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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafety Commission mins 1989/10/12 ; . . . . MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMISSION ~1EETING CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Thursday, October 12, 1989 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Council Chambers Public Services Buildings MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Decker; Commissioners Arnold, Koester, Militscher, Thomas and Waller Vice Chairman Braden (excused) MD1BERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Hal Rosenberg, City Assistant Civil Engineering Aide Traffic Engineer; Engineer; Harry Frank Rivera, Suryantoro, OTHERS PRESENT: See attached attendance list 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTI ON MSC (~1il itscher/Thomas) 4-0-2 (Decker and Waller abstained), to approve the minutes of September 14, 1989. 2. CONTINUED t1ATTERS (b) Request for improving traffic conditions on alley north of "H" Street between Fifth Avenue and Smith Avenue ~1r. Rivera presented staff's report on the alley. The request was made by Mr. Garci a, who has had hi s fence and vehi cl es damaged by vehicles backing out of the bank parking stall s. Staff is recommendi ng angl e parki ng and converti ng the all ey one-way to the east. The one-way to the east proposal woul d reduce the confl ict points, but not eliminate alley congestion. Commi ss i oner Thomas commented a one-way proposal woul d make matters worse. Mr. Lou Palenstini, 4355 Mt. Davis Avenue, San Diego 92117, Manager at Home Federal Savings since April 1989, acknowledged that Mr. Garcia had been in contact regarding damage occurring to his vehicles and other concerns. Mr. Pal ensti ni acknowl edged there is a great deal of traffic movement in the alley. In response to ~1r. Garcia's concerns, the bank offered to install some fence poles; however, the bank received no reply. Primarily due to the drive thru sign being at the east end of the alley, Mr. Palenstini suggested the one-way proposal should be to the west. He further noted, even if parking is angled, there is no guarantee Mr. Garcia's vehicles will not be damaged in the future. . . . . SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES -2- October 12, 1989 2. ill north of "H" Street Commi ssi oner Mi 1 itscher noted the restri cted sight di stance due to the hedge on Mr. Garcia's property. Commissioner Thomas inquired about the angle parking. Mr. Rivera explained angle parking could be installed but at a reduced stall width (one or two stalls, out of 22, would be lost). Mike Green, 535 "H" Street, wrote a letter to the Safety Commission (attached) regardi ng the traffi c congesti on probl ems with the all ey, access to his business parking lot and the one-way proposal. He noted there is alack of adequate parking for bank customers and mentioned Home Federal's attempt in the early 1980's to purchase some of the houses in the vicinity. He feel s the drive thru is a problem and is opposed to the one-way proposal. Ms. Jennie Guillory, 49 Orlando Court, Property Manager for Home Federal, stated the bank had wanted to purchase additional property. ~1r. Garcia declined Home Federal's offer to purchase his property. She commented the bank has offered to install barriers on Mr. Garci a's property. She noted there is a four foot easement in the alley. Chairman Decker asked about the number of the required stalls for the bank. Commissioner ~'ilitscher inquired if the bank had any plans to obtain additional parking area. ~1s. Gui 11 ory responded the bank woul d 1 i ke to increase its parki ng facilities, but no one wants to sell or lease to the bank. Doctor Bob Thomas, 545 "H" Street, concurred with Attorney f.1ike Green. He is opposed to the one-\~ay proposal. He feels the drive thru is the problem and anyone-way proposal would not work due to the businesses. He pointed out there is a constant flow of customers all the time who woul d be affected, there is alack of adequate parking and the flow of traffic is bad. r.1r. Joe Garci a, 484 Fourth Avenue, area resi dent for 28 years, spoke about his vehicles being damaged several times by Home Federal traffic (most were hit and run accidents). Damage to his property was also mentioned. Home Federal has offered to install steel posts, but he has refused because he has to park his van there. Mr. Garcia pointed out that his property is 60 feet by 100 feet. He observed the bank is 10,000 square feet and he feel sit does not have the required number of parking stalls, traffic is gridlocked at times. . SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES -3- October 12, 1989 2. ill of "H" Street Commissioner Arnold asked Mr. Garcia if he