HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 2006.02.09
The City of Burlingame
CITY HALL - 501 PRIMROSE ROAD
CALIFORNIA 94010-3997
www.burlingame.org
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday - February 9, 2006
Commissioners Present: Eugene Condon, Chair
Victor James, Vice-Chair
Michael Bohnert
Stephen Warden,
Commissioners Absent: Dan Conway
Staff Present: John Parkin, Disaster Preparedness Coordinator
Augustine Chou, Traffic Engineer, Public Works
Lori Brock, Secretary, Public W orks
Staff Absent: Traffic Sergeant Don Shepley, Police Department
Visitors: Larissa Stone, 1588 Gilbreth #224
Scott McWhirter, 865 Hinkley Road
Gabrielle Jones, 875 Stanton Road
Leslie Ragsdale, 1509 Los Montes Drive
Annette Hart, 1112 Peninsula Avenue
Al Lovotti, 1499 Bayshore
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, February 9, 2006
The City of Burlingame Page 2
1. CALL TO ORDER
7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
5 of 5 Commissioners present.
4. CURRENT BUSINESS
4.1 ACTION ITEMS
4.1.1 Minutes for January 12, 2006
Motion: To accept the minutes.
M/S/C: Warden, James; 4/0/0
4.2 DISCUSSION ITEMS
4.2.1 Cowan Road/Mahler Road/Gilbreth Road - Height, overnight parking, and
limited-time parking restrictions
Traffic Engineer Chou recapped for the Commission the parking situation in
the commercial area by Bayshore, Cowan, and Gilbreth and Mahler. He
explained that a neighborhood meeting was held in October 2005, at Sky
Chefs’ facilities and all of the businesses of the northern area were invited.
In January 2006, the City was informed by Sky Chefs, that the parking
situation was not significantly impacted, as was expected with the Sky Chefs
facility consolidation. Staff determined that the best course of action was
not to change the parking times in that area. It still left a question on
whether or not to consider action on the southern portion of the same
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, February 9, 2006
The City of Burlingame
Page 3
commercial area (Stanton, Hinkley, Mahler, and Gilbreth). At the January
meeting, the Commission instructed staff to proceed with a second public
meeting to hear if there were any desires or needs to change the existing
conditions of parking on those streets. Staff conducted a mass mailing to all
the businesses in the southern area. Mr. Chou stated that in general, the City
and specifically the Commission, would need to evaluate the concerns of the
businesses to determine if a change in the current parking situation would
be improved. Parking restrictions on these side streets are 24 -minute green
and red No-Parking zones. To deal with long-term storage of inactive
trucks, Gilbreth has a 4-hour parking restriction from Mahler to Cowan. Mr.
Chou stated that the City had plans to examine the parking situation for the
entire commercial area. Based on Sky Chefs current parking conditions, the
City was focusing on the southern portion.
Gabrielle Jones, representative of Community Gate Path, 875 Stanton Road,
a county agency serving people with disabilities spoke. She stated, current
traffic and parking is fine, but her main concern was policing of the parking
lot if the City were to implement any new restrictions on the street Ms. Jones
concluded by asking the Commission to consider blue zone parking for easy
access for their clients and visitors.
Scott McWhirter, General Manager, COIT Services, Inc., 865 Hinkley said
that COIT, Inc. took an in-depth look at their parking situation, and sent
letters to the Commission informing them of the inconveniences that 4 -hour
parking restrictions would cause them. Mr. McWhirter stated that with 160
employees, 102 service trucks, 85 spaces in their lot, they still have many
employees who have to park their vehicles on the street. 4 -hour parking
would not allow them to return and move their vehicles. Mr. McWhirter
finished by stating, he requests at this time, the area remains open and
unrestricted.
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, February 9, 2006
The City of Burlingame
Page 4
Larissa Stone, 1588 Gilbreth Road requested height limitations for trucks,
and no over-night parking. She stated that she was not in favor of 4 -hr.
parking because they would have to move their cars every 4-hrs. Also, she
said that changing Gilbreth Road to 8-hr. parking with 4-hr. parking on the
side streets would mean other parkers overflowing to Gilbreth Road. Ms.
Stone said that they only need height limitation for the trucks, and no over-
night parking.
