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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafety Commission mins 1990/07/12 . . . MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Thursday, July 12, 1990 7:10 p.m. Council Conference Room City Hall Building ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Decker, Commissioners Koester, Militscher, Thomas, Waller MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chair Braden, :mexcused; Commissioner Arnold, excused STAFF PRESENT: Zoubir Ouadah, Associate Traffic Engineer; Frank Rivera, Assistant Civil Engineer; Mike Donnelly, Assistant Traffic Engineer OTHERS PRESENT: Patrol Division Officer Barry Bennett. Also, see attached attendance list. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION Approve minutes of the June 14, 1990 Safety Commission meeting. MSUC [Militscherrrhomas] 4-0-1, Waller abstained due to absence from last meeting, to approve the Minutes of June 14, 1990. 2. CONTINUED MATTERS: (2A) Report on Bonita Road Shell Oil Company e:as station car wash Frank Rivera presented staff report. Bob Thomas, Safety Commission, Brooks Herring and employees of Shell Oil Company, the Director of Public Works, John Lippitt, and I met and discussed the asphalt condition along Bonita Glen Drive where Shell OJ] Company has their car wash. At the meeting we had with them, it was decided that Shell wiI1 continue to pay for any asphalt repairs which the City does on Bonita GJen Drive due to their car wash. A cO! pie of times the City has replaced the pavement and Shell has paid the bil1. Shell Oil Company informed us that they wiI1 be removing aJl of their present car wash equipment at the gas station and installing a new system which wiI1 cost approxim"tely $40,000. This new equipment wiI1 include a dryer or a blower. It is expected. hat this wiI1 reduce the amount of water runoff which runs off onto Bonita Glen Drive. We also discussed that we wanted the pavement on Bonita Glen Drive--the loadway reconstructed from asphalt 1 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes to concrete. It was decided that Shell will be paying for one-half of this cost. Shell will be obtaining an estimate and submitting it to the City and the City will be sharing the cost. At this point we have not received an estimate for the amount of work; it is estimated that the project will cost approximately $50,000, with Shell paying one- half or $25,000. We anticipate that the car wash will be installed later this year and that reconstruction of Bonita Glen Drive in the area of the Shell Gas Station will be underway within a few months. The City's share will be obtained through funding approved by the City Council. Chairman Decker asked if it was staffs opmJO.1 that this issue could have been mitigated through original planning by the Planning Department. Mr. Rivera responded that was a difficult question to answer in that there are several car washes in the City and we do not experience nearly the same amount of pavement deterioration that we do at the Shell car wash. The volume of the vehicles and the absence of a drying system is what has caused the pavement to deteriorate rather rapidly. Chairman Decker stated that he did not wish a debate, but noted that other car washes in the City do not drain into the streets. Mr. Rivera stated that other car washes also have a larger area where they can dry cars or the water can runoff on the private property. Chairman Decker wondered about the fiscal impw:;t to the City of $25,000. He stated that realistically, this is not out of our pocket, I,ut this is taxpayers money nand asked if this figure was a conservative estimate or could the figure go beyond the $50,000 total cost. Mr. Rivera responded that the range of estimates were from $40,000 to approximately $70,000 and the estimate includes a variety of items which we do not have to install, but the cost will be approximately $50,000. It depends on how long Shell Oil Company decides to wait on this project. Shell has budgetary constraints and the longer they wait the more expensive this project will be. Chairman Decker said he was curious about this, asking staff if this matter had been discussed with the City Attorney and if our [Safety Commission] actions are within the Charter. 2 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes Mr. Rivera stated that staff has been working with the Safety Commission to try to eliminate this safety problem and that staff wants to get it resolved as best we can. At this point the matter has been brought before the Safety Commission for review and action so that then staff can forward their recommendation and the Safety Commission's action to the City Council for final determination. Commissioner Thomas [a member of the Safety Commission subcommittee to deal with this issue] stated that we have to continue what we are doing and not let up on the pressure with Shell to get this matter resolved satisfactorily. We had a meeting on June 21 and Brooks Herring [Shell Oil representative] was to give a report to John Lippitt within two to three weeks. We do not have it. One of the things I did not like, coming out of the June 21 meeting, is that since they pick up the responsibility they indicated that is Shell if not moving fast enough for the City and we feel there is deterioration for traffic safety, that we could basically go ahead and pave the road and they will pick up the bill. It was kind of like, well if we [Shell] are not moving fast enough, go ahead and then give us the bill and we will deal with it on down the road. Commissioner Waller wanted to know why the City is being held responsible for even one-half of the cost for the repair, when it was their problem to begin with. Mr. Rivera stated that it was decided by the Director of Public Works that it was not fair to subject Shell Oil Company to reconstruct the entire roadway, since the water damage is primarily constrained to the easterly half of the roadway and the City does not want the roadway half in concrete and half in asphalt. It was felt that the entire [width] of the road should be in all concrete and so it was decided that it should be a project shared by both the City and Shell Oil Company. Shell will be spending the $40,000 for the car wash plus the $25,000 to $30,000 for one-half of the roadway repair. 