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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-04-04; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES Meeting of: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Time of Meeting: 3:OO p.m. Date of Meeting: April 4, 1988 Place of Meeting: City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Erwin called the Meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present -- Chairman Erwin, Commissioners Fuller, Herring and Melideo. Commissioner O'Day arrived at 3:06 p.m. Absent -- None. Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Principal Civil Engineer Mike Shirey, Engineering Tech I1 Officer Shipley, Police Department APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the Meeting held March 7, 1988, were approved as presented. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: No one was present to speak before the Commission. OLD BUSINESS: Bob 3ohnson reported the Marjorie Lane issue has been scheduled for discussion at City Council on April 12, 1988. In answer to Commission query regarding the Elm/Chatham issue, Mr. Johnson stated that will be before Council due to new information and circumstances. 7 NEW BUSINESS: A. La Costa Avenue - request to establish a two-way left- turn lane and remove parking from a point easterly of the commercial area located easterly of El Camino Real and continuing easterly to Calle Madero. Bob Johnson repeated the staff report given last month and contained in the Commission report, stating there would be an opportunity to change the striping on La Costa Avenue this summer, as Utilities/Maintenance plans to chip seal from El Camino Real to Rancho Santa Fe. This will extend the life of the asphalt an additional five years, and once the chip seal is installed, the striping would be obliterated, necessitating re-striping. That would be the appropriate time to change the configuration, as before then the striping would have to be sandblasted to be removed. Mr. Johnson explained that staff was directed to consider another Alternative--which was labeled Alternative #5. Transparencies were used to show the original four Alternatives and the new Alternative 85. Erwin Fuller Herring Melideo Y Y Y Y MINUTES NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) The Alternatives presented were: Alternative No. 1 - Do nothing and allow striping to remain the same. Alternative No. 2 - Left turns on La Costa would be prohibited by striping a double, double yellow centerline; four traffic lanes would be provided, with an 8-foot emergency parkingfbike lane on both sides. Parallel parking would be prohibited. Alternative No. 3 - A continuous two-way left turn lane ten feet wide would be installed, with four lanes of traffic and two five-foot bike lanes; parallel parking would be removed. Alternative No. 4 - Parallel parking would be allowed on the northerly side of La Costa Avenue; one eight-foot parallel parking lane would be provided and a five-foot bike lane. There would be two twelve-foot traffic lanes and two eleven-foot lanes; with one five-foot bike lane on the southerly side of the road. Alternative No. 5 - A continuous two-way left turn lane on La Costa Avenue with a parking lane on the northerly side of the road as requested by the residents. The bicycle lanes would be eliminated on both sides of the roadway. Mr. 3ohnson stated the parking lane would not be striped, as some motorists would then mistake that for another traffic lane and drive in the parking lane. Mr. 3ohnson reiterated La Costa Avenue is 64 feet wide, which would not accommodate a left-turn lane, two traffic lanes each way, parking and bike lanes. Removing the bike lanes would require a General Plan Amendment, and the Engineering and Planning Departments could not support that request. Mr. 3ohnson presented the slides of La Costa Avenue showing the present configuration and concluded his report stating the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee again recommended Alternative W3. Chairman Erwin opened the meeting for Public Comment at 3:29 p.m. Robert Huntoon, 2320A La Costa Avenue, representing the Alta Verte Homeowners Association, encouraged the Commission to provide a left-turn lane as a first consideration, and, if possible, to provide parking. However, the left-turn lane would be the first choice of the Homeowners Board. Mr. Huntoon supported the Police Department in trying to keep the cars traveling on La Costa Avenue at a reasonable speed. Gordy Shields, 1955 Willis Road, El Cajon, representing Califiornia Bike Riders Organization, SDCBC and SANDAG BFC, stated the proposed changes had been reviewed and the organizations were unanimously opposed to eliminating bike lanes on La Costa Avenue. Their choice would be Alternative #3. MINUTES NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Andre Williams, 2408 La Costa Avenue, stated there is a serious problem with traffic on La Costa Avenue from east to west. The nature of this street was to be residential and more and more commercial has appeared, with the result that the residents have been put aside. He commented that stop signs have been placed on Levante to slow the traffic, but La Costa is practically a freeway. Mr. Williams asked where guests would park if the parking were eliminated, and added he felt property values would decline if the parking were eliminated. 