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HomeMy WebLinkAbout082699 PTS MinutesTraffComm/minutes1082699 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION AUGUST 26, 1999 CALL TO ORDER The City of Temecula Public/Traffic Safety Commission convened in a regular meeting at 6:00 P.M., on Thursday, August 26, 1999, in the City Council Chambers of Temecula City Hall, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. FLAG SALUTE The audience was led in the Flag salute by Commissioner Telesio. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Connerton, Edwards, Markham, Telesio, and Chairman Coe. Absent: None. Also Present: Acting Director of Public Works Hughes, Deputy Director of Public Works Parks, Senior Engineer Moghadam, Police Deputy Leggett, Administrative Secretary Pyle, and Minute Clerk Hansen. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Charles Hankley, 31745 Via Cordoba, addressed two issues, as follows: 1) for informational purposes, relayed the recent arrest of a driver on Via Cordoba that he witnessed, noting his concern with regard to speed violators on Via Cordoba, and 2) relayed that while he was not opposed to the project in general, expressed concern with respect to the Wolf Valley project, regarding the potential traffic impact on Via Cordoba in light of the proposed widening of Loma Linda associated with the project. COMMISSION CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes RECOMMENDATION: 1.1 Approve the Minutes of July 22, 1999 MOTION: Commissioner Connerton moved to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards and voice vote reflected approval with the exception of Chairman Coe and Commissioner Markham who abstained. TraffComm/minutes/082699 COMMISSION BUSINESS Median Island Modification - Rancho California road between Ynez Road and Via Las Colinas RECOMMENDATION: 2.1 That the Public/Traffic Safety Commission recommend the closure of the median island located on Rancho Califomia Road at the Claim Jumper and Target Center driveways. Providing a brief overview of the staff report (per agenda material), Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that the matter had been brought before the Commission at the July 8, 1999 Public/Traffic Safety Commission meeting and had been continued to the August 12, 1999 meeting which was subsequently cancelled; noted that at the aforementioned meeting the property owner's representative relayed that Mr. Robert Davis was in the process of preparing plans to revise the on-site circulation and that the proposed plans would be provided to staff prior to the meeting; noted that staff had not received the plans until August 20, 1999; advised that staff is of the opinion that the proposed on-site improvements would not alleviate the need for closure of the median due to the current number of accidents in the area of discussion; and for Commissioner Markham, confirmed that the letter from GMS Realty (of record) references improvements on Rancho California Road that are currently out to bid. Mr. Robed Davis, representing GMS Reality, provided an overview of the circulation issues since 1997; relayed the rationale of postponing on-site circulation improvements until the signal improvements are completed; noted the planned on-site improvements proposed to be completed in conjunction with the signal improvements, specifying the potential for improved circulation at that time; relayed GMS's desire to evaluate the traffic circulation after the improvements, prior to making alternate on-site modifications; specified the proposed on-site improvements, inclusive of a mandatory right-in at the Target driveway (i.e., striped median), and additional signage directing traffic to the Via Las Colinas intersection; noted that additional on-site improvements would involve displacement of required parking spaces; for Commissioner Telesio, noted that the required parking was inclusive of the parking spaces behind the Center (confirmed by Mr. Gary Smith, representing the property owner); for Commissioner Connerton, clarified the referenced signal improvements; for Chairman Coe, concurred that at a future point in time Rancho California Road would need to be a six-lane road, relaying that provision of a through lane at the intersection could still be provided; advised that alternate changes in the area may provide significant improvement on Rancho California Road, listed, as follows: 1) the mall opening (directing traffic away from the area of discussion), and 2) the additional access to Oscar's Restaurant, reducing the U-turn demand at the intersection; noted that the volumes of traffic after the improvements may be insignificant, and thereby alleviate the need for further immediate modifications; advised that it would then be the desire of GMS Realty to subsequently study the impacts of the improvements prior to additional revisions; recommended further analysis of the reported accidents in order to address the specific movements of cause; and for Commissioner Edwards, clarified the rationale for the recommended provision of additional specificity regarding the accidents. lTraffComm/minutes/082699 In response to Commissioner Telesio's comments, Senior Engineer Moghadam confirmed that while further specificity with respect to the cause of accidents could have been analyzed, closure of the median would thoroughly address the cause of accidents. While not disputing the overall effectiveness of the median closure, Mr. Davis advised that there may be alternate improvements that would address the specific movements impacting the accidents; relayed that while GMS's intent is to work with the City in order to address the accident issues, the preference would be to utilize an incremental approach to additional modifications in order to implement on-site modifications necessary for