Al Lovotti, 1499 Bayshore was under the impression that this subject matter
was previously approved. He stated that most businesses have adequate
parking. He was worried about trucks and limousines returning to this area ,
and believed overnight regulation was the best answer.
Chair Condon updated Mr. Lavotti with respect to the steps the Commission
took to review all aspects/impacts of parking on the subject streets.
Commissioner Warden inquired if 8-hr. restrictions on Gilbreth with height
restrictions would negatively affect the neighborhood.
Commissioner James spoke and acknowledged that height limitations were
approved on Mahler, and asked if Sky Chefs was present at this meeting.
He said that since this was no longer an issue with Sky Chefs, any additional
changes would cascade back and create problems that was no longer a
problem. Commissioner James believes staff recommendation should be
accepted.
Commissioner Warden spoke in favor of changing Gilbreth to 8 hr. parking.
He said if height and or length restrictions were instituted, they would not be
easy to enforce, but would eliminate trucks parking days at a time.
Mr. Chou explained to the Commission, that the City has a height limitation
ordinance for safety purposes (ability to see vehicles from driveways),
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, February 9, 2006
The City of Burlingame
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however, the City does not have an ordinance to use in terms of length
restrictions. He said the Commission would have to fall back onto existing
Building and Planning Departments codes dealing with conditions of use.
Chair Condon would like to look into 8 hr. parking on Gilbreth and a height
restrictions, and keep the rest as-is.
Mr. Chou informed the Commission that coordination with the City’s police
department is necessary because previous enforcement was difficult.
Motion: To move this to action.
M/S/C: Warden, James; 4/0/0
Motion: To deny parking changes regarding time limitations for this area, and
ask staff to consult with the police department as far as Gilbreth Road being
changed to 8 hr. parking with height restrictions.
M/S/C: Warden, James; 4/0/0
4.2.2 Cabrillo Avenue/Cortez Avenue - Traffic flow through Our Lady of Angels
School
Mr. Chou stated that parents currently come down Cabrillo into the first
driveway and out onto Hillside. Staff and Co mmissioners Bohnert and
Condon met with OLA staff to review the situation. Staff noticed that parents
were not observing the school’s request to come down Cabrillo, circulate
within the lot, and exit the northern driveway. At times, parents drive down
Hillside and enter through the northern driveway, resulting in a traffic jam in
the parking lot. Staff noticed parents parking in the white zone which use to
be for active pickup and drop-off. Mr. Chou stated his concern was that
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, February 9, 2006
The City of Burlingame
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emergency vehicles would not be able to get into the any of the driveways
during this time. He said Staff’s recommendation is to have the Commission
provide a letter to the church’s administration which would then be passed
down to the school administration, and down to the parents. The letter would
state three recommendations, 1) recommends the school put in signage on
the two driveways stating the south driveway is for entrance only, and the
north driveway signage for exit only. 2) The school formally implement a
traffic direction program within their lot, and 3) The City notify the
administration, that it will enforce the white zone.
Commissioner James suggested a letter from the Commission would help
with the transition, and Mr. Chou agreed that the school would like the City’s
assistance with this matter.
Commissioner Bohnert spoke and recommended a periodic review over the
next six months. Mr. Chou informed the Commission that this is a private
school, but the City could respond back if complaints were received from the
neighborhood.
Chair Condon suggested that the school’s traffic designator be present at
the school 15 minutes before the bell rings. He also stated that on Cortez
Avenue, if drivers follow the rules for the appropriate curb color, then traffic
will flow nicely.
Motion: To move to action.
M/S/C: Warden, James; 4/0/0
Motion: To accept staff recommendation and ask Our Lady of Angels school
to provide personnel with safety vests, present 15 minutes prior to the end
of the school day.
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, February 9, 2006
The City of Burlingame
Page 7
M/S/C: Warden, James; 4/0/0
4.2.3 Primrose Road/Howard Avenue - Designation of 24 minute Green Zones
Mr. Chou stated in October 2005, the Council received a request from Ms.
Ragsdale to consider designating several parking spaces in City Lot G for
short-term/24-minute parking to accommodate the parents of the United
Methodist Nursery School, at the Burlingame United Methodist Church. He
said the request was submitted shortly before the Council was to vote on
specific short-term issues identified in the long running downtown
Burlingame Parking Study. Due to the short notice of the request, data to the
Council for immediate action could not be provided. As a result, Council
referred the request to staff for review along with a directive to work with Ms.
