HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-24; City Council; 20876; Introduce Ordinance to Establish All-Way Stop Control on Adams Street at Intersection with Highland DriveCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL
AB# 20,876 INTRODUCE ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH
ALL-WAY STOP CONTROL ON
ADAMS STREET AT ITS
INTERSECTION WITH HIGHLAND DRIVE
DEPT DIRECTOR W
MTG. 04/24/12
INTRODUCE ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH
ALL-WAY STOP CONTROL ON
ADAMS STREET AT ITS
INTERSECTION WITH HIGHLAND DRIVE
CITY ATTORNEY
DEPT. TRAN
INTRODUCE ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH
ALL-WAY STOP CONTROL ON
ADAMS STREET AT ITS
INTERSECTION WITH HIGHLAND DRIVE CITY MANAGER (//-^
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Introduce Ordinance No..
Highland Drive.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
CS-180 to require stops on Adams Street at its intersection with
The subject intersection is located in the northwest quadrant of the city overiooking Agua Hedionda
Lagoon. Due to the geometric configuration of the intersection, sight distance from Highland Drive is
limited and access to Adams Street can be difficult.
Adams Street and Highland Drive are unclassified in the Circulation Element of the General Plan.
Highland Drive intersects Adams Street at a skewed angle on the inside of a horizontal curve, which
limits sight visibility at the intersection.
Staff conducted field measurements of existing sight distance at the subject intersection. The posted
speed limit on this portion Adams Street is 25 miles per hour and the minimum stopping sight distance
required for 25 miles per hour is 150 feet. Sight distance from Highland Drive looking to the north
(right) was measured to be 284 feet. Sight distance from Highland Drive looking to the south (left)
was measured to be 141 feet, which is less than the minimum required. Section 2B.07 of the
California MUTCD recommends consideration of ALL-WAY STOP control at "locations where a road
user, after stopping, cannot see conflicting traffic and is not able to reasonably safely negotiate the
intersection unless the conflicting cross traffic is also required to stop."
The Traffic Safety Commission considered this matter at its meeting on April 2, 2012. By a 2-1 vote,
the Traffic Safety Commission recommended that ALL-WAY STOP control be established on Adams
Street at its intersection with Highland Drive.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA
Guidelines Section 15301(c) - minor alteration of existing facilities, including streets, sidewalks,
gutters, and similar facilities involving negligible or no expansion.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The installation of two STOP signs, two STOP legends and two STOP AHEAD signs on Adams Street
will cost approximately $3,000. Sufficient funds are available in the Streets Maintenance Division
budget.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Bryan Jones, (760) 602-2431, brvan.iones@carisbadca.gov
FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONLY.
COUNCIL ACTION: APPROVED CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC •
DENIED CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN •
CONTINUED • RETURNED TO STAFF •
WITHDRAWN • OTHER-SEE MINUTES •
AMENDED •
Page 2
EXHIBITS:
1. Location map.
2. Ordinance No.
Highland Drive.
CS-180 to require stops on Adams Street at its intersection with
3. Redline/strikeout version.
4. Traffic Safety Commission Minutes, dated April 2, 2012.
LOCATION MAP
PROPOSED
LOCATION
NOT TO SCALE
PROJECT NAME PROPOSED ALL-WAY STOP AT
ADAMS STREETAND HIGHLAND DRIVE
EXHIBIT
1
PLOTTED BY: SCOTT EVANS PLOT DATE:4/16/12 PATH:C:\TRANSPORTATION DEPARTUENT\TFAmC\STOP SIGNS\ALL WAY STOP - ADAMS AND HIGHLAND.DWG
(3
r
ORDINANCE NO. CS-180
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 10, CHAPTER
10.28 OF THE CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL CODE TO REQUIRE
STOPS ON ADAMS STREET AT ITS INTERSECTION WITH
HIGHLAND DRIVE.
The City Council of the City of Carisbad, California, hereby ordains as follows:
SECTION 1: That Title 10, Chapter 10.28 ofthe Carisbad Municipal Code is amended
by the revision of Section 10.28.100 to read as follows:
"10.28.100 - Hichland Drive Drivers shall stop where the
following described streets intersect Highland Drive:
Adams Street
Ariand Road
Basswood Avenue
Buena Vista Way
Carisbad Village Drive
Chestnut Avenue
Chinquapin Avenue
Elmwood Street
Forest Avenue
Hillside Drive
Magnolia Avenue
Oak Avenue
Pine Avenue
Tamarack Avenue"
EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall be effective thirty (30) days after its adoption; and
the City Clerk shall certify the adoption ofthis ordinance and cause it to be published at least once in
a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Carlsbad within fifteen (15) days after its adoption.
