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Home My WebLink AboutTSC Packet 03-10-2011CITY OF SARATOGA TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION AGENDA DATE: March 10, 2011 TIME: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM LOCATION: Administrative Conference Room 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 Call to Order Roll Call: Biester, Bustamante, Coulter, Guichard, Kane, Kirk, and Vita Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on March 3, 2011. Accept Agenda Items: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2. Oral & 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 January 13, 2011 Sheriff's Report to the Commission New Business 1. Traffic Matrix 11266 Issue: Concerns with crosswalk at Quito and McCoy Action: TSC will make recommendation 2. Traffic Matrix 11267 Issue: Traffic issues on 4th Street and Springer Avenue Action: TSC will make recommendation 3. Traffic Matrix 11268 Issue: Request street light on corner of Pierce and Old Oak Way Action: TSC will make recommendation 4. Traffic Matrix 11269 Issue: Request for sidewalk on Quito Road between Old Adobe and Sobey Road Action: TSC will make recommendation 5. Discussion of Crosswalk Policy 6. Review Traffic Safety Commission Capital Improvement Projects List Announcements by Commissioners and Staff Possible meeting date change? Adjournment to Next Regular Meeting Thursday, May 12, 2011 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. In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of material provided to the Traffic Safety Commission by City staff in connection with this agenda are available at the office of the Public Works Department at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California 95070. Any materials distributed by staff after the posting of the agenda are made available for public review at the Public Works office at the time they are distributed to the Traffic Safety Commission. 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 March 3, 2011 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. CITY OF SARATOGA TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Draft Action Minutes DATE: January 13, 2011 TIME: 6:30 PM — 9:30 PM LOCATION: Administrative Conference Room 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 Call to Order at 6:30 p.m. Roll Call: Biester, Bustamante, Coulter, Guichard, Kane, Kirk, and Vita Absent: None Staff: Traffic Planner Church, Public Works Director Cherbone and Analyst Borel Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on January 6, 2011. Borel reports Accept Agenda Items: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2. No additions Oral & 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. 1 speaker — Jim Stallman — requests front license plate enforcement Approval of Draft Minutes Draft Traffic Safety Commission Minutes for November 4, 2010. APPROVED 7-0 Draft Traffic Safety Commission Special Meeting Minutes for November 4, 2010. APPROVED 7-0 Sheriff's Report to the Commission (6:35 p.m.) Lt. Morrissey reports Old Business 1. Traffic Matrix #260 (6:38 p.m.) Issue: Concerns with crosswalk on Prospect Road at Titus Avenue Action: TSC will make recommendation 11-04-2010: TSC recommend that Public Works study removing the crosswalk at Titus, improving the walkway at Johnson &Prospect, and review at the January TSC meeting MOTION: Follow Traffic Engineer's recommendation (remove existing crosswalk, improve sidewalk on south side of Prospect between Johnson & Titus, improve corner at Titus &Prospect and install Ubars to prevent crossing at removed crosswalk), continue to seek grant funding, trim trees to increase visibility, and ask school to become involved to support safe street crossings. APROVED 6-1, Kane opposed. MOTION: Recommend no physical improvements and ask school to put resources toward crossing guards. DENIED 2-5, Motion fails. MOTION: Recommend continue to seek grant funding, trim trees to increase visibility, and ask school to become involved to support safe street crossings. DENIED 3-4, Motion fails New Business 2. Traffic Matrix #261(8:51 p.m.) Issue: Concerns with traffic and speeding on Paseo Pueblo Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Recommend no action be taken at this time. APPROVED 7-0 3. Traffic Matrix 11262 (7:22 p.m.) Issue: Safety concerns on Sobey Road near Marshall Lane School Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Recommend burms be installed on either side of Sobey Road in location specified by Traffic Engineer. APPROVED 7-0 4. Traffic Matrix #263 (7:50 p.m.) Issue: Concerns with intersection at Scully Avenue & Prospect Avenue Action: TSC willl make recommendation MOTION: Accept Traffic Engineer's recommendation for painting a turn pocket on Prospect Avenue and support a "No Parking" restriction at the corner of Prospect and Scully. APPROVED 7-0 5. Traffic Matrix #264 (9:03 p.m.) Issue: Traffic concerns on Reid Lane Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Recommend installing "chatter bars" or double yellow lines with Botts dots at the corner of Reid and Saratoga -Sunnyvale Road. APPROVED 7-0 6. Traffic Matrix #265 (8:25 p.m.) Issue: Request for sidewalk on Saratoga Avenue Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Recommend the Traffic Engineer investigate options which offer protection for pedestrians and evaluate the use of delineators. APPROVED 7-0 Announcements by Commissioners and Staff (9.15 p.m.) - Meeting calendar changes Adjournment at 9:20 p.m. to the Next Regular Meeting Thursday, March 10, 2011 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. In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of material provided to the Traffic Safety Commission by City staff in connection with this agenda are available at the office of the Public Works Department at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California 95070. Any materials distributed by staff after the posting of the agenda are made available for public review at the Public Works office at the time they are distributed to the Traffic Safety Commission. 