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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-09-2007 Traffic Safety Commission AgendaCITY OF SARATOGA TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION AGENDA DATE: August 9, 2007 TIME: 6:30 PM LOCATION: Administrative Conference Room 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 Call to Order Roll Call: Ballingall, Biester, Bustamante, Coulter, Kane, Guichard Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on August 2, 2007. Accept Agenda Items: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2. Oral &z Written Communication Any member of the public may address the Commission about any matter not on the agenda for this meeting for up to three minutes. Commissioners may not comment on the matter but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda. Approval of Draft Minutes Draft Traffic Safety Commission Minutes for June 14, 2007 Old Business - None New Business 1. Traffic Matrix #194 - Tina Boales Issue: Request for "Hidden Driveway" sign on Pierce Road Action: TSC will make recommendation 2. Traffic Matrix #195 - Mary Bosco Issue: Request for red curb for driveway at 14611 Big Basin Way Action: TSC will make recommendation 3. Traffic Matrix #198 - Cindy Watkins Issue: Request for reduction of speed to 25 mph on Allendale & Fruitvale Avenue Action: TSC will make recommendation 4. Traffic Matrix #199 - Mary Hoefler Issue: Request speed bump on Sobey Road near Sperry Action: TSC will make recommendation 5. Traffic Matrix #201- John Page Issue: Request for red curb on Big Basin Way near 5`h Street Action: TSC will make recommendation 6. Traffic Matrix #196 - Amy Olay Issue: Request red curb on Prospect at Via Roncole Action: TSC will make recommendation 7. Traffic Matrix #200 - Geraldine Teresi Issue: Request for red curbs on Saratoga Avenue Action: TSC will make recommendation 8. Discussion of Bicycle Lane Safety Announcements by Commissioners and Staff Adjournment to Special Meeting Thursday, September 13, 2007 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a disabled person and you need a disability- related modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 408.868.1269 or ctclerk @saratoga.ca.us Requests must be made as early as possible and at least one full business day before the start of the meeting. Certificate of Posting of Agenda: I, Kristin Borel, Public Works Analyst for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission of the City of Saratoga was posted on August 2, 2007 at the office of the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070 and was available for public review at that location. The agenda is also available on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us. Hidden Driveway Sign Traffic Matrix #194 Kristin Borel From: Boales, Tina [TINA.BOALES @sanjoseca.gov] Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2007 4:11 PM To: Kristin Borel Cc: Boales, Douglas Subject: Hidden Driveway Sign Hi Kristin, In response to your email, I would like to submit the following paragraph so that the TSC members can review for the agenda. At this time I am unable to submit photos or measurements due to time constraints, but I can certainly have them ready by the meeting date or even before then. I live at 14910 Pierce Road, which is has a private driveway primarily owned by the Mountain Winery. The driveway entrance is located between Congress Springs Rd (Hwy 9) and Vintner Ct., on the north side of Pierce Road. We (my husband and 1) built our residence in 1997.We currently have two other neighbors (Clark & Readers) who share the same driveway. For the past 10yrs we have all dealt with issues pertaining to the entry and exiting of this driveway. Early on we were told that this issue was discussed or asked about and that the City of Saratoga would not consider it. The discussion came up again after a collision there about 5yrs ago, but again, we didn't follow up or pursue it. Recently the discussion came up again with the Readers but had no idea that Mrs. Reader actually. had contacted the City of Saratoga about this until we got an email from her. At that point, a decision was made not to post a sign and that is when I contacted Ms. Borel to see what can be done. My apologies for the delays but we have been dealing with much larger issues with the Mt.Winery and could not bring this issue to the forefront. Ironically, as small as an issue it seems to be, it is actually a safety issue that concerns us even more, especially now that our 16yr old has his driving permit. I have had several 'close calls' there as well as my husband, the neighbors, our friends, visitors, etc. We have to warn them every time to use caution when exiting or entering. Here are the problems: 1) Traveling 'downhill', southbound or from the direction of the Mt.Winery: Motorists and Bicyclists are constantly traveling in excess of the speed limit (ie:35- 45mph) and when they approach the driveway (within 100') by the time they notice it is a driveway and see a vehicle exiting, they do not have sufficient time to react to immediately braking to slow down so they swerve around the exiting vehicle which has stopped midway into the street to avoid a collision. By my account, this happens about 4 to 5 times a week to each vehicle exiting. ALSO, when traveling downhill and one of us is about to enter the driveway, we have to give our signal more than 100' away to give more than enough time to turn into the driveway as some of the vehicles are following too closely. Again, this is because generally most motorists do not know that there is an approaching driveway and assume we will be turning at the Stop sign at Pierce and Hwy 9. 2) Limited Sight view of oncoming traffic: We have trimmed out bushes and trees, cut back the dirt hill to have more view uphill. Unfortunately, there is an old slide protruding (not blocking the road) but causing limited sight regardless of shrubs or no shrubs. So, when a motorist does see us sitting there, you can actually see the surprised look on their faces as if we 'just came out of nowhere' even though we haven't left the driveway. Posting a sign will help give some warning that a driveway is there and to slow or use caution. We (and the neighbors) had actually entertained the thought of putting a mirror across the D/W to increase our view, but decided against it after our D/W mirrors (all 6 of them) were stolen. 3) Ang_ry motorists /bicyclists: The fact that this driveway can present a problem for both sides (us and motorists /bicyclists) is a recipe for people to get angry with each other and cause a disturbance or even worse, road rage. I, myself in the past two months (twice) was the subject of road rage when a bicyclist came up fast 8/1/2007 Hidden Driveway Sign Page 2 of 2 behind me, tailgated me to the Stop sign, then flipped me off and tried to kick my door. Then a car passed me (fortunately I did not exit) at about 45mph and I yelled to 'slow down'. When I exited and approached the Stop sign, the car in front of me would not move and when he did and we both turned, he slammed on his brakes and was yelling at me for yelling at him. When the City authorizes the bicycle races, marathons, etc, there are numerous bicyclists who use Pierce Rd but are not told about hidden driveways or to mind their speeds. (I know these people are adults but the City should also have an obligation to prewarn them about dangerous spots on the routes). Like anything else, a sign is not going to solve the whole problem (a citation will and lots of them!). And, unfortunately the way the vehicle code is written, a collision that would happen at the driveway would be (9 times out of 10) our fault or the car exiting (failure to yield to oncoming traffic), unless there is a witness. The Mt.Winery traffic as well as the hundreds of bicyclists who are encouraged to use Pierce Rd. is a pain for us, but we have learn to deal with it. If a sign can at least warn 2 out of 4 of them speeding down the hill, just maybe they will react when they see the sign instead of when they see us pulling out, and drop the. chances for a collision or worse, a fatal bicyclist collision from happening. I hope you will consider this small gesture for us. Respectfully, Tina Boales PS: I would also like to add that I do not think there would be any objection to seeing a safety sign (besides there are no more homes on the north side past the Winery driveway) or it being an 'eyesore'. There are more balloons, cardboard signs, etc tied to the posts, Stop signs, etc every weekend to cause more of an eyesore than a safety sign. 8/1/2007 Traffic Matrix #195 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION = Traffic complaint