The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About28-Development Services MAYOR & COMMON COUNCIL MEETING BACKUP MEETING DATE: March 19, 2001 GROUP MEETING: Mayor and Common Council DEPUTY: Linda Sutherland *** No backup materials are included for the following items. *** ITEM # STATUS 17 28 31 R34 Luncheon Workshop set for April 2, 2001 Continued to April 16, 2001 Item Deleted Continued to April 2, 2001 C I T Y o F SAN BERNARDINO DEVELOPMENT SERVICES INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM . (Q;(Q)[?V To: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE From: ANWAR WAGDY, Traffic Engineer Subject: Varsity Avenue between College Avenue and Universal Avenue - Evaluate Speeding/Cut-though Traffic & Requests for 3-Way Stops at Varsity Avenue's intersections with Grand Avenue and Shorter Street (From December 13, 2001 Meeting) - Item # 9 Date: March 14,2000 Copies: James Funk, Director of Development Services; Ray Casey, City Engineer; Files 13.1RI & 13.1R2, Reading File This issue was originally evaluated at the December 13, 2001 meeting of the Traffic Safety Committee. The following is a summary of the report presented to the Committee at that time: The request was received from a citizen that represents a local neighborhood group in this area. He is concerned that an excessive volume of vehicles travel on this section of Varsity A venue. He feels that many of these motorists are avoiding University Parkway and cutting through their neighborhood. He claims that this cut-through traffic often speeds through the area creating an unsafe situation. He feels that installing "three-way stops" at Varsity Avenue's intersections with Grand Avenue and Shorter Street will alleviate this situation. The traffic Engineering Staff conducted a traffic engineering investigation relative to this request. The following are the results of the investigation: Varsity Avenue is 1,700 feet long within these limits. It is 36 feet wide and entirely residential. There are three residential intersections within the limits of study, not counting College Avenue and Universal Avenue. Two of these are "T" intersections (Grand Avenue and Shorter Street) and the other is a 4-legged intersection (48th Street). The prima facie speed limit on Varsity Avenue is 25 m.p.h. per the Vehicle Code (residential zone). An informal speed survey was conducted on Varsity Avenue at Grand Avenue. Twenty-six (26) samples were taken over a half-hour period. The speeds varied from 23 m.p.h. to 43 m.p.h. The critical speed was measured at forty (40) m.p.h. Lt? D. Z 5S -3//9/D/ Page 2 Subject: Varsity Avenue between College Avenue and Universal Avenue The following are traffic volumes that were measured in a 24-hour period in this area: . Varsity Avenue % College Avenue - 1,542 vehicles . Varsity Avenue s/o Universal Avenue - 941 vehicles The following counts are estimates based on "house counts" as well as our observation on the side streets: . Shorter Street w/o College Avenue - 200 vehicles . Grand Avenue w/o College Avenue - 200 vehicles . 48th Street w/o College Avenue - 200 vehicles . 48th Street e/o College Avenue - 400 vehicles The above traffic volumes are well below those required to meet multi-way stop warrants. There have been no recorded accidents within this area from January 1, 1998 through March 31, 2000 (2 Y. years). Upon the advice of staff and the above information the Committee recommended the following: . That the request to install 3-way stop signs at Varsity Avenue's intersections with shorter Street and Grand A venue be denied . Install stop signs on the side streets (Shorter Street, 48th Street, and Grand Avenue) . Install a stop sign for northbound traffic at the intersection of Universal Avenue and Varsity Avenue . Install 25 m.p.h. speed limit signs on Varsity Avenue . Ask the Police Department to provide selective enforcement in this area At that time, the Committee further recommended that this issue be brought back for further review as soon as a study is conducted determining the volume of cut-through traffic within this area. This study was consequently completed. In the process of attaining authorization to install stop signs on the side streets, the Mayor and Council expressed concern that the recommended action could encourage even more speeding on Varsity Avenue. It was therefore recommended that the Committee re-evaluate the request for 3-way stops at Varsity Avenue's intersections with Grand Avenue and Shorter Street. Page 3 Subject: Varsity Avenue between College Avenue and Universal Avenue As stated before, a study to determine the volume of cut-through traffic was performed. The following are the results of the license plate survey that was conducted from 5:15 p.m. through 6:15 p.m. on Monday, March 5, 2001: V arsity Avenue north of College Avenue Total Volume Observed cut-through Percent cut-through Northbound 82 Vehicles 20 Vehicles 24% Southbound 54 Vehicles 14 Vehicles 26% Totals 136 Vehicles 34 Vehicles 25% If the 25 % cut-through rate is applied to the daily count (1,542) taken on Varsity A venue north of College Avenue, the volume of vehicles cutting through this area would be estimated to be 386 vehicles. If the volume of 386 (cut through vehicles) is applied