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1993 10 27 TTC Minutes TECHNICAL TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 27, 1993 10:30 A.M. COMMITTEE ATTENDEES: FRANK REYNOLDS STEVESPEER ROGER HIRDLER LT. DENVER PITTMAN JOHN FEUERSTEIN RICHARD BARRERA LAYNE ARTHUR PUBLIC ATTENDEES: GEORGE HANOVER EARL AND ELEANOR KING ROB BASS GEORGE BERKEY AL DURRETT MIKE FERRIS CITY OF LA QUINTA CITY OF LA QUINTA CITY OF LA QUINTA RIVERSIDE CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICE CALTRANS RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION DEPT. DESERT SANDS UNIFIED SCHOOL DIET. PAINTED COVE RESIDENT PAINTED COVE RESIDENTS PAINTED COVE RESIDENT PAINTED COVE RESIDENT AL DURRETT CONSTRUCTION FERRIS LANDSCAPING LOCATION: CITY OF LA OUINTA SESSION ROOM MEETING NOTES TAKEN BY: ~'~'~-~ ~~~ Leann Dexter, Engineering Dept. Secretary la-a~-~3 Date cc: City Manager File TECHNICAL TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 23, 1993 PAGE ONE CALL TO ORDER: Steve Speer brought the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. Frank Reynolds addressed attending citizens in attendance as to the purpose of this meeting stating: l) this is strictly a Technical Traffic Committee meeting, 2) the committee members are: all technicians in their field and deal only on technical considerations, 3) emotional or political considerations are left to the City Council to handle, 4) no decisions are made at these; meetings - only recommendations, and 5) all items on the agenda will be considered; determinations and recommendations will be forwarded to the City Council for its consideration. Steve Speer introduced committee members/attendees. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW I3USiNESS: 1. Discuss Ways and Means to Reduce Traffic Volume on Calle Tampico and Park Street. Steve Speer: Mr. Speer explained photograph exhibits of the area under consideration showing Tampico east making a 90° turn at Park Street north through reverse curve up to Avenue 50. Residents in Painted Cove area have indicated that the traffic is traveling at high rates of speed around curve making it difficult for residents to exit the Painted Cove subdivision without risking an accident. This route has become a favored route to the school and for residents in Cove area that desire to go to Indio rather than using Washington and Avenue 50. The committee was asked to identify ways and means to help reduce the traffic. Prior to beginning the discussion, Mr. Speer encouraged members of the public to make their presentations. George Hanover - Mr. Hanover said he lives in Painted Cove on Mountain Shadows Drive, the street backing up Park Avenue. There is a block wall separating his home and back yard from Park Avenue. Mr. Hanover said he was glad to hear that the City may be proposing a stop sign, because of the dangers exiting the subdivision due to the short visibility of oncoming traffic on Park Avenue. Mr. Hanover suggested the use of a mirror in addition to the stop sign. He estimated the average rate of speed at 50 mph -~, including school buses full of children. Due to excessive traffic noise, windows in his home are kept closed. Eleanor King - Ms. King lives two doors from Mr. Hanover; her back yard also faces Park Avenue. Her biggest complaint is the noise from the school buses. She sees no reason why the school buses cannot be taking the main arterial streets. TECHNICAL TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 23, 1993 PAGE TWO Mike Ferris - Mr. Ferris does landscape maintenance along Washington and Park Avenue and was concerned for the safety of his workmen and himself due to the high rate of traffic speed on Park Avenue, noting that frequently cars veer into the other lane of traffic. Al Durrett - Mr. Durrett, a home builder in the Bajada and Painted Cove developments, confirmed previous statements by other residents and said that he would like to get the school buses off of Park Street noting that there was only 4" of asphalt on that street whereas 7" is required for use as an arterial street. Mr. Durrett suggested the use of stop signs and the area designated as a school zone due to school children on bicycles. He noted there have been 3 - 4 accidents at the 90~ curve in which cars have crashed into or through the wall. Rob Bass - Mr. Bass reconfirmed previous statements made by residents. Mr. Bass said that day and night the noise is so bad he cannot open his windows. School buses (one after another) travel at least 50 mph and when they come to the area of his back yard, decelerate causing excessive noise that shakes his house. He said people throw beer bottles over the wall from Park Avenue. When Calle Tampico was made into a 4-lane street, motorists from the Cove started utilizing Park Avenue and Jefferson Street instead of Washington as access to the Freeway. Mr. Bass said his recommendation is to close Park Avenue to through traffic since this area is a residential neighborhood and Park was not dlesigned as an arterial street nor classified as an arterial street nor built as an arterial street and has ruined the character of the whole neighborhood. George Berke - Mr. Berkey's main concern the high rate of traffic speed (50 - 65 mph) on Park Avenue. Mr. Berkey said that at the Wash, close to Washington Street, the- "School 25 MPH "sign is out and should be replaced. Steve Speer -Regarding the buses and trucks, the City is currently preparing a "Cruck Route Ordinance proposal. Park Street would not be on the truck route. Mr. Speer said that Desert Sands Unified School District has been contacted and are agreeable to move the buses over to the arterial streets once the ordinance is adopted. Sunline currently does not have a bus route on that street. The 4-way stop at Painted Cove has previously been discussed as well as a request fora 4-way stop at Rondo. The 90° turn has been before the Committee 1-2 times due to recurring accidents. Park Street and the extension, of Tampico is considered a safer route to school for children since it has an 8' wide sidewalk. Mr. Speer turned the item over to the panel for discussion noting that this issue is on the agenda twice (Item No. 1 and Item No. 2). Suggestions are needed to pass on to Council for an informed decision. TECHNICAL TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 23, 1993 PAGE THREE Committee Discussion -Painted Cove has 12 homes of which 9 are occupied. "Therefore, traffic counts are low but will increase as the development builds out. Park Street, according to Mr. Speer, will never qualify as a residential area by the Vehicle Code because it does not have direct access from the homes (gated community). Richard Barrera addressed the historical value of the street closures noting the City of Pomona as an example in that as new developments occurred, the County of Riverside, from 1980 to 1990 gained one million people as residential locations developed along established street networks. People would buy homes in a traffic area and then rry to close the area oft to other traffic on the street except for access to the development. The alternative was to find ways to reduce traffic and control noise and speed. If an option was offered, the street would be closed including residential developments on arterial streets. The biggest problem closing streets in the City of Pomona was because of the varied situations with regard to traffic. Temporary closures were tried 3 times with the- streets eventually having to be reopened. People want direct access in established neighborhoods and sometimes when streets are closed, emergency service have to take a longer route and that 5 minute time-line can be the difference between saving someone or suffering drastic results so closing the street is a serious issue. Mr. Barrera asked if traffic control devices such as curb warning signs and advisor speed signs are up on Park Avenue through the "S" curve. Mr. Speer said there are now speed limit signs but did not know if reverse curve signs were up. There are two signs on Park Avenue; one 35 mph before the curve and another as motorists enter off of Hil;hway 50 onto Park Avenue. When this item was previously before the committee before, the recommendation at that time was to implement a 35 mph speed limit primarily because that would be an appropriate speed for the curves and site distance. The problem is that motorists are not observing the speed limit. Reverse curve signs are not instal'.'.ed at this time due to the use of the 35 mph signs. Lt. Pittman said that the speed was checked for the full length of road using a radar gun and unmarked car. The average speed of 103 cars was 41.3 mph. The majority of the motorists drove an average speed of 40 mph block with one motorist at 50 mph. Steve Speer said that one of the thoughts on reducing the traffic on Park Avenue is to get the traffic to utilize other streets. The Truck Route Ordinance is one of the proposals. The new traffic signal that was recently activated a few weeks ago by the Civic Centf:r is set so that the left-turn traffic lane has the preference. If a motorist were to approach this intersection from the Cove area, the detector would trip from a distance. In times of light traffic, the left-hirn arrow will be green as soon as they reach the intersection. 1'f they want to go straight, they would have to sit at the intersection and wait 10 seconds or rnore until the light turns green. Another plan that has yet to be implemented is utilizing 3 lanes at the exit coming from the school. At this time there is a left turn lane, a through traffic lane going out, and a through traffic lane coming in. One lane could be made into aright-turn only, another athrough-lane, and then combined with the left-turn lane. That would TECHNICAL TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 23, 1993 PAGE FOUR encourage motorists that come into this lane to be able to make Che right turn on red without getting held up by through traffic traveling south. Another consideration is a stop sign at Painted Cove and another at Rondo. If al] of those measures were implemented and motorists were coming from the Cove, the first thing they would encounter is the preference to make the left-turn due to signal light phasing. The next thing that would happen is they would have to stop at the stop sign on Rondo. Motorists would have to drive down to the end of the street, slow down to make the 90° turn, drive north up along Painted Cove, bit another stop sign and then encounter the traffic light at 50th. With those kind of determents, Mr. Speer felt a lot of the traffic would finally start to be rerouted. The City is