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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-07-12; Traffic Safety Commission; Minutes" MEETING OF : TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: July 12,1999 (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:OO p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Absent: Commissioners Allen, Blake, Courtney, Whitton Gillfillan Staff Members Present: Bob Johnson, Traffic Engineer Jim Murray, Associate Engineer John Kim, Associate Engineer Traffic Officer Jeremy Birket, Carlsbad Police Department APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Commissioner Blake, the Commission approved the minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 7,1999, as presented. AYES: Allen, Blake, Courtney, Whitton, NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Gillfillan ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Traffic Engineer, Bob Johnson announced the following: 1. One June 22, 1999, the City Council adopted the ordinance to establish the prima facie 25 miles per hour speed limit upon Adams Street, fiom Chinquapin Avenue to Park Drive. 2. On June 22,1999, in considering the requests to control speed by citizens on Avenida de Anita, the City Council directed Staff to determine the location for three STOP signs on Avenida de Anita, which will be become ALL- WAY stops. staffwill be taking their report, with recommendations, back to Council within the next few weeks. 3. On July 5,1999, the City Council adopted the ordinance to establish the ALL-WAY STOP on Poinsettia Lane at Paseo Escuela, which is in fiont of the new Carrillo Elementary School. Work orders have been sent to the Street July 12, 1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 Department to install all of the school zone signing and striping and to establish the ALL-WAY STOP, which will be in place before the opening of the school on August 6,1999. Commissioner Gillfillan arrived at 3:05 p.m., and took his seat on the dais. NEW BUSINESS: 6A. Carlsbad Bikewav Master Plan - Information Item only. No action required. Bob Johnson mentioned that Associate Engineer Steve Jantz had worked on this project for several years, but was unavailable for today’s meeting. Traffic Engineer, Bob Johnson presented an overview of the Carlsbad Bikeway Master Plan for informatonal purposes, only, and for which no action by the Commission was required. The report was as follows: Several years ago the City contracted with KTUU Gmsultants to prepare the Bikeway Master Plan. Now that is has been completed, it is moving forward and will serve as a guide to the bicycle facility planning in the City of Carlsbad. Several items were considered and completed in developing the Master Plan and there was an evaluation of the existing roadways and existing bike facilities and an assessment of their condition.. This particular document is exclusive to Carlsbad. The bikeway fimding and Capitol Improvement Program are addressed in Chapter 1 1 and Facility Guidelines are addressed in Chapter 12. This Master Plan is a guide to the development of bikeways, bike lanes, and Class I facilities. It is intended to provide the information so that Planners can determine when and where bike facilities should be installed. There is also information regarding bike rest stops, amenities at a bike stop, bike racks, etc. The Circulation Element of the General Plan governs the Bikeway Master Plan. In addition to areas of vehicular travel, the Circulation Element also addresses pedestrian and pedestrian safety issues, transit, railroads, air travel, transportation demand management (TDM), bicycles, etc. The basic premise of the Bikeway Master Plan is that there should be an integration of the land uses and transportation planning so that any future projects are not totally dependent upon the automobile. Within this Master Plan there are maps showing the difhmt types of bikeways. There is a necessity for planning a facility, h a bicycle perspective, such issues as factors of bicycle characteristics, the constraints and opportunities of riding on public roadways, locations, types of roads, width of bike lanes, etc. Mr. Johnson showed the Commission an overhead exhibit of the three types of bike facilities that are classified as: Class I. A facility (lane) that is separated fiom the travel lanes of a public roadway by a solid mass such as a curb or sidewalk. An example of a Class I facility is on the recently opened Calle Barcelona, from El Camino Real to Rancho Santa Fe Road. Class II. A facility that is separated fiom the travel lanes of a public roadway by striping only. Class 111. A facility that is a route on a street with a lower classification, such as a collector street, where there is no lane designation and automobiles and bicycles must share the roadway lane. Recommendations made with the Bikeway Master Plan include the following: 1. Fully implementing the Class I1 system throughout the City of Carlsbad 2. Complete any existing gaps in the system. July 12, 1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION I Page 3 3. Rail line crossings 4. Develop more Class I facilities This document will be going to the City Council within the next two months. No action was taken by the Traffic Safety Commission. 