HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 2014.03.131
The City of Burlingame
CALIFORNIA 94010-3997 www.burlingame.org
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Commissioners Present: Howard Wettan, Chair
Mark Noworolski, Vice Chair
Nick Akers
Jeff Londer
John Martos
Commissioners Absent: None.
Staff Present: Augustine Chou, Engineering Programs Manager, Public Works
Andrew Wong, Transportation Engineer
Sergeant Jay Kiely, Police Department
Visitors (Who Signed-in): Chris Bush
Sandra Lang
Richard Chiu
Julie Baird
Robert Bachrach
Pat Giorni
Tom Simpson
1. CALL TO ORDER. 7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.
3. ROLL CALL. 5 of 5 Commissioners present.
4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Chair Wettan thanked and acknowledged the fine job Commissioner Akers did serving as
the past Chair of this Commission.
Chair Wettan thanked Vice Chair Noworolski for stepping up and serving as Vice Chair once
again.
Chair Wettan acknowledged Councilmember Keighran in the audience.
Chair Wettan took this time to thank Pat Giorni and Commissioner Londer for doing a
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pedestrian study at Ray Drive/Adeline Ave and El Camino Real.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -
Motion: To accept the minutes of February 13, 2014 with the correction that
Commissioner Londer did not abstain on the vote for Vice-Chair.
M/S/C: Akers/Noworolski; 4/0/1 (Chair Wettan abstained)
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Giorni spoke regarding speeding on El Camino Real and asked that the City make an
effort to get the presence of California Highway Patrol to address enforcement issues there.
Mr. Bachrach said there was a notice from the Post Office sent to the Mayor and posted at
City Hall regarding plans to create another Post Office. He said the proposed sites already
have traffic impacts and hoped that this Commission would look at the parking aspect of the
proposed sites.
7. CURRENT BUSINESS
7.1 Burlingame Downtown Parking Structure Discussion
Chair Wettan thanked Commissioners Akers and Martos for preparing a draft set of
suggested comments. The Commissioners provided their input and made edits to the
draft.
An audience member reiterated the importance of mitigating factors be examined
before making a decision to go forward with a parking structure. He said a more gating
item, more so than funding, was exhausting the alternatives so everyone would have a
sense of the parking needs. He also asked that the City consider where the funding
would come from since this was primarily a benefit for drivers of automobiles, as
opposed to the general community.
Stuart Brickman, a merchant on Burlingame Avenue, said putting a parking structure
south of Howard was ridiculous. He said that from his years of experience, Lot C was
the only lot that provided the size, access, and proximity to Burlingame Avenue.
Sandra Lang recommended that the discussion steer away from advantages and
disadvantages of locations; and, instead provide general suggestions to Council.
Motion: Move to table this item until after Item 10 of this agenda.
M/S/C: Noworolski/Akers; 5/0/0
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8. Information/Discussion Items from Commission and Staff
Mr. Wong asked that the Commission advance Item 8.2 and Item 8.2.1 to this point in the
agenda, as Sgt. Kiely needed to leave the meeting before 9PM this evening. The
Commissioner agreed.
8.2 Police Department Reports – Reports and/or updates on Police Department program
and activities
8.2.1 General/Selective Traffic Enforcement Report
Sergeant Kiely reported that selective enforcement was done on Howard Avenue.
He said this was prompted by citizen complaints regarding stop sign and
pedestrian violations, with most notable concerns at Lorton Avenue and Howard
Avenue intersection. Selective enforcement for stop sign and speeding violations
were done on Trousdale Drive in front of the school, the 1600 block of Forestview,
on Skyline Boulevard between Margarita and Rivera Avenue, and heavily on El
Camino Real.
Sergeant Kiely reported that the No Parking restriction on the west side of El
Camino, immediately south of the Mills-Peninsula hospital frontage, will start to
begin citation enforcement following a three-week warning period.
Sergeant Kiely reported that, for the Residential Parking Program for the 1200
blocks of Capuchino Avenue and Paloma Avenue and the 1500 block of
Newlands Avenue, citation and enforcement are now being implemented following
a 30-day educational period, when warning citations were issued. He reported
that there has been a significant decrease of parked vehicles on these blocks
during peak periods, except for short term parked vehicles or vehicles with a
permit.
8.1 Engineering Division Reports – Reports and/or updates on Public Works project and
activities
8.1.1 Requests/comments/responses to public traffic concerns (stop signs, crosswalks,
speed control, parking)
- Non-standard stop signs along Trousdale Drive
Mr. Wong made a brief presentation on the non-standard stop signs along
Trousdale Drive. Mr. Wong reported that staff reviewed the stop signs on
Trousdale Drive at Toledo Avenue, Loyola Avenue, Ogden Drive and Marco
Polo Way. He said that these stop signs were installed in the 1960’s using
another process which does not follow or meet current stop sign warrants
conditions. Mr. Wong stated that there were three options to consider – do
nothing, remove the stop sign on Trousdale but not the minor streets, or install
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the last stop sign at the third approach of Trousdale.
Chair Wettan sought public comment.
