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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 2016.04.141 TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION Approved Minutes Regular Meeting of Thursday, April 14, 2016 1. CALL TO ORDER. 7:03 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG. 3. ROLL CALL. MEMBER PRESENT: Bush, Martos, Londer, Wettan MEMBERS ABSENT: Akers 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: To accept the minutes of March 10, 2016 with the following edit to item 6a:  Replace the word ‘speeding’ with ‘school’ on page 2, paragraph 5 so the sentence reads “…overall school and traffic safety issues…” M/S/C: Martos/Bush; 4/0/0 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA Manito Velasco conveyed that this is his fourth time during public comment requesting an update regarding the Carolan Avenue Project. The last community meeting was over a year ago and there have not been any updates to the City’s website. Mr. Velasco feels this is very disrespectful to the public process and to those that participated in the community meeting(s). 6. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS a) Burlingame Community Center Representatives from Group 4 Architecture, along with the assistance of the Recreation Supervisor, gave a presentation regarding the new Community Center design. The goal of the presentation was to obtain feedback from the Commissioners regarding construction impacts and parking options. Parking option one includes underground and surface parking, allowing for a total of 143 spaces. Option two would allow for the same 2 number of spaces with surface parking and additional stalls ½ level below the tennis courts. Option one was well received by the City Council, Planning Commission and our constituents. A third option, which would combine both options one and two, is also being considered but cost is a concern. By combining both options, the number of parking spaces increases from 143 to 207. During the public outreach process, a common concern raised by community members was the noise from the parking lot adjacent to residential homes. To mitigate the noise concern, the consultant included design details such as a (green sound wall) of trees, underground parking, and configured the drop-off zone outside of the parking lot to help alleviate noise. The construction will be completed in phases and the consultant requested feedback from the Commissioners about the options for a phased approach. Two construction phasing options were presented.  Option 1: Would begin on the east side with the playground and park, then the building, under building parking and plazas. The second phase of this option consists of the tennis courts and park promenade, then basketball court and surface parking.  Option 2: Would begin with the tennis courts, under court parking and park promenade, followed by the basketball court, surface parking and playground and park. The last phase of option two is the building, plazas and surface parking. Chair Londer opened the floor for public comment. No public comment. Commissioner Wettan noted that based on his experience, most parking constraints occur in the evenings when there are large events as people are more willing to look for parking in the neighborhood during the daytime. He noted the cost difference with the increase in parking (combining both option one and option two), but feels more parking options would be beneficial. With that said, Commissioner Wettan also suggested to consider a fee bearing lot to help pay for the additional spaces. Lastly, he complimented the playground redesign. Commissioner Bush asked many clarifying questions which yielded the following information:  The peak usage of the community center is typically during the evenings, on weekends, and throughout the summer. With the new building, the usage and room rentals are anticipated to increase. 3  The traffic study that was completed as part of the Community Center redesign looked at the increase in roadway traffic but the anticipated usage did not trigger next level traffic concerns. The City has other improvement plans for the area such as the California Drive Roundabout Project and placing a traffic signal at Oak and Carolan if necessary.  The idea of sharing the High School’s parking facilities during peak periods for overflow parking was considered. However, due to the distance and safety concerns, the overflow parking location is not ideal.  Bicycle and pedestrian access to the Community Center has and continues to be an important part of the design. Design elements such as varying pavement surfaces for bicyclists and pedestrians in the promenade and traffic calming strategies such as raised pedestrian surfaces that also work as built in speed ramps are being integrated into the plans. Also, a goal for the Community Center building is to be LEED certified which comes with a separate set of sustainable design requirements.  