Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-08-07; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: August 7, 1995 TIME OF MEETING: 3:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Courtney called the Meeting to order at 3:OO p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Courtney, Blake, Green and Stachoviak. Absent: None. Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer Jim Murray, Associate Engineer Marc Reno, Motor Officer, Traffic Division Gil Beason, Motor Officer, Traffic Division APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner Stachoviak, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held June 5, 1995, were approved as presented. AYES: Blake, Green and Stachoviak ABSTAIN: Courtney ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: John Jones, 3044 #6 State Street, addressed the Commission, stating he walks up and down Carlsbad Village Drive several times every day and he has observed problems with the turn slots and intersections; and also turning west out of Albertson's Market. Motorists are making illegal U turns at the signals at Jefferson, Madison, Roosevelt and State Streets. The only legal U turn is at Harding, and when drivers try to make a U turn at those other signals, they have to back up in order to complete the turn. There is not enough space to allow U turns at those signals. Mr. Jones suggested placing larger No U Turn signs at the signals. At the turn slots, the signs are at the back of the turn, rather than at the front. Mr. Jones suggested placing the signs at the front and adding a sign at the back side stating "No Entry". Bob Johnson stated that staff will respond to Mr. Jones and write him a letter with their findings. August 7, 1995 TRAFFIC SAFm COMMISSION Page 2 PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Bob Johnson stated that Commissioner Anear has moved to Oceanside and has submitted his resignation from the Traffic Safety Commission. He said that the process is now in progress, with any citizen wishing to file a request to become a Member of the Traffic Safety Commission must file a letter with the City Clerk and then the Mayor interviews those candidates and makes a selection to present to Council. A. Xana Wav, Alga Road to Unicornio Street - Request to establish a prima facie 25 mile per hour speed limit. The staff report was given by Associate Engineer Jim Murray. A transparency showing Xana Way was shown, and Mr. Murray stated that the request had been made by Cynthia Gibson, Community Manager, on behatf of the La Costa Meadowridge Condominium Association Board, The request was made due to concerns about speeding vehicles. Mr. Murray stated that Xana is a collector street, north of Alga Road, located in the multi-family residential area, and provides the only public access to the La Costa Meadowridge Condominium development. Swimming pools and tennis courts are adjacent to the roadway and can cause pedestrians to cross the roadway at various mid-block'locations. Staff has completed an engineering and traffic survey for Xana Way, and the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee has recommended a 25 miles per hour prima facie speed limit on Xana Way between Alga Road and Unicornio Street. In response to Commission query, Mr. Murray stated that this area does not qualify as a residential area as there are not enough driveways. In order to be classified as residential, there must be 16 driveways within a quarter of a mile. Bob Johnson stated that the traffic volumes on this street are not very large; and in response to query regarding whether the pedestrians are jay-walking, he stated that only occurs when there are controlled signals at each end of the block. He stated that currently the street is not posted and is 55 miles per hour. Once it is posted, the drivers will know what the speed limit is on that particular street. Commissioner Green inquired about the sight distance in the area where the street rises and there is a small cul-de-sac. Mr. Murray stated that the sight distance is fine. Richard Riedel, 6502 Via Ostra, stated he was very much in favor of the recommended speed limit and appreciated the Commission's consideration of this item. He said this should provide safety for the pedestrians crossing the street. Mr. Riedel stated the Homeowners Association Board is in favor of the speed limit. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Stachoviak, the Traffic Safety Commission adopted the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to establish a 25 miles per hour prima facie speed limit on Xana Way between Alga Road and Unicornio. AYES: Courtney, Blair, Green and Stachoviak August 7, 1995 TRAFFIC SAFW COMMISSION Page 3 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) 6. Village Faire Parking Lot - Request to install STOP signs for travel aisle intersection with Washington Street. Bob Johnson gave the staff report, using a transparency showing Washington Street. He stated that Pete Biltchik requested the item and Mr. Biltchik believes that STOP signs are needed in two places in the Village Faire parking lot to assign right-of-way to vehicles entering Washington Street from the parking lot drive aisles. Mr. Johnson stated there has been a discussion about this item approximately one year, and staff has indicated to Mr. Biltchik that STOP signs are not necessary and this is a matter he should take up with the management of Village Faire. Mr. Biltchik has contacted the management company, and they have stated they have only received one complaint--and that is his. Mr. Johnson stated that this is a private parking lot, and the management at Village Faire has stated they do not intend to install STOP signs, but would permit the City to pay for such signs, if they desired. Mr. Johnson said the City does not spend money on private matters, and in this case, there is no problem. He said that Washington Street does give the appearance of a parking lot, due to the parking there; but the speeds in that area are low, and over the past year staff has observed no problem. Mr. Johnson stated that the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommended that no STOP signs be installed in the Village Faire parking lot. Commissioner Green inquired whether STOP signs placed there by the City would bring the City into liability for any accident at that sign; and does Mr. Biltchik have other data about a problem there. Mr. Johnson stated that drivers have to stop when entering a public street from a private street. Mr. Biltchik has written several letters over the past year, and he maintains that the center line of the road has been shifted and the City created a necessity for STOP signs on those aisles. The property management would take care of the problem; if there was a problem: but they feel as staff feels that there is no problem. In response to query by Commissioner Green regarding painting the street, Mr. Johnson stated that it is not possible to paint anything on the street without actually installing a STOP sign. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Green, the Traffic Safety Commission adopted the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommendation that no STOP signs be installed in the Village Faire parking lot. AYES: Courtney, Blake, Green and Stachoviak REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Green asked the two officers to introduce themselves, and Motor Officers Beason and Reno stated they were here to represent Sgt. Byler. Commissioner Blake inquired about the ramp meters on Highway 78, and Mr. Johnson stated there is no indication when those will be activated. August 7, 1995 TRAFFIC SAF€lY COMMISSION Page 4 REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: In response to query regarding the Poinsettia Interchange, Mr. Johnson stated it should be completed this fall. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: Mr. Johnson asked the Commission whether they wanted to hold an election at the next meeting to replace the Vice Chairman, Mr. Anear, or whether they wanted to wait until there is a full Commission appointed. ACTION: By consensus, the Traffic Safety Commission instructed staff to place the election of a new Vice Chairman on the next agenda. Mr. Johnson stated that due to the Labor Day Holiday, the next meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission would be Monday, September 11. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of August 7, 1995, was adjourned at 3:32 p.m. Rqpectfully submitted, Harriett d&&fbd Babbitt Minutes Clerk