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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-11-03; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES ,- Meeting of: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Time of Meeting: 3:OO p.m. Date of Meeting: November 3, 1986 Place of Meeting: City Council Chambers COMMISSIONERS CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Fuller called the Meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present - Chairman Fuller, Commissioners Erwin, Melideo and O'Day. Commissioner Herring arrived at 3:08 p.m. Absent - None. Staff Members Present: Bob gohnson, Principal Civil Engineer Mike Shirey, Engineering Technician 11 Officer Shipley, Police Department APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the meeting held October 6, 1986, were approved as presented. REPORT ON ACTION OF PREVIOUS MEETING: There was no report given at this time. ACTION ITEMS: Chairman Fuller announced the items would be taken out of order to accommodate the speakers present for certain items. 1. La Costa Meadows Elementary School - request for traffic signal at intersection of Alga Road and Corintia Street (continued from Traffic Safety Commission meeting of October 6, 1986). This item was trailed until later in the meeting. 4. Tamarack Avenue - request for stop signs. Chairman Fuller read the staff report as contained in the agenda packet. Elliot Mehrbach, 4667 Coralwood Circle, addressed the Commission, referring to his letter dated September 18, 1986, addressed to the Traffic Safety Commission. A copy of this letter was included with the staff report in the packet. Mr. Mehrbach reiterated the high speeds in the area and lack of visibility, allowing no time to make a safe turn onto Tamarack Avenue. He also stated stop signs needed to be installed on Tamarack Avenue at Birchwood Circle and on Tamarack Avenue at Palisades Drive creating a four-way stop. corner of Palisades Drive/Tamarack Avenue intersection be extended. Avenue should have a left-turn phase added for the Tamarack Avenue traffic. He asked the red curb on the northwest The traffic signal at El Camino Real/Tamarack Fuller Erwin Herring Melideo O'Day MINUTES November 3, 1986 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 COMMISSIONERS Bob Johnson stated the sight distance where the red curb is painted was considered adequate by staff. Red curb is not painted in anticipation of poor driving habits. Staff felt with parking restrictions on one side, the parking on the west would be at a premium, and they did not wish to create further problems. Commissioner O'Day suggested a warning sign for the intersection stating there was an intersection ahead. He also suggested another car length red on the curb would help the driving in that area, as there is the feeling of the need to move over at that point in the street. Commissioner Melideo stated Tamarack is a secondary arterial and felt the recommendations by the Coordinating Committee should be followed. Commissioner Herring stated speed builds on Tamarack Avenue and he felt a caution sign would have more effect than red paint. limit at the top part of the street, but add a warning sign on Tamarack Avenue where it is appropriate as aproved by the Traffic Engineer. He was in favor of leaving the speed Traffic Safety Commission approved the recommendation of the Coordinating Committee to have the Palisade Point Home Owners Association continue to keep shrubs trimmed to provide sight distance along Tamarack Avenue; enforce the speed limit on Tamarack Avenue; leave the red curb an Palisades Drive and existing traffic signal phasing as it is at the present time. Also stop sign warants are not met and should not be installed on Tamarack Avenue, as requested. In addition, the Commission asked for "Intersection Ahead Signs" or another speed sign to be installed and referred to the Traffic Engineer if further problems with the parking are instituted by adding a small bit of red curb on the south side of Tamarack as traffic proceeds east. 1. La Costa Meadows Elementary School - Request for Traffic signal at intersection of Alga Road and Corintia Street (continued from Traffic Safety Commission meeting of October 6, 1986). Chairman Fuller read the staff report as included in the agenda packet. Dr. Hugh Terrell, 7017 El Fuerte Street, representing La Costa Meadows Elementary School Parent-Teacher Executive Board, addressed the Commission referring to his letter of November 3, 1986, and Shari Freisinger's letter dated October IO, 1986. Dr. Terrell restated his concern for the children of the area, stating the need for a traffic signal because of the high speed of the vehicles on Alga Road; the heavy use of the school area at all time including the weekend; and although the pedistrian count did not meet warrants, it was felt the vehicular traffic exceeded those warrants by over 200%. Dr. Terrell referred to photographs given to the Commission at an earlier meeting, and stated the school has now reached it maximum capacity as far as enrollment. ikBger$&Eegffr 500 children and 750 parents involved in Fuller Erwin Herring Me1 ideo O'Day MINUTES November 3, 1986 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 COMMISSIONERS Margie Cool, 2510 Unicornio Street, addressed the Commission stating she has aging parents who live in that area, and to enter on the Alga/Corintia crossing is extremely dangerous. She stated she knew her parents would be willing to drive the extra distance in order to be able to enter Alga Road at a safe intersection. She felt the parents of the children would also be willing to make the extra drive. She presented an informal petition to the Commission, stating she had done this