HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - TSP - 2006.02.09TRAFFIC. SAFETY AND PARKIN G COMMISSION AGENDA
CITY HALL, 501 PRIMROSE ROAD, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 7:00 P.M.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2006
AGENDA SUGGESTED
ACTION
1
2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
CURRENT BUSINESS
4.1 ACTION ITEMS
4.1 .1 Minutes for January 12,2006 Approve.
4.2 DISCUSSION ITEMS
4.2.1 Cowan Road/Mahler Road/Gilbreth Road - Height,
overnight parking, and limited-time parking restrictions
Discuss and review
staff report.
Discuss and review
staff report.
4.2.3 Primrose Road/Howard Avenue - Designation of 24-
minute Green Zones on.
Discuss and review
staff report.
4.2.4 Ray Drive/Quesada Way - Request for Stop signs or
other speed controls.
Discuss and review
staff report.
4.2.5 California Drive - Overnight parking issues on 700
block.
Discuss, no written
staff report.
5 Acknowledge request
and accept testimony.
6 FROI/I THE FLOOR Acknowledge request
and accept testimony.
7 INFORMATION ITEMS
7.1 Bicycle Safety lssues in Burlingame
III
T
II
T
.1
CALL TO ORDER 7:00 p.m.
J.
4.
4.2.2 Cabrillo Avenue/Cortez Avenue - Traffic flow through
Our Lady ofAngels School
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF NEW ITEMS
7.2 From Council to Commission/Staff
7.3 From Staff to Commission
7.3.1 Traffic Engineer's Report
7.3.2 f raffic Sergeant's Report
7.3.3 Other City Staff Reports Discussion with City's
Emergency Services
Staff.
7.4 From Commission to Staff
7.4.1 Reports of citizen complaints or requests Direction to staff.
7.5 Comments and communication Direction to staff.
7.6 Next Regular Meeting: March 9, 2005 Announcement of
expected absences.
o INACTIVE ITEMS
8. 1 Easton Drive - Eucalyptus tree at Easton and Cabrillo Pending Easton
Creek Sewer
construction.
8.2 Mercy High School - Traffic Studies
I AGENDIZED ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING - March 9, 2006
9.1 ltems requiring written staff reports Direction to staff.
10 ADJOURNMENT
IIII
III
T
I
li
Pending resident
meeting and studies.
The City of Burlingame
CITY HALL. 501 PRIMROSE ROAD
cALtFORNtA 94010-3997
www. burlingame.org
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Unapproved
Thursday - January 12,2006
Commissioners Present: Stephen Warden, Chair
Eugene Condon, Vice-Chair
Victor James
Dan Conway
Michael Bohnert
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present:
Staff Absent
Visitors
Traffic Sergeant Don Shepley, Police Department
Augustine Chou, Traffic Engineer, Public Works
Lori Brock, Secretary, Public Works
None
Ann Keigh ran, 231 Vancouver Avenue
Joseph Cowan, South San Francisco
Megan Bohnert, Burlingame
Pat Giorni, 1445 Balboa Avenue
Alex Veech, 1800 Adeline Drive
Police Chief Jack Van Etten
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Unapproved
Thursday, January 12, 2006
1. CALL TO ORDER
7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER
3.1 Michael Bohnert introduced himself and provided some background information
4, ROLL CALL
5 of 5 Commissioners present.
5. CURRENT BUSINESS
5.1 ACTION ITEMS
5.1.1 Minutes for September 8, 2005 and November 10, 2005
Motion: To accept the minutes.
M/S/C: Condon, Conway; 5/0/0
5.2 DISCUSSION ITEMS
5.2.1 Cowan Road/Mahler Road/Gilbreth Road - Height, overnight parking, and
limited-time parking restrictions
Traffic Engineer Chou informed the Commission that shortly after their
facilities consolidation, LSG Sky Chefs was able to make adjustments to all
three work shifts which enabled them to accommodate their employee's
parking needs on-site as well as on the street. He added that no
modifications to the on-street parking time limits appeared necessary at
this time. He added that because of these modifications, the prior parking
concerns in that area seemed to have been addressed. He further stated
that staff did not see any additional need for a second meeting regarding
the southern part of the commercial district because making adjustments to
The CiV of autingame Page 2
TRAFFIC, SAFEry AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Unapproved
Thursday, January 12, 2006
that area might conflict with the idea of trying to address area-wide
adjustments, which included both the northern, and southern part of the
commercial area.
Commissioner Condon stated that he still perceived parking problems in
the area. He said that it wasn't just with Sky Chefs, but also with the
limousine companies, and people dropping off their cars and leaving the
area. Commissioner Condon said that he would like to continuing to
pursue 2-hour or 4-hour parking on the easUwest side streets, and 8-hour
parking on Gilbreth Road. He was also concerned about a recurrence of
overnight or long{erm parking in the area.