3ohn Mosele, 2722 La Costa Avenue, stated there are four traffic lanes and parking and he would like to keep it that way. He said he had looked at the plan for Zone 11, and when that zone is developed, traffic will increase considerably on La Costa Avenue. Mr. Mosele felt that at the time La Costa Avenue has that extra traffic, it will be necessary to provide four full lanes all the way from Rancho Santa Fe Road to El Camino Real. He felt if the parking were eliminated from this stretch of road, that the people to the east of there would be asked to give up their parking in time. Mr. Mosele felt it would be very dangerous to have no parking there as a buffer for the residents backing out into the street, and also this would necessitate guests parking blocks away on the side streets . 3im Comunale, 2712 La Costa Avenue, reiterated it was almost impossible for residents to back out of their driveways along La Costa Avenue, due to the limited sight distance, even with the buffer zone they now have. He urged the Commission to adopt a plan to retain the buffer zone or parking lane for safety. Mr. Comunale stated the bike lanes are the least important lanes on the street, as those people are there for recreational purposes, while the residents that live there must go in and out of their homes. compromise, Alternative 85, stating if bike lanes had to be included, then eliminate one lane of traffic. He supported the Ted Golden, 460 3ennileah Lane, San Marcos, spoke as owner of the vacant lot adjacent to Mr. Comunale's property. He stated he has put his lot up for sale due to the possibility of losing parking in front of the lot. Golden concurred that parking is essential. agreed that there is excessive speed on La Costa Avenue, and felt if there must be bike lanes, then one lane of traffic should be eliminated. Mr. He also 3ane Grether, 2508 La Costa Avenue, said she felt strongly that their lives would be jeopardized without the parking lane. She felt a left turn lane would be nice, but the parking was more important. Mrs. Grether suggested that Levante would be a safer route for bike riders. Henry Grether, 2508 La Costa Avenue, concurred with all the previous comments, adding he felt strongly that a buffer zone was very important, and without a parking lane the street would be more dangerous for residents trying to exit their driveways. \ \ MINUTES April 4, 1988 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 COMMISSIONERS NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) P. L. McNutt, 2452 La Costa Avenue, purchased his property in 1975, and La Costa Avenue speed has become faster and faster through the years. speed in that area is from 50 to 70 m.p.h. Mr. McNutt said this street was not designed to handle the traffic it has, and the speed must be slowed down. He said he felt the average Since no one else wished to speak on this item, the Public Comment portion was closed at 3:57 p.m. Commissioner Melideo inquired of staff whether La Costa Avenue was a secondary arterial and they confirmed it was. She added it has had that designation for 19 years that she is aware of and felt the residents on that street should be aware of that designation. Chairman Erwin stated there is a sight problem at the two intersections, Calle Madero and Nuevo Castilla, and five feet is needed as a buffer for people coming out of those two roads. After the intersections, the striping could swing out and go to the parking width, and after Nuevo Castillo, go back to Alternative #3. Commissioner Fuller stated the people trying to turn into the condos on the south side of the street have no way to make a U-turn at El Camino Real in order to come back for a right turn into the driveway. the number one lane to turn left. Residents east of there can go to a left-turn pocket and make a legal U-turn. felt a left-turn lane in the center was a necessity. There is no way a change in the bike lane designation could be made by July, which is when the road would be chip sealed, and Commissioner Fuller felt the decision should be made prior to that or the chip sealing delayed. Those people must stop in He In