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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-02; Traffic Safety Commission; Minutesc MINUTES MEETING OF : TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: November 2,1998 (Regular Meeting) TIME OF MEETING 3:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Allen called the Meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Allen, Blake, and Whitton Absent: Courtney and Gillfillan Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Tr&c Engineer John Kim, Associate Engineer Sr. Patrol Officer Chad Oppenbom, Carlsbad Police Department APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Blake corrected the vote count, of the Minute Motion on page 6, to read 4-0- 1 with Commissioner Blake abstaining. On motion by Commissioner Blake, the Commission approved the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 5,1998, as amended by Commissioner Blake. AYES: Allen, Blake, and Whitton NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Chauperson Allen presented a commendation fbm the Traf6c Safety Commission, to immediate Past Chairperson Thomas Blake, in mgnition of Mr. Blake’s service to the Traffic Safety Commission as Chairperson for eighteen months during 1997 and 1998. Trac Engineer, Bob Johnson stated that on October 27,1998, the City Council introduced the ordinance for the 90 Minute Parking restriction on the new parking spaces at the Carlsbad Swim Complex as recommended by this Commission on October 5, 1998. That ordinance will be adopted at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 3,1998. NEW BUSINESS: 6A. Intersection of Daisv Avenuekv Street - Request to establish an ALL-WAY STOP and install a striped crosswalk across Daisy Avenue. Traffic Engineer, Bob Johnson introduced this item and stated that Associate Engineer John Kim would present the staff report. November 2,1998 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSlON Page 2 Associate Engineer, John Kim presented the staffreport and described this item as follows: This is a request to establish an ALLWAY STOP and install a painted crosswalk on Daisy Avenue at Ivy Street. Daisy Avenue is a collector street in the southwest quadrant of Carlsbad. The road qualifies as a Residence District, per the California Vehicle Code, and has a prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour. Daisy Avenue is controlled by a stop sign at Batiquitos Drive. With the exception of approximately 50 feet of a double yellow center line at Batiquitos Drive, there is no other center line striping on Daisy Avenue, There are 25 mile per hour speed limit signs and accompanying pavement markings at Batiquitos Drive, for eastbound traffic and at Rose Drive for westbound tranic. All of the side streets off Daisy Avenue are controlled by stop signs. Staff received a letter h Mr. Lany Imm, a copy of which is on file in the Engineering Department, requesting that a painted crosswalk and an ALL-WAY STOP be installed at the subject intersection, due to his concern regarding speeding vehicles on Daisy Avenue. The purpose of a stop sign is to control the assignment of right-of-way to vehicles entering an intersection, not as a speed mtrol device. When warranted, and properly installed, stop signs can facilitate the orderly movement of traflic and promote trsc safety. Traffic engineering research has shown that unwarranted stop signs can result in an increase in certain types of accidents, such as rear-end collisions. Unwarranted stop signs can compromise sdkty, not only at the subject intersection but, at other locations where stop signs may be vitally needed. An intersection can be considered for an ALLWAY STOP when the bat%c volumes on all legs of the intersection are approximately equal. The warrants found in the Caltrans Traffic Manual comprise the basic policy that the City uses to establish the need for an ALLWAY STOP. A wanant study was conducted at the subject intersecton and the results indicated a daily traffic volume of 2030 vehicles which is low for a collector street. Also, the volumes on Daisy Avenue are significantly higher than on Ivy Street. Caltrans recommends the installation of an ALL-WAY STOP, only when volumes are approximately equal. One warrant that the Caltrans policy contains, is a requirement for 500 vehicles per hour for all approaches in any eight hour time period. As indicated in the 24-Hour Traffk Count Summary, none of the volumes approach 500. Another warrant requirement is that volume on the minor streets exceed 200 vehicles per hour for any given hour in an eight hour period, and as also indicated in the 24-Hour Traffic Count Summary, none of the volumes approach the 200 vehicle requirement. Sight distance was found to be adequate and no traffic collisions have been recorded at the subject intersection. None of the warrants, outlined by Caltrans, were met and the