Mr. Chou said that while the Sky Chefs parking problem might be resolved,
there was indeed still concern over parking issues related to hotel parking
on the side streets around the Bayshore Highway area. He said that this
particular issue might be dealt with separately focusing on the incidences
occurring on the eastern ends of Cowan and along Mahler. He said that
the problems seemed less prevalent on Stanton, Mitten, Malcolm, and
Hinkley Roads. Mr. Chou also noted that Mr. Al Lovotti has already
expressed concerns over the consideration to change Gilbreth from the
current 4-hours to 8-hours.
Commissioner Condon said that he wanted to avoid the past approach of
addressing parking issues individually and without consideration to the
"global" picture. He said that the current approach to problem solving were
more effective at resolving issues for a whole area.
Chair Warden stated that a second public meeting should be offered; and,
if the City received no response from the public, then the Commission
could close the matter. He suggested bringing the issue back to the
Commission as a Discussion ltem to discuss the feasibility of 2-hour, 4-
hour, and/or 8-hour parking for the entire area. lf no feedback is received
from the community, the Commission would then concentrate on specific
offending vehicles such as the limousine services and moving companies.
He asked that this matter be continued for next month.
Traffic Engineer Chou explained that the new principal at Our Lady of
Angels school (OLA), changed the existing traffic plan, which was only
implemented last year, back to the "old" 2004 plan. This "new" plan has
The Cily of Budingame Page 3
5.2.2 Cabrillo Avenue/Cortez Avenue - Traffic flow through Our Lady of Angels
School
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Unapproved
Thursday, January 12, 2006
parenVdrivers entering from Cabrillo again (from Easton Drive), circulating
within the school yard, then leaving back out onto Cabrillo (towards Hillside
Drive).
Mr. Chou reiterated that this plan was almost identical to the 2004 plan,
and that the school had only implemented the "nevy'' plan last year after
meetings between the Commission, the school, and the neighbors.
Mr. Chou stated that he and police staff met with the new principal, Ann
Stovall, and determined that there were modifications to the student pickup
times; and, while the traffic pattern was similar to that of the 2004 plan, the
pickup and exiting had run fairly smoothly based on several of his field
visits. He said that the reason for going back to the 2004 plan was
because of Ms. Stovall's concern over vehicles traveling all the way
through the school property with dismissed children present. With cars
circulating in only from Cabrillo, the passenger side of the vehicle would be
where the children could load in, and there would be no vehicles traveling
through the school property between Cortez and Cabrillo.
Mr. Chou stated that the City had not received resident complaints
regarding this latest change; and, that the only remark received dealt with
letting the City know that there was a change.
Mr. Chou stated that based on his observations, the school yard gates
were opened at 2:45 PM, with pickup starting at approximately 2:55 - 3:00
PM. He said that vehicles would begin queuing up 7-10 vehicles on
Cabrillo just before the gates opened; and, that this congestion was still a
concern for staff. He also stated that the queuing situation seemed to be
more intermittent and less regular in the current plan than with the 2004
plan.
Pat Giorni stated that the City should discourage the idea of picking up
children in the playground area and move the pickup to Hillside Drive. She
also stated that the school should have the teachers walk their students out
of the school and supervise the pickup.
The City of Burlingame Page 4
Commissioner Condon expressed his concern that if the school were to
consider using last yea/s plan, but in the reverse-direction, visibility
concerns might arise because of a storage container by the gate on Cortez.
He also noted that the neighbors might start complaining again about the
current plan because it was back to where we started two years ago.
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Unapproved
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Ann Keighran informed the Commission that morning drop-off was not a
problem, and has been improved due to the various plans. She said that
afternoon pick-up, however, continued to be a problem because parents
had to wait for the school's dismissal. Ms. Keighran also said that vehicles
often traveled in two different directions when entering and leaving the
school property, and that southbound cars should not be allowed after
exiting onto Cabrillo.
Chair Warden concluded that this item would be on the agenda for further
discussion next month.
6 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF NEW ITEMS
6.1 Primrose Road/Howard Avenue - Designation of 24-minute Green Zones
Mr. Chou informed the Commission that for next month, they would be receiving a
staff report regarding a request to install green zones on Primrose and on
Howard, by the Primrose CALL Center. He said this item was the result of a
request to the City Council by parents of the daycare center next to the Primrose
CALL Center for some shortterm parking.