///
///
///
///
///
///
///
q.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a Regular Meeting ofthe Carisbad City Council on
the 24th day of April 2012, and thereafter.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the
City of Carisbad on the day of 2012 by the following vote to wit:
Council Members. AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
RONALD R. BALL, City Attomey
MATT HALL, Mayor
ATTEST:
LORRAINE M. WOOD, City Clerk
(SEAL)
5
REDLINE/STRIKEOUT VERSION
10
11
13
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
ORDINANCE NO.
1
2.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
3 CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 10, CHAPTER
10.28 OF THE CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL CODE TO REQUIRE
4 STOPS ON ADAMS STREET AT ITS INTERSECTION WITH
HIGHLAND DRIVE.
5
6 The City Council of the City of Carisbad, California, hereby ordains as follows:
7 SECTION 1: That Title 10, Chapter 10.28 of the Carisbad Municipal Code is amended
8 by the revision of Section 10.28.100 to read as follows:
9 "10.28.100 - Highland Drive. Drivers shall stop where the
following described streets intersect Highland Drive:
Adams Street
Ariand Road
Basswood Avenue
12 Buena Vista Way
Carisbad Village Drive
Chestnut Avenue
Chinquapin Avenue
14 Elmwood Street
Forest Avenue
15 Hillside Drive
Magnolia Avenue
16 Oak Avenue
Pine Avenue
17 Tamarack Avenue"
18 EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall be effective thirty (30) days after its adoption; and
19 the City Cleric shall certify the adoption of this ordinance and cause it to be published at least once in
2Q a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Carlsbad within fifteen (15) days after its adoption.
///
///
///
///
///
///
///
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a Regular Meeting of the Carisbad City Council on
the ^day of . 2012, and thereafter
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting ofthe City Council ofthe City of Carlsbad,
California, on the day of , 2012, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
RONALD R. BALL, City Attorney
MATT HALL, Mayor
ATTEST:
LORRAINE M. WOOD, City Clerk
(SEAL)
MINUTES
MEETING OF:
DATE OF MEETING:
TIME OF MEETING:
PLACE OF MEETING:
TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
April 2,2012 (Regular Meeting)
3:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
ITEM 1 - CALL TO ORDER
Chair Gallagher called the Meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
ITEM 2 - ROLL CALL
Present:
Absent:
Chair Steve Gallagher
Vice-Chair Gordon Cress
Commissioner Guy Roney
Commissioner Jairo Valderrama
Commissioner Hope Wrisley
Staff Members Present: John Kim, Associate Engineer, Transportation Department
ITEM 3 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 5, 2012
ACTION:
VOTE:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
Motion by Vice-Chair Cress, and duly seconded by Commissioner
Roney, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on March
5, 2012, as presented.
3-0-0
Gallagher, Cress, Roney
None
None
ITEM 4 - ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
None.
8
April 2,2012 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 2
ITEM 5 - PREVIOUS BUSINESS:
None.
ITEM 6 - NEW BUSINESS:
ITEM 6A: Investigate the need to establish an All-Way Stop at the intersection of Pio Pico
Drive and Stratford Lane.
John Kim, Associate Engineer, stated the requested action was to investigate the need to establish an
All-Way Stop at the intersection of Pio Pico Drive and Stratford Lane. The subject intersection is
located in the northwest quadrant of the city. Due to the geometric configuration ofthe intersection
and prevalence of parked cars on the east side of Pio Pico Drive, sight distance from Stratford Lane
is limited and access to Pio Pico Drive can be difficult.