quickly, but had gathered a number of signatures. Bob 3ohnson reported no one would advocate an unsafe situation. However, in this instance the warrants for a traffic signal do not exist. If a signal were installed without warrants, this would tend to increase the number of accidents. Commissioner Erwin stated he supported this request, inasmuch as the community is divided at that area. services are all on one side, with most of the residents on the other side of Alga Road, with the need to get across safely. The Commissioner Herring stated there are two factors involved in this situtation one, the configuration of this street creates a dead spot, where it is difficult to see. He stated this was shown in the photographs given to the Commission at the last meeting. He stated the speed in the area is 52 mph and he felt the request warranted, even though the criteria was not met. Commissioner O'Day stated the Commissioners should think about the cars that would not be able to stop. He stated he felt the Commissioners were thinking emotionally and not following the Traffic Engineer's experience. He cautioned the Commissioners they should be careful in making any decisions contrary to set procedures. Chairman Fuller stated his position was made clear at the last meeting. He stated he could not support the request because the volume is just not there. Commissioner Melideo concurred with Chairman Fuller. She added even though there are 500 plus children involved the Commission must abide by the warrant. Commissioner O'Day stated Alicante Street did not cause the problem, and he would vote in favor of installing the traffic signal. He felt a crossing was needed at some spot. Traffic Safety Commission recommended a traffic signal be installed at the Alga/Corintia intersection. Commissioners requested that Bob Johnson notify them when this item goes before Council. Fuller Erwin Herring Melideo 0 ' Day MINUTES November 3, 1986 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 COMMISSIONERS \1 5. Corner of Redwood Street and Carlsbad Boulevard - Request for green curb. Chairman Fuller read the staff report as contained in the agenda packet. This item was initiated by Charles €3. Ledgerwood, 3862 Carlsbad Boulevard. Charles B. Ledgerwood, 3862 Carlsbad Boulevard, addressed the Commission, stating he has lived in Carlsbad since before the City was incorporated. The problem he stated is that no offstreet parkinq was required in the earlier days, and there was no problem until recently. Within the last few years, with all the new apartment buildings being build in the area, the area has become congested and the parking has become critical. in the street. Mr. Ledgerwood is unable to have deliveries made and this creates double parking. The apartment dwellers park Mr. Ledgerwood stated his business is the only one of its nature in Southern California, and there is no parking on Carlsbad Boulevard. He became frustrated with having no parking in front of his place of business, thereby creating the problem he solved by painting the curb green. Chairman Fuller stated the Coordinating Committee had recommended the green curb remain, with the City repainting to the proper color. He further advised this is a special situtation and the City evaluates such cases on a one by one basis. It is not the normal procedure to allow a citizen to paint a curb green and have the City sanction this. Traffic Safety Commission adopted the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to grant the request for the green curb at the southeast corner of Redwood Street and Carlsbad Boulevard. 2. Chestnut Avenue and Trieste Drive intersection - request for additional stop signs. Chairman Fuller read the staff report as contained in the agenda packet. Traffic Safety Commission approved the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommendation that the request for additional stop signs at Chestnut and Trieste Drive be denied. Staff was directed to continue to monitor this intersection. 3. Kelly Elementary School - request for crosswalks, adult crossing guards and "NO STOPPING" signs. Chairman Fuller read the staff report as contained in the agenda packet. Officer Shipley advised the Commissioners the City pays the salaries of crossing guards. There are five such guards within the City of Carlsbad. stated a crossing guard was not needed in this case. He further stated the City provides the training for the school patrol. Officer Shipley Fuller Erwin Herring Melideo 0 ' Day Fuller Erwin Herring Melideo O'Day MINUTES November 3, 1986 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 5 COMMISSIONERS Carol Herrera, Principal of Kelly School, addressed the Commission stating the need for a crosswalk at Hillside and Kelly, as the students need to cross onto the south side of Kelly to take the bus to Seaport. .She stated the bus stops south of Kelly between the Country Store and Kelly. be used to take the children across Kelly, because of the traffic. A teacher has to stand in the street to get the children across. This is very hazardous for the teachers. She felt a crosswalk in that area would give the teachers some feeling of security. The crossing guard was requested at Hillside and Kelly. The "NO STOPPING" issue dealt with the undocumented aliens, and was a separate item. The problem was that the safety patrol could riot At this point, Officer Shipley drew a map on the chalk board to indicate where the children cross Kelly to walk down the street to reach the NCTD bus stop. Bob 3ohnson stated there is a lot of turning, congestion, parking and discharging of children by parents in that area. He stated a crosswalk would not be safe. The "NO STOPPING" area had been suggested east of