study indicates that an ALL-WAY STOP is not needed at Daisy Avenue and Ivy Street. Although not marked, a legal crosswalk does exist at the intersection, per the California Vehicle Code which states that at crosswalk exists at all intersections unless a pedestrian crossing is expressly prohibited by signs. Engkxing studies have shown that pamtd crosswalks tend to give pedestrians a false sense of security and may increase the number of accidents instead of reducing them. Pedestrian crossings at this location were observed to be low. For the aforementioned reasons, installation of a painted crosswalk is not recommended at an uncontrolled crossings such as at Daisy Avenue and Ivy Street. The Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends that the request to establish an ALL-WAY STOP and a painted crosswalk at Daisy Avenue and Ivy Street be denied. Chairperson Allen opened Public Testimony and offered the invitation to speak. Larry hm, 923 Daisy Avenue, Carlsbad, represetlting Spinnakex Hills Honxmvmm, stated that his neighborhood was once a senior citizen area with no small children. However, now the area has many small children and because of the traffic volumes on Daisy Avenue, residents must limit their children’s activities to their back yards. Mr. Irwin pointed out that the msjority of the vehicles travel through the area at speeds as high as 55 miles per hour. He stated that, when called, the Police Department has been unwilling to send an offlicer to the area even though the citizens have done a trafllic study. As a compromise, Mr. Irwin suggested removing the stop sign on Ivy Street and install a TWO-WAY STOP on Daisy Avenue. He also pointed out that Daisy Avenue has a 7% down grade with a curve at the bottom, and when standing at Ivy Street and looking down the hill, one cannot not see around the curve. This lack of vision makes it very difficult for residents on Daisy Avenue to exit their driveways because vehicles drive at such high rates of speed. Mr. Irwin stated that even though there have been no accidents in this particular area, he and others do not wish to risk the safety of their children. He also pointed out that the area off Rose Drive has recently been sold to a developer who is planning to develop the land in the near hture and which will only add to the trailic problem. Mr. Irwin also pointed out that a new school is going to built nearby and children will be walking along Daisy Avenue to get to school. He stated that it would be nice if there are crosswalks for them so they can safely cross the street. He also stated that he once tried to stop a bus and because it was traveling about 50 miles per hour, it took over 90 feet for the bus to stop. At that speed, he added, the bus would not be able to stop if a child was crossing the street in its path. Mr. Irwin stated that because Daisy Avenue is such a long street, the residents November 2, 1998 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 would also like to have THREE-WAY STOP signs at Wisteria Way and at Primrose Way. Commissioner Whitton asked where the new school is going to be built. Mr. Irwin stated that the school will be built on the northwest side of Poinsettia Lane. Chairperson Allen asked Mr. Johnson for the location of the new school. Mr. Johnson replied that the school will be built at the intersection of Hidden Valley Road and Camino de las Ondas. Ren& Jackson, 924 Daisy Avenue, Carlsbad, stated that traffic has greatly increased in the fourteen years she has lived there, since Ivy Street was opened into this neighborhood. Ms. Jackson also stated that she lives in the second house from the corner of Ivy Street and Daisy Avenue and, through her observation between 6:OO a.m. and 8:OO a.m., not only do the vehicles speed, but they don’t even stop for the stop sign that is already there. She also told of her neighbor, Chuck Rocket, having someone come out and use radar to determine speeds and that by the time vehicles passed her house they were up to 44 miles per hour and by the time they got to Mr. Rocket’s house, they were up to a speed of 59 miles per hour. Mr. Rocket’s house is four houses west of Ms. Jackson’s home. Ms. Jackson suggested that if they cannot have an ALL-WAY STOP, Pernaps an official speed survey can be cmduckd. She indicated that she has contacted all of the businesses whose vehicles speed along Daisy Avenue and Ivy Street, asking them to please make their drivers slow down. Those requests, however, seem to have fallen on deaf ears. She also said that she has followed vehicles and asked the drivers to slow down, also to no avail. Ms. Jackson pointed out that with the volume and speed of the traffic, it is nearly impossible for residents to safely back out of their driveways. Ms. Jackson requested that the Police Department set up radar, now that a safety study has been completed, and issue some citations to