6.2 Ray Drive/Quesada Way - Request for Stop signs or other speed controls.
Mr. Chou informed the Commission that they would be receiving a staff report
regarding a request from a resident concerning vehicle speeds at this location.
He added that staff would be providing stop sign warrant data and other studies at
that time.
7, FROM THE FLOOR
7.1 Resident Alex Veech asked the Commission about who and how to contact
appropriate authorities regarding poor traffic roadway markings on El Camino
Real, south of Trousdale.
Mr. Veech was informed that El Camino Real was within the jurisdiction of
Caltrans, and that he should make contact with Caltrans via a letter about his
concerns.
The City of Burlingame Page 5
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Unapproved
Thursday, January 12, 2006
8. INFORMATION ITEMS
8.1 Bicycle Safety lssues in Burlingame
Pat Giorni spoke to the Commission on the following items:
She would be willing to serve on a bike committee.
"Bike to Work Day" is scheduled for May and she would like the City to
participate by providing informational banners and setting up an energizing
station at the Burlingame train station. Ms. Giorni is also willing to serve as
a volunteer at such a station.
Grand jury report issued this year concerning SamTrans and the Joint
Powers Board. She said that San Mateo County has primary jurisdiction
for what it builds, such as a proposed bike path on California Drive, from
Broadway to the Millbrae border. Ms. Giorni stated that California Drive
was not an adequate street for the route due to the amount of traffic.
Broadway overpass - Approximately five years ago, after they changed the
bridge, Caltrans failed to replace the pedestrian crosswalk lines and she
would like the City to demand this be fixed along with a traffic signal.
Approximately one year ago, she called Caltrans about increasing the
signal timing on the cross streets along El Camino Real, especially at
Floribunda Avenue and Ray Drive. She said that Calhans provided four
additional seconds, which were great, and allowed the bicyclist to get
across the four lanes.
Chair Warden informed Ms. Giorni that the Commission had not received
notification that the signal timings were changed back to their original setting.
8.2 From Council to Commission/Staff
None.
8.3 From Staff to Commission
8.3.'1 Traffic Engineer's Report
Traffic Engineer Chou reported that countdown pedestrian signal heads
would be installed by the contractor, Republic Electric, some time in the
beginning of February. He said that installation was not expected to go
beyond two weeks. Locations included all of the downtown signals along
Burlingame Avenue and at Broadway. He added that the City would be
Page 6The City ol Burlingame
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Unapproved
Thursday, January 12, 2006
8.4
talking to Caltrans regarding their signals on El Camino Real at these
locations.
Mr. Chou also reported that the lighted crosswalk project at Carolan and
Morrell was anticipated to commence in late February. He added that the
system would be the same as the one cunently installed across Bayshore
Highway and also across California Drive.
Finally, Mr. Chou reported that the US101/Broadway lnterchange Project
Study Report (PSR) has been completed and signed off by Caltrans. He
said the $S4-million project now needed an environmental study. The
anticipated construction date was to be 2012.
8.3.2 Traffic Sergeant's Report
Sergeant Shepley reported that December was a busy month for the Police
Department. He stated that the 2005 'AVOID" holiday enforcement
prog ram results were available on the web at www.californiaavoid.orq.
Chief Van Etten was present and invited members of the Commission to a
demonstration of American Traffic Solutions' (ATS) photo red light traffic
enforcement technology, on January 25th at 1:00 PM in City Hall
Conference Room A.
Sgt. Shepley updated the Commission on the following areas
Traffic officer coverage.
Joint PEO/DBID meetings to improve the reputation of the Parking
Division.
Employee parking permit program.
Council approved engineering changes to the parking system.
From Commission to Staff
8.4.1 Reports of citizen complaints or requests
Commissioner James asked about a discussion or presentation by staff on
the City's major disaster plan for the next meeting's agenda. Mr. Chou and
Sgt. Shepley suggested that the City's Emergency Services Coordinator,
John Parkin, should be invited for the next meeting.
The City of Burlingame Page 7
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Unapproved
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Commissioner Condon provided an update on the crosswalk at Ray Drive
and Lassen Drive, where the Lincoln School children cross. He said that
the visual impact was dramatically improved with the red zone, and
pedestrians can see clearly for both directions.
Chair Warden reported the following:
California Drive continued to have trucks and RV's parking
overnight. He asked that this matter be placed on the next meeting
agenda under "Overnight Parking Restrictions on the east side of
California Drive - 700 block".
Someone had trimmed the juniper bushes in the City parking lot on
Paloma, north of Broadway on the eastside. He had a concern
about who the City was allowing to trim bushes on city property. Mr.
Chou said that he would speak with the Parks Department.