The cost differential between the parking lot options (which should probably be slightly escalated) is about $75k per stall for the underbuilding parking. The surface structure parking is about $35-40k per stall. To add the tennis courts on top is about $50-$55k. Even though the cost difference is significant, there was strong support for the under building parking option at the community outreach meetings.  The Community Center parking facilities will be City-owned and therefore subject to enforcement by Burlingame PD. There is no overnight parking allowed. Commissioner Bush felt that the significant, additional money to combine both parking options can be better spent on bike paths that increase the connectivity in Burlingame. He also noted that an over overabundance of parking will influence transportation decisions. On-site parking for bikes is essential but more importantly is proper infrastructure so people can make transportation decisions they are comfortable with. Lastly, Commissioner Bush suggested to consider access to the parking facilities to downtown Burlingame patrons during low peak periods. Commissioner Martos posed a few questions which provided the following information:  Community Center rooms have flexible usage if demographics shift with new building.  The surface parking adjacent to the residential homes is being considered employee / handicap / permitted parking as it would be less noisy to the residents because of limited turnover. 4  The construction phasing options were created based on the City’s availability of funding. Commissioner Martos is in favor of under building/facility parking as opposed to under the tennis courts. Chair Londer noted that we are more than doubling the current parking conditions. He also reiterated that we should be encouraging people to walk and bike whenever they can and thanked Group 4 Architecture and staff for the presentation. b) Broadway Grade Separation Update Mr. Chou provided a direct update to the Commission regarding the Broadway Grade Separation Project similar to what was presented at the third and final community meeting on March 31, 2016 with the focus on outlining the top two alternatives: A and B. c) Selection of TSPC Member to Represent at ECR Stakeholder Subcommittee Meetings The subcommittee will be about a 12 – 18 month commitment starting early or late summer. The Commission decided to postpone the selection of a representative to next month’s meeting when all Commissioners are present. d) Hoover School Update This item was moved to 6b due to the number of people in attendance for the Hoover School Update. Mr. Wong gave a presentation to provide an update regarding the progress of the pedestrian access and safety improvements around Hoover School, which is scheduled to open this fall. The City and the School District have completed the layouts for the proposed improvements to pedestrian ramps, crosswalks, the new traffic island on Summit Drive, and traffic and parking restrictions near the school site. The traffic and parking restrictions are being implemented to improve the circulation during drop-off and pick-up and will be as follows:  No Parking along Summit Drive: Monday – Friday (8:00-8:45 AM and 1:30-3:15 PM).  No Parking along Easton Drive: 2812 Easton Drive to Easton Circle.  No left-turns from eastbound Canyon Drive onto Summit Drive: Monday – Friday (8:00-8:45 AM and 1:30-3:15 PM).  No right-turns from westbound Easton Drive onto Summit Drive: Monday – Friday (8:00-8:45 AM and 1:30-3:15 PM). 5  No left-turns from northbound Summit Drive onto westbound Easton Drive: Monday – Friday (8:00-8:45 AM and 1:30-3:15 PM).  No westbound access to Easton Drive beginning at Easton Circle: Monday – Friday (8:00-8:45 AM and 1:30-3:15 PM). It should also be noted that the traffic and parking restrictions will be a pilot program in order to make changes on the fly as needed. Chair Londer opened public comment. Meredith of 2223 Easton Drive thanked Mr. Wong for all his efforts with the pedestrian safety and access efforts related to Hoover School. She conveyed her biggest concern is the “accessibility path” and vehicle traffic and suggested striping on Easton to create a buffer so cars are more aware and stay away from the “accessibility path”. She also sees Canyon Drive problematic with pedestrians and two-way vehicular traffic. Roy Mayer of Hillside Circle and Michelle Galvin of 2101 Summit Drive would like to see permanent one-way streets given the large construction and waste trucks that pass through, and especially due to general safety concerns. Specifically, they are concerned about the handicap ramp going in front of 2101 Summit. The markings on the street now reflect a portion of the driveway at 2101 Summit to be impacted. A request to see clearer drawings of the plans for that strip of road has been requested. A resident from 2818 Easton Drive suggested speed bumps on Canyon Road as he notices people speeding down that stretch frequently. The resident asked what the liability will be if there are children that get hurt in front of their home because of the trip