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Home My WebLink AboutTSC Packet 09-01-2011CITY OF SARATOGA TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION AGENDA DATE: September 1, 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, Kirk, Musselman and Vita Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on August 25, 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 May 12, 2011 Sheriff's Report to the Commission New Business 1. Traffic Matrix #274 Issue: Requests turn pocket on Quito Road at Martha Action: TSC will make recommendation 2. Traffic Matrix 11275 Issue: Safety concerns on Springer Avenue Action: TSC will make recommendation 3. Traffic Matrix #276 Issue: Concern about crosswalk on Allendale Avenue at Fruitvale Avenue Action: TSC will make recommendation 4. Discuss topics for Joint Meeting with City Council Announcements by Commissioners and Staff Adjournment to Next Regular Meeting Thursday, November 3, 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 August 25, 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: May 12, 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, Kirk, Musselman and Vita Absent: None Staff: Traffic Planner Church 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 May 5, 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. No speakers Approval of Draft Minutes Draft Traffic Safety Commission Minutes for March 10, 2011. Approved 5-0-2, Bustamante and Musselman abstained. Sheriff's Report to the Commission (6:45 p.m.) Lt. Morrissey reports New Business 1. Traffic Matrix #271 (6:35 p.m.) Issue: Request No Parking on Via de Marcos Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Recommend that trees be trimmed on the on Via de Marcos property across the street from the trailhead. APPROVED 7-0 2. Traffic Matrix #272 (6:55 p.m.) Issue: Concerns with intersection on south bound Saratoga at Cox Avenue Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Recommend directed enforcement. APPROVED 7-0 MOTION: Recommend larger, more visible signage. APPROVED 7-0 MOTION: Recommend staff explore of feasibility of buffered bicycle lanes on Cox Avenue. APPROVED 4-3-0, Coulter, Guichard and Vita opposed. 3. Traffic Matrix #273 (7:30 p.m.) Issue: Speeding on Arroyo de Arguello Action: TSC will make recommendation MOTION: Recommend directed enforcement. APPROVED 7-0 MOTION: Recommend use of the radar feedback trailer. APPROVED 7-0 Old Business 4. Traffic Matrix #270 (7:55 p.m.) Issue: Discussion of Crosswalk Policy Action: TSC will make a recommendation MOTION: Recommend adoption of the Crosswalk Guidelines with noted changes. APPROVED 7-0 Announcements by Commissioners and Staff (8:00 p.m.) - Dagmar project completion Adjournment at 8:15 p.m. to the Next Regular Meeting Thursday, July 14, 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 etclerkPsaratoaa.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 B777 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 May 5, 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. Kristin Borel From: Jacqueline Corley [jacqueline.corley@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2011 11:51 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Re: Traffic Safety Commission Thank you Kristin for getting back to me. Here is my request: Traffic Matrix #274 My name is Jacqueline Corley, and I live in Saratoga, close to Quito Road. At present, there is a lot of construction work on Quito Road, and when it is complete, I am assuming that they will resurface the road, and remark it. "My request is that a left turn lane be added to Quito Road, at the intersection of Quito and Martha." At the moment, there is only an island in the center of the road that is surrounded by a double yellow line, and by law unusable. (I believe that there would be plenty to room to add a turn lane in place of the Island). It is impossible to try and get across oncoming traffic and merge with flowing traffic on Quito without coming to a complete stop in the center of the road. When you do come to a stop, you are stopping traffic trying to make a left turn onto Martha from Quito Road. If you were to review Quito Road today, it may not appear to be too busy, but when school begins again the traffic increases dramatically. Sincerely, Jacqueline