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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 2004.06.10The City of Burlingame CITY HALL - 501 PRIMROSE ROAD CALIFORNIA 94010-3997 www.burlingame.org TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION Meeting Minutes - Approved Thursday, June 10, 2004 Commissioners Present:Russ Cohen, Chair Stephen Warden, Vice Chair Eugene Condon Commissioners Absent:Victor James Jim McIver Staff Present:Augustine Chou, Traffic Engineer, Public Works Sgt. Dawn Cutler, Police Department Doris Mortensen, Administrative Secretary, Public Works Staff Absent:None Visitors:Joan Cleary, 1337 Cabrillo Avenue, Burlingame Mary Ann Martinez, 1321 Cabrillo Avenue, Burlingame Norm Utigard, 1252 Paloma Avenue, Burlingame Ron Field, 1249 Paloma Avenue, Burlingame Alice Wei, 1513 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame Ken Wei, 1513 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame Tourag Ecco, 322 Lorton Avenue, Burlingame TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION Meeting Minutes - Approved Thursday, June 10, 2004 1.CALL TO ORDER. 7:05 p.m. 2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG. 3. ROLL CALL. 3 of 5 Commissioners present. 4.INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER Mr. Chou announced that the new commissioner, Victor James, was absent this evening due to medical reasons. He added that Commissioner James sent his regrets and plans to attend starting next month. 5.CURRENT BUSINESS. 5.1 ACTION ITEMS. 5.1.1 Approval of Minutes for May 13, 2004 It was moved and seconded (Comms. Condon/Warden) to approve the May 13, 2004 minutes; approved by voice vote, 3-0-2 (Comms. James and McIver absent). 5.1.2 Evaluation of sight-visibility at the intersection of Palm Drive and California Drive Mr. Chou reviewed alternatives as discussed last month. After discussion, it was moved and seconded (Comms. Warden/Condon) to install a red zone for the first two spaces north of Palm Drive on the west side of California Drive and to post a 6-foot height limitation sign at the north end of the red zone, effective up to 75 feet from the sign; approved by voice vote, 3-0-2 (Comms. James and McIver absent). 5.2 DISCUSSION ITEMS. 5.2.1 Evaluate on-street parking situation on 1300 block of Cortez Avenue and Cabrillo Avenue Comm. Condon summarized the meeting that he and Chair Cohen facilitated at Our Lady of Angels (OLA) to discuss the parking situation there. Alternatives addressed were school hour changes, usage of the upper playground during special events, parental volunteer traffic enforcement, and parking zones on Cabrillo Avenue and Cortez Avenue. He concluded that they expect two more meetings at OLA before school begins on August 24 to further work on a viable solution. The next meeting is scheduled for July 12 at 7 p.m. at OLA. 5.2.2 Request for 2-hour parking time limit for 1200 block of Paloma Avenue Vice Chair Warden summarized the recent meeting that he, Mr. Chou and Sgt. Cutler had with Ross Bruce of the Broadway Improvement District and local residents to discuss time limit changes in the nearby parking lots. As a result of that meeting, it was agreed upon by those attending that some of the 10-hour parking spaces should be restored in each of the three nearby City parking lots (Lots P, Q, and Y). The City of Burlingame Page 2 TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION Meeting Minutes - Approved Thursday, June 10, 2004 From the floor, Mr. Field stated that he was concerned that most drivers won’t pay for 10-hour parking if free, unlimited parking is still offered on this block. He requested a 2-hour time limit be restored on the west side of Paloma between Broadway and Lincoln Avenue. Mr. Utigard stated that he disagreed with his neighbor on this issue since he lives on the west side of Paloma. Chair Cohen asked what measure would be taken to educate the public and merchants of the change in some meters back to 10 hours. Comm. Warden stated that Mr. Bruce would notify BID members of the change. Mr. Chou added that he would include updated information in the next printing order for the Broadway Parking Guide brochure. Comm. Condon asked about incentives for merchants/employees to park in the 10-hour spaces. Mr. Chou stated that his understanding from BID was that the majority of merchants and employees would rather pay to park in the 10-hour spaces, rather than encounter disgruntled residents on Paloma Avenue. Comm. Warden asked about marked parking spaces on Paloma Avenue. Mr. Chou explained that marked spaces can change the public perception of an area from residential to one of commercial. It was moved and seconded (Comms. Warden/Condon) to make this an Action Item immediately. It was then moved and seconded (Comms. Warden/) to recommend to Council to restore 10-hour parking spaces with the appropriate rates in three City parking lots: Lot P, all spaces at the north end; Lot Q, one-half of all spaces on the east side; and Lot Y, all spaces at the south end, and to deny the request for installing a 2-hour parking time limit on Paloma Avenue; both actions approved by voice vote, 3-0-2 (Comms. James and McIver absent). Mr. Chou stated that this recommendation to Council will require funding to purchase and install new 10-hour meter heads. 