarters Hearing Board Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar. California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Leonard. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Chairman Roland Morris, and Commissioner Jack Istik, Joseph Kung and Joyce Leonard Vice Chairman Arun Virginkar was excused. Also Present were: David Liu, Director of Public Works; Kirk Phillips, Associate Engineer; Sonya Joe, Development Services Assistant; Linda Smith, Development Services Assistant; Deputy Diane Dodd, and Sharon Gomez, Administrative Secretary. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of December 14, 2000 - Continued to March 8, 2001 B. Minutes of Joint Traffic & Transportation and Parks & Recreation Commission meeting of December 14, 2000 - Continued to March 8, 2001 C. Minutes of January 11, 2001. C/Leonard moved, C/Kung seconded, to approve the Minutes of January 11, 2001 as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Istik, Kung, Leonard -Colby, Chair/Morris NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Virginkar II COMMISSION COMMENTS: None Offered. III PUBLIC COMMENTS: Larry Rhodes spoke about congestion and safety concerns in connection with business ingress/egress's (In `n Out, animal hospital, etc) in the area of Golden Springs Drive and Brea Canyon Road. The timing of left turn signal FEBRUARY S, 2001 PAGE TWO T & T COMMISSION arrow yellow caution light (northbound Brea Canyon Road from Golden Springs Road) needs to be increased slightly because the signal does not allow sufficient time for vehicles to clear the intersection, especially during peak evening hours. 1V CONSENT CALENDAR: None V OLD BUSINESS: A. Traffic Concerns Around Chaparral Middle School. DSA/Smith presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission review the information provided by staff, receive public testimony and discuss traffic conditions at the intersection of Spruce Tree Drive and Ironbark Drive in front of Chaparral Middle School. Martin Ramirez, 1446 Spruce Tree Drive (directly across from Chaparral Middle School) stated that over the past five years the traffic has become unbearable and he feels like a captive in his own home. People park in his driveway and when he asks them to move their cars they get upset. He believes the traffic can be relieved through use of a busing system, crossing guards or sheriff's deputies. David Little, 22910 Aspen Knoll Drive, suggested that the City consider a "no right turn on red" at Diamond Bar Boulevard during school drop off/pick up hours similar to the situation at Lorbeer Middle School; install a three-way stop at Spruce Tree Drive and Mountain Laurel Way which will allow the Spruce Tree Drive traffic to clear and reduce traffic on Ironbark Drive; install a three-way stop at Ironbark Drive and Spruce Tree Drive; install a "No U -Turn" sign at the junction of Aspen Knoll Drive and Spruce Tree Drive; and stripe Ironbark Drive near the school. Jan Keating, Principal, Chaparral Middle School, said she appreciates the insight and patience of the residents who live near the school. Last year following an accident in which a student was hit crossing Diamond Bar Boulevard, she requested a crossing guard for that street. She and her staff members monitor traffic to the best of their ability and at the risk of their safety. She is not opposed to the suggestion for a three-way stop at Ironbark Drive and Spruce Tree Drive. Her main concerns are the u -turns that vehicles are making and the safety of students crossing Ironbark Drive to get to their parent's cars. C/lstik suggested that Principal Keating, consider using additional Proposition A funds to subsidies transportation funds to encourage busing. C/Leonard believes this school needs a crosswalk at the first intersection at Aspen Knoll Drive and make the intersection a three-way stop. She would like to see a FEBRUARY 8, 2001 PAGE TWO T & T COMMISSION reconfiguration of the off-street parking lot to accommodate school buses as well as, vehicular traffic. Chair/Morris said he would like staff to consider all recommendations in light of solving problems without creating additional problems. He further suggested that the Sheriff's Department look at the area and make recommendations to staff. DPW/Liu stated he would like to facilitate a field meeting with staff, Sheriff's Department, and the school to look at the circulation on-site and off-site to determine possible mitigation measures. Principal Keating asked that the residents who have testified this evening be invited to participate in the field meeting. C/Kung asked the school to look at the possibility of a re -design of its parking lot from one bus lane and three car lanes to one bus lane and one to two car lanes and increase the street width to alleviate the traffic jam. C/Leonard-Colby referred staff to the reconfiguration of the D.B.H.S. parking lot and the dedicated bus lane as a possible configuration for Chaparral Middle School's parking lot. Chair/Morris indicated to staff that the principal is receptive to consideration of a reconfiguration of the school's parking lot. VI NEW BUSINESS A. Speeding concerns on N. Rock River Drive. DSA/Joe presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Commission discuss this item and forward the matter to the Sheriff's Department. The Commission tabled this item so staff may continue to study the speeding concerns on N. Rock River Drive. B. Shaded Wood Road Parking Concerns. AE/Phillips presented staff's report DPW/Liu stated that currently, there is no provision for limiting parking to a certain group on public streets. As an alternative, the City can establish a preferential parking district which allows preferential treatment for the impacted residents. Residents who have complained are not present at tonight's meeting. FEBRUARY 8, 2001 PAGE FOUR T & T COMMISSION Although staff has not observe that the number of parked vehicles has become unmanageable the City wants to maintain the integrity of its residential neighborhoods. _ VI1 STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS DPW/Liu reported that at its January 16 meeting, the City Council approved the Letter of Agreement with the MTA for 1.3 million dollars to help pay for the upcoming Brea Canyon Road street scape project from Pathfinder Road to the southerly boundary line near Silver Bullet Drive. CalTrans has not yet approved the project plans. Construction is slated to begin in May or June 2000, On February 6 the City Council approved the Commission's recommendation to install two multi -way stop signs on Decorah Road at Platina Drive and Del Sol Lane as well as, the crossing guard services recommended by the Commission (El Encino at Prospect Valley for Golden Springs Elementary School and Glenwick and Lycoming for Walnut Elementary School). Also on Tuesday, February 6, the Council approved the Grand Avenue at Golden Springs Drive traffic signal modification and the contract amendment for the LED street light improvements AE/Phillips updated the Commission on the status of the Pulte Homes project. VIII ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS IX ITEMS FROM STAFF A. Monthly Traffic Enforcement Update for September, October and November 2000 was presented by Dep. Diane Dodd. B. DPW/Liu reported on the upcoming move of the City's offices on March 12, 2001 to the ACMD building at 21825 E. Copley Drive C. DPW/Liu updated the Commission on the new 9/80 work schedule for staff beginning on February 12, 2001. X INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. Sunset Crossing Road Traffic Concerns A/E Phillips stated one 40 mph traffic sign has been removed, Staff will continue to monitor the situation in order to determine if an additional speed limit sign needs to be removed. B. City -Wide Comprehensive Trails Master Plan FEBRUARY 8, 2001 PAGE FIVE T & T COMMISSION DPW/Liu reported on the two Open House Meetings held recently. Only one resident attended the February 1, 2001 meeting and 15 residents attended the February 3, 2001 meeting. The next joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. C. Speeding Concerns Along Cold Spring Lane DSA/Joe reported the installation of a 25 mph speed limit sign placed on the street light pole in front of 21467 Cold Spring Lane. D. Future Agenda Items 1. A request was received from Fire Station No. 121, located at 346 Armitos, to study the excessive speeding of vehicles in the area of the fire station. 2. C/Morris suggested inviting a representative from Caltrans to discuss regional traffic issues and freeway cut -through traffic in the City of Diamond Bar. XI SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY EVENTS: As agendized. ADJOURNMENT: C/Kung moved, C/Istik seconded, to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission, Chair/Morris adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. to the joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission on January 22, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully, Davi-Eel u Secretary Attes . Chairman Roland Morris