1989 08 09 TTC Minutes
MEMORANDUM
TO: Ron Kiedrowski, City Manager /
FROM: Frank Reynolds, Director of Public Works/
City Engineer ~-
DATE: August 10, 1989
SUBJECT: Technical Traffic Committee
A called meeting of the Technical Traffic Committee was held at 11:00
A.M. on Wednesday, August 9, 1989. Attendance included:
Members: Lloyd Hughes, Caltrans
Charley Clay, Desert Sands School District
George Conroy, Sheriff's Department
Ronald Friedli, Sheriff's Department
Dick Barrera, County Road Department
Roger Hirdler, City of La Quinta
Frank Reynolds, City of La Quinta
Staff: Steve Speer, City of La Quinta
Guests: John Walling, Walling & McCallum Associates
Jerry Herman, City of La Quinta
Stan Sawa, City of La Quinta
NEW BUSINESS: Access to proposed restaurant at Point Happy
from Highway 111
Mr. Reynolds brought the meeting to order and commenced with an oral
synopsis of the proposed commercial development located on the north
side of Highway 111, between the C.V.W.D. Flood Channel and the rock
outcropping know as Point Happy.
In his initial briefing, Mr. Reynolds specifically identified
vehicular access to the restaurant site as the topic for discussion,
and noted that Caltrans, who has jurisdiction of Highway 111, had not
addressed the access topic during their review of the project a few
weeks earlier.
Mr. Reynolds concluded his remarks by stating that when the City
Council reviewed the proposed development, it expres;se:d concern
regarding the type of vehicular access to the site that would be
permitted. As a result of the Council's desire for more _nformation
regarding the traffic issue, they referred the topic to the=_ Committee
for input which will in turn be forwarded to the Planning Commission.
Mr. Reynolds yielded the floor to Mr. Herman who provided an
additional oral presentation/orientation about the specific nature of
the commercial development.
When Mr. Herman concluded his short presentation a video tape of the
Point Happy area prepared by Public Works staff, was presented to
further orient those in attendance. During the video presentation,
Mr. Hughes (Caltrans) pointed out the twin double yellow lines that
create a painted median island directly adjacent to the proposed
access point to the development site.
Discussion followed the video presentation.
Mr. Hughes stated that Caltrans had no objection to permit vehicular
access to the development site as provided by the current traffic
striping since there is adequate sight distance in both directions
(approximately 1000'+ as observed from a point 15' north of the
traveled way) for vehicles that exit the development site.
It was further observed that current traffic striping legally
prevents left turn movements in to, and out of, the development site,
hence allowing only right-turn in and right-turn out access. Mr.
Walling (project architect) then inquired about the possibility of
installing left turn pockets to provide full access to the site.
Mr. Hughes initially indicated that he didn't think Caltrans would
approve left-turn pockets, because of prevailing conditions in the
immediate vicinity such as: 1) the accident frequency east of the
development site at the Vons market access point, 2) the bridge over
the C.V.W.D. flood channel is not wide enough to accommodate a left-
turn lane, and 3) there is insufficient distance between access
points to the east and west of the development site where left-turns
are currently allowed, to accommodate back-to-back left turn
pockets. The insufficient distance is due to Caltran's desire to
provide for deceleration clear of the through-traffic lanes,
therefore, the left-turn pocket needs to be approximately 400-500
feet long plus additional length to allow for storage.
Additional discussion ensued, consisting of predominately, "what if"
type questions that precipitated Mr. Hughes retreat to Caltran's
official position which is: if the developer desires to revise the
current traffic control configuration, he must apply for an
encroachment permit and submit traffic study data to support the
adequacy of the proposed traffic control revision. Upon receipt of
the permit application Caltran's would then comment on what the
developer desires.
Mr. Walling (project architect) noted the encroachment permit process
is several months in length and raised an open question to the
Committee to inquire if there was a way to get the project approved
without Caltrans' comments on vehicular access to the development
site.
Mr. Herman responded indicating the project could be processed
through the City's approval procedure as having right-turn-in, and
right-turn-out access, with a footnote that the developer, through a
concurrent independent action with Caltrans, would seek full access
to the site.
At Mr. Herman's request, Mr. Reynolds summarized the Committee's
recommendation. The recommendation is: the developer may proceed
through the City's approval process with vehicular access to the
development site being restricted to right-turn-in and right-turn-out
only, with the additional provision that the developer may seek
improved access to the site via Caltran's approval proceduz•es.
Mr. Reynolds asked for comments regarding the recommendation to which
the Sheriff's Department responded. Lt. Conroy suggested that a
raised median island or a barricade in the median be required as it
otherwise would be time consuming to enforce compliance of the twin
double yellow lines. However, Mr. Friedli withheld the requirement
deferring consideration of same to a future date when the outcome of
the developer's full access request to Caltran's is known.
Mr. Hughes made a final comment noting that Caltrans would not
approve a barricade in the median, but would consider a raised median
if formally requested.
Whereas, no additional comments, or requests for modification were
heard, the Committee's recommendation remains as stated.
The meeting adjourned at 12:00 PM (Noon)