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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-06; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMEETING OF: DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: PLACE OF MEETING: 1. CALL TO ORDER: MINUTES TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION March 6, 2017 5:00 p.m. City Council Chamber Chair Hunter called the Meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Absent: Chair Chuck Hunter Co-Chair Ervin Poka Commissioner Kathryn Fox Commissioner Fred Muir Commissioner Monica Gocan None Staff Members Present: Doug Bilse, City Traffic Engineer Craig Williams, Transportation Manager Kasia Trojanowska, Parks Planning Manager Jim Gale, Engineering Technician 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 9, 2017 ACTION: VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Motion by Co-Chair Ervin Poka and seconded by Commissioner Muir to approve the minutes of the special meeting held on January 9, 2017. 5/0 Hunter, Poka, Fox, Muir, Gocan None None None March 6, 2017 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 2 4. PUBLIC COMMENT: Gene Bellon, President of Alta Verde Homeowners Association, said he appreciates the steps that staff is taking to improve La Costa Avenue and thanked the Traffic Safety Commission and staff for their professionalism. He said it's important to the residents of La Costa Avenue that staff's efforts continue. Aaron McCarty thanked the commissioners for keeping the La Costa Avenue traffic calming project on .the radar. He mentioned a recent incident where he almost got hit by a speeding westbound motorist who was using the lane as a passing lane. He said traffic calming on La Costa Avenue is very important for the safety of everyone. Catherine Bellon said the posted speed limit on La Costa Avenue where she lives is 40 miles per hour but motorists often exceed the limit and the shared bicycle lane is very dangerous for bicyclists. She said a sidewalk only exists on one side of the roadway. She asked that efforts continue to get something done to slow the traffic on La Costa Avenue. Janice Sutton referencing a PowerPoint presentation, asked the commission to address traffic safety issues along Rancho Bravado near the intersection at Paseo Valindo. She said the intersection is unsafe because a motorist stopped at the STOP sign on Paseo Valindo has a limited line of sight when looking eastbound. The fact that cross traffic doesn't have to stop at the intersection is also a concern. She said Rancho Bravado has no STOP signs for the entire stretch from Melrose Drive, which encourages cut-through traffic and speeding. These factors affect the safety of pedestrians, including school children. Janet King said she shares the same concerns expressed by Janice Sutton. She said the unsafe traffic conditions along Rancho Bravado compromise being able to walk and bike safely along the roadway. Michael Shannon requested that traffic calming measures be installed on Harbor Drive. He presented some documents which include a history of concerns and a petition requesting that something be done. He said motorists drive at dangerous speeds along Harbor Drive, a very narrow street, with no sidewalks -forcing people to walk in the roadway. Matthew Wild said many people like to use the end of the cul-de-sac on Harbor Drive which has reduced the quality of life for both residents of the condos and for residents who live along the street. He explained that an incident recently occurred where a friend of his was involved in a confrontation with a resident of the condos and the police had to be called. Shannon Aganza supports traffic calming on Harbor Drive since it is a short street with a cul-de-sac. She would like to see a STOP sign installed or speed bumps or anything else that will slow drivers down. 5. PREVIOUS BUSINESS: None March 6, 2017 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 3 6. NEW BUSINESS: A. New Speed Zones • Estrella de Mar Road north of Alga Road -Establish 30 mph prima facie speed limit Senior Traffic Engineer Doug Bilse presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). ACTION: VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: On a motion by Commissioner Muir and seconded by Commissioner Gecan, the commission agreed with staff's recommendation to establish a 30 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Estrella de Mar Road from Alga Road to 675 feet north of Beryl Way. 5/0 Muir, Gecan, Hunter, Fox, Poka None None None B. Transportation Projects • Update of Various Projects -Recommendation for approval of plans by City Council Senior Traffic Engineer Doug Bilse presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Mr. Bilse said staff wants to start formalizing the process to gain "design immunity" involving the discretionary approval from the City Council. He explained