Staff conducted an analysis to establish an All-Way Stop at the subject intersection. The analysis is
based on Section 2B.07 ofthe Califomia Manual on Uniform Traffic control Devices (MUTCD),
which specifies the consideration of minimum traffic volumes, accident history, vehicle/pedestrian
conflicts, sight distance restrictions and other criteria to determine whether or not an All-Way Stop is
justified at a particular location. A 24-hour approach count was conducted on March 7,2012, and the
resuhs showed a low vehicle volume. There has only been one reported collision in the past five
years at the subject intersection. Based on traffic volumes and collision history, the intersection of
Pio Pico Drive and Stratford Lane did not meet the Califomia MUTCD volume criteria for All-Way
Stop installation.
Staff also conducted field measurements of the existing sight distance conditions at the subject
intersection. The posted speed limit on this portion of Pio Pico Drive is 25 miles per hour and the
minimum stopping sight distance required for 25 miles per hour is 150 feet. The resuhs ofthe sight
distance evaluation looking to the north was 154 feet, which meets the minimum sight distance for
25 miles per hour, and looking south was 130 feet, which does not meet the minimum sight distance
for 25 miles per hour. Section 2B.07 ofthe Califomia MUTCD allows consideration of an All-Way
Stop at "locations where a road user, after stopping, cannot see conflicting trafflc and is not able to
reasonably safely negotiate the intersection unless the conflicting cross traffic is also required to
stop."
Mr. Kim stated based on the findings ofthe report, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee
(TSCC) recommended the installation of an All-Way Stop at the intersection of Pio Pico Drive and
Stratford Lane be approved.
April 2,2012 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 3
DISCUSSION
Vice-Chair Cress stated he agreed that the critical speed along Pio Pico Drive is probably higher than
25 miles per hour. Based on that and the geometry of the roadway, he felt that an All-Way Stop is a
good idea.
Mr. Kim stated that Pio Pico Drive, south of Carlsbad Village Drive, is posted at 35 miles per hour,
but the critical speeds are 38 miles per hour and 40 miles per hour.
Commissioner Roney asked if the Buena Vista Elementary School still was still in operation.
Mr. Kim stated it was still operating.
Chair Gallagher stated he has historically had a problem when staff brings items to the Commission
when the volumes are not close to being met for the specific guidelines. He felt the staff and the city
are using the guideline to justify the All-Way Stop control and seems to be a liberal interpretation for
him. He understands the need for parking, but if two parking spaces were removed he felt the
required sight distance for that location would be met.
Mr. Kim responded that perhaps 150 feet would be gained if two or three parking spaces were
removed, but realistically the critical speeds are most likely higher and he didn't feel they would be
able to get the 250 feet required for a 35 miles per mile critical speed or more realistically, 300 feet
for a 40 miles per hour critical speed.
Chair Gallagher said it would be helpful to him if he knew what was going to be used for the
guideline. In other words, the report states 25 miles per hour. He understands where Mr. Kim is
coming from as far as a higher 85**^ percentile speed is concemed, but it looks like that is what they
are using to justify the All-Way Stop and the 25 miles per hour is based on the posted speed limit.
He asked what the cause was of the one accident that was reported.
Mr. Kim did not recollect what the specific cause of that accident was.
Chair Gallagher stated there may not even be a right-of-way issue regarding the accident. It could
have been a rear-ender or anything.
la
April 2,2012 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 4
Mr. Kim stated it was some form of right-angle collision. Staff does not count accidents that are not
likely susceptible to correction as part of the analysis, such as rear end accidents.
Chair Gallagher asked what the vote was from the TSCC on this item.
Mr. Kim replied it was a unanimous vote.
Chair Gallagher stated some of this could have been corrected with other options other than
installing an All-Way Stop. It means we will be stopping over 1,800 vehicles per day which is totally
inconsistent with driver expectations as far as he can see.
Mr. Kim pointed out that the Commission as well as the TSCC did approve a Traffic Calming
Program, which is going to bring these types of stop locations for approval. It was a strategy to
implement Stop Signs at low volume locations similar to the subject intersection. Since this is not a
residential location, staff cannot consider this as part of the Traffic Calming Program. There will,
however, be quite a few low volume residential street intersections that staff will be proposing All-
Way Stops on. The past emphasis on vehicular volumes is no longer the sole criteria. The use ofthe
options given in Section 2B.07 ofthe Califomia MUTCD is appropriate and justified in this case.
There is no language in the Califomia MUTCD stating that one criterion should weigh more than the
others. It clearly states the options that can be used to evaluate stop signs from outside of the
vehicular volumes, and staff is using those options rationally.
