HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 98-20; James Canyon Estates; Tentative Map (CT) (17)City of Carlsbad
Public Works — Engineering
May 19, 2000
Crosby Mead Benton & Associates
Attn: George L. Benton
5650 El Camino Real, Ste 200
Carlsbad, CA 92008
SUBJECT: ALTERNATIVE STREET DESIGN OF HILLSIDE DRIVE,
JAMES CANYON ESTATES (CT 98-20)
This correspondence serves to respond to your letter received May 1, 2000 (Attached). The focus of
your letter proposes alternative street designs for the intersection of Hillside Drive and Highland
Drive. You have requested the City to consider these alternatives, as compared to the layout reflected
on the approved Tentative Map for CT 98-20.
Background
There are two moratoriums that affect the release of building or grading permits for James Canyon
Estates, CT 98-20 (project). These two moratoriums relate to: 1) Alternative Street and Sidewalks
within "old" Carlsbad (Council Resolution No. 99-485), and 2) Removal of street trees within City
right-of-way (Council Resolution No. 99-484).
At current time both moratoriums are in effect, until lifted by City Council. It is anticipated that
Council will discuss these issues in June 2000.
Summary
Alternatives 2 and 3 of your letter present options to Hillside Drive street alignment that avoid street
tree removals along the project frontage. These alternatives involve adjusting the alignment of the
Hillside Drive as it approaches Highland Drive. Hillside Drive is considered an "Alternative Design
Street", as listed in the committee's findings. Since it is listed as an alternative street, the street
modifications you have proposed cannot be decided at staff level at this time.
From our review of the alternative street designs, engineering staff supports the original design for
Hillside Drive (designated as alternative no. 1 on your letter) as reflected on the Tentative Map for
CT 98-20 and on the proposed tract improvement plans (drawing 385-7). Since there are no adopted
criteria for the "alternative" streets or removal of street trees, staff is unable to make a determination
on your project alternatives. It is possible you may need to present your alternatives to City Council,
pending the lifted moratoriums and the procedures adopted by their Resolution of approval.
1635 Faraday Avenue • Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 • (760) 602-2720 • FAX (760) 602-8562
Mr. Benton
May 19, 2000
Page 2 of2
We understand the difficulty in processing your project and look forward to a resolution of the design
parameters. Once Council lifts the moratoriums I will contact you regarding potential impacts to your
project. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 760-602-2737.
;E
Engineer
Lloyd Hubbs, Public Works Director
Bob Wojcik, Deputy City Engineer
Bob Johnson, Deputy City Engineer
Anne Hysong, Associate Planner
File
Attachment
DOCS\MISFORMS\GRADING PLANCHECK COMPLETION LTR
CROSBY
MEAD
BENTON
& ASSOCIATES
Engineers»Planners • Surveyors
Job No. 440-001
FileS
Bob Wojcik
Asst. City Engineer
City of Carlsbad
Subject:JAMES CANYON ESTATES (CT 98-20) - Hillside Drive Alternate Plans
Dear Mr. Wojcik
The'Ciry Council approved James Canyon Estates (CT 98-201) with the condition that Hillside
Drive be widened on the East Side with curb gutter and sidewalk. Plans were proposed for
these improvements and submitted to the City Departments for review. Review of the plans are
proceeding by normal standards except for Traffic Department who has decided not to review
the design plans because of the pending Tree Ordinance.
Pursuant to conversation between Lloyd Hubbs and Dennis Glaser, with Hallmark
Communities, an alternate Street design for Hillside Drive was proposed to avoid removal of
the two existing trees located at the intersection of Hillside Drive and Highland Drive.
Attached hereto are three designs for widening Hillside Drive at Highland Drive:
1. Per City Resolution - requires tree removals
2. Alternate Design 1 - Hillside Drive easterly curb transition around trees joining
existing pavement on Highland Drive as it does today (no tree removals)
3. Alternate Design 2 - Hillside Drive 'T' intersects with Highland Drive (no tree
removals)
The geometric configurations of the intersection of Highland Drive and Hillside Drive as it
exists today, as proposed per council resolution and per Alternate Design 1 is not as safe as the
geometric configuration as reflected on Alternate Design 2.
CAlbobwojciKcitycarlsbad.boc
5650 El Camino Real, Suite 200 Carlsbad, California 92008 760/438-1210 Fax 760/438-2765
Bob Wojcik
City of Carlsbad
{q:^rn CROSBY"
1VJ. lj/.r\. iJ
BENTON
& ASSOCIATES
The superior geometric configuration for Alternate Design 2 should be adopted for traffic safety
for the following reasons:
1. Forces south bound Highland Drive traffic to slowdown by turning left at its
intersection with Hillside Drive.
2. Allows north bound Hillside Drive traffic to easily see northbound Highland Drive
traffic to avoid potential conflicts.
Please review these alternate designs asap and give direction to Traffic Department so that they
can complete their plan review and we can revise the plans accordingly.
If you have any questions, please contact the undersigned.
Sincerely,
Gebrge L. Bentojl
Chief Executive Officer
cc: Jeremy Riddle.
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