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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-11-08 SC MINUTES—It 4 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CHULA VISTA SAFETY COMMISSION November 8, 2001 Council Chambers 6:30 p.m. Public Services Building CALL TO ORDER 1. Roll Call: Meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. Present: Chair Liken; Vice Chair McAlister; Commissioners Acton, Lopez, and White Absent: Commissioner Gove Also present: Ralph Leyva, Senior Civil Engineer; Majed AI-Ghafry, Civil Engineer; Patrick Moneda, Assistant Civil Engineer; Sgt. Scott Arsenault; and Florence Picardal, Recording Secretary MSC (Liken/Acton) to excuse the absence of Commissioner Gove. (5-0-1, Gove absent) 2. Pledge of Allegiance/Silent Prayer 3. Opening Statement Opening statement read by Chair Liken. • 4. Approval of Minutes - October 11, 2001 There were no minutes. MEETING AGENDA 5. Oral Communications None. 6. Report on Request for an All -Way Stop at the intersection of Oleander Avenue with Sequoia Street Staff received an e-mail request from Chula Vista resident Aurora Nerat to install an all -way stop control at the intersection of Oleander Avenue with Sequoia Street. She cited the need of the all -way stop because motorists travel at excessive rate of speed on Oleander Avenue in the vicinity of Valle Lindo Elementary School. She was also concerned about the safety of the children who live in the area: Mr. AI-Ghafry presented staff report and Powerpoint presentation. He stated that 2 calls were received. One was in favor of the all -way stop control and 1 was opposed. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to deny the installation of all -way stop control at the intersection of Oleander Avenue with Sequoia Street"based on the location receiving 29 points of a possible 100 points pursuant to Council Policy Number 478-03. • Public hearing opened. The following person spoke in opposition to staffs recommendation: Safety Commission Minutes November 8, 2001 Page 2 David R. Garcia, 1540 Olive Ct., Chula Vista, CA Public hearing closed. . Commissioner Acton asked if there were crossing guards at that intersection. A member of the audience stated no. Chair Liken asked how sight distances are determined. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that the driver's eyesight (3-1/2 ft., per CalTrans guidelines) is positioned about 7-1/2 ft. from the �topbar (per CalTrans guidelines) then you project approx. 2-1/2 ft. inside the double yellow line (or an imaginary line). Sight distance is a straight line tangent to the next visible object. He stated that staff goes to the position of the driver regardless of the barrier. Staff measures an object that is 6 inches high off of the pavement and the possibility of seeing that object. If staff sees the object through a transparent barrier, that is okay. Problems arise when there is heavy density (hedges, fences, parked vehicles), which play an important factor in measuring sight distances. The photos were reviewed again and discussion ensued regarding sight distance. Commissioner Acton had concerns about the hedges at the intersection. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that -the property owner has been asked to trim their hedges. Chair Liken explained the City's All -Way Stop Policy. He stated that the sight distances are not sufficient at this intersection. He stated that there are some circumstances when the Commission must look beyond the point system and justify for safety's sake the installation of a stop sign. He stated once again that there is a visibility problem at this intersection and would like to see a stop sign, slow down the traffic and help the residents enter/exit their driveways. Vice Chair McAlister concurred with Chair Liken and added that children crossing and visibility problems, in this case, warrant the installation of a stop sign. . MSC (Liken/McAlister) to not concur with staff's recommendation and install an all -way stop control at the intersection of Oleander Avenue with Sequoia Street based on sight distance and speed problems. (5-0-1, Gove absent) 7. Report on Reguestfor an All -Way Stop at the intersection of Oleander Avenue with Tamarack Street ` Staff has received an e-mail request from Chula Vista resident Aurora Nerat to install an all -way stop control at the intersection of Oleander Avenue with Tamarack Street. She cited the need of the all -way stop because motorists travel at excessive rate of speed on Oleander Avenue in the vicinity of Valle Lindo Elementary School. She was also concerned about the safety of the children who live in the area. Mr. AI-Ghafry presented staff report and APowerpoint presentation. He stated that 3 calls were received. Two were in favor of the all -way stop control and 1 was opposed. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staff's recommendation to deny the installation of an all -way stop control at the intersection of Oleander Avenue with Tamarack Street based on the location receiving 20 points of a possible 100 points pursuant to Council Policy Number 478-03. Public hearing opened. The following person spoke in opposition to staffs recommendation: David R. Garcia, 1540 Olive Ct., Chula Vista, CA Public hearing closed. • Commissioner White stated he was not in favor of the all -way stop due to the following: 1) The Commission just approved an all -way stop for an intersection in close proximity to this location, 2) it is not in proximity to a school, and 3) there have been no accidents at this intersection. Safety Commission Minutes November 8, 2001 Page 3 MSC (McAlister/White) to concur with staffs recommendation and deny an all -way stop control at the intersection of Oleander