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 January 6, 2011 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. Traffic Matrix #266 From: Brianna Eakin [mailto:bcle_forever@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2011 11:52 PM To: Kristin Bore! Subject: Crosswalk at Quito Road and McCoy Avenue 1/4/2011 To Whom it May Concern, The crosswalk that is located at Quito Road and McCoy Avenue—in front of the Southwest YMCA—is not safe. During peak traffic hours, this stretch of Quito Road becomes a major artery and this leads to complications when pedestrians are trying to use the crosswalk. I believe the crosswalk is not properly lit and that the signs are either not posted clearly or are not noticeable enough, and these insufficiencies are reasons why motorists seldom realize there is a crosswalk there, or rather reasons why motorists decline to respect its existence. In the daytime when pedestrians are more apparent, motorists seldom yield, and at times when they do yield, the motorists behind them nearly rear -end them because they have no idea that someone is trying to cross the street. I would hate to think that pedestrians who are following the law and using the crosswalk appropriately become the cause of such an accident, but I have seen many close calls as a result of me using this crosswalk. Just today I crossed the street in the crosswalk and heard honking behind me. I turned around just in time to see two cars narrowly miss one another. Cross traffic had not stopped and a motorist pulled out to make a left turn onto Quito . I was still in the crosswalk. Cross traffic should have been stopped. I think the driver who pulled out to make a left turn may have felt they had an opportunity when they spotted me in the crosswalk and assumed that both lanes of cross traffic would stop until I reached the other side safely. Obviously, the driver that made the left turn should not have assumed that their turn was safe as they did not have the right of way, but the point I'm making here is that all cross traffic should have been stopped, and I don't know if drivers realize there is a crosswalk there until they drive past it. I usually don't expect drivers to sit there and wait for me to get all the way over to the other side, but when I use this intersection in the evenings (around 4pm Monday through Friday), there is a lot of traffic and the intersection is wide, meaning there is a lot of room for error. Cross traffic should stop. There is very low visibility all along Quito Road at night, meaning that the crosswalk itself practically disappears. There are lights along the street, but they are dim. Yesterday evening, the street lights that are the closest to the crosswalk were both burnt out, and the crosswalk was completely blacked out. I could hardly make out the sidewalk when I reached the other side. Another problem with the lighting is that drivers who are making a left tum from McCoy Avenue onto Quito towards the highway 85 overpass can't see there is someone in the crosswalk because their headlights aren't directed toward the crosswalk until they are driving through it. One evening, I was in the crosswalk and a driver proceeded to make such a left turn and when they came to notice I was in the crosswalk and therefore obstructing their turn, they honked at me. If they had known that I was in a crosswalk, perhaps they would not have honked at me, seeing as how I had the right of way. Regardless of whether the adjacent street lights are lit at night, I always wait for cross traffic to die out before I use the crosswalk because I know very well drivers are not able to see me at night. I understand that the crosswalk is located very close to residences and that the dim lighting is partially intended to minimize disturbance, but I'd like to point out that if a signal is installed to provide temporary lighting to alert traffic that the crosswalk is in use, the disturbance to nearby residents would be minimal as use of the crosswalk would come to be unusual in the later hours. During the day, the signal would be just as helpful as it would still help to alert traffic that the crosswalk is in use without any disturbance to nearby residents. The YMCA is a ten minute walk from my house, which means driving to work is complete idiocy. However, I encounter problems with this crosswalk so frequently that I have come to dread the idea of walking to work. Most of the time, I will cross Quito Road before I even arrive at the crosswalk if cross traffic lets up. It's much less of a hassle to do this than it is to wait until I get to the crosswalk. As a pedestrian, I respect the dominance of cars on the road whether the law says drivers must yield to me or not. The fact is that drivers are not looking out for me, which is why I look out for myself. But when it comes to this intersection, looking out for myself may not be enough. This crosswalk is located right in front of the Southwest YMCA, meaning that it is likely frequented by many Saratoga residents, among them children. I have written this