currently reconstructing Avenue 50 over in the Country Club area, which will make the Eisenhower Drive/Avenue 50 route a better route to drive. Eisenhower Drive near the park, and the rest of Eisenhower in the Cove area is going to be rebuilt shortly after the first of the year encouraging some of the traffic to continue on out of the Cove going north to 50 before making a right turn across on 50. The use of a 4-way stop and advance warning signs at/or near the Painted Cove entrance was discussed including the ramifications of closing Park Street. Mr. Speer said that although there were probably ways to work around the emergency circulation, some of the ramifications are the newly paved streets and landscaping both of which are large investments to the City. Cul-de-sacs could be installed but would pose a problem for children safety should all traffic be omitted. Other alternatives for routing school children along Washington Street and Avenue 50 are considered to be too dangerous. Richard Barrera asked for figures on the full build-out of the area. Mr. Speer said that at present 12 homes have been built. Currently that makes about 100 trips per da.y out of the Painted Cove area. Al Durrett said that full build-out is 98 homes in Painted Cove/Bajada, 254 families for Brock Desert Fairways. Calculating 10 trips a day from each home, that creates a large traffic volume. Steve Speer asked to bring this item to conclusion with ideas to pass on to Council. John Feuerstein said that he had heard a lot of concern about noise and it was his opinion that if the stop sign would go in at the proposed location, the noise would increase. Mr. Barrera added that extra pollution will be created from the stopping and starting. George Hanover again stressed the importance of the safety issue when exiting the development, particularly in the mornings. Steve Speer said that the Truck Route Ordinance is already in draft form but due to a 60-day advertising period for public hearings will not get to the Council until the first meeting in January. The school district has indicated they will revise their bus routes fairly soon after the ordinance is adopted. Lt. Pittman asked if that was the only heavy truck traffic ChaC existed at this time. Mr. King said that although there are a number of construction trucks using this route, the main concern is the school buses. Mr. Speer said that the construction trucks can he rerouted. Frank Reynolds asked Layne Arthur TECHNICAL TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 23, 1993 PAGE FIVE about getting the School District to move. the buses off this route before the Ordinance takes effect. Mr. Arthur said that he would make a recommendation to the District 'to reroute the buses sooner. The options thus far are: 1) Implementation of the Truck Route Ordinance, 2) completion of other improvements, 3) signalization timing at Washington (now in place), and 4) reconfiguration of the lane layout on the north side of Park and 50. At the present time there are 3 lanes, (two through lanes and 1 left turn lane). Other alternatives r'ea,ommended are: 1) installing a stop sign on Tampico, 2) installation of speed bumps/round humps, 3) tack-on strips near the approach to the curve, 4) and utilization of a 4-way stop at the entrance to Painted Cove. It was acknowledged that although speed bumps are: important in reducing speed, the main issue is reducing the overall traffic on Park Avenue. Mr. Speer asked if there was any discussion as to preference over speed humps or the 4-way stops that have been suggested for Rondo. Mr. Barrera said his recommendation for the stop sign is not based on reducing the speed but on the site, speed, and timed distance factor which is not enough to provide the recommended 5.5 seconds for someone from a stop sign to pull out into or cross the street. Mr. Speer asked for a final vote as to ways to reduce traffic volume on Park Avenue. Both John Feuerstein and Richard Barrera felt that cul-de-sacs (closing street) would be the best alternative. Layne Arthur and Lt. Pittman preferred low cost stop signs. Roger Hirdler, said his main concern is that no speed bumps were installed. Mr. Speer said that an agenda item would be prepared to go to the Council either the 2nd meeting in November or 1st meeting in December. Attendees will be notified by Leann Dexter, Engineering Department Secretary when this item is scheduled for Council. Item No. 3 -Discuss Need for Traffic Safety Improvements at Avenida Bermudas/Cane Tampico Intersection. Mr. Speer played a video showing the intersection in question. Mr. Speer noted the intersection opened to traffic approximately 2 months ago. Upon opening, there were quite a few problems, however of late the problems have subsided. Mr. Barrera noted there is no opening to make a left turn. Mr. Feuerstein asked if there was another driveway on the street ahead into Circle K. Mr. Speer said the only other way was to make a right turn down Tampico and make a "U" turn back to Circle K. There is a proposal at this time for the Pharmacy to become a meat market with the new business owners intending to close off access to Circle K with a block wall. The Planning Commission was about ready to approve the wall when it pointed out that Circle K may have prescriptive rights to use that other ]and since they have been using it openly for years. Historically, that has been an access for Circle K. The Planning Commission has opted to continue this issue. TECHNICAL TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 23, 1993 PAGE SIX Final alternatives are: 1) utilizing pavement arrows at the intersection, 2) extending the nose in the median island with delineators, 3) close off one driveway, or 4) wait for another 6 months to see if the problems subside as residents become more familiar with the intersection. Item No. 4 -Discuss Need for Traffic Safety Improvements at Various Intersections in Vicinity of New High School: The new high school currently under construction is expected to be open for classes this coming fall. The offsite work around school is completed; the School District has expressed an interest fora 4-way stop at Dune Palms and Westward Ho and when Mr. Speer met with Karen Miller on the Truck Route issue, the subject of a 4-way stop at Dune Palms and Miles also came up. Mr. Speer suggested a 4-way stop not be implemented until just before school starts or, if committee feels necessary, install as soon as possible. Richard Barrera said that one of the biggest problems in the county with regards to traffic control devices, particularly signing and striping, are specifically new high schools. Mr. Barrera recommended bringing back this item at the next meeting and look at traffic counts and plot plans. Mr. Speer suggested looking at the video showing the locations. Steve Speer reviewed the layout of the area via an aerial photograph showing Dune Palms, Westward Ho, High School and student parking and proposed access routes. Parking restrictions would be needed since not all students would park in the school lot clue to their driving without licenses, insurance, etc. A predated traffic study of the area has been done, but it was not available at I:his Cime. The school district wanted to bring most of the traffic down Dune Palms and the highway. The traffic could still be routed that way once the signal is installed. Layne Arthur said that the proposed plan is to start the grades out at 9th and 10th but may end up with 11th and 12th as well. If not, traffic would be kept minimal due to age limits. The committee reviewed the other intersection on the video. Mr. Speer showed streets on the aerial photographs that are planned for improvement widening. Committee: rnembers then reviewed the video as Layne Arthur explained the various intersections in question. Mr. Speer suggested this item be brought back at a future date with plot plans and traffic counts, and requested this issue be. addressed prior to reopening Dune Palms. Mr. Arthur noted that the construction of the school is on schedule. TECHNICAL TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 23, 1993 PAGE SEVEN Item No. 5 -Discuss Request for a New Traffic Signal on highway 111 for Improved A,ecess to Plaza La Ouinta Shopping Center (Vonsl: Mr. Speer noted two traffic fatalities have occurred in recent years due to motorists attempting to gain access to Highway 111 from the Plaza La Quinta Shopping Center. The specific request was identified at the Lumpy's entrance close to the Cliff House Restaurant. Mr. Speer pointed out the existing entrances on the aerial photos. The consideration is a new location for an entrance (800 - 850 feet from centerline) omitting the present ones now being utilized at Lumpy's and Downy Savings. John Feuerstein asked if the City plans to open the exit at the light and close the other two. Mr. Speer said that closure of at least one of the exits should take place. The Committee felt that both present entrances need to be closed. The proposed signal light would also provide speed control; the light would be in alignment with the light at Washington and 1 I1. John Feuerstein suggested to Mr. Speer that a traffic study will need to be done, then submitted to Caltrans. The project report should include the accidents that at the Downy entrance plus the accidents at the Lumpy's entrance. The accidents have gone down over the years with 4 in 1990, '93 and '91 and 2 in '92 and '93. Steve Speer said the City is looking at how to approach Caltrans to get this item initiated. This is not viewe'~ as a Caltrans funded signal but as one ukilizing some City funding and a lot of development funding. Mr. Feuerstein said that the way to get started is to: 1) do a traffic sl:udy (including warrants and circulation patterns within the shopping center), 2) show why the signal is needed, and 3) discuss what entrances are opening and closing and how it's going to help the overall working of the situation. After that, it's simply a matter of applying for a permit to put in a signal. There must be proof that a signal is warranted there. Mr. Feuerstein said he will set counts to see where the numbers are at now to and if we meeC any volume warrants where the motorists exit. If a traffic warrant analysis says that volume warrants are met, it's going to help the circulation, safety, and overall picture for the traveling public. That is the justification that can be used to put in a signal that's less distance than we now have. Mr. Speer said that's something the City would include in their request for a permit. There were no other questions or comments on this issue. The meeting was adjourned by Mr. Speer.