Ragsdale in establishing the parent’s parking needs and a possible solution.
Mr. Chou reported that staff met with Ms. Ragsdale on November 22, 2005
to discuss possibilities and limitations. On-street parking is permitted on both
sides of Primrose, south of Howard, and there is 10-hr. meters posted on the
east side and no meters on the west side. There is meter parking on the
south side of Howard along the Church’s frontage (10 hr. parking). Mr. Chou
stated that short-term parking was needed along Primrose, due to the
daycare center. Currently, on-street parking spaces did get occupied quickly
along the west portion of Primrose. Parents with children used Lot G and
crossed the street mid block. He said this was a concern of the City. Mr.
Chou stated that the church also had a private lot which could be used for
daycare parking. Another option was possibly using Howard Avenue, which
are 10-hr. meters. Mr. Chou cautioned that the meter rates could change
from 25 cents to 75 cents.
Ms. Ragsdale said that parents need to park anywhere from five minutes to
two hours, usually with two or more children to walk to the facility or church.
The daycare’s hours of operation vary from day-to-day, opening and closing
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, February 9, 2006
The City of Burlingame
Page 8
anywhere from 8:50 to 3:00 or 3:30. Other parents also drop their children
for church activities, and it would be helpful to stop Lot G enforcement at
5:30. She said this way, parents wouldn’t have to pay $1.00 to drop off their
kids. She encourages the Commission to visit the site when it is busier to get
a true picture of the situation.
Chair Condon believes 24-minute parking will lead to a faster turnover, and
note City businesses currently have long-term parking available to them for
their employees.
Mr. Chou informed the Commission that with green zone parking, the police
department wouldn’t know which cars arrived at what time.
Commissioner Warden stated that the church lot was under utilized. He
also said he had no problem with 24-minute parking at the proposed area.
He suggested the Commission considers limiting this area to five minute
parking, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. He added that this would
eliminate the need to cross streets. He concluded by saying that a
determination needed to be made regarding the e xisting white zone on
Howard, and what could be done in the church parking lot.
Tabled to next meeting. (Condon/James)
4.2.4 Ray Drive/Quesada Way
Traffic Engineer reported that warrant data was still being collected. He
said that the Commission might have to consider other options if the problem
is actually speed related. He added that staff would be providing alternatives
to the Commission if the warrant standards were not meet.
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, February 9, 2006
The City of Burlingame
Page 9
4.2.5 California Drive - Overnight parking issues on 700 block
Traffic Engineer Chou stated that “No Overnight Parking” signs would be
installed along the eastside of this part of California Drive.
5. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF NEW ITEMS
5.1 No new items.
6. FROM THE FLOOR
6.1 No public comment.
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, February 9, 2006
The City of Burlingame
Page 10
7. INFORMATION ITEMS
7.1 Bicycle Safety Issues in Burlingame
Mr. Chou reported that Council was looking to put together a bicycle sub -
committee to explore possible future projects. He said that the current agenda
item was designed as a venue to hear about maintenance issues to existing
bikeways facilities. He added that this newly formed subcommittee would meet
twice a year, and would be responsible for developing ideas for potential bikeways
projects for which the City could submit grant applications. Mr . Chou concluded
by saying that at this point, Council has not yet approved such a subcommittee,
but additional information about the establishment would be forthcoming.
7.2 From Council to Commission/Staff
No new items.
7.3 From Staff to Commission
7.3.1 Traffic Engineer’s Report
Mr. Chou provided updated information on the TDA grants.
· Signals for the downtown areas of Broadway and Burlingame should be installed
soon, staff was waiting for the contractor to confirm a start date.
· Lighted crosswalk for Morrell - staff was waiting for bids. Contract documents
still needed about one to two week’s work before a construction contractor could
be named.
· The locations for the bikeway signs were currently being laid out throughout the
City. Installation should begin in the summer.
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, February 9, 2006
The City of Burlingame
Page 11
7.3.2 Traffic Sergeant’s Report
No new items to report.
7.3.3 Other City Staff Reports
John Parkin, Disaster Preparedness Coordinator provided information to the
Commission regarding the City’s emergency preparedness. He said that
training with City employees was provided on a regular basis, and that there
were a lot of projects he was currently working on.
