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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-02; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF : DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: PLACE OF MEETING: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION March 2,1998 (Regular Meeting) 3:OO p.m. City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Blake called the Meeting to order at 3:OO p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Blake, Allen, Gillfillan, and Courtney Absent: None Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer Steve Jantz, Associate Engineer John Kim, Associate Engineer Bruce May, Senior Police Officer, Carlsbad Police Deparhnent APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner Allen, the Commission approved the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 2,1998, as Corrected. AYES: Chairperson Blake, Commissioners Allen, Courtney ABSTAIN Commissioner Gillfillan ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Traftic Engineer, Bob Johnson, reported that the City of Carlsbad Traffic Signal Evaluation Policy and Qualification list will be presented to the City Council at their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 3,1998, for the adoption of the resolution. Also, as quested by some of the residents of the La Costa Avenue area, the traffic control issues on La Costa Avenue will be discussed by the City Council on Tuesday, March 10,1998. NEW BUSINESS: 6A. Pedestrian Action Plan - Status UDdate This is a status update, requested by Thelma Hayes, of the Pedestrian Action Plan, and to commemorate it’s tenth anniversary. March 2, 1998 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 Traffic Engineer, Bob Johnson, stated that, in addition to the letter received in January fiom Ms. Hayes, his office also received letters fhm the Buena Vista Audubon Society and Beatrice Carlson addressing various aspects of the Pedestrian Action Plan. Copies of the aforementioned letters are on file in the Engineering Offlce and were given to Commission members. Mr. Johnson outlined the Pedestrian Action Plan as follows: The Pedestrian Action Plan contained five key elements which were the guiding criteria in developing and implementing the Plan. It should be recognized that Pedestrian Planning is done on a daily basis and not something that is done only every ten years. It is something that is incorporated into the dady work efforts of all of the staff throughout the City. The circulation element of the General Plan was updated about four years ago and is one of the elements of the Pedestrian Action Plan. It is a comprehensive plan for the circulation of people, goods, energy, water, sewage, storm water, communications and services. It’s primary focus is to provide for I the safe and efficient movement of people and goods in Carlsbad. That document identifies how transportation system will be linked with the surrounding jurisdictions. A circulation element is required by law and is a legal document. One of the goals of the circulation element is to encourage and accommodate a variety of transportation modes, as alternatives to the automobile, not the least of which is to encourage walking. Some of the objectives include: providing infrastructure and facilities that are necessary to accommodate pedestrians, bicycles, and other non-automobile modes of transportation; to reduce the number and severity of conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians and bicycles; prioritize future sidewalk construction and encourage construction of same; encourages pedestrian circulation in commercial areas by the provision of convenient parking facilities, increase sidewalk widths, pedestrian oriented buildings, designs, and landscaping, street hmiture, etc. The circulation element also mentions that there should be a link between sidewalks and trails, and to provide for handicapped access. It also mentions that a Trafiic Safety Commission should be established and maintained; the purpose of which is to study traffic and pedestrian safety issues and make recommendations to the City Council. Another objective is to employ improved trac control devices and to monitor police accident reports and to increase both pedestrian and bicycle safety. One of the issues that is continuously discussed and updated, is the issue of more sidewalks. Over the past six or seven years, an inventory of missing sidewalks has been kept and maintained, which prioritizes sidewalk locations and identifies missing sidewalks throughout the city, and aids in the design and construction of those sidewalks. There are several sidewalks now under design and there is a program for the construction of handicapped ramps over the next four years. Currently in the re-design stage, is the bridge over the San Diego Northern Railroad (immediately north of the Army and Navy Academy), which will include widening and sidewalks for pedestrians. In the current CIP is also an upgrade of the pedestrian push-buttons on traffic signals, to meet the requirements of the ADA. Audible traflcic signals have also been installed at three or four locations to assist the sight impaired. Sidewalks in school zones are discussed on a yearly basis along with a number of studies conducted throughout the year, in an effort to satisfy the issues. Miming to a letter fhm Mrs. Hayes in which she suggested that a signal be installed at the intersection of State Street and Carlsbad Boulevard, Mr. Johnson stated that there is a signal planned