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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-02-02; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES Meeting of: Time of Meeting: Date of Meeting: Place of Meeting: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION 3:00 p.m. February 2, 1987 City Council Chambers COMMISSIONERS CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Fuller called the Meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present - Chairman Fuller, Commissioners Erwin, Herring, Melideo and O'Day. Absent - None. Staff Members Present: Lloyd Hubbs, City Engineer Bob Johnson, Principal Civil Engineer Mike Shirey, Engineering Technician II Officer Shipley, Police Department Vincent 3imno, Police Chief APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the meeting held December 1, 1986, were approved as presented. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Oohn Becker, 5205 Kearny Villa Way #211, representing Foote Development Company, addressed the Commission stating last Tuesday the homeowners from The Summit project brought a petition before City Council with several items dealing with traffic safety. Mr. Becker made a statement for the record, indicating Foote Development Company has an interest in the homeowners at The Summit and wishes to maintain a positive relationship with them throughout the completion of their project. He stated most items listed on the petition did not deal with the project itself. Basically, he indicated he wanted to assure the citizens of the cooperation of Foote Development Company to expedite the completion of these improvements. Gwyne Zenger, 3027 Via Sabinas, presented a petition to the Commission and read from that petition requesting the improvement of Elm Avenue east of El Camino Real. Ms. Zenger stated there is $850,000 budgeted to complete Elm Avenue, and this would eliminate a dangerous traffic condition. She requested immediate attention to the completion of east and west Elm Avenue. Chairman Fuller announced the two items discussed during the Oral Communication period will be given to staff and placed on the agenda at a future meeting. Fuller Erwin Herring Melideo O'Day MINUTES February 2, 1987 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 ™MMlcclriMnDCIsUMMIoolUNbno , OLD BUSINESS: Bob Oohnson reported on the discussion at the December meeting regarding mailboxes at the post office. Ten months ago the boxes relocated at a more convenient spot for dropping mail off from vehicles. There is no plan at the present by the post office to make any changes in their parking lot. Hopefully, in two or three years there will be a new post office constructed in the southern section of Carlsbad to relieve the congestion at this post office. Commissioner Melideo commented the alley goes from east to west, but if that were reversed, you would enter from the alley by the boxes. You could then exit onto Madison Street, and traffic would not be going into the parking lot itself. She reiterated her concern about the hazardous condition in the post office parking lot. NEW BUSINESS: A. Intersection of Melrose Avenue and Rancho Santa Fe Road. Chairman Fuller announced for the record, the Members of the Traffic Safety Commission have studied the official accident report on the December 17, 1986 accident, which resulted in the tragic death of a young mother and injury to her two children. Bob Johnson, Principal Civil Engineer, gave the staff report on this item, as contained in the packet. This consisted of existing conditions on Rancho Santa Fe Road, the traffic data, the intersection control alternatives, stop signs, traffic signals, proposed CT 85-19 improvements, design issues and the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee. Mr. Johnson stated the City of San Marcos, the County of San Diego and Carlsbad will need to coordinate the redesigning of this intersection and the signalization. Slides were shown of the intersection of Rancho Santa Fe Road and Meirose Avenue, indicating sight distances and passing problems, as well as turning problems. He stated the critical speed southbound on Rancho Santa Fe Road is 56 mph and northbound is 52 mph. Graphs were used to indicate where the accidents occurred in the last four months of 1986. All of those accidents were in the afternoon with the exception of the fatality, which occurred in the morning. Mr. Johnson explained the conflicting points and stated the traffic signals are warranted, but the intersection should be redesigned and rebuilt to function properly. MINUTES February 2, 1987 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3COMMISSIONERS NEW BUSINESS: (continued) There are many problems at that location and a schematic of the intersection was used, as well as a photograph displayed on the wall. There is no acceleration lane from Melrose Avenue to Rancho Santa Fe Road; left turns from the several driveways are extremely dangerous; left turns from the driveways to Rancho Santa Fe Road conflict with the left turn through lane; left turns from Rancho Santa Fe Road to Melrose Avenue cross a wide portion of road and conflict area at the