those who speed and ignore the existing stop sign. Ms. Jackson told of one traffic fatality, involving a young man on a moped, which occurred on Poppy Lane and was a direct result of the young man speeding. Joseph H. Haeckel, 940 Daisy Avenue, Carlsbad, a twenty-year resident, stated that he has observed speedmg vehicles and has tried to signal many of them to slow down. Their responses, for the most part, have been obscene. He stated that he has spoken to former City Council members and members of the Police Department, on several occasions, in an attempt to get something done about the problem. Mr. Haeckel also stated that he lws asked the Police Department to issue citations and they have not done so. He, too, stated that the street is extremely hazardous and something really needs to be done about it. He corroborated Mr. Irwin’s statement regarding the future development at the end of Rose Street, in that the traMic will increase significantly and only add to the current problem. Mr. Haeckel stated that because of the hazards present on Daisy Avenue, the property values on that street have decreased by approximately $15,000 to $30,000 as compared to property in other parts of Spinnaker Hills. Mr. Haeckel concluded by stating that the residents of Spinnaker Hills are looking forward to some type of resolution to these problems by means of additional safety devices or a clear presence of the Police Department and the issuance of citations for the many violations of the law. Mr. Haeckel replied that he does not have that information. However, currently Rose Street is the entrance used by the owners of Thompson Rose Gardens. He pointed out that it is a private entrance and that the public and vendors must use the entrance off Poinsettia. commissioner Whitton asked if there is a stop sign at Daisy Avenue and Wisteria Way, to which Mr. Haeckel replied there is not. Mr. Haeckel added that because of the long stretch on Daisy Avenue, fiom Iris Court down the hill and into the curve, there should be a three-way stop at Wisteria Way and Daisy Avenue, and another three-way stop at Primrose Way and Daisy Avenue, instead of Ivy Street and Daisy Avenue. c November 2, 1998 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 Chairperson Allen asked Mr. Haeckel if the fatality on Poppy Lane had anythmg to do with traffic on Daisy Avenue. Mr. Haeckel replied that he has no knowledge of-that accident having any bearing on Daisy Avenue. He indicated that there was another accident, in the area, other than the one on Poppy Lane. Sam Banna, 928 Daisy Avenue (the comer of Ivy Street and Daisy Avenue), Carlsbad, stated that he agrees with his neighbors regarding the need for a solution to the speedmg problem on Daisy Avenue, but is not necessarily in favor of a stop sign at Daisy Avenue and Ivy Street. He stated that his bedroom is right on that comer and he is concerned that noise of cars stopping and starling at a stop sign, will significantly impact his sleep. He stated that other means of traffic umtrol should be found and there should be more Police presence in the area. With Chavpersan Allen’s permission, Mr. Irwin, responded to Mr. Banna’s concern regarding the noise impact on his sleep and pointed out that the 24-Hour Traffic Summary indicates that there are only 40 cars passing that intersection between the hours of 1O:OO p.m. and 7:OO a.m. Seeing no one else wishing to testifjl, Chairperson Allen closed Public Testimony and called for Commission discussion and a motion. Commissioner Whitton stating that, in his opinion, a stop sign at the comer of Daisy Avenue and Ivy Street is not necessarily going to solve the problem. He asked if stop signs at some of the other streets would have any impact on the problem. He also asked ifthe Commission can request that the Police Department go to the area and write a large number of citations in order to discourage speedmg in the future. Commissioner Blake agreed with Commissioner Whitton and asked if it would be possible to establish a radar post to determine the actual violations. Senior Officer, Chad Oppenbom, Carlsbad Police Department, replied that the Department would be more than happy to look into the possibilities as outlined by the Commission and speakers at this meeting. Commissioner Whitton, for clarification, stated that it is not that he is opposed to an ALL-WAY STOP at Daisy Avenue and Ivy Street, but that he is umcemed that a crosswalk will give pedestrians (especially children) a false sense of security. He pointed out that with only one stop sign on that long stretch of street, it could be expected that drivers would ignore the crosswalk and the stop sign and people would still get hurt or possibly killed. He stated that he feels that more than on stop sign may be the answer. Chauperson Allen stated that he is not in favor of an ALLWAY STOP at the intersection of Daisy Avenue and Ivy