Continued long-term trailer parking by a contractor who was parking
his trailer at the Old Baptist Church. The contractor seemed to be
parking his trailer and truck on the street for up to two weeks in front
of someone's house.
The City Council adopted the ordinance against spectators in street
racing. He commended the Commissioners for a good job and
thanked them for their support.
8.5 Comments and communications
9. INACTIVE ITEMS
9.1 Easton Drive - Eucalyptus tree at Easton and Cabrillo
Traffic Engineer Chou explained that no traffic counts could be conducted due to
the on-going construction work in the area regarding the Easton Creek Sewer
reconstruction project.
The City ol Butingame Page 8
None.
8.6 Next meeting: February 9, 2006
There are no anticipated absences from either staff or the Commission.
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Unapproved
Thursday, January 12, 2006
9.2 Mercy High School - Traffic Studies
Traffic Engineer Chou explained that a community/neighborhood meeting still
needed to be scheduled; and, that speed surveys and traffic volume counts were
to be conducted around the end of January.
10. AGENDUM ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING - February 9,2006
City of Burlingame's Emergency Disaster Program
California Drive (700 block) Overnight Parking
10.1
11, ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR FOR 2006
8:08 p.m.
Items Requiring Staff Reports. ltem 5.2.1 - Cowan/Mahler/Gilbreth Parking Limits. ltem 5.2.2 - Cabrillo-OLA School Traffic Circulation. ltem 6.1 - Primrose/Howard Green Zones. ltem 6.2 - Ray/Quesada Stops or Speed Control
The City of Bulingamo Page 9
Commissioner Gene Condon as Chairperson.
M/S/C: Warden, James, 5/0/0
Commissioner Victor James as Vice-Chair.
M/S/C: Condon, Warden, 5/0/0
12, ADJOURNMENT
LI ME
Meeting
Date: February 9, 2006
TO:
DATE:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
STAFF REPORT
SUBMITTED BY
Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission
February 3, 2006
Augustine Chou, Traffic Engineer
Agenda ltem 4.2.1
Cowan Road/Mahler Road/Gilbreth Road - Limited-time Parking Restrictions
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends considering no action at this time, but instead receive
testimony from the public before formulating any course of action.
BACKGROUND: ln A ugust, 2005 the Commission made an effort to proactively address some
potentially significant changes to the parking demands and availability of on-street parking in the
commercial area bounded by Bayshore, Cowan, Gilbreth, and Mahler. A neighborhood meeting was
held in October, 2005 to hear out the parking concerns of LSG Sky Chefs and the various surrounding
businesses. ln January of this year, the City was informed by Sky Chefs representatives that the
parking situation did not have as significant an impact as originally expected. As a result, staff
determined that the best course of action at that point in time was not to change the parking limits.
This still left the question of whether or not to consider any action in the southern portion of the same
commercial area - which encompasses Stanton, Hinkley, Mahler, and Gilbreth. At the January 12
meeting, the Commission requested staff to proceed with the second planned public meeting for this
area to determine if a need, and a desire, existed among the effected businesses to consider additional
parking limit restrictions.
DISCUSSION: Staff conducted a mass-mailing to notiff businesses of the public hearing at this month's
meeting. Businesses along Mahler Road, Hinkley Road, and Stanton Road were notified by standard
US Postal mail. Since the mailing, staff has been contacted by telephone from one business regarding
this issue.
The City in general, and the Commission specifically, will need to evaluate the concerns of the
businesses to determine if a change in the current parking arrangement will improve the situation, or
exacerbate it. Currently, there are no parking restrictions on any of the side streets (Mahler, Hinkely,
Stanton), other than an occasional 24-minute green zone or No Parking red zone. Gilbreth Road has a
4-hour parking restriction along its entire length, from Mahler Road to Cowan Road. This 4-hour
limitation was established as a way to address long-term parking abuses by various trucking entities who
used the roadway as a long-term storage facility for their inactive trucks.
The City had plans to examine the parking situation in the entire commercial area bounded by Mahler,
Gilbreth, Cowan and Bayshore. However, based on the situation regarding Sky Chefs and the
Cowan/Mitten/Malcolm Road area, staff has concerns that there may also be no broad interest in
implementing limitedtime parking restrictions in the Stanton/Hinkley/Mahler area as well. lf this is the
case, staff would not recommend any consideration to change the current 4-hou limits on Gilbreth Road
since this stand-alone action may create unwanted effects, and magnify any existing problems on the
side streets.