intersection; left turns to the driveways conflict with the left turns on Melrose Avenue to Rancho Santa Fe Road; left turns on the northerly driveways have an inadequate pocket to wait for safe entrance into traffic; north of the intersection the pavement narrows to two lanes; the free right turn at 15 mph and this acceleration must begin in the number one lane; cars making turns off of Rancho Santa Fe Road to Melrose Avenue and free right turns have a short distance to go west bound to turn onto Corintia Lane, and there is inadequate spacing between the driveways coming onto the street. Mr. Oohnson stated these were just some of the reasons for the need to redesign and reconstruct the intersection before signalization of that intersection. A slide was shown with the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommendations: 1 . Existing intersection to be redesigned and signalized. 2. Prepare design study report - Meirose Avenue to Questhaven Road (consultant). San Marcos has been reguested to do something, but must have cooperation with the County and Carlsbad. Carlsbad, San Marcos and the County to participate and have consultant prepare roadway design alternatives, intersection controls and cost estimate. 3. Reconsider Rancho Santa Fe Road realignment - per Carlsbad Tract 85-19. Commissioner Erwin inquired about leaving the intersection as a "Y", and Bob Oohnson answered the acute angles would create driver problems as far as sight. The intersection should be a "T" intersection. Mr. Oohnson further stated Carlsbad has maintained the road in that area. In answer to Commission query, Mr. Gohnson stated it would be a 9-to-1I month process to have the consultant hired, intersection redesigned, contracts awarded and actual proceeding with building of the redesigned intersection and signalization. Staff indicated this project would be given priority and put through as quickly as possible. MINUTES February 2, 1987 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page ^COMMISSIONERS NEW BUSINESS: (continued) Commissioner Melideo inquired about the possibility of staff doing the designing rather than a consultant. Bob Johnson indicated there is not sufficient manpower to do this work and also do any other work in the department. He added the selection process could be expedited. Commissioner Herring stated his concern about the dangerous intersection and asked whether there was anything that could be done to alleviate the problems at this intersection temporarily. Mr. Johnson answered as the traffic volume increases, the accidents increase, but it is primarily driver error — impatience. Commissioner O'Day asked what had been done up to date to help alleviate the problem. Mr. Oohnson stated the City's crews have gone out and repainted and restriped the island areas, left turn lanes, limit lines and installed some additional signs. This probably would not have eliminated the accidents that did occur. Joan Ludwiczak, 2712 Mateo Place, handed a petition to Commission Members. This petition contained 1,700 signatures of people in the area. Mrs. Ludwiczak sent a letter last week stating they would like a traffic signal at Rancho Santa Fe Road and Meirose as soon as possible. The residents were reguesting a three-way stop sign be placed at the intersection immediately, and left until it can be signalized. Because of the downhill approaches and the volume of traffic on the roads, the speed of vehicles in that area is extremely dangerous to anyone seeking access onto Rancho Santa Fe Road from Meirose Avenue. Mrs. Ludwiczak gave the figures on the number of school buses in the area and the number of children on those buses. She reiterated the reguest for three-way stops signs to be placed immediately and left there until this intersection is signalized. Commissioner Melideo stated there had been no mention of driver responsibility on the part of both parties. Mrs. Ludwiczak stated there was much stress created for anyone trying to turn left into Rancho Santa Fe Road. Bill Jacob, KPRZ, Rancho Santa Fe Committee for Safe Intersection, distributed material to the Commissioners, and referred to his summary. Mr. Jacob had been taking traffic count figures and he called attention to the total two-way traffic from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., all day every day. Mr. Jacob stated something should be done immediately. He asked for the improvement of the accesses onto Rancho Santa Fe Road from La Costa Meadows, Meadowlark and Brookfleld. He stated the five accidents reported did not indicate the countless number of near misses. He asked the signalization of the intersection be approved by the Traffic Safety Commission, and, in addition, steps be taken for the immediate installation of stop signs and appropriate warning signs in all directions. MINUTES February 2, 1987 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS NEW BUSINESS: (continued) Angela Shadrick, 2052 Meadowlark Ranch Lane, San Marcos, north of the intersection of Melrose Avenue and Rancho Santa Fe Road, addressed the Commission, handing documents to the Commission. She stated the road has been documented for eleven years, and San