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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-02-01; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: February 1,1993 TIME OF MEETING: 3:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: Clty Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Blake called the Meeting to order at 3:OO p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Blake, Courtney, Fuller, Green and Stachoviak. Absent: None. Chairman Blake welcomed the two new Commissioners, Jim Courtney and Bud Green. Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer Sgt. Don Metcalf, Police Department Lloyd Hubbs, City Engineer Evan Becker, Housing & Redevelopment Director APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner Fuller, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held January 4, 1993, were approved as presented. AYES: Blake, Fuller and Stachoviak ABSTAIN: Courtney and Green ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Bob Johnson stated that staff had been waiting for the Council to appoint the two new Commissioners, and he welcomed Commissioners Courtney and Green. He said that he had met with both Commissioners, provided them with copies of the Rules and Procedures and briefed them on current matters before the Commission. February 1 , 1993 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 NEW BUSINESS: A. Alicante Road and Corte de la Vista - Citizen request to have guardrail removed or relocated. Bob Johnson gave the staff report, stating the item was initiated by MaryAnn Kingsley, 291 1 Sondra Court, from a letter dated November 20, 1992, a copy of which was included in the packet. She requested removal of the guardrail due to concern about the unsightliness and safety for pedestrians. Mr. Johnson pointed out that as far as aesthetics, that is not an issue before the Traffic Commission. From time to time the City does receive complaints about signs, stripings or traffic devices. In most cases, there is nothing beautiful about engineering or safety features. The beauty of the guardrail is not what the Commission will discuss. The Commission will address the traffic safety. The guardrail was not an original part of Corte de la Vista. Several condominium complexes have been built in the area, and with the approval of the Fieldstone project, staff applied Equal Severity Curve graph because of a number of very high slopes at varying heights. In looking at the criteria, it was the opinion of the Plan Check staff that a guardrail should be installed by the developer. A transparency was shown of the area at the intersection of Alicante Road and Corte de la Vista, where a 150 foot portion of the guardrail on Alicante Road has been removed, to improve sight distance at the intersection. The embankment is constructed with a 2:l slope in most locations, with retaining walls constructed to minimize excessive slopes. Mr. Johnson explained that there have been incidents in the City where vehicles have gone off of the roadway, through fences or walls, and down steep slopes. There is a standard five-foot sidewalk behind the guardrail and guardrail posts. Pedestrian safety or accessibility along the sidewalk is not compromised due to the posts or the guardrail. The Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommended that the guardrail remain in place because of safety reasons. Aesthetic reasons were discussed by the Committee, but were not a traffic issue. In response to Commission query, Mr. Johnson stated that nothing is required for the intersection at this time. He stated that it would not take very high speed--perhaps 15 to 20 miles per hour--to impact the wall enough to go through it or over it. Chairman Blake opened the meeting for public testimony. Vercie Carmonjohnson, 2885 Torry Court, spoke in favor of removing the guardrail and stated the rail gives the illusion that it is all right to speed in that area. Two letters were read, one from William Dix and one from B. E. Hensley, who were not able to attend the meeting today. Both residents were in favor of removing the guardrail. A copy of a petition was presented requesting removal of the guardrail and recommending reinforcing the existing wall or by relocating the guardrail to the other side of the wall on Fieldstone’s property. February 1 , 1993 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) MaryAnn Kingsley, 291 1 Sondra Court, presented pictures of the area and stated the residents were not given an opportunity to speak on this matter, as it was not on the original drawings presented. At the time of the original hearing, it was stated that the wall would be softened by landscaping, but there was no guardrail in the plans at that time. It was installed later and within a two-day period. Ms. Kingsley stated that Corte de la Vista is a deadend street, with a maintenance road with 16 homes back of the area, with very little traffic on the street. She had photograhs of other areas in the City where she felt guardrails should be placed, rather than on Corte de la Vista. Ms. Kingsley stated her objection to the intrusion of the guardrail into the sidewalk, and stated that people have to step over the