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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-05-02; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: TRAFFIC SAFElY COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: May 2, 1994 TIME OF MEETING: 3:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Chambers ~ ~~~ CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Green called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Green, Anear, Blake, Courtney and Stachoviak. Absent: None. Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer Sgt. Don Metcalf, Police Department Jim Murray, Associate Engineer James Gale, Engineering Technician II APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Traffic Safety Commission deferred approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held April 4, 1994, until next month. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Bob Johnson stated that at its 4/26/94 meeting, City Council introduced ordinances to establish prima facie speed limits of 35 miles per hour on Rutherford Road and 30 miles per hour on Tamarack Avenue between Interstate 5 and Skyline Road. The ordinances will be adopted by the City Council on May 3, 1994. In response to the Traffic Safety Commission’s request to evaluate the need for additional red curb on Tamarack Avenue near Valley Street, Bob said no additional red curb is necessary because of existing red curb and NO PARKING signs being in place and properly located. Chairman Green inquired as to whether Engineering Department staff is comfortable with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour on Tamarack Avenue. Bob responded that, based on the facts and engineering and traffic survey, a 30 mile per hour posting is appropriate. May 2,1994 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 NEW BUSINESS: A. Highland Drive and Chinquapin Avenue Intersection - Request for Sight Distance Mitiaation. Jim Murray presented the staff report stating that the owner of 3993 Highland Drive, Mr. Jubb, was requested to remove a pine tree and two rocks from the public right-of-way at the subject location so as to improve corner sight distance. By use of slides and a transparency, Jim explained the existing line of sight deficiency and the corner sight distance requirement of 275 feet. Jim stated that the required 275 feet of corner sight distance will be achieved by removing the pine tree. Commissioner Stachoviak stated his concern that other shrubs located north of the pine tree will still limit sight distance after removal of the pine tree. Commissioner Courtney reiterated the same concerns. Jim Murray replied that the shrubs are located far enough north and are out of the line of sight, in his opinion, and would not obstruct the required corner sight distance. Jim Murray further explained that the rocks are located adjacent to the tree and the fact that the tree is growing directly beneath overhead utility lines are areas of potential liability to the City of Carlsbad and explained the different options. Jim said that the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends that the City remove the pine tree and the two large rocks because of Mr. Jubb’s refusal to remove them. The Committee also recommended that an asphatt berm be constructed along Highland Drive to prevent vehicles from cutting the corner. Mr. William Jubb, of 3993 Highland Drive, stated that the rocks were placed there to prevent cars from driving onto his property and said there is no reason to remove them nor the tree since there have been no accidents there and the homes adjacent to Highland have many trees in the right-of-way. He stated that he was the one that planted the tree. He stated the overhead electrical lines were already installed when he planted the tree. Commissioner Anear said the tree needs to be removed to improve sight distance, and it was only planted three or four years ago. He doesn’t think the City should pay for the removal by having City crews remove it. It is his opinion that Mr. Jubb should be billed for the tree removal. Commissioner Courtney said he is concerned that the tree will continue to grow and interfere with the overhead electrical lines and cause a fire. He said a similar situation recently occurred in Carlsbad. May 2, 1994 TRAFFIC SAFm COMMISSION Page 3 Commissioner Blake agreed with Mr. Jubb that many tall, older trees exist along Highland Drive, but since it has been brought to the City’s attention and is a problem, the tree should be removed by the owner or at his expense. The City could then install the berm. In reply to Commission query, Bob Johnson stated that 275’ of corner sight distance would be achieved by removing the tree and if not, additional trimming of the other shrubs could occur. He reiterated that staffs investigation indicates only the pine tree is needed to be removed to achieve the required corner sight distance. Commissioner Courtney stated that he doesn’t think that 275’ of sight distance will be achieved without removing all shrubs between the tree and mailbox located northerly of the pine tree. He said the corner sight distance of 275’ is based on the 25 mile per hour design speed of Highland Drive, not the prevailing speed which is much higher. In his opinion, the City should assist Mr. Jubb in re-locating all the shrubs to the hedge line in order to achieve increased sight distance. Chairman Green stated that since Mr. Jubb planted the tree on City property, the City should not have to pay for its removal. He requested that Mr. Jubb offer to remove it. Mr. Jubb responded by saying he has no problem with removing the tree, but asked why a stop sign couldn’t be installed instead so the tree could remain. Sgt. Metcalf explained that a stop sign would not help. In response to Commission inquiry, Sgt. Metcalf explained that Highland Drive is too narrow for cars to park on the asphalt roadway, but the vehicles could park on the dirt area off the roadway for up to 72 consecutive hours before they would be required to be moved. Mr. Jubb stated that removal of all vegetation would result in cars parking on the dirt in front of his house and he did not want that to occur, nor did he want to create an area for cars to cut the corner when turning onto Chinquapin Avenue. Chairman Green said the Commission is dealing with this specific case only, and not all shrubs and bushes throughout the City. The tree growing into the overhead electrical line is a concern to him, and he would like to see Mr. Jubb volunteer to remove the tree at his expense. He said he could support the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Courtney, the Traffic Safety Commission requested Mr. Jubb to remove or relocate the pine tree and all vegetation between the intersection corner and mailbox that is within City right-of-way to a point even with the existing hedge on the north side of the mailbox. If owner does not respond, City forces will remove the tree and vegetation. Courtney, Green, Blake, Stachoviak, Anear May 2,1994 TRAFFIC SAFRY COMMISSJON Page 4 B. Loker Avenue West: Palomar Airport Road to El Fuerte Street - Request to establish a prima facie weed limit. Bob Johnson presented the staff report stating that the only full access to Loker Avenue West is El Fuerte Street because there is a right-in/right-out only at the Palomar Airport Road/Loker Avenue West intersection. Bob said that there is no speed limit posted on Loker Avenue West, which means the road has a maximum speed of 55 miles per hour which is too fast for the industrial park conditions. The Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommended a 30 mile per hour limit be established based on the design speed of 30 miles per hour and the results of the engineering and traffic survey. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Courtney, the Traffic Safety Commission adopted the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee that the prima facie speed limit upon Loker Avenue West from Palomar Airport Road to El Fuerte Street be established at 30 miles per hour. AYES: Courtney, Green, Blake, Anear, Stachoviak C. Loker Avenue East: El Fuerte Street to Palomar Airport Road - Request to establish a prima facie Speed limit. Bob Johnson presented the staff report and results of the engineering and traffic survey. He stated that Loker Avenue East has basically the same characteristics as Loker Avenue West, with only slight differences as indicated on the engineering and traffic survey. He said the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends a prima facie 30 mile per hour speed limit on Loker Avenue East. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Blake, the Traffic Safety Commission adopted the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee that the prima facie speed limit upon Loker Avenue East from El Fuerte Street to Palomar Airport Road be established at 30 miles per hour. AYES: Blake, Green, Courtney, Anear, Stachoviak REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Stachoviak inquired as to the status of his request for a "snow fence" along Carlsbad Boulevard between the jetties. Mr. Johnson stated that he forwarded the suggestion to the Community Services Director and said he will send to each Commissioner, a copy of the memorandum he received from the Community Services Director on the "snow fence". May 2,1994 TRAFFIC SAFm COMMISSION Page 5 REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: Mr. Johnson stated that the Traffic Commission Workshop will be held June 4, 1994 and four Commissioners indicated they want to attend. Mr. Johnson said that the City will send a check and registration in for those who want to attend. Commissioner hear indicated that he will let Mr. Johnson know within two weeks if he will be attending. ADJOURNMENT By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of May 2, 1994, was adjourned at 4:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, n JAMES W. GALE Engineering Technician II JWG:jb