Street because the intemection does not meet the Caltrans warrants and therefore the Commission’s hands are tied. Chairperson Allen pointed out that ifthe Commission denies the request for an ALL-WAY STOP, the concerned citizens can certainly go to the City bil with their request and it is possible that the Council could or would approve the request. Chairperson Allen stated that he went out to Dawy Avenue at 2: 15 p.m., before this meeting, and observed the 25 mph speed limit signs and the speed limit painted on the street. He went on to state that if the speeds are as high as has been testified to this afternoon, then he would recommend that the Police get out there with radar guns and citations in an attempt to slow the traEc. He also recommended there be in increase in police activity, on a regular basis, in the area. AmION: On motion by Commissioner Blake, and duly seconded, to uphold the Traffic Safety Coorhting Committee’s recommendation to deny the establishment of an ALL-WAY STOP at the intemection and the installation of a painted crosswalk across Daisy Avenue at Ivy Street, and that police activity in the area be increased. VOTE: 3 -0 AYES: Allen, Blake, and Whitton - NOES: None November 2, 1998 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 5 Traffic Engineer, Bob Johnson, for clarification, stated that this action will not automatically be sent to the City Council and if the interested parties wish to pursue the matter, the action of this Commission can be appealed. An appeal can be ill& at the City Clerk’s office, with a posting of a $120 appeal fee, and a date for hearing before the City Council will be set. 6B. Melrose Drive. Rancho Santa Fe Road to Palomar Aimort Road - Request to establish a prima facie speed limit. TrafEc Engineer, Bob Johnson, presented the staffreport as follows: This is a request to establish a prima facie speed limit on Melrose Drive, initiated by the Carlsbad Police Department. The segment of Melrose Drive fiom Alga Road to Palomar Airport Road is a newly opened prime arterial and was opened to traffic on October 1, 1998. Staff conducted an Engineering and Traffic Survey to help determine the prima facie speed limit that should be established on that road segment. This segment was constructed by the Canillo Ranch Development and is being paid for through an assessment district. Staff found the critical speed, a two locations, to be 57 miles per hour. Traffic counts were obtained at points just north of Alga Road (2900 vehicles) and just south of Palomar Airport Road (3400 vehicles). This road consists of three lanes in each direction for a distance of about 1.6 miles. There is no accident history due to the fact that the road was just recently opened. Based on the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee has recommended a 55 mile per hour speed zone. Included with the request is to re-review the segment from Alga Road down to Rancho Santa Fe Road. The Engineering and TrafEc Survey was updated on that segment and showed a volume of about 8900 vehicles, is 0.5 miles in length, and has a critical speed of 52 miles per hour. That segment currently is posted with a 45 miler per hour speed limit. The Engineering and Traffic Survey indicates that the speed limit should be 50 miles per hour and was so recommended by the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee. The request, as recommended by the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee, is to establish a 50 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Melrose Drive, between Rancho Santa Fe Road and Alga Road, and to establish a 55 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Melrose Drive, between Alga Road and Palomar Airport Road. After asking if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak on this item and seeing no one, Charperson Allen called for Commission discussion and a motion. Commissioner Blake asked if it would be possible to set the speed, between Alga Road and Rancho Santa Fe Road, at 55 miles per hour. Mr. Johnson stated that if that were to be done, it would umstitute a “speed trap”. He added that the road is a prime arterial with a design speed is 60 miles per hour but that the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey indicate the segment from Alga Road to Rancho Santa Fe Road should have a 50 mile per hour speed limit. Mr. Johnson stated that if that segment were to be posted with a 55 mile per hour speed limit, the Police Department would not be in a position to enforce it with radar and to do so would constitute a speed trap. conmissioner Blake indicated that there are 55 mile per hour speed limit signs, yet the City Council nor the Traffic Safety Commission has established any speed limits on that road. Mr. Johnson responded by stating that in the absence of a posted speed limit, the speed limit is 65 miles per hour. However, since