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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-06; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: PLACE OF MEETING: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION November 6,2006 (Regular Meeting) 3:00 p.m. City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Chair Gardner called the Meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Absent: Staff Members Present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 2,2006 ACTION: VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: Chair Susan Gardner Vice-Chair Guy Roney Commissioner Gordon Cress Commissioner Steve Dorsey Commissioner Bonnie Bradshaw None Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Lt. Don Rawson, Carlsbad Police Department Motion by Vice-Chair Roney, and duly seconded by Commissioner Cress, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 2, 2006 as presented. 4-0-1 Gardner, Roney, Cress, Bradshaw None Dorsey November 6, 2006 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 2 ITEM 4 - ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Public Testimony: Cheryl Leonard, 3944 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite C205, San Diego, representing the Brookfield Owner's Association, stated that the Brookfield Owner's Association was located in the south eastern corner of Carlsbad off Melrose Drive and Xana Way. There were approximately 220 homes at that location. This group has come before the Commission in the past regarding a speeding problem and traffic on Xana Way. The answer to the problem with staff and some of the homeowners that was previously worked out was the installation of a funky looking median that is in the middle of the street at Xana Way/Corintia Street .Ms. Leonard showed the Commissions pictures of what she was talking about. She stated that there is a large development being built behind Brookfield, and the developer has ongoing construction at this time. All of the construction traffic is making an illegal left turn on to Xana Way. Showing the Commissioners additional pictures of the median, she stated that construction traffic comes down the wrong direction and turns on to Xana Way. The median was installed to keep the homeowners that drive down one side of the street and not make a left hand turn on to Xana Way. She stated that City staff and all are coming down the wrong side of Corintia Street and making a left hand turn on to Xana Way, which is causing a very dangerous situation to occur. Before the new development gets completed above them, they anticipate that the problem is going to get worse, not better. The Board of Directors of Brookfield Owner's Association has talked to the homeowners a number of times about speeding on that street. It is their homeowners as well as others that go down that street pretty fast. Construction traffic now is speeding very fast down there. There have been a number of pets that have been killed and other animals, like coyotes and possums. It is just a matter of time before a child gets hurt. The Board of Directors has asked that she talk to the Commission about their concerns. She distributed a map of their community to the Commissioners. There used to be an entrance at Corintia Street, but now you can't come in this way as a left hand turn because of the median. You now have to go over to Alga. As a resolution to the problem, their Board of Directors are willing to pay for bulbs to be installed on Xana Way, which was previously explored, or to also pay for striping, large numbers that state the speed limit, crosswalks - something to slow the traffic down. It's not going to stop the construction traffic from going the wrong way. That's an issue they are hoping the police department can help them with. Perhaps a letter from the City. Chair Gardner thanked Ms. Leonard. She stated that now that this issue was being brought to the attention of the Traffic Engineer, that he would address the issue in the future and would be getting back to her promptly. Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineering, Transportation, informed the Commission that he would give Ms. Leonard one of his business cards and ask that she send in writing her request so that staff November 6, 2006 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 3 could appropriately follow-up. Some of what Ms. Leonard touched on falls into the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program which each Commissioner has a copy of. The issue of the illegal turns is something that Lt. Rawson, Carlsbad Police Department, will take note of. That has been on ongoing issue with the contractor and workers over the last year or so, and he'll pass that along to the City Inspector to make sure that the superintendent further notifies the construction workers. Mr. Johnson asked Ms. Leonard the time of day when the illegal turns seem to be occurring. That would help with enforcement and for him to discuss with the City Inspector. Ms. Leonard stated that it occurred all day and it was different people. Commissioner Bradshaw asked what the intersection with Xana Way was that the left turns were prohibited. Ms. Leonard answered that it was Corintia Street. Chair Gardner thanked Ms. Leonard and closed Public Testimony. ITEM 5 - PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Bob Johnson, Deputy City Engineer said that upon the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Commission at the October 2,2006 meeting, the request to establish a prima facie speed limit on two different streets - Rancho Santa Fe Road for a 55 mile per hour prima facie speed limit and Marron Road for a 3 5 mile per hour prima facie speed limit, are scheduled for the City Council on November 7, 2006 for introduction of an ordinance. The ordinance would be adopted one week later and then thirty days later the ordinance would become effective. The other item that the Commission