3. NEW BUSINESS (3A) Report on traffic concerns for Nadon Avenue south of East "L" Street Mr. Rivera informed the Commission that staff received a request from Mr. Matias who lives at the intersection of Nacion Avenue and Nita Court. He is concerned about vehicular speed on Nacion Avenue in tha: area. Nacion Avenue is a street with a 36 foot curb to curb width and the speed Fmit is posted at 25 mph. Staff has completed traffic counts in the area and there are approximately 4,035 vehicles per day--half in each direction, 2,000 northbound amI 2,000 southbound. The area has many curves and also a grade of approximately lZ percent. The horizontal curves in the area have a design speed of 25 mph. There are also curve warning signs on Nacion Avenue advising motorists to drive 20 mph. In a review of the accident 3 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes history for Nacion Avenue, it showed that there are no records of any accidents reported between Inkopah and East "L" Street. Upon investigation of the street one can tell where there have been accidents. In speaking with the residents, it was learned that most have been hit and nlll, they are not reported to the Police Department. The accidents have been attributed to vehicles traveling faster than the posted speed limit. Staff completed speed surveys and it was learned that the average speed northbound, which is down the hill, is 33 mph with the 85 percentile being at 37 mph; the southbound speed, because they are going up the hill, is slowern at 27 mph for an average, and the 85 percentile is 30 mph. Staff is recommending that in order to reduce the speeds on Nacion Avenue that edge lines be added on to the roadway. After having made a field inspection, staff believes the best location for striping in this area is to have a 7 foot parking lane, followed by an edge line, would delineate the end of the travel lane and the parking lane, allowing an 11 foot instead of an 18 foot travel lane. Presently, when there are no vehicles parked in front of the residences in the area, the vehicles use up the entire street short cutting through the curves. We feel that with an 11 foot travel lane this will constrain the motorists to that travel lane and thereby make the motorist more aware of the curves in the area and subsequently slow the motorist down. Slides of the area were shown to the Commissioners. Mr. Rivera indicated [using the slides] where the parking lane and the edge line would be placed within the street. Chairman Decker asked if at the beginning of the edge line, in both directions, there would be a transition. Mr. Rivera explained how the lines would be tapered off the curb line, and how the edge line would begin to reduce the travel lane, mtil the 7 foot parking width would be achieved. Chairman Decker asked if staff planned to go back at some time in the future to see how this solution was working. Mr. Rivera said that was staffs intent. We will go back and redo the exact same survey in the same location where the equipment was set up previously. MOTION That Safety Commission accept staffs recommendation for the white edge line. MSUC, [Koester/Waller] 5-0, approved. Chairman Decker informed those present that unless someone requested to speak on an item that there is no public discussion to the item. That they cannot make comments from the floor, that they would be out of order. That if they wished to 4 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes speak on an item then they must complete a Request to Speak form and give it to the recording secretary, then they could speak during the Public Discussion portion covering the item under advisement. (3B) ReQuest for parkin!! prohibition on northeast corner of Third Avenue and Tremont Street Mr. Rivera gave staffs report, stating that this is a request for parking prohibition on the northeast corner of Third Avenue and Tremont Street. At the last Safety Commission meeting, Mr. Steve Palma the Community Development Chairman of the Otay Town Committee requested that staff investigate the intersection of Third Avenue and Tremont Street. On the northeast corner there is a car dealership and the concern is that there is an excessive number of vehicles on that property and on the street which block a fire hydrant, a driveway and if the vehicle is large enough, sometimes the stop sign is blocked. Because of this, sight distance is reduced for oncoming vehicles on Third Avenue. Tremont Street motorists have a difficult time seeing oncoming vehicles. Staff investigated this request and the City Municipal Code prohibits parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant and within 8 feet of a driveway. Staff has spoken with the Police Department to cite the illegally parked vehicles. The Police will be citing those vehicles. Staff believes that a parking prohibition in this area needs to be implemented. This would consist of red curbing between the stop sign near the fire hydrant to 10 feet south of the driveway--a distance of approximately 40 feet. The accident history in the area from January 1, 1986 to June 1, 1990 show that there have been 18 reported 2ccidents at this intersection. Staff recommends that adequate sight distance be maintained in this area. Therefore, staff is recommending that the area along the north curb line, west of the Tremont Avenue driveway--I545 Third Avenue--be painted red, and for a distance of 10 feet east of said driveway also be painted red to prohibit parking in the vicinity of the fire hydrant and driveway to maintain sight distance. Chairman Decker asked if 0 & C Motors was notified of tonight's meeting. Mr. Rivera stated yes they were and that he had gone with a staff member to the car dealership and left messages as they were unab1e to contact [by phone] the owner. But he was notified of the meeting, he was sent notification of the meeting. Using slides of the area, Mr. Rivera gave a presentation of the present situation and how staffs recommendation would help alleviate the current problem. Chairman Decker asked if it were illegal for those vehicles [shown in a slide] to be parked near the fire hydrant to be parked there. Mr. Rivera stated that it was. 5 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes Chairman Decker asked if there was anything the Police Department could do. Officer Barry Bennett [using the slide of the vehicles parked on the property but within an illegal distance of the fire hydrant and driveway] stated that this was a zoning violation, that if a vehicle is parked within 15 feet of a fire hydrant then the police can cite. Commission Waller, wishing not to assuming anything, asked ifthe car dealership has been checked for proper licenses. Mr. Rivera stated that he is legally entitled to have his car dealership business there. The problem is that he has too many vehicles for the size of the property and consequently, he puts the vehicles out on the street and although he does move them, he has an excessive number of vehicles for this area. MOTION That Safety Commission accept staffs recommendation. MSVC, [MilitscherlKoester] 5-0, approved. (3C) Report on access to Rutl!ers Avenue from Otav Lakes Road Mobile Home Park Chairman Decker pointed out to the audience, who is very interested in this item, that the Commission will have a staff report first, then Commissioners will ask staff questions, then after that there will be comments from those who requested to speak, in favor or in opposition, on this item, that after each person speaks the Commissioners may ask questions. Once you are finished with your period of time, which is 5 minutes, you do not get to make ary additional comments--except to respond to Commissioner questions. Mike Donnelly presented staff's report. This is a written request from the Mobilehome Owners' Association of the Otay Lakes Lodge Mobilehome Park for an additional access point to Rutgers Avenue. It is an existing, locked, emergency gate at the present time. What brought this matter up is that the City is putting a six-lane major arterial road in front on the mobilehome park and their left turn exiting ability to go east on Otay Lakes Road is being cutting nut. Their driveway is not going to be signalized, therefore to make a left turn will be very hazardous, consequently that access is being cut off. They will only be able to exit the mobile home park, make a right turn and go down to Rutgers Avenue at which point they can make a V-turn and then go east on Otay Lakes Road. They are asking for this additional exit out onto