HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 2019.04.111
TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
Approved Minutes
Regular Meeting of Thursday, April 11, 2019
1. CALL TO ORDER 7:02 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
3. ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bush, Israelit, Londer, Martos, Wettan
MEMBERS ABSENT:
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a) March 14, 2019 Meeting Minutes
The March meeting minutes will be included in the May agenda packet for approval.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA
No public comment.
6. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
a) Community B/PAC Update (Informational Only)
Chair Beatty of the B/PAC provided an update on the Community B/PAC efforts. She
stated the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is entering the community input phase. The
project website is walkbikeburlingame.com. Ms. Beatty explained that the site allows
people to provide feedback regarding desired bicycle and pedestrian facilities. She also
stated the next community meeting is set for April 24 and the public is encouraged to
attend and provide input. Two more events are planned at the Caltrain Station and
Farmers Market with dates to be determined.
b) Stop Sign Installation at Various Locations Review
Mr. Wong provided a presentation regarding the installation of permanent stop signs at
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the intersections of Primrose Road and Douglas Avenue, Primrose Road and Bellevue
Avenue, and Bayswater Avenue and Lorton Avenue.
Chair Bush opened public comment.
Denny thanked the TSPC for the opportunity to speak. He has been a resident of
Burlingame for ten years. He expressed his support for the California Drive Roundabout
and to make the stop signs at the various locations permanent.
Mary Ellen Kearny expressed her desire for a permanent four-way stop sign at Bayswater
and Lorton Avenues, especially with the newly proposed residential community at 920
Bayswater.
A resident on Bayswater shared the same opinions above and supports the permanent
stop signs.
Gary, a resident on Lorton for 15 years, indicated the stretch of Bayswater is like a
“runway” and also supported the permanent stop signs for additional safety measures.
Paul, another resident on Lorton, shared an incident where a pedestrian and a handful of
parked vehicles were nearly struck by an oncoming vehicle on Bayswater. He stated
visibility is poor and felt the intersection is highly dangerous. He supported the permanent
stop sign installations as well.
A resident on Lorton since 2005 supported her neighbors and the proposed permanent
stop sign at Bayswater and Lorton as she said it is a highly traveled location by vehicles
and pedestrians.
Thomas Paulson witnessed a least half a dozen incidents over the last five years and also
said there is a near miss almost on a daily basis. He highly supports the permanent stop
sign installation at Bayswater and Lorton Avenues.
Former Councilmember John Root supported all three permanent stop signs. He felt the
temporary stops signs on Primrose have been very effective. He also urged everyone
present to attend the Council meeting should the TSPC approve and move forward for
City Council approval.
Manito Velasco is in favor of the permanent stop signs. He also stated Paloma and
Sanchez and Oak Grove and Ansel are also dangerous intersections with limited visibility.
A resident on Almer Road stated she supports the installation of the permanent stop signs.
However, she stated she has almost been struck at least four times at the crosswalk in
front of Stella Alpina Osteria. She suggested the City consider a stop sign at that location
as well (Primrose and Chapin Avenues).
Carlos Pierre supports the permanent stop signs especially with the density in the area.
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He felt supporting the stop signs was a “no brainer.”
Another resident on Lorton suggested a stop sign on Bayswater and Lorton a year or so
ago and strongly supported the proposal.
Gloria, a resident on Bayswater shared a personal observation. She stated she travels
east on Bayswater each evening and said the traffic flow is much calmer and felt that was
due to the stop signs on Bloomfield Road.
Denny recommended traffic enforcement or a monitoring process once the permanent
stop signs are implemented.
Mr. Wong explained the roll out plan to the Commissioners before weighing in on the
proposal.
Commissioner Londer thanked everyone in attendance for their feedback. He stated he
felt the temporary stop signs have made a positive impact and has increased overall
safety. He felt all three stop signs are warranted.
Commissioner Martos supported the proposal and was in favor of making all three stop
signs permanent.
Commissioner Wettan acknowledged former City Clerk Mary Ellen Kearny and former
Councilmember John Root and was pleased with the thoughtful comments. He also
supported the installation of the permanent stop signs.
Vice-Chair Israelit supported the installation of the permanent stop signs at all three
locations.
Chair Bush thanked the members of the audience and echoed his colleague’s sentiments.
He also thought it would be useful to look into a possible roundabout on Primrose between
City Hall and the Library.
Commissioner Martos crafted the following motion:
To accept the recommendation of staff to add three stops signs as identified in
the staff report with the addition of crosswalks across Bayswater.
Martos/Isrealit 5/0/0
c) California Drive Roundabout
Mr. Wong provided a presentation regarding the California Drive Roundabout that included
previous existing conditions and details of the new roundabout.
Chair Bush opened public comment.
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Manito Velasco expressed some concerns with the new California Drive Roundabout: (1)
location of the Samtrans bus stop obstructs visibility; (2) consider flashing beacons at the
crosswalks at Lorton and Bellevue Avenues; (3) visibility at the Bellevue crosswalk; (4)
safety of the second crosswalk on California Drive travelling northbound; and (5) vehicle
speeds at the mid-block crossings on Lorton and Bellevue.