Form DATE: 7/9/07 NAME: Mary Bosco ADDRESS: 14605 Big Basin Way 14611 uses same driveway) PHONE: 867 -2266 EMAIL: DISCUSSION SCHEDULED FOR TSC MEETING: 8/9/07 DESCRIPTION OF TRAFFIC ISSUE: Request red curbs to the left of her driveway due to lack of site distance. This driveway serves several residences. STON�_TIN.E 14611 Big Basin Way Saratoga, California 408 - 867 -2266 July 25, 2007 To: Traffic Commissioner for Saratoga Fr: Stone Pine Homeowners Association Re: Changing two parking spaces to red zones at 14611 Big Basin Way We are long -time (and concerned) Saratoga residents and we are requesting the two parking spaces one to the left and the one to the right of the condominium complex driveway to be changed to red zones. On a daily basis cars /SUV /trucks park as close as they can to the driveway, making it nearly impossible to see clearly to gain safe access on to Big Basin. The residents of Stone Pine must approach nearly half way into the lane before they obtain clear visibility. We have complained about this in the past but now we are formally requesting this change before someone living here or visiting here is serious injured from an oncoming car speeding through the Village. Homeowners of Stone Pine are elderly, middle aged and families with children. We strongly request and urge the Saratoga Traffic Commission to change this zoning to avoid any future accidents. We are available to discuss our concerns and request with you at your earliest convenience. On behalf of the residents of Stone Pine we thank you, in advance, for your careful review and consideration. Sincerely, Mary Boscoe President Stone Pine Homeowners Association Traffic Matrix #198 Kristin Borel From: John Cherbone Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 5:00 PM To: Cindy Watkins Cc: Kristin Borel Subject: RE: Request to Reduce Speed Limit on Allendale Avenue Hi Cindy, We can have our Traffic Engineer look at the speed data for Allendale. We recently collected speed data for all streets in Saratoga which have speed limits. This task is required every five years, so your request is timely. I cannot promise we can reduce the speed, but this is the time to take a look at it. We will keep you in the loop regarding the speed data once we receive it from our traffic consultants. Sincerely, John - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Cindy Watkins [ mailto :cindy_watkins @westvalley.edu] Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 4:32 PM To: John Cherbone Subject: Request to Reduce Speed Limit on Allendale Avenue Hi John, I work at the college but I have also been a Saratoga resident since 1985. I want to request or suggest that the speed limit on Allendale Avenue be reduced to 25 mph for the length of the road. For that matter, I think Fruitvale Avenue should be 25 mph as well. To whom should I make the request? What information is used in making the decision to reduce speed limits? What group makes the decision? How is risk to the city (lawsuits) . and it's residents (injury) assessed and prevented and how does city street speed affect overall risk? When I drive around other nearby cities, I'm now more aware that many streets that used to be 35 or 45 mph are now 25 mph. I have a lot of reasons for this request, but I won't go into a lot of detail until I have the right department or person. This is a public safety issue. Thank you, John, for your help in this matter. Sincerely, Cindy Watkins 18965 Alcott Way, residence/homeowner also 13641 Vaquero Court, homeowner Traffic Matrix #199 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION — Traffic complaint Form DATE: 7/23/07 NAME: Mary Hoefler ADDRESS: Lives on Sperry PHONE: 395 -1983 EMAIL: DISCUSSION SCHEDULED FOR TSC MEETING: 8/9/07 DESCRIPTION OF TRAFFIC ISSUE: Request speed bump on Sobey Road near Sperry. It is too dangerous trying to make a left turn out of Sperry onto Sobey Road due to lack of site distance and cars traveling too fast. Comcast Webmail - Compose Send Save as draft Attach files To: kborel @sar.ca.us - - -- — - —_ -- CC: Speed Bumps - -— BCC: -- - -_ —- Subject: wsh6efler @oomcast.net ❑ Save a copy to SentMail :.spell check add photio Font face i !Font size 4 ( ?] Page 1 of 1- comcast.net help Address List Cancel Favorites: [edit] ❑ Send me a copy We have a very serious problem at the corner of Sperry Lane and Sobey