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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/4/2005CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 2005 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Pincher called the special meeting to order at 5:33 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: Chairman Pincher, and Commissioners, Shah, Shay and Virginkar. Commissioner Morris was excused. Also Present: David Liu, Director of Public Works; Fred Alamolhoda, Senior Engineer; Sharon Gomez, Senior Management Analyst; Kimberly Molina, Assistant Engineer and Debbie Gonzales, Administrative Assistant. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None Offered. ii. CONSENT CALENDAR: None III. OLD BUSINESS: A. Neighborhood Traffic Management Program — Presentation of proposed action plan for five (5) districts. SMA/Gomez presented staffs report on the Pilot Projects for the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) introduced to the residents in January 2005. Prior to that time the City was divided into five districts to make it more manageable. For this fiscal year Council approved $125,000 ($25,000 per district) for mitigation measures. The slide presentation represented input received from residents during meetings held at each of the five areas. SMA/Gomez stated that staff's recommendation was for the Commission to concur with staff to install the pilot projects for the five (5) NTMP districts. Once approved staff will send out press releases to the newspapers advising residents that the projects will commence. When the pilot projects are installed, signs will be installed at the entrance to each of the five neighborhoods stating the area is a Pilot Project for the NTMP. SMA/Gomez stated that the majority of concerns from the residents in the northern area were cut -through traffic coming off SR -57 and speeding through the City. The same was true of Prospectors Road. AUGUST 4, 2005 PAGE 2 T&T COMMISSION SPECIAL MEET#NG DPW/Liu said that literally thousands of residents on a neighborhood -wide basis were invited to attend the neighborhood meetings. SMA/Gomez stated that the following suggestions for the westerly portion were proposed by residents: Place red light cameras at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Sunset Crossing Road; complete the overpass between the SR57/60; resurface Gentle Springs Lane (to be completed this year under CIP projects); repair sound wall near Prospectors Road and the SR60 overpass (fixed by Caltrans); extend the sound wall by an additional 80 feet. SMA/Gomez stated that the following suggestions were offered for the easterly area from Diamond Bar Boulevard midway into Sunset Crossing Road just short of Prospectors Road: Install parking lanes along each side of Sunset Crossing Road to visually narrow the road and cut down on the speeding; install striped center medians for narrowing the street. Traveling further west on Sunset Crossing Road toward Prospectors Road, continue the parking lanes on both sides of the street and a painted center median. Prospectors Road from Sunset Crossing Road south to Dry Creek Road: install speed cushions where the grade permits. SMA/Gomez reported that in order to consider any of the mitigation measures staff would have to survey the roads and streets to determine location of catch basins, driveways, etc. before speed cushions or other traffic calming devices could be installed. SMA/Gomez continued with the middle third of Prospectors Road: Continue installing speed cushions where the grades and survey permit. In the final third of Prospectors Road down to Rock River Road and the SR -60, install speed cushions to slow traffic on the downgrade to the freeway underpass down to Golden Springs Drive. SMA/Gomez reported that the estimated cost to paint the striped median and parking lanes on Sunset Crossing Road and installation of approximately nine speed cushions would be within the $25,000 set aside for the area. Prospectors Road is a CIP project for design of pavement rehabilitation and it would be cost effective to include installation of the speed cushions within the design project. PWD/Liu responded to C/Virginkar that the proposed mitigation measures were the result of input from the residents, consultant and staff. SMA/Gomez stated that when the City proceeds in the future with the NTMP, there would be a petition process that would require a 67% majority consensus of the residents living along the affected street. However, this is a pilot project and would be implemented without that majority process. AUGUST 4, 2005 PAGE 3 T&T COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING SMA/Gomez continued with suggestions for the lower section of Sunset Crossing Road near Diamond Bar Boulevard: Install a sign at both ends of Sunset Crossing Road (Diamond Bar Boulevard and Golden Springs Drive) advising drivers that they are entering a residential street and that they should obey the laws. Parking lanes, striping and speed cushions will be installed along the street to visually narrow the street and render it more difficult to speed. The difference between a speed cushion and speed hump is that a speed