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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-12-02; Traffic Safety Commission; Minutes/ Minutes of: TRAFFIC SAFETY Time of Meeting: 3:OO p.m. COMMISSION Date of Meeting: December 2, 1991 Place of Meeting: City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairperson Melideo called the Meeting to order at 3:OO p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Melideo, Blake, Fuller and Rifkin. Absent : Commissioner Stachoviak. Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer Mike Shirey, Assistant Engineer Jim Gale, Engineering Tech I1 Sgt. Don Metcalf, Police Department APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On Motion by Commissioner Rifkin, the Commission approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held October 7, 1991, as presented. AYES : Melideo, Blake, Fuller and Rifkin ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: There were no requests to address the Commission on a non-Agenda item. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: A. Poinsettia Lane/Avenida Encinas Intersection - request for a northbound NO RIGHT TURN ON RED restriction Mike Shirey gave the staff report, using a transparency to show the streets and intersection at Poinsettia Lane and Avenida Encinas. This is a partially improved signalized intersection and the northbound approach striping configuration consists of a left turn lane, through lane and exclusive right turn lane. Staff conducted several delay studies on Poinsettia Lane and data tables were shown with the longest delay being one minute nine seconds. Locations outside Carlsbad were investigated to see whether "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" restrictions were obeyed, with between one half and two thirds of the motorists obeying that type of sign. Total compliance would require constant police enforcement. Staff indicated this restriction would have to be for 24 hours to avoid the confusion caused by time restrictive signs. This could create a nuisance type of restriction for the people living near there. The Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee did not recommend a "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" restriction at this intersection at this time; however, the recommendation was made to continue this item for 90 days and have staff meet with the residents of Lakeshore Gardens Mobile Home Park and Navigator Circle to gain their input into this issue. December 2, 1991 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) In response to Commission query regarding flashing yellow and red lights, Mr. Johnson stated that the City has no signals that flash yellow on a main line and red on a side street, as that would be confusing to the general public. Those with the flashing red would assume that it was a four-way stop and could cause accidents by interfering with through traffic. Commissioner Fuller commented that the problem in that area will not be solved until the bridge is widened. Staff said that the widening of the bridge is scheduled for late 1993 or 1994, and would take at least 18 months to complete. Richard Lyons, 7019 Lavender Way, stated the things to consider here; are the traffic on Avenida Encinas coming out of the shopping center making a right turn against the red light without consideration to the traffic on Poinsettia, and the traffic eastbound on Poinsettia. The concern of residents in that area is that the traffic will get worse with the Price Club development and the restricted traffic on Palomar Airport Road. Commission consensus was that more information was needed on the traffic volumes at the on/off ramps for 1-5 and further study to determine the impact such a proposed no right turn restriction might have. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Rifkin, the Traffic Safety Commission approved the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommendation to continue this item for 90 days (or less) for further research and additional public input and re-schedule for the March 1992 Traffic Safety Commission meeting . AYES : Melideo, Fuller and Rifkin NOES : Blake B. Ocean Street Parkina Lot - Request for a ONE HOUR PARKING ZONE for five parking spaces Jim Gale gave the staff presentation as contained in the staff report, using a transparency to show the Ocean Street parking lot. He stated the request by Mr. McWha, owner of the Harbor Fish South Restaurant, was to free five parking spaces for people desiring to eat in the restaurant or go into the Surf Shop. There were originally 82 parking spaces in that vicinity, but with the building of the Sculpture Park and the closing of Ocean Street at Carlsbad Boulevard, there are now only 53 formal parking spaces. Mr. Gale stated that 16 of the 82 parking spaces were considered a safety hazard because of the backing maneuver onto Carlsbad Boulevard. The five spaces requested are immediately adjacent to the restaurant and the surf shop. Commissioner Fuller asked why only five spaces were requested, as this seemed minimal, and Mr. Johnson stated that staff believed this was sufficient and the applicant had only asked for five. Carl McWha, 3179 Carlsbad Boulevard, owner of the Harbor Fish South Restaurant and representative for the Surf Shop, stated their main objective was to allow some turnover in the parking lot. Some people park there and go to the beach for the entire day, and this creates a problem for the restaurant and surf shop; particularly since there is no parking now on Carlsbad Boulevard. December 2, 1991 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Sgt. Metcalf stated that both one-hour and two-hour limits are difficult to enforce, and that actually with a one-hour limit, they are allowed two hours, and with the two-hour limit, they are allowed four hours, due to the Police first having to mark the tire and then allowing the time limit. He said that in the summer with the bike patrol, it would be easier to enforce than in the winter months. The Commissioners discussed the two-hour versus one-hour limit and whether to increase the number of spaces to ten, finally coming to a consensus on the one-hour limit with ten spaces. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Fuller, the Traffic Safety Commission recommended the establishment of ten parking spaces for one-hour parking, with the additional five spaces to be opposite the original five spaces requested. AYES : Melideo, Blake, Fuller and Rifkin REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Fuller inquired when Carlsbad Village Drive would be streetscaped from the railroad tracks to 1-5. Mr. Johnson replied that Phase V of the streetscape is under discussion at this time, as the City is planning Tamarack Avenue widening improvements and does not want Tamarack and Carlsbad Village Drive to be under construction at the same time. The tentative schedule now is 1993 for Phase V. The merchants will be asked for input on the best time for the construction, as it will be a nine or ten month construction time, and there is a need to determine whether they prefer a summer schedule or a fall starting date. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: Bob Johnson thanked the Commissioners for another year of working together and thanked the Minutes Clerk. He then wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. . ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Meeting of December 2, 1991, was adjourned at 3:56 p.m. Minutes Cierk