Avenue with Tamarack Street based on the location receiving 20 points of a possible 100 points pursuant to Council Policy Number 478-03. (5-0-1, Gove absent) 8. Report on Request for an All -Way Stop at the intersection of North Greensview Drive and Eastridge Loop / Golfcrest Loop Commissioner McAlister abstained from discussion/voting on this item due to the close proximity of his residence to the subject intersection. Staff received a request from Chula Vista resident Cecelia Moreno -Meed to install an all -way stop control at the intersection of North Greensview Drive and Eastridge Loop / Golfcrest Loop. She was concerned about the increased traffic volumes in the area because of recent developments. She also indicated that her pet was hit by a speeding motorist in the vicinity of the intersection. Mr. AI-Ghafry presented report and Powerpoint presentation. He stated that 11 phone calls were received, 4 in favor and 7 against the installation of an all -way stop at the intersection of North Greensview Drive and Eastridge Loop/Golfcrest Loop. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staff's recommendation to deny the installation of an all -way stop control at the intersection of North Greensview Drive and Eastridge Loop / Golfcrest Loop based on the location receiving 18 points of a possible 100 points pursuant to Council Policy Number 478-03. 0 Public hearing opened. The following person spoke iri favor of staffs recommendation (deny installation of all -way stop control): 1. Tom Davies, 1059 Park Meadows Road, Chula Vista The following persons spoke against staffs recommendation (approve installation of all -way stop control): Sam Walling, 2455 Eastridge Loop, Chula Vista Bert Creighton, 2453 Eastridge Loop, Chula Vista Cecelia Moreno -Mead, 2444 Eastridge Loop, Chula Vista The following items were brought up: 1. There is considerable pedestrian and bicycle traffic to Augusta Park during the evening hours and on the weekends. Staff was not present to observe this occurrence when conducting the study. 2. There is a school bus stop at the subject intersection that generates considerable pedestrian crossings twice per day for pickup and drop off of school age children. 3. Residents of the community are required to walk to the park since there is no parking of vehicle available at the park. This condition was placed on the development by the City as a means of encouraging residents to walk to neighborhood facilities instead of driving their vehicles. 4. Residents living in the vicinity of the park want the increased safety of the all -way stop for themselves and their children. • 5. Residents who do not live near the subject intersection, but must pass through it during their normal travel, are opposed to the signs. Some residents living near the subject intersection object to the noise generated by vehicles stopping and starting. Safety Commission Minutes November 8, 2001 Page 4 Chair Liken posed a question to staff - What would be the effect if Eastridge Loop was one-way only so that exiting traffic would have to go to Summerhill to exit the development? Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that alternative would need to be brought up to the residents of Eastridge Loop. He stated staff could look at the option. Chair Liken asked a spokesperson from the speakers in favor of the stop to address this option. Sam Walling, 2455 Eastridge Loop, spoke for the residents and re -stated that the bigger issue is not so much vehicle access control in and out of Eastridge Loop, but pedestrian safety in crossing this intersection. Public hearing closed. Commissioner White stated, at this time, with the relatively low points, low accident rate, and low speeds, he was not in favor of the all -way stop. Chair Liken stated that given the topography, proximity of the park and bus stop, and pedestrian safety, he was in favor of an all -way stop. Commissioner Acton visited the subject intersection and stated that she was in favor of the all -way stop. Commissioner Lopez stated that he was also in favor of an all -way stop for pedestrian safety. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that the pedestrian counts were done during school hours and not during evening and weekend hours. Commissioner Acton asked staff if a crosswalk could be installed at this intersection (similar to the one at 4th/Parkway). Mr. Leyva stated that the crosswalk at 4th/Parkway is a special case. Ladder markings were installed as well as advisory signs for pedestrians which minimizes the "false sense of security". He stated a similar crosswalk could be installed at this location. He stated that when school is in session, there are many children deboarding the buses and the all -way stop would be beneficial to the pedestrians. If an all -way stop were installed, crosswalks could also be installed. Commissioner White stated that based on Mr. Leyva's comments, he would be in favor of the installation of an all -way stop at this intersection. MSC (Liken/Acton) to not concur with staffs recommendation and install an all -way stop control at the intersection of North Greensview Drive and Eastridge Loop/Golfcrest Loop (4-0-1-1, McAlister abstain and Gove absent) 9. Report on Request for an All -Way Stop Control Request at the intersection of Oxford Street with First Avenue. Staff received a request to install an all -way stop control at the intersection of Oxford Street and First Avenue from Chula Vista resident Pam Wiser. She suggested that an all -way stop would be beneficial to decrease the potential risk of vehicular accidents at the subject intersection. . Mr. AI-Ghafry presented staff report and Powerpoint presentation. He stated that 13 calls were received. Twelve were in favor of the all -way stop control, 1 was opposed. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staff's recommendation to accept the installation of all -way stop control at the intersection of Oxford Street with First Avenue based on the location receiving 54 points of a possible 100 points pursuant to Council Policy Number 478-03. Public hearing opened. The following persons spoke in favor of staffs recommendation: 1. John Soto, 97 Oxford St., Chula Vista, CA 2. Pam Wiser, 85 Oxford St., Chula Vista, CA 3. Catherine Romero, 195 Oxford St., Chula Vista, CA 4. Luis Monge, 121 W. Oxford St., Chula Vista, CA A Safety Commission Minutes November 8, 2001 Page 5 Public hearing closed. Commissioner White stated he was in favor of this all -way stop and this was the strongest case for support an all -way stop on tonight's agenda - the accident is 3-1/2 times more than the state-wide average; there are over 7,000 vehicles that cross the area; children are in the vicinity; 4 speakers spoke in favor of the all -way stop; there are no speakers against; and of the 13 calls that were received 12 were in favor. Vice Chair McAlister stated he was also in favor of staffs recommendation. MSC (Lopez/Acton) to concurwith staffs recommendation to accept the installation of all -way stop control at the intersection of Oxford Street with First Avenue based on the location receiving 54 points of a possible 100 points pursuant to Council Policy Number 478-03. (5-0-1, Acton absent) 10. Report on Request for an All -Way Stop for the Intersection of Calle Santiago with Valencia Loop (West) On September 7, 2001, staff received a petition from thirteen Chula Vista residents who requested all -way stop control at the intersection of Calle Santiago with Valencia Loop (West). The petition, initiated by Jim and Beth Withrow, suggested that all -way stop control would alleviate traffic concerns in the vicinity of the subject intersection. Mr. AI-Ghafry presented staff report and Powerpoint presentation. He stated that 7 calls were received. Two were in favor of the all -way stop control, 5 were opposed. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staff's recommendation to deny the installation of all -way stop control at the intersection of Calle Santiago and Valencia Loop (West) based on the intersection receiving 20 points of a possible 100 points. Public hearing opened. The following persons spoke against staffs recommendation. 1. Dianne Chrisman, 1243 Calle Santiago, Chula Vista, CA 2. Lorraine Puron, 1220 Calle Santiago, Chula Vista, CA Public hearing closed. Chair Liken asked if other measures could be installed (speed limit signs, Botts dots) due to the roadway conditions and adjacent land use. He stated that these would help to slow down traffic. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated staff would consider those options. Commissioner White stated he is in favor of installing this all -way stop for the following reasons: 1) This is very equitable and similar to the Eastlake Loop/Greensview Drive item; 2) there are 40% more cars that pass this intersection compared to the Eastlake Loop/Greensview Drive item; 3) the 85th p6rcentile speeds exceeds the prima facie speed. Commissioner Lopez stated he is also in favor of this all -way stop. Commissioner McAlister stated he also was in favor of the all -way stop due to the proximity of the park, schools, and lack of a ,crosswalk. Commissioner Lopez asked staff if they would have a problem supporting the Commission's vote on this item. Mr. Leyva stated that he would personally inspect this intersection. He stated that generally he would recommend to the City Engineer not to refer an item to Council if the Commission goes contrary to the staffs recommendation. He stated that in this case, he would recommend to the City Engineer to not appeal this to the City Council. MSC (Lopez/White) not concur with staffs recommendation and install an all -way stop control at the • intersection of Calle Santiago and Valencia Loop (West). (5-0-1, Gove absent) 11. Action Summary Update/Staff Comments Safety Commission Minutes iNovember 8, 2001 Page 6 Action Summary Update accepted into record. No staff comments. 12. Traffic Accident Summary — September 2001 Traffic Accident Summary accepted into record: No staff comments. 13. Commissioner Comments '. Commissioner Acton asked staff why the City does not have a policy on traffic slow down for schools and parks. Mr. Leyva stated that it is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This subject may be discussed at the next workshop meeting. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that development plans are reviewed by the Traffic Section and staff makes recommendations/conditions on traffic issues. Commissioner Lopez commented on the traffic counts on Item V. Mr. AI-Ghafry stated that the mitron counter may not have been set correctly or there was a change in pattern of the motorists (special event or construction pattern). Commissioner White complimented Chair Liken onwexpediting tonight's meeting, the Police Traffic Bureau for controlling and ticketing at Naples/Medical Center Drive; and staff for repairing the shortfall on Telegraph Canyon/Medical Center Drive. He askedif it would be possible for Safety Commission to start at an earlier time. Chair Liken stated this could be discussed at the workshop meeting and then placed on the next agenda. Chair Likert requested that prior history of an item be included the staff reports: Mr.'Leyva stated that staff will also include distances between the control points. ADJOURNMENT AT 8:31 P.M. to a workshop meeting scheduled for December 13, 2001. Respectfully submitted, Florence Picardal, Recording Secretary J\EngineenSAFETY1110801_MIN.doc 0