HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 1995.01.12TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Minutes
JANUARY 12, 1995
M. AMOROSO
J. EVANS
R. KARP
D. MAYER
J. NORTON
A. SIMONETTI
STAFF PRESENT:KEITH DELLAWAY, TRAFFIC/CNIL ENGINEER
FRANK C. ERBACHER, CITY ENGINEER
DORIS MORTENSEN, ADMIMSTRATWE SECRETARY
KEITH TAMURA, OFFICER
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: D. PREGER
VISITORS:AL LOVOTTI, 1588 GILBRETH, BURLINGAME
W.J. SPITZ, 13OI MARLBOROUGH RD., HLSBORO
K.W. HALL, 5000 N. RODEO GULCH RD., SOQUEL
M.H. SPITZ, 1215 LAGUNA #2, BURLINGAME
PIERRE MEDLEI, 755 CALIFORNIA, BURLINGAME
MARTI KNIGHT, 455 CHATHAM, BURLINGAME
PERRY SPITZ, 1215 LAGUNA,#6, BURLINGAME
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COMMISSIONERS PRESENT :
Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission
CALL TO ORDER. 7:00 p.m. by 1994 Vice Chairman Mayer
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG. Comm. Mayer
ROLL CALL. Six Commissioners present.
CURRENT BUSINESS.
4.1 ACTION ITEMS.
January t2, t995
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4.1.1 Minutes of December 8, 1994 approved as submitted by the
Commission.
4.t.2 Election of New Officers
It was moved and seconded (Comm. Simonetti/Karp) nominating
Comm. Mayer as Chairman for 1995; unanimously approved by
the Commission. In a second motion, Chairman Mayer appointed
Comm. Norton as Vice Chairman; unanimously approved by the
Commission.
4.t.3 Request for Stop Sign on Quesada, Southbound, at Ray Drive and
on Ray Drive, Eastbound, at Quesada (See Item 6.3, below)
Officer Tamura stated there is no feedback available yet from the
radar trailer surveillance in this area. Mr. Dellaway stated that a
report from Sgt. McDonnell indicates not one accident at this
intersection during 1994. No volume counts are available although
there is more traffic on Ray than Quesada. It was moved and
seconded (Comm. Karp/Evans) to deny this request; unanimously
approved by the Commission.
4.t.4 Request for Crosswalk and Speed Bumps at Ray and Devereux
Drives
Mr. Erbacher does not recommend a crosswalk or speed hump at
this location because of the turn in the road. A crosswalk should
be placed where you want to encourage people to cross, and a
speed hump is more appropriate for a higher volume of traffic. It
was moved and seconded (Comm. Evans/Simonetti) that based on
staff recommendation to deny this request; unanimously approved
by the Commission.
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Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission January 12, 1995
4.2 DISCUSSION ITEMS.
4.2.r Request to Repaint and Extend Green Zone between L501 and
1505 Bayshore Highway on Mahler Road
From the floor, Mr. l,ovotti stated that this request was fulfilled
yesterday and thanked staff. He also requested a green zone at
another location. For this, Mr. Dellaway advised that this new
request should be in writing to the Commission by the owner of
that business.
INACTM ITEMS. None
NEW BUSINESS.
6.1 Request for Green Zone at 755 California Drive
From the floor, Mr. Medlej, business owner, stated that it is difficult for
customers to find the building and to park due to trucks parking in front all day,
everyday; therefore, he requests the green zone for short term parking. Mr.
Hall, building owner, stated large panel trucks park there all day and could park
across the street; therefore, he suggests a 60-foot green zole.
Mr. Dellaway viewed this site and stated that the owners are correct. He stated
that the two green zones (40 feet) south of this location for a cleaners works well
for that area. Commissioner Evans, who had recommended the green zone there,
supports this request since the green zones work well at this location.
Mr. Erbacher questioned if the 24-minute green zone would be a long enough
time for his customers. Mr. Medlej stated that it is okay and that the showroom
would be more visible with the green zone. Commissioner Amoroso stated that
60 feet of green zone is too long and recommended 40 feet at most. It was
moved and seconded (Comm. Evans/Amoroso) to make this an Action item next
month; unanimously approved by the Commission.
Mr. Erbacher stated that staff will notify businesses in the immediate area of this
request.
6.2 Request to Alleviate Visibility Problem at Carmelita and Capuchino
Mr. Dellaway telephoned the applicant who clarified that vehicles traveling from
California to El Camino Real on Carmelita cannot be seen while turning left onto
Carmelita from Capuchino due to cars parking near the intersection, westbound,
on Carmelita. Height limit signs were recommended, however, even small cars
are a problem. Officer Tamura viewed this site and agrees that there is a
problem. Also, bush growth on the corner may contribute to the visibility
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Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission January L2, t995
problem. It was moved and seconded (Comm. Karp/Evans) to move this to an
Action item next month; unanimously approved by the Commission. Comm.
Mayer feels a 4O-foot red zone is needed here.