A resident seconded Mr. Velasco’s comments.
Commisioner Londer felt the new roundabout looked great and improves the flow of traffic.
He did note some observations of confused drivers and pedestrians in the roundabout but
felt it would take time for some people to adjust. He also agreed with the visibility concerns
for pedestrians that Mr. Velasco pointed out.
Commisioner Martos did a site survey prior to this evening’s meeting and noted drivers
did not yield to him coming out of the roundabout. He also noticed a yield sign as he was
exiting on to Bellevue to which he was confused by. Overall he felt the flow was great.
Commisioner Wettan thanked everyone for their hard work on the roundabout project over
the last several years. He felt the roundabout is a huge improvement and people will get
acclimated to the change. Commissioner Wettan also drove through the roundabout prior
to the Commission meeting and noted the vehicles in the northbound lane exiting on to
California did not yield to him when trying to exit and also that the two northbound lanes
on California did not feel like two lanes, but more like a merge. Commissioner Wettan also
suggested keeping an eye out for the update of the roundabout to Google Maps. Lastly,
he stated he would like to see a piece of public art placed in the center of the roundabout
to enhance the new gateway.
Vice-Chair Israelit stated she was not concerned with the speeds within or exiting the
roundabout—she felt this project was a major improvement. She agreed with
Commissioner Wettan regarding the two northbound lanes as she felt they were very
narrow.
Chair Bush agreed with his colleagues regarding the tremendous amount of work that was
put into the California Drive Roundabout Project. He noted the pedestrian refuges have
mitigated many of the pedestrian safety concerns. Chair Bush stated a two-lane
roundabout increases the complexity but felt people would adjust accordingly. As people
adjust, he suggested the signage be reevaluated. Lastly, Chair Bush confirmed the
enforcement plans with the Traffic Sergeant.
d) TDA Article 3 Discussion
Mr. Wong provided a presentation and went over the TDA Grant background, previous
cycle grant requirements and shared a potential project—the Ray Park Parking Lot.
Chair Bush opened public comment.
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Manito Velasco asked what the process was for public input on grant applications. He also
expressed his concern with the proposed trees possibly causing visibility issues for
pedestrians and would also like to see other bicycle and pedestrian projects be considered
for the TDA grant application.
Commissioner Londer inquired if the MTC would accept a project that is not in a Bicycle
and Pedestrian Master Plan as the Ray Park Parking Lot Project is part of the Parks
Master Plan. Mr. Wong noted the project is also part of the Burlingame School District’s
Walking Audit. He also expressed some concern with the project focal point being the
parking lot, with the pedestrian facilities being secondary.
Commissioner Martos inquired about a net gain of the parking spots.
Commissioner Wettan thanked Mr. Wong for bringing this item to the TSPC for ample
discussion. He felt the current configuration of the parking lot is dangerous and was very
supportive of the project. Commissioner Wettan volunteered to assist with any necessary
letters of support given the number of observations he has made at that location due to
the close proximity of the park to his residence. Commissioner Wettan stated he rarely
sees the Ray Park Parking Lot full. He also suggested a pedestrian path to enhance the
green space.
Vice-Chair Israelit emphasized for the grant application that the City is relocating parking
and not adding any.
Chair Bush inquired about the opportunity to add bicycle parking facilities and an
enhanced crosswalk for additional pedestrian safety as he said it’s a common school
crossing.
7. INFORMATION ITEMS
a) Engineering Division Reports
• California Drive Roundabout – Staff has started phasing the opening of the
Roundabout. Both northbound and southbound lanes are now open, as well as
southbound access to Lorton and Bellevue Avenues. The project was highlighted
at the recent SMCTA Board and CAC meetings. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony is
scheduled for Wednesday, April 17 at 11 a.m. Residents can find additional
information on the project website: http://www.burlingame.org/roundabout.
• Lyon-Hoag Neighborhood Update – Staff and the design team are still compiling
the feedback and working towards scheduling next CAP meeting and second
community workshop.
• Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan Update – Alta Planning + Design has met with
both TSPC and the Community B/PAC to obtain input. Alta will now prepare
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material for the first community meeting, with a date TBD.
• McKinley School Turn Restriction – Staff and McKinley Officials noticed the
neighborhood and parents regarding the upcoming restriction. On April 8 the
restrictions were unveiled/implemented with BPD and school staff on-site.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Station – Work continues for the installation of EV
chargers in Lot Y (1133 Chula Vista).
