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Home My WebLink About2024-08-05; Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission; ; Aviara Oaks Elementary and Middle School Off-Site Transportation ImprovementsMeeting Date: Aug. 5, 2024 To: Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Staff Contact: Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Nathan.Schmidt@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2734 Subject: Aviara Oaks Elementary and Middle School Off-Site Transportation Improvements Recommended Action Receive the report on the Aviara Oaks Elementary and Middle School off-site transportation improvements and provide feedback. Background In November 2018, Carlsbad voters approved Carlsbad Unified School District's Measure HH to improve and modernize aging facilities. In this multi-phased program one of the projects outlined was to improve the traffic at Aviara Oaks Elementary and Middle Schools. For the last year, the District has been working with traffic consultants and the City of Carlsbad, and gaining community stakeholder input on proposed modifications to the traffic flow at drop-off and pick-up. While most of the improvements occur within the District's property, there are some proposed off-site improvements necessary to enhance safety and mobility around the school campus with the proposed modernization plan. Discussion The proposed off-site improvements are concentrated on the two school driveways and Ambrosia Lane, which fronts the school campus between Aviara Parkway and Conosa Way. The specific improvements are shown graphically in Exhibit 1 and described as follows: Relocation of the Southern Driveway: The existing southernmost driveway will be relocated approximately 120 feet to the north to accommodate on-site improvements at the pre-school building, including a new parking lot and vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle circulation. The relocated driveway would also move school- related traffic further away from the intersection of Ambrosia Lane and Aviara Parkway. Improvements at this intersection will include: •A striped "Keep Clear" zone to ensure unimpeded access. •A new northbound right turn lane into the school driveway. Northern Driveway Modifications at Conosa Way: The northern project driveway, located at the all-way stop intersection of Ambrosia Lane and Conosa Way is anticipated to provide primary access for people walking and people on bikes to/from the school site and will undergo the following changes: TRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION Aug. 5, 2024 Item #4 Page 1 of 4 Staff Report • Southbound Direction: Restriping from a single lane to one through-right lane and one left turn lane, providing improved access to the school. • Northbound Direction: Restriping to include one through-left lane and one right turn only lane into the school driveway. • Eastern Receiving Leg: Restriping to include sharrows (shared lane markings) in the eastern direction to accommodate the steep slope into the school site and a separated and buffered green bike lane in the westbound (out) direction. • Additionally, sharrows will be provided throughout Ambrosia Lane along the school frontage to improve cyclist safety. Benefits The proposed improvements aim to achieve the following benefits: • Increased Safety: Enhancing pedestrian and cyclist safety through better infrastructure and clear markings. • Improved Traffic Flow: Optimizing vehicular movement around the school to reduce congestion and improve efficiency. • Encouragement of Active Transportation: Promoting walking and cycling to school, which can lead to healthier lifestyles and reduced vehicular traffic. • Compliance with Standards: Ensuring all improvements meet current safety and accessibility standards. Community Outreach A community meeting was held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Aviara Oaks Middle School, where parents, school staff and local residents were invited to provide feedback on the proposed improvements. The feedback received was largely positive, with several suggestions incorporated into the final plan including: • Adding the “KEEP CLEAR” pavement markings on Ambrosia Lane at Cormorant Avenue (to preserve access to the adjacent Sanderling community). A resident noted that vehicles queue in front of this access point to their community • Adding more visibility/awareness to drivers on Ambrosia Lane at its intersection with Conosa Way (north driveway) that it’s an all-way stop controlled intersection. A resident noted that, at nighttime, vehicles traveling on Ambrosia Lane would not stop at this intersection. • Comments were received from residents of the Avocet community, south of Aviara Parkway, noting that