Rutgers Avenue, where they can drive the short distance to Otay Lakes Roadn which will be signalized--to make a left turn on to Otay Lakes Road to go east. The Commissioners are very familiar with Rutgers Avenue--it is posted at 25 mph, 64 feet 6 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes wide, one traffic lane in each direction and parking on each side of the roadway, with a bike lane on each side, and a two-way left turn down the middle. It is currently carrying approximately 4,000 cars per day. Staff feels that in the immediate future most of the trips generated out of the requested exit will be 50 or less trips per day. There would be a stop sign posted at the bottom of this exit driveway. We believe this will be used only as an exit, as the mobilehome park has a main access driveway onto Otay Lakes Road and they would not have stop signs from this exit as they can only make a right turn, heading westbound. Eventually, there will be a signal at Rutgers and Otay Lakes Road and they will be able to make protected V-turns at that intersection. This signal may be three to five years away from installation. Commissioner Militscher asked the location of this locked emergency gate. Mr. Donnelly referred them to the drawing in their packet. It is between 927 and 931 Rutgers. He stated that the right of way is approximately 20 feet wide, but that the concrete driveway is only 12 feet. The driveway is not adequate for two-way traffic and that is why staff is recommending that it only be used as an exit. Some people may want to go in this way as it may be a short cut to their residence, but staff recommends its use only as an exit. Chairman Decker asked if most of the traffic that is coming out of the mobile home park onto Otay Lakes Road is turns right (westbound). Mr. Donnelly responded that is the case, approximately 90 percent goes westbound. Chairman Decker asked if staff had any studies to this effect. Mr. Donnelly stated that staff did not actually go out there and count, staff did stand out there and watched the traffic flow pattern for a good while. Chairman Decker asked if it would be logical to assume that many people who would turn left [on Otay Lakes Road] would take this [requested new] exit out as opposed to going down Otay Lakes Road to make the V-turn. Mr. Donnelly noted that there were no major traffic generators to generate traffic, at this time, out east. When a planned shopping center goes in, which is at least five years away, and the EastLake Business Park is fully operational, then those might be generators. Commissioner Waller asked if this requested exit is fenced on both sides of the driveway, to preclude children from running acrcss the driveway. 7 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes Mr. Donnelly stated that there was wood fencing on both sides, approximately 5 to 6 feet high. [A slide of this proposed exit was shown to the Commissioners.] Mr. Rivera indicated the wooden fence, noting that there was a chain link fence directly behind the wood fence. Commissioner Waller wished to know if staff planned to install an exit only sign. Mr. Donnelly stated that plans call for a do not enter sign and a stop sign. Commissioner Thomas asked if there were a sight distance problem in making a left turn from this proposed exit. Mr. Donnelly responded no. Chairman Decker asked if this were a minor grade. Mr. Rivera responded, yes, it is a continuous grade. PUBLIC COMMENTS Charles E. Costello, 1925 Otay Lakes Road, #32, Chula Vista, 92013. The opposition I would like to speak to on this is that I think when the safety engineers were out there--first, let me say it is a locked gate and it is on private property and it would be the discretion of the owners whether they wanted to open the gate or not. It is not up to us or the homeowners' association. In the 17 or 18 years that I have lived there, the subject has been broached before and they have not seen fit to open that gate. I see no reason why they would want to this time. The kids come up on their skateboards and they come up as far as the gate in the evenings and they skate down that hill toward Rutgers Avenue. They manage to stop because they do not have a real long run. But i: they had that gate open they are going to start in the mobilehome park and they are going to have the best skateboard ramp down to Rutgers Avenue. There is no one to police them nor to stop it and they are going to tearing out onto Rutgers Avenue and going to get hurt. I think your putting signs up would be a good idea, but I think people are going to use that for an entrance also. When you get two cars on a hill and one has to back up the hill or back down into the street that is going to be dangerous because there is no room for anything but one car. I see no problem even after the road is constructed [new six-lane Otay Lakes Road] of going down on to Rutgers Avenue and making a V-turn. You do not have to make a V-turn on Otay Lakes Road. There is no eastbound traffic and there probably won't be for two to three years of the people leaving the park and going out to the proposed new centers. We have always had a sense of security with that gate locked, most of us being up in age. It has kept the hot rod kids and the people we don't want in the park from coming in. There is only 8 . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes one way out and if they come in there and raise to much devilment they know there is only one way out and they stay out pretty much. I don't think it will be all that safe with the gate unlocked because the people and kids will corne in. Commissioner Thomas asked staff about the private gate on private property. Mike Donnelly responded that there would have to be a fee paid, this is mentioned in the report. The owners would have to request of the Planning Commission that this gate be opened. Commissioner Thomas asked if the owners are willing to do that. Mike Donnelly stated that staff does not the answer to this at the present time. The request has corne from the homeowners' association and that staff is taking this one step at a time. That if the homeowners' association gets your concurrence and recommendation, then they can take the next step. It amounts to a three or four step process. . Stephannie Van Gaasbeck, 931 Rutgers Avenue, Chula Vista, 92013. We live at 931 Rutgers Avenue. I don't know if you care to look, but we have also taken pictures of the vehicle there and the grade is such that if you go down [this driveway] and off the driveway, our house is gone. The driveway is level with our roof. Also when we moved in, we are the original owners, 17 years ago, we were told that this roadway was built as a fire exit or if there were an emergency the fire trucks could get up to the trailer park. That is what the road is built for. They have opened this gate once or twice during all the years we have been there and there were more than 50 cars [per day] coming in and out of that trailer park and they were going both ways, backing up and down the hill. I have three children, one of which is small. I cannot let them out. They do play in the yard and ride their bikes down the hill. As the other man said, the kids do use the driveway now and with the gate open they would start in the park and corne down the driveway and out into Rutgers Avenue and probably get killed. I don't know when they do a traffic study, but the average traffic speed on that road at that time was 38 mph. Police used to be out there giving lots of tickets. Stop sign or not, if those kids use that driveway from inside the trailer park someone is going to get killed. Our property value, if they open this fence, if obviously going to go down. That road will become a main road. I don't care what you say, people will be going in and out because it is a short cut. It is that simple, it would be a short cut. I do believe the walkway [on the side of the driveway] is on our property line. There is not enough space to walk if cars are going up and down that road. If they are worried about the turn, there are able to turn out left now and I don't feel it is our fault that the City is widening the road. I don't think we should have to bear the burden. I think that if it is anybody, it should be the developer. If they can turn out left now, why won't they be able to . 