S:A Public Works Oirectory\TsP Commission\Staff Reportsr2006\02-09-06 Cowan-Mahlsr-Gilbreth Parking.doc
San Francisco Bay
I,
Page 1 of 12
PWENG-Brock, Lori
From: Aldo Lovotti [alsr@bayshoreassociates.com]
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2005 1 1:16 AM
To: Lori
Gc: Julia@bayshoreassociates.com; aljr@bayshoreassociates.com
Subject: Re: [SPAM]Traffic Safety and Parking Commission Minutes for October 13, 2005
Ladies/Gentlemen
I can't believe you would consider changing the parking restrictions that were put
in to keep Trucks, Trailers, Cargo Containers, Motor Homes, etc. from being stored
along Gilbreth Road. lt took us over a year to get the City of Burlingame to put the
present restrictions in effect.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION, WE ORIGINALLY ASKED FOR 8 HOUR PARKING LIMIT
OR NO OVERNIGHT PARKING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT WE WERE TOLD
THAT THESE TYPES OF RESTRICTIONS WOULD NOT BE ENFORCEABLE BECAUSE
OF THE "METER MAID" SCHEDULES.
Would they be enforceable now ?
Also, having dealt with the City Planning Dept. in the past, it seems to me that LSG Sky
Chefs should not have been allowed in the area if they did not have adequate off-street
parking for their operation.
(We were not able to lease some spaces in the past because we couldn't provide the
amount of off-street parking spaces required by the Planning Dept.)
Finally, are the parking restrictions that were approved for Mahler Road back in July 2005,
still going to be installed ?
SINCERELY,
Al Lovottisr.
BAYSHORE ASSOCIATES
1588 Gilbreth Road,
Burlingame, Calif. 94010
(650) 692-8726 fax: (650) 692-8752
----- Original Message -----
From: Lori
To : alsr@bayshoreassociates. com
Sent: Friday, December 16,2005 11:09 PM
Subject: [SPAM]Traffic Safety and Parking Commission Minutes for October 13, 2005
Commissioners Present: Stephen Warden, Chair
1212712005
Eugene Condon, Vice-Chair
Page I of I
PW/ENG-Chou, Augustine
From: Aldo Lovotti [alsr@bayshoreassociates.com]
Sent: Monday, February 06,2006 10:51 AM
To: PWENG-Chou, Augustine
Cc: aljr@bayshoreassociates.com; priscilla lovotti;julia@bayshoreassociates.com; bayareatravel@earthlink.net
Subject: TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION MEETING OF February 9, 2006
Dear Mr. Chou,
With reference to your notice, we want to remind you and the Commissioners that back in the 90's, when Mr. Coleman was the
City Attorney, it took us over one year to get parking restrictions on Gilbreth Road that would keep companies and individuals from
storing their TRUCKS, TRAILERS, CARGO CONTAINERS, TRAVEL TRAILERS, MOTOR HOMES, ETC., along the street for
days and weeks at a time,
At that time, we asked for an 8 hour parking limit to eliminate the problem without effecting the people working in the area.
HOWEVER, someone in the Traffic or Police Department said that the 8 hour limit would not be enforceable because of the meter
maid or traffic enforcement's work schedules, and came up with the present restrictions.
WOULD THE 8 HOUR LIMIT BE ENFORCEABLE NOW ?
Last year you tried to resolve this problem by referring it to the City Planning Department. As we all should realize by now, this
problem cannot be resolved with zoning restrictions, it can only be resolved with parking restrictions.
We strongly believe that all the parking problems we have in our area could be resolved simply by installing the same restrictions
and signage that was installed in front of the CITY OF BURLINGAME CORPORATION YARD at 1361 North Carolan Avenue
(which is much more lndustrial than our area).
Please acknowledge receipt and forward this to the Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission or provide us with their e-mail
address.
Sincerely,
Al Lovottisr.
2/612006
The CiA of Burlingome
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Tel:(650) 558-7230
Fax:(650) 685-9310
CITY HALL - 501 PRIMROSE ROAD
BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA 9401 0.3997
CORPORATION YARD
Tel:(650) 558-7670
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION MEETING
7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 9, 2006
City Hall, 501 Primrose Road - Council Chambers
The Burlingame Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission is holding a community
meeting to evaluate the feasibility of implementing 4-hour parking on Mahler Road,
Hinkley Road, and Stanton Road; as well as consider 8-hour parking on Gilbreth
Road. This public meeting wil! be held on Thursday, February 9, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
at the Burlingame City Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Council Chambers.
Your attendance is highly encouraged. The Commission welcomes all input on
this important issue, as a decision may affect your business. !f you are unable to
attend this meeting, you are welcome to submit written comments to Traffic.
Safety and Parking Commission. 501 Primrose Road. Burlingame. CA 94010.
