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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-06-04; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES Meeting of : TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Time of Meeting: 3:OO p.m. Date of Meeting: June 4, 1990 Place of Meeting: City Council Chambers CALL To ORDER: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer, called the Meeting to order at 3:OO p.m., stating the first order of business would be for the three Commissioners present to select a Chairperson for today's meeting. This was necessary, as the Chairman and Vice-chairman were not present. Commissioner Melideo was nominated and unanimously elected to serve as Chairperson for today's meeting. ROLL CU: Present: Commissioners Fuller, Melideo and O'Day. Absent: Commissioners Herring and Stachoviak. Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the Meeting held May 7, 1990, were approved as presented. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Pete Biltchik, 352 Christiansen Way, addressed the Commission regarding continual blockage of the bike lane at 2802 Carlsbad Boulevard due to the roadside business. This is Carol's Fresh-Cut Flower Shop, and the patrons ignore the sign posted near the corner. The Police cannot respond in time, and there have been accidents there due to the bikers being forced into the traffic lane. Mr. Bilchick suggested an informational sign on top of the sidewalk indicating parking around the corner only and requiring the business not to sell flowers to illegally parked people. Mr. Biltchik thanked the Commission for their help in improving Christiansen Way, but the buses are still driving down the middle of the street and he would request centerline striping, if possible. He said this is now a standard-width street and striping is necessary. Bob Johnson asked the Commission whether they wanted the bike lane item placed on the Agenda for next month. He said the additional signs have been installed in that area and the Police are aware of the problem. The bike lane is striped. The consensus of the Commission was to refer this matter to staff. OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Johnson stated he had one item under Old Business--and that was Christiansen Way. Mr. Biltchik had written a letter which staff received last week, requesting this item be included on today's agenda; however, the agenda had already been posted and it was too late. This item was discussed by this Commission in March, and the Commission recommended against centerline striping. Mr. Johnson said if the Commission felt conditions had changed, the appropriate direction would be to have staff put this on next month's agenda. Me1 ideo Fuller 0 ' Day MINUTES TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION June 4, 1990 Page 2 COM OLD BUSINESS : ( Continued) No action can be taken today, as this is not a formal agenda item. The decision the Commission should make is whether or not it would be appropriate to reconsider this item and place it on next month's Agenda. Temporary Chairperson Melideo made a motion to place this item on next month's agenda. Commissioner Fuller seconded the mot ion. Commission discussion determined that this was still a sub- standard street--with a standard street being 36 to 40 feet, and the consensus was that the conditions had not changed. The motion to place Christiansen Way center line striping on the July Agenda of the Traffic Safety Commission failed. NEW BUSINESS : A. Alaa Road/Corintia Street Intersection - Request to remove traffic signal. Bob Johnson gave the staff report, stating that this item was before the Commission three years ago. He stated he had a letter from Mr. Spousta requesting the removal of this traffic signal. After receiving Mr. Spousta's letter, a traffic signal warrant study was conducted, and none of the CalTrans traffic signal warrants are 100 percent satisfied. Traffic volumes will continue to increase in the future, and Warrant Number one may be met. Warrant Number 2, Interruption of Continuous Traffic, is close to meeting the signal warrant at this time. Mr. Johnson stated that at the time the signal was installed, no EIR was conducted, as signals are exempt from EIR's. He said that traffic signals should function in a standard manner and not change from flashing to a full mode. That would be more hazardous and would not be a viable alternative. Mr. Spousta asked why a signal was required at Corintia, and Mr. Johnson explained that this signal was discussed at three Traffic Safety Commission meetings in the latter part of 1986. The warrants were not met at that time, and the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommended against the signal. By a three to two vote, the Traffic Safety Commission recommended the traffic signal. Council subsequently recommended the traffic signal be installed, and it was installed apd has been in operation since then. Mr. Johnson said the warrants are getting close and he referred to the warrant study included in the packet. The number of children crossing there has not changed over the last three years, but the signal has been there all this time, and the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee did not feel it should be removed. Allen Spousta, 2818 Esturion Court, addressed the Commission comparing the number of signals on La Costa Avenue and Alga Road, stating that Alga Road already has more signals and stop signs and he felt these were not warranted. Me1 ideo Fuller 0 ' Day MINUTES TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Jun ,e 4, 1990 Page 3 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Commission discussion indicated that Alga Road is being extended westerly to connect with Poinsettia Lane, and there will be an increase in the traffic volume. Those Commissioners opposing the signal originally felt that since the money had been spent for the signal, it should be left in operation. Mr. Spousta indicated there was a problem with the timing of the signal, and Mr. Johnson indicated this was a maintenance problem and it would be checked again to make certain the timing was proper. The Traffic Safety Commission approved the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommendation that the traffic signal at the Alga Road/Corintia Street intersection not be removed. B. Grand Avenue - State Street to Roosevelt Street - Revise CMC Section 10.40.080. Bob Johnson indicated this was a "clean-up" item, to delete Section 10.40.080 (4) which allows angle parking on Grand Avenue between State Street and Roosevelt Street. Angle parking is prohibited on this segment of Grand Avenue, and parallel parking is allowed. The Traffic Safety Commission approved the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee's recommendation to delete Section 10.40.080(4) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Melideo stated there is a potential problem with parking at the flower stand at Oak and Carlsbad. She felt this should be looked into. Bob Johnson stated he will mention this to the Land Use review people. He also suggested the signs could be changed from "No Parking" to "NO Stopping", if this becomes a problem. Commissioner O'Day recommended that when a subject is re- considered by the Commission, he would like all the old Minutes when that item was discussed. He also asked about publicity for items appearing before the Commission where the public needs to know about it, and Mr. Johnson replied that the Agenda is sent to all newspapers. Commissioner O'Day felt that an item of importance should be publicized. Mr. Johnson stated an ad could be placed in the newspapers. This item will be placed on a future agenda for discussion as to whether more comprehensive notice should be required for some items that come before the Commission. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: Bob Johnson reported that the next regular meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission would be July 2, 1990. He said if any Commissioners had a problem with that date, to let him know. Melideo Fuller 0 ' Day Melideo Fuller O'Day hk MINUTES ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Meeting of June 4, 1990, was adjourned at 3:55 p.m. Harriett Babbitt Minutes Clerk I ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Meeting of June 4, 1990, was adjourned at 3:55 p.m. Harriett Babbitt Minutes Clerk