M. Corley, 13150, Mc Dole Street, Saratoga, CA 95070. (408) 866-0492. Traffic Matrix #275 Ernest and Paula Kraule 14433 Springer Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 741-1966 August 18, 2011 City of Saratoga Traffic Safety Commission 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Traffic Safety Commission; We are submitting this letter to the Saratoga Traffic Safety Commission to express our concern regarding several traffic hazards in our neighborhood. We are also requesting that the Commission investigates these safety issues, in order to propose and implement solutions, prior to a serious accident occurring. The majority of these traffic hazards are directly related to the lack of safe parking adjacent to the property at 14425 Springer Avenue, located on the corner of Springer Avenue and Fourth Street. These safety issues are exacerbated by the excessive number of vehicles attending frequent business meetings and parties held by the owners. In addition, the width of Springer Avenue has been narrowed to less than 20 feet directly in front of the property, where inadequate striping and signage contribute to unsafe parking that blocks the roadway. ISSUE- Alteration of Springer Avenue directly in front of 14425 Springer Avenue The Saratoga Planning Commission approved the original building plans for 14425 Springer Avenue (APN 053-26-10) at some point between 1995, or 1996. After the residence was built and approved by the City of Saratoga's Building Department, the first owner altered the Springer Avenue border of the front yard by constructing an unapproved fence and rock border, ultimately encroaching upon and reducing the roadway. In actuality, the telephone poles delineate the edge of the road pavement travelling southwest along Springer Avenue. ATTACHMENTS: (1A, Pg.4) -APN Map 503-26-10, (1B, Pg.5) Pictures of encroaching fence and rock border. ISSUE- Unsafe parking directly in front of, and across the street from 14425 Springer Avenue The City of Saratoga subsequently installed a stop sign at the corner on Springer Avenue at Fourth Street, and placed a double yellow line down the center of Springer Avenue, from the intersection to the end of the vine covered fence in front of 14425 Springer Avenue. Unfortunately, at the time of installation, the double yellow line was not extended to the end of the property, as the road is too narrow to accommodate cars parking in front of the residence, or directly across the street. The owners of 14425 frequently have their guests, gardener and cleaning crew vehicle park directly in front of the walkway leading to their home, creating a very dangerous situation for vehicles driving in both directions on Springer Avenue. When this occurs, a vehicle turning southwest from Fourth Street onto Springer Avenue, has an obstructed line of sight, forcing the driver to cross over the double yellow line in order to clear the car parked in front of the residence. Page 1 (Continued) - Unsafe parking directly in front of, and across the street from 14425 Springer Avenue Likewise, this creates a simultaneous traffic hazard for a driver travelling northbound on Springer Avenue approaching the intersection at Fourth Street, who is met head-on by a car travelling from the opposite direction that has crossed the double yellow line. This is particularly dangerous at night. In one specific example on May 28, 2011, a dark, blue Honda Cross -Over was parked directly in front of the mailbox and steps to the property from 6:45 until 9:30 PM. This required numerous vehicles to circumvent the car parked in front of the walkway by crossing the double yellow line in the dark. ATTACHMENTS: (2A, Pg.6), (28, Pg.7), (2C, Pg.8), (2D, Pg.9) (2E, Pg. 10), (2F, Pg. 11) Pictures of Unsafe parking directly in front of, and across from and 14425 Springer Avenue Most recently, on July 16, 2011, a truck and horse trailer associated with the "Wildwood Stock" event at Wildwood Park, was left unattended by the owner, across the street from 14425 Springer Avenue. Deputy Sheriff Howell, Badge #1850, Event Number 11-197-01745, responded and determined that due to the narrowness of Springer Avenue at that point, that the truck and horse trailer were parked in a dangerous manner blocking