• TSPC Priority List (revised April 2019):
TSPC Led Effort
1 Downtown Parking and Access
2 Bike\Ped Plan Update: fwd to BPAC 2/14/19: Item 6b
3 School Traffic and Safety Issues 4/11/19: Item 7a
4 Neighborhood Traffic Calming 4/11/19: Item 7a
5 Citywide Transportation Alternatives
6 Electric Vehicles 4/11/19: Item 7a
7 Broadway Parking
8 Bike Share Feedback
9 Parking and traffic considerations w/Planning *
10 Joint meeting with City Council *
11 Halloween Traffic Impacts (July) *
Staff Update via Report
1 Caltrans’ ECR Corridor
2 Hoover School Update
3 Downtown Parking Strategies
4 City Hall Traffic Calming/Floribunda 4/11/19: Item 6b
5 California Roundabout 4/11/19: Item 6c
6 Oak Grove/Carolan Traffic Signal
7 Bike\Ped Plan Update: fwd to BPAC 2/14/19: Item 6b
8 Rec Center Parking
9 Old Bayshore Corridor Study
10 Grant Opportunities 4/11/19: Item 6d
11 Broadway Grade Separation
12 San Mateo's Peninsula Ave OC
13 School Speed Limit Updates
14 School Safety Improvements 4/11/19: Item 7a
15 Lyon-Hoag Neighborhood Traffic Calming 3/14/19: Item 7a
16 300 Burlingame Point Traffic Impacts
17 Broadway/California Update
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2019 Agenda Item Action Status
1
Council Direction Regarding Improving
Short-Term Parking in the Burlingame
Avenue Downtown Area
Lots A-3, C, and K-1 have been
converted.
2 TSPC’s Lot N Parking Structure
Recommendation
3 School Speed Reductions Enforcement started on 4/8/19.
4 North Carolan Avenue Parking Restrictions Restrictions adopted. Working
on sign installations.
b) Police Department Reports
Sergeant Dave Perna reported 18 accidents in this reporting period. During the reporting
period he noted that there was 8 minor injury and 3 DUI accidents. There were no bicycle
and pedestrian accidents or accidents at the intersection of Floribunda and ECR.
c) Farmer’s Market
Commissioner Londer indicated there would be a Farmer’s Market this upcoming weekend
but the TSPC would more than likely not have a presence at the upcoming Farmer’s
Market.
d) TSPC Chair/Commissioner’s Communications
Commissioner Israelit mentioned she has been receiving negative feedback regarding
the work on California Drive (Complete Streets Project) near Broadway due to the
current lane configuration. She suggested staff should go out and observe the severe
backups for those trying to turn left onto Broadway from California Drive.
Commissioner Londer stated that Thursday, May 9 is Bike to Work Day. He said the
Citizens Environmental Council will have an energizer station and will be handing out
food and goodie bags at the Burlingame Caltrain Station from approximately 7 a.m. to 9
a.m.
8. COMMISSION & SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a) Downtown Parking (Martos & Wettan)
Commissioner Martos indicated on Wednesday, March 27 he and Commissioner Wettan
met with several City staff members, including the Mayor, City Manager and Director
of Public Works, along with several folks from DBID to go over parking
strategies/capacity when Parking Lots F and N go offline. He shared some of the
measures discussed, including incentives for downtown employees to take alternative
modes of transportation and to increase parking supply by utilizing vacant private lots
such as 225 California Drive. Commissioner Martos also shared that the DBID would be
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surveying the downtown employees and merchants regarding the matter.
Commissioner Wettan noted a discussion in the March 27 meeting between whether to
emphasize additional supply or trying to address demand. He also mentioned the
possibility of additional shuttle(s) from Millbrae to downtown Burlingame if the City
is going to ask people to take alternative modes of transportation to work. He said
valet service and ride sharing were also topics of consideration.
Commissioner Londer shared a news article regarding a valet program implemented by
the City of Mountain View and suggested staff reach out to them. He also mentioned
reaching out to Commute.org for advice regarding parking mitigation measures.
Chair Bush mentioned partnering with other outside agencies such as Transform
California as they have done a lot of work around parking in high density communities.
Chair Bush opened public comment.
Mike Dunam, a member of various community groups such as Housing for All
Burlingame and the Burlingame Citizens Environmental Council, stated the City of Palo
Alto has dealt with a similar problem and as a result they formed a Transportation
Management Association. Mr. Dunam stated they have good survey data around
transportation habits of Palo Alto employees. He shared an interesting insight through
the data collected—roughly 70% of tech workers used public transportation and it was
the majority of service workers that drove to work. As a result, Mr. Dunam stated
subsidizing Caltrain passes, bus passes and subsidized ride sharing in the early
morning and evening hours helped to reduce service workers driving to and from work
by about 10%. Mr. Dunam said he was interested to partner with the TSPC and City staff
to help address the downtown parking capacity concerns.
b) Broadway Parking (Bush & Israelit)
Chair Bush indicated the Commissioners collected the majority of the survey data on
Broadway and the surrounding lots as discussed at last month’s TSPC meeting. Chair
Bush requested to gather the few remaining data points and to have a discussion at the
June meeting regarding the data gathered and any key observations made.
c) School Traffic (Israelit & Londer)
No update.
d) Citywide Transportation Alternatives (Londer & Wettan)
Discussed as part of item 8.a.
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9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
• TDA Grant Application
• Downtown Parking Wayfinding
10. ADJOURNMENT 10:02 pm