to the 941 count taken on Varsity Avenue south of Universal A venue the percentage of cut-through vehicles at this point would be 41 percent. Since the above volumes were interpolated from peak-hour volumes they are considered "worst case" scenario for the purposes of this study. Several alternatives have been considered by staff to discourage cut-through traffic on Varsity Avenue. Among these are road closures and turn restrictions at Kendall Drive. The road closure is not considered feasible as this may create problems with emergency response times. The turn restrictions are not considered reasonable since the primary movements for cut-through traffic are the same for local traffic. As far as installing all-way stops, to discourage cut-through traffic, none of the requested intersections meet the established warrants, at this time. However, the Public Works Division is currently pursuing the establishment of a new administrative policy for the installation of stop signs on residential streets. This policy, when approved by the Mayor and Council is expected to be less restrictive and flexible than the current warrants. Therefore, staff recommends continuing this issue until the new policy is adopted. Staff is expecting to submit a draft of the new policy for consideration of the Traffic Safety Committee at the meeting next month. In the meantime, to encourage traffic to stay on University Parkway, it is further recommended that the signal timing along University Parkway be reviewed and optimized to minimize delay. It is staffs opinion that cut-through traffic would be lower if traffic delays were minimized on University Parkway. CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION From: James Funk, Director SUbject:Authorization to Declare Varsity A venue a Through Highway from College A venue to Universal Avenue and to establish a I-Way Stop at the Intersection of Varsity Avenue and Universal Avenue. Dept: Development Services Date: January 29, 2001 Synopsis of Previous Council Action: File No. 13.1R1 MCC Date: February 20, 2001 None Recommended Motion: Adopt Resolutions ~Jf~ Contact person: Anwar Wagdy, Traffic Engineer Phone: Supporting data attached: Staff Report, Resolution, Map Ward: 5213 5 FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: $ 1,000.00 Source: (Acct. No.) 001-187-5111 (A~r.t nA"'~riptinn) Signing & Striping Materials /.... " Finance:~itl!cUt4J !/; c.&"\.. Council Notes: ~A~A7- #-/~ '11<.0/0/ Agenda Item No. ;l. ~ 31/1/~ r CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION STAFF REPORT Subiect: Authorization to declare Varsity Avenue a Through Highway from College Avenue to Universal Avenue and to establish a I-way Stop at the Intersection of Varsity Avenue and Universal Avenue. Backl!round: The Traffic Engineering Section received a request to install 3-way stop signs at Varsity Avenue's intersections with Grand Avenue and Shorter Street. The request came from the Kendall Hills Neighborhood Association. The Association is concerned that an excessive amount of vehicles travel on this section of Varsity Avenue and feels that many of these motorists are cutting through their neighborhood to avoid University Parkway. The Kendall Hills Neighborhood Association claims that this cut -through traffic often speeds through the area creating an unsafe situation and that installing "three-way stops" at Varsity Avenue's intersections with Grand Avenue and Shorter Street will alleviate this situation. Traffic Engineering Staff conducted a traffic engineering investigation relative to this request. The following are the results of the investigation: Varsity Avenue is 1,700 feet long within these limits; it is 36 feet wide and entirely residential. There are three residential intersections within the limits of study, not counting College Avenue and Universal Avenue. Two of these are "T" intersections (Grand Avenue and Shorter Street) and the other is a 4-legged intersection (48th Street). The following are traffic volumes that were measured in a 24-hour period in this area: · Varsity Avenue north of College Avenue: 1,542 vehicles · Varsity Avenue south of Universal Avenue: 941 vehicles Traffic volumes on the side streets are estimated to be between 200 to 400 vehicles. Traffic volumes are well below those required to meet multi-way stop warrants. The prima facie speed limit on Varsity Avenue is 25 m.p.h. per the Vehicle Code (residential zone). An informal speed survey was conducted on Varsity Avenue at Grand Avenue. Twenty- six (26) samples were taken over a half-hour period. The speeds varied from 23 m.p.h. to 43 m.p.h. The critical speed was measured at forty- (40) m.p.h. There have been no recorded accidents within this area from January 1,1998 through March 31, 2000 (2 Y. years). 2 V ARSITY AVENUE STAFF REPORT CONTINUED In view of the above information, staff recommended the following: · That the request to install 3-way stop signs at Varsity Avenue's intersections with shorter Street and Grand Avenue be denied · Install stop signs on the side streets (Shorter Street, 48th Street, and Grand Avenue) · Install a stop sign for northbound traffic at the intersection of Universal Avenue and Varsity Avenue · Install 25 m.p.h. speed limit signs along Varsity Avