HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-06; Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission; Minutes; Regular SessionTRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION Council Chamber
Ml• nutes 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Oct. 6, 2025, 4 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Coelho, Penseyres, Newlands, Kohl, Nicholes, Schuck.
Absent: Proulx.
INVOCATION: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Coelho led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of Special Meeting held on Sept. 16, 2025.
Motion by Commissioner Kohl, seconded by Commissioner Schuck, to approve the minutes of
the Special Meeting held on Sept. 16, 2025, as stated. Motion carried, 5/1/1 (Newlands-Abstain;
Proulx -Absent).
PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. CITY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE: Receive a presentation regarding the
work of the City Council Legislative Subcommittee, the City of Carlsbad Intergovernmental
Affairs Program and the city's recent and ongoing advocacy efforts related to traffic safety
and mobility and provide feedback as appropriate. (Staff Contact: Jason Haber, Policy &
Leadership City Manager; Teresa Acosta, City Council Member)
Intergovernmental Affairs Director Jason Haber and City Council Member Teresa Acosta
reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Intergovernmental Affairs
Director Haber and City Council Member Acosta.
David Pierce spoke about how strict local control, like the 1980s vote to limit the number
of homes that could be built in the city, can lead to consequences such as a lack of
affordable, multi-family housing, and that state intervention is sometimes necessary. He
also spoke about the proposed e-bike insurance legislation and suggested that it would
Oct. 6, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 2
discourage the adoption of more affordable, sustainable transportation by adding
unnecessary financial burdens.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding the effectiveness of the City
Council's advocacy, City Council Member Acosta responded positively that the City
Council Legislative Subcommittee has a good relationship with both Assemblymember
Tasha Boerner and Senator Catherine Blakespear.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding the City Council Legislative
Subcommittee's collaboration with Caltrans on multimodal access across lnterstate-5 (I-
S), Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber responded that the Subcommittee has not
proposed any new legislation or had to address on a legislative level but confirmed that
they do maintain a strong relationship and dialogue with Caltrans at the local level.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding the gaps in the Coastal Rail Trail
from Tamarack Avenue to Cannon Road, City Council Member Acosta responded that
suggestions for the legislative platform are welcome.
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding ways to contact the legislative
subcommittee, Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber responded that residents could
contact Transportation Department staff, commissioners, city council members and
members of the legislative subcommittee directly.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding the city's ability to advocate for an
update to the California Vehicle Code requirements for lighting, City Council Member
Acosta responded that the input is received. Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber
further explained that there may also be other advocacy groups that are more familiar
with the technical details of specific concerns.
Chair Coelho requested staff to consider if the Commission should include a list of
recommendations throughout the year as part of the bi-annual presentation.
2. ALL-WAY STOP CONTROL AT THE INTERSECTION OF STATE STREET AND LAGUNA DRIVE:
Support staff's recommendation to install an all-way stop at the intersection of State Street
and Laguna Drive. (Staff Contact: Lindy Pham and Miriam Jim, Public Works Department}
Associate Engineer Lindy Pham and Senior Engineer Miriam Jim reviewed a PowerPoint
presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Associate Engineer Pham and
Senior Engineer Jim.
David Fares expressed his concerns with speeding and visibility issues at the intersection
of State Street and Laguna Drive. He recommended removing parking spaces to resolve
the sightline issues.
Oct. 6, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 3
Francesca Thomas spoke in support of installing an all-way stop at the intersection of
State Street and Laguna Drive.
Eric Heffner spoke in support of installing an all-way stop at the intersection of State
Street and Laguna Drive.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding whether the intersection has
already been striped with red paint due to the Daylighting Law, Associate Engineer
Pham confirmed that the curbs have been painted.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding methodology, Senior Engineer
Jim explained that typical conditions are used for traffic impact analysis, not special
conditions or events.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding any study of the backup of cars
at the intersection, Senior Engineer Jim responded that the all-way stop control will
operate similarly and may potentially help relieve backup. Transportation Director/City
Engineer Tom Frank further explained that long queues occur on parallel streets when
the 1-5 gets over capacity.