that conceptual plans for a few of these projects were previously brought to this commission as information items only. Mr. Bilse noted that one item on the agenda, "Cassia Road and El Camino Real: Traffic Signal Modification" will not be heard today. • Cassia Road Traffic Calming Modifications Mr. Bilse stated that the commission was informed of this project in December and is being asked to recommend City Council approval of the plans. He explained the modifications proposed for Cassia Road including bicycle by-pass ramps, additional signing and striping for bicyclists, and further delineation of the curb extension areas. Chair Hunter said motorists drive the traffic circle at Nicolia Drive faster than the other two locations and asked if a larger circle will be installed. Doug said staff is reviewing this concept realizing that trucks need to be able to navigate it as well. Commissioner Muir said motorists currently have minimal deflection at all three circles and he's glad more will be done. He suggested moving the domes out further. Co-Chair Poka asked for clarification regarding the options a bicyclist has when approaching the traffic circles. Mr. Bilse explained that a bicyclist can either ride through the traffic circle or use the sidewalk to bypass the circle. March 6, 2017 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 4 Public Comment: Judy Frankel inquired how the proposed improvements relate to bicycles. She said using physical raised features for locations where bicyclists travel is dangerous and using paint is much better. She suggested getting the "Bike and Pedestrian Committee's input" before going forward with bicycle- related projects in the future. She had concerns about bicyclists using the sidewalk at roundabouts. In response to an inquiry from Chair Hunter, LieutenantJackowski said there is a section in the City's Municipal Code that prohibits bicycles from using sidewalks with the only exception being police bicycles. Chair Hunter suggested bringing forth an item at the next meeting to modify the code to allow bicycles at specific locations in the city. Susan Hollander asked if bicyclists are allowed to use the traffic circle. Susan asked if sharrows could be installed within the circles, not only approaching them. Mr. Bilse responded that an additional sharrow will be installed approaching the roundabout. Craig Williams asked the commissioners if they felt a sign should be installed directing bicyclists that they "may use the sidewalk" or a sign that states "bikes must dismount to use sidewalk". Commissioner Muir said a sign stating bicyclists may use the sidewalk would be sufficient. ACTION: On a motion by Commissioner Muir and seconded by Commissioner Poka, the commission recommended City Council approval of the proposed plans for Cassia Road with additional measures to be taken to investigate signing and striping options to make the situation as clear as possible for bicyclists regarding their option to use the sidewalk. VOTE: 5/0 AYES: Muir, Poka, Fox, Gocan, Hunter NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None • Carlsbad Boulevard Restriping-Beech Avenue to Mountain View Drive Mr. Bilse stated that the commission was informed of this project in October as an informational item only. Mr. Bilse explained that this item is to add on-street parallel parking and modify the bike lanes on this portion of Carlsbad Boulevard. He explained that the proposed plans call for buffers to be installed on both sides of the bike lane between the travel lane ard the parked cars. Judy Frankel commented that the width of the proposed buffer between the bike lane and parked cars should be increased to five feet. Craig Williams explained staff's decision regarding the width of the buffer. Chair Hunter said if he understands correctly, the plan calls for an 8-foot parking lane, a 4-foot buffer, and a 7-foot bike lane. Both Mr. Bilse and Mr. Williams affirmed his statement. March 6, 2017 ACTION: VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: • Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 5 On a Motion by Commissioner Fox and seconded by Commissioner Muir, the Commission recommended City Council approval of the Carlsbad Boulevard Restriping Plan. 5/0 Fox, Hunter, Poka, Muir, Gocan None None Beech Avenue Restriping-Washington Street to Carlsbad Boulevard Mr. Bilse stated that the commission was informed of this project in October as an informational item only. Mr. Bilse explained that this item is to add on-street diagonal parking to the north side of Beech Avenue between Washington Street and Carlsbad Boulevard. He said bike lanes are not part of the proposal because they are not recommended to be placed behind diagonal parking spaces. Commissioner Muir asked if back-in parking spaces were considered. Discussion ensued regarding the advantages and disadvantages of having back-in parking spaces at this location. It was noted that about 50 busses travel the roadway daily. It was decided that staff consider installing back-in parking spaces at a different location in the city in the future. ACTION: VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: On a Motion by Commissioner Gocan and seconded by Commissioner Muir, the commission agreed with staff's recommendation regarding the Beech Avenue Restriping Project. 