cushion has breaks in the center to allow for wide axle vehicles (fire trucks, trash trucks, etc.) to move smoothly through the area. SMA/Gomez reported the proposed measures for the center portion of Sunset Crossing Road to Del Sol Lane: continue installing parking lanes and striping and speed cushions where the grade permits. To complete Sunset Crossing Road from Del Sol Lane to Golden Springs Drive, the proposed measures are a continuation of parking lanes, striping, speed cushion and an entry sign. SMA/Gomez said that residents perceive cut through traffic as coming from outside the area. Instead, it is actually their neighbors who cut through their neighborhood from other areas. The total cost for striping, parking lanes, speed cushions and signage was slightly in excess of $31,000 for this area. SMA/Gomez reported on the green area — Pathfinder Road south to the Brea Canyon Road border: Based on comments from the residents, Fountain Springs Road has cut -through traffic coming from SR -57 at Pathfinder Road, continuing south on Brea Canyon Road to Fountain Springs Road. The conceptual plan for the easterly half of Fountain Springs Road between Diamond Bar Blvd. and Castle Rock Road includes speed cushions and narrowing of the road with Texas dots and striping. Texas dots are approximately 6-8" in diameter and are 2 Y2 to 3" high. The most effective and enduring material is ceramic filled with resin. The less desirable material is a rubberized material. The street sweeper cannot go over the Texas dot so he will lift the brushes leaving some debris in the area. Conceptual mitigation for the westerly half of Fountain Springs Road from Castle Rock Road to Brea Canyon includes speed cushions (beginning at approximately Sunbright Drive). Proposed measures for Castle Rock Road close to the Castle Elementary School and problems with congestion during school hours are: install speed cushions to slow the traffic and prevent U-turns; install Texas dots down the center lane to prevent U-turns. Total cost estimated to be within the $25,000 budget. Third Area (orange) — bounded by Diamond Bar Boulevard, Grand Avenue, SR60 and the City's easterly boundary: Residents were concerned about speeding along Rancheria Road and Jubilee Lane where there is no centerline striping and no stop signs on the side streets as they enter Rancheria Road. Residents asked for cul-de-sacs in the area. Staff intends AUGUST 4, 2005 PAGE 4 T&T COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING to introduce a new traffic -calming device, the mini -traffic circle at two locations on Rancheria Road at Casa Loma Drive and Jubilee Lane. Drivers would be educated that all vehicles must yield to traffic on the left. On Jubilee Lane, staff proposes the installation of speed cushions subject to the downhill grade and continue the median with painted striping and Texas dots at the end to further delineate the road. The area of Golden Prados Drive on the east side of Golden Springs Drive, was also reviewed. There are no side streets on the lower portion of Golden Prados Drive as one proceeds toward Great Bend Drive, so staff is suggesting speed cushions for the area subject to the downgrade. Pink Area (the middle of the City) between Grand Avenue and Pathfinder Road: Staff intends to key into the Maple Hill School area for the pilot program. Further, staff recommends installation of speed cushions to slow the traffic in front of the school on the downhill curve to Diamond Bar Boulevard; install a raised/textured crosswalk; add red curbing in the area of the raised crosswalk and install speed cushions on Eaglefen Drive downhill from Birdseye Drive to Maple Hill Road. Cost estimated to be within budget. Blue Area (northeasterly) — Brea Canyon Road/Golden Springs Drive: Concerns — speeding and cut through traffic: Install speed cushions along Lycoming Street on both sides of the mobile home park ingress/egress; install raised/textured crosswalk with Texas dots at the intersection at Glenwick Avenue and consider a new traffic circulation program in conjunction with Walnut Elementary School. Flintgate Drive — vacant land abutting the freeway. Staff intends to require that traffic mitigation measures be incorporated into future commercial construction. SMA/Gomez reported that the residents were impressed with the proposed Pilot projects and staff intends to stay within this year's fiscal budget amount of $125,000. Staff chose one or two areas for pilot projects from each district. Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission recommend the pilot projects to Council for approval and appropriation of budget funds for implementation in the five NTMP Districts. Staff will provide a manual to each Commissioner for perusal prior to the next Commission meeting. if the project is approved, staff will begin developing articles for the City News and develop a video for DBTV. PWD/Liu concurred with Chair/Pincher that this has been an almost two- year process. C/Shah said he liked the presentation and especially liked the introduction of the traffic circle because in many countries they work very well. AUGUST 4, 2005 PAGE 5 T&T COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING Yesterday he viewed a traffic circle in Thousand Oaks and was impressed with what he saw. it seems that there are too many speed cushions recommended on several streets and perhaps staff would consider limiting speed cushions to the areas near schools. He also questioned the effectiveness of a sign that read, "please drive carefully" and felt the City could save money by eliminating the sign. He was concerned about the raised crosswalk and a speed cushion being in very close proximity on Lycoming Street. in his opinion, a short median does not work well because if drivers are not paying attention they tend to hit the median and felt the median should be longer and wider at Lycoming Street. He liked the idea of a textured crosswalk and believed it could work very well. He reiterated that he was very pleased about the team's work. C/Shay concurred that SMA/Gomez made a magnificent presentation. He was amazed that the City could move forward with the pilot project and stay within the budget amount of $125,000. Two major issues were cut through traffic and speeding and he felt that the majority of mitigation measures would help to nullify speeding. However, he did not believe that many drivers would avoid cutting through certain areas and law enforcement would have to be called in to help with the problem. if cut through traffic is not eliminated, only a portion of the safety problem is eliminated. People in a hurry that drive recklessly at the wrong time may accentuate the problem of safety because they are out of control. He also concurred with staffs statement that upon further evaluation the number of speed cushions could be reduced. He asked for clarification about safety vehicles being able to circumvent the speed cushions and wondered why a vehicle would not be able to do the same thing. SMA/Gomez explained that the speed cushions are broken in such a way that a wide -axle vehicle could go between the humps whereas a smaller passenger vehicle could not circumvent the cushion because at least one side of the vehicle would have to traverse the cushion. C/Virginkar complimented staff and the consultant for their great effort. He was comfortable that the proposed mitigation measures would achieve their intended purposes. He concurred with C/Shah's comments and concerns. He felt that a speed cushion would not be necessary for the exit in zone 5 and perhaps all speed cushions should be eliminated from all exits. He also felt the raised crosswalk and speed cushions were too close in proximity. One general concern about crosswalks is that crosswalks tend to provide a false sense of safety and by texturing the crosswalk it is further highlighted and he was concerned that the driver might not be aware he was approaching the crosswalk. He agreed that signs asking drivers to drive carefully would be somewhat ineffective because the streets were filled with too many signs. Regarding Sunset Crossing Road and the installation of a striped center median, he wondered if it would be preferable to have a raised island median that would send a strong signal that drivers could not AUGUST 4, 2005 PAGE 6 T&T COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING cross over to the opposite side of the street. He asked why staff was not proposing to install speed humps instead of speed cushions and whether this was creating new criteria. PWD/Liu explained that the use of speed humps is part of the program. In fact, speed humps are tools (an adopted program) included in the manual for the traffic management program. The introduction and added benefit of speed cushions is a compromise with the County's concern about the reduction in response time for safety vehicles. The cost is about the same for speed cushions as it is for speed humps and the criteria is almost the same. C/Virginkar felt that criteria should be modified to include speed cushions. DPW/Liu responded that the City would introduce a toolbox of measures and physical devices with this Neighborhood Traffic Management Program for consideration. Currently, the only physical device approved by City Council to date was speed humps. C/Virginkar asked if striping for street parking to narrow a street had been done in other cities. DPW/Liu said that paint has been used to strip parking in many jurisdictions. In this case, the City is taking small steps. If the painted lines do not work staff will move on to the next step after the six month study identifies the outcome. C/Virginkar felt that by using Texas dots the point would be driven home that the parking lanes were a serious mitigation measures. DPW/Liu said that Texas dots are not pretty. Staff believes it is prudent to take small steps and get the residents to buy into the program and support the use of physical devices. C/Virginkar asked why staff preferred Texas dots to Botts dots. DPW/Liu explained that Texas dots were much larger and more difficult to traverse. CNirginkar asked if the Sheriffs Department would be able to issue citations to drivers who ignored the parking strips and DPW/Liu responded "absolutely" - all of the pilot projects will be supported by the Sheriff's Department. C/Virginkar said that in his opinion