HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-05; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES
MEETING OF: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
DATE OF MEETING: February 5,2007 (Regular Meeting)
TIME OF MEETING: 3:00 p.m.
PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER:
Vice Chair Roney called the Meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Vice-Chair Guy Roney
Commissioner Gordon Cress
Commissioner Steve Dorsey
Commissioner Bonnie Bradshaw
Absent: Chair Susan Gardner
Staff Members Present: Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation
Lt. Don Rawson, Carlsbad Police Department
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
December 4,2006
ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Dorsey, ,and duly seconded by
Commissioner Bradshaw, to approve the minutes of the regular
meeting of December 4, 2006 as presented.
VOTE: 3-0-1
AYES: Roney, Dorsey, Bradshaw
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Cress
Vice-Chair Roney stated that the Traffic Safety Commission meeting scheduled for January 1,2007
was cancelled; therefore, there are no minutes to be approved.
February 5, 2007 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 2
ITEM 4 - ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
None.
ITEM 5 - PREVIOUS BUSINESS:
Bob Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, informed the Commission that the two items that the Traffic
Safety Commission recommended at the December 4, 2006 meeting will be going to the City
Council for introduction of an ordinance February 6, 2007. The items are consideration of
establishing a prima facie speed limit upon Melrose Drive from Palomar Airport Road to the north
city limit and the installation of stop sign on Wright Place at its intersection with Palomar Oaks
Way. On January 9,2007, the City Council considered the Commission's recommendation for 45
mile per hour prima facie speed limit on El Fuerte Street from Alga Road to Palomar Airport Road.
The City Council continued that item so they could discuss the possibly of installing all-way stops at
the four intersections north of Alga Road in conjunction with the speed limit. At that meeting, there
were residents that attended and asked for all-way stops. The recommendation by the Commission
for a prima facie speed limit of 35 miles per hour on Tamarack Avenue east of College Boulevard
was adopted by the City Council. Lastly, the recommendation by the Commission for a 35 mile per
hour prima facie speed limit on Palomar Oaks Way north of Palomar Airport Road was implemented
by an ordinance adopted by the City Council.
ITEM 6 - NEW BUSINESS:
ITEM 6A: Establish a prima facie speed limit upon Dove Lane from Moorhen Place to El
Camino Real.
Mr. Johnson explained that this item concerns the recommendation from the Traffic Safety
Coordinating Committee for a prima facie speed limit to be established upon Dove Lane from
Moorhen Place to El Camino Real. The road is very short, only 0.28 miles in length. It is
unclassified on the Circulation Element. Referring to Exhibit 1, he explained that the land uses in the
vicinity of the roadway are at El Camino Real on the east, a single family residential development to
the west where Dove Lane T's into Moorhen Place, and an existing residential driveway to the east
of Moorhen Place. The main entrance to the Dove Library is on Dove Lane and the shopping center
also has its entrance off of Dove Lane. In the future, there will be a driveway to serve a 53 unit
townhome complex that will be built on the vacant land to the west of El Camino Real and to the
north of Dove Lane.
Mr. Johnson stated that an Engineering and Traffic Survey was conducted for this roadway in order
to determine an appropriate prima facie speed limit. Traffic volumes are low near Moorhen Place
and are much higher just to the west of El Camino Real. This would be expected since the portion
just west of El Camino Real serves shopping center traffic, library traffic, and the traffic going
westerly to and from the single family residential homes. A traffic volume of 7,533 vehicles per day
February 5, 2007 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 3
was measured in early January 2007. Traffic control on Dove Lane includes a traffic signal at the
intersection of El Camino Real and a stop sign at the intersection of Moorhen Place.
Mr. Johnson indicated that a speed survey was conducted on Dove Lane and the critical speed on
this portion of the roadway was found to be 39 miles per hour with 90 percent of the vehicles in the
pace speed. There were three pace speeds on this roadway, which is not unusual. Although the road
is unclassified on the Circulation Element, it varies in width from 40 to 48 feet, with the 48-foot
segment near El Camino Real. There is a short segment of road with centerline grades up to 10
percent. Generally, the roadway is fairly flat and there are several horizontal curves.