6B. Hidden Vallev Road, Palomar Aimort Road to Northerlv Terminus - Request to establish NO PARKING on both sides of the road. Associate Engineer, Jim Murray presented the staff report as follows: This item was initiated by Municipal Projects Manager, John Cahill. This is a request for the establishment of a NO PARKING zone on both sides of Hidden Valley Road, north of Palomar Airport Road. The future plans at the northerly terminus are to construct a City Municipal Golf Course, adjacent to Hidden Valley Road. Parking on Hidden Valley Road is not necessary now and it will not be needed in the future. Hidden Valley Road is listed on the City’s circulation element to be a secondary arterial roadway. It is currently constructed with a 2,300 foot cul-de-sac (at the north end) and is not ever intended to be constructed to extend any further north. Hidden Valley Road currently provides access to LEGOLAND. The road is striped as a two-lane roadway, with a striped median in the center of the road. There is a northbound left turn pocket into the LEGOLAND driveway. At the end of the cul-de-sac, access wdl be provided for the golf club house and parking lot. Additionally, a foot trail will be provided beginning at the end of the cul-de-sac and connecting to the foot trail near future Cannon Road. A NO PARKING zone will help to eliminate errant golf balls from striking parked vehicles on Hidden Valley Road. Also, with no parking permitted, a bicycle lane can be striped on both sides of Hidden Valley Road. Recently, NCTD reported that their bus drivers were fmding it exceedingly difficult to exit the driveway onto southbound Hidden Valley Road because there were LEGOLAND employees cars parked on the street adjacent to the driveway. The Traflic Safety Coordinating Committee has recommended that a NO PARKING zone be established on both sides of Hidden Valley Road from Palomar Airport Road northerly to its terminus and that a bicycle lane be striped on both sides of the road. An ordinance will be required to be adopted by the City Council to establish the NO PARKING zone. Chairperson Allen opened Public Testimony and offered the invitation to speak. Seeing no one wishing to testlfy, Chairperson Allen closed Public Testimony. Commissioner Gillfillan suggested that because this is such a long roadway leading to the cul-de-sac, this may be in violation of the development code, and asked Mr. Murray to clarify. Mr. Murray replied that in the circulation element, this roadway originally was shown to be extended all the way to Cannon Road. However, in the last few years, the issue of the municipal golf course has come up and it has now been determined that it is not necessary for the road to go all the way to Cannon Road. Mr. Murray further stated that the cul-de-sac policy typically comes into play when there is a residential development. Mr. Johnson stated that since the road and cul-de-sac are not serving a residential community, the cul-de-sac policy generally does not apply. He added that the Fire Department has not expressed any concerns regarding the length of the roadway to the cul-de-sac. Commissioner Gillfillan asked if the new golf course will be located, primarily, on the east side of Hidden Valley Road. Mr. Johnson replied that the golf course will be both east and north of Hidden Valley Road with a couple of holes on the east side of College Boulevard. He added that there will be a maintenance facility over crossing constructed over College Boulevard for the maintenance vehicles and golf carts. Mr. Johnson also stated that if there is enough interest, Mr. Cahill July 12, 1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 could attend one of the Trac Safety Commission meetings to discuss the golf come and how it relates to the circulation in the area. Commissioner Courtney stated that he cannot support the NO PARKING ZONE because he does not feel that the reason given for establishing such a zone, is valid. Considering that parking is always at a premium, Commissioner Courtney stated that it would seem to be a foolish move to arbitrarily remove the on-street parking just to accommodate a few buses. He suggested that parking could be controlled at the LEGOLAND driveway and at the narrow portion of the roadway but not on the entire length of the road. Mr. Johnson pointed out that some city streets have become Park and Ride lots and the City would like to discourage that type of use. He further pointed out that putting bike lanes on both sides of Hidden Valley