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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 2003.03.13 The City of Burlingame CITY HALL - 501 PRIMROSE ROAD CALIFORNIA 94010-3997 www.burlingame.org TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION Meeting Minutes - Approved Thursday, March 13, 2003 Commissioners Present:Jim McIver, Chair Russ Cohen, Vice Chair Lisa De Angelis Stephen Warden Commissioners Absent:David Mayer Staff Present:Frank Erbacher, Assistant Public Works Director Syed Murtuza, City Engineer Augustine Chou, Traffic Engineer, Public Works Officer Chuck Witt, Police Department Doris Mortensen, Administrative Secretary, Public Works Staff Absent:Sgt. Dawn Cutler, Police Department Visitors:Elisa Steele, 1320 Drake Avenue, Burlingame Terri Boesch, 1328 Drake Avenue, Burlingame David McKean, 1345 Drake Avenue, Burlingame John Samcedo, 925 Larkspur Drive, Burlingame TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION Meeting Minutes - Approved Thursday, March 13, 2003 1.CALL TO ORDER. 7:00 p.m. 2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG. 3. ROLL CALL. 4 of 5 Commissioners present. 4.CURRENT BUSINESS. 4.1 ACTION ITEMS. 4.1.1 Approval of Minutes for February 13, 2003 The minutes were approved as submitted. 4.2 DISCUSSION ITEMS. 4.2.1 Request for Stop sign on Easton Drive at Drake Avenue - Tree Hazard Survey Mr. Chou presented his completed tree survey. He had located the positions of the trees and had measured their diameters. The trees are 8 to 9 feet in diameter at the intersection. The diagram presented demonstrated that as cars from Drake Avenue stop at the stop bar, the visibility westward is 420 feet, eastward is 260 feet. Ideally, there is about a two-second leeway for cross traffic to reach the impact point; therefore, allowing Drake traffic enough time to see if Easton is clear before reaching the impact point. Consequently, staff cannot support cutting down any of the trees. Mr. Erbacher compared the tree visibility issue with other streets having parked cars, SUVs, etc. From the floor, Ms. Boesch stated there are some parked cars on Easton as well as a hedge on the southeast corner; and in addition to Drake traffic having a tendency to creep out from the stop bar, Ms. Steele stated that cars on Easton speed up to go around raised tree roots in the street. They still see a need for a stop sign on Easton. Officer Witt advised that his crew worked enforcement at this site and found that cars coming from Drake tend to illegally make their first stop 6 feet beyond the stop bar causing visibility problems for themselves. Those that stopped at the stop bar had no problem seeing the cross traffic. Also, they only cited one driver at 32 mph. The average speed was only 23 mph; so it appears neighbors are misjudging the speeds. He also feels selective enforcement should cease; although the police will still be monitoring this site from time to time. Mr. Murtuza stated that another stop on Easton won’t solve the problem, and removing trees is not in the community interest. The behavior of drivers is the significant issue. Mr. Chou further stated that adding an unwarranted stop sign can cause drivers to ignore it over time, especially since there are other stop signs along the way for Easton traffic. Comm. Warden asked if removing the trees might increase speeding. Officer Witt said yes and The City of Burlingame Page 2 TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION Meeting Minutes - Approved Thursday, March 13, 2003 agreed with Comm. Cohen that the trees tend to cause drivers to slow down. Officer Witt reminded the petitioners that the advisory speed plate for 15 mph will be installed soon; and once installed, the police will set up the radar trailer to encourage drivers to slow down. It was moved and seconded (Comms. Warden/DeAngelis) to not recommend removal of trees at the intersection of Easton Drive and Drake Avenue and to recommend that the Police Department eliminate selective enforcement for this site. Unanimously approved by the Commission. 4.2.2 Parking Issues on City Hall Lane Mr. Chou advised that he recently met with the Fire Department who had complained about cars parking illegally on this street. To ensure that everyone’s needs are met, he will meet again with the Fire Department to determine problems and solutions before presenting this to the affected business community and the Commission for resolution. 5. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF NEW ITEMS. 6. FROM THE FLOOR. 7. INFORMATION ITEMS. 7.1 From Staff to Commission 7.1.1 Traffic Engineer’s Report Mr. Chou advised that plans have been drawn for the lighted crosswalk on California Drive at Lorton Avenue and will be going out to bid soon. Mr. Erbacher advised that through Mr. Chou’s efforts, the pedestrian push button signals on California at Morrell is now working properly. Mr. Chou explained that the push buttons should have been recalled so they’ve been replaced. He also explained that the signals at California and Carmelita have been corrected. Morning commuters had to wait a long time for a green light at Carmelita which was caused by a timing error. 7.1.2 Staff Action Log - Attached. 7.1.3 Burlingame Parking Study Mr. Murtuza advised that Council asks that the Commission meet with the consultant and the business community to discuss the parking study results which show that overall parking has increased. The free lots are full by 8 a.m., and Councilwoman Baylock suggested adding one more free lot. Parking rate increases are needed to continue to change public behavior. Also the Broadway business district should be included in the rate increases since the City spent a lot of money for parking lots, streetscape improvements, steam cleaning, etc., which was all funded through parking fees. Broadway rates are lower and is in disparity with Burlingame Avenue. One meeting will be needed with Burlingame Avenue merchants which will be on April 10 at 7 p.m., and one meeting with Broadway merchants on April 22 at 7 p.m. to obtain public input on another free lot, parking The City of Burlingame Page 3 TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION Meeting Minutes - Approved Thursday, March 13, 2003 rate increases and the various options for the increased revenue. The Commission will then be able to make recommendations to Council. 7.1.4 Status of El Camino vehicle parked on Douglas Avenue at California Drive Mr. Erbacher advised that the City Attorney’s office is following up on this case. 7.2 From Commission to Staff 7.2.1 Reports of citizen complaints or requests Comm. Cohen stated that the new Peninsula Hospital proposal has been published and has some residents concerned about the property’s egress being on Trousdale Drive. Mr. Chou advised that the hospital has made an initial submittal to the City. The City has had preliminary meetings with the hospital, and the City does have some concerns. This is only the beginning of the process between the City and the hospital which will be handled by the Planning Department the Planning Commission. 7.2.1.1 Status of Subcommittee working with Neighbors of 800 Block of California drive on Parking Issues Comm. Warden stated that a meeting had been scheduled with the neighbors, but it had to be canceled. The meeting will be rescheduled. 7.2.2 Comments and communication Comm. Warden stated that a grade separation should be considered to alleviate traffic issues at Broadway. Mr. Chou stated that Caltrain looks into grade separations, and they have a list which is based on available funds. There are proposals to study Broadway further. Caltrain will be looking at San Bruno next. Chair McIver asked about the traffic light on Hillside at Cabrillo. Mr. Chou stated that staff is trying to secure budget money to repair the old signal. 7.2.3 Expected absences of Commissioners at the Thursday, April 10, 2003 meeting - None. 8. INACTIVE ITEMS. 8.1 Request for traffic control on Dwight Road - Phase I Gateway Improvements Mr. Erbacher reported that he is waiting for neighborhood comments on the completed landscaping. The City of Burlingame Page 4 TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION Meeting Minutes - Approved Thursday, March 13, 2003 8.2 Request for speed limit enforcement on Trousdale Drive - Results of Traffic Data Gathering - Speed limits Officer Witt submitted the Selective Enforcement Report which shows 44 citations issued. He advised that when the police are not present, speeding slowly increases; so the police will keep up enforcement. 8.3 Hillside Drive uphill of Alvarado Avenue - Additional Speed Controls Mr. Erbacher advised that the City is still waiting for a response from the County. 9. AGENDIZE FOR THE NEXT MEETING. 4.2.2 May be continued to the May meeting depending on interdepartmental meeting results with the Fire Department 10. ADJOURNMENT. 8:30 p.m. The City of Burlingame Page 5