Your written comments will be forwarded to the Commission.
lf you have any questions or need additional information about this notice, please
call Mr. Augustine Chou, Burlingame Traffic Engineer, at 650-558-7230, or send
an email to achou@burlingame.org
POSSIBILIry OF 4.HOUR PARKING
ON MAHLER/HI NKLEY/STANTON ROADS
&
POSSIBILITY OF 8-HOUR PARKING
ON GILBRETH ROAD
PUBLIC IVEET !NG NOTICE
S:\A Public Works Directory\TsP Commission\R€sponse & Notilication Letters to Requ6sts\Public Notice - 2-9-06 MahlEtrHinkl6y-Stanton-Gilbreth Parking.wpd
Meeting
Date: February 9, 2006
TO:
DATE:
FROM:
SUBJECT
STAFF REPORT
SUBMITTED
Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission
February 3, 2006
Augustine Chou, Traffic Engineer
Agenda ltem 4.2.2
Cabrillo Avenue/Cortez Avenue - Our Lady of Angels Schoo!
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Commission, through its sub-committee, draft a letter of
notification outlining actions to be taken by Our Lady of Angels (OLA) School to improve the school
traffic circulation. The actions would include the following:
Request OLA school to install clearly designated "Entrance Only" and "Exit Only" signs at the
Cabrillo Avenue driveways.
Request the school administration establish dedicated traffic direction personnel, with proper
safety vests, on the school yard during pick-up times.
The City's intent to institute periodic parking enforcement of the white, passenger-loading zones
along Cortez and Cabrillo Avenues to ensure that two-way trafflc can be maintained for
emergency purposes.
BACKGROUND: The Commission had established a sub-committee to work on this matter in 2004.
The members were Commissioner Condon and Commissioner Condon. At that time, a workable pick-
up and drop-off route was agreed upon. This plan was implemented for the 200412005 school year.
As of September of this year, a new school principal, Ann Stovall, was hired by OLA, and a new traffic
plan was implemented which resembled the traffic plan that was used before the one established in
2004. While the new principal did notify the Police Department about the intended changes and sought
their input, Ms. Stovall was not aware of the integral involvement of the TSPC and its staff in the
planning of the previous plan. As a result, the TSPC and its staff were not notified of these changes.
The Commission and staff only became aware of the new traffic plan after an active resident notified the
Traffic Engineer and asked for information on why the existing plan was changed. ln order to ensure
that this new plan did not result in replicating past traffic problems, the sub-committee was reformed to
work on this matter. Commissioner Condon and Commissioner Bohnert now serve as the sub-
committee members.
DISCUSSION: Staff and the sub-committee met with OLA representatives (Principal Ann Stovall and
Parish Administrator Norel Regnier) on January 24, 2006 to conduct a fleld review and discuss the
status of the new plan. lt was determined that the new traffic plan seemed to be working better than
initially anticipated. However, it was also apparent that additional modifications to the plan were
necessary.
As stated in previous staff reports, this new plan calls for drivers to enter the school yard from Cabrillo
Avenue, via Easton Drive. After pick-up is made, drivers are supposed to exit back onto Cabrillo Avenue
from a second driveway and head towards Hillside Drive. The intent of the school was to have all
a
a
a
1
students (grade school and middle school) congregate in the designated pick-up point in the yard and
have them load into their vehicles from there.
However, it became evident that the majority of the middle school students were leaving the campus and
being picked up on the Cortez side of the school. lnitially, this did not pose a problem for staff, as this
situation actually reduced traffic and student congestion within the school yard pick-up area, However,
staff determined that the parents on Cortez are not using the newly installed white, passenger-loading
zones as intended. lnstead, they are parking their vehicles and leaving them unattended to meet their
children on campus or socialize and conduct after-school business. By doing so, Cortez has effectively
become a "one-way" street again, with both regular traffic and emergency access severely hampered
during the pick-up times. This is also the case along the white zone on Cabrillo. Staff sees that one
solution would be to have the white zones enforced. Staff anticipates that such action would lead to
either the improvement of traffic flow on both streets (since vehicles are only allowed to stop
momentarily), or the consolidation of vehicles on the school property as they all pick-up in the yard.
Additionally, on Cabrillo side, staff and OLA administrators have observed clear violation and disregard
of the designated pick-up route. Rather than entering the yard from the southern driveway on Cabrillo,
drivers were observed entering from the northern "exit" driveway, thereby causing traffic flow congestion
within the yard. This further resulted in queuing on Cabrillo by compliant drivers who followed school
directions to pick-up form the southern "entrance" driveway.
After the field meeting on 1124, it was agreed by the sub-committee, staff, and the OLA parish and
school administration that a formal letter from the City should be sent to the OLA parish administration,
which then could be forwarded to the school administration to be distributed to all students and their
families reinforcing the new pick-up route, the use of designated traffic direction personnel, and the
City's intent to enforce the compliance of the white, passenger-loading zone.
