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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/10/20021 1 CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION JANUARY 10, 2002 I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Virginkar called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management/Government Center Hearing Board Room, 21865 E. Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chairman Virginkar led in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Virginkar, Vice Chairman Istik and Commissioners Kung, Leonard and Morris. Also Present: David Liu, Director of Public Works, John Ilasin, Assistant Engineer; Kirk Phillips, Associate Engineer, Linda Smith, Development SSetvices Assistant, Deputy Diane Dodd and Sharon Gomez, Administrative Assistant and Debbie Gonzales, Administrative Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. Minutes of November 8, 2001. C/Istik moved, C/Morris seconded to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 8, 2001 as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: III. COMMISSION COMMENTS: None IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Morris, VC/Istik, Chair/Virginkar None Leonard Kung Cindi Makhoul asked for a status on her stop sign request. She believed the sign at the corner of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Golden Springs Drive needs to read: 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. on Fridays — No Right Turn. DPW/Liu responded that that stop sign requests for Golden Prados and Ritter will appear on either the January 29 or February 5 City Council meeting agenda for discussion. Designated times posted on the sign at the intersection of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Golden Springs Drive were provided by school officials. Staff will contact the school to determine whether changes are needed and advise Mrs. Makhoul of the outcome. JANUARY 10, 2002 PAGE 2 T&T COMMISSION V. CONSENT CALENDAR - None VI. OLD BUSINESS - None VII. NEW BUSINESS: A. Consideration of Street Name Change of Tin Drive to Crestview Drive. DSA/Smith presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission receive public testimony, discuss the matter, and consider the issue of changing the name of the public street of Tin Drive (between Great Bend Drive/Farben Drive and Diamond Bar Boulevard) to Crestview Drive and direct staff accordingly. Martha Bruske, 600 South Great Bend Drive (a continuation of Tin Drive), said that it distresses her that there is so much staff work done befote the issue comes before concerned residents. She is concerned about the development of the Pulte Homes tract, the fact that the tract has only one fire gate access and that the traffic spills onto Diamond Bar Boulevard, one of the busiest streets in Diamond Bar. She pointed out that her tract contains street names associated with cowboy activities or themes. In addition, Golden Prados Drive and Goldrush Drive are western/southwestern names. The neighborhoods have a right to maintain their integrity and she sees no reason why the name of a street that continues on opposites sides of Diamond Bar Boulevard should be the same on both sides. Leave the street names as they currently exist. Doug Dimitruk, 23341 Wagon Trail Road, shared Mrs. Bruske's concerns. He likes the fact that his tract's street names have a western theme and sees no reason to change that theme. In addition to the previously mentioned concerns, there must be associate costs with street name changes. He is opposed to a street name change for Tin Drive. Cindi Makhoul concurred with Mrs. Bruske and Mr. Dimitruk. She has lived in the tract for 22 years and wants the street name to remain Tin Drive. She too, is opposed to a street name change and would like to have the City pay attention to important matters such as stop signs and correcting informational signs at schools. Nancy Harbough, 23347 Wagon Trail Road, said that the idea for a street name change came up at a political rally for Mr. Bob Zirbes. She read a letter from her husband pointing out his reasons for favoring a name change from Tin Drive to Crestview Drive. He urged approval of the name change. C/Kun9 asked what costs are involved in the name change. DPW/Liu said the costs would be nominal. 1 JANUARY 10, 2002 PAGE 3 T&T COMMISSION VC/Istik said that issues that effect neighborhoods should be mandated by a two-thirds majority approval by the residents. C/Morris concurred. C/Kung did not believe this matter deserved staff's time and energy and he did not want to set precedence. VC/Istik moved, C/Leonard seconded to recommend that the City Council change a street name only if there is an overwhelming number of affected residents who favor such a change. Following discussion, ChairNirginkar asked DPW/Liu for staff's further. recommendation on how to proceed with this issue. DPW/Liu responded that staff would recommend that a survey letter be sent to residents with a survey results reportto the Traffic and Transportation Commission at its next meeting. t Motion failed by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Leonard, VC/lstik NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Kung, Morris, ChairNirginkar ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None C/Kung moved to reject the name change proposal. The motion died for lack of a second. ChairNirginkar suggested that the Commission request staff to conduct a survey in the tract and bring the matter back to the Commission at its next meeting for further consideration. VC/Istik recommended that staff be requested to include input from essential services in its report. C/Morris moved, C/Leonard seconded that this matter be referred back to staff to gather additional input for the Commission. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: B. Consideration of Multi -Way Stop Springs Drive/Lost River Drive. Leonard, Morris, ChairNirginkar Kung, VC/lstik None I Signs at T -intersection of Evergreen DSA/Smith presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission receive public testimony, discuss the traffic conditions and recommend (1) the installation of a stop sign at the JANUARY 10, 2002 PAGE 4 T&T COMMISSION intersecting leg of Lost River Drive at Evergreen Springs Drive, (2) the City coordinate with the Sheriff's Department to provide increased enforcement of the posted 25 mile per hour speed limit and "No U-turn" signs currently posted on Evergreen Springs Drive. Samuel Jenkins, 2252 Evergreen Springs Drive, asked for enforcement of the posted 25 mile per hour speed limit and installation of the stop sign. Elisa Alsawalhy, 2249 Evergreen Springs Drive, is concerned for the safety of her children and the students. She favored the stop sign and believed it would help to slow down the cars. Cheryl Bach, 2266 Evergreen Springs Drive (the corner of Evergreen Springs Drive and Lost River Drive) has not seen a 25 -mile per hour speed limit sign. The street accommodates drag racing between the two schools. There is no stop sign when driving around the corner from Lose RiveNDrive onto Evergreen Springs Drive and vehicles fly out of Lost River Drive. She has witnessed many close calls. She walks her three children to school each day because she fears for them to cross the street alone. She thought she was buying a house in a safe neighborhood. She feels that enforcement is definitely more visible on Diamond Bar Boulevard than it is on Evergreen Springs Drive even though there is a high school and .elementary school on that street. She feels the least that should be done is to install a three-way stop at the intersection of Evergreen Springs Drive and Lost River Drive. There are stop signs around Chaparral Middle School but not around Evergreen Springs Elementary School. She fully supports the recommendation for stop signs. Reyna Melendez, 2260 Evergreen Springs Drive, has four children ages 7- 14 and works at Evergreen Springs Elementary School. She has worked at several different school sites and has watched stop signs go up at all of the other locations but not at Evergreen Elementary School. The children's safety is at risk every day. She has also not seen a 25 -mile per hour sign on the decline and she wants more enforcement in the area. Walter Cooprider, 2273 Evergreen Springs Drive, said driver's speed on his street and he doesn't know how they are able to stop. He is in favor of a stop sign but if it doesn't work, he wants it removed. Kathy McDonnell, 2424 Sunbright Drive, has lived in her home for 38 years and has seen vehicles speeding on this street. She wants a stop sign at Sunbright Drive in addition to a stop sign at Lost River Drive. Signs do not help. People are not self-disciplined. They need to be ticketed so that it hits them in the pocket. John Melendez, 2360 Evergreen Springs Drive, favored a three-way stop sign. He hopes that a stop sign will prevent children from getting hurt. If the JANUARY 10, 2002 PAGE 5 T&T COMMISSION stop sign is approved, when will it be installed and will crosswalks be installed? DPW/Liu responded to speakers. The 25 -mile per hour sign is posted on the west side of Evergreen Springs Drive just past the D.B.H.S. driveway. If the Commission recommends approval of the three-way stop installation, the recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration. Following discussion, C/Kung moved, C/Leonard seconded to recommend installation of multi -way stop signs at the intersection of Evergreen Springs Drive and Lost River Drive. VC/Istik felt that various recommendations for traffic mitigation made by DKS Associates should be considered prior to voting on this matter. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Kung, Leonard, Chair/Virginkar NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Morris, VC/Istik ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None Chair/Morris advised audience members that the vote is a recommendation ' to the City Council for further action. A multi -way stop is not approved or disapproved until the City Council considers the matter and renders its decision. DPW/Liu said he hoped to have the matter on the February 5 City Council agenda. Residents will be notified one week prior to the meeting. C. University of Phoenix Parking Request on Valley Vista Drive. AE/Phillips presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission receive public input, discuss the matter and deny the request from the University of Phoenix for on -street parking and request staff to send a written response to the University of Phoenix. The response will indicate the denial of their request and ask the University to address the parking needs by adjusting the class sizes and/or schedules or by working with the management company and/or the neighboring property owners to acquire permission to use their parking lots. However, the university is not limited to these suggestions. Monica Moya, University of Phoenix; said that the University has adjusted class sizes and schedules and has been working with the management ' company regarding use of neighboring properties which presents a liability and safety issue. She thanked the Commission for looking into this matter. Ninety-seven percent of the student population lives outside of D.B. She again requested the Commission consider granting permission for parking JANUARY 10, 2002 PAGE 6 T&T COMMISSION on the westerly side of the street only to accommodate the large number of students who drive into the area. The University of Phoenix is looking into moving to a larger facility either inside or outside of D.B. to accommodate a larger student body. ChairNirginkar asked if the University had considered increasing security during peak evening hours. Ms. Moya responded that the neighbor would not permit the University students to park an additional 30 to 40 spaces from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (after hours) for one night only (Tuesday) on their property. The neighbor has threatened to tow vehicles that do not belong to their building. Additionally, the University's staff works staggered hours in order to provide 30 additional spaces. Ms. Moya indicated to VC/Istik that the University of Phoenix did not -offer to pay the neighbor for parking. ' Ms. Moya responded to C/Morris that she was not involved in the negotiations and does not know if the University offered to provide hold harmless insurance. i ChairNirginkar again suggested that the University offer their neighbors compensation and insurance coverage in exchange for the parking as previously recommended by C/Kung. C/Kung reiterated his recommendations for compensation, insurance, and payment for lighting and security to the university's neighbors. C/Leonard pointed out that the City accommodates churches by providing on -street overflow parking in certain instances on a limited basis. She does not believe that allowing parking on one side of the street for one weekday evening would impede traffic. In addition, she believed that on -street parking might provide safer access for students. C/Kung said that while he would like to accommodate the University of Phoenix's request, he does not want to break the City's tradition of disallowing on -street -parking. However, the Commission's decision is not final and the University can appeal this matter to the City Council C/Morris said he understands C/Leonard's point. However, the City would be setting precedent by allowing for-profit use of the street for parking. Street parking for churches is non-profit use. ' C/Kung reiterated his point that the University needs only to invest money in this situation in order to resolve the matter. 