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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-12-05; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: December 5,1994 TIME OF MEETING: 3:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Green called the Meeting to order at 3:W p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Green, Anear and Courtney. Absent: Commissioners Blake and Stachoviak. Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer Sgt. Don Metcatf APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the November 7, 1994, Meeting were continued, due to the lack of a majority of Commissioners present at that Meeting. Chairman Green asked for a clarification on the format on Minutes where a Meeting has been canceled. Bob Johnson explained that this format was common practice and had been for some time. Chairman Green stated he would like to discuss this further to reflect that a meeting had been canceled due to the lack of agenda items, rather than a quorum. Mr. Johnson explained that if only two Cornmissioners had been present today, the Minutes would reflect that although a Meeting was scheduled, not enough Commissioners were present at that time. When a Meeting has been canceled, notice is sent out stating that the Meeting has been canceled due to a lack of agenda items. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: There were no requests to address the Commission on a non-agenda item. PREVIOUS BUSINESS: None. December 5, 1994 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 NEW BUSINESS: A. Avenida Encinas, Poinsettia Lane to Palomar Airport Road - Request to establish a prima facie speed limit Bob Johnson gave the staff report, using slides to show the portion of Avenida Encmas from Poinsettia Lane to Palomar Airport Road. Mr. Johnson stated that this portion of Avenida Encinas is the newly constructed northerly section between Poinsettia Lane and Palomar Airport Road. The roadway has one traffic lane in each direction, which is approximately one-half the right-of-way width. As development occurs in this area in the future, the road will be fully widened to its secondary arterial width and striped with four traffic lanes. Mr. Johnson explained that Segment One, from Poinsettia Lane to a point 3,000 feet northerly, has an existing prima facie speed limit of 35 miles per hour. Segment Two, from 3,000 feet northerly of Poinsettia Lane to 3,500 feet southerly of Palomar Airport Road, is where the new construction was completed. Segment Three is from 3,500 feet southerly of Palomar Airport Road to the intersection with Palomar Airport Road. A Speed Survey was conducted, and with Segment Two with a design speed of 30 miles per hour, it is appropriate to establish three speed zones on this road. Mr. Johnson reported that the existing speed zone, Segment One, was established by Ordinance several years ago, and according to the recent Survey, 39 miles per hour is the critic4 speed and supports leaving that speed limit at 35 miles per hour. The Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommended prima facie speed limits on Avenida Encinas from Poinsettia Lane to Palomar Airport Road, as follows: Segment 1 35 miles per hour Segment 2 30 miles per hour Segment 3 35 miles per hour Additionally, the Committee recommended that curve warning signs be placed on Avenida Encinas at the sharp curve located near the entrance to the commuter rail station. Chairman Green inquired whether there was a way to control the parking of cars on the inside of that curve at the beginning of Segment Two. Mr. Johnson replied that Hoehn Motors is well-aware of the problem, and they are in the process of leasing property to have a temporary parking lot. This should be completed within the next six months. The appropriate signs will be posted and it will be the responsibility of the drivers to be aware of the conditions in that area. Chairman Green asked Mr. Johnson to check on this situation in four months and report to the Commission how the temporary parking lot is progressing through the process. Commissioner Courtney stated he wanted it on the record that he is very concerned with the short stretch of 30 miles per hour between the two 35 miles per hour zones. He stated that after you cross Palomar Airport Road, the speed limit is 40 miles per hour through the Industrial Park, and he felt that should be lowered. December 5, 1094 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 NRN BUSINESS: (Continued) Commissioner Courtney stated that he also has a problem with the designed entrance to the transit station in the middle of the curve. With the temporary road being narrow, there doesn't seem to be adequate space for a lane to turn right from and no room for a left turn. Mr. Johnson stated the street will be striped when the transit station is opened in February, and the volumes of traffic in that area are low and are not projected to be high into that transit station. The driveway to the station is on the outside of the curve and there is good sight distance. Commissioner Courtney stated he is concerned that there will be a traffic problem there within the next six months to a year. However, when the property in front of and to the south of the transit station is developed, the street will be built to its full width and the problem will go away. Commissioner Anear stated there is a lot of traffic through that street, and there will be more once the public realizes that the street now goes through. He asked Sgt. Metcatf how he felt about that. Sgt. Metcatf answered it would be better if Segment Three would be 30 miles per hour, but if that is done, it would be a speed trap and the Police Department could not enforce the speed limit. Chairman Green explained to Commissioner Anear that establishing an unenforceable speed limit has been discussed at length by this Commission, and it cannot be done. The Police Department must be able to enforce a speed limit, and if a speed limit does not fall within the law, the courts will not allow any of the tickets and will reprimand the Police representatives publicly. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Courtney, the Traffic Safety Commission adopted the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to establish prima facie speed limits on Avenida Encinas from Poinsettia Lane to Palomar Airport Road, as follows: Segment 1 - 35 miles per hour (existing prima facie speed) Segment 2 - 30 miles per hour Segment 3 - 35 miles per hour Additionally, the Commission recommended that curve warning signs be placed on Avenida Encinas at the sharp curve located near the entrance to the commuter rail station. AYES: Green and Courtney NOES: Anear Commissioner Anear stated he voted "no" as he felt Zones 1 and 2 should be 30 miles per hour. B. Elect New TSC Chairman and Vice-chairman ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Anear, the Traffic Safety Commission postponed election of new Chair and Vice-Chair until the January 1995 meeting. AYES: Green, Anear and Courtney December 5, 1994 TRAFFIC SAFW COMMISSION Page 4 REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: Chairman Green stated he would like to add an agenda item following the Call to Order. This would be a Salute to the Flag. Mr. Johnson stated that in January, the Commission reviews the Rules and Procedures and at that time the Commission could make any changes or revisions to the agenda. He said that would be the appropriate time to discuss that change in the agenda. Chairman Green stated he wanted to change the procedure on canceled meetings to read that the meeting was canceled due to a lack of agenda items, if that is the reason for the cancellation. Mr. Johnson stated that staff will make that change. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: Mr. Johnson stated that it is the end of the year and he wished the Commissioners a very Happy Holidays and he thanked the Commissioners and the Minutes Clerk for their work during the past year. Mr. Johnson stated that this will be Sgt. Metcars next to last meeting, as there will be a new Traffic Sergeant assigned to the Commission for the coming year, beginning in February. Mr. Johnson announced that the January meeting will be on Monday, January 9, 1995, at 3:OO p.m. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of December 5, 1994, was adjourned at 3:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Z&/j/ Harriett Babbitt Minutes Clerk