HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/07/1990, C-14 - CITY COUNCIL ACTION ON NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS. %1111) 111ll "J O MEETING DATE:
� I{I ii c� o San-LUIS os�spo n/7/90
Iftion COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT NUMBER: I/
FROM: Arnold Jonas, Community Development Department
PREPARED BY: Terry Sanville, Supervising Principal Plane4,-5
SUBJECT: City Council Action on Neighborhood Traffic Management
Recommendations.
CAO
RECOMMENDATION: Defer action on recommendations to prepare Neighborhood
Traffic Management Plans until the City Council has acted on
the discussion draft of the Circulation Element
BACKGROUND
A. Consultant Studies
In November 1989, the City hired DKS Associates to prepare Neighborhood Traffic
Management Plans for residential areas where through traffic is, or is likely to be using
local streets. The consultant's work is divided into two phases:
First, the consultant was to survey traffic patterns within San Luis Obispo and
identify residential areas where through traffic is a problem. The consultant has
prepared a report that was distributed to the City Council on July 31, 1990 that
identifies five areas where neighborhood traffic management plans are warranted.
Second, upon receiving authorization from the City Council to proceed, the
consultant will prepare Traffic Management Plans for each of the targeted.residential
areas, hold neighborhood meetings, and return to the council for plan adoption.
B. Relationship to the Draft Circulation Element
Staff has incorporated the consultant's recommendations for preparing Neighborhood
Traffic Management Plans into the draft Circulation Element (Policy Section 6, pages 17
and 18 and Figure #4). It is staffs intent that the council authorize the consultant to
proceed with the second phase of the planning as part of its action on the discussion draft
of the Circulation Element
EVALUATION
C. Processing of the Land Use and Circulation Elements
On September 25, 1990, the Council referred the draft Land Use Element back to the
Planning Commission. The council asked the commission to consider thirteen issues —the
most significant issue was the consultant preparation of economic base and impact studies.
111p l� city of san tins oBispo
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Page 2 — Neighborhood Traffic Management Planning
On September 27th, the Planning Commission reviewed the list of issues with staff. It was
estimated that it will take about eight months to complete the economic studies and.forward
commission recommendations to the council. Other issues not strongly influenced by the
economic studies can be addressed during the time when the consultant is preparing the
economic report.
The outcome of the commission's further evaluation of the Land Use Element could
significantly change the assumptions used to prepare the draft Circulation Element. (For
example, if the airport area is developed consistent with the "concept plan," then traffic
from the area would increase by 30 to 50 percent.) The Planning Commission has decided
that it will simultaneously review the draft Circulation and Land Use Elements. Since both
elements should be consistent and supportive of each other,the commission will be sending
both to the City Council at the same time — in approximately 8-9 months.
D. Potential Delays in Considering Consultant Recommendations
Since the Council will probably not receive the Planning Commission's recommendations
on the Circulation Element for 8-9 months, following staffs strategy, the second phase of
the neighborhood traffic management work would also be delayed — possibly up to one
year. Delaying council consideration of the consultant's recommendations by 8-12 months
could increase the city's costs for the second phase of the consultant's work. The consultant
will want to renegotiate the cost of the services to include staffing costs that are annually
adjusted. Delaying council action will mean that implementation of neighborhood
management plans will probably not occur until financial planning period 1993-.1995.
On the other hand, considering the consultant's recommendations as part of the council's
review of the draft Circulation Element better integrates the issue of neighborhood traffic
planning with other related circulation policies and programs. For example, the council's
action on certain recommended street projects could influence the outcome of future
neighborhood traffic management planning. Also,neighborhood residents will want to know
what the city's overall plan will be for changing the street system.
ACTION ALTERNATIVES
A. Defer further action on the consultant's recommendations until the City
Council has acted on the discussion draft of the Circulation Element.
(the recommended action).
B. Direct the Planning Commission to immediately respond .to the
consultant's recommendations and forward a report to the City Council
for action.
C. Direct staff to place the consideration of the consultant's
recommendations on an upcoming City Council agenda for action.
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111/11111 ip1111 city of san Luis osi spo
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
CPage 3 — Neighborhood Traffic Management Planning
(Note: At the point that the council reviews the recommendations, the consultant should
be in attendance to answer council questions.)
Attachment: DKS Associates Recommendations for Neighborhood Traffic Management
Planning.
O
C1-M-3
0 DKS- Associates
San Luis Obispo
Neighborhood Traffic Management
Study Area Recommendations
During Phase I of the San Luis Obispo Transportation Studies, DKS Associates developed
neighborhood traffic.management recommendations for two neighborhoods: Murray/Broad and
Old Town: Some of the solutions recommended for Murray/Broad have been implemented, but
consensus could not be reached on the traffic management recommendations developed for
Old Town. During Phase II, an additional meeting will be held with Old Town in.an attempt
to resolve_ their concerns once the City-wide circulation alternatives have been modeled and
refined.