6.3 Request for Stop Sign on Ray Drive, Westbound, at Quesada
This request is directly related to Item 4.1.3 above which was denied. It was
moved and seconded (Comm. Simonetti/Norton) to deny this request;
unanimously approved by the Commission.
6.4 Request to Restrict Traffic Utilizing Easement Abutting 1215 Laguna
From the floor, Mr. W.J. Spitz, owner, advised that the easement was given to
City of Burlingame in 1963 and City was to maintain it; however, the City never
has. Also, it was to be for one-way traffic; and it is now being used for two-way
traffic which is hazardous. The easement runs the length of the building, what
used to be the original driveway. Tenants are honked at when walking here to
get their mail. Trucks that use this easement are not only noisy, many of them
scrape the building and damage it - up to $3,000 worth, for which he feels the
City should pay. He has installed two cement posts in the yard to prevent
cars/trucks from running into his wall and damaging it further. He feels this
should be a one-way easement.
Mr. Perry Spitz, tenant, stated that the traffic in the easement has increased
dramatically. In addition to being used as an access to public parking (Lot P),
it has become a thoroughfare. At present traffic exits onto Broadway; and he
suggests directing traffic away from there, alleviating Broadway of further
congestion. Exiting vehicles using the lot have finished their business and are
leaving the area. Mr. Spitz stated that there is no setback from the easement
which should be about 6 feet. Trucks drive through there just 2 feet from his
apartment wall. Safety is a major issue here due to: lack of driver visibility,
unsafe speeds, pedestrians/tenants using easement. He recommends no trucks be
allowed to use easement.
Ms. Mary Hess, tenant, stated she has difficulty backing out of her garage due
to no visibility. She has seen elderly pushing grocery carts and children on
bicycles using the easement and the "close calls" with vehicular traffic.
comms. Amoroso and Simonetti viewed this site and saw many problems. Mr.
Erbacher stated that both the building and easement were built concurrently. The
developer should have taken into account the easement in his development. It
appears the easement is to provide circulation for parking and the public. The
access way is L2 feet which is not a lot of room. Next month Mr. Erbacher will
present easement document. The City could make the decision to make it a one
way which may be a good idea. Comm. Amoroso suggested a "Do Not Enter"
sign to discourage two-way traffic. It was moved and seconded (Comm. Karp/
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Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission January 12, 1995
Evans) to make this a Discussion item next month and to notify neighboring
owners/tenants interested inthis issue; unanimously approved by the Commission.
7. INFORMATION ITEMS.
7.1 Feasibility of Studying Parking Permit Processing in Neighborhoods with Time
Restrictions
Staff provided a City map designating areas that would be considered for Parking
Permit Processing. Mr. Erbacher's concern was what is the real demand
throughout the city, the feasibility of having such a plan, and the cost to the
citizens. Also, there are single- and multi-family dwellings in these areas and this
plan would take away some parking availability. Mr. Erbacher spoke to Chief
Palmer who stated that this plan would require one full time person and related
costs. Mr. Erbacher asked what the demand has been from the public. Police
Dept. received about two dozen requests and Traffic Engineering received many
as well. A study is needed to determine demand and the reasonableness of this
plan.
Comm. Evans asked what is the City's ability to implement this plan. Mr.
Erbacher stated that without a comprehensive study, we don't know. The City
doesn't have people available to fill the position per the Police Dept. Whatever
is provided to this project, the same will be taken away from another project due
to budget limits. comm. Karp suggested that with only a couple dozen, plus,
requests, a study is not warranted. Comm. Evans stated that residents present at
the previous meeting felt that this was a big problem. Comm. Karp suggested
sending a letter to that neighborhood's residents advising them to see Public
Works if a parking permit is needed.
Comm. Amoroso stated that what we really need to decide is how such a program
would be run. Parking and traffic are key issues of concern to our community.
san Mateo and Daly city have programs in effect; perhaps we could get a copy
of their plans and compare them to our needs. This is no small problem; it
should be kept on a back burner for the future.
7.2 Caltrans Crosswalk Survey
Mr. Dellaway advised this is informational only and indicates Burlingame's
response. The impetus for this survey is that Caltrans has been receiving a lot
of odd-ball requests for crosswalks so decided to canvas the cities.
Comm. Karp asked about sending a letter to the Beautification Commission to cut
oack on the tree roots on Easton. Mr. Erbacher advised that the letter was halted
since that commission suggested making Easton a one way sffeet. He met with
the Park and the Street Departments and it was concluded that some roots can be
trimmed along with a berm being placed around the tree and placing reflectors
on the tree trunks. Also, a red zone will be placed opposite problem areas.
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Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission January 12, 1995
Mr. Dellaway was welcomed back by Comm. Karp. Mr. Dellaway is scheduled
for surgery January 18 and is due back in March. We wish him a speedy
recovery.
8. FROM THE FLOOR.
9. ADJOURNMENT. 8:15 p.m.
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