1988 06 15 TTC Minutes
MEMORANDUM
cinr of u- nuiNTa
TO: Ron L. Kiedrowski, City Manager
FROM: Frank Reynolds, Director of Public Works/City
Engineer
DATE: June 22, 1988
SUBJECT: Technical Traffic Committee
The regular meeting of the Technical Traffic Committee was held
at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 1988. Present were:
Members: Sgt. Betty Beyer, Sheriff's Department
Roger Hirdler, City of La Quinta
Dick Barrera, Riverside County
Ron Friedli, Sheriff's Department
Gene Marshall, Caltrans, San Diega
Frank Reynolds, City of La Quinta
Staff: Bob Weddle, City Project Engineer
Jerry Coffey. City of La Quinta
Old Business:
Speed Survey - Mr. Reynolds reported on the results of
the traffic speed survey, indicating that t:he matter
had been taken to the City Council for a revision to
the existing ordinance which would enable speed
limits to be set by resolution.
Traffic Study - 50th and Park Avenues. Draft copies of
the report were distributed. It was noted that the
study indicated that access to Lot 194 in the Duna
La Quinta tract would not be a problem an<i that a
signal at 50th and Park will be required when the
demand arises. Mr. Reynolds outl::ned the
developments which will affect the intersection the
continued expansion of the school and sports complex
facilities, the subdivision, the expansion of the La
Quinta Hotel, and the construction of a hotel at PGA
West.
TECHNICAL TRAFFIC COMMITTEE REPORT
JUNE 22, 1988
PAGE 2
Mr. Barrera said that perhaps now is the tirne: to put
in the signal, but Mr. Reynolds questioned tkie lack
of warrants and informed the group that the
subdivision will be for lot sales, with the result
that it would be at least two or three years before
buildout. Mr. Barrera asked if the Cit!,~ has a
Signal Mitigation Fee and was informed that we do
not - we have the infrastructure Fee.
Jefferson and 50th. - At the May committee meeting we
were advised by Mr. Cantu that the County was
reviewing the situation at this intersection and
would be coming to this meeting with a
recommendation. Apparently there was a
communications problem because Mr. Barrera was
unaware of any review by the County. He said he'd
provide a response within two weeks.
New Business:
Washington and 52nd. Mr. Reynolds explained that
subsequent to the development of the accident pin
map the City Council directed the staff to
"prioritize" intersections, with the idea of
developing mitigation measures. As noted in the May
committee meeting the initial one to be looked at is
Washington and 52nd. A video tape depicting the
approaches to the intersection from all three legs
was shown and the existing traffic control devices
and markings were pointed out.
The ensuing discussion brought out two significant
factors. First, of the 16 accidents which have
occurred at this intersection in the past three
years, ten have taken place during hours of
darkness. Second, the most common cause of the
accidents was failure to yield the right of way. As
a result the discussion led to the suggestion that
illuminating the intersection may be of benefit.
Both the County and Caltrans have established
warrants to justify lighting, and Mr. Marshall and
Mr. Barrera agreed to furnish the City with. copies
of those warrants. Upon their receipt the situation
will be evaluated.
engttc.m6
~I,~I~,.
TECHNICAL TRAFFIC COMMITTEE REPORT
JUNE 22, 1986
PAGE 3
~'II
With respect to the failures to yield, this
intersection was likened to the intersec;t.ion of
Monterey and Frank Sinatra in the Rancho Mirage -
Palm Desert area, a high incident intersection where
it is felt that Frank Sinatra traffic misjudges
speeds on Monterey. It was suggested that: perhaps
the addition of a sign be added to the Washington
stop sign which says Cross Traffic Does pilot Stop"
would be helpful. It was noted that this type of
sign presently exists on 52nd at Monroe and :Jackson.
There was also some discussion about replacing the
present dead end signage with barrier rail:> in an
attempt to make the condition more app+srent to
southbound Washington traffic. City staff wall take
these suggestions under advisement and .implement
those which do not require Council action.
Obregon - The problem, as outlined by Mr. Reynolds, is
that a) complaints have been received from citizens
regarding the proliferation of stop signs on Obregon
and 2) Sunline has requested that most of them be
removed since this street is their northbound route
through the Cove. The City Council referred the
matter to the Committee for a recommendation.
Mr. Reynolds gave a brief summary of how things got
the way they are. For many years there were no stop
signs in the Cove, and Obregon, Eisenhower and
Bermudas were the primary north-south
thoroughfares. Several years ago the City Council
went through a formal designation of "through"
streets, Obregon was one of them. Subsequently, due
to speeding complaints from residents along Obregon,
the Council determined that all east-west streets
and Eisenhower and Bermudas should be "through"
streets, except that the east-west streets would
have stops at Montezuma, Obregon, Eisenhower and
Bermudas. This has had the effect of maN:ing every
intersection on Obregon a 4-way stop.
engttc.m6
~,~;~~;r
TECHNICAL TRAFFIC COMMITTEE REPORT
JUNE 22, 1988
PAGE 4
I
~~I;~~
A video tape was shown of Obregon throughout rtiost of
its length, and it was apparent that whi:Le~ in the
upper Cove it looks like any other north-south
street, in its lower reaches it gives the appearance
of being narrower because of fewer vacant lots and
encroachments of vegetation, fences, rock borders,
etc. In some cases these could give rise to sight
distance problems at certain intersections were
Obregon to be opened up to through traffic.
Mr. Barrera stated that if the Council considers it
to be a collector street, then it slhould be
designated as a "through" street and the stop signs
removed. However, the circulation element of the
General Plan does not show it as a collector.
Mr. Reynolds noted that Obregon fits the definition
in the Vehicle Code as a residential street and is
posted accordingly for 25 mph. However, he has
confirmed with the Sheriff's Department that if it
were to be redesignated as a through street and the
stop signs removed, the 25 mph could not be enforced
with radar in the absence of an engineering and
traffic survey. He expressed the opinion that if
the stop signs were removed, a speed survey would
probably determine that a minimum 35 m.ph would
represent the 85th percentile.
Zt was the consensus of the members of the Committee
that the decision to remove stop signs or allow them
to remain does not involve technical
considerations. Therefore, since it is k~eyond the
purview of this committee, a recommendation can not
be made.
FR/lmm
engttc.m6