letter with all of those individuals in mind, as well. At the other end of McCoy Avenue , at the intersection of McCoy and San Thomas Aquino Road , there is another crosswalk that serves as a poignant example of what can happen at Quito and McCoy. I do not recall the details exactly, but I heard that two people (I believe a father and son) were killed when they were trying to use the crosswalk. After the accident, a signal was installed at the crosswalk to provide temporarily lighting, and to this day I have no idea why such a signal has not been installed at the crosswalk at McCoy and Quito , which is likely a more congested intersection. The signs and painted lines on the pavement that exist there now remain components of a passive solution to a deadly problem that leaves ambiguity in the minds of motorists and doubt in the minds of pedestrians. I would greatly appreciate it if this issue could be investigated I thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Brianna Eakin bcle_forever@yahoo.com Kristin Borel Traffic Matrix #267 From: ann barber [annbarber@hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 11:13 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Suggestions for traffic safety Kristin, I am sending you some suggestions as you requested to try and improve the safety of pedestrians on Fourth St, and Springer Avenue into Saratoga Oaks. a. Some speed limit signs on Springer. Most motorists average 35 or more. b. Springer has two blind corners,which really makes it difficult to see any pedestrians,or obstacles in the road .One at the 4th St intersection,and the other coming down from the Oaks. The STOP sign at 4th and Springer is also very dangerous. It is very much a 'California' stop,or not at all. The resident on the corner is very nervous having 2 little boys. c. We have many very elderly people taking walks in the street,we have no official side walks, and family's of deer running down the road. With motorists speeding at 35 mph and over, it is only a matter of time before somebody is hurt or killed. d. Fourth St,is also a night mare for pedestrians,particularly at the bridge over the creek. There are slight hills at both ends,and most motorists speed down,well over the 25 mph speed limit. The area by Wild wood Park,is very dangerous with so many activities,concerts and summer camps. We desperately need to enforce the speed limits on both streets,by radar,speed bumps of police enforcement. e. Please have the STOP signs replaced on the cross walks on Big Basin Way at 3rd and 4th streets They were removed during the road construction,and never put back. Both are very busy crosswalks and, with out them you have your life in your hands,few motorists stop. Thank you for your help and cooperation. Ann Barber, and the residents of surrounding streets 3/1/2011 Page 1 of 1 Kristin Borel From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Hello Ms Borel, Lisa BEATTY [lisabt@comcast.net] Monday, February 28, 2011 7:48 AM Kristin Borel annbarber@hotmail.com Speeding on Springer Ave. Follow up Green I have lived on Springer Ave. for eleven years and the speeding problem has gotten exceedingly worse over the last few years.. I received your contact information from Ann Barber, my next door neighbor. Like Ann, I am extremely concerned about the excessive speed in both directions occurring on Springer Avenue. Since Springer is a cut through to Saratoga -Sunnyvale Road, we get an exorbitant amount of traffic from people coming from the mountains via Highway 9 and also from the condos up the hill from us. Another dangerous factor on Springer is the blind curve directly t in front of my house. It is difficult to see who is coming around the curve especially when cars are parked on the park strip. When you couple this with excessive speeding, pedestrians walking, domestic and wild animals roaming the street, and driver's driving in the middle of the street, an accident is waiting to happen. We have SO MANY pedestrians (including school age kids and senior citizens) walking on Springer throughout the day and it is only a matter of time before someone is severely injured or worse by a speeding vehicle. In order to get people to slow down, it would be so helpful for the TSC to post maximum speed limit and caution/pedestrian signs. Additionally, a radar speed display trailer could be set up on Springer so people can see how fast they are really going. As always, an excellent deterrent is a visible motorcycle police officer with a radar gun citing speeders. Believe me, he/she would have a field day! I am afraid with the great number of pedestrians walking on my street it is inevitable that a horrible accident will take place. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions and I look forward to hearing back from you. Best regards, Lisa Beatty 3/1/2011 Page 1 of 1 Kristin Bore[ From: Rosalia Warren [rosaliacwarren@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 9:33 AM To: Kristin Bore! Cc: Mike Warren Subject: Safety Concerns Hi Kristin, My husband, Michael Warren and I live at 14481 Springei Avenue. We have two young children, Joseph (3.5) and Valentina (7 weeks). My husband and I, as well as our neighbors, are concerned with the speed of traffic on our street as well as on Fourth street. There are drivers speeding as they head towards the Saratoga Woods development or exit it. We need a speed limit sign installed. Perhaps a radar machine indicating driver speed and increased police supervision in this area like on Reid Avenue would also help. The speeding problem is even more pronounced