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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-13 SC MINUTESa MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CHULA VISTA SAFETY COMMISSION October 13, 2005 Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. Public Services Building CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. 1. Roll Call: Present: Vice -Chair Perrett; Commissioners AI-Ghafry, Gove, Rosario, Willett and Lopez Absent: Chair White (informed Commission of absence at last month's meeting) Also present: Frank Rivera, Principal Civil Engineer Benjamin Guerrero, Jr., Engineering Technician Lindsey Walters, Recording Secretary 2. Pledge of Allegiance/Silent Prayer 3. Opening Statement Opening statement read by Vice -Chair Perrett. • 4. Approval of Minutes for Sept. 8, 2005 MSC (Gove/Lopez) to approve the minutes of September 8, 2005 as submitted. (4-0-1-2) White absent; Rosario, Willett abstain. MEETING AGENDA S. Oral Communications None. 6. Report on Proposed Time Limited Parking along East Palomar Street between Santa Cora Avenue and Vista Sonrisa The developer of Villagio at Lomas Verdes has requested that the 27 parking spaces on the south side of East Palomar Street between Santa Cora Avenue and Vista Sonrisa be designated as time limited parking to improve the availability of short term parking for patrons of the businesses occupying the Villagio mixed use development. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staff to recommend to City Council that time limited parking be installed on the south side of East Palomar Street between Santa Cora Avenue and Vista Sonrisa. Thereafter, Schedule VI of the register maintained in the office of the City Engineer will be revised to include this parking restriction. Engineering Technician Guerrero, Jr. gave a brief presentation. Commission Discussion: None. V Safety Commission Minutes October 13, 2005 Page 2 MSC (Willett/Rosario) to concur with staff recommendation (6-0-1, White absent) Item 7 taken out of order. 7. All -Way Stop at the Intersection of Fifth Avenue and Davidson Street City Staff received a petition from residents along Fifth Avenue, represented by Mr. Andreas Capetanakis of 227 Fifth Avenue requesting an all -way stop installation at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Davidson Street. The residents are requesting an all -way stop at the subject intersection due to the increase of and high speeds of vehicles along Fifth Avenue. Staff has conducted a study of the intersection and is forwarding this report to the Safety Commission for consideration. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to install the All -Way Stop Control at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Davidson Street based on the intersection receiving a total of 45 points out of a possible 100 points, where 45 minimum points are required to justify the installation of all -way stop control. Principal Civil Engineer Rivera gave a brief presentation. Public hearing opened. The following spoke in opposition to staff recommendation: 1. Gordon Anderson, 349 Brightwood Avenue, Chula Vista Public hearing closed. 0 Commission Discussion: Commissioners AI-Ghafry and Gove were influenced by the absence of petitioners that were in favor of this recommendation at the Commission meeting. It did not seem to be a very important subject to them, therefore Commissioner AI-Ghafry recommended against the staff recommendation. Commissioner Willett inspected the area during daytime as well as night, and didn't see any difference in conditions. Vice -Chair just didn't see the conditions as stated in staff report. MSC (Gove/Willett) to deny staffs request (6-0-1, White absent) 8. All -Way Stop at the Intersection of Stone Gate Street and Duncan Ranch Road (continued) City Staff received a request from Andrea Crawford a resident of Eastlake Vistas for an all -way stop installation at the intersection of Stone Gate Street and Duncan Ranch Road. She stated in her request that an all -way stop should be considered due to high traffic volume and high number of pedestrians crossing Stone Gate Street and Duncan Ranch Road. The main issue in her petition is the safety of the pedestrians comprising mainly of students from Eastlake Middle School. The school is located at the northwest corner of the intersection. This item was presented for public hearing at the Sept 8, 2005 Safety Commission meeting and was continued to tonight's meeting for final consideration. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to install an all -way stop control at the intersection of Stone Gate Street and Duncan Ranch Road. Principal Civil Engineer Rivera gave a brief presentation. *� October 13, 2005 Page 3 Commission Discussion: Commissioner Gove was concerned about stacking from Duncan Road East; stated she was against staff recommendation and would vote accordingly. Commissioner AI-Ghafry did support an all -way stop at the proposed intersection, but that City staff put stop sign on Adirondack instead of Stone Gate Street. Motorists on Adirondack Street would now stop, and because of the curvature on Stone Gate Street, Commissioner AI-Ghafry recommended the addition of a double yellow line. MSC (Ai-Ghafry/Lopez) to concur with staffs recommendation to install an all -way stop control at the intersection of Stone Gate Street and Duncan Ranch Road (6-0-1, White absent) MSC (AI-Ghafry/Perrett) that staff look into intersection of Stone Gate Street, Adirondack Place and Silver Oak for possible removal of the stop sign on Stone Gate, the placement of a stop sign on Adirondack, and a double yellow striping on Stone Gate and Silver Oak (5-0-1-1, White absent, Gove abstained) Item 9 was taken out of order. 9. Report on increasing the existing speed limit on Rutgers Avenue between East H Street and Gotham Street. Staff evaluated the traffic conditions on Rutgers Avenue as a result of a soon to be expired Speed Survey on that street segment. After performing a new Speed Survey and analyzing the data, staff has found that the posted 25 mph speed zone must be increased on Class II Collector Street. The portion of Rutgers Avenue between East H Street and Gotham Street is a collector street and serves mostly to connect main arterials. Based on the provisions of the California ' Vehicle Code, and pursuant to authority under the Chula Vista Municipal Code, staff has prepared a Traffic Engineering Study, which recommends that the speed limit on that segment of Rutgers Avenue be increased from the existing 25 mph to 35 mph. In addition, staff considers that this measure will significantly contribute to traffic mobility and reasonable enforcement. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to recommend to Council to increase the existing speed limit on Rutgers Avenue between East H Street and Gotham Street from 25 mph to 35 mph, and that Schedule X of the register maintained in the office of the City Engineer be revised to include this speed increase. This presentation was foregone as that of Item 10 covered it. Public hearing opened. The following spoke in opposition to staff recommendation: Arturo Avina, 937 Rutgers Avenue, Chula Vista Public hearing closed. Commission Discussion: Commissioner Willett asked whether the police are stopping there now. Principal Civil Engineer stated that although he could not attest to actual figures, with Officer Munch absent, the enforcement is not being done. Commissioner Rosario went on to say that he found it very difficult for officers to stop speeding cars without driving recklessly themselves. He didn't feel that a whole lot of enforcement could actually be done. Commissioner Willett brought up the fact that there are no warning signs to indicate decreased speed zone. Commissioners Ak Ghafry and Willett concurred that "reduced speed ahead" signs would be a good idea. October 13, 2005 Page 4 MSC (Perrett/Rosario) to concur with staff recommendation (6-0-1, White absent) Item 10 was taken out of order. 10. Report on increasing the existing speed limit on Rutgers Avenue between East H Street and Gotham Street Staff evaluated the traffic conditions on Rutgers Avenue as a result of a soon to be expired Speed Survey on that street segment. After performing a new Speed Survey and analyzing the data, staff has found that the posted 25 mph speed zone must be increased on Class II Collector Street. The portion of Rutgers Avenue between East H Street and Gotham Street is a collector street and serves mostly to connect main arterials. Based on the provisions of the California Vehicle Code, and pursuant to authority under the Chula Vista Municipal Code, staff has prepared a Traffic Engineering Study, which recommends that the speed limit on that segment of Rutgers Avenue be increased from the existing 25 mph to 35 mph. In addition, staff considers that this measure will significantly contribute to traffic mobility and reasonable enforcement. Engineering Technician Guerrero, Jr. gave a brief presentation. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to recommend to Council to increase the existing speed limit on Rutgers Avenue between East H Street and Gotham Street from 25 mph to 35 mph, and that Schedule X of the register maintained in the office of the City Engineer be revised to include this speed increase. 1 Public hearing opened. 4 The following persons spoke in opposition to staff recommendation: 1. Anita Rodriguez, 941 Rutgers Avenue, Chula Vista 2. Alicia McGinnis, 1925 Otay Lakes Road, Space 14, Chula Vista 3. John Vaughn, 942 Rutgers Avenue, Chula Vista 4. Arturo Avifia, 937 Rutgers Avenue, Chula Vista Public hearing closed. Commission Discussion: Commissioner AI-Ghafry comments on lack of enforcement. However, the 25mph is inadequate for conditions. If 35mph limit is posted, enforcement will be possible. Commissioner Lopez inquired about conditions when speed was posted at 30mph. Principal Civil Engineer Rivera answered that it was the last time that the speed limit was enforceable. Commissioner Lopez requested information on pedestrian traffic in area. Principal Civil Engineer agreed and offered to obtain information to include in report that will be going to the City Council. Vice -Chair Perrett felt that the conditions of the road determine the speed people will travel. MSC (AI-Ghafry/Willett) to concur with staffs recommendation (5-1-1, White absent) Staff Discussion: Principal Civil Engineer informed public hearing attendants that City Staff would be including information in report that was requested by Commissioner Lopez. They will also speak to the Police Department on whether or not they feel they can legally enforce the speed limit at 30mph. This will be reviewed prior to City Council. A possible workshop with residents is also to come. u. Safety Commission Minutes 46 October 13, 2005 Page 5 11. Request for time limited parking on Crann Avenue Staff received a letter addressed to Traffic Engineering written by Ms. Candy Murillo and signed by the 10 out of 11 residents on Crann Avenue, stating that they have no street parking when they come back from work in the evenings. They claim that a large number of residents of neighboring apartment and condominium complexes are parking their vehicles along Crann Avenue due to insufficient parking facilities in their complex and that Crann Avenue residents cannot find parking between the hours of 4:00 pm on -ward and on weekends. They request that the City convert Crann Avenue—a public street into a resident parking permitted street from 4 pm to lam. This street lies between Palomar Street and Orange Avenue. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to: Deny the request for permitted parking. Accept staffs report on the implementation of parking restrictions through red curb in order to eliminate illegal parking on Crann Avenue. Encourage residents to widen singlewide driveways to provide additional onsite parking. Engineering Technician Guerrero, Jr. gave a brief presentation. It appears that most residents converted their garages into extra living space, leaving them with fewer parking options. There always is parking on this block, however the closer you get to Palomar Street, the more likely it is that your parking space will be occupied. Commission Discussion: Commissioner AI-Ghafry noted the absence of residents who signed • the petition. Felt that an incentive would be required in order to get residents to fund widening of singlewide driveways themselves, as it is a sizeable expense. MSC (AI-GhafryMillett) to concur with staffs recommendation to deny request for time-limited parking (6-0-1, White absent) Item 12 taken out of order. 12. Request for Traffic Calming on Oleander Avenue between Tanoak Court and Main Street City Staff received a notice from Mr. Phillip Christensen, 1656 Oleander Avenue, concerning speeding on Oleander Avenue, and requesting traffic-calmers along Oleander Avenue between Tanoak Court and Main Street. Apparently, vehicles traveling above the 25 mph posted speed limit prevent Mr. Christensen from backing out of his driveway. This item was presented by Mr. Christensen at the September 08, 2005 Safety Commission meeting where the commission directed staff to bring it for consideration at tonight's meeting. Engineering Technician Ben Guerrero, Jr. gave a brief presentation. Staff Recommendation: That the Safety Commission concur with staffs recommendation to re - stripe Oleander Avenue to reduce travel lanes from 12' to 11' from Tamarack St to Main