9 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes turn out left once they widen that road. Why does that become our problem now or the problem of the people in the trailer park. Why does that become our problem because someone is widening the road, wasn't that taken into account, so that people could turn left. Chairman Decker explained that the new six-lane would be a divided highway and that is why there will be no left turn. There will be a median in the center. There will be an opening at Rutgers. Mrs. Van Gaasbeck stated that they can go down [Otay Lakes Road] and turn [U- turn] rather than use that road [the proposed exit from the locked driveway]. Commissioner Thomas asked staff how many times has the locked gate been opened and closed and what were the reasons for opening and closing it. Mr. Rivera responded that he did not recall when the fence was open before, but that it has been used for ambulances and fire emergency vehicles. Commissioner Waller asked if they [the mobilehome park residences] were going to have the same access out on to Otay Lakes Road. Mr. Rivera stated that the entrance would be modified somewhat, with the roadway coming up closer to the entrance. There will be three eastbound and three westbound lanes as well as bike lanes in each direction and the middle traffic lane will be separated by a raised median. Mr. Donnelly informed the Commission that motorists will have access into the mobile home park from Otay Lakes Road, going eastbound. There will be an opening in the median for the turn. Coming out of the mobilehome park on to Otay Lakes Road they will not be able to turn left to go eastbound. Wayne Van Gaasbeck, 931 Rutgers Avenue, Chula Vista, 92013. I am also the property owner there, I have been for 17 years since the property was built. At that time, before purchasing the property, I did some inquires into the nature of this access road and I was told by people associated with the County Recorders Office that was an easement off of the adjacent property and in agreement with the Otay Lakes Lodge it was to be an emergency fire access road and the conditional use permit was granted on that premise. Now it is being asked that the conditional use permit be modified somehow, conditions that I am grateful that I get to speak to. There are some rea] safety concerns that I have. If you look at those pictures [my wife] circulated, you see that the tail end of the truck is right on an elevation equal with my bedroom window, my children's bedrooms and that if a car were to come over off that railing into my backyard--that low point is about a 6 foot 10 . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes . drop, the distance between the house and the asphalt curb is about 12 feet--the can see the vehicle in the drive and one vehicle is about all it is going to take and I know that pedestrians from the mobilehome park do use that and with vehicular traffic they are going to be pushed over on to that dirt walkway, part of which is, by the way, part of my property. If you look at the token marker. I don't particular want pedestrians tramping over my shrubbery or damaging my irrigation system. Be it as it is now it does take time to develop. At the high point, your slides would show it better, at the rear of my property, if a car is exiting at the mobilehome park and something happens, and somebody comes off at the high point, that is a good 30 foot drop down a bank that is very, very steep, close to 30 percent grade on that bank and it is held now by a small retaining wall. There is virtually nothing, except a redwood Hill & Dale fence and some chain link to prevent a car coming down into my back yard or into my bedrooms. The other concern that I have has to do with the roof on the house, and the elevation that it is at, and it is a shake roof, 17 years old--it is not ready for a new roof yet, it is not leaking, I know that it is a 25 year roof and maybe in five years will [need to be replaced] but I don't think my buying a new roof should be precipitated by someone seeking a variance on a conditional use permit. I think that if a car back fires or somebody throws out a cigarette butt or ash or something, I think the roof is gone, the house is gone, my children are gone. It concerns me very much and I ask myself why; and the why answers that come out of this is that it is a matter of convenience. If you look at the real if-sues here, I think that the people who want to use that [the proposed exit] would come down on to Rutgers Avenue in order to have access to Otay Lakes Road east and would have to turn left on to Otay Lakes Road. If they exit from the main exit from the mobilehome park they wind up at the same location. My question is, at what cost and at what potential harm. Children do play there, there is a danger. I was involved in the traffic hearings that went on there when people were trying to get it lowered [the speed limit] and the traffic survey results estimated an average 85 percentile speed of 38 mph and we are going to ask people to turn left out of there [the proposed exit]. I know it is posted 25 mph, I have lived there a long time and I know nobody goes 25 mph on that street. Thank you. Commissioner MiJitscher asked that when coming out of the existing driveway on to Otay Lakes Road now, that Otay Lakes Road in the future is going to have a raised median, will there will be no way to signalize that intersection to permit left turns at that point. . Mr. Rivera respond that staff does not anticipate a signal being installed at the mobilehome park driveway, the volumes would te too low and the proximity to the Rutgers Avenue which will be signalized, the mobilehome park exit does not warrant a traffic signal. Volumes would not be there. Slides were shown of the exit on to Otay Lakes Road from the mobile home park. It was pointed out where the median is presently being installed. 11 . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes Chairman Decker called a recess at 7:59 p.m. Safety Commission called back into session at 8:09 p.m. James R. Quinn, 1925 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, 92013. From what I have been hearing, people are getting the idea that the [locked] exit on Rutgers Avenue is going to be a permanent fixture. From my understanding of it, it is just going to be a temporary exit and later on a temporary exit and entrance while the westbound lane of Otay Lakes Road is going to be redone. The eastbound lane is compJeted. We have easy access into the park eastbound, but westbound is becoming more and more difficult to manipulate. The Rutgers Avenue exit is something both parties are going to have to live with until the roadway is completed. I can picture peopJe getting hot under the collar by misinterpreting the parameters the contractor is trying to do. That is all I have. Commissioner Militscher asked staff if this was to be temporary while the Otay Lakes Road was under construction, that is, is this proposed exit to be used as an exit and entrance and then once Otay Lakes Road construction is complete, the entrance is to be dosed. . Mr. Donnelly responded that it is not necessarily whiJe Otay Lakes Road is under construction the mobilehome park residents have adequate access now; it is for when the median goes across the driveway and they do not have left turns out of the mobilehome park any more. Currently they have left turn access, but when the median is completely installed, they will not have left turn access. That is why they are starting on it now [the action to get the dosed gate opened], because when the road is finished in two to three months, there idea is to be down the line in getting the gate open, because there is several steps they have to go through. Commissioner Waller noted that in the letter from the Mobilehome Owners' Association requesting the use of the exit there is nowhere in the Jetter that they are requesting this opening be temporary. they are requesting a permanent opening. . Russ Haltermann, 1925 Otay Lakes Road, Space 16, Chula Vista, 92013. My feeling about this is that you are going to have to make a right hand turn at the [current] exit in order to get to Rutgers Avenue and then make a V-turn to go back east, if you want to go east. If you use the [proposed exit] you still have to go over to Rutgers Avenue and come down and make a left turn. I can't see that you gain a thing. Furthermore, just out of curiosity, I went up to that access road the other day and it is not wide enough for traffic in both directions. I sympathize with the man who lives at 931 Rutgers Avenue. If anything happens to cause an accident and someone looses control of their vehide they are going to go right down into his house. It is a very dangerous situation. I can't see there is any gain. That is all I have to say. 12 . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes . Owen L. Johnson, 1925 Otay Lakes Road, Space 181, Chula Vista, 92013. I have a vested interest in this. I pull at times a 37 foot five wheel trailer. Approximately from the front bumper of my cab to the back bumper of my trailer is approximately 50 feet. I can foresee being hit about three times trying to make a V-turn at Rutgers Avenue. I will need to take four of the six lanes in order to make that turn. The way that traffic goes down Otay Lakes Road in the six years I have lived there, and my wife has lived there 17 years, the people who go to Otay Lakes Park, they drink, come back in on Otay Lakes Road, there are kids traveling in excess of 70 mph to 80 mph across that park entrance. For a person to pull out to the right of the mobilehome park entrance, cross three lanes to make a V-turn at Rutgers Avenue, in that short of a distance in that type of traffic flow, it is going to be dangerous within the next three to five years what with the Olympic Training Center going in, more housing going in south of Otay Lakes Road, the business center going in out east of the Park, there is already double the traffic since they have opened the entrance into the back side of EastLake now. Half of the people are coming out that way, especially the people who have to go south to work. I go to work about 5 to 6 in the morning and there are times I have to wait 5 to 10 minutes to get on to Otay Lakes Road. I can foresee the difficulty that someone is going to have at that time of morning for someone to get across those lanes of traffic. I sympathize with the children and such, that is the parent's problem, the parents should not have kids on private property, they should know where they are. It is also a little bit of a police problem. They are trespassing. Once they enter the roadway, even though that gate is locked, that is on private property, and it is not their property and it is not their parents property. It is the property of the park owners. They have that right of way, which they worked out several years ago. As far as that gate ever being open, my wife has been there for 17 years and she has seen it opened twice in those 17 years. The first time was due to a fire in space 2, which is at the main entrance, they closed that entrance off while they were fighting that fire. A mobilehome fire is a lot different that a house fire to fight. The second time was when they were redoing the streets. To give access while they were repaving and could not get out at the main entrance. Those are the only time she has ever seen that gate open. Other people here have stated the same thing. It has never been used as far as they know for any kind of emergency access. The six years I have ceen there the fire department and ambulances use the main entrance and their main concern is the speed bumps in the park. That is all I have. Commissioner Decker asked Mr. Johnson how often he pulled this 35 foot trailer. . Mr. Johnson stated that, on average in an year, six to eight times a year. All it takes is one time, to be in the wrong place at the wrong time with someone coming down Otay Lakes Road too fast. 13 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes Adam Lichterman, 1925 Otay Lakes Road, Space 91, Chula Vista, 92013. Space 91 is on the rim of the park overlooking Otay Lakes Road and the Ranch. That section of Otay Lakes Road has been the most notorious killer. I have, in the 13 years that I have lived there, I have seen the result of at least five to six fatal accidents down around the entrance [mobilehome park] of Otay Lakes Road. This is the result of people come tearing down that road and it is through colIisions or loss of control of their vehicle. My concern is people coming in and getting out of Otay Lakes Lodge. As you are probably aware, a good percentage of the residents of that park are senior citizens, a good many of them elderly. They are more tentative drivers. I believe that this new highway constitutes a hazard for these people, what with this speedway going right past the entrance to the [mobilehome] park. I think it is imperative that these people have the option of alternate means of exiting the park in order to do their shopping, not having to face the hazards of high speed traffic whizzing by the entrance to the mobilehome park. That is all I wanted to say. That road has been a danger in the past and I am concerned that with the increase of population and the increase of traffic that it will continue to be a very hazardous road. Commissioner Thomas inquired where the traffic signal will be installed and will it have a protected U-turn. Mr. DonnelIy responded that it will be instalIed at Rutgers Avenue. Anytime we have median cut on a six-lane facility there has to be a traffic signal with a protected U-turn arrow. Commissioner Thomas further inquired as to the schedule of installation for this signal. Mr. Donnelly stated that it is three to five years away. Commissioner Waller noted that the highway will be open way before the light is installed. Mr. Donnelly informed the Commissioners that Otay Lakes Road will be complete in two to three months. Commissioner WalIer asked if the [signal instalIa~ion] was about seventh on the list. Mr. Donnelly responded that he was not sure it was even on the list yet. Chairman Decker asked if this would be one of our listed intersection signals. 14 . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes Mr. Donnelly noted that it will soon be on the list when people cannot get out of Rutgers Avenue on to Otay Lakes Road. . Chuck Nanz, 1925 Otay Lakes Road, Space 137, Chula Vista, 92013. I am currently president of the Homeowners' Association and I wrote the initial letter requesting that this situation be looked into. I can appreciate the concerns most certainly of the homeowners on adjacent sides of this exit if it is to be made an exit, and I can appreciate the concerns even of a couple of homeowners in the mobilehome park who live immediately near the [proposed exit] roadway, because it is a little more secure, obviously, with a locked gate. However, I think we need to look at the overall picture of 200 residences, 300 or more people living in that park, we need to look at the concerns of most of them and the whole situation as opposed to the concerns of a couple of individuals. Our park is designated as a 60 and over park. It is heavily that already. Most of the people in the park fall into that category, some of them don't. We have very few children in the park, the family unit was closed out a long time ago and there is very few. The reference made to children coming down on skateboards, in particular, that is two paper boys either collecting on skateboards for the most part in the park. The site of the house on the side of the hill with that roadway coming down there is certainly a concern to the people living in the house, and I appreciate their concerns, except, you know, all over the country we have homes built on the sides of streets going down hill and that is not a reason not to have a road particularly. When that made was made a conditional use exit, or a conditional use entrance or access or whatever you want to call it, way back then you all probably know better than I what Otay Lakes Road was like, there is no resemblance to that situation now to what was then, and the need for a second exit for emergency was deemed appropriate and that was what was granted. At this time, due to the many changed conditions, the improvement of "L" Street the widening of it and all the things that have been gone over here today, creates an entirely different situation. I think as far as going--people say it would be the same going [out the main exit] down and turning right on to Otay Lakes Road and go up and make a U-turn, that is not true at all. For one main reason. That is a very short distance where our main exit comes out on to Otay Lakes Road and Rutgers Avenue. To get across three lanes of traffic, even if you wanted to do that after the road is all completed, to make a V-turn if you wanted to go east would be extremely dangerous given the rate that people come down that road way as at present, even given the fact that construction is going on. As mentioned, we have already had a lot of accidents down there and we are just trying to look at some means of hopefully preventing more of the same in the future. This seems like the best solution to a problem that was not created by the people living on Rutgers Avenue, not created by us [the residents of the mobilehome park], not created by you folks, it is being created by change, by development, by the way the world. There is nothing we can do about what is happening, except try to make the best patch work out of what is left and in this case, our one entrance and exit into the 200 . 15 . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes mobilehomes in that park is adequate, but it could certainly be improved by opening a second exit only. At the Homeowners Association meetings this item has been brought up a number of times and no one ever at those meetings has ever addressed any opposition. In fact it has been listed by over half of the people in the park as their primary concern, that and the age limit thing. Anyhow, the owners, the way I understand it, the reason it has not been opened [the locked gate roadway] is because it was, for the obvious reason, it was put in as a conditional use access way to begin with. Obviously that is why it has not been discussed about opening it. That is why we are taking this particular action at this time, given all the construction and such occurring and the lack of a traffic light ever being installed at our main exit, we are taking this action at this time to try and get something done to prevent a serious situation occurring before it develops. I thank you all for your consideration. Chairman Decker asked if the Homeowners' Association would be willing to, this has to do with safety, install something that would prevent movement back up the hill, such as one of those guards that flips up if you drive over it. . Mr. Nanz said that perhaps a little bit more than that might be--it could be a problem if it needs to be used as an entrance by fire trucks--that we have speed bumps all around, we have a 10 mph speed limit that is adhered to, but talking about cars coming roaring down that driveway, that situation just does not exist, because cars don't go around that park any faster to begin with, the streets are very narrow, it is mostly older people, and there are speed bumps. Yes, I can see a speed bump where that gate now exists, for instance, a stop sign at the bottom, and a one-way no entry sign posted. People have alluded that people will use it two ways regardless, there are a lot of one-way streets around in this world and I do not think to many of them are being used by people going both ways. I don't see where this particular street, being one way down, with a stop sign at the bottom, people are not going to ignore that traffic rule any more than they do one-way streets anywhere else. I don't think that is particularly valid. At the one time they were resurfacing the streets in the park they had to close the main entrance altogether, and at that time they used this locked gate exit. Mr. Donnelly commented as to keeping it one-way and making it effective, there are several parks in the southern San Diego area that are gated. They have trip detectors in the pavement, that as you pull up to leave, the gate will open, they will not open the gate from the other side. This would help to keep the speed down and it would also keep anybody from coming in as the gate closes right behind you as you leave. . Commissioner Waller asked about emergency vehicles that might need to go in. Mr. Donnelly stated that they would have a key, just as they do now. 16 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes Mr. Nanz stated that, from a cost standpoint, he did not if this would be possible or not. He stated that he did not see any problem with a one-way street and people coming up it. There would be no more problems with this one-way street than with others. Chairman Decker pointed out that a one-way street is easy to enforce, but that this would be a one-way private lane on private property. Mr. Donnelly explained that traffic regulations on private property are enforceable also, with signs. Chairman Decker asked staff how far it was from the main exit of the mobi]ehome park to Rutgers Avenue. Mr. Rivera stated that the distance is between 800 and 