ACTION: Motion by Vice-Chair Cress, and duly seconded by Commissioner
Roney, to approve the installation of an All-Way Stop at the
intersection of Pio Pico Drive and Stratford Lane.
VOTE: 2-1-0
AYES: Cress, Roney
NOES: Gallagher
ABSTAIN: None
ITEM 6B: Investigate the need to establish an All-Way Stop at the intersection of Adams
Street and Highland Drive.
John Kim stated the requested action was to investigate the need to establish an All-Way stop at the
intersection of Adams Street and Highland Drive. The subject intersection is located in tiie northwest
quadrant of the city. Due to the geometric configuration of the intersection and the hillside
characteristics ofthe streets, sight distance from Highland Drive is limited, making access to and
from Adams Street difficult for drivers.
April 2,2012 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 5
Staff conducted an analysis to establish an All-Way Stop at the subject intersection. A 24 hour
approach count was conducted on November 15,2011, and the resuhs showed a low vehicle volume.
There have been no reported collisions in the past five years at the subject intersection. Based on
traffic volumes and collision history, the intersection of Adams Street and Highland Drive did not
meet the Califomia MUTCD volume criteria for All-Way Stop installation.
Staff also conducted field measurements of the existing sight distance conditions at the subject
intersection. The posted speed limit on this portion of Adams Street is 25 miles per hour and the
minimum stopping sight distance required for 25 miles per hour is 150 feet. The resuhs ofthe sight
distance evaluation looking to the north was 284 feet, which meets the minimum sight distance for
25 miles per hour, and looking south was 141 feet, which does not meet the minimum sight distance
for 25 miles per hour. Section 2B.07 ofthe Califomia MUTCD allows consideration of an All-Way
Stop at "locations where a road user, after stopping, cannot see conflicting trafflc and is not able to
reasonably safely negotiate the intersection unless the conflicting cross trafflc is also required to
stop."
Based on the findings ofthe report, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommended the
installation of an All-Way Stop at the intersection of Adams Street and Highland Drive be approved.
DISCUSSION
Commissioner Roney asked ifthe requestor of this item was a resident in that immediate area.
Mr. Kim stated the requestor lived on Highland Drive near Adams Street.
Vice-Chair Cress stated going south on Highland Drive is part of his normal route and tuming right
onto Adams Street from Highland Drive can be a little bit exciting sometimes when you are trying to
edge out and look to the left to see if someone coming. That 141 sight distance sounds optimistic to
him. He feels that installing an All-Way Stop at the subject intersection is a good idea.
Chair Gallagher asked how much right-of-way was on the comer south of Highland Drive.
Mr. Kim stated not much. One ofthe things that staff looked at was possibly reorienting the striping
of the intersection so that it comes in more of a 90 degree angle than now. The right-of-way
terminates in a point and there is not much you can do. Based on that, staff felt restriping the
intersection without regrading and reconstmction was not feasible
April 2,2012 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 6
Chair Gallagher stated he lived close to the subject intersection and he agrees that it is challenging.
What botiiers him is that tiiere is no demonstrated issue of reported collisions, and you would tiiink if
there is a problem at this intersection it would present itself with reported collisions. There are only
73 cars per day coming off of Highland Drive. He asked if there are tuming counts at this
intersection.
Mr. Kim stated there were no tuming counts outside ofthe approach counts.
Chair Gallagher looked at the subject intersection several times, and during that time there were four
cars that came off of Highland Drive onto Adams Street, and three out of four tumed right. He feh
this is probably the case in the majority ofthe cases. He has a concem of people tuming left, because
that is more ofa problem than tiiming right. It bothers him that all these cars will be stopped for just
72 cars when just half of them or more are tuming to the right anyway.
Mr Kim indicated sight distance was restricted whether tuming right or left at that intersection and
that is the bottom line. There is no provision in the Califomia MUTCD to say that a given deficiency
must occur the majority ofthe time. The sight distance was measured and found to be deficient for
25 miles per hour, which is very conservative, and staff stands by that finding.
Chair Gallagher stated he was not questioning the sight distance. He is questioning tiiat for 9 feet, we
are going to install an All-Way Stop. The safe stopping distance that is quoted is on a level surface
and this is an uphill grade, so he would suggest that we don't even need 150 feet to stop going
northbound on Adams Street. So, we're going to put in an All-Way Stop for 9 feet.
