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HomeMy WebLinkAboutrda min 1990/02/15 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Thursday, February 15, 1990 Council Conference Room 4:00 p.m. City Hall 1. ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chair McCandliss; Members Moore, Nader and Malcolm MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairman Cox STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Goss; Assistant City Manager Asmus; Community Development Director Salomone; Assistant City Attorney Rudolf; Assistant Community Development Director Gustafson; Redevelopment Coordinator Kassman; Principal Community Development Specialist Putnam; City Traffic Engineer Rosenberg 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 18, 1990 MSUC (McCandliss/Moore) approve the minutes of January 18, 1990 as su§mitted. CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 3 a., 3~b. and 4) Item 4 was pulled from the Consent Calendar. THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR IITEMS 3 a. AND 3 b.) WAS OFFERED BY MEMBER MALCOLM, the reading of the text was waived by unanimous consent, passed and was approved unanimously. 3. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS a. Letter from the Chula Vista Downtown Association requesting that a workshop be held with the Redevelopment Agency concerning funding Bob McMains, President, Chula Vista Downtown Business Association, Box 381, Chula Vista, CA 92012 On April 6, 1989, the Agency approved an expenditure of $25,000 to fund advertising and promotional activities of the Downtown Association. Agency approval was given with the condition that the Downtown Association seek a method to secure its own funding for future years. The ASsociation developed a proposal that would expand the existing Downtown Improvement District and also increase District fees by 25% for each of the next five years. The Association has continued its planning for a more comprehensive management system of the downtown business area. Staff is prepared to bring forward their fee increase proposal in either a workshop forum or as a report on the Agency's regular agenda at any time. Redevelopment Agency Minutes -2- February 15, 1990 b. Letter from A.D. Hinshaw Associates dated January 29, 1990 regarding the Midbayfront Local Coastal Plan Resubmittal No. 8 Screen Check Environmental Impact Report Philip L. Hinshaw, A.D. Hinshaw Associates, 6136 Mission Gorge Road, Suite lll, San Diego, CA 92120-3413 This letter is from A.D. Hinshaw, an environmental consultant retained by Chula Vista Investors. Mr. Hinshaw pointed out that changes may be made to the Screen Check Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on LCP Resubmittal #8 before it is issued for public review. It was recommended that staff respond to Mr. Hinshaw's letter noting the p~rpose of a Screen Check Draft EIR is to allow City staff to fulfill the City s responsibility as the Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with Section 15084 (e) of the CEQA Guidelines. Staff has received the comments on the JHK & Associates' traffic study that were submitted by Mr. Hinshaw's traffic consultant. JHK & Associates will prepare a written response to the comments on the traffic study that they prepared on LCP Resubmittal #8. END OF CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC MEETING 5. PUBLIC MEETING on Otay Valley Road Median Configuration REPORT on Status of Otay Valley Road Widening Project On November 13, 1989 City staff and consultants under contract to design Otay Valley Road, invited interested property owners to the Otay Valley Road Project Area Committee (PAC) to discuss the initial staff proposal for configuration of the medians planned for Otay Valley Road. Numerous concerns were raised by the property owners at that meeting. Several changes were made to the median configuration that was originally proposed by staff in response to comments from property owners regarding truck access. After those changes were made, a second meeting before the PAC was held on January 8, 1990. At that meeting, two property owners south of Otay Valley Road expressed concerns that the proposed median design would not allow trucks exiting their properties to make U-turns at Oleander or Brandywine to return via westbound Otay Valley Road to Interstate 805. The design engineer met separately in the field with representatives of Shell Oil and other property owners along Otay Valley Road to review an interim plan that would allow trucks exiting the affected properties to make U-turns. From the data gathered at those meetings, the design engineer determined that the planned width of the roadway combined with the interim striping plan will allow the necessary U-turn movements. Redevelopment A~enc¥ Minutes -3- February 15, 1990 Principal Community Development Specialist Putnam reported that the proposed project entails widening Otay Valley Road to the south to provide a 6-lane roadway with a 128-foot right of way. The improvements on the north side of the existing roadway were retained to the maximum extent feasible in the design to minimize the cost. Using the overhead projector, Ms. Putnam presented a typical cross section of Otay Valley Road which is planned to include a 16-foot wide median, six 12-foot driving lanes, two 8-foot emergency parking lanes and 12 feet behind the curb for sidewalks, landscaping and utilities. This proposed cross