hazards and what the aesthetics will look like in the neighborhood with all the new signage. He suggested photos of the houses be taken with an overlay of all the proposed improvements so they can see how each property will be affected. He is still very unclear about the parking restrictions in front of the residential properties. Mrs. Iverson of Canyon Road spoke of the stop sign on Canyon Road as it’s about thirty feet from the corner and feels it needs to be moved in order to be effective. It is unclear if it is a City or County stop sign. Staff will review but believes it belongs to the City of Burlingame. A resident of 2711 Easton inquired about the stop sign at Easton Circle and whether or not anyone will be manning the crosswalk at that location. He also questioned the liability of trip hazards to property owners in the area. Mr. Wong answered his questions and shared the purpose of the Sidewalk Feasibility Study that will be shortly underway. Sharon of 1387 Hillside Circle sought clarification that the pedestrian path from Easton Circle to the school site will remain in the same condition as it is now. 6 Director Murtuza got up to speak to the public to convey the City shares the same concerns and sees the need for dedicated sidewalks on Summit and Easton. The goal at this time is to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow before the school opens. Lenny of 2816 Easton has been pleased with the communication between Engineering staff and residents. He suggested a resident parking program to address school visitors and overnight. Valerie of 2818 Easton Drive commented about the safety of the children along Easton and whether or not no parking along that stretch of road would be safer for students. Manito Velasco commented on using chalk lines to help illustrate the proposed improvements to the homeowners. He shared that the signage for turn restrictions where his children go to school are not effective and also suggested lighting improvements for increased driver and pedestrian safety. Trisha Tayama of 2617 Easton Drive thanked staff for their presentation and then conveyed her questions pertaining to the possibility of a stop-sign or flashing lights for the new crosswalk on Easton Drive, the need for sidewalk between Easton Circle and the school site, and signage for westbound Canyon and Skyline to divert cars. A resident of 2109 Summit inquired about lowering the speed limit as Easton to Canyon is 30 MPH. He also inquired about a permit parking program for residents. Lenny of 2816 Easton spoke again and asked if the City has considered changing the garbage collection schedule since having the bins out front may create problems. Chair Londer thanked the public for speaking, reiterated what Director Murtuza shared and closed public comment. Commissioner Martos thanked the public as well for all of their comments, and explained the goal of the Commission is to minimize the risk to students and impacts to residents. He noted that Police enforcement will be a large factor, and asked Sergeant Ford to share what the Police enforcement efforts will be. Serg eant Ford responded by indicating there will be education through the media and directly to the school and residents. The PD will be making adjustments to their schedule when the school opens to have a presence during the peak periods, in addition to having a school resource officer assigned to assist with ongoing concerns. Commissioner Martos closed by noting that this would be a good opportunity for a speed reduction pilot program. Commissioner Bush had a few questions regarding the possibility of temporary barriers and suggested staff to look into it. He also inquired about monitoring efforts for access/routes and perceived concerns once the school opens 7 Commissioner Wettan shared with the public that there are improvements that we can accomplish before the school opens and there are also other things the City would like to accomplish but cannot prior to Hoover School opening. The Commissioner also shared that he was generally happy with the plans presented by City staff before seeking clarification regarding Easton Circle; more specifically warnings for no entry and the crosswalk. Chair Londer thanked everyone for their comments and moved on to the next item on the agenda. 7. INFORMATION ITEMS a) Engineering Division Reports  US101/Broadway Interchange Project – Stage 2 construction completed. Stage 3 construction is underway. Demolition of the former overpass is nearly 100% complete. W estbound approach lane configuration at Broadway/Carolan was scheduled to be returned to the previous configuration on April 7; a single left-turn lane, and three through lanes to California Drive.  California Drive Roundabout – Traffic simulations and feasibility analysis are almost complete. Coordinating to schedule second public meeting in May.  TSPC Email Communications – Three new communications.  