As part of the scope of work for the Phase. II Transportation Studies, DKS was asked to
recommend four neighborhoods for which, upon City Council approval of the areas, DKS would
then develop physical and operational recommendations that help resolve the problems. DKS
was also asked to note if other(more than four) areas should be addressed.
OIn December 1989 and. January 1990, DKS Associates conducted a preliminary inventory of
local and collector streets within San Luis Obispo where neighborhoods could potentially benefit
from traffic management strategies. Each neighborhood (or street) that would be considered
for neighborhood traffic management appeared to be experiencing one or more of the following
traffic problems today.
• Higher than desired traffic volumes for streets with residential frontage
• Higher than desired traffic speeds
• Higher than desiredpercentage of vehicles with no trip origin (0) or trip destination
(D) in the neighborhood, or through traffic "shortcutting" through the neighborhood
Following a meeting with City staff, field reconnaissance and review of traffic counts/projections,
DKS Associates outlined these areas in a memo to the City. Both the Community Development
and Public Works Department reviewed the list and made comments. The list was revised to
read as follows:
Potential Problem Areas Today
Location Likely Problem
Augusta Street: Laurel Lane to Bishop Street" Short Cut, Vol, Speed
Branch Street: H.iguera Street to Broad Street' Evxzim Volume,Speed
Broad Street: Foothill Boulevard to US 101 Short Cutting
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®SCS Associates
Buchon Street: Broad Street to Johnson Avenue Five Volume,Speed
Ferrini Road: Highland Drive to Foothill Boulevard* Short Cutting, Speed
Flora Street: Sydney Street to Southwood Drive Excessive Speed
Haskin Street/Rachel Street Short Cutting
High Street: Higuera Street to Broad Street* Excessive Volume
Highland Drive: Patricia Drive to Santa Rosa Street* Short Cutting, Speed
Lawton Street: Mitchell Drive to South Street Short.Cutting
Mill Street: Santa Rosa Street to Grand Avenue Excessive Volume,Speed
Murray Street: Santa Rosa Street to Broad Street Short Cutting
Oceanaire Drive: Madonna Road to Los Osos Valley Road* Short Cut, Vol, Speed
Patricia Drive: Highland Drive to Foothill Boulevard* Short Cutting, Speed
Ramona Drive: La Entrada Avenue to Broad Street* Short Cutting
Royal Way west of Los Osos Valley Road Excessive Speed
San Luis Drive: Johnson Avenue to California Boulevard Excessive Speed
*Within Pout Areas Recommended by DKS for Neighborhood Traffic Management (see below)
**Fifth Area Having Potential Need for Neighborhood Traffic Management
Other neighborhoods could potentially experience one or more of these negative impacts if
certain network changes (currently being evaluated by DKS in the Phase II Transportation
Studies) were implemented. These potential future problem areas include:
Potential Future Problem Areas
Location
Bishop Street: Broad Street to Johnson Avenue
Bishop Street could potentially be extended southwest from its present terminus near Fletcher
and Florence Avenues to connect with South Street at Broad Street or a point on Broad Street
south of South Street. This connection would increase Bishop Street's volume since it would
be a new crossing of the Southern Pacific railroad and a reliever route for motorists who now
use Johnson Avenue or Orcutt Road. A new through route would sem longer trips, thereby
encouraging motorists to drive faster.
Diablo Drive west of Los Osos Valley Road
Diablo Drive could potentially be extended from its present terminus southwest of Del Rio
Avenue to serve additional home sites in the unincorporated area. The added homes using
Diablo Drivewould result in additional traffic.
O
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DKS Associates
Luneta Drive: Palomar Avenue to Entrada Avenue
Luneta Drive could potentially be extended to form a continuous street between Verde Drive and
Palomar Avenue. This would increase its volume between La Entrada Avenue and Palomar
Avenue,as well as negatively impact Palomar Avenue and Serrano Drive east of Palomar Avenue.
Margarita Avenue east of South Higuera Street .
Margarita Avenue presently dead-ends several blocks east of South Higuera Street. If it were
extended eastward to Broad Street, it would be the only east-west connexion between South
Street and Tank Farm Road, which would increase its volume and speed.
Meinecke Avenue: Santa Rosa Street to Broad Street
Meinecke Avenue provides an opportunity for motorists 'to avoid the busy Foothill
Boulevard/Santa Rosa Street intersection, and will become increasingly attractive as congestion
levels increase at Foothill Boulevard/Santa Rosa Street.
Old Town Neighborhood
Due to its grid street pattern, Old Towm providesan opportunity for the motorist to take the
path of least resistance. As congestion levels in the South Broad Street and South Higuera
Street/Marsh Street corridors increase, Old Town Streets will become even more attractive. Due
to its proximity to the central business district, many of the network changes under study have
��. the potential to impact Old Town.
Sacramento Drive between Industrial Way and Orcutt Road
If Sacramento Drive were extended northwest to Orcutt Road, it could be used as an alternative
to industrial Way and Capitolo Way as a means of accessing Broad Street.