section is consistent with the updated General Plan circulation element. Ms. Putnam further stated that Agency staff and consultants held two meetings before the Otay Valley Road Project Area Committee to provide property owners along Otay Valley Road with an opportunity to comment on the proposed median configuration. Several changes were made to the median configuration as a result of the input received from the property owners. At its meeting on January 8, 1990, the PAC unanimously recommended Agency approval of the median configuration presented as Exhibit C with the staff report. Since that PAC meeting, staff has reviewed the configuration further and has decided to recommend that it would be appropriate to include a traffic signal at Brandywine Avenue to facilitate U-turns as part of the Phase I road widening project. Ms. Putnam stated staff is recommending that the Agency approve the median configuration and the interim striping plan shown on Exhibit C of the staff report, and direct staff to proceed with the financial feasibility study for the proposed project. City Traffic Engineer Rosenberg stated that in the design of the roadway, staff and consultants took into consideration the access problem on the south side of the road. They understand that there is a need for a left turn return move to the freeway. Because of that, they included in the project two signalized intersections; one at Brandywine and one at Nirvana. These intersections will provide for U-turn capabilities; however, during the interim period as development occurs, there may be a problem for trucks making U-turns at these two intersections. Mr. Rosenberg stated the City's consultant, Charles Bras, will explain the features of the design that will be incorporated that will provide satisfactory access to the properties on the south side of the road. The reason staff feels that an island is essential to the design of the project is for safety reasons. They anticipate that the road will carry approximately 40,000 cars per day (presently it carries ~13,000). Mr. Charles Bras, Design Engineer with Leedshill-Herkenhoff, stated he met with three property owners 12 on the south side of the street and 1 on the north side of the street). The purpose of the meetings was to find out the types of trucks that would require access to the properties as well as to physically measure the trucks to see what the minimum U-turn turning radius would be required in order to make a U-turn within the street area. Using the overhead projector, Mr. Bras discussed the intersection of Brandywine and Otay Redevelopment A~enc~ Minutes --4- February 15, 1990 Valley Road. Near the proposed interim striping, it is planned to not utilize the actual left turn lane. There will be two lanes of traffic in the east bound direction, one lane to make a ~teft turn. By striping out the actual left turn lane, it increases the turning diameter that is available for the trucks. There will be three lanes of' traffic for the west bound direction. He displayed an overall view of what the intersection will look like after it is constructed with the interim striping layout. Vice Chair McCandliss questioned if the striping is standard to this type of situation; will people recognize they are to make left turns from the "center" lane. Mr. Bras stated it is not unoommon to use cross-hatching on areas to prohibit cars from entering lanes. Mr. Rosenberg added a double yellow line will be painted to form the edge of th~ travel lane and form the pocket. The double yellow line will be removed at a future date when the lane will again be used as a traffic lane. Out of the three property owners Mr. Bras visited, the property owned by Mr. Vince Davies located at 4501 Otay Valley Road, had the largest truck and most frequently used property for trucks. Using their largest truck, Mr. Bras illustrated the "foot print" required for the truck to make a U-turn. The conclusion he reached based upon the actual measurements of the trucks is that they can physically make a U-turn at the intersection of Brandywine. Member Moore commented that in making the U-turn at this intersection, the truck would actually protrude into Brandywine. Therefore, the truck would require five lanes in order to turn around. Member Moore does not see how the truck, once it has made its U-turn, could turn right into a driveway without pulling into at least the center lane. Member Nader noted a concern with the~targest truck making a U-turn at the Brandywine intersection and protruding into Brandywine. He questioned if there is something that could be done to make motorists on Brandywine aware of the need to remain behind a particular line because of the trucks making U-turns, noting normally cars pull up in front of traffic lines. Mr. Rosenberg felt that since this is a si~gnalized intersection there is not the problem of motorists encroaching past the traffic line. Member Malcolm commented the City/Agency set up rules and regulations for construction of the buildings on the north side of Otay Valley Road allowing the type of driveways that are existing. It is his understanding that at this time trucks in the right hand lane cannot make a right hand turn into the businesses. He questioned if this has been studied? Presently, trucks come off of the freeway, make a left hand turn into the business and then back out. Has the City looked into what this does to that entire north side of the