the revised access to the site; for Commissioner Telesio, reiterated the benefit of evaluating the traffic circulation after the signal improvements are compete, noting the difficulty to design on-site improvements without the aforementioned evaluation. In response to the Commission's querying with respect to the installation of signage allowing only right-ins and right-outs (suggested by the representative from GMS), Senior Engineer Moghadam noted that the signage would be legally enforceable if the City Council approved a Resolution associated with the matter; and advised that the signage would not be as effective as closure of the median. Mr. Gary Smith, representing GMS Realty, relayed GMS's intent to address the accident issues at the Center; noted that the on-site circulation was not designed to accommodate closure of the median, relaying the difficulties associated with re-design of the on-site circulation if the median would be closed; recommended development of a committee encompassed of City representatives, tenants, and the associated parties, in order to adequately address the matter; reiterated that the Las Colinas signalization and the alternate proposed signal improvements would significantly affect traffic circulation; and relayed that there may be additional negative traffic impacts associated with closure of the median. Ms. Kathy Kuper, presenting GMS Realty, was available for questions from the Commission. Mr. Owen Wickstrand, representing GMS Realty, reiterated the recommendation to conduct a traffic study after the completion of the signal improvements in order to analyze the traffic patterns; for Commissioner Connerton, clarified the rationale for not utilizing the security personnel to direct on-site traffic; and noted the intent of GMS to address the traffic impact. Commissioner Edwards advised that the proposed improvements (per agenda material) would not alleviate the left-turn movements at the Center. Mr. Wickstrand relayed that the improvements would provide provision for safe turning movements. Mr. Davis advised that with respect to egress from the site, that if provision of a convenient alternative were installed, most drivers would utilize the safer movement provisions. Ms. Linda McDonald, 38925 Calle Breve, expressed her comments, as follows: 1) recommended not delaying the project in order to conduct additional studies, TraffCommlminutes1082699 2) relayed her concurrence with staff to close the median, and 3) noted the ineffectiveness of solely installing signs to direct traffic. In response to Commissioner Telesio's comments, Mr. Smith relayed that the Rancho California Road exits are utilized at this point in time due to established traffic patterns; for Chairman Coe, noted the variance between originally developing a site plan restricting left-turn movements, and modifying an existing site to accommodate the prohibition of left-turn movements. For Commissioner Edwards, Senior Engineer Moghadam provided additional information regarding the egress onto Ynez Road. In response to Commissioner Markham's comments, Senior Engineer Moghadam provided additional information regarding the funding for the design and installation of the improvements in the area of discussion. In conclusion, Mr. Wickstrand reiterated GMS's desire to implement the modifications incrementally due to the desire to conduct studies and the concern with respect to the tenants and the customers. in response to Chairman Coe's querying, Acting Director of Public Works Hughes relayed that if funding was available, the earliest date for initiation of the median closure project would be three months, relaying the process of preparation of plans, presentation to the City Council, authorization to go out for bid, and the final awarding of the contract advised that the construction most likely not begin until the beginning of 2000. Senior Engineer Moghadam provided additional information regarding construction of this particular project in conjunction with the eastbound additional lane project, which would be installed after the Duck Pond Project is complete. In response to the Commissioner's desire to postpone the Median Closure Project until the first of the year, Senior Engineer Moghadam advised that it most likely would not be constructed prior to that time. For Commissioner Edwards, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that the signal modification would most likely take place at the beginning of November; and recommended that the Center implement the proposed on-site channeling of the right turn at the Target driveway during the interim period. The Commission relayed their concluding comments, as follows: Commissioner Markham relayed that since this matter had been discussed for two years, that if GMS had a desire to conduct further studies with respect to the issue of median closure, the study should have been addressed prior to this point in time; noted his concern associated with the accidents in the area; relayed that the Center's seven driveways provide adequate access to the site; advised that in his opinion, closure of the median would not have a significant negative effect on the Center; and relayed his support of staff recommendation, with the additional recommendation to immediately create a protected left movement into the Center at the two driveways, restricting the left-turn outs. TraffComm/minutes/082699 Commissioner Connerton advised that some mitigating measures should have been provided by the Center prior to this time, and relayed his support of staff recommendation with the additional modification recommended by Commissioner Markham. Relaying concurrence with Commissioner Connerton's comments, Commissioner Telesio relayed the safety benefits the median closure would provide; and noted his concurrence with staff recommendation. Commissioner