HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-12-05; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES
MEETING OF TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
DATE OF MEETING: December 5,1994
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:W p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Green, Anear and Courtney.
Absent: Commissioners Blake and Stachoviak.
Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer
Sgt. Don Metcatf
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The Minutes of the November 7, 1994, Meeting were continued, due to the lack of a majority of
Commissioners present at that Meeting.
Chairman Green asked for a clarification on the format on Minutes where a Meeting has been
canceled. Bob Johnson explained that this format was common practice and had been for some
time. Chairman Green stated he would like to discuss this further to reflect that a meeting had
been canceled due to the lack of agenda items, rather than a quorum. Mr. Johnson explained that
if only two Cornmissioners had been present today, the Minutes would reflect that although a
Meeting was scheduled, not enough Commissioners were present at that time. When a Meeting
has been canceled, notice is sent out stating that the Meeting has been canceled due to a lack
of agenda items.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
There were no requests to address the Commission on a non-agenda item.
PREVIOUS BUSINESS:
None.
December 5, 1994 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Avenida Encinas, Poinsettia Lane to Palomar Airport Road - Request to establish a prima facie
speed limit
Bob Johnson gave the staff report, using slides to show the portion of Avenida Encmas from
Poinsettia Lane to Palomar Airport Road.
Mr. Johnson stated that this portion of Avenida Encinas is the newly constructed northerly section
between Poinsettia Lane and Palomar Airport Road. The roadway has one traffic lane in each
direction, which is approximately one-half the right-of-way width. As development occurs in this
area in the future, the road will be fully widened to its secondary arterial width and striped with four
traffic lanes.
Mr. Johnson explained that Segment One, from Poinsettia Lane to a point 3,000 feet northerly, has
an existing prima facie speed limit of 35 miles per hour. Segment Two, from 3,000 feet northerly
of Poinsettia Lane to 3,500 feet southerly of Palomar Airport Road, is where the new construction
was completed. Segment Three is from 3,500 feet southerly of Palomar Airport Road to the
intersection with Palomar Airport Road. A Speed Survey was conducted, and with Segment Two
with a design speed of 30 miles per hour, it is appropriate to establish three speed zones on this
road.
Mr. Johnson reported that the existing speed zone, Segment One, was established by Ordinance
several years ago, and according to the recent Survey, 39 miles per hour is the critic4 speed and
supports leaving that speed limit at 35 miles per hour.
The Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommended prima facie speed limits on Avenida
Encinas from Poinsettia Lane to Palomar Airport Road, as follows:
Segment 1 35 miles per hour
Segment 2 30 miles per hour
Segment 3 35 miles per hour
Additionally, the Committee recommended that curve warning signs be placed on Avenida Encinas
at the sharp curve located near the entrance to the commuter rail station.
Chairman Green inquired whether there was a way to control the parking of cars on the inside of
that curve at the beginning of Segment Two.
Mr. Johnson replied that Hoehn Motors is well-aware of the problem, and they are in the process
of leasing property to have a temporary parking lot. This should be completed within the next six
months. The appropriate signs will be posted and it will be the responsibility of the drivers to be
aware of the conditions in that area.
Chairman Green asked Mr. Johnson to check on this situation in four months and report to the
Commission how the temporary parking lot is progressing through the process.
Commissioner Courtney stated he wanted it on the record that he is very concerned with the short
stretch of 30 miles per hour between the two 35 miles per hour zones. He stated that after you
cross Palomar Airport Road, the speed limit is 40 miles per hour through the Industrial Park, and
he felt that should be lowered.
December 5, 1094 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3
NRN BUSINESS: (Continued)
Commissioner Courtney stated that he also has a problem with the designed entrance to the
transit station in the middle of the curve. With the temporary road being narrow, there doesn't
seem to be adequate space for a lane to turn right from and no room for a left turn.
Mr. Johnson stated the street will be striped when the transit station is opened in February, and
the volumes of traffic in that area are low and are not projected to be high into that transit station.
The driveway to the station is on the outside of the curve and there is good sight distance.
Commissioner Courtney stated he is concerned that there will be a traffic problem there within the
next six months to a year. However, when the property in front of and to the south of the transit
station is developed, the street will be built to its full width and the problem will go away.
Commissioner Anear stated there is a lot of traffic through that street, and there will be more once
the public realizes that the street now goes through. He asked Sgt. Metcatf how he felt about that.
Sgt. Metcatf answered it would be better if Segment Three would be 30 miles per hour, but if that
is done, it would be a speed trap and the Police Department could not enforce the speed limit.
Chairman Green explained to Commissioner Anear that establishing an unenforceable speed limit
has been discussed at length by this Commission, and it cannot be done. The Police Department
must be able to enforce a speed limit, and if a speed limit does not fall within the law, the courts
will not allow any of the tickets and will reprimand the Police representatives publicly.
ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Courtney, the Traffic Safety Commission adopted the
recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to establish prima
facie speed limits on Avenida Encinas from Poinsettia Lane to Palomar Airport
Road, as follows:
Segment 1 - 35 miles per hour (existing prima facie speed)
Segment 2 - 30 miles per hour
Segment 3 - 35 miles per hour
Additionally, the Commission recommended that curve warning signs be placed
on Avenida Encinas at the sharp curve located near the entrance to the commuter
rail station.
AYES: Green and Courtney
NOES: Anear
Commissioner Anear stated he voted "no" as he felt Zones 1 and 2 should be 30 miles per hour.
B. Elect New TSC Chairman and Vice-chairman
ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Anear, the Traffic Safety Commission postponed
election of new Chair and Vice-Chair until the January 1995 meeting.
AYES: Green, Anear and Courtney
December 5, 1994 TRAFFIC SAFW COMMISSION Page 4
REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS:
Chairman Green stated he would like to add an agenda item following the Call to Order. This would be
a Salute to the Flag.
Mr. Johnson stated that in January, the Commission reviews the Rules and Procedures and at that time
the Commission could make any changes or revisions to the agenda. He said that would be the
appropriate time to discuss that change in the agenda.
Chairman Green stated he wanted to change the procedure on canceled meetings to read that the meeting
was canceled due to a lack of agenda items, if that is the reason for the cancellation. Mr. Johnson stated
that staff will make that change.
REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER:
Mr. Johnson stated that it is the end of the year and he wished the Commissioners a very Happy Holidays
and he thanked the Commissioners and the Minutes Clerk for their work during the past year.
Mr. Johnson stated that this will be Sgt. Metcars next to last meeting, as there will be a new Traffic
Sergeant assigned to the Commission for the coming year, beginning in February.
Mr. Johnson announced that the January meeting will be on Monday, January 9, 1995, at 3:OO p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of December 5, 1994, was adjourned at 3:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Z&/j/
Harriett Babbitt
Minutes Clerk