5/0 Gocan, Muir, Hunter, Poka, Fox None None None C. New Traffic Control Devices • None D. Legislation and Policies • Traffic Safety Commission Procedures Doug Bilse presented the staff report and explained that this item was presented at the previous meeting in January. As a result of that meeting, several changes have been made to the procedures and Mr. Bilse explained the changes in detail. March 6, 2017 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 6 ACTION: On a Motion by Commissioner Muir and seconded by Commissioner Poka, the commission agreed with staff's recommendation regarding the revised Traffic Safety Commission Procedures. VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: E. Other Issues 5/0 Muir, Poka, Hunter, Fox, Gocan . None None None • Trails Master Plan -Information Item Only Kasia Trojanowska, Parks Planning Manager, gave a presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) regarding the Trails Master Plan. F. Police-Related Matters • Traffic Safety Grant Sergeant Matt Lowe provided a presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) regarding a grant received by the Carlsbad Police Department from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). He explained that the grant is intended to address distracted driving, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and driving under the influence -with a goal of reducing the number of people killed or injured. A portion of the funds will be used to fund DUI and sobriety checkpoints, traffic enforcement operations, distracted driving operations, and bicycle/pedestrian enforcement operations. 7. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER: In response to concerns presented during Public Comment, Mr. Bilse said a CIP project has been submitted in the amount of $4 million for La Costa Avenue improvements. Regarding Rancho Bravado, staff will investigate the sight distance and speeding concerns. The roadway does not qualify as a residential street per the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Plan (CRTMP) In regards to Harbor Drive, Doug said the roadway does meet the definition of a "Residence District" for purposes of inclusion in the CRTMP. Normally it's the goal of the CRTMP to limit projects to streets with measured critical speeds at or above 32 mph. Craig Williams mentioned that the roadway is only a block long, has no sidewalks, and provides access to Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Mr. Williams added that residents, and others, walk in the roadway and the CRTMP has no category for rating streets without sidewalks. Mr. Bilse said staff can bring this item back. Doug also. mentioned that staff can provide a staff report to change the Carlsbad Municipal Code in regards to allowing bicycles to use the sidewalk on Cassia Road, but this effort may take a few months. March 6, 2017 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 7 Mr. Bilse said the Traffic and Mobility staff had a productive meeting with Lt. Jackowski and Sgt. Lowe of the Police Department's Traffic Division. Several issues were discussed including joint use of the traffic collision database. Commissioner Gocan inquired as to who is responsible for the condition of traffic signals throughout the city. She said the mast arm at the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard/Tamarack Avenue is extremely rusted and she is concerned it will break. Doug said he will have it inspected immediately. Mona asked if an option exists to use PVC coating or something that will last longer and not rust out as quickly. Doug said he will investigate. Commissioner Muir inquired as to the timing of when the roadway will be resurfaced on El Camino Real between Palomar Airport Road and La Costa Avenue. Craig Williams and Doug Bilse said several midblock sections and intersections are scheduled to be done this year. 8. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS: The Commissioners asked that the following items be brought back to the Commission along with staff's recommendations: • Harbor Drive • Update on progress of La Costa Avenue traffic calming • Rancho Bravado • Use of sharrows within traffic circles • Revision of Carlsbad Municipal Code allowing bicycles to use sidewalks 9. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, Chair Hunter adjourned the meeting of March 6, 2017 at 7:12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, k:~ ;;Me_ Engineering Technician II