on Fourth Street because of the hill and the narrow bridge over the creek. As cars come down Fourth street toward Wildwood Park from either Big Basin or Springer Avenue they pick up a lot of speed. The bridge over the creek in front of Wildwood is very narrow. If pedestrians are crossing the bridge while a car is coming down the hill, the car will either have to slow suddenly to avoid collision or veer into oncoming traffic. I have seen drivers do the latter on countless ocassions. At night, things get even more perilous because it is dark there and visibility is low. There have been many times when my family and I are walking into town and someone who is barreling down Fourth Street comes to a screeching halt at our heels or moves rapidly into the adjacent lane to avoid us or other pedestrians. I have seen skid marks on the bridge where somebody ran into it and left a part of their fender behind I cringe when I see young neighborhood children walking by themselves to Saratoga Elementary via this portion of Fourth Street because this is the time that folks are racing out of their homes in the morning to go to work etc, usually driving way to fast. The bridge needs a pedestrian walkway over the creek at Fourth Street. It could be easily built out on the south side of the existing bridge. The street at the bridge is simply too narrow for pedestrians and drivers to share safely. It would also help to add lighting there to improve visibility at night. Currently, some residents are using flashlights when they are walking to alert drivers of their presence. But, people don't always remember to do that. It's only a matter of time before somebody gets hurt. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Rosalia Warren 3/1/2011 Traffic Matrix #268 From: Beejal Badani [mailto:beejal@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 5:52 PM To: Kristin Bore! Subject: Re: FW: Street Light Request Hello Kristin, I reside at the corner of pierce road and old oak way . The road narrows and curves right after old oak way on pierce, since there are no houses across and next to oak oak way on pierce , at night or in the evening when the cars and motorbikes are going by it feels scary that they may run into the creek with lots of trees and it has happened once when there were police cars and ambulance involved. I am requesting a street light at the corner of pierce and old oak so that it becomes safe for the traffic and also for us as residence. Thank you for the consideration Beejal Badani Traffic Matrix #269 From: Lisa Au[mailto:lisaau1992@stanfordalumni.org] Sent: Sun 2/27/2011 11:40 PM To: Howard Miller; Chuck Page; Jill Hunter; Emily Lo; Manny Cappello Cc: City Clerk [Ann Sullivan]; Dave Anderson Subject: Please consider new Quito Rd sidewalk project Dear Mayor, Vice -Mayor, and Councilmembers, Lam writing to ask you to please consider a new sidewalk/trail project on Quito Road. My family as well as several other families on Vessing Road have or will have children attending Marshall Lane Elementary School. Currently, southbound from the school, the sidewalk along Quito Road ends on Old Adobe Road on the Los Gatos side. At that point, the road narrows to a two-lane bridge. It is our hope that our children can walk safely to school. We are fortunate that the school is within walking distance from our homes. However, there is no place to walk on Quito Road other than the street for several hundred feet due to the bridge and creek. It is a very dangerous place to walk not only because it is narrow, but because of the curves along the road. Currently, there is not even room for a shoulder for a bicycle to fit. To have a sidewalk or trail constructed for this short stretch would provide crucial access for my family and our neighbors to the rest of the city without having to get into our cars. I know my family would have the ability to walk/bike to school including Rolling Hills and Westmont in the future, the farmer's market, post office, library, city center, etc. I do acknowledge that this is not a simple project due to possible land issues. However, I do hope you will have staff look into this project. If you are seeking any type of grant funding and need the support of other agencies, I will also write to the Town of Los Gatos and the Campbell Union School District. We would love the opportunity to walk/bike safely to our community destinations. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Lisa Au 2011 Capital Improvement Projects ra 0 0 z Completed 4 signs on Cox Avenue, 2 signs on Quito Road approved by TSC 05/13/2010 but not yet installed Approved by TSC 03/13/2008 Approved by TSC 03/11/2010. Work to begin in April. Approved by TSC 11/04/2010 Approved by TSC 01/13/2011 Approved as part of Oak Street Task Force. Design work started. Cost Estimate 14,500 o o O I N 0 0 o 0 T 20,000 0 0 0 01 N 18,000 Design only Project Description Provides funding for solar powered radar feedback signs. Location(s) to be determined by the Traffic Commission. Crosswalk improvements on Cox Avenue near Quito Market Improve corner of Saratoga Avenue at Dagmar, and install small median at intersection on Dagmar Install two speed bumps located on Mendelsohn Lane Improve sidewalk on the south side of Prospect Road between Titus Avenue and Johnson Improve comer at Third St & Oak Street Project Solar Powered Radar Feedback Signs: Cox Avenue Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Improvements: Dagmar intersection improvemnts Speed bumps on Mendelsohn Prospect Road Sidewalk Third and Oak Street corner improvement It H N in 7 in b