Road will help to facilitate the objective of the Bikeway Master Plan. Commissioner Courtney asked if the north end of Hidden Valley Road was deleted because of the prospective 9 hole golf course associated with another hotel in Carlsbad Ranch, that is intended to tie in with the 18 hole municipal course. Mr. Johnson replied that Commissioner Courtney was correct, regarding the hotel and golf courses. Chairperson Allen asked if all of the buses use the driveway (exclusively) on Hidden Valley Road. Representins NCTD, Mr. Rod Surber, stated that all of the NCTD buses use the subject driveway, exclusively, and that it is his understanding that all buses do the same. Mr. Johnson stated that the design of the road and driveway was not only intended for delivery vehicles and employees, but also for any transit buses, tour buses, etc. Mr. Johnson pointed out that, to date, everythmg has been working quite well but agreed that something could certainly be done to restrict parking near the driveway. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Blake, and duly seconded, the Traffic Safety Commission upheld the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to establish NO PARKING on both sides of Hidden Valley Road between Palomar Airport Road and its northerly terminus and to stripe a bicycle lane on both sides of the road. VOTE: 4-0-1 AYES: Allen, Gillfillan, Blake, Whitton - NOES: Courtney 6C. Jackspar Drive, El Camino Real to Camino Hills Drive - Request to establish a prima facie speed limit. Associate Engineer, John Kim presented the staff report as follows: Jackspar Drive is unclassified on the Circulation Element of the General Plan. It is a two-lane roadway, about 0.3 miles in length, and has been constructed to City standards, meaning that it had curb and gutter, sidewalks on both sides, and adequate street lighting. The street follows a curvilinear alignment hm El Camino Real (Controlled by a traffic signal) up the hill toward Longfellow Road (controlled by an ALL- WAY STOP at that intersection), and terminates at Camino Hills Drive (STOP sign to stop traffic on Jackspar Drive). For the two-year period ending May 3 1,1999, no accidents have been reported to the Carlsbad Police Department. The roadway has a dady tr&c volume of about 2,200 vehicles. Per Sections 22357 and 22358 of the California Vehicle Code, staff conducted an Engineering and Traffic Survey for Jackspar Drive fiom El Camino Real to Camino Hills Drive. The results of the speed survey indicates the critical speed to be 38 miles per hour and a pace speed of 29-39 miles per hour. P July 12, 1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 5 Based on the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends establishing a prima facie speed limit of 35 miles per hour upon Jackspar Drive from El Camino Real to Camino Hills Drive. Commissioner Gillfillan asked if there is a posted speed limit on Rancho Carlsbad Drive. Mr. Kim replied that Rancho Carlsbad Drive is a private street and there is no posted speed limit. Commissioner Courtney asked if there is a posted speed limit on Camino Hills Drive. Mr. Kim replied that at this time there is no posted speed limit on Camino Hills Drive. However, a request for a speed limit on that street is the next item on this meeting’s agenda. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Courtney, and duly seconded, the Traffk Safety Commission upheld the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to establish a prima facie 35 miles per hour speed limit upon Jackspar Drive between El Camino Real and Camino Hills Drive. VOTE: 5-0 - NOES: None AYES: Allen, Gillfillan, Blake, Courtney, Whitton 6D. Camino Hills Drive, Faraday Avenue to Brownin9 Road - Request to establish a prima facie speed limit. Associate Engineer, John Kim presented the staffreport as follows: This request is to establish a prima facie speed limit upon Camino Hills Drive from Faraday Avenue to Browning Road. Camino Hill Drive is unclassified and is a two-lane road that follows a generally straight alignment for a distance of 0.41 miles. The road terminates several hundred feet northerly of Browning Road. As shown on Exhibit 1, the proposed speed zone on Camino Hills Drive runs from Browning Road, up the hill towards Jackspar and Milton Drive, and ends at Faraday Avenue. The only traffk control on Camino Hills Drive is a STOP sign on Faraday Avenue. The average daily traffic volumes range from 1,040 to 1,300 vehicles, For the two-year period ending May 3 1 , 1999, no accidents have been reported to the Carlsbad Police Department. Per Sections 22347 and 22348 of the California Vehicle Code, staff conducted an Engineering and Traffic Survey for Camino Hills Drive from Faraday Avenue to Browning Road. The results of the speed survey indicates the critical speed to be 39 miles per hour and a pace speed of 3 1-4 1 miles per hour. Based on