1 JANUARY 10, 2002 PAGE 7 T&T COMMISSION VC/Istik moved, C/Kung seconded, to deny the request from the University of Phoenix for on -street parking and requested staff to send a written response to the University of Phoenix as recommended. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Kung, Morris, VC/Istik, ChairNirginkar NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Leonard ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None D. Consideration of "Do Not Block Intersection" Sign on Grand Avenue at Cahill Place. AA/Gomez presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission receive public comments and discuss the feasibility of installing a "Do Not Block. Intersection" sign on, westbound Grand Avenue at Cahill Place. John Chen, 1171 Chisolm Trail Drive, said that it is very difficult to make a left-hand turn from his street onto Diamond Bar Boulevard toward Chino Hills. He was very excited to receive the letter from city hall regarding this matter because this is what he wants. He asked people in his neighborhood how they felt about this matter and discovered some of them had not received the notice. He does not understand why his area does not have such signage. He suggested that in the future, city hall should send a letter to every house and ask for a response so that people who are unable to attend the Commission meeting have a voice. Wayne Kuo, 1187 Chisolm Trail Drive, told the Commission that every morning when he tries to take his children to school, there is a traffic jam in the area and it is very difficult for him to get out of his street.' He showed the Commissioners a photograph of the traffic congestion. He would like for the City to consider installing a traffic light with a sensor. Simon Wong, 1168 Chisolm Trail Drive, said that when Grand Avenue opened it created a problem for people who live in the Stonegate community trying to get out of their street onto Grand Avenue. In order to get out of their tract, it is often necessary to exit onto Diamond Bar Boulevard instead of Grand Avenue. He believed the best solution would be to install a traffic signal with a sensor to help prevent traffic jams and protect drivers from traffic accidents. DPW/Liu responded to a prior speaker that notice of this matter was sent to residents within a 500 -foot radius of the intersection, approximately 20 homes. 1 1 C JANUARY 10, 2002 PAGE 8 T&T COMMISSION C/Kung thought a better solution might be to place a "no left turn" sign at Cahill Place for improved safety. The Commission concurred to request staff to prepare a report and recommendation for the Commission's consideration. Vlll. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS: DPW/Liu updated the Commission on the following items: At its November 20 study session, the City Council discussed residential street name sign designs and approved modifications for the Diamond Ride (Dial -a -Ride) program as recommended by the Commission. At its December 4 meeting, City Council approved the Commission's recommendation to install one-hour commercial vehicle parking (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) on the easterly side of Lemon Avenue as well as, the Sheriff's Department safety program. On Tuesday, January 8 Study Session, Council considered a parking and street sweeping services resolution. IX. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS: C/Morris asked staff to provide information to the Commission regarding the assignment of numbers to residences in Diamond Bar. C/Kung said he would like to change the last number of his address from 6 to 8. C/Leonard. asked for an update on the regional bypass issue for the next Commission meeting. X. ITEMS FROM STAFF: A. Traffic Enforcement Update. 1. Citations: September, October and November 2001. 2. Collisions: September, October and November 2001. 3. Radar Trailer Development 4. Radar Trailer Future Development Deputy Dodd reported that the Sheriff's Department conducted crosswalk stings in front of Lorbeer Middle School on Tuesday a.m. and p.m. Thirty-five citations were issued for 39 different violations. Another sting is slated for January 22. Chair/Virginkar asked Deputy Dodd to be forthcoming with such information during public comments, as appropriate. XI. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: A. Portable Speed Humps on Navajo Spring Road/Decorah Road. JANUARY 10, 2002 PAGE 9 T&T COMMISSION Staff's report presented by AE/Ilasin. One resident complained about a sign in front of his house. This pilot project has continued for 45 days of the 60 - day project. A more detailed report will be provided at the next Commission meeting. B. Diamond Ranch High School Traffic Circulation. AE/Phillips presented staff's report. The report was completed in November 2001 with the following recommendations: 1) Installation of speed humps within driving lanes leading to the parking area; 2) signs indicating speed humps ahead and 15 m.p.h. limit; 3) circulation of traffic through the parking lot; and 4) platooning of students. From subsequent observations, it appears that these implemented measures have been fairly effective in facilitating the flow of traffic through the parking lot. C. Monthly Traffic/Speed Trailer Schedule. Deputy Dodd reported that the traffic speed trailer is operational. D. Future Agenda Items as agendized. XII. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY EVENTS — as agendized ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission, Chairman Virginkar adjourned the meeting at 10:08 p.m. Attest: Chairman Arun Virginkar ~ ' 1 Respectfully, avid GKLiu, Secretary