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Home My WebLink About112097 PTS Special Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION NOVEMBER 20, 1997 A special meeting of the City of Temecula Public/Traffic Safety Commission was called to order on Thursday, November 20, 1997, 6:02 P.M., in the City Hall Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. Chairman Markham called the meeting to order. PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS: Johnson, Perry, Telesio, Markham ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Coe Also present were Director of Public Works Joseph Kicak, Public Works Associate Engineer All Moghadam, Police Sergeant Rodney Crisp, Administrative Secretary Anita Pyle, and Minute Clerk Pat Kelley. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Markham moved the public comment section for non-agenda items to the end of the meeting. COMMISSION BUSINESS 1. Request for an "All-Way Stol;)" at Ynez Road and La Paz Street Associate Engineer All Moghadam presented the staff report. Commissioner Telesio asked if there is any indication of the percentage of traffic turning right vs. those continuing east. Mr. Moghadam stated while he was in the area, he observed approximately 60 to 70 percent of the traffic making a right turn to access Hwy. 79(S). He added motorists turning are not causing accidents, but are contributing to the problem since the majority of motorists are turning right onto La Paz Street, and the motorists on La Paz are waiting to make a left-turn onto Ynez Road assume approaching eastbound motorists are turning right onto La Paz Street, and pull out in front of motorists continuing eastbound. Commissioner Johnson asked if there was room for a right-turn lane on Ynez Road. Mr. Moghadam stated a right-turn lane would require additional paving, but would be within the existing right-of-way. Commissioner Johnson asked about stacking space requirements for a right-turn lane. Mr. Moghadam replied is approximately 200 feet, including the transition, would be needed. Ernest Curtsinger, 29083 Ynez Road, representing the Los Ranchitos Homeowners Association, spoke in favor of the "Stop" signs, and mentioned speed is also an issue based on his personal observation. He suggested a "Stop" sign for all three (3) directions, a right-turn lane, and a lower speed limit. Mr. Curtsinger reiterated the problem is traffic trying to avoid Hwy. 79(S) congestion. R:\traffic\cornmissn~ninutes\97\112097 .rain PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION NOVEMBER 20,1997 Chairman Markham noted the 85th percentlie for the November 14, 1997 survey is 49.5 which drops the speed limit to 45 MPH, with the highest speed recorded as 50 MPH. He mentioned the speed limit goes to 50 MPH at Jedediah Smith Road. Terri Gassen, 44501 Verde Drive, expressed concern about speeding and motorists passing as it is a difficult and dangerous route due to the undulating roadway. Bob Yabroff, 29370 Ynez Road stated a lower speed limit would be helpful and is in favor of a right-turn lane. However, Mr. Yabroff noted if the "Stop" signs are installed, the back-up of southbound motorists will make it difficult to make a left-turn out of his driveway, especially between the hours 5:00 and 7:00 PM. Carole Corazza, 44220 La Paz Street, spoke in favor of the "Stop" signs and a sign alerting motorists of a "Stop Ahead", and stated the situation will not be eased until Hwy. 79(S) improvements are completed in two (2) to three (3) years. She is concerned that the rise does not allow a motorist to visually determine if there is sufficient time to make a safe maneuver, which is made more dangerous by speeding vehicles. Rebecca Weersing, 41775 Yorba Avenue, mentioned that between Margarita Road and Santiago Road, she observed only two (2) speed limit signs, one (1) 50 MPH sign near DePortola, and one (1), 45 MPH near Coronado. Ms. Weersing mentioned an additional problem of turning right onto Ynez Road at Yorba Avenue due to a short sight distance. Cynthia Johnson, 29420 Ynez Road, invited the Commissioners to sit in her driveway during evening peak hour to hear the continual screeching of brakes and horns honking. Police Sergeant Crisp remarked sight distance was the problem in the two (2) recent accidents. Director of Public Works, Joseph Kicak, explained the plans and specifications for the Hwy 79S/I-15 Interchange Project, which include modification and realignment of Front Street, modification to the east and west on and off-ramps as well as signalization for the three (3) intersections, will go to bid mid December, with a contract award in February 1998, and a seven (7) to nine (9) month construction period. He stated Caltrans considers this an interim project, and the City is doing a project study report to determine the ultimate design. Mr. Kicak reported that at this time, there is no schedule for the rest of Hwy 79(S) improvements, which is funded by Assessment District 159. The City Council budgeted $1.2 million in the CIP for the City's portion and has also received a $5 million loan from Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) of which $1.2 million is earmarked for the project. Chairman Markham stated the best case scenario is the project for the widening of Hwy 79(S) will go to bid mid-1998 with a year to 14-month construction schedule. Mr. Kicak stated a contract for the engineering of the Pala Road Bridge was awarded in November 1997; tentative schedule is for completion by the year 2000. He said the project includes relocating the existing bridge, construction of a new bridge, widening Pala Road, from Hwy 79(S) to the bridge, to six (6) lanes and widening a portion of the south approaches to the bridge. PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION NOVEMBER 20,1997 Commissioner Perry expressed concern about a "Stop" sign at Ynez Road and La Paz Street causing traffic back-up of southbound motorists being unable to see the backed- up traffic until they are upon it. He stated a long right-turn lane might circumvent the problem, but if a lot of southbound motorists approach the hill, there will be a problem. Commissioner Johnson suggested adding a right-turn lane with a yield sign instead of a "Stop" sign for right-turn lane. Chairman Markham inquired about the stopping sight distance at 50 to 55 MPH. Mr. Moghadam answered existing 620 feet sight distance meets the requirement. Mr. Moghadam mentioned the City Council's direction was to look into a signal at that intersection with a "Stop" sign as an interim measure, but staff does not have sufficient data to determine if signal warrants are met at this time. He agrees a "Stop" sign may reduce the number of some types of accidents. It was moved by Chairman Markham, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to recommend the City Council add three-way "Stop" signs on Ynez Road, install a dedicated right-turn lane on Ynez Road at La Paz Street at a length appropriate to provide sufficient stacking space, install permanent flashing lights warning drivers of a "Stop Ahead" in both directions, and consider adding speed limit signs on Ynez Road, especially at the transitions. Commissioner Telesio questioned how Mr. Yabroff's access problem will be overcome. Mr. Moghadam replied the intersection will have to be cleared as quickly as possible and he will look into the matter further. The motion carried as follows: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Johnson, Perry, Telesio, Markham NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: I COMMISSIONERS: Coe PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Markham called for public comments on non-agenda items. Mr. Victor Jones, representing Los Ranchitos Homeowners Association, stated a presentation will be made by the Homeowners Association at the December 11, 1997 or January 1998 meeting. Chairman Markham suggested the Homeowners Association provide staff their concerns in writing as soon as possible and staff will notify the Association if it is possible to get the issue on the December 11 agenda. PUBLIC/TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION NOVEMBER 20. 1997 COMMISSION DISCUSSION Commissioner Perry stated the "Stop" sign at Ynez Road will provide a never-ending stream of traffic along Ynez Road to Margarita Road and it will become progressively more difficult to make left-turns onto Ynez Road. Chairman Markham mentioned the matter will be before the City Council on November 25, 1997 as a Consent Calendar item. Mr. Kicak stated the item is on the agenda and the staff report will be handed out no later than Monday, November 24. Mr. Moghadam clarified the report to the City Council will recommend putting in the "Stop" sign and temporary flashing beacons immediately with permanent flashing lights installed as soon as possible. Jeff Comenchero, newly elected Councilmember, mentioned even though the item is on the Consent Calendar, it can be pulled for public comment. It was moved by Commissioner Telesio, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 PM. The motion carried unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Public/Traffic Safety Commission will be held on Thursday, December 11, 1997, at 7:00 P.M., Temecula City Hall Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. airman L~rry Markham