City Hall Traffic Study – Staff held the first neighborhood meeting on March 29. Over 30 residents attended, and they were able to provide comments and mark-up layouts. Design team working towards a second presentation anticipated for late- April.  California Drive Parking Restriction – Introduction of ordinance for the p.m. peak parking restriction at the April 4, 2016, City Council meeting, with adoption of ordinance scheduled for the City Council meeting on April 18.  BPAC Update – Staff to present draft BPAC by-laws to City Council at their April 18, 2016 meeting.  Carolan Complete Streets Update – Archeological Study Report (ASR) for Caltrans was approved at the end of March. Finally able to finalize the design to include ASR mitigations in plans. Goal is to submit final PS&E package to Caltrans by June for approval.  Trousdale/Ogden/Marco Polo – City to review implementing pilot stop signs along Trousdale Drive on the eastbound approach of Ogden Drive, and the westbound approach of Marco Polo. Intersection to be monitored by Police and Engineering. 8 Analysis to be brought back at future TSPC meeting.  TSPC Priority List (Updated April 2016): TSPC Led Effort 1 Downtown Modal Access 2 B/PAC setup 3 School Speed Limit Notices/Review 4 School Traffic Issues 5 California Drive Commuter bike route 6 California Drive parking restrictions 7 Broadway Parking 8 Public Shuttles/Transit 9 Downtown Speed Limit Review 10 Review TSPC Mandate 11 Joint agreements with Caltrans Countywide 12 ECR Corridor Infrastructure 13 Bay Trail 14 Fee Schedules 15 Joint Commission Meeting (City Council) Staff Update via Report 1 Caltrans’ ECR/Floribunda Completed 2 Hoover School Update 4/14/16: Item 6d 3 Downtown Parking Strategies 3/10/16: Item 6b 4 City Hall Traffic Calming/Floribunda 4/14/16: Item 7a 5 California Roundabout 4/14/16: Item 7a 6 General Plan – Circulation Element 7 Bike\Ped Plan Update: fwd to BPAC 8 Taxi Regulation: Update by BPD 9 Carolan Complete Streets Update 3/10/16: Item 7a 10 Grant Opportunities 11 Grade Separation 4/14/16: Item 7a 12 Traffic Brochure Completed 13 San Mateo's Peninsula Ave OC b) Police Department Reports Since the last TSPC meeting, there have been 31 accidents with 13 minor injuries with the majority of the accidents due to unsafe turning movements. No accidents with major injuries or fatalities occurred. Two of those 31 accidents occurred at Broadway and El Camino. There were no accidents at El Camino and Floribunda. April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month so additional efforts will be made to enforce safe driving habits. May is “Click It or Ticket” month so the PD will focus on seatbelt violations. 9 c) Farmer’s Market Chair Londer and Commissioner Wettan committed to attending the next Farmer’s Market for a few hours. Chair Martos committed to attend the following Farmer’s Market. d) TSPC Chair/Commissioner’s Communications Commissioner Wettan shared that a resident feels the midblock crosswalks in the Bayswater and Howard area are confusing and should be a future discussion item. Commissioner Wettan received a compliment regarding the additional signage in the Broadway area that was put in as a result of people turning the wrong way on Capuchino. Bush attended the Planning Commission meeting last Monday and noted comments regarding significant parking issues in the Plymouth/Lexington area and feels this should be a future topic of discussion. Also, Commissioner Bush would like to have some open dialog regarding upcoming Planning projects that have major traffic and parking implications. Commissioner Martos shared that there is General Plan meeting on Wednesday, April 27 to discuss mobility alternatives with the next General Plan Workshop to occur in May regarding land use alternatives. 8. COMMISSION & COMMITTEE REPORTS a) Downtown Parking To set the table, Commissioners Martos and Wettan have posed the following questions/scenarios to address:  Have measures been implemented that were recommended when we did this the first time around?  Did they work?  How long does it take a shopper to park in the middle of the day?  What are the vacancies in the outer lots?  Continue to gather data from the Merchants with assistance from Commissioners and some BPAC representatives with staff to aid by ensuring there are no Brown Act violations. b) Broadway Parking Commissioners Bush and Wettan conducted a preliminary survey of peak periods in the Broadway area and plan to speak with John Kavrainian regarding peak times to 10 compare information. c) BPAC Commissioner Bush met with a smaller subset of BPAC to discuss the charter. Two main concerns were expressed:  Inclusion of Planning Commissioner or mechanism for advanced notice of Planning Commission items that may impact bicyclist and / or pedestrians and expanding the scope of the BPAC to include some of those future development items; and  Citizen members of the BPAC being appointed by a governing body such as the City Council or TSPC or other variation as opposed to the City Manager. d) School Speed Limits No update. 9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 10. ADJOURNMENT 11:40 p.m.