discussed was the speed zone on El Fuerte Street, and staff was trying to get that item to City Council later this month or early December. Chair Gardner stated that at the last meeting, the Commission voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution of Commendation for Steve Dorsey. She presented the Commendation to Commissioner Dorsey and thanked him for his dedication and diligence in performing the duties of Chair of the Traffic Safety Commission Meeting for the past year. November 6, 2006 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 4 ITEM 6 - NEW BUSINESS: ITEM 6A: Establish a prima facie speed limit upon Tamarack Avenue easterly of College Boulevard. Mr. Johnson stated the proposed speed zone on Tamarack Avenue from College Boulevard south to College Boulevard east is the portion of Tamarack Avenue located easterly of College Boulevard. Prima facie speed limits are required to be established upon the results of an Engineering and Traffic Survey as specified in California Vehicle Code Section 22354. Factors to consider in that survey are discussed and established in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Among the three most persuasive factors considered in the Engineering and Traffic Survey (1) The critical speed or 85th percentile speed, which is the speed that 85 percent of the drivers are traveling at or below; (2) The collision history; and (3) Conditions that may not be readily apparent to the driver. A number of other factors are also included in the Engineering and Traffic Survey, such as the roadway characteristics, shoulder conditions, grade, alignment, sight distances, and the pace speed, roadside development, and any pedestrian and bicycle activity. Referring to Exhibit 1, Mr. Johnson explained that Tamarack Avenue east of College Boulevard follows a curvilinear alignment. It is a segment of road a little less than a mile in length. All-way stops have been established at Strata Drive (east), Knollwood Drive and Levee Drive. There are traffic signals located on College Boulevard at both locations where Tamarack Avenue intersects. The volumes on Tamarack Avenue, based on a recent traffic count, were found to between 800 vehicles near Knollwood Drive and 2800 vehicles just east of College Boulevard. Mr. Johnson commented that two traffic lanes located on Tamarack Avenue are separated by a double center yellow line and bicycle lanes are provided on both sides of the roadway. Calavera Hills Elementary School and Calavera Hills Middle School are located in this location. There is a driveway that serves the school entrance and a driveway exits the school down to the easterly portion of Tamarack Avenue. The road is located within a single family residential development that is near the roadway, although no homes front directly on Tamarack Avenue. There is a very good collision history in the two year period of September 1,2004 through August 31,2006 in which there has only been one reported collision. Mr. Johnson commented that speed surveys were conducted in two locations on Tamarack Avenue. Staff found a critical speed of 31 miles per hour just east of Hummock Drive, and 33 miles per hour just west of Caldera Place. The school zone signing is in place to notify drivers of the prima facie 25 mile per hour speed limit when children are present. Otherwise, there are no speed limit signs on the roadway and it qualifies as a roadway with a maximum speed limit of 55 miles per hour by virtue of its two lane undivided status. Stop Ahead signs are provided on Tamarack Avenue in advance of the all-way stop locations. The Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee reviewed the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey and based upon the results, the Committee recommended that a prima facie 30 mile per hour November 6, 2006 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 5 speed limit be established upon the loop portion of Tamarack Avenue located easterly of College Boulevard. Mr. Johnson added that he sent letters to the principals at Calavera Hills Elementary School and Calavera Hills Middle School notifying them of today' s meeting, and did not receive any phone calls or communication from the schools. MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Cress, and duly seconded by Vice-Chair Roney, to recommend establishing a 30 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon the loop portion of Tamarack Avenue located easterly of College Boulevard. VOTE: 5-0-0 AYES: Gardner, Roney, Cress, Dorsey, Bradshaw NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ITEM 6B: Establish a prima facie speed limit upon Palomar Oaks Way from Palomar Airport Road to its northerly terminus. Mr. Johnson stated that Palomar Oaks Way is an industrial street and the request is to establish a prima facie speed limit from Palomar Airport Road to its northerly terminus north of Dryden Place. The requirements to consider in the establishment of the prima facie speed limit are the same as mentioned in Item 6A above, so they won't be repeated again. The industrial street being discussed is relatively short, 0.45 miles in length. Staff received a request from Dannette Hess asking that a speed limit be established upon this street. Even though it is an industrial street, it is a wide two lane industrial street. Again, the maximum speed limit is 55 miles per hour. The road terminates about 430 feet north of Dryden Place. There are no plans to extend the road in the future from the northerly terminus due to the construction of the Carlsbad Golf Course which is proposed to be called The Crossings at Carlsbad. Referring to Exhibit 1, Mr. Johnson explained that there are three intersections that are uncontrolled on Palomar Oaks Way. They are Wright Place, Camino Vida Roble, and Dryden Place. Palomar Oaks Way is uncontrolled at those three intersections. There are approximately 4800 vehicles upon this roadway each day. Staff