Marcos, Carlsbad and the County need to work together to redesign the area of Rancho Santa Fe Road northbound to Melrose Avenue. She felt Carlsbad was willing to do its share, but San Marcos and the County were not accepting their responsibility. She stated Meadowlark Road is on a blind curve and has been designated "dead man's curve", Thomas Anthony, 1378 San Pablo, San Marcos, was recognized by the Commission, and he stated he was the owner of the corner area. He told of the accidents that have occurred in that area, causing damage to his property, as well as loss of life and property. He also told of the many near misses that occur daily in that area. Mr. Anthony stated the foliage on Rancho Santa Fe Road is so high it obstructs the road, and cars coming out of La Costa Meadows Drive have to pull way out into the traffic lane in order to see whether it is safe to proceed. He stated the driveways in that area are unsafe and need realignment. However, something should he done now to slow down the traffic. He stated he employs over 1,000 persons and he would like to see the police in the area every day giving out tickets to the people who are speeding in that area. Mr. Anthony suggested the traffic be stopped back before La Costa Meadow Drive and stopped again at the next driveway; also stopped where Melrose Avenue comes into Rancho Santa Fe Road. He felt the double stop sign would save some lives. Mr. Anthony reouested everyone stop getting on the merry- go-round and saying, "It is not my problem." He stated Carlsbad, San Marcos and the County should get together to work out this problem. Lynne Werner, 3526 Simsbury Court, stated she worked at the industrial park and had witnessed four accidents. She also stated it is possible to see all the near misses from their office. She felt something should be done now to slow the vehicles down, whether it is flasher lights or stop signs. Seena Trigas, 6340 Flamenco Street, President of the San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board, referred to the Resolution presented to the Traffic Safety Commission. Mrs. Trigas read from the Resolution as follows: "Whereas, the intersection as Melrose and Rancho Santa Fe , Road has been the site of a number o^ serious and fatal traffic accidents and; Whereas, this dangerous interesection is freguently traversed by students, parents and employees of La Costa Meadows Elementary School: Now therefore, the Governing Board reguests the immediate placement of a traffic light at said intersection so that La Costa Meadows School students, parents and employees may be properly protected from harm as they travel to and from school." MINUTES February 2, 1987 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 6COMMISSIONERS NEW BUSINESS: (continued) Mrs. Trigas stated the Governing Board is very concerned about the dangerous situation at this intersection. In answer to Commission query, Mrs. Trigas stated San Marcos was aware of the Governing Board's feelings, but they had not presented San Marcos a copy of the Resolution. She felt that would be a good idea. Mrs. Trigas stated the residents of North County should be concerned about this problem. Traffic stop signs should be temporarily installed, or whatever has to be done to help make this a safer intersection. She stated she would be happy to help in any way she could to bring this about. Oeff Okun, San Marcos School District, 270 San Marcos Boulevard, San Marcos, affirmed the School District's willingness to do anything necessary to help mitigate the dangerous intersection at Melrose and Rancho Santa Fe Road. He offered his help in working with the other agencies to solve the problem. Representatives from San Marcos, including Brad Therien, stated San Marcos' willingness to work toward a solution of this problem. Commissioner Herring stated the stop signs would result in long queues and a complete backup of traffic. He inquired whether a temporary light could be used or would be practical. Staff answered the signal heads must be in the proper lanes, and there are temporary signals that can be installed on wooden poles, but this would not work in this area. Staff felt this would just create more problems. Staff also indicated stop signs would create more problems than if there were no stop signs. Lloyd Hubbs, City Engineer, stated they have a work program in the Engineering Department to update the traffic situation. They are identifying future locations for traffic signals in the City and hope to get this up- to-date as soon as possible. Commissioner Erwin supported the recommendation of signalization at Meirose and Rancho Santa Fe Road, but had misgivings about stop signs. He said if the other Commissioners agreed, he could support them. Commissioner O'Day stated he agreed with staff recommendations. He would like staff to consider cuttina down the foliage, striping the area out to the main road, and considering doing something about the driveways. He felt a flashing type of sign—yellow flashing light--could be used to alert the people and would be a slowing factor for the traffic. Bob Oohnson stated constant police enforcement would be one sure way to slow