had access off Fifth Avenue and if he had a garage. r~r. Garcia affirmed he did have access off Fifth Avenue; however, he had converted his garage to 1 iving area. As a result, he parks two vehicles in the driveway. Mr. Stephen Semanci k, 536 Oti s Street, stated he woul d 1 i ke to keep the trash pick up on the alley. He stated traffic moves very fast down the alley. He al so noted hi s nei ghbor has had thei r fence knocked down and his own has been damaged about 14 times. MOTI ON MSUC ( Mi 1 i tscher /Koes ter) 6-0, to not change the all ey to one-way, ask the bank to improve the parking, cut the bushes at east end of alley to improve sight distance, paint "Do Not Block Intersection" on intersection of alley and Fifth Avenue. . Commi ssi oner Thomas i nqui red terms of their conditional parking. if Home Federal was abiding with the use permit, especially regarding the 2. Mr. Rosenberg replied staff would check with the Planning Department. lEl Request for removal of traffic island at Broadway and "L" Street Mr. Rivera noted this report was continued from the September 14, 1989 Safety Commi ssi on meeti ng. The request was made by Mr. Rodger Hartnett who operates the car wash on the southeast corner of Broadway and "L" Street. Mr. Hartnett claims his business has been reduced as a result of the medi an install ati on on "L" Street at Broadway. It is staff's opinion that the requested opening in the island would defeat the purpose for which the island was installed. Both the Safety Commission and City Council approved the median installation and left turn phasing and, as a result, traffic is flowing better. Accidents in the immediate area have been reduced. Slides of the area were shown and described. Mr. Rosenberg pointed out, if the requested opening were made to the median on "L" Street, it would invite eastbound to northbound left turn onto East Park Lane, the alley behind the 7-Eleven, causing traffic to back-up into the intersection of Broadway. In addition, vehicles westbound to southbound entering the car wash would be stopped thus blocking the westbound travel lanes. . Commissioner Arnold, an area resident, spoke regarding his observation of west to southbound, left turn traffic having doubled since the addition of the left turn signal phase at "L" and Broadway. He observed that traffic sometimes fills up the turn . . . . SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES -4- October 12, 1989 t~OTI ON MSC (Thomas/Militscher) recommendati on and not confi gurati on. Chairman Decker called for a break at 8:04 p.m. 2. ~ of traffi c i sl and at Broadway and "L" Street - pocket and blocks businesses in the medians such as suggested a sign business. the westbound through 1 ane. He noted that other City experience the same traffic patterns due to the one on "H" Street and Fourth Avenue. He be added to attract customers to the car wash Mr. Rodger Hartnett, 5177 Abuela Drive, San Diego, asked about U-turn prohibition signs being installed at the "L" and Broadway i ntersecti on. He acknowl edged traffi c problems at the i ntersecti on have been resolved with the implementation of left turn phasing. He stressed that hi s business has deteri orated from a profitable to a break even operation due to the installation of the berm. He further pointed out the car wash and 7-Eleven driveways are offset fro~ each other. Commi ssi oner r~il itscher asked about the affect of the berm on the Econo Lube business. Mr. Hartnett responded, to his knowledge, that Econo Lube's business has been reduced but not to the point of his car wash business. Commissioner Arnold inquired if a sign for the car wash business would help customers find the car wash. r.1r. Hartnett replied the problem is not signage, as customers know where the car wash is located, but they cannot get to the car wash. Commi ssi oner Thomas requested i nformati on about the requi red street width on which a U-turn would be permitted. Mr. Rosenberg explained there is about 25.5 feet at this particular intersection and 32 feet minimum would be needed. The cost to create a U-turn at this intersection \~ould be from $50,000 to $100,000. Most of the expense would involve relocation of utility poles and acquisition of additional street dedication. 