the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey justified a 55 mile per hour speed limit, signs were installed at the request of the Police Department. If, however, the Commission or the Council wishes to change that limit, the signs can ease be changed. He added that with the justification of the 55 mile per hour speed limit, those signs give the Police the tool to stop speeders and tell them that the speed limit is 55 miles per hour. In addition, because it takes fiom 30 to 40 days for an ordinance to be adopted and become effective, the Engineering Department initiated the speed limit posting based on the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey. November 2,1998 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 6 Chairperson Allen stated his agreement with each respective speed limit on Melrose Drive. ACTION: On motion ‘by Commissioner Whitton, and duly seconded, the Trafiic Safety Commission upheld the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee’s recommendation to establish a 50 mile per hour prima facie speed limit on Melrose Drive, between Rancho Santa Fe Road and Alga Road, and a 55 mile per hour prima facie speed limit on Melrose Drive between Alga Road and Palomar Airport Road, based upon the results of an Engineering and Traffic Survey. VOTE: 3-0 AYES: Allen, Blake, and Whitton NOES: None 6C. Batiauitos Drive - Poinsettia Lane to Camino de las Ondas - Reauest to establish a prima facie sd limit. Traflic Engineer, Bob Johnson pmented the staff report as follows: This is a request, by the Carlsbad Police Department, to establish a prima facie speed limit on Batiquitos Drive fiom Poinsettia Lane to Camino de las Ondas. An Engineering and Traflic Survey was conducted in order to establish the prima facie speed limit. This are does not qualifjl as a residence district, per the defjnition in the Califomia Vehicle Code, even though there are homes in the area and the speed limit must be established based on the results of an hgineering and Traffic Survey. That survey indicates a critical speed of 34 miles per hour and the road has a good accident history. The volumes of 3000 ADT are greater just north of Poinsettia Lane versus 850 ADT just south of Camino de las Ondas. The road is approximately 0.42 miles in length, has a curb to curb width of 40 feet, and has parking on both sides. There is also a Fire Station at the intersection of Buttercup Road, and community swimming pool on the east side of the road. All of the aforementioned factors were taken into consideration and a prima facie speed limit of 30 miles per hour on Batiquitos Drive between Poinsettia Lane and Camino de las Ondas was recommended by the Traffrc Safety Coordinating Committee. After asking ifthere was anyone in the audience wishing to speak on this item and seeing no one, Chairperson Allen called for Commission discussion and a motion. Chairperson Allen stated that he had also driven the subject road and because it is a winding road, agrees with the recommendation for a 30 mile per hour speed limit. ACTION On don by cammissioner Blake, and duly seconded, the Traffic Safety Commission upheld the Traf€ic Safety Coordinating Committee’s recommendation to establish a 30 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Batiquitos Drive fiom Poinsettia Lane to Camino de las Mas, based on the results of an Engineering and Traffic Survey.. VOTE: 3-0 AYES: Allen, Blake, and Whitton NOES: None REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: conrmissioner Whitton asked the Traffic Engineer to look at the signage for College Boulevard, on Palomar Airport Road eastbod. He pointed out that the sign for College Boulevard canmt be seen fiom the south side of Palomar Airport Road, while the sign for Aviara Parkway is plainly visible. He suggested that there should be two signs visible fiom both the eastbound and westbound lanes, one indicating College Boulevard in one direction and Aviara Parkway in the other. Mr. Johnson replied that he would definitely look into the Commissioner’s request and added that the additional signage has already been requested and he believes it is already being studied. November 2,1998 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 7 REPORTS FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER Traf6c Engineer, Bob Jdmson reported that Lt. Metcalf of the Carlsbad Police Department has recently been promoted to Captain. Captain Metcalf (formerly Traffic Sgt. Metcalf, several years ago) was the Police Representative to the Traffic Safety Commission before Sgt. Jim Byler. Mr. Johnson announced that the next meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission will be held at 3:OO p.m., in the City Council Chambers on December 7,1998. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of November 2,1998, was adjourned at 3:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Minutes Clerk