Commissioner James inquired if there was an official City of Burlingame
emergency plan, and if it entailed plans for a national or local disaster.
Mr. Parkin informed the Commission that the City did have an emergency
plan, which was adopted by Council in 1999. He also stated tha t the plan
was subsequently revised to standards set under the direction of the
Standard Emergency Management System (SEMS). He said SEMS was
implemented after the Oakland Hills fire. Mr. Parkin said that California was
way ahead of the rest of the United States in emergency planning and
preparedness. He added that the plan would probably be adopted in the
summer of 2006. An overall educational meeting would take place to
explained what was being done in the City. In July, at the Recreation Center,
staff was hoping this would generate interest with our citizens.
Commissioner James asked if something was set in place to specifically
address individual residential needs during a large-scale disaster. He cited
handicapped or elderly residents as examples.
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, February 9, 2006
The City of Burlingame
Page 12
Mr. Parkin stated that programs involving citizen and residential help was
done in the past, but that it was difficult to maintain citizens’ interest and
commitment over years. He cited the problems of waning involvement and
the cost of retraining as reasons such programs are no longer done. Mr.
Parkin then said that if there was interest again, he would investigate
implementing these types of programs or find ways to address such
concerns in the existing SEMS program.
7.4 From Commission to Staff
7.4.1 Reports of citizen complaints or requests.
Commissioner Warden asked about a situation for southbound California
Drive, turning left as Oak Grove. He said that (if a train was coming), the
railroad arms would come down and the east/west traffic would proceed with
a green signal. Afterwards, the northbound and southbound traffic would get
green signal, but the left turn signals would remain red. Were these tied
together? Commissioner Warden also asked about the signals for
eastbound Broadway. He wanted to know why eastbound left -turners got
a red signal when opposing left-turners for westbound Broadway still
received a green light for 4-5 seconds. Finally Commissioner Warden
announced that March 9th was the set date for a dinner for former
Commissioner, now Councilmember, Russ Cohen. An e -mail would follow
with additional information.
Traffic Engineer Chou informed the Commission that the signals at California
Drive and Oak Grove Avenue worked the way they did because of the
railroad preemption. On Broadway and California, he said there was only
one controller that controlled both intersections. He added that the
controller was trying to work both intersections at the same time, so there
were some vehicle clearing issues that were involved in the timing sequence.
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, February 9, 2006
The City of Burlingame
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Chair Condon commented on a landscape business at 231 Victoria Road.
He said at least a half dozen pieces of equipment was spread out between
Burlingame and San Mateo. He had reports of employees unloading and
loading trucks around 7:30 AM. He also said that commercial vehicles were
left and tagged by the police. Chair Condon was concerned that the
business owner was using Victor Park as a private parking lot for his truck
and trailers. Chair Condon also stated that Autohaus might appear to be
getting special treatment.
Mr. Chou informed the Commission that the complaint on 231 Victoria Road
should be handled on a staff level. He said that Chair Condon and himself
would be talking to the residents. Regarding Autohaus, Mr. Chou said that
existing enforcement regulations were established regarding vehicle
storage. He added coordination with Planning and Code Enforcement would
be necessary since there was an overlap of responsibilities.
Commissioner Warden said that the Commission should offer Council a
document outlining how auto-service businesses should provide off -street
parking for vehicles that they need to store.
7.5 Comments and communications
No new items to report.
7.6 Next meeting: March 9, 2006
No anticipated absences from staff or Commission is expected.
8. INACTIVE ITEMS
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes - Approved
Thursday, February 9, 2006
The City of Burlingame
Page 14
8.1 · Eucalyptus Trees at Easton and Cabrillo
· Traffic Engineer Chou explained that with a backlog of traffic volume studies,
the work had not yet been done. Commissioner Warden added that a new
Commissioner was needed to fill the vacancy left by Russ Cohen for this
subcommittee. Commissioner Bohnert volunteered for this position.
· OLA-Cabrillo School Traffic Circulation
9. AGENDUM ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING - March 9, 2006
9.1 Items Requiring Staff Reports
· Item 4.2.3 - Primrose/Howard Green Zones
· Item 4.2.4 - Ray/Quesada Stops or Speed Control
· Item 8.2. - Adeline Drive/Mercy High School - Traffic Studies
10. ADJOURNMENT
8:54 p.m.