5-1 modify (Waller), to accept the i sl and from its staff's present The meeting was called back to order at B:12 p.m. . SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES -5- October 12, 1989 3. NEW BUSINESS (b) Re uest for the extension of First Avenue to Oran e Avenue via Kim ace Mr. Rivera summarized staff's report and the history for the request. Staff reviewed the traffic volumes and did not find them to be excessive for the design of the streets. Traffic tends to be local in nature with some generated by Castle Park Junior and Senior High Schools. Kim Place, a cul-de-sac, has a sharp curve at the knuckle; the street was not designed to handle larger volumes of tra ffi c that woul d be attracted to thi s new north/south route. A rea 1 i gnment to extend Fi rst Avenue to Orange Avenue wou1 d requi re curves which would be at a lower design speed than required for Class III collectors. Mr. Richard Byers, 1435 Kim P1 ace, 1 ives near the knuckle. He described Kim Place as being very narrow and many cars park on the street. He feel s the proposal wou1 d only cause more prob1 ems. He noted San Diego Gas and Electric has an easement through the area. . t1rs. Barbara Hawley, 1402 Kim Place, lives at the end of the cul-de-sac. She is opposed to the proposal to extend Fi rst Avenue. She reasoned there would be additional traffic volume on Kim Place trying to get out onto Orange Avenue where the present speed limit is 40 mph. Ms. Barbara Hirst, 1400 Kim Place, lives at the end of the cul-de-sac. She commented her brother lives on Tobias Avenue and has no traffic problems. A friend, who lives on Kingswood Drive, also does not believe there is a traffic problem. r~r. Jack Osborn, 1497 Kim P1 ace, resi dent si nce 1972, bel i eves the knuckle is the problem. He mentioned many cars park in the street due to a lack of adequate available parking. Mrs. Alice Suarez, 1417 Kim Place, has two children who she fears for their safety. She commented people drive down the street thinking it is a through street. The knuckle creates traffic congestion. Mrs. Marilynn Truss, 1427 Kim Place, is concerned about the children and a1 so the students who walk down the street on their way to school. She stated the knuckle is not a good place even at 6:00 a.m. She expressed a need for a "Not a Through Street" sign to discourage unneccessary traffic. She feels the proposed extension of First Avenue would create more problems, especially for the park. . MOTI ON MSUC (Koester/Mi 1 i tscher) 6-0, to accept staff I s recommendati on to deny the request to extend First Avenue to Orange Avenue. Chairman Decker commended San Diego Gas and Electric for the good use of the land for a park. . SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES -6- October 12, 1989 3. (c) Report on i nvesti gati on of requests for area of Thi rd Avenue and "F" Street Mr. Rivera presented the staff report. Traffic Engineering staff has adjusted the signal timing at this intersection several times in the past. It has been determined when the timing is adjusted to benefit the pedestrian, the motorist is penalized in the form of increased delays. Staff is recommending audible pedestrian signals be installed at this intersection. . ~1r. Rosenberg described the operation of audible pedestrian signal s. He commented that the City of San Diego has audible pedestrian signals installed at the intersection of College Boulevard and Montezuma Road, near San Diego State University; and on Park Boulevard in Balboa Park, near the Center for the Blind. He remarked Thi rd Avenue and "F" Street coul d be used as a exampl e for other intersections in the City of Chula Vista. Each potential intersection would be studied on a case-by-case basis. Commissioner Arnold suggested an additional audible pedestrian signal to be added at the south 1 eg on the medi an i sl and on Thi rd Avenue. He felt that si nce the medi an is a safe haven for pedestri ans, an additional audible signal would be beneficial. Mrs. Clara Welsh, 288 "F" Street, a resident since 1974, is representing the Congregational Tower and is President of their Council. Congregational Towers has about 250 senior citizens living there. She poi nted out probl ems wi th the skateboarders, scooters, bicyclists and speeders and described a pedestrian/bicyclist accident which occurred in June. Regarding the signal timing, she emphasized most people using this intersection are elderly and handicapped, not average citizens (who were used to calculate required timing). The elderly people cannot cross the street with the average person, she can only make it halfway. Some of the elderly are on canes, walkers and wheel cha i rs. She further noted the east/west di recti on is no problem when crossing the street, but the north/south is. A request for a "No Right on Red" prohibition was mentioned to prevent right turns on red. The audible pedestrian signals will help but more is needed to reduce the speed limit on "F" Street. liOn ON MSUC (Mil itscher/Koester) 6-0, to accept staff's recommendation to add the audible pedestrian signals and study the possibility of adding a "No Right Turn on Red" sign. In addition, staff is to check on the signal timing and flashing (Don't Walk) time. . Mon ON r~ (Arnold) to increase the appropriation amount and ask staff to add one additional audible pedestrian signal to the median on the south leg of the intersection. . . . SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES -7- October 12, 1989 3. ltl ati on of re uests for area of Thi rd Avenue and "F" Commissioner Militscher inquired about the audible signal range. r~r. Rosenberg repl ied, considering ambient traffic noise, the range would be confined to the general area. He added that in the San Diego State area complaints were received regarding the noise emitted at night. MOTION MSUC (Thomas/Militscher) 6-0, that staff appropriate additional funds and install the additional audible pedestrian signal to the median on the south leg of the intersection of Third Avenue and "F" Street. 2. (a) Request for an all-way stop at the i ntersecti on of Lori Lane and David Drive Mr. Rivera reiterated the history of this request. This item was continued from the July 13 Safety Commission meeting. Staff compiled a new set of volume and speed counts. The intersection did not meet the warrants for an all-way stop, receiving 5 points out of a possible 50 (the same result as the prior study). Thirty points are required. The average speeds were also mentioned. Commissioner Arnold discussed the geography of the area. He believes that an all-way stop should be installed. r.10TI ON MSC (Militscher/Koester) recommendation and deny the and David Drive. 5-1 (Arnold), to accept staff's request for an all-way stop at Lori Lane 3. (a) Request for a two hour parking limit in the 700 block of Elder Avenue Mr. Ri vera presented staff's report opposi ng the two-hour park i ng 1 imit. Staff performed a study of the area and found there was no problem noted. There were more vehicles parked on Brightwood Avenue which has a two-hour parking limit. ~10TI ON I1SUC Uli 1 itscher /Koester) 6-0, to accept staff's recommendati on and deny the request for a two-hour parking limit in the 700 block of Elder Avenue. Commissioner Thomas asked why Item 2d was pulled from the agenda. Mr. Rosenberg responded that the Ci ty Attorney has some di ffi cul ty wi th the wording of the policy. There are some discretionary privileges already present; therefore, more review is requested. Commi ssi oner Thomas suggested conducti ng a speci al workshop to refine thi s policy. . . . SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES -8- October 12, 1989 3. (d) Request for a stop ahead sign at East Naples Street and Melrose Avenue ~1r. Rivera presented staff's report opposing installation of a "Stop Ahead" sign. Staff reviewed the past 5-1/2 year accident history and found that the two reported acci dents were not of the nature whi ch could have been prevented by the installation of the requested sign. Slides of East Naples were shown. The stop sign is visible at over 1,000 feet from Melrose Avenue. MOTION r~sc (Thomas/Koester) 5-1 (Arnol d), to accept staff I s report and not install a "Stop Ahead" sign on East Naples Street at Melrose Avenue. Commissioner Arnold discussed the area geometrics. Commissioner Militscher mentioned how good the visibility is at this intersection. 4. TRIAL TRAFFIC REGULATIONS None. 5. STAFF REPORTS t~r. Rosenberg reported that the turn arcs and limit lines at Avenue/"H" Street and "H" Street/Broadway had been repositioned. Dots have been used to delineate the turn arcs. Fourth Bot ts Chairman Decker asked if this procedure could be installed at Hidden Vista Drive and East "H" Street. Mr. Rosenberg responded he would review the possibilities. ~ CIP Status Report FY 1989-90 No comments. iQl Chula Vista Police Department Traffic Summary for August 1989 No comments. 6. COMMUNICATIONS ~ Public Remarks None. . . . . SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES -9- October 12, 1989 6. (b) Commission Comments Commi ssi oner Arno1 d spoke about the recent changes to Si erra Way at Broadway. He praised staff's solution to the traffic congestion. He added the revised parkin9 area is notably improved. Commissioner Thomas asked staff to evaluate left turns coming out of Corte f,1aria Avenue onto "E" Street. Staff discussed the Country Club item and how the trial median procedures did not work out as anticipated. MOTION MSUC (Militscher/Thomas) 6-0, to accept staff's recommendation to conti nue to moni tor traffi c conditi ons on Country Cl ub Dri ve and to not do any further modifications. 7. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE None. 8. RECESS TO REGULAR WORKSHOP No workshop scheduled. 9. ADJ OURNMENT MOTION MSUC (Decker/Thomas) 6-0, to adjourn to the next schedu1 ed meeti ng on Thursday, November 9, 1989. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. .~~~ /2;~~ Record ng Secretary WPC 0374Q