for that location in a hture CIP, but that it will be a few more years before it is a reality, due to costs and environmental constraints. Mr. Johnson pointed out that it is, and will continue to be, very important that new subdivisions and major projects be designed in such a way as to promote pedestrian orientation. A good example is Poinsettia Properties, a project currently in the approval process and which is a pedestrian oriented community designed to reduce reliability on motor vehicles. Mr. Johnson spoke of the Rails to Trails program and introduced Associate Engineer, Steve Jantz. Mr. Jantz presented a slide program which thoroughly illustrated the entire project and explained that this is a multi-modal pathway, in northern San Diego County, to accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians, rollerbladers, joggers, and a myriad of none motorized uses. These pathways are intended to be built in the existing dway conidor. This is a regional project, forty-two miles in length, beginning in Oceanside and ending in downtown San Diego. Construction of the project is projected to begin sometime this year. The Rail Trail will be developed in segments consisting of a minimum of 12’ wide paved surfaces and separated pedestrian paths where space allows. In some more natural settings, the trail may be constructed of native material which will blend with the pristine environment. PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Thelma Hayes, P.O. Box 1366, Carlsbad, CA., read a prepared statement, a copy of which is on file in the Engineering Department. In her statement Mrs. Hayes’ suggested several ways to enhance pedestrian safety, including an increase in March 2,1998 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 the budget request. Mrs. Hayes concluded by stating that all citizens should be encouraged to work toward more pedestrian amenities and solutions to increasing traffic problems. ACI'ION: NO FORMAL ACTION INITIATED BY THE TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION AS THIS WAS AN INFORMATIONAL ITEM. 6B. Las Flores Drive, Jefferson Street to Highland Drive - Request to establish a prima facie speed limit. Associate Engineer, John Kim, presented the staff report and described the project as follows: This item is to consider the reconrmendation of the Traflic Safety Coordinating Commim to establish a prima facie speed limit upon Las Flores Drive from Jefferson Street to Highland Drive. Las Flores Drive is a forty foot wide, undivided two lane road with no bicycle lanes. It is intersected by on and off ramps, to and from Interstate Highway 5 , in addition to several other surface streets. There is a sidewalk on both sides of the street, except on the north side at the fieeway overcrossing. Parking is allowed on many portions of the street. There is an elementary school, a church, residential and professional properties in various locations along the roadway. An Engineering and Traffic Survey has been conducted and accompanying speed surveys, determine the critical speed to be 35 miles per hour in both directions. Records indicate that seven accidents have occurred on Las Flom Drive, fhn January 1,1996 to December 3 1,1997, which corresponds to an accident rate of 3.09 accidents per 1,000,OOO vehicle miles traveled and which is higher than the 1996 state average of 1.99 for urban two and three land roads. Based on the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee is recommending a prima facie speed limit of 30 miles per hour be established upon Las Flores Drive, fiom Jefferson Street to Highland Drive. Commissioner Gillfillan asked where the accidents have occufted. Mr. Johnson stated that the accidents have occurred in several areas and none have occurred in any concentrated area. Also, there has been no individual location identified as a problem area. Commissioner Gillfillan expressed concern for the segment of Highland Drive fiom Las Flores to Carlsbad Village Drive, and suggested that it, too, should be included in this request for a prima facie speed limit. Commissioner Courtney asked if there is a speed limit already established for Highland Drive. Mr. Johnson replied that the segment is posted for a 25 mile per hour speed limit, south of Carlsbad Village Drive and the portion north of Carlsbad Village Drive also qualifies as a residential district and staff would codm this. Commissioner Allen asked if parking is permitted on both sides of the street. Mr. Kim replied that parking is permitted on both sides of the street in most areas. Commissioner Allen stated that, upon personal observation, when children are leaving the school area, a speed limit of ten or miles per hour would be far more appropriate. Aside fiom the school issue, Commissioner Allen stated that he can support the TSCC's recommendation for a 30 miles per hours speed limit. Chairperson Blake asked Mr. Johnson to clarify the allowed speed when there is a gate or gates in a school yard fence. Mr. Johnson replied that, regardless of the prima facie speed limit, if there is a gate or gates, the speed limit is 25 miles per hour when children are present and appropriate school zone sighmg is in place to designate this. ACTION On motion by Commissioner Courtney, and duly seconded, the Traffic Safety Commission codmed the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to establish a prima facie speed limit of 30 miles per hour upon Las Flores Drive, between Jefferson Street and Highland Avenue. - AYES: Blake, Allen, and Courtney Gillfillan