guardrail into the street in order to pass each other. Also, cars can’t park on that side of the street for anyone to exit the passenger side. Susan Palay, 2941 Sondra Court, representing Alicante Hills, spoke in opposition to the guardrail, stating this is a fairly straight road with no severe curve, there is no ice or snow to contend with and the volume of traffic is light. The street goes down to a deadend and a fire road, with 16 homes on that road and is not a thoroughfare. She felt the guardrail was not warranted. Mark Conger, 2835 Torry Court, representing Alicante Homeowners, stated he opposed the guardrail for the reasons previously stated. John Williams, 2895 Torry Court, representing Alicante Hills, stated he agreed with the previous speakers, and added the increased traffic is due to the new development. He said he did not believe there had been any accidents in that area during the last three years. Mr. Williams said the speed limit there should allow the wall to withstand a glancing blow by a vehicle. He said that with people walking on the fwe-foot sidewalk, the joggers go into the street. Amos Johnson, 2885 Torry Court, spoke in opposition to the guardrail, stating there are places in La Costa that are more dangerous, have more traffic and higher speed limits, that do not have guardrails. He stated the intersection area where the guardrail was removed is an area that he feels does need protection. He said he thought the guardrail was only temporary during construction. Edna Faucett, 2964 Sondra Court, asked to have the guardrail removed, or put in front of the wall. Judith Berry, 2841 Torry Court, representing the Alicante Hills Homeowners Association and herself, stated the negatives outweigh the positives for this guardrail. She said this encourages people to speed in the area and the guardrail is unsightly and should be placed up against the wall with the landscaping in front of it. Chairman Blake closed the public testimony at 3:38 p.m. February 1 , 1993 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Commissioner comments included that a barrier such as this tends to slow traffic, not increase the speeds, as people will move away from such a barrier. Also, there is a sidewalk on both sides of the street, and if people object to walking by the guardrail, they are able to walk on the other side of the street. That also holds true of anyone parking there to allow a passenger to exit the car. It was noted that the speeding that some of the speakers mentioned, is being done by the people who live there, and that should be called to the attention of the homeowners association. The Commissioners commented that usually the Traffic Safety Commission is being asked for safety measures, and it is very unusual to be asked to remove safety measures. It was noted by the Commission that guardrails are not considered beautiful, and the suggestion was made that perhaps the engineers could at some time in the future design something more pleasing to the eye. If the guardrail were removed, it was stated that the City might be exposed to legal action. Chairman Blake stated that the Traffic Safety Commission is advisory to the City Council, and the decision on this matter could be appealed. Ms. Faucett commented that if the guardrail stays there, there should be no parking along that side of the street. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Fuller, the Traffic Safety Commission approved the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee that the guardrail on Alicante Road and Corte de la Vista not be removed. AYES: Blake, Courtney, Fuller, Green and Stachoviak Bob Johnson stated that appeals are filed at the City Clerk’s office, with a $120 fee, within ten days from the date of this action. B. Carlsbad Villacle Drive - Streetscaoe Phase V - Information Report Lloyd Hubbs, City Engineer, and Evan Becker, Housing & Redevelopment Director, presented a report on Streetscape Phase V, using slides to show the completed Phases and explaining what Phase V will invoke. A presentation will be given on February 11, 1993, 6:OO p.m., in the Council Chambers. John Jones, 3044 State Street, addressed the Commission, stating his opposition to the spending of funds for the Streetscape, with the exception of the traffic signals and storm drains. Chairman Blake explained that this was an information item for the Commission, with no action to be taken. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: There were no reports. February 1, 1993 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 5 REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: Bob Johnson stated that the City made it through the recent rain storms without too much damage. There were some mud slides and water on roads, but overall the Utilities and Maintenance Department did a good job in maintaining the flow of traffic. Mr. Johnson announced that the San Diego Marathon was held on Sunday, January 24,1993, with 26.2 miles of Carlsbad streets being used. The Marathon went quite well, with a minimum of complaints and inconvenience to the public. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of February 1, 1993, was adjourned at 301 p.m. Minutes Clerk