Mr. Kim stated he respectfiilly disagreed. Again, this is a posted 25 mile per hour speed zone.
Critical speeds are undetemiined. Based on staffs experience at other streets posted at 25 miles per
hour without a critical speed measurement, realistically speeds are probably going to be significantly
higher than 25 miles per hour.
Chair Gallagher said he would agree with Mr. Kim, except on Adams Street in this case is uphiU and
they have just come around a curve, and he didn't think drivers were going at the same speed as m
Pio Pico Drive. To use a 35 or 40 mile per hour speed zone on this particular street, especially going
northbound is extravagant in his opinion. Can anything be done with vegetation on that comer?
Mr. Kim said it was essentially the geometry ofthe intersection both horizontally and vertically. As
Chair Gallagher observed, the roadway goes down as you proceed south on Adams Street, and that
13.
April 2,2012 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 7
contributes to the sight distance limitation, so it is not something that you can trim away to increase
the sight distance.
Chair Gallagher asked if there has been any thought about a right tum only. He suspects that a lot of
people because of the left tum being uncomfortable tum right instead. Anyone who wants to tum left
could use Hoover Street.
Mr. Kim stated staff discussed a right tum only option, but the sight distance looking to the south
was determined to be deficient, which applies to both left and right tums.
Chair Gallagher asked when the sight distance was measured was it taken where the limit line is and
then looking to the left versus if you're making a left tum, you are going to center yourself more
towards the center of the intersection.
Mr. Kim stated the standard methodology for determining sight distance at any intersection is 10 feet
back from the prolongation of the edge of roadway.
Chair Gallagher stated his point was is if you were making a right tum only, you would be a little bit
further away from the edge of the center line and you would pick up a few more feet of sight
distance if you are tuming right versus tuming left. Making a left is very challenging. It seems
almost natural for him to make it a right tum only that would then allow most people who be going
that way anyway.
Mr. Kim mentioned there was an issue with pushing people further to the north to make that right
tum, because you're forcing somebody to look even more to the rear which would be more difficuh
to do since you'd be craning your neck or relying on you mirrors. That is not a very comfortable or
safe action for a driver to take.
Chair Gallagher said that is what drivers are already doing and they didn't seem to be having a
problem.
Mr. Kim respectfully disagreed with the complaints staff has received, observations that staff has
made personally, and observations of some of the Commissioners themselves.
Chair Gallagher asked ifthe TSCC voted unanimously for this also.
li.
April 2,2012 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Pages
Mr. Kim stated the TSCC voted unanimously on this issue.
ACTION:
VOTE:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
Motion by Commissioner Roney, and duly seconded by Vice-Chair
Cress, to approve the installation of an All-Way Stop at the
intersection of Adams Street and Highland Drive.
2-1-0
Cress, Roney
Gallagher
None
ITEM 7: REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS
None.
ITEM 8: REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER
Mr. Kim mentioned that staff is beginning work on the Traffic Calming Program. Levante Street,
which is the longest ofthe streets in the queue to be addressed by the Traffic Calming Program, is
looking at approximately 7 new stop signs along Levante Street, which is per the approved Traffic
Calming Program. After the public meetings that will be held, staff will bring it to the Commission
for review.
Chair Gallagher asked if h would come to the Commission by next meeting or down the road a bit.
Mr. Kim stated possibly down the road. Staff is considering bringing the traffic calming streets in
groups to TSC instead of individually.
Chair Gallagher asked the status on the Carlsbad Boulevard project as far as being done before
summer starts.
Mr. Kim didn't have a specific date for that. The All-Way Stops that were part of it were approved
by City Council at the last City Council meeting. The other improvements are going forward, but he
did not have a date on that.
1^.
April 2,2012 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 9
The next regularly scheduled Traffic Safety Commission meeting is scheduled for May 7, 2012 at
3:00 p.m. to be held in the City Council Chambers. If there are no agenda items, the Commission
will be notified a couple of weeks before the scheduled date.
ADJOURNMENT:
By proper motion. Chair Gallagher adjoumed the Regular Meeting ofMareh 5, 2012 at 3:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted.
Ruth Woodbeck
Minutes Clerk
i(o