Nelson Yee expressed his concerns for his family having a stop sign placed in
front of his home on Trousdale Drive at Toledo Avenue. Mr. Yee said his
concerns were noise pollution, air pollution, and safety.
Richard Chiu expressed his concerns for placing a stop sign in front of his
home on Trousdale Drive at Loyola Avenue. He said since stop warrants were
not met, he urged the Commission to consider the two remaining options - do
nothing or remove the existing stop sign on Trousdale Drive. Mr. Chiu was
also concerned for air and noise pollution.
Vice Chair Noworolski expressed his surprise that a course of action was
being considered when warrants have not been met for a stop sign. Vice Chair
Noworolski said he favored the first two options, with perhaps some additional
signage.
Commissioner Akers questioned whether a single approach makes sense for
the entire roadway. He also said a more individualized assessment might be
necessary for each intersection.
Vice Chair Noworolski asked about the accident rates at these intersections.
Commissioner Londer concurred with Commissioner Akers.
Mr. Wong said three or more accidents in a 12-month period would satisfy a
warrant condition, but that this did not occurred at these intersections.
Mr. Chou cautioned the sole reliance of additional warning signs at these
intersections. He also questioned the effectiveness and visibility of additional
signage, citing that such signage was already in place at Trousdale/Marco
Polo/Ogden.
Vice Chair Noworolski stated that he was hesitant to support stop signs when
warrants were not met.
Discussion occurred about the various options to make Trousdale Drive safer
and the need to fix these non-standard intersections.
Mr. Chou said that staff would bring this matter back next month, unless it
needed to be pushed back because of additional staff meetings.
Mr. Brickman did not feel a need for an additional stop sign on Trousdale Drive
at Toledo Avenue, but felt there is a need for a stop sign at Marco Polo Way
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due to driver behavior.
Chair Wettan sought two Commissioners to volunteer and consult with Mr.
Chou and Mr. Wong if this item needed to go to Council before the next
Commission meeting. Commissioners Akers and Londer volunteered.
Motion: Move to form a subcommittee to evaluate the stop sign issue on
Trousdale Drive and consult with staff.
M/S/C: Noworolski/Martos; 5/0/0
- Floribunda Traffic Calming review
Mr. Wong reported that staff met with the neighborhood and has developed a
plan of action. He added that traffic counts would also be performed.
- El Camino Real parking south of Mills/Peninsula Hospital
Mr. Wong reiterated what Sergeant Kiely reported earlier, that enforcement
would be implemented at this location.
- No Parking Signs on Newlands Avenue
Mr. Wong reported that staff addressed this request; and, that the 2-hour
parking signs were installed in preparation for the residential permit parking
program on Newlands.
- Highland/Howard Avenues request for stop signs
Mr. Wong reported that this request is currently being evaluated by staff.
- El Camino Real/Cypress Avenue pedestrian signal timing
Mr. Wong reported that the City will be working with Caltrans on this item.
8.1.2 Construction and Design projects
- Burlingame Avenue Streetscape Project
Mr. Wong reported that the curbs and gutters are in on the 1400 block; and,
that smart meters for this block would be ordered in the next few weeks. He
said that the portion of work should be completed by June.
- Linden/Larkspur Intersection Temporary Traffic Circle
Mr. Wong reported that staff was working on installing a temporary traffic circle
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as an interim measure and for a study period before permanent construction.
- US 101/Broadway Interchange Project
Mr. Chou reported the project was continuing on schedule. He said that
Caltrans has advertised the project with a bid opening date of April 15, 2014,
with minor construction work occurring in the fall. Mr. Chou also mentioned
that the demolition of the gas station on the corner of Bayshore and Airport
was done by the owners in advance of this project.
8.1.3 School Traffic Issues
Mr. Wong reported that staff was waiting on the School District’s consultant report
regarding the school “walking audit” and Safe Routes to Schools analysis before
further action.
8.2 Commissioners’ Comments and Concerns
None.
9. COMMUNICATIONS
Chair Wettan said one of the communications related to Trousdale Drive which was already
addressed.
10. COMMISSION & COMMITTEE REPORTS
10.1 Burlingame Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory committee (B/PAC)
Commissioner Londer reported that the B/PAC discussed paving issues, sharrows,
bike racks and their locations, “best practices” for collector streets specifications, and
funding for a path on the east side of El Camino Real.
(BREAK FOR RECESS)
Item 7.1 Burlingame Downtown Parking Structure Discussion (Continuation)
A marked up revision of the draft document reflecting Commission comments this evening was
distributed to the Commission. Chair Wettan sought final comments from the Commissioners,
as well as the audience, on the distributed document. Some final edits were made and Chair
Wetten asked the Commission for a motion.
Motion: To submit the TSPC recommendation regarding the potential for a downtown parking
structure, as modified, to Council.
M/S/C: Akers/Noworolski; 5/0/0
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11. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
11.1 Howard Avenue Long-term and Short-term Parking (1400 block)
11.2 TSPC Areas of Emphasis for 2014 – April
11.3 Electric Charging Stations – will be brought forward in an Engineer’s Report
11.4 Downtown Parking Strategies – Employee Parking - April
12. ADJOURNMENT 10:24 p.m.