the drivers down. There was discussion about the placing of rumble strips to help slow traffic. However, staff indicated those are a hazard to bicycle riders and motorbikes. MINUTES February 2, 1987 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 7 COMMISSIONERS NEW BUSINESS: (continued) Chairman Fuller felt this was a critical situation and he would ask staff to expedite the work on the intersection. He was opposed to stop signs, as, in his opinion, they would cause a higher incident of accidents on Rancho Santa Fe Road. He felt the solution was to proceed with the signalization of the intersection as rapidly as possible. Traffic Safety Commission approved the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommendations for Rancho Santa Fe and Melrose Avenue, as follows: 1. A joint agency agreement to hire a consultant to prepare a design study report with definite recommendations and budgets to improve the Melrose Avenue/Rancho Santa Fe Road intersection and a segment of Rancho Santa Fe Road approximately 500 feet north of Melrose Avenue southerly to Questhaven Road. Coordination with the City of San Marcos and the County of San Diego should take place throughout this process. Once a design concept is approved by the three agencies, the project would be given to the City of Carlsbad Municipal Projects Division to hire a , consultant to prepare design drawings and eventually to select a contractor to perform the work. Construction could then be budgeted in the 1987-88 Capital Improvement Program. 2. The Committee further recommends that the realignment of Rancho Santa Fe Road with Melrose Avenue to create a four-way intersection at Corintia Street as part of Carlsbad Tract No. 85-19 not be constructed until such time that traffic volumes indicate the need. Modification of the condition reguiring this construction should be pursued. 3. A consultant should be hired to research the City boundary and accurately survey the boundary in the field. Each jurisdicational boundary should be identified in the vicinity of Rancho Santa Fe Road within the roadway segment discussed in this report. 4-. Signalization of the Melrose Avenue/Rancho Santa Fe Road and intersection modifications should be given priority by the City Council in upcoming budget deliberations. The existing intersection should be immediately rebuilt to properly and safely function with the recently widened portion of Melrose Avenue. The Traffic Safety Commission, by consensus agreed to have staff include the flashing yellow warning lights, rumble strips, signs or any other means of mitigating the traffic problem at the intersection of Melrose and Rancho Santa Fe Road. Commissioner Melideo stated for the record that she wanted the people to understand that the Commissioners are aware of the problem. The people that buy homes in that area should also be aware of the problems there. She stated Rancho Santa Fe Road will eventually be a six-lane road and there is no immediate solution to a problem of that magnitude. Fuller Erwin Herring Melideo O'Day MINUTES February 2, 1987 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 8 COMMISSIONERS NEW BUSINESS: (continued) Police Chief Vincent Oimno, in answer to query on how to set speed limits, stated the Police Department is required by law to deal with exact procedures the State has set forth. The normal flow of traffic is between 50 and 55 mph in this area, and a speed check was run to determine the 85% percentlle. The State makes an assumption, and the Police do the same, that drivers will drive at a safe and reasonable speed. He stated if the speed limit were to be reduced below the present speed limit in that area, the Police would not be able to enforce it. B. Election of a new chairman for the Traffic Safety Commission. Commissioner Erwin nominated Commissioner O'Oay to be the chairman of the Traffic Safety Commission for 1987. Commissioner Herring seconded the motion. Chairman Fuller nominated Commissioner Erwln to be the vice-chairman of the Traffic Safety Commission for 1987. Commissioner O'Day seconded the motion. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Melideo stated she had received phone calls from people on Summerhill. There are a great many trucks in the area and the residents are complaining. She informed those people there was a new tract being built in that area and they have to endure the truck traffic during the time of construction. Bob Johnson suggested they be told to call the Police Department. However, he said he would talk with the construction drivers asking them to obey the signing and speed limits. Commissioner Erwin asked staff to investigate the possibilities of stop signs at Alga Road and Corintia. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: Bob Johnson announced the next meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission, March 2, 1987, would be at the Safety Center at 3:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Meeting of February 2, 1987, was adjourned at 5:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, arriett Babbitt Minutes Clerk HB/tb Fuller Erwin Herring Melideo O'Day Fuller Erwin Herring Melideo O'Day