Mr. Johnson stated that hi the future with the development of the townhomes, there is an expectation
that there will be pedestrian activity to the Dove Library at this intersection which is uncontrolled at
this time. There is also an expectation that the shopping center pedestrians would be crossing at this
location which is also uncontrolled. When the townhome project went to the Planning Commission
and City Council, there was some discussion about pedestrian activity and the ability of the
pedestrians to cross the roadway. Being that Dove Lane is currently unposted and the fact that it is a
two lane road having an absolute or maximum speed of 55 miles per hour, the action before the
Commission today is to be proactive is establishing a prima facie speed limit before additional
residential development occurs along Dove Lane. When that occurs, having a posted speed limit
would preempt any concerns of the public about a roadway with an unposted speed limit. That is the
reason staff brought the matter before the Traffic Safety Commission today.
Mr. Johnson mentioned that based on an evaluation of the results of the Engineering and Traffic
Survey, the future land development, current and future pedestrian activity, and some bicycle
activity, it is the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee that a 35 mile per
hour prima facie speed limit be established on Dove Lane from Moorhen Place to El Camino Real.
DISCUSSION:
Commissioner Bradshaw asked if Dove Lane would be widened when the townhome project is
developed.
Mr. Johnson said that there would be no plans to widen the road. The curb and gutter exists and it
will remain in its present configuration.
Vice-Chair Roney asked if there was a time table for when the townhouse project would go in.
Mr. Johnson answered that he did not have any schedule. It will be private development and they
move at their own schedule when they feel it is appropriate for residential development. There is talk
February 5, 2007 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 4
about a slow down in the residential market and that may factor into the developer's decision as to
when it is appropriate to build and try and market various residential units.
MOTION:
ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Dorsey, and duly seconded by
Commissioner Cress, to recommend establishing a 35 mile per hour
prima facie speed limit upon Dove Lane from Moorhen Place to El
Camino Real.
VOTE: 4-0-0
AYES: Roney, Cress, Dorsey, Bradshaw
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ITEM 6B: Review, comment upon, and approve the TSC rules and procedures and adopt
TSC Resolution No. 2007-1.
Mr. Johnson explained that on an annual basis the Traffic Safety Commission reviews the procedural
rules for the conduct of the Traffic Safety Commission meeting. If there are issues or matters during
the previous twelve months that dictate a change in the rules and the way the Commission operates,
this is an opportunity to incorporate those changes formally into the rules and procedures. The matter
does not go to the City Council for action. Since Chairperson Gardner is not present at today's
meeting, the Commission has the opportunity and decision whether they would like to continue the
matter for a full five-person Commission, offer any changes and then consider those matters at the
next available meeting when there is a five-person Commission, or take action on the agenda item
today if there are no changes. At several meetings early last year, there were many changes
discussed and incorporated into the current Resolution.
DISCUSSION:
Vice-Chair Roney asked the Commission if they wanted to table this item until Chair Gardner was
present and all five members were in attendance.
Commissioner Dorsey responded that Commissioner Bradshaw had put in quite a bit of work last
year on this and it had been discussed extensively over two or three meetings in 2006. He felt very
comfortable voting on this matter today.
Commission Cress stated that it was just six months ago that it had been reviewed by the
Commission, and he also felt it should be voted on today.
February 5, 2007 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 5
Commissioner Bradshaw said she agreed.
MOTION:
ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Cress, and duly seconded by Commissioner
Dorsey, to adopt TSC Resolution No. 2007-1 as presented.
VOTE: 4-0-0
AYES: Roney, Cress, Dorsey, Bradshaw
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ITEM 7: REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS
None.
ITEM 8: REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER
Mr. Johnson stated that the next regular meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission is scheduled to be
held on March 5, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
ADJOURNMENT:
By proper motion Vice-Chair Roney adjourned the Regular Meeting of February 5, 2007 at 3:13
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_ Ujfo*
Ruth Woodbeck
Minutes Clerk