S:A Public Works Direclory\TsP Commission\Staff Reportsu006\02-09-05 Cabrillo-Cortez-OLA School Parking.doc
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Page I of2
PWENG-Chou, Augustine
From: JoanCleary@aol.com
Sent: Monday, October 24,2005 9:47 PM
To: AChou@burlingame.org
Cc: flowe@sffcu.org; cmassetani@yahoo.com
Subject: Cabrillo Ave / OLA traffic lssues
Dear Augustine,
I am writing with another update, from my perspective as a resident, on the progress of the traffic
safety and ftow dynamics on the 1300 btock of Cabritto Ave., Burtingame.
It appears that a new directive has been given to parents of the OLA schoot which has reversed the
traffic ftow patterns we worked so hard to achieve last year. I was totd by neighbors who attend
the schoot that the new principal has asked parents to change the traffic pattern, though I do not
have the specific information on the directive.
The result has been a return to the "bad otd days" that we had [ast year prior to the agreements
forged through our neighborhood meetings with the City Traffic Commission and the
church/schoot.
ln the last three weeks I am seeing the otd patterns which resutted in the "road rage" incidents and
safety hazards we were att so concerned about previousty. Parents are driving both up and down
Cabritto resutting in btockages between 7:45am and 8:05am and then again at pick'up time in the
afternoons and fo[lowing other major educational events (CCD nights).
The schoot does not have traffic monitors posted at the Cabritto school entrance. There are cars
putting in and out of the white zone in front of the door from both northbound and southbound
which resutts in more famities trying to use Cabritto and increasing the overa[l congestion. Famities
atso use the red fire hydrant zone across from the schoot's Cabrilto entrance to putt in and drop off
chitdren. This resutts in chitdren racing across the street in a most hazardous manner. Both sides
of the 1300 btock of Cabritto have cars parked sotidty during schoots hours resutting in one effective
lane of traffic.
ln conctusion, neighbors are once again concerned for their safety as the street becomes blocked
during these schoo[ commute hours. The school needs to reaffirm its commitment to traffic safety
throughout the school year by working with the city and the neighbors to uphotd a ptan that works
for atl constituents.
As before, your leadership and management of this process has been greatty appreciated and we
hope to return to the progress made in traffic safety on Cabritto Ave. last year.
Sincerety,
Joan Cteary
1337 Cabrillo Ave.
2t612006
BURLINGAME
Meeting
Date: Februarv 9. 2006
STAFF REPORT
SUBMITTED BY
Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission
February 3, 2006
Augustine Chou, Traffic Engineer
Agenda ltem 4.2.3
Primrose Road/Howard Avenue - 24-Minute Green Zones
TO:
DATE:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends designating 7 spaces along the west side of Primrose Road,
south of Howard Avenue as 24-minute green zones.
BAGKGROUND: At the October 17,2005 City Council meeting, the City received a request from Leslie
Ragsdale to consider reserving several parking spaces in City Lot G (between Primrose and Park) as
24-minute parking. This request was to accommodate parents of the day care center (United Methodists
Nursery School) at the Burlingame United Methodists Church, on 1443 Howard Avenue. Ms.
Ragsdale's request was submitted days before Council was to vote on specific short-term actions, as
identified in the long-running Downtown Burlingame Parking Study.
Due to short notice regarding this request, no data was available for immediate evaluation. Council,
therefore, referred this matter to staff to review and also directed staff to work with Ms. Ragsdale in
regards to establishing the actual parking needs of the day care parents. Subsequently, staff met with
Ms. Ragsdale on November 22, 2005 to discuss her request, as well as explore possible alternative
solutions that might better address her concerns.
DISCUSSION: The field conditions are such that on-street parking is permitted on both sides of
Primrose Road, south of Howard Avenue. 1O-hour parking meters are posted on the east side, while no
meters are present on the west side. Metered parking is also on the south side of Howard Avenue along
the church frontage.
Staff determined that a need exists for shortterm parking along this part of Primrose. This is due to the
day care center and the CALL Primrose Center. Currently, the on-street parking spaces get occupied
quickly by long-term parkers. This leaves parents the option to park in City Lot G if they want to be in
close proximity to the entrance for the day care center. Staff, however, is concerned about this situation
because the shortest point between the parking lot and the day care center is across Primrose. On a
normal weekday, parents have been observed jay-walk across Primrose Road carrying or walking small
children with them as they do so. Sometimes they also have cumbersome equipment such as strollers
and diaper bags as well. Staff does not want to appear to facilitate or encourage any actions that may
seem to be unsafe and imprudent.