Following the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee's (TTAC) confirmation of a
complete list of streets which should be inventoried for potential problems, DKS conducted field
work in February 1990 to determine which of the previously outlined streets (or areas) were the
best candidates for neighborhood traffic management, warranting further study to resolve their
problems.
DKS' studies made use of a stationary radar gun to determine speeds, visual observation to
qualify volumes, and 15-minute license plate surveys to determine the percentage of vehicles
cutting through the neighborhood. The Consultant's observations resulted in their
recommendation of four areas (illustrated in Figure 1) as candidates for neighborhood traffic
management:
• Highland / Patricia /Foothill /Santa Rosa
• Oceanaire / Madonna / Los Osos Valley
• South / Higuera / High / Santa Barbara
C • Ramona / Tassajara / Broad /Foothill
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DKS _Associates -_
Further, if the.City wants to expand DKS' scope of work to address a fifth potential problems
area, DKS identified the following area as a "second level"candidate (also noted on Figure 1):
" Augusta / Laurel /Johnson / Bishop
Each of these areas are discussed in detail below.
North of Foothill Area
The "North of Foothill" area appears to be characterized by excessivevolumes, speeds, and
short cutting on residential streets. Patricia/Highland and Ferrini/Chorro/Highland may be two
common ways for Cal Poly students and staff to short cut out-0f-direction travel on Foothill
Boulevard and North Santa Rosa Street. This possible short cutting could result in streets
having a higher volume than would otherwise occur, and motorists often appear to be tushing
to make a class and thus continue to drive at their previous rates of speed on Foothill
-Boulevard..
Oceanaire Drive Area
Oceanaire Drive is a natural short cut to avoid peak hour congestion at the Los Osos Valley
Road/Madonna Road intersection. The more dense development within this neighborhood is
at the western end of Oceanaire Drive (near Los Osos Valley Road). Rather than access the
nearest arterial (Los Osos Valley Road) where a more difficult left turn would be required,
residents of the town homes, condominiums and apartments at the western end of Oceanaire
may be taking a path of less resistance along the predominantly single family Oceanaire Drive,
where they can easily enter the arterial network at the signalized Oceanaire Drive/Madonna
Road intersection. Still other motorists, with no trip origin or destination in the neighborhood,
may be cutting through the Oceanaire Drive neighborhood to avoid queues at Madonna
Road/Los Osos Valley Road. The wide meandering design of Oceanaire Drive, combined with
motorists' desire to access or re-access the arterial network quickly, could result in excessive
speeds for the neighborhood. Oceanaire Drive's traffic problems have long been the subject
of complaint from local residents. Oceanaire Drives side streets and other internal
neighborhood streets are not recommended for study, other than for considering their traffic
loading onto Oceanaire Drive.
High and South Streets: Higuere Street to Broad Street
High Street provides direct connectivity between Higuera Street and Broad Street in a similar
fashion to South Street. It is also a natural path for traffic to cut from Higuera Street to
Buchon Street. High's wide, straight configuration makes it easy to traverse, which could result
in excessive volumes traveling at higher than desired speeds. Since High is a residential street,
it may be desirable to shift through trips to South Street. This area should be closely examined
i
DKSAssogates
to determine what diversion of traffic to South Street could be accomplished without
overburdening South and Santa Barbara Streets, and without creating adverse impacts in the
residential area internal to these boundaries.
Ramona Drive
Ramona Drive, during peak hours, is a logical short cut and straight path for motorists to avoid
the Broad Street/Foothill Boulevard intersection. Tassajara Drive is a logical street from which
to deviate to Ramona
Augusta Street
Augusta Street is another wide, long residential street (with some denser uses on its south end),
punctuated only by a stop sign at Sydney Street. Similar to Oceanaire's problem, the traffic
generated by the apartments and school at the south end use Augusta/Sydney and
Augusta/Bishop to access Johnson Avenue. Doing this, a single family residential area is
impacted by traffic that could otherwise easily use Laurel Lane to access Johnson Avenue.
Again, highcr than desired speeds and volumes on Augusta are the resulting negative impacts
that could be addressed through traffic management. Also similar to Oceanaire, these problems
Oare a current complaint of Augusta Street residents.
The Consultant would like to obtain City Council's approval of the four potential problem areas
described above (along with the fifth area at the Council's discretion)so that: (1) additional data
may be collected by the Public Works Department to identify precisely where the problems are
occurring and how significant they are relative to each other, and (2) the Consultant can begin
to identify neighborhood traffic management strategies for four of the five areas. DKS has
outlined a data collection program for the Public Works Department to collect the necessary
information that will aid them in developing management strategies.
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Figure 1
City Of AREAS RECOMMENDED
L Sa11 lU1S OBIS O FOR NEIGHBORHOOD
p TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Yoo PAW StreetfPost Office Box 31M•Son Lupi Obispo,CA OUM-8100