900 feet. Slightly less than one-quarter mile. Mr. Donnelly pointed out that the City Ordinance that was adopted last October by the City Council states that on this type of prime arteria], the traffic lights will not be closer than one-quarter mile. MOTION That the Safety Commission approve staffs recommendation to permit a second exit, one-way with the addition of two do not enter signs, one on each side. [Thomas/], died for lack of second. MOTION That the Safety Commission deny the request for the second exit and not accept staffs report. MSC [Militscher/Koester] 4-1 (Thomas), approved. Chairman Decker explained to those in the audience the outcome of this item. We [the Safety Commission] just moved not to accept staffs recommendation, which means that it is the Safety Commission's recommendation to deny access on safety grounds of this lock gate driveway to a permanent access street. The Safety Commission has recommended to deny that on grounds of safety. Chairman Dekcer pointed out that this item does not die here, the item will go to the City Council and those who are in favor and those who are against, can go to the City Council meeting with this item appears on their agenda and say your piece. What the Safety Commission is doing is just making a recommendation to the City Council, the Safety Commission does not have power to accept or deny, just the power to suggest. Staffs report to the City Council will reflect the Safety Commission's decision. I am corrected, that this item will go the Planning Commission before it goes to the City 17 . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes Council. The item came to us first, for recommendations from the safety point of view; then it will go to the Planning Commission, and they will make a recommendation, on planning, how it fits into their general plan, you will be able to make your discussions at the Planning Commission meeting at some point in the future. The change in the conditional use permit has to go before the Planning Commission. Then it will go before the City Council who will have the final say. (3D) Report on traffic concerns for Oleander Avenue between East Palomar Street and East Oxford Street . Frank Rivera presented staffs report. Staff received a request from Mr. Adams to slow down vehicles on Oleander Avenue between Palomar Street and East Oxford Street. Oleander Avenue is a north/south class III collector with a curb to curb width of 40 feet. The speed on this street is posted at 25 mph. The street handles approximately 5,500 vehicles per day. At the Safety Commission meeting of June 14, 1990, the Safety Commission considered a similar issue requesting an all-way stop at the intersection of East Oxford Street and Oleander Avenue. The Safety Commission voted 6-0 to recommend police enforcement during peak periods and to deny the request for an all-way stop at the intersection. There are a number of grades on Oleander Avenue and vehicular traffic tends to travel at a higher speed than if the roadway were flat. The area is primarily residential in nature with the Girls Club and Boys Club, park and elementary school in the vicinity, and staff recommends additional and continued police enforcement of the 25 mph speed limit. Staff does not recommend additional stop signs in the area. [NOTE: At this point, the recording device in the Council Conference Room malfunctioned. The tape is blank. Therefore, Mr. Adams' comments were not picked up verbatim. The Minutes hereinafter are from the Recording Secretary's shorthand notes taken at the meeting.] John D. Adams, 1168 Oleander Avenue, Chula Vista, 92011. Mr. Adams discussed the number of children who cross the street from the residential neighborhood to go to the park and the clubs. He mentioned the inordinate speed at which vehicles travel Oleander Avenue as it is used as a connecting street. He mentioned the accident where the little boy was hit by a car. He requested that something be done to slow down traffic on this street. . Officer Barry Bennett pointed out that in the accident involving the child, speed was not a factor. Having a copy of the accident report, he informed the Commission that the vehicle was traveling at 20 mph and that this was backed up by witnesses. Had this vehicle been traveling at a higher speed, the child would have been hurt much more seriously or it could have been a fatal accident. The child was playing in the street, jumping up and down on a manhole cover, and his brother called him to come 18 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes across the street. He turned and ran from the near curb across the traffic lanes of traffic. Officer Bennett stated that he did not think that you can use this accident to say this was caused by speeding. Commissioner Thomas asked how far from the intersection was this. Officer Bennett, pointing to the slide of the area, indicated where the accident occurred. Chairman Decker inquired if this area had been targeted for patrol. Officer Bennett responded that it is one of the top 15 areas on the list. That the police try and work this area and as many other areas as they can with the manpower that they currently have. Commissioner Thomas pointed out that the City has approved routes to school and wished to know if there were such approved routes to parks. Mr. Rivera responded that there are crosswalks on this street to be used to get across to the park. Generally, we do not prepare suggested routes to parks as people come from different places, different directions, and at different times and it would be impossible to have suggested routes to use. Many use automobiles. Those in the neighborhood of a park should use the crosswalks provided. MOTION Safety Commission accept staffs report and recommendations. MSC, [Militscher-Koester] 4-1, approved (Decker). Commissioner Thomas asked how come time is rot spent on trying to get people to parks. Mr. Rivera noted that people use whatever park they wish and we do not have any control over how they get to these parks. People should use crosswalks at intersections. Commissioner Waller suggested we keep an eye on this as this is a similar situation as that of Hilltop Drive. Chairman Decker asked if there were any way to assess mid-block crossing. Mr. Rivera stated that where there is an opening in the gate is generally where people cross. 