In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding plans to add crosswalks in all
three directions, Senior Engineer Jim responded that marked crosswalks will be added in
a phased approach.
In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding sight distance and parking, City
Traffic Engineer John Kim explained that the addition of a STOP sign should alleviate
sight distance concerns and confirmed that staff could re-evaluate should concerns
continue even after the STOP signs are installed.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding whether the Rectangular Rapid
Flashing Beacons {RRFB) are ineffective, Senior Engineer Jim explained that staff are
enhancing the location to make it a controlled crosswalk.
In response to Commissioner Newlands' inquiry regarding why RRFBs and an all-way
stop control cannot be used at the same time, Senior Engineer Jim explained that per
the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices {CA MUTO) RRFBs are used as
warning devices at uncontrolled crosswalks. She further explained that an all-way stop
control would make it a controlled crosswalk, which the CA MUTCD does not allow to
have warning devices.
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding the phased approach, Senior Engineer
Jim explained that the three marked crosswalks will not be installed at the same time.
Oct. 6, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 4
Motion by Commissioner Kohl, seconded by Commissioner Schuck, to support staff's
recommendation to install an all-way stop at the intersection of State Street and Laguna
Drive. Motion carried, 5/0/1/1 (Penseyres -Recused; Proulx -Absent).
3. TRAFFIC CALMING PLAN FOR UNICORNIO STREET: 1) Receive the presentation based on
the findings contained in this report and the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management
Program; and
2) Support staff's recommendation for the proposed traffic calming on Unicornio Street
from Rancho Cortes to El Fuerte Street. (Staff Contact: Lindy Pham and Miriam Jim, Public
Works Department)
Associate Engineer Lindy Pham and Senior Engineer Miriam Jim reviewed a PowerPoint
presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the PowerPoint presentation by Associate Engineer Pham and
Senior Engineer Jim.
David Pierce spoke in support of the proposed traffic calming on Unicornio Street.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding why this location is continuing
on in the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program (CRTMP) while the program
is being reevaluated, Public Works Deputy City Manager Paz Gomez explained that the
Council Memorandum dated Aug. 28, 2025, provided an update on seven residential
streets and informed the City Council that staff would be moving forward with traffic
calming for Unicornio Street. She further explained there were additional
recommendations that some streets would be put on hold until the CRTMP is revised.
In response to Commissioner Schuck's inquiry regarding whether city emergency
response teams were consulted, Public Works Deputy City Manager Gomez confirmed
that the Fire and Police departments attended the neighborhood meeting and are
aware of moving forward with the proposal.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding speed data for those over 32 mph,
Senior Engineer Jim responded that staff would be able to provide at a later date.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding maximum speeds and the
percentage of those travelling over 25 mph, Associate Engineer Pham responded that
the maximum speed recorded was 49 mph. Senior Engineer Jim confirmed staff would
provide percentage information on future presentations.
Motion by Commissioner Nicholes, seconded by Vice-Chair Penseyres, to support staff's
recommendation for the proposed traffic calming on Unicornio Street from Rancho
Cortes to El Fuerte Street. Motion carried, 5/1/1 (Kohl -No; Proulx -Absent).
COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS:
Oct. 6, 2025 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 5
In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding whether staff are involved in the traffic
flow issues at Aviara Oaks Middle School, Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Nathan
Schmidt responded that staff will be working with Carlsbad Unified School District on site access
and a Safe Routes to School plan after their campus remodel.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: This section of the Agenda is designated for announcements to advise the
community regarding events that Members of the Commission have been invited to, and may
participate in. No announcements were made.
STAFF COMMENTS: Transportation Planning & Mobility Manager Nathan Schmidt spoke about
the Annual Boards & Commissions Appreciation event on Oct. 30, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT: 5:36 p.m.
Secretary