the bus stop on El Camino Real. There is a County pocket in that area, and the County has been contacted to ask to install the "NO STOPPING" signs along El Camino Real. In answer to Commissioner query, the Principal of Kelly School stated she would not have J. school patrol to cross Kelly at the Hillside intersection, as it is too congested in that area. Discussion disclosed the afternoon would be the only time it would be necessary to have a crossing guard to escort 30 to 40 children to the area to take the NCTD bus. The City would not support that unless the warrants were met. Officer Shipley further stated the crossing guards are a problem to obtain. There are many other factors involved in obtaining and keeping a crossing guard. For instance, if the crossing guard is absent, a policeman is then taken from other duties to walk the children across the street. Commissioner O'Day stated he would like to find out why the City has to provide crossing guards. stated if the City did not provide them, policemen would have to do the job. The City Council had said that rather than not have crossing guards, they would provide them. Officer Shipley Officer Shipley stated he felt the drivers in that area could be educated. He was going to ask a policeman to go there to monitor the exit time in the afternoon to educate the drivers to give the children the right-of-way crossing the street. Traffic Safety Commission approved the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommendation that the request for additional painted crosswalks be denied. Fuller Erwin Herring Melideo 0 ' Day 5\ - X X X X X h I MINUTES \\\\\ November 3, 1986 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 6 COMMISSIONERS Traffic Safety Commission voted to table Item No. 3, the request for crossing guards, until the next meeting. The suggestion was made if the school district could fund this instead of the City, and also do the hiring, the City could then provide the training for the crossing guards. Commissioner O'Day suggested talking with the policemen who police the area. The third item under D3, the "NO STOPPING" signs on El Camino Real, was discussed by the Commission. Bob 3ohnson went to the chalkboard and indicated the "NO STOPPING" signs would be placed at the end of the bus stop, easterly past the Country Store. Commissioner Erwin stated he felt the bus stop area itself should be posted to prohibit stopping along the entire area. There was a discussion about how far the signs indicating "NO STOPPING" should be placed, and it was determined the signs should be placed at Kelly and on down El Camino Real past the Country Gardner Store. Traffic Safety Commission approved the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommendation to place "NO STOPPING" signs on El Camino Real from Kelly Drive to the Country Gardner Store. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS: Chairman Fuller stated there was an Auto Club seminar to be presented free of charge on "How To Be a Traffic Safety Commissioner". There was discussion about a workshop to be held, perhaps in January. Commissioner Erwin stated the crosswalks on Carlsbad Boulevard need to be repainted. Bob 3ohnson answered the Utilities and Maintenance Department is in the process of redoing the crosswalks. However, because the seawall construction, intercept and drain construction will be starting soon, this will affect the striping south of Elm Avenue. Commissioner Erwin stated he understood all the owners of property on Garfield had been consulted regarding the possible closing of Garfield between Elm and Grand for a public parking lot. Marquez, 2968 Garfield, who spoke at Council the other night, had not been contacted. He stated he wanted to know why Sarah Commissioner Erwin presented a sticker sign that has been placed on existing signs throughout the City. from 101 KGB (FM). Officer Shipley stated he would call the station and ask for an explanation. This is Fuller Erwin Herring Melideo 0 Day Fuller Erwin Herring Melideo O'Day x x x x x x > x 1 1 MINUTES November 3, 1986 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 7 COMMISSIONERS ' y '" Commissioner Erwin stated he had a neighbor who did not want to complain about parking a car for an extended period of time. Officer Shipley stated the name of the complaining person is not logged at the present time. The dispatcher has officers go out and mark that vehicle. Seventy-two hours later someone will check and send the owner a notice. If nothing is done, ten days later the vehicle will be towed away. ITEMS FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: Bob Johnson stated the stop signs on El Fuerte were approved October 7, and adopted as an Ordinance on October 14. November 14, 1986, this Ordinance will go into effect. Mr. Johnson stated per the Vehicle Code, the words just painted, "Slow School Exiting" must be removed. The School/pedistrian crossing signs must be taken down. Bob Johnson reported the Commission had recommended El Fuerte be designated a through street, allowing stop signs at intersecting streets. The Ordinance will have to be amended to remove the intersection where El Fuerte has a stop sign, to further designate El Fuerte as a through street. Bob Johnson stated he would like to change the format of the Traffic Safety Commission meetings. The Commissioners will be placed up on the dias, and staff will be seated at the table and give staff reports. The interaction will be between the Commissioners and staff and the speakers will direct their questions to the Commissioners. ADJOURNMENT : By proper motion, the Meeting of November 3, 1986, was adjourned at 5:OO p.m. Respectfully submitted, I Harriet t Babbitt Minutes Clerk HB/tb c t -