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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-08-01; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF TRAFFIC SAFM COMMISSION DATE OF MEHlNG: August 1,1994 TIME OF MEETING: 3:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: Ci Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Green called the Meeting to order at 3:OO p.m. ROLL CALL: > Present: Commissioners Green, Blake and Stachoviak. Absent: Commissioners Anear and Courtney. Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer Sgt. Don Metcalf APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner Stachoviak, the Traffic Safety Commission approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held June 6, 1994, as presented. AYES: Green, Blake and Stachoviak There was no Traffic Safety Commission Meeting held on July 11 , 1994, due to a lack of agenda items. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. PRRllOUS BUSINESS: Bob Johnson reported that the Bayshore Drive parking restriction ordinance has been adopted by the City Council and the work order has been issued to install the signs. NEW BUSINESS: A. Chatham Road, Carlsbad Villaae Drive to Tamarack Avenue - Request to establish a prima facie speed limit. Bob Johnson gave the staff report, using a transparency to show Chatham Road. The request was made by Mr. Rod Deshano, 2871 Andover Avenue, due to concern regarding speeding vehicles on Chatham Road using this as a shorter route to Hope Elementary School. August 1 , 1994 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Mr. Johnson stated that the street does not qualify as a residence district, so there is no prima facie 25 mile per hour speed limit. To establish a speed limit, an Engineering and Traffic Survey is required, and staff must make a recommendation to the Traffic Safety Commission to go forward to City Council. The survey was completed, and Mr. Johnson referred to the copy of the speed survey included in the packet. The 85th Percentile is 30 miles per hour, with the speeds clocked from 23 to 33 miles per hour. The street does serve as access to a number of condominiums, but the volume is low. The comfortable speed on Chatham Road is 25 miles per hour, based on the Caltrans Traffic Manual criteria. There have been no speed-related accidents within the last two years, and the road is used by pedestrians and bicycle riders as a route to school. Mr. Johnson stated that the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends that the prima facie speed limit on Chatham Road from Carlsbad Village Drive to Tamarack Avenue be established at 25 miles per hour, as this is five miles below the critical speed and fits the criteria. Chairman Green asked Sgt. Metcalf whether there was a problem at the stop sign at Chatham and Carlsbad Village Drive on the north side of the intersection. Sgt. Metcalf replied that the problems in that area are at Tamarack and Carlsbad Village Drive, with no complaints at Chatham. He added that drivers do make rolling stops at the four way stop sign. Rod Deshano, 2871 Andover Avenue, thanked the Commission for considering a 25 mile per hour speed limit in that area. He said that drivers are using Chatham as a shortcut to Hope Elementary School, and there is more traffic on the street than the residents would like to see. He said the residents there would like to go through channels and gate Chatham Road off as a private road. Chairman Green stated that Mr. Deshano should contact the Traffic Engineer for directions as to how to proceed with such a request. Bob Johnson stated that such a request would not be supported by staff. The process and findings needed to try to close off a public street would be very lengthy and difficult. He said that the individual could go to the counter at the Community Development Department and talk with those people and pick up the necessary application papers. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Blake, the Traffic Safety Commission adopted the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Commission to establish a prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour on Chatham Road from Carlsbad Village Drive to Tamarack Avenue. AYES: Green, Blake and Stachoviak B. Tamarack Avenue, Carlsbad Boulevard to Interstate Hiahway 5 - Review of updated Engineering and Traffic Survey Bob Johnson gave the staff report, using a transparency to show Tamarack Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Interstate Highway 5. He stated that late in 1993, the Traffic Safety Commission recommended a 30 mile per hour speed limit on this segment of Tamarack. On January 18, 1994, the City Council adopted an ordinance establishing a 30 mile per hour prima August 1, 1994 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Mr. Johnson referred to the speed survey which has been updated on this portion of Tamarack Avenue and stated that the critical speed at Garfield is still 34 miles per hour. The critical speed at Hibiscus Circle has changed from 34 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour. The road is properly posted and the Police Department has been monitoring that segment of roadway. The collision history has remained the same, with only one mid-block collision in the last six months. The primary reason for the collision was a violation of the right-of-way and excessive speed. Mr. Johnson concluded, stating the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommended the prima facie speed limit on Tamarack Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Interstate Highway 5 remain at 30 miles per hour. Commissioner Stachoviak stated that he voted against the 30 mile per hour speed limit originally, as he feels it should be 25. He stated that at this time he could not change his vote. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Blake, the Traffic Safety Commission accepted the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to retain the 30 mile per hour prima facie speed limit on Tamarack Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Interstate Highway 5. AYES: Green and Blake Stachoviak C. Elect New TSC Chairman and Vice-chairman This item was continued until a full Commission is present. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFEW COMMISSIONERS. Commissioner Blake stated that in the letter received from the City Attorney, with regard to the sight distance mitigation at the intersection of Highland Drive and Chinquapin Avenue, that after the removal of the tree, it stated that the sight distance was achieved. He said he had looked at the intersection and felt that nothing had been gained. Commissioner Stachoviak added that he felt the sight distance was lowered. Mr. Johnson stated that the City requires sight distance to be measured from a point eight feet from the edge of the pavement, and that the intersection now meets the requirements. Chairman Green inquired about the Goulet decision and whether it is being upheld in the courts. Mr. Johnson replied that it is being upheld by the judges in north county, as well as in other parts of the state. He said that the judges feel very strongly about this, as speed limits were set too low in the past and now they must be in line with the critical speed and traffic surveys. Mr. Johnson stated that Carlsbad is re-evaluating all speed surveys and locations to assure having the correct prima facie speed limit and not have any speed traps. The judges seem to be holding absolutely to a five mile per hour criteria below the critical speed. The judges state this is a clarification of existing law and is not a new law. The law that was in place was abused. August 1, 1994 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 REPON FROM TRAFFIC SAFW COMMISSIONERS: (Continued) Commissioner Blake inquired about Carlsbad Boulevard where the speed limit was lowered, and whether that is in line with the law. Mr. Johnson replied that it is, and added that the Police and the Engineering Department are working together to get the proper speed limits throughout the City. Chairman Green asked for an update on the Palomar Airport Road work and the Melrose extension. Mr. Johnson stated that everything is going very well with the work on Palomar Airport Road east of El Camino Real, with completion expected October 20. He said the completion date may be one month earlier--perhaps by the end of September. There will be a detour over two weekends at El Camino Real and Palomar Airport Road to complete that intersection. Mr. Johnson reported that the Melrose extension from Vista to its connection with Palomar Airport Road will be completed by the developers in the future. This will probably be five to ten years in the future, as there is low activity by developers in that area. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: Mr. Johnson stated the September meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission will be one week later due to Labor Day Weekend. The next meeting will be on Monday, September 12, 1994. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of August 1, 1994, was adjourned at 3:45 p.m. Minutes Clerk