the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends establishing a prima facie speed limit of 35 miles per hour upon Camino Hills Drive, from Faraday Avenue to Browning Road. Commissioner Courtney asked what is planned for Camino Hills Drive where, at one time, it connected to El Camino Real and if that will eventually become a cul-de-sac. Mr. Johnson responded that the subject area on Camino Hills Drive is basically a cul-de-sac and will remain as such and will not be connected to El Camino Real. He Mer stated that he is not aware of any significant improvements planned for that end of the road. Commissioner Gillfillan asked if speed limits on Milton Road and Browning Road will be set at some time in the future. Mr. Kim replied that Camino Hills Road and Jackspar Road both serve as accesses from the El Camino Real and Faraday July 12, 1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 6 Avenue industrial complexes and are considered quite different than the residential streets of Milton Road and Browning Road. Mr. Johnson added that Browning Road is a private street that serves the mobile home community and as such, the City would not be considering the establishment of any kind of prima facie speed limit. Milton Road and the other streets in the area are residential and deemed to have a prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour as a Residence District, per the California Vehicle Code. Reqxmdmg to an earlier inquiry from Commissioner Courtney, Mr. Johnson stated that the vacant property at the end of Camino Hills Drive will perhaps one day be developed, at which time the developer will be required to construct the end of that road into a standard cul-de-sac. He added that there even if there is development at the end of the road, there will not be access to El Camino Real. Commissioner Whitton stated that if something isn’t done to stop cars from “blowing” the STOP sign at Longfellow and Jackspar Drive, there will be a serious accident at that intersection. Mr. Johnson responded by stating that under the California Vehicle Code, since Jackspar Drive does not have a posted speed, the speed limit is currently 55 miles per hour. However, vehicles are expected to comply with STOP signs. Mr. Johnson referred the alleged violations to Officer Birket and asked him to speak with Sgt. Kelly Cain regarding the emforcement of that STOP sign. Mr. Johnson further stated that he would also speak with Sgt. Cain, personally, regarding the alleged violations. Commissioner Courtney asked if there are any driveways on Jackspar Drive and Camino Hills Drive. Mr. Kim replied that there are no driveways on those streets. Mr. Johnson interjected and stated that there is a dirt driveway leading to a parcel, approximately 10.0 acres in size, that the City has purchased and will eventually be developed into a City park. At that time there will be a driveway which could possibly be in alignment with Milton Road. Commissioner Gillfillan asked if there are any sight distance issues, either horizontally or vertically. Mr. Kim replied that the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey did identify a sight distance limitation on Camino Hills Drive at Milton Road and none were identified on Jackspar Drive. ACI’ION: On motion by Commissioner Gillfillan, and duly seconded, the Traffic Safety Commission upheld the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to establish a prima facie 35 miles per hour speed limit upon Camino Hills Drive, between Faraday Avenue and Browning Road. VOTE: 5-0 AYES: Allen, Gillfillan, Blake, Courtney, Whitton - NOES: None REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Courtney asked Mr. Johnson who should be contacted when a traffic hazard is observed and needs to be addressed. Mr. Johnson replied that his office can be contacted and he will see to it that the proper department is notified. c July 12, 1999 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 7 REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER Mr. Johnson announced that the next meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission will be held on Monday, August 2,1999, at 3:OO p.m., in the City Council Chambers, at which time the newly elected Chairperson (Keith Gillfillan) and Vice- Chairperson (Frank Whitton) will begin their respective terms of ofice. Mr. Johnson further announced that a Resolution of Commendation will be presented to the outgoing Chairperson, John Allen. Mr. Allen responded to the announcement of the Resolution by stating that he will be out of town during the month of August and will not be present at the August 2,1999 meeting. Mr. Johnson replied that the Resolution of Commendation will be postponed until the meeting in September. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of July 12,1999, was adjourned at 352 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Minutes Clerk