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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-02-03; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF : TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: February 3,1997 (Regular Meeting) TIME OF MEETING 3:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Blake called the Meeting to order at 3:OO p.m ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Allen, Blake, and Gillfillan Absent: Courtney and Green StafFMembers Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer Bruce May, Senior Police Officer Gill Beason, Police Officer APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner Allen, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on January 6, 1997, were approved as presented. AYES: Allen, Blake, and Gillfillan ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None PREVIOUS BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: 6A. Calle Acervo. Calle San Blas to Rancho Santa Fe Road - Request to establish a prima facie speed limit. Traffic Engineer, Bob Johnson reported that this portion of Calle Acervo is no longer a dead-end street and is now complete and open to thru traffic. He also stated that now that this road has been opened, not only do the residents use it but La Costa Canyon High School students use it as a short-cut to get to school. Mr. Johnson presented background and current data and pointed out that the portion of Calle Acervo, from Calle San Blas February 3, 1997 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 north to Camino de 10s Coches, has a 30 mph prima facie speed limit already established. Mr. Johnson stated that Staff has completed the engineering and traffic survey and is recommending that a prima facie speed of 30 mph (TSCC recommendation) be established on this newly completed portion of Calle Acervo, between Calle San Blas and Rancho Santa Fe Road. Commissioner Green arrived at 3:07p.m. Commissioner Allen concurred with the recommended 30 mph speed limit Commissioner Gillfillan, pointing out that there are two schools on this road, also concurred with the establishment of a 30 mph speed limit. Commissioner Green agreed that the geometry of the road design does not warrant a speed higher than 30 mph, and concurred with the proposed limit. Chairperson Blake agreed with the findings of his fellow commissioners and called for a vote. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Green, and duly seconded, the Traffic Safety Commission approved Item 6-4 as presented, recommending that the prima facie speed limit upon Calle Acervo between Calle San Blas and Rancho Santa Fe Road be established at 30 miles per hour. AYES: Blake, Allen, Green and Gillfillan 6B. Kestrel Drive, Aviara Parkway to Batiauitos Drive - Request to establish a prima facie speed limit. Robert Johnson, Traffic Engineer, described Kestrel Drive as that roadway which provides direct access between Aviara Parkway and Batiquitos Drive located in the residential community known as Aviara and which currently does not have a posted speed limit. Kestrel Drive is considered to be a “collector” street and is now serving a rapidly growing residential community. He reported that, except for stop signs at the point where Kestrel Drive intersects as a T-intersection on Batiquitos Drive and at Aviara Parkway, there are no traffic controls on Kestrel Drive. Mr. Johnson stated that the required engineering and traffic survey that is to be used in establishing a prima facie speed limit has been completed and the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends that a 30 miler per hour prima facie speed be established. Commissioner Green asked if the road will be properly striped for bicycle lanes. Mr. Johnson stated that bicycle lanes are not generally striped on a collector road and February 3, 1997 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 striping is not anticipated at this time. He added however, that it is anticipated that there will be a work order issued for center line striping. Commissioner Green stated that in his opinion, Kestrel Drive appears to be conducive to bicycling and expressed his concern for the safety of those using it. Commissioner Gillfillan questioned Mr. Johnson regarding the length of the 10.8% grade on Kestrel Drive. Mr. Johnson replied that fortunately it is a very short distance, the exact dimensions he did not have with him. Commissioner Gillfillan, making reference to an earlier issue, asked where this portion of Kestrel Drive is in relation to Batiquitos Drive. Mr. Johnson indicated that this is the terminus of that issue and that the Batiquitos Drive area is a 40 mph zone. Commissioner Allen stated that he had driven over this portion of Kestrel Drive, earlier in the day, and concurred with the 30 mph speed limit. Commissioner Green asked if there will be a signal where Kestrel intersects Aviara Parkway. Mr. Johnson replied that at this time there are no plans for a traffic signal at that location, but it will be monitored so as to determine when and if there is a need for such a signal. Commissioner Allen voiced his dislike for traffic signals but pointed out the fact that while he was driving in that area, it was extremely difficult to execute some turns because of the traffic and inferred that some controls may be necessary. Mr. Johnson then stated that, in the future, there are plans for a future signal at the intersection of Aviara Parkway and Kestrel but again, there are no plans for a signal at Batiquitos and Kestrel. Commissioner Green asked Mr. Johnson to outline how it is determined that traffic controls are needed at any given point. Mr. Johnson stated that, on a bi-annual basis, the traffic signal evaluation policy is up- dated. He added that 1997 is the year in which there will be an up-date and all of the intersections indicated on the existing list will be investigated as well as some new ones He estimated that the study will include 20 to 40 intersections and a report will be compiled and presented to the Commission in December, 1997 or January, 1998. Chairperson Blake had no comments and called for a motion February 3, 1997 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Allen, and duly seconded, the Traffic Safety Commission approved Item 6B, as presented, to establish a prima facie speed limit of 30 miles per hour, on the subject portion of Kestrel Drive. AYES: Blake, Allen, Green and Gillfillan DISCUSSION: Commissioner Green had a brief discussion with Senior Police Officer Bruce May, regarding the safety of children walking to various area schools and what the Police Department is doing, or plans to do, to preserve their safety. Perhaps there should be more stop signs. Commissioner Green also introduced the subject of vehicles (both city and utility) parking on sidewalks in order to more easily reach their respective work sites. He pointed out that the sidewalks are not constructed to hold the weight of the trucks and by doing so, cracks develop in the sidewalks. Parking on sidewalks also makes it necessary for pedestrians to pass them by walking out into the street. Cracks in sidewalks and forcing pedestrians into the street presents additional liability risks and should be addressed. Mr. Johnson answered Commissioner Green’s concerns by saying that this issue has been discussed and the inspectors have notified the various companies to instruct their employees not to park on the sidewalks. The issue has also been discussed at the Underground Utilities Coordinating Committee. Mr. Johnson also remarked that if the drivers don’t respond to the requests of the City, maybe a traffic citation should be issued by the police. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: None REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER Traffic Engineer Bob Johnson announced that there will be an ITE Workshop held on Saturday, May 10, 1997, in San Diego. For those Commissioners wishing to attend, the City will be responsible for the $45 fee for each Commissioner. He also indicated that as more information becomes available, that information will be mailed to each of the Commissioners. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of February 3, 1997, was adjourned at 3:3 1 p.m Resuectfdlv submitted. Minutes Clerk