5.2.3 Request for passenger loading zone at 322 Lorton Avenue Mr. Chou stated that providing a passenger loading zone at this site would require removing metered parking spaces; therefore, staff recommends denial of this request. He also stated that staff was willing to work with the business on after-hours use, but could not recommend installing a passenger loading zone while parking meters were present. Vice Chair Warden stated that Il Fornaio’s valet parking is available to patrons of other businesses. From the floor, Mr. Ecco stated that many of his clients are elderly and have trouble walking any distances. He suggested that the meters remain for day use and have a sign added to the spaces designating the spaces as a passenger loading zone after 6 p.m. Mr. Chou stated that a driver may legally park at the meter in front of the restaurant before 6 p.m., and they could remain parked there after 6 p.m. legally for free. There is no cause or requirement for them to move. He also stated that any added enforcement in this area would be difficult for the short-staffed police force. Sgt. Cutler suggested his patrons use the passenger loading zone at Starbucks which is nearby, and just south of the restaurant. Mr. Ecco stated that the Starbucks’ To Go customers occupy that space almost exclusively. It was moved and seconded (Comms. Condon/Warden) to make this an Action Item immediately. It was then moved and seconded (Comms. Condon/Warden) to deny this request; both motions The City of Burlingame Page 3 TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION Meeting Minutes - Approved Thursday, June 10, 2004 approved by voice vote, 3-0-2 (Comms. James and McIver absent). 5.2.4 Request for parking height-restrictions at the intersections of Oak Grove/Neuchatel Road and at Palm Avenue/Neuchatel Road Mr. Chou stated that removal of parking spaces on Oak Grove is a critical issue since this is a high- density residential area in need of parking spaces. He added that height limit signs were usually for large streets with high-volume traffic. Oak Grove is in a residential area. Mr. Chou explained that the traffic signal at California Drive creates intervals for breaks in traffic; and that the traffic situation was not very different from other streets around the city. Therefore, staff does not recommend height limit signs. It was moved and seconded (Comms. Condon/Cohen) to make this item an Action Item immediately. It was then moved and seconded (Comms. Condon/Warden) to deny this request; both motions approved by voice vote, 3-0-2 (Comms. James and McIver absent). 5.2.5 Request for various improvements to Parking Lot H and 1513 Burlingame Avenue Mr. Chou stated that the applicant’s property abuts Lot H, a free parking lot. He stated that the applicant’s issues included City foliage and trees that had been cut back eliminating some of their privacy, nighttime activities and related debris left in the parking lot, and a request to install handicap spaces in the City lot in locations opposite their property. Mr. Chou explained that the City would consider adding two handicap spaces when funds are available and if there is a clear need for them; however, placement would be dependent on what would be considered optimal access for handicapped individuals. He added that enforcement is done by the police on nighttime activities. He stated that debris concerns could be addressed with the possibility of adding “No Littering” signs. Mr. Chou concluded that he was waiting to hear from the Parks Department on the foliage trimming issue. He suggested that the applicant consider planting foliage on their property or in some way provide their own privacy screening as well. From the floor, Mr. & Mrs. Wei said the problem started when Lot H became a free lot 24 hours a day. They said that they are awakened in the middle of the night when people start their cars or when there are altercations. They also expressed concern over debris often being left in the lot. This will be a Discussion Item next month. 6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF NEW ITEMS. None. 7. FROM THE FLOOR. None. 8. INFORMATION ITEMS. 8.1 From Staff to Commission 8.1.1 Traffic Engineer’s Report 8.1.1.1 US 101 Auxiliary Lane/Soundwall Project Mr. Chou stated that a 16-foot soundwall was approved by Council at their June 7th meeting. The The City of Burlingame Page 4 TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION Meeting Minutes - Approved Thursday, June 10, 2004 soundwall will start at Corbitt Drive and end 100 feet north of Toyon. Mr. Chou explained that he also sent a letter to the Transportation Authority advising them of the City’s preference regarding the design of the end of the soundwall at Toyon. 8.1.1.2 Parking meter poles along California Drive Mr. Chou stated that since these poles are not being used for meters, and have not been used for some time, he would be issuing work orders to have the poles removed; thus creating a safer pedestrian environment along California Drive from about Howard Avenue south. 8.2 From Commission to Staff 8.2.1 Reports of citizen complaints or requests Sgt. Cutler stated that she referred the unlicensed limousine business at Farringdon and Palm to the Code Enforcement Officer. 8.2.2 Comments and Communication Sgt. Cutler submitted the Selective Enforcement report. 8.2.3 Expected absences of Commissioners at the Thursday, July 8, 2004 meeting Comm. Condon stated that he may be absent next month. 8.3 Bicycle Safety Issues in Burlingame Chair Cohen stated that this committee had their first meeting; and the next meeting is scheduled for June 24, 2004. 9. INACTIVE ITEMS. None. 10. AGENDIZE FOR THE NEXT MEETING. 5.2.1 to Discussion Item 5.2.5 to Discussion Item 11. ADJOURNMENT. 8:43 p.m. The City of Burlingame Page 5