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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-07; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesJune 7,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 1 MEETING OF: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: 3:OO P.M. PLACE OF MEETING: June 7,2004 (Regular Meeting) CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER: Chair Gordon Cress called the Meeting to order at 3:OO p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Chair Gordon Cress Vice-Chair Steve Dorsey Commissioner James Courtney Commissioner Susan Gardner Commissioner Guy Roney Absent: None Staff Members Present: Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Division Lt. Mike Shipley, Carlsbad Police Department Lt. Don Rawson, Watch Commander, Carlsbad Police Department APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 3,2004 ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Courtney, and duly seconded by Commissioner Roney to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 3, 2004 as presented. Cress, Dorsey, Courtney, Gardner, Roney VOTE: 5-0-0 AYES: NOES: None ABSTAIN: None June 7,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Division requested that we note and correct in the minutes on page 1 of February 2,2004 under the approval of minutes, the vote should have been 4-0- 1 , because Mr. Roney was not serving on the Commission in February. ITEM 4 - ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. ITEM 5 - PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Mr. Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Division, stated that the establishment of a 35-mile per hour prima facie speed limit on Tamarack Avenue from Hanvich Drive to College Boulevard that was discussed by the Commission at last month’s Traffic Safety Commission meeting went to the City Council last week. The City Council introduced the Ordinance to establish the prima facie speed limit on June 1, 2004. Tomorrow night they will adopt the Ordinance to establish the prima facie speed limit, and then the speed limit will be in effect thirty days after the adoption of the Ordinance. Another item discussed last month by the Commission was a request by citizens to establish an all- way stop on Avenida Encinas at the intersections of Dory Lanemeridian Way, Portage WayNarlin Lane, and Windrose Circle. The Commission denied that request by a 5-0 vote. Mr. Dale Ordas, who initiated the item, has appealed the Commission decision to the City Council. At present, that item has been tentatively scheduled to be heard on July 13,2004 by the City Council. Finally, during last month’s discussion of the Tamarack Avenue speed zone, Commissioner Gardner expressed her concern about the tot lot that was located on Tamarack Avenue between Rockridge and Flatrock Street. The Planning Development and Engineering Land Development staffhas talked to the developer about constructing a gate along Tamarack Avenue across the frontage ofthe tot lot. It was suggested to the developer that some type of ornamental wrought iron fencing with a gate be installed that would allow someone to see in to the tot lot for security purposes, but yet keep any children or errant balls from reaching Tamarack Avenue. ITEM 6 - NEW BUSINESS: ITEM 6A. Mr. Johnson stated that Item 6A is a request to establish a three-hour parking time limit on two streets in the vicinity of the Anastasi project in the Village of downtown Carlsbad. Mr. L. John Simons of the Anastasi Development Company initiated the item. The project name is Village By June 7,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 The Sea. It is bounded on the west by Carlsbad Boulevard, has a small segment on Beech Avenue on the north, has Washington Street project frontage on the east, and Christiansen Way frontage on the south. On the northeast comer of Christiansen Way and Carlsbad Boulevard, as shown on the overhead, are two retail businesses. On the northerly property line of the project, there are single- family homes along Beech Avenue and also along Washington Street. Mr. Johnson stated that the request is for a three-hour parking time limit in the two locations where the project will be providing on-street parking. It was noted that the overhead and the map in the staff report showed the two locations for on-street parking. Christiansen Way is a public street located north of Grand Avenue that has an 80-foot right-of-way between Carlsbad Boulevard and Washington Street. In this location, there will be 20 angle parking spaces provided at a 45-degree angle on the north side of Christiansen Way. Along Carlsbad Boulevard there will be parallel parking provided. Carlsbad Boulevard will be widened approximately four feet in order to accommodate that parallel parking. Based on the available distance along the project frontage, there would be room for about 10 to 12 parallel parking spaces. The project itself consists of retail space and condominiums. Sixty-five condominium units will be constructed with underground parking for the multi-family portion ofthe project. There will be 8,662 square feet of retail space provided. The retail space will utilize the on-street parking that is being constructed with the project. Mr. Johnson explained that the on-street parking is provided in order to serve the retail aspects ofthe project. The residents of the project will have their own parking spaces under ground. A driveway serving that underground parking from Christensen Way is under construction. The commuter rail station and the bus transfer station are in the easterly proximity of the project with the bus transfer station along Washington Street. Because of the long-term parking that would possibly occur if commuters were to utilize the on- street parking around the project, the request was made for the three-hour parking restriction to be implemented. Mr. Johnson stated that this three-hour parking restriction is very similar to what has occurred throughout the Village area in the vicinity of the commuter rail station. The reason the City Council established three-hour parking on many streets, such as State Street and Beech Avenue was because the streets were experiencing long-term daily parking by commuters. The merchants found that that long-term parking did not result in turnover of parking spaces for shoppers. Therefore, the parking restriction that is being recommended and that is consistent with other on-street parking in the Village is the three-hour parking time limit. Mr. Johnson stated that in the project vicinity the typical hours for street sweeping are from 3:OO a.m. to 5:OO a.m. In some cases, the city posts signs on the streets to remind anyone that may choose to park that there is a nighttime restriction from 3:OO a.m. to 5:OO a.m. on street sweeping day. In order that there is no long-term overnight parking, the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee is that a 3:OO a.m. to 5:OO a.m. restriction on both of these