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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/12/2004CITY OF DiAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AUGUST 12, 2004 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Pincher called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management/Government Center Hearing Board Room, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Virginkar led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Chair Pincher, Vice Chair Torng and Commissioners Shah and Virginkar. Commissioner Morris was excused. Also Present: Fred Alamolhoda, Senior Engineer; Kimberly Molina, Assistant Engineer; Sharon Gomez, Senior Management Analyst and Debbie Gonzales, Administrative Assistant. APPROVAL OF MiNUTES: A. Minutes of regular meeting of July 8, 2004. Approval of the Minutes of the regular meeting of July 8, 2004 was continued to the September 9, 2004 meeting. ll. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Ron Everett, 2618 Rocky Trail Road, felt that the "No Right -Turn Signs" on the south side of Grand Avenue at the Diamond Bar Community Center were unnecessary except during rush hour because it caused an unnecessary congregation -of traffic at the signal when motorists wished to turn right. He wanted to know why this particular area was contrary to the California "Right Turn On Red When Safe" law. SMA/Gomez explained that due to the fact that the Community Center entrance was offset from the Shotgun Drive exit the two signals could create conflicts. If both Shotgun Drive and the Diamond Bar Center signals were simultaneously green there could be a potential conflict of vehicles when exiting the center turning left and exiting Shotgun Drive turning right and the same problem would occur with opposite flowing traffic. Staff was aware of the concerns and recently, modifications were made to the signal to allow eastbound traffic from Shotgun Drive only. The second phase modification was to make a major change to the signal lights that would potentially eliminate any conflicts. She thanked Mr. Everett for bringing this matter to staff's attention. AUGUST 12, 2004 PAGE 2 T&T COMMISSION III. CONSENT CALENDAR: None iV. ITEMS FROM STAFF: A. Traffic Enforcement Update — Received and filed on the following items: 1 • Citations: July 2004 2• Collisions: July 2004 3. Future Deployment of the Radar Trailer V. OLD BUSINESS: 0 Traffic Concerns on Armitos Place at Rockbury Drive. AE/Molina presented staff's report. She pointed to letters from Howard Hamilton, 546 S. Armitos Place and Joe and Terry, 550 Armitos Place referred to during the July meeting discussion and asked that they be entered into the record. She stated that both letters favored spoke in favor of the installation of stop signs at the intersection. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with staff to install M Way stop Signs on Armitos Place and Rockbury Drive. ulti- There was no one present who wished to speak on this item. C/Shah moved, VC/Torng seconded, to concur with staff's recommendation to install multi -way stop signs on Armitos Place and Rockbury Drive. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: VI. NEW BUSINESS: Shah, Virginkar, VC/Torng, Chair/Pincher None Morris Chair Pincher lives one block over from the area referred to in this item and recused herself and left the Dais. A. Preferential Parking on Laurelrim Drive. MSA/Gomez presented staff's report. Staff recommended that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with staff to establish Preferential Parking on Laurelrim Drive and to recommend an Ordinance Amendment to AUGUST 12, 2004 - PAGE 3 T&T COMMISSION add the easterly portion of Laurelrim Drive into Preferential Parking District No, 1. Buddy McMillan, 21664 Laurefrim Drive Unit A, said he originated this request due to the increased congestion in his area, especially on Thursdays and Fridays during street sweeping as well as high school student parking during school months. C/.Shah felt that students who were parking in this area would try to find parking in other areas. SMA/Gomez said staff realized that would occur and that most likely some students would move further into adjoining neighborhoods. At that point, residents would most likely seek mitigation. SMA/Gomez explained that staff continues to work with Diamond Bar High School to help alleviate the parking problems and hoped to have 25 to 35 additional parking spaces at the school beginning with the Fall session. However, the school district was unable to complete its parking lot renovation until November or December of 2004. C/Virginkar said he heard there would be an additional 150 incoming freshmen increasing the number from about 700 to 850. He felt that Laurelrim offered a natural alternative to parking onsite due to its close proximity to the school and if students continued to search for parking they would have to find spaces further away from the school. VC/Torng said that the school was discussing the possibility of additional parking under the new swimming pool. C/Virginkar moved, VC/Torng seconded to concur with staff to establish Preferential Parking on Laurelrim Drive and to recommend an Ordinance Amendment to add the easterly portion of Laurelrim Drive into Preferential Parking District No. 1: Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Shah, Virginkar, VC/Torng, NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Morris B• Diamond Bar Boulevard and Acacia Hill "Keep Clear." SMA/Gomez presented staff's report. Staff recommended that the Traffic and Transportation Commission concur with staff to install "Keep Clear" pavement markings and two (2) "Do Not Block Intersection" signs on Southbound Diamond Bar Boulevard at Acacia Hill Road. Alice O'Keeffe, 22431 Robin Oaks Terrace, initiated this request via email and urged the Commission to concur with staff's recommendation. She felt AUGUST 12, 2004 PAGE 4 T&T COMMISSION the City had done a great job to mitigate the parking situation at the high school. She also suggested that Commissioners and staff speak with Key Club, Girl's League and other on -campus service clubs to encourage them to make the building of a parking structure their project because it would benefit the students as well as the residents. SMA/Gomez reported that she received two telephone calls and a note from residents who all spoke in favor of the recommendation. SMA/Gomez indicated to CNirginkar that a small sign below the "Do Not Block" sign indicating the amount of the fine for violating the "Do Not Block" edict could be installed. She said that the fine was slightly more than $200. CNirginkar moved, VC/Torng seconded, to concur with staff's recommendation to install "Keep Clear' pavement markings and two (2) "Do Not Block Intersection" signs on Southbound Diamond Bar Boulevard with signage to indicate the fine (penalty for violation) amount at Acacia Hill Road. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Shah, Virginkar, VC/Torng, NOES:COMMISSIONERS: None /Prncher ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Morris C. Traffic Concerns on S. Rock River Road and Clearview Crest Drive; and S. Rock River Road and Eaglenest Drive. AE/Molina presented staff's report with staff's recommendation to the Traffic and Transportation Commission to concur with staff to install Multi -way Stop Signs on South Rock River Road at Clearview Crest Drive. Ellen Graham, 365 South -Rock River Road, said she initiated this request with the City. She has lived in her residence for 26 years and the traffic on the street has become unmanageable making it nearly impossible to back out of one's driveway. The kids riding dirt bikes up the street also pose a concern to her and she would be afraid to let her grandchildren play in the front yard area. in addition, there have been accidents involving moving vehicles and parked cars because motorists come around the corner from Eaglenest Drive westbound on South Rock River Road too fast. Kathy Chavez, 300 S. Rock River Road, has lived in her residence for about 28 years and felt it was imperative that stop signs be placed on both sides of Clearview Crest Drive. About four months ago a vehicle took out the entire length of the fence belonging to the person living on the corner of Clearview Crest Drive and she was delighted that a resident came forward to propose the stop signs. The Neil Armstrong school children are confused AUGUST 12, 2004 PAGE 5 T&T COMMISSION about how to cross the street because of the traffic and she felt the stop signs would help the children as well as the parents and the residents. VC/Torng wondered if staff was concerned about lack of visibility due to cars being parked too close to the corner. SMA/Gomez responded- that 25 to 50 feet of red curbing could be installed on the school side near the corners. Staff did not include a recommendation to install a crosswalk because school was not in session and staff was unable to determine what occurs as a result of the school traffic. With the commencement of the fall school schedule, staff could conduct a study and report back to the Commission in October. C/Shah felt that a case could be made to install a crosswalk at the stop sign because of the school. SMA/Gomez explained that staff would need to look at the pathway taken by students from the school in order to determine where a crosswalk could be placed, if feasible and in accordance with state law. CNirginkar moved, VC/Torng seconded, to concur with staff's recommendation to install Multi -Way stop signs on South Rock River Road at Clearview Crest Drive and directed staff to study the feasibility of red curbing and crosswalks with findings to be presented to the Commission at a later date. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: VII, STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS: Shah, Virginkar, VC/Torng, Chair/Pincher None Morris SMA/Gomez reported that at its August 3, 2004 meeting the City Council unanimously approved the Commission's recommendation to install Multi -Way stop signs at Pantera Drive and Rexford Court. The stop signs were ordered and would be installed within a couple of weeks of receipt. SMA/Gomez stated that the Rock River Drive project would likely go before Council on September 7, 2004. VIII. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS: VC/Torng thanked the Commissioners and staff for their input at the July 8, 2004 meeting. Before he left for vacation he received a telephone call about the Leyland Drive speed hump and asked staff to provide him with information. SMA/Gomez responded that letters were sent to residents of Leyland Drive and Longview Drive with neighborhood meetings taking place on August 24 and 25, 2004. AUGUST i2, 2004 PAGE 5 IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: A. Diamond Bar High School Traffic Circulation T&T COMMISSION As previously reported, the high school started its parking lot rehabilitation about a week ago. The original plan was to redo the entire parking lot. However, due to design and engineering issues only the westerly portion of the parking lot would be completed prior to school commencement with reconstruction of the easterly portion slated to take place during the Thanksgiving and Christmas break. The Brahma Way signal should be completed by next Friday. B. Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. SE/Alamolhoda reported that the City had completed its contractual process and staff and the consultant proposed to begin the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program after school commencement. Staff proposed to hold a study session with the Traffic and Transportation Commission and Council Members during September, 2004 and that same evening the presentation would be made during the regular Council Meeting to provide public notice about the program. The intent was to divide the City into five or seven neighborhoods and to also have the Sheriff's Department involved in the process. Staff proposed two meetings per neighborhood after which there would be a follow up study session with the Commission and Council followed by a presentation during the regularly televised Council meeting. On August 23, 2004 staff and the consultant will meet with the Walnut Valley School District Principals to receive input about how they might like to be involved in the process. C/Virginkar asked if the Commissioners could have a copy of the consultant's scope of work to prepare for the study session. AE/Alamolhoda said he would provide the Commissioners with the copies. C. SR 57/60 Direct HOV Connector Project. SE/Almolhada reported that after nine months and five months of delay north Grand Avenue was open. Brea Canyon Road on-ramp to Westbound SR -60 was now closed for nine months to a year or longer. Caltrans' Traffic Management Plan re-routed traffic to Pathfinder Road and Valley Boulevard and on to the Fairway Drive on-ramp. The proposal to add a second left tum from northbound Brea Canyon Road to Westbound Golden Springs Drive was delayed while the traffic is observed to determine whether the second lane is necessary. The next long-term closure should occur in about three weeks at Grand Avenue on-ramp to the SR 60 eastbound/SR57 northbound. Next week Brea Canyon Road between Golden Springs Drive and Lycoming Drive will close between 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. two or three AUGUST 12, 2004 PAGE 7 T&T COMMISSION times to do false work/temporary bridging of the overhead connectors that connect east and west Brea Canyon. The project is on schedule with regular ongoing discussions between staff and Caltrans. C/Shah suggested staff ask Caltrans to provide adequate signage to indicate the on-ramp closure on Brea Canyon Road because people were making illegal U-turns when they realized too late that the ramp was closed. X. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY EVENTS — as adgendized. XII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission, Chair Pincher adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully, Davi G. Liu, Secretary Attest: 4Chaira Pincher