road? Mr. Rosenberg responded no, this~ has not been studied. Member Malcolm further commented the City should have made the driveways and building design so that a truck going down the right hand lane could make that maneuver. Unfortunately, this was not done and a problem exists. He stated he believes this item should be sent back to the Project Area Committee and that he would like staff to look into all of the impacts. He does not think that all of the problems that will be created by this project have been fully studied. Redevelopment Agency Minutes -5- February 15, 1990 Vice Chair McCandliss noted a concern that Mr. Bras presented the different turning actions for very specific trucks recognizing what the businesses today use. Rather than plan for what is happening today, it would be desirable to design the roadway so that given the full spectrum of trucks available, any type of trucking that may occur would meet the specifications of this intersection. Mr. George Ronas, representing Mr. John Gregory who is doing business as JT Racing on the north side of Otay Valley Road, pointed out that their difficulty is that presently trucks that are delivering to this site are turning left into the property across the west bound lane. They then must back out because there is no room to turn around while in the J T Racing premises. It is their understanding and belief that making a right hand turn with a truck of this size would be a physical impossibility. The median may also cause problems with the fact that it is necessary for the trucks to back out of the driveway at this site. Mr.~Vince Davies, owner of property on the south side of Otay Valley Road, stated the figures given by CalTrans show that 120' is necessary under normal highway design for trucks to make a U-turn (as opposed to the 85' demonstrated by Mr. Bras earlier). There are approximately 165 truck movements per day off of his property alone. Signals at Brandywine and at 1-805 would put sufficient breaks in the traffic flow that trucks could make left turns out of his property or left turns into the property on the north side of Otay Valley Road very easily. He believes a striped median that trucks can get into to make turns is desirable. Mr. Davies further added that for the City to expect him to be able to mitigate this problem by the design of his property internally is amazing to him because at this time the trucks come into his property, turn around and come back out. There is no place in the total width of his property that he can bring the trucks out to meet an intersection. Mr. Davies' solution to this issue is to have the double striped center median for left turns. Mr. Davies distributed a letter to Agency members dated February 15, 1990 expressing his concerns. Responding to questions, Ms. Putnam stated the Project Area Committee heard all of the comments of the property owners. The PAC felt that the proposed median configuration is not the perfect solution, but they would like to see the raised median, and they would like to see the project proceed. Member McCandliss requested that minutes of meetings referenced in the staff report be included with the report in the future. Mr. Bill Clobeshire, representing the business located at 505 Otay Valley Road, commented that it was his understanding that no one approached his organization to ask what type of truck they use. They are a manufacturing facility.and in most cases 45-foot trailers are used to bring in plastic raw material; and in shipping they use 45-foot trailers. He has a concern that their driveway is a very narrow driveway incoming; therefore, trucks turning right would have to move over to the far left lane (if they could even make the U,turn ). They are concerned from a safety stand point for their truck drivers, as well as their ability to support a manufacturing facility with the type of plan presented because they will not have access to their facility. Redevelopment A~ency Minutes -6- February 15, 1990 Mr. Bob Harris, representing the owners of the property located at 505 Otay Valley Road, stated he met with Mr. Bras at their location and he did measure a truck on site. Mr. Harris commented that what is appearing to be a solution at this point in time is not a permanent solution. The tests that have been conducted have been controlled conditions; he does not think that standards can be set to specific vehicles when there are already standards written by CalTrans for this type of truck maneuvers. Ne stated the type of lanes that they would like to see is similar to Miramar Road with three lanes in each direction, stripes in the middle which allows the truck to enter that area to prepare to make a left hand turn. Their property does have the driveways that make it not accessible for trucks to make right hand turns from either the closest lane to the curb or even the middle one. Making a left hand turn from 1-805 is the only access they have to the property. Mr. Leonard Teyssier, owner of the property occupied by Pacific Telephone Company, stated he sees a number of problems with the trucks turning in connection with the raised median. The elimination of the raised median would be a solution. He suggested reviewing the need for the raised median because without exception every owner along the road has found it to be creating a problem. A representative of Pacific Bell stated that at this time they have approximately 52 vehicles Itrucks as well as