Since no meters are posted on the west side of Primrose along the frontage of the CALL Primrose
Center and the day care center, staff feels that a change to 24-minute parking would be more beneficial
than problematic. Multiple field investigations revealed that the parking spaces in question are normally
occupied; however, discussions with Ms. Ragsdale indicate that the vehicles do not belong to the day
care, CALL Primrose, or church personnel. Ms. Ragsdale also stated that the United Methodists Church
representatives have no objections to the change in parking restrictions both on Primrose and on
Howard, along the property's frontage. lf this is factual, then those parkers may be accommodated by
1
the other parking spaces available both elsewhere on the surrounding streets, and in nearby parking lots
F, G, K, and W.
Staff believes that 7 spaces are sufficient at this time to change to 24-minute parking from 2-hour
parking. The spaces recommended for change would be the spaces along the west side of Primrose,
from Howard, south to about 1231125 Primrose Road.
Staff supports and recommends the proposed changes based on the following reasons.
It provides a safe parking area which does not make parents and small children cross a busy
street.
It does not greatly impact parking demands such that other surrounding parking facilities/spaces
cannot readily address or accommodate. (Short-term parking needs can be addressed by 4-
hour meters on Howard, while long-term parking needs can be addressed by 10-hour meters
across the street next to Brothers Deli and in City lots.)
Finally, no long-term parking is affected because the current spaces are for un-metered, 2-hour
parking.
S:A Public Works Directory\TsP Commission\Staff Reportsu006\02-09-06 Primrose-Howard Gr€sn Zone.doc
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PW/ENG-Chou, Augustine
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Leslie Ragsdale fl eslie_ragsdale@comcast. netl
Tuesday, November 22,2005 3:04 PM
AChou@burlingame.org
Parking on Primrose/Lot G
Hi, Augustine. Thanks so much for meetlng with me today and taking into consideration the
needs of the various groups using the Burlingame United Methodi-st Church. I have passed
on your recommendations to everyone concerned as we discussed. They are pleased with the
proposal of green, 24 minute, unmetered spots on the church side of Prj-mrose. I'm
assuming this will go a1I the way down to El- Camino, is that the case? It is a fairly
short block and I have seen parents park pretty far up toward El- Camino (Iike we
discussed, to avoid crossing the street!) even wi-th the 2 hour marking now. Also, I Iet
them know that if this sol-ution does not fu1Iy al-l-eviate the problem that the meters
across the street on Primrose could be changed to 24 minute spots. Lastly, I told them
that changing a few Lot G spots to shrot-term parking could be considered in the future,
but that it was the hardest option to accompJ-ish politically speaking and was not in the
pJ-an at this time. I al-so tofd them that you proposed changing the fj-rst block of Howard
to 4 hour meters from the current 10 hour meters. This would match the proposal- for the
rest of Howard anyway. They liked thls idea and no one objected to the el-imination of the
l-0 hour spots. (If anyone needs 10 hours they can park in Lot G)
The Director of the PGC had a very good point which is thls: the girls' chorus parents
mostly park in Lot G. The pay box is on the opposite side of the parking l-ot for anyone
heading toward the church. Further, it is poorly lit and the parents walk their gj-rIs in
for drop off in the dark (but still before 6 p.m. so they have to pay) in the winter. Is
there any way the pay box could be moved closer to Primrose?
Thanks for your time and please l-et me know the next step and l-et me know if the green
would go all the way to El Camino on Primrose. -- Lesl-ie Ragsdale
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Meeting
Date: February 9, 2006
TO:
DATE:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
STAFF REPORT
SUBMITTED BY
Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission
February 3,2006
Augustine Chou, Traffic Engineer
Agenda ltem 4.2.4
Ray Drive/Quesada Way - STOP Signs and Speed Gontrol
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends no action at this time.
DISCUSSION: The City received a request from a resident to consider installing stop signs at the
intersection of Ray Drive and Quesada Way. The residential concern is over speeding at this
intersection.
AccidenUcollision data has been collected and staff had also already completed a sightvisibility study for
the intersection. However, due to a backlog in requests for traffic volume counts, a full and complete
stop sign warrant study could not be ready for this month's meeting.
Based on preliminary examinations, staff believes that this request is more about concerns over
speeding vehicles and not about unsafe conditions due to right-of-way assignment problems. Pending
the complete warrant study, staff feels that alternative actions such as striping or centerline delineations
and warning signs may better directly address this concern.
S:A PublicWorks Diroctory\TsP Commission\Statf R6ports\2006\02-09-06 Ray-Quesada Stops.doc