the mini - circle was a great idea and felt it could and should be used in many of the areas throughout the City and that the mini -circle should be built up as high as possible without obstructing views. C/Virginkar said he agreed somewhat with C/Shah that a short median island was not effective but believed it was more effective than Botts dots or striping and that wherever possible, the length of the median should be extended. Chair/Pincher asked if Sunset Crossing Road residents, upon witnessing the effectiveness of the pilot program could ask for permanent enhancements such as requesting median heights to be raised, landscaped, etc. in order to make their street a gateway into the northern end of the City. PWD/Liu responded that all requests would be considered. In fact, residents of that area -have been expecting the City to propose some type of traffic mitigation and beautification to solve a chronic situation. Chair/Pincher felt that the location of Botts dots on the north side of Fountain Springs Road off Diamond Bar Boulevard might be too close and that the speed cushion should be moved closer to Crooked Creek Drive. AUGUST 4, 2005 PAGE 7 T$T COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING SMA/Gomez said that a physical survey of the streets would be required before the proposed measures could be instituted. For example, in the area of concern there are commercial entries, an overpass to the storm drain channel, fire hydrants, residential driveways, etc. that must be taken into consideration. Chair/Pincher was concerned about the standing water in the gutter and the possible conflicting use of Texas dots. SMA/Gomez said that staff was aware of settling in that older area of the City and the inherent problems with respect to street maintenance. Chair/Pincher wondered how much the crosswalk that crossed Lycoming Street was utilized and if there should be a more defined crosswalk across Glenwick Avenue. SMA/Gomez said that many students cross Lycoming Street with their parents during peak morning and afternoon school hours and there are many who cross at Glenwick Avenue as well. C/Shay commented that the biggest challenge facing the City is attempting to control what amounts to too many cars. Human behavior dictates that people look for a way to circumvent new features and typically that behavior results in breaking the law. Therefore, it is very important for law enforcement to buy into this equation. He was concerned that medians could lead to new problems and he believed that the proposed mitigation measures would have to be looked at very delicately prior to implementation. C/Shah suggested that stop signs in certain areas like the stop sign on Montefino Drive might work better than speed humps. He said he liked Texas dots for the parking lanes because it would be a cheaper solution and prevent people from crossing over parking lanes. His opinion was that traffic circles work and people generally respect such features and those who break the law will do so regardless of what measures are taken. In conclusion he asked staff to consider three options: speed cushion versus the stop sign or number of speed cushions; installation of "please drive safely" signs and whether or not it was cost effective, and if speed cushions are installed close to a raised crosswalk study the area to make sure the installations are safe. He thanked staff for a job well done. C/Virginkar moved, C/Shay seconded to accept staffs recommendation to install the pilot projects for the five (5) NTMP districts with the provision that the Commissioner's comments be included in the recommendation to Council. SE/Alamolhoda said it was his understanding that all of the Commissioners and residents comments and City policies were to be included in the toolbox. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AUGUST 4, 2005 PAGE 8 T&T COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Shah, Shay, Virginkar, NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None/Pincher ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Morris C/Virginkar expressed his enthusiasm that this program was moving forward at a fast pace and that the residents would soon see positive action in their community. PWD/Liu said that staff was excited about the City's proactive approach and was very pleased with Council's support of the program. IV. BUSINESS: None V. STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION ITEMS: None VI. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS: C/Shah recommended that members of IT[ take this item to their next meeting. He said he noticed that workers were walking along the edge of the medians and felt that it presented a safety hazard. Also, when a lane is closed, the lane delineators should start further back to better warn traffic in advance of the situation. VII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Vlll. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CITY EVENTS — as adgendized. IX. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the Traffic and Transportation Commission, Chair/Pincher adjourned the meeting at 7:31 p.m. Respectfully, r' avid . Liu, ecretary Atts t: c irmanlLiana Pincher