segments be established. This parking restriction would not only serve street sweeping purposes, but also prevent 24-hour parking on the street, basically overnight parking. The only caveat is that because the street sweeping hours may be adjusted, the Streets Department staff may have to take an additional look at what those hours are to serve street sweeping in the fhture. June 7,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 Mr. Johnson stated that it is the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee that along the project frontage on Christiansen Way and on Carlsbad Boulevard there be a three-hour parking time limit from 7:OO a.m. to 6:OO p.m., except for Sundays and holidays, and that the 3:OO a.m. to 5:OO a.m. no parking restriction also be implemented with the understanding that it may be adjusted in the future if street sweeping hours change. Commissioner Gardner asked if Carlsbad Boulevard currently has a no-parking zone. Mi. Johnson explained that that the segment of Carlsbad Boulevard along the project frontage has a bicycle lane and there is no parking allowed. However, after the project widens the road, there will be room to provide the parallel parking. Commissioner Gardner stated that one of her concerns was that this area has fast traffic because just north of the Beech Avenue intersection, Carlsbad Boulevard narrows to a single lane. She has witnessed several automobiles rush through this particular block so that they can be in the front of other automobiles. She is concerned if four feet of widening would be adequate. Mr. Johnson explained that the four feet would be combined with the existing city right-of-way would provide enough room. A four-foot lane would not be enough for a parking lane, but when you add that to the existing parkway and the width of the bike lane, sufficient width is achieved. Chair Cress asked if the bike lane would remain. Mr. Johnson stated that it would after the project is completed. Commissioner Courtney asked if the developer was going to bring the improvements all the way down and around the comer. Mr. Johnson stated that the developer would not. The project frontage is what will be improved at this time. Commissioner Courtney asked if along the project frontage on Carlsbad Boulevard the parallel parking spaces would be inset somewhat. June 7,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 5 Mr. Johnson affirmed that there would be a little indentation for the parking with a bulb-out at the Beech Avenue intersection. He stated that in the fbture the parking could be extended southerly if and when these two parcels develop that are located on the northeast corner of Christiansen Way and Car 1 sbad Boulevard . PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Chair Cress opened public testimony. Mr. John Simons of Anastasi Development, residing at 4743 Bryce Circle, Carlsbad, addressed the Commission and stated that he is the Vice President of Special Projects for Anastasi Development. This project is a mixed-use property, one of the first in the city that incorporates the retail along Carlsbad Boulevard. Mr. Simons stated that the purpose of his attending the meeting was to make clear the timing of when the construction would be completed. Along Christiansen Way, the finals on that portion of the property, which are two buildings and building one across Washington Street, should happen by the end of July and in August for Washington Street. They expect to have the last building, which is a combination often units of retail facing Carlsbad Boulevard and ten residential condominiums that are two stories above the retail completed some time in October of this year. Commissioner Courtney asked if all of the on-site work was completed, such as curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. Mr. Simons stated that the curbs and gutters were in, but the final on-site paving was not completed yet. On Carlsbad Boulevard the widening work has not been'done at this point. Commissioner Roney asked if there was adequate visitor parking underground for the condominiums or would those visitors be utilizing the street parking. Mr. Simons stated that there was adequate on-site parking that was required. by code. They have six spaces'in building one, which is the large one on Washington Street, and then spaced throughout the property there are additional parking spaces. The requirement of the city was to have a two-to-one ratio for parking for the residents plus additional guest parking. All parking requirements have been exceeded. Chair Cress called for a discussion. June 7,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 6 DISCUSSION: Commissioner Courtney stated that there has been consistency throughout the Village with respect to parking. There has been a lot oftrouble over the last several years with on-street parkers. Atwo-hour parking time limit was tried, but that wasn’t quite enough time to park, have breakfast, maybe get your mail or a haircut; you can’t do it all in two hours. The parking time limit was raised to three hours and then four, but the three-hour parking time limit seems to work best. Mr. Johnson stated that the three-hour parking restriction that the City Council implemented is working well. It seems to be a good compromise that everyone is able to accept. Chair Cress closed discussion and called for a motion. MOTION : ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Courtney and duly seconded by Commissioner Gardner, to accept the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee that on-street parking time restrictions be established on Carlsbad Boulevard and Christiansen Way as follows: 0 Three-hour parking from 7:OO a.m. to 6:OO p.m. except for Sundays and holidays on the north side of Christiansen Way from a point about 96 feet east of Carlsbad Boulevard and continuing east to Washington Street and in the same road segment No Parking Anytime seven days a week between the hours of 3:OO a.m. and 5:OO a.m. 0 Three-hour parking from 7:OO a.m. to 6:OO p.m. except for Sundays and holidays on the east side of Carlsbad Boulevard from a point about 100 feet north of Christiansen Way to Beech Avenue and in the same road segment No Parking Anytime seven days a week between the hours of 3:OO a.m. and 5:OO a.m. VOTE: 5-0-0 AYES: NOES: None ABSTAIN: None Cress, Dorsey, Courtney, Gardner, Roney June 7,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 7 ITEM 7: None. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS ITEM 8: REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER Mr. Johnson stated that next month the Traffic Safety Commission meeting will be held on the second Monday of July, which is July 12,2004. The Fourth of July holiday, which is on Sunday this year, will be observed as a holiday by the city on Monday, July 5,2004. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Gordon Cress adjourned the Regular Meeting of June 7, 2004 at 3: 17 p.m. Respectklly submitted, Ruth Steckdaub Minutes Clerk