Street as a means of speed control and add 250' of raised reflective white pavement markers adjacent to the edge stripe starting at Tanoak Court and going south within the horizontal curve area. Public hearing opened. y-° 1. Phillip Christensen, 1656 Oleander Avenue, Chula Vista ,P Safety Commission Minutes October 13, 2005 Page 6 Public hearing closed. Commission Discussion: Commissioner AI-Ghafry asked whether City staff had analyzed the intersection of Tan Oak Court. Engineering Technician Guerrero, Jr. replied that stop signs aren't used as traffic -calmer devices. Cars that speed in between the stop signs, will just continue speeding after stop signs. Commissioner Gove asked whether police enforcement is present, to which Principal Civil Engineer Rivera replied affirmatively. This area would not be classified as a speed trap, like Rutgers Avenue. Commissioner AI-Ghafry liked staffs recommendation, but felt more needs to be done to deal with this issue. Commissioner Gove would like to see the survey on installing a stop sign on Tan Oak; to her it looked as though one could be put in. Despite stop signs not specifically reducing speed, Commissioner Gove commented that in reality, they do just that. She also felt it should be continued until next month's meeting. MSC (AI-Ghafry/Gove) to concur with staffs recommendation, as well as bring an item back to the Safety Commission for an All -Way stop study at the intersection of Oleander and Tan Oak Court (6-0-1, White absent) 13. Traffic Accident Summary — August 2005 Sgt. Munch was not in attendance. Comments: Commissioner Willett commented on Inoperable Vehicle Abatement Program, and house just off of Otay Lakes Road with four such cars in driveway. Principal Civil Engineer Rivera took note. 0 14. Safety Commission Action Item Summary/Staff Comments September 8, 2005 ■ All -Way Stop at Clubhouse Drive and Silverado Drive: Safety Commission concurred with staffs recommended installation, and this was completed on September 23, 2005. ■ Time -Limited Parking Along Oleander Avenue: Safety Commission concurred with staffs recommendation of parking T's, and the work order was submitted on September 26, 2005. ■ Traffic Mitigation Measures for Saint John's Episcopal Church/School: Commission concurred with staffs recommended traffic measures within school. City staff will work with school staff to establish new traffic circulation pattern and will set up an educational meeting with school staff and parents. ■ Proposed On -Street Parking on Rancho Del Rey Parkway near Ayamonte Way: Commission concurred with staff on denial of request for re -striping. Staff report was accepted regarding implementation of red curb to eliminate illegal parking. Staff implemented red curb on those areas, which are illegal to park (Pedestrian Ramps, Curb Returns, In Front of Fire Hydrant). 15. Potential Safety Commission Agenda Item ■ Request for time limited parking — Gotham Street and Otay Lakes Road OTHER BUSINESS 16. Election of Chair and Vice Chair 9� • Safety Commission Minutes October 13, 2005 Page 7 MSC (Gove/Perrett) to table election until next meeting due to absence of Chair White (6-0-1, White absent) 17. Traffic Sections CIP Proiect Cost Comparison Principal Civil Engineer Rivera made a brief presentation on table of figures given on CIP Project Cost Comparison. The projects were broken down by classification: ■ Traffic Signal Installation ■ Traffic Signal Modification ■ Other Traffic Projects 18. Staff's Comments Principal Civil Engineer Rivera made reference to the issue of speed limits. The something that, protocol for re-establishing speed limits has changed, via the San Diego Traffic Engineers Council (SANTEC). Mr. Rivera and Commissioner AI-Ghafry are both members of SANTEC, and are working on a letter to the California Traffic Control Devices Committee, to see if making changes to the way this protocol was revised, would bring back the additional flexibility there used to have. It makes it more difficult for to keep speed limits, primarily in residential areas, on the lower end of the spectrum. The hope is that the Committee will take this opportunity to refine the language, thus lowering the speed limits. 19. Commissioner Comments Vice -Chair Perrett thanked City Staff for their diligence and excellent reports. ADJOURNMENT AT 8:21 P.M. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of November 10, 2005. J:\Engineer\SAFETY\2005\101305_M I N.doc Respectfully submitted, Lindsey Walters, Recording Secretary