vans) and they usually make a left turn to go to 1-805. If they are forced to go to Brandywine to turn around it would be adding another 52 vehicles twice a day going in and out. They are anticipating doubling the size of the amount of vehicles. If the raised median is put in, they would request a signal at Oleander as well as Brandywine. Member Moore questioned if the CalTrans standard for making a U-turn is 120 feet. Mr. Rosenberg stated that for turning from one street to another this is a correct figure, but not for a design standard for U-turns. Therefore, the input that CalTrans' standard is 120 feet is inappropriate for what is being discussed. Mr. Rosenberg stated that it is not possible to design a roadway that will provide for a U-turn for trucks on a major street; they rely on the circulation system, grid system or internal circulation system to provide for the opportunity for trucks to come back in the direction that they arrived. Member Moore clarified that there is no set standard for the situation presented. Mr. Rosenberg responded affirmatively. Member Moore further commented it appears trucks making U-turns at intersections as proposed cause unsafe turns. In addition, in order to turn into a driveway the truck would have to leave his safe lane, go to the center or left lane, and then cross all lanes to enter the driveway, which is unsafe. He questioned if a median strip should be put in. MOTION M~lcolm/McCandliss) to refer this issue back to staff to meet with the Project Area Committee and come back with a new recommendation. Redevelopment Agency Minutes -7- February 15, 1990 Vice Chair McCandliss commented that when this issue comes back to the Agency, she would like to see a solution for this portion of Otay Valley Road to Brandywine and then have short term, interim and long term policy changes to make sure that it is possible to eventually go to some kind of median. VOTE ON THE MOTION The motion passed unanimously. PULLED ITEMS 4. RESOLUTION 1060 APPROVING PROPERTY USE PERMIT WITH DALEY CORPORATION FOR USE OF AGENCY PROPERTY AT E STREET AND I-5 In December, Agency staff became aware that the Daley Corporation had established a construction trailer on Agency-owned property at I-5 and E Street to support its construction of the Interstate 5/Highway 54 interchange and E Street ramps under contract to CalTrans. The site is intended to be conveyed to CalTrans by the Agency for the £ Street Marina Parkway on- and off-ramps, but that property transaction has not occurred as yet due to the unresolved configuration of the ramps. Daley Corporation assumed that CalTrans already owned the property, and therefore acted within what would have been their rights under the contract to place a construction trailer. To protect the Agency on issues of liability and hazardous waste, Agency staff administratively entered into a Property Use Permit to expire the date of this meeting. It was recommended that the Agency adopt the resolution approving the Property Use Permit with Daley Corporation. Member Malcolm commented that allowing Daley Construction to have the trailer on Agency property will not speed up or slow down the project. If anyone else owned the property, the construction company would need to rent the property and pay a fee. He believes the Agency is entitled to a fair fee noting that the Agency paid over $2 million for this site. Assistant Community Development Director Gustafson stated that CalTrans is obligated to give Daley Construction a site for his operation; if the Agency requests a fee from Daley, Daley will have to go back to negotiate with CalTrans. Ms. Putnam reported this area was part of the project for the off-ramp; the contractor is allowed to work anywhere within the confines of the project. What CalTrans forgot to do was to get the property from the Agency first. As part of the Agency's agreement for the I-5/SR 54 project, this land will be turned over to CalTrans at no cost which should happen within the next 2-3 months. RESOLUTION OFFERED BY MEMBER McCANDLISS, the reading of the text was waived, passed and was approved unanimously. 6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. 8. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: None. Redevelopment Agency Minutes -8- February 15, 1990 9. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: None. 10. MEMBERS'COMMENTS: Member Malcolm questioned the status of the 'synchronization of the light signal at Third Avenue and F Street. He noted it is still a problem and expressed his frustration that the matter has not yet been fixed. Redevelopment Coordinator Kassman stated Engineering is preparing a report. The problem can be corrected with new computerization of the intersection. Assistant City Manager Asmus stated an information item will be prepared and included in the next Council agenda packet. ADJOURNMENT at 5:13 p.m. to Closed Session to discuss the potential acquisition of property located at: 4705 Otay Valley Road (Jimmie & Judi Shinohara, owners); Parcel 644-040-40 (Walker/Scott Properties/South Bay, owner); 1427 Hermosa Avenue (Tori Maru, owner); 315 H Street-Jetco Furniture {Ralph Burni, owner); 760 Broadway (Glen E. Fuller, Trust, owner); and 801 E. Broadway (Travis A. & Margaret L. Reneau, David D. & Christina L. Ordway, owners). ADJOURNMENT at 5:45 p.m. to the regular meeting of Thursday, March l, 1990 at 7:00 p.m. Chris Salomone Community Development Director WPC 4365H