students are being dropped off in the community. However, the proposed project does not include this area beyond Aviara Parkway Next Steps Based on input from the public and the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission, Carlsbad Unified School District staff will evaluate whether further changes to the proposed off-site designs are necessary. The project improvements will then be implemented as part of the overall school modernization project. Additionally, once the modernization is completed, the city will collaborate with Aviara Oaks Elementary and Middle School and the surrounding community to develop a Safe Routes to School Plan for the greater neighborhood. Aug. 5, 2024 Item #4 Page 2 of 4 Exhibits 1. Aviara Oaks Schools Site Access Plan and Circulation Recommendations Aug. 5, 2024 Item #4 Page 3 of 4 (E) BUILDING KITCHEN/MPR A# 108787 FFE=159.50 (E) BUILDINGADMIN (E) BUILDING 300CLASSROOM FFE=153.50 (E)BUILDING 700 CLASSROOM A# 52004 FFE=149.10 (E) BLDG 400CLASSROOM A# 108787 FFE=158.20 (E)BUILDING 500 CLASSROOM A#04-121750INC01 FFE=148.80 (E) BUILDING 600 CLASSROOM FFE=150.25 NEW BUILDING 800 CLASSROOM FFE=151.00 (E) BUILDING LIBRARY FFE=159.43 FFE=159.31 FFE=158.20 U U U B G U BG U FUTURE MODULAR CLASSROOM BLDG. LOW VOLTAGE ONLY A#114477(2016) FUTURE MODULAR CLASSROOM BLDG. RELOCATED (E) RELO. TOILET BLDG.A#114477(PC#04-114119) LOW VOLTAGEONLY LOWVOLTAGE ONLY LOW VOLTAGE ONLY LOW VOLTAGEONLY LOW VOLTAGE ONLYLOW VOLTAGE ONLY A#04-121750 INC01 RELOCATED FIRE HYDRANT PARKING LOT C PARKING LOT B PARKING LOT A VAN VAN (E) BUILDING KITCHEN/MPR A# 108787 FFE=159.50 (E) BUILDINGADMIN (E) BUILDING 300CLASSROOM FFE=153.50 (E)BUILDING 700 CLASSROOM A# 52004 FFE=149.10 (E) BLDG 400CLASSROOM A# 108787 FFE=158.20 (E)BUILDING 500 CLASSROOM A#04-121750INC01 FFE=148.80 (E) BUILDING 600 CLASSROOM FFE=150.25 NEW BUILDING 800 CLASSROOM FFE=151.00 (E) BUILDING LIBRARY FFE=159.43 FFE=159.31 FFE=158.20 U U U B G U BG U FUTURE MODULAR CLASSROOM BLDG. LOW VOLTAGE ONLY A#114477(2016) FUTURE MODULAR CLASSROOM BLDG. RELOCATED (E) RELO. TOILET BLDG.A#114477(PC#04-114119) LOW VOLTAGEONLY LOWVOLTAGE ONLY LOW VOLTAGE ONLY LOW VOLTAGEONLY LOW VOLTAGE ONLYLOW VOLTAGE ONLY A#04-121750 INC01 TRASH ENCLOSURE RELOCATED FIRE HYDRANT PARKING LOT C PARKING LOT B PARKING LOT A VAN VAN E-BIKE RAMP Aviara Oaks Modernizationn FIGURE 3 Site Plan Access and Circulation Recommendations 1" = 100' SOURCE: Bing Maps; Ruhnau Clarke Architects 2023 Exhibit 1 Aug. 5, 2024 Item #4 Page 4 of 4 DUDEK Aviara Oaks Schools Off-Site Transportation Improvements Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Jessica Kimbrell, Carlsbad Unified School District Aug. 5, 2024 1 { City of Carlsbad RECOMMENDED ACTION Receive the report on the Aviara Oaks Elementary and Middle School off-site transportation improvements and provide feedback. ITEM 4: AVIARA OAKS SCHOOLS 2 { City of Carlsbad SCHOOL MODERNIZATION PROJECT •Carlsbad Unified School District Measure HH to modernize school campus •Project led by CUSD, seeking feedback from the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission on off-site improvements on Ambrosia Lane only ITEM 4: AVIARA OAKS SCHOOLS 3 ( City of Carlsbad Intersection enhancements New Class-III bike sharrows on Ambrosia Ln. Aviara Oaks Middle / Elementary School Campus On-site circulation improvements: New walkways and bike lanes 4 ( City of Carlsbad Ambrosia Lane / Conosa Way at the north driveway •Restripe northbound/southbound approach with turn lanes into school driveway •School driveway: Add westbound bike lane and eastbound sharrows ITEM 4: AVIARA OAKS SCHOOLS 5 TH R _ANE ( City of Carlsbad Ambrosia Lane / South Driveway 6 PROJECT BENEFITS •Increased safety: Infrastructure and clear markings •Improved traffic flow •Encouragement of active transportation •Compliance with ADA and accessibility standards ITEM 4: AVIARA OAKS SCHOOLS 7 SCHOOL-LED OUTREACH •Community meeting – Thursday, May 30, 2024 •Add “KEEP CLEAR” markings on Ambrosia Lane and Cormorant Ave. to preserve access to community •Improve visibility of the intersection of Ambrosia Ln. and Conosa Wy. •Student drop-offs in the Avocet community ITEM 4: AVIARA OAKS SCHOOLS 8 {city of Carlsbad NEXT STEPS •Receive feedback from the Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission on off-site plans •Project improvements to be implemented as part of the overall campus modernization project •Once modernization is complete, City of Carlsbad to develop Safe Routes to School Plan for the neighborhood ITEM 4: AVIARA OAKS SCHOOLS 9 {city of Carlsbad RECOMMENDED ACTION Receive the report on the Aviara Oaks Elementary and Middle School off-site transportation improvements and provide feedback. ITEM 4: AVIARA OAKS SCHOOLS 10 { City of Carlsbad