the roadway. Deputy Howell was preparing to have the vehicles towed when the owner returned from Wildwood Park, at which point he ordered him to remove the truck and trailer from the street. ATTACHMENTS (3A, Pg. 12), (3B, Pg. 13, (3C, Pg. 14): Pictures of truck and horse trailer and Sheriff's Traffic Hazard Event Card. This problem is exacerbated when a significant number of vehicles, associated with frequent business meetings held at the residence, park across the street on the southeast side of Springer. There is insufficient room on the road to accommodate vehicles parked on the street and travelling in both directions. All of the black tire marks along the southeast side of Springer Avenue from 14425 to 14451 Springer are associated only with vehicles attending functions at the residence. ATTACHMENT: (4, Pg. 15) Vehicles parked from 14425 -14451 Springer Avenue along southeast curb of Springer Avenue. In addition, on May 21, 2011, as we attempted to exit our driveway, we were nearly hit by a large Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) travelling at a high rate of speed that turned from Fourth Street onto Springer Avenue. On that particular day, vehicles were parked across the street from our home along the entire length of the southeast curb from 14425 to 14451 Springer Avenue. A vehicle was also parked directly in front of the residence at 14425 Springer. As we exited our driveway, by backing into the space in front of our home at 14433 Springer, our line of site was blocked, and we were also forced into the middle of the street. At the same time, the SUV turned from Fourth Street onto Springer Avenue circumventing the vehicle parked directly in front of 14425 Springer Avenue, forcing the SUV into the middle of the road across the double line. These simultaneous and hazardous circumstances created a very dangerous situation, as we were almost broadsided by the SUV. ATTACHMENT: (5A, Pg. 16), (5B, Pg.17) View from our driveway at 14433 Springer Avenue when attempting to drive northbound on Springer Avenue. ISSUE- Vehicles parking within double yellow line on Fourth Street In addition, the City installed a stop sign and double yellow line on the southeast side of Fourth Street at the intersection of Springer Avenue, adjacent to the Fourth Street border of 14425 Springer Avenue. Page 2 (Continued) -Vehicles parking within double yellow line on Fourth Street The owners of the property also have their guests park within the double yellow line on Fourth Street, causing vehicles to cross into the oncoming traffic to avoid the parked cars. Likewise, overflow traffic, from events held at Wildwood Park, uses the intersection for parking. ATTACHMENT: (6, Pg. 18) Pictures of vehicles blocking the roadway while parked adjacent to double yellow line at intersection of Fourth Street and Springer Avenue. Similar Mitigated Traffic Hazards on Springer Avenue at Springer Court We are requesting that the Commission reviews the vicinity of Springer Avenue at Springer Court, which has a road width similar to that of Springer Avenue at Fourth Street, as discussed above. The City has installed continuous double yellow lines and "No Parking Any Time" signage to mitigate the traffic hazards in this area. This same solution may resolve the traffic safety issues in our neighborhood. ATTACHMENT: (7, Pg. 19) Double yellow lines and "No Parking Any Time" sign traffic hazard solutions implemented in vicinity of Springer Avenue @ Springer Court. Conclusion In conclusion, the traffic hazards in our neighborhood have worsened to the point that they have become unsafe, unbearable, and have affected the quiet enjoyment of our property. Neighbors in the area have mentioned to us their displeasure with the impact the increased number of vehicles attending events at 14425 Springer Avenue is having on the neighborhood, and the danger vehicles parking in the constricted roadway is creating at the intersection of Springer Avenue at Fourth Street. Therefore, we are requesting that the Saratoga Traffic Safety Commission immediately addresses these issues to ameliorate the traffic hazards, before a serious accident occurs. Respectfully Submitted, Ernest Krau e Fire Chief, Retired Paula Kraule ATTACHMENT: (1A, Page 4) - APN Map 503-26-10 0 --/V/--//z5/7— ,._,, -X/// 5/T \ �O 44.4,5?),,SPR 'e�° CSR T M40 SER r 5O3— 26 2-1 MARY SPRINGER ' MAP N° 1 s 5 w6 ? , 77 rr� 78 • 86 / . 