Rd. The left turn out of Sperry Lane to Sobey Road is an accident waiting,to happen. There is no vivibility and the drivers coming down Sobey Rd. tend to speed by. We think a speed bump would definitely slow the drivers down! We look forward to attending the August 9th meeting! Thank you for addressing our concern, Walt and Mary Hoefler 15122 Sperry Lane Phone # (408) 395 -1983 Attached Files: Name Unknown (message /rfc822), size unknown [remove selected files l [attach more filesl Add Comcast Services Digital Cable Digital Video Recorder Digital Voice® High Definition TV Ask Comcast What's New Ideas and Su- ggestions Comcast.net © 2007 Comcast Cable Communications, LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement Terms of Service Vy of Saratoga: EFMHome • c Df 2 https://clients s„ Traffic Matrix ##201 Tasks eFM Customers Setup FAQ Help New Features! Welcome, Kristin Borel • LOGOUT eFM eFM Cases New Request Advanced Search e Feed backManager « Back to Case List HELP Case Details View Print Version Case Number: 15073 make confidential Customer: Page, John external customer as 21530 Saratoga Heights Dr Saratoga CA 95070 ma (408) 741 -0448 jpage@mathopenref.com Preferred Contact Method: Email Submitted By: Anderson, Dave employee Topic: Traffic >Stop Sign Request/Red Curb Requests change Original Request status: Pending change Location of Request: Saratoga CA 95070 Big Basin Way at 5th , near the French Tailor business edit ma Request Type: Suggestion Primary Owner: Borel, Kristin reassign Date/Time Created: 07/31/2007 13:10 Date/Time Closed: I ?d like to draw your attention to what I consider to be a safety problem in the village, on Big Basin Way at 5^th , near the French Tailor business. As you drive westbound there, the road curves to the right, and on the curve is a crosswalk. As you approach, the parked vehicles just before the crosswalk completely hide anyone waiting to cross on the north side of the road. The pedestrians have to carefully ease out and peer around the parked cars. I have had more than few frights driving through there. I think the last parking spot before the crosswalk should be red striped permanently to improve visibility there John Page 7410448 21530 Saratoga Hts Dr Customer Communications Log Communi I Send an Email Mail Merge Date From Text 07/31/2007 Borel, Details » Hi John, The City has a Traffic Safety Commission that meets every other 14:25 Kristin month to discuss and investigate these types of requests. Our next meeting is scheduled for August 9th at 6:30 pm in the Administrative Conference Room. Before the meeting the TSC members and the Traffic Engineer will go to the site to review 8/1/2007 4:36 PM Traffic Matrix x#196, TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION — Traffic complaint Form DATE: 7/9/07 NAME: Amy la ADDRESS: PHONE: 975 -3263 EMAIL: DISCUSSION SCHEDULED FOR TSC MEETING: 8/9/07 DESCRIPTION OF TRAFFIC ISSUE: Request red curbs on Prospect at Via Roncole. There is a lack of site distance when trying to turn left out of Via Roncole onto Prospect. She requests red curbs on the right and left on Prospect. Traffic Matrix #200 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION — Traffic complaint Form DATE: 7/24/07 NAME: Geraldine Teresi ADDRESS: 12650 Saratoea Avenue PHONE: 252 -6913 EMAIL: DISCUSSION SCHEDULED FOR TSC MEETING: 8/9/07 DESCRIPTION OF TRAFFIC ISSUE: Request red curbs to the right and left of her driveway due to lack of site distance. To the west (or left out of her driveway) she would like red curbs starting at the telephone pole and continuing east to her driveway. The office will not deliver her mail if someone is narked in front of her mailbox. d UNITED STATES POSTAL SERV /CE® Approaches to Curbside Mailboxes Dear Customer, --e?'--p; The Postal Service depends on you to meet postal requirements regarding delivery and collection of mail to curbside boxes. Please keep the full approach and exits to yourmailbox clear, as illustrated in the examples below. Removing trash cans, snow, vehicles, and any other objects from the area allows the carrier to deliver your mail safely and efficiently without exiting the vehicle. Your cooperation in this matter is sincerely appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact us. Thank you. Your Postmaster Example: Snow Removal 0 Path Example: Obstructinn. Road r. 0 0 a° z ° °.