has not received any reported collisions on this roadway in the two year period indicated on the Engineering and Traffic Survey from September 1,2004 through August 31, 2006. Looking at the collision records, it appears that the last reported collision was in May 2004 at the end of the road due to a driver being unfamiliar with the roadway and the terminus of the roadway. The critical speed based on a speed survey was found to be 37 miles per hour. There are no unusual or mitigating factors upon the roadway that would bear on the establishment of the prima facie speed limit. November 6, 2006 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 6 Mr. Johnson stated that the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee reviewed the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey and recommends establishment of a 35 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Palomar Oaks Way from Palomar Airport Road to its northerly terminus north of Dryden Place. DISCUSSION; Chair Gardner asked what was proposed on the northern end of Palomar Oaks Way. Mr. Johnson answered that the road terminates and the extension of the road is not proposed. The City golf course is located a little to the north of that location and the road where it terminates would remain in that condition. There is a storage rental just to the east of Palomar Oaks Way where the road terminates. At its terminus, there is driveway for the storage units. However, the City has no plans to extend the road to the north and connect with College Boulevard. At one time there was talk about a road extension, but that is no longer the case. Commissioner Dorsey commented that Mr. Johnson stated that the critical speed was 37 miles per hour, but he was under the impression that we always rounded up to get a prima facie speed. Why not in this case? Mr. Johnson answered that the criteria in the 2003 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) which how has been adopted as the California MUTCD indicates that the prima facie speed should be considered to be established at the nearest five mile per hour increment to the critical speed -meaning that if it is 38, one would round up; if it is 37, one would round down. With the critical speed being 37 miles per hour, the recommendation was to go down to the nearest five mile per hour increment rather than going up. Had the critical speed been 38 or 39 miles per hour, there's a chance the Committee would have recommended rounding up or going to the nearest five mile increment, which would have been 40 miles per hour. There is also a provision that if it is considered to post at the nearest five mile per hour increment by raising it and if there are extenuating circumstances, then that speed limit could be dropped an additional five miles per hour. With the good collision history in this case, there is no extenuating circumstances, so the 35 miles per hour speed limit appears to be appropriate. Chair Gardner mentioned that she was very familiar with the proposed area since she used to work on Wright Place and she agreed there is quite a bit of traffic of lost vehicles going up the road. There is a traffic signal at Palomar Airport Road. It appears to be a wide throughway and it is not very long. Most of the traffic you find going in usually turns around and comes back out. The one accident Mr. Johnson mentioned probably occurred because the end just stops. Maybe some better November 6, 2006 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 7 signage would be appropriate to put on there, because it is not a dead end. It has a lot of traffic of people that are lost on that street. Mr. Johnson said he would double check the signing as to what is presently at this location, whether there is a Dead End sign or Not a Through Street sign. As Chair Gardner mentioned, it would not be appropriate to put a sign in this vicinity indicating Not a Through Street or No Outlet, because you can turn on Camino Vida Roble and go back to the east to intersect Palomar Airport Road easterly of Palomar Oaks Way. Commissioner Cress asked if Dryden Place was also a dead end. Mr. Johnson answered yes, it was a cul-de-sac. Commissioner Cress replied that a sign could be put right past Camino Vida Roble stating No Outlet from here on, or something like that. Mr. Johnson stated that he would check for signs. MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Dorsey, and duly seconded by Chair Gardner, to recommend establishing a 35 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Palomar Oaks Way from Palomar Airport Road to its northerly terminus. VOTE: 5-0-0 AYES: Gardner, Roney, Cress, Dorsey, Bradshaw NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ITEM 7: REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Bradshaw commented that she wanted to thank staff for the work on Exhibit 1 of both items in today's reports showing where the traffic signals and all-way stops are located. She felt it worked pretty well. November 6, 2006 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 8 ITEM 8: REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER Mr. Johnson stated that the next regular meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission was scheduled to be held on December 4, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. One of the items, coincidentally, is a request for a stop sign on Wright Place. Staff will bring that to the Commission for a recommendation. If the Commission agrees, it would be taken to City Council to have an ordinance adopted. Staff also hopes to bring the new segment of Melrose Drive for a speed limit determination, from Palomar Airport Road northerly to the north City limits, at the December meeting. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion Chair Gardner adjourned the Regular Meeting of November 6,2006 at 3:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, '/Js'vZfa-s (^ W Ruth Woodbeck Minutes Clerk