19 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes Chairman Decker asked the distance between lights on Oleander Avenue at the point in question. Mr. Rivera informed the Commission that the distance is approximately 1,500 feet. Chairman Decker point out, again, that this is a job for neighborhood activists. They can make people aware of how fast they are traveling, note where people cross the street where they shouldn't and where they should. (3E) Report on addition of left turn pockets at "J''!Fourth: ",J"/Fifth: "G"/Fifth: and Hilltop Drive/Naples Street Mike Donnelly presented staffs report. At the Council Budget Overview meeting of May 24, 1990, a member of the City Council asked staff to look at the feasibiJity of installing Jeft turn pockets at these intersections. "J" Street is an east/west class II collector and has approximately 11,500 vehicles per day; "J"jFourth and "J"jFifth are signalized intersections and traffic backs up on the green phase when a vehicle stops to turn left in the through traffic lane. The same congestion is occurring at "G"jFifth and Hilltop Drive/Naples Street. All the streets are class II collectors and have not been fully widened to standards. When the streets are widened, parking can be restored at that time. It is staffs recommendation to remove a minimal amount of parking near these intersections, chip out the old paint lines during our current chip seal program in August of this year, and to install left turn pockets at these four intersections. Staffs recommendation is that the Safety Commission accept this report and recommend to Council to remove some additional parking near the intersections as noted on the attached intersection sketches and install left turn pockets at all the subject intersections. Also, all area residents have been notified of tonight's meeting. Commissioner Militscher inquired what will happen to present bus stops. Mr. Donnelly pointed out that the bus stops will remain at their present locations. That the left turn pockets will not interfere with them. Robert Vega, 1108 HiJ1top Drive, Chula Vista. Mr. Vega stated that he did not feel a left turn pocket was needed. That cars wishing to make a left turn can do so from the existing traffic lane. He also stated that the installation of red curbing will reduce much needed parking spaces. 20 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes Wanda Humphries, 395 J Street, Chula Vista, 92010. Ms. Humphries informed the Commission that there is not much of a driveway to pull in or out of near her intersection. That it is difficult enough as it is to pull out into traffic. She wished to know if parking were going to be removed, because there is not enough parking now for the numbers of cars in the area. Mr. Rivera responded that there would be no parking near the proposed left turn pockets. Ms. Humphries pointed out that this would create major inconvenience. People want to park near their homes. Chairman Decker asked if staff had any accident reports on these intersections. Mr. Donnelly responded, stating that there is backing up of traffic, it is not really an accident problem. Jim Humphries, 395 J Street, Chula Vista, 92010. Mr. Humphries stated that he would hate the loss of parking. There is not enough parking as it is. He stated that he appreciated staff looking at improving the flow of traffic. He felt there might become a problem with speed if drivers had a through lane. Mr. Donnelly pointed out that the signals are currently programmed to control speed. MOTION Safety Commission members accept staff's recommendation. MSC, [Thomas-Militscher] 5-0, approved. (3F) Review of Safety Commission Attendance Report and Annual Summary of Activities for Fiscal Year 1989-1990 Chairman Decker acknowledged the completmess and quality of the Annual Summary report and what a terrific job the recording secretary is doing for the Commission. Commissioner Thomas requested that all absences, excused or unexcused, be so stated at the calling of the roll at each meeting. MOTION At the calling of the roll for each meeting, it be so noted at that time whether an absence is excused or unexcused. MSUC, [Decker-Militscher] 5-0, approved. 21 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes 4. TRIAL TRAFFIC REGULATIONS: None. 5. STAFF REPORTS (5A) c.I.P. Status Report IT 1989.90. Commissioner Militscher inquired about the status of interchange on freeway 1-5. Staff is currently working with CalTrans to signalize the Palomar StreetlI-5 interchange. (5B) Chula Vista Police Department Traffic SUmmary for March 1990 (revised: April 1990 (revised); and Mav 1990 Chairman Decker, Commissioner Koester and Patrol Officer Bennett had a brief exchange regarding the total number of fatal accidents for the year 1990. (5C) City Traffic ED!!ineer's Report (Oral Presentation): None. 6. COMMUNICATIONS (6A) Public Remarks Gary Hunter, 420 James Court, Chula Vista, 92010. Mr. Hunter inquired about the red curb in front of his family's house since James Court is very narrow by Fourth Avenue. Mr. Rivera stated that this item has corne before staff to investigate. We know that James Court is one-half of width. We do not have improvements planned on the north side yet. Chairman Decker asked staff to take this under advisement. Harral V. Grant, 912 Rutgers Avenue, Chula Vista, 92012. There is no (southbound) 25 mph speed limit sign. The legal speed limit is 40 mph because it is the last sign posted. Mr. Grant wculd like to have the sign that read 25 mph speed limit that was taken down be put back in place. He requested a relining (restriping) of a section of Rutgers Avenue, two lanes--one going north and one south, making them the same. When one comes off Corral Canyon Road, there is a 25 mph sign on Rutgers, approximately 50 yards from the intersection, no one sees it. Move the sign closer to the intersection. Mr. Donnelly stated that Mr. Grant was correct about the sign being taken down. One lane going southbound. 22 . . . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes Mr. Rivera stated that there were numerous complaints about the sign when it was on the street light nearest the intersection. Therefore, the sign was moved to its present location. This is not a typical location. Commissioner Waller asked if this were the same type turn that people in the mobilehome park, the Otay Lakes Road Mobile Home Park, make. Commissioner MiIitscher asked if there could be signs in both places that were mentioned. Patrol Officer Bennett stated that this was a unique situation. Commissioner Militscher thought this would be a small cost to have two sIgns. Whatever it takes. Mr. Rivera stated that staff will look into all the requests made. Commissioner Thomas also asked staff to look into the intersection of Corral Canyon and Country Vistas Lane. Mr. Rivera responded that the Safety Commission denied. He further stated that in the near future staff would do another investigation. Commissioner Waller....more auto debris. Mr. Rivera told the Commission that staff would have a report for next meeting in September. STAFF ACTION ITEM: Prepare report for the September 1990 meeting on these speed limit signs as requested by Commission. Mr. Donnelly thought putting in bike lanes would confine lanes. Chairman Decker asked staff to look at the pedestrian crossing at "H" Street and Buena Vista Way. That this will be a suggested school route and that the light stays green too long, that children are going to become impatient and cross against the light. This needs to be looked into by staff. Mr. Zoubir Ouadah said staff will check on this and come back with a report. 23 . Safety Commission Meeting July 12, 1990 Minutes STAFF ACTION ITEM: Prepare report for the September 1990 meeting on the intersection of "H" Street and Buena Vista Way as requested by Commission. 00 Commission Comments Commissioner Waller informed the Safety Commission that this would be his last meeting. He is moving back east to South Carolina. He said how much he enjoyed working with members of the Safety Commission. 7. WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: None. 8. RECESS TO REGULAR MONTHLY WORKSHOP SESSION: None. 9. ADJOURNMENT TO REGULAR SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING OF THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1990 . MOTION That we adjourn this meeting. MSUC, [Militscher/Waller] 5-0, approved. The meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m. ~j) Berlin D. Bosworth, Recording Secretary . [SC3\A:JUL Y-90.MIN] 24