answer to Commission query regarding the possibility of delaying the chip sealing, Bob Johnson stated he did not know whether there might be damage to the street by a delay. Mr. Johnson stated that Levante could not be striped for bike lanes, traffic lanes and parking lanes, as it is a residential street 40 feet wide. Commissioner Herring stated the bikes are a minor part of the problem, with the major part being people trying to get in and out of their driveways. He also felt those residents should have a place to park guests' cars, and agreed the chip seal should be delayed until this problem is solved. He felt another place should be found for the bike riders, as the center turning lane was ideal and the four traffic lanes were necessary. Commissioner O'Day inquired whether bike riders can use any street, and Officer Shipley stated they could. Bob Johnson added that bike riders have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicle drivers. \ \ MINUTES April 4 1988 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 5 COMMISSIONERS NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Mr. 3ohnson stated that there is a plan under consideration to provide a class 1 facility for pedestrians and bike riders to get them out of the traffic in an area south of La Costa. entire City, but it is a long time in the future at this time. That plan would be expanded throughout the Mr. 3ohnson reiterated that Alternative #3 seemed to provide the greatest safety for everyone. Commissioner Fuller added that the Commission needed to think about what would happen in the future, and the time would come when there would have to be four lanes all the way from El Camino Real to Rancho Santa Fe. The Commissioners all agreed that safety was the primary consideration and although all the problems could not be solved, the decision should provide the greatest good for the greatest number of citizens. Commissioner Herring made a motion to accept Alternative 85. Chairman Erwin seconded the motion. The motion died due to the lack of a majority. Traffic Safety Commission accepted the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to implement Alternative #3 on La Costa Avenue from a point easterly of the commercial area located esterly of El Camino Real and continuing easterly to Calle Madero and that a NO PARKING zone be established on each side of the roadway. Bob 3ohnson stated staff intends to take this item to the City Council next month. 8. Hillside Drive - Request to establish prima facie speed limit from Park Drive to Kelly Drive. Bob 3ohnson gave the staff presentation as contained in the staff report. In answer to Commission query, Mr. 3ohnson stated a 25 m.p.h. speed limit could not be enforced on a roadway over 40 feet wide without a survey, even in a residential area. from Kelly to Valencia and 35 m.p.h. from Valencia to Park Drive. The Commissioners suggested 25 m.p.h. Traffic Safety Commission recommended a prima facie speed limit on Hillside Drive of 35 m.p.h. from Park Drive to Valencia and 25 m.p.h. from Valencia to Kelly. C. Avenida Encinas - Request to establish prima facie speed limit from Palomar Airport Road to Cannon Road. Mike Shirey gave the staff presentation on this item as contained in the staff report. Erwin Fuller Herring Melideo 0 Day Erwin Fuller Herring Melideo O'Day Erwin Fuller Herring Melideo 0 ' Day Y Y Y Y Y Y I( I( Y X X X X X x MINUTES \\\\\ April 4, 1988 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 6 COMMISSIONERS NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Traffic Safety Commission accepted the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommendation to establish a prima facie speed limit of 40 m.p.h. on Avenida Encinas between Palomar Airport Road and Cannon Road. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Herring queried staff with regard to speed regulations on La Costa Avenue. Bob 3ohnson replied that additional signing will be installed and some signs that were obstructed will be moved. He stated that the Police Department believed that adding a two-way turning lane would help to slow the traffic in that area. Commissioner O'Day stated that copies of the Vehicle Code would be helpful and Mr. 3ohnson said he would supply those to the Commissioners. Chairman Erwin asked for a breakdown of the vote of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee on each item, and Mr. Johnson stated he would supply that when the vote was other than unanimous. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: There was no report. AD30URNMENT: By proper motion, the Meeting of April 4, 1988, was adjourned at 5:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Harriet t Babbitt Minutes Clerk Erwin Fuller Herring Melideo 0 I Day Y Y Y Y Y