Edwards relayed her concurrence with GMS's goal to provide safety; noted the asset the site maintains with respect to the number of access points at the site; and in an effort to protect the residents, relayed her support of the closure of the median, noting that she was of the opinion that the closure would not be significantly detrimental to the Center. Chairman Coe relayed that the lack of improvements within the Center was due to alternate factors, specifying the ownership change; noted that it was his opinion that the closure's provision for safe turning movements would not affect the Center negatively due to the vast opportunities the site maintains for access; and recommended installation of signage to direct drivers to the safe exits in an effort to change the established traffic patterns. MOTION: Commissioner Connerton moved to approve staff recommendation, and to implement Commissioner Markham's recommendation. Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion. (This motion was ultimately amended.) Commissioner Markham provided additional clarification regarding his recommendation to immediately install into the median center (within the public right-of-way) provision for protected left-turn movements; and recommended that the median closure project not begin construction until after the Christmas season. MOTION: Commissioner Connerton moved to approve staff recommendation to close the median island located on Rancho California Road at the Claim Jumper and Target Center driveways; and to install as soon as possible provision for left-turn movements into the median center (within the public right-of way); and to postpone construction of the median closure project until after the Christmas season. Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion and voice vote reflected unanimous approval. TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT For Commissioner Connerton, Commissioner Markham provided additional information regarding the Circulation Update, noting that it would be presented to the Commission at the September 9, 1999 meeting. Commissioner Markham commended staff for their diligent efforts with respect to the provision of the action log included in the agenda material. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT No comments. TraffCommlminutes1082699 FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT No comments. COMMISSION REPORTS In response to Commissioner Markham's querying with respect to safety associated with the Duck Pond Project regarding the lack of provision of a guardrail, and the depth of the pond, Acting Director of Public Works Hughes relayed that sand was brought in to fill the pond in order to assure that the depth of the pond would remain shallow; noted that lifesaving devices would be installed on the perimeter of the pond; and for Commissioners Coe and Connerton, advised that the matter of placing fish in the pond is being considered by the Community Services Department. With respect to Commissioner Telesio's comments regarding the flashing beacon lights at the school site, Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that the County is currently maintaining the lights, noting the ultimate plan to have the lights maintained by the City. For informational purposes, Commissioner Telesio relayed the unsafe turning movements being made at the Rancho Car Wash Center. In response to Commissioner Telesio's comments, Commissioner Markham noted that there is a partially funded median for future installation at the previously aforementioned location. Commissioner Edwards relayed that due to the construction at the commercial center of Margarita Road and Pauba Road, and the associated removal of the right lane of travel, Pauba Road is heavily impacted; and recommended that police officers direct traffic during peak traffic hours in that area. For Commissioner Edwards, Police Deputy Leggett noted that he would relay the Commission's request. For informational purposes, Commissioner Edwards relayed the City Council's recent decision temporarily install traffic circles and pylons in the Via Cordoba area in an effort to address the speed of traffic, and to study the effectiveness of the installations. In response the Commissioner Edwards comments, Acting Director of Public Works Hughes noted that the previously mentioned installations would be installed temporarily while staff investigates permanent solutions in an attempt to act proactively with respect to the issues of concern in the area. Commissioner Edwards relayed that at her recent attendance of the Wolf Valley Workshop, residents expressed their concern with respect to the traffic impact associated with the project, specifically regarding Via Cordoba TraffComm/minutes/082699 Commissioner Markham relayed that the Wolf Valley Project will be brought before the Planning Commission at the September 1, 1999 Planning Commission meeting, In response to Commissioner Edwards's request, Acting Director of Public Works Hughes relayed that staff would make efforts to schedule a mall tour for interested Commissioners. In response to Chairman Coe's comments regarding the parking at the red curbing at Margarita High School, Police Deputy Liggett provided additional information; and noted that he would relay the Commission's observations with respect to drivers making illegal U-turn movements in that area. Senior Engineer Moghadam relayed that red curbing signifies no parking at any time. Nm Due to Commission request, Acting Director of Public Works Hughes relayed that staff would investigate the aforementioned red-curbed area. ADJOURNMENT At 7:55 P.M. Chairman Coe formally adjourned this meeting to Thursday, September 9, 1999 at 6:00 P.M., in the City Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula. Chairman Charles Coe A t Admini Pyle