March 2, 1998 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 Mr. Johnson asked Commissioner Gillfillan to state the reason for his negative vote, explaining that the City Council frequently is interested in the reasoning behind NO votes. Commissioner Gill6llan explained that his concern is, as earlier stated, not including the segment of Highland Drive fiom Las Flores to Carlsbad Village Drive in the 30 mph limit, and the disparity of speed limits in the area. chaupason Blake asked staffto confirm that the portion of Highland Drive that Commissioner Gillfillan is concerned about does qualify as a residential district and Mr. Johnson indicated that staff would follow-up on this. 6C. TransDortation DeveloDment AdTransNet Fundine Promam - Review projects for submittal of a funding request. Tdic Engineer, Bob Johnson, presented this item as follows: This item is to consider the six projects recommended for receiving TDA/TmNet Funding. This is an annual program admtlllster ed by Sandag in which there is approximately $2.5 million dollars available for the planning and construction of non-motorized facilities. Each city in the County makes a submittal with their request for a portion of those funds. The money is divided between the agencies submitting requests. Last year Carlsbad received $230,000 from the TDA. This year the City has increased the number of projects to submit for funding. Mr. Johnson described the six projects as follows: .. 1) Construction of sidewalk on Buena Vista Way and Jefferson Street; funding request is 64,000. 2) Carlsbad Boulevard Bicycle Lanes; estimated to cost $53,500. 3) El Fuerte Bicycle Lane; estimated to cost $32,000. 4) Bicycle Lane on Carlsbad Boulevard over the San Diego Northern Railroad Tracks; funding request is $63,600. 5) Poinsettia Lane Bridge over the San Diego Northern Railroad, funding request is $32,000. 6) Highland Drive Corridor Design Study; estimated to cost $50,000. Mr. Johnson concluded by stating that the total amount requested will be $295,100, and added that the City will probably not get all of the hds but they will likely get a portion of the requested funds. Commissioner Allen asked if the City is requesting $50,000 fiom Sandag for a study of Highland Drive. Mr. Johnson replied that they are requesting the $50,000 for the Highland Drive Corridor design study, funded by TDA money, administered by Sandag, and voted upon by the Bicycle Facilities Coordinating Committee. They fund sidewalk construction, bicycle lane construction, and related studies. Commissioner Allen asked if widening has been funded for Carlsbad Boulevard over the San Diego Northern Railroad. Mr. Johnson replied that funds are coming from the state as well as other sources, so the widening is proceeding. In addition, the City is requesting funds for this project to supplement what has already been received and any monies saved from that source will be available for other projects throughout the city. Commissioner Courtney asked Mr. Johnson if the City can bank the money received for a particular project if the project is not immdately undertaken. Mr. Johnson responded by stating that the commi#ee does not like that to happen and, generally speaking, the schedule has to be fairly aggressive so the project is constructed within a year or two. If the project is too far away, the commim gives the request a very low ranking. Regarding the El Fuerte Bicycle Lane, Commissioner Courtney asked if the City will have the option to charge a future developer for that portion of the widening and use the money for another similar project. Mr. Johnson replied that that would be something to consider but, more than likely, the City will simply put in the five feet of pavement for the bike lane. I March 2, 1998 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 5 Regarding the Highland Drive Corridor, Commissioner Courtney stated that most of the residents on Highland Drive do not want sidewalks and asked why the City is proposing to spend $50,000 to study the area in the face of so much opposition. Mr. Johnson stated that staff feels that by developing different concepts and presenting drawings and renderings, perhaps some attitudes can be changed and eventually sidewalks will be constructed. Commissioner Gillfillan stated that he will abstain fiom this item, citing a contlict of interest, in that his employer is currently designing the Buena Vista project. Chairperson Blake asked how long Carlsbad Boulevard will be closed for the new bridge over the railroad. Mr. Johnson replied that the objective is to finish the project within a twelve month period and if there is any way to phase the project and keep one lane open, that is what would be preferred. ACTION: On motion by commissianer Chutney, and duly seconded, accepted the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee for a funding request for the six projects for FY 1998/99 TDARransNet funds in the amount of $295,100. AYES: Blake, Allen, and Courtney NOES: None ABSTAIN: Gillfillan REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: None REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: Traffic Engineer, Bob Johnson announced that there will be a “Boards and Commissions” training meeting on Tuesday, April 28,1998, fiom 500 p.m. to 9:OO p.m., at the Carlsbad Safety Center and the City Council meeting for that night will be canceled. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of March 2,1998, was adjoumed at 4:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Minutes Clerk