HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-09; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES
MEETING OF: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
DATE OF MEETING: September 9, 1996 (Regular Meeting)
TIME OF MEETING: 3:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER:
Vice Chairperson Green called the Meeting to order at 3:OO p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Green, Allen, Blake and Stachoviak.
Absent: Commissioner Courtney.
Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer
Sr. Officer Bruce May
School Enforcement Officer Randy Shulz
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
On motion by Commissioner Allen, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held
June 3, 1996, were approved as presented.
AYES: Allen, Blake and Stachoviak
ABSTAIN: Green
There were no Minutes for the July and August Meetings, as they were
canceled due to a lack of agenda items.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
There were no requests to address the Commission.
PREVIOUS BUSINESS:
Bob Johnson stated that Senior Officer Bruce May from the Police Department
is present today to fill in for Sgt. Byler.
Mr. Johnson reported that the prima facie speed limit for La Costa Avenue
from Rancho Santa Fe Road to Camino De Los Coches was approved by the
City Council and the Ordinance is now in force.
September 9, 1996 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2
NEW BUSINESS
A. Camino De Los Coches- Request for parking restriction.
Bob Johnson gave the report, using a transparency to show this segment of
roadway. He stated that the item was initiated by Mr. Greenstein, the
Principal at La Costa Canyon High School. Mr. Johnson and Sgt. Byler met
with Simeon Greenstein and the Vice Principal, Terry Calen, and it was th,eir
intention to attend this meeting, if at all possible.
Mr. Johnson stated that school is dismissed at 2:15 p.m., and since the school
year has just started, the main concern now is to get everyone settled into the
traffic patterns. Mr. Greenstein wants to be a good neighbor, and feels that a
parking restriction on both sides of Camino De Los Coches along Stagecoach
Park from before school starts in the morning and until school is dismissed in
the afternoon; Monday through Friday, only. He said the Principal did not
want the students parking on the streets and causing any potential problems
during the day. He also did not want them to park along the north side of the
street and then run across the street to the school. Mr. Johnson stated that this
request was made several weeks ago for the parking restrictions.
Mr. Johnson stated that this item was reviewed by the Traffic Safety
Coordinating Committee, and they recommended approval of the parking
restrictions. They also recommended that the restrictions apply only during
the school year, with no restrictions from June 15 to September 1 of each year.
Mr. Johnson stated that there is one issue that has come up since the request
was made, and that is with regard to the parents that start arriving before 2:OO
p.m., and parking on the street. He said that this was not anticipated, and the
Commission may want to consider having the restrictions end at 2:OO p.m.
This would allow the parents to legally park on the street. Mr. Johnson said
that another option would be to approve the 2:30 p.m. time and direct staff to
discuss this with the Principal and Vice Principal and take that item forward to
the City Council to change the time.
Mr. Johnson stated that the seniors are able to leave the campus at lunch time,
but the other students must remain on campus and the campus is closed.
Commissioner Allen stated he had no objection to the 2:OO p.m. time limit, and
said that the parking lot was not completely full, with a few of the stalls open.
Mr. Johnson explained that the High School Driveway was originally intended
for the buses, but it is too narrow, and moved to Camino De Los Coches, which
is where NCTD has a bus stop. That cul-de-sac is now designated for drop-off
and pick-up of students. He said they do not want parents going into the main
entrance and parking lot. Mr. Johnson added that there was a major traffic jam
on the first day of school, but people are making adjustments.
September 9, 1996 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3
NEW BUSINESS: (Continued)
Commissioner Blake concurred with the 2:OO p.m. time change.
School Enforcement Officer Randy Shulz arrived, and was asked to comment
about the time change for the restrictions. He explained that the parents do
start arriving before 2:OO p.m., to pick up the students. He said that there are
no problems so far with any parking on the adjacent streets in the
neighborhood.
Commissioner Stachoviak stated he agrees with the concept, as these same
problems have occurred before with other schools. He said that usually they
have to go back and redo the restrictions later. He wondered whether this was
too soon to set the restrictions, and that maybe it would be something to do
over in a month or two. He suggested this be approved on a trial basis and see
what problems develop.
Vice Chairperson Green stated that perhaps if there is no parking on the street,
there might be the temptation to pass a bike in the bike lane on the right side.
Mr. Johnson said this would not be a driving demonstration area, as the
students are on the campus. He said if anyone is going to do something foolish
like passing on the wrong side, that is their mistake. He said that there were
four lanes there originally, and one lane was deleted to make parking available,
as street parking was more important.
Vice Chairperson Green inquired about the possibility of additional signage in
the neighborhood to stop any parking in the mornings. Mr. Johnson said if any
issue becomes a problem, it would be handled at the staff level. He said if
parking on the streets becomes a problem, a request from the neighbors would
be processed through staff to the Coordinating Committee, the Commission and
City Council.
Commission discussion with the Police Officer determined that there is plenty
of parking in the parking lot and no need for students to park off-campus.
ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Blake, the Traffic Safety
Commission amended the recommendation of the Traffic
Safety Coordinating Committee to establish parking
restrictions on both sides of Camino De Los Coches during
the school year, from 7:OO a.m. to 2:OO p.m., Monday
through Friday. Therefore, from June 15 to September 1 of
each year, parking will be allowed on Camino De Los
Coches, with no weekday time restrictions.
AYES: Green, Allen, Blake and Stachoviak
September 9, 1996 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4
REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS:
Vice Chairperson Green asked whether a right turn lane couid be instaIIed
westbound on La Costa Avenue at El Camino Real and westbound on Alga
Road at El Camino Real.
Mr. Johnson stated that physically there is not room for such a lane at both of
those locations. There would have to be a modification to the intersection in
order to do that. He said that at the corner of La Costa and El Camino Real,
there is a vacant spot and a developer is interested in the property. He said if
there is development, the project would be conditioned to install a right turn
only with a moving of the curb. He said that Alga Road is constrained by the
physical improvements and there are no plans to widen at this time.
REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER:
Bob Johnson reported that the new Commissioner appointments have not been
made at this time. He said that the Commissioners should continue to come to
the meetings until those appointments have been made.
ADJOURNMENT:
By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of September 9, 1996, was adjourned at
3:45 p.m.
Minutes Clerk