7g •• • • 88 80 12 • f • 8, f3 • I le • 46 82 �Q < Q\ / ` \ 4) 83 1- 35 8q /\„,r. 40 /4 15• N a L E6ENli : PD//v r. FOL/N.D • PDi.VTS 'Ai 3 S'T.?EET MOM 't t /vr ..... QQ ATTACHMENT: 18, Page 5: (1B, Pg.5) Pictures of encroaching fence and rock border in front of 14425 Springer Avenue. ATTACHMENT: (2A, Page 6) Pictures of Unsafe parking directly in front of, and across from and 14425 Springer Avenue 411111111111111 1111111111,,,,,, /�� ATTACHMENT: (2B, Page 7) Pictures of Unsafe parking directly in front of, and across from and 14425 Springer Avenue ATTACHMENT: (2C, Page 8) Pictures of Unsafe parking directly in front of, and across from and 14425 Springer Avenue ATTACHMENT: (2D, Page 9) Pictures of Unsafe parking directly in front of, and across from and 14425 Springer Avenue ATTACHMENT: (2E, Page 10) Pictures of Unsafe parking directly in front of, and across from and 14425 Springer Avenue ATTACHMENT: (2F, Page 11) Pictures of Unsafe parking directly in front of, and across from and 14425 Springer Avenue ATTACHMENT: (3A, Page 12), Pictures of truck and horse trailer and Sheriff's Traffic Hazard Event Card. ATTACHMENT: (3B, Page 13), Pictures of truck and horse trailer and Sheriff's Traffic Hazard Event Card. ATTACHMENT: (3C, Page 14), Pictures of truck and horse trailer and Sheriff's Traffic Hazard Event Card. Office of the Sheriff HEADQUARTERS STATION 55 West Younger Street San Jose, California 95110 Public Information 808-4400 Records/Crime Reports 808-4700 Investigations 808-4500 EMERGENCY DIAL 911 WEST VALLEY SUBSTATION 1601 South DeAnza Blvd. Cupertino, California 95014 Public Information 868-6600 Accident Reports 868-6600 Investigations 868-6600 EVENT NUMBER i J_ 1 ` ` — ° 17 W S TYPE OF INCIDENT TkFC 141V -Ag -19 County of Santa Clara SOUTH COUNTY SUBSTATION 80 Highland Avenue San Martin, California 95046 Public Information 686-3650 Records/Reports 808-4700 Investigations J 686-3660 DATE 7! WAS A REPORT TAKEN? YES Y NO DEPUTY .14CWc5') RETAIN THIS REPORT RECEIPT! You will need the above listed case number whenever you contact the Office of the Sheriff regarding this incident. If you or your insurance company require a copy of the report associated with this incident you will generally be required to wait a minimum of ten working days. Some traffic reports require additional time. A fee will be charged for all copies of reports. 4819 REV 2/06 745.31 ATTACHMENT: (4, Page 15), Vehicles parked from 14425 Springer Avenue along southeast curb of Springer Avenue ATTACHMENT: (5A, Pg.16) View from our driveway when exiting our driveway at 14433 Springer Avenue, and attempting to drive northbound on Springer Avenue. ATTACHMENT: (5B, Page 17) View from our driveway when exiting our driveway at 14433 Springer ATTACHMENT: (6, Pg. 18) Pictures of vehicles blocking the roadway while parked adjacent to double yellow line at intersection of Fourth Street and Springer Avenue ATTACHMENT: (7, Pg. 19) Double yellow lines and "No Parking Any Time" sign traffic hazard solutions implemented in vicinity of Springer Avenue @ Springer Court. .441031".- Traffic Matrix #276 Kristin Borel From: Darrell Miller [darrell@koshume.com] Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 11:47 AM To: Kristin Borel Subject: Child safety at Allendale & Fruitvale Attachments: Screenshot.png Screenshot.png (734 KB) Many children, including mine, get to Redwood Middle School by crossing starting from the NE corner of Allendale Ave and Fruitvale Ave. One enters the cross by entering near point "A", in the attached image. Visibility near point "B" however is limited due to 1) the slight hill near that point, 2) the plants near the sidewalk on the right, and 3) the curve in the road towards the right. At point B, a driver will naturally tend to watch for traffic to merge into by looking to the left. But at point B, the road curves slightly to the right, reducing visibility. The school district has a crossing guard, but they tend to focus on the SW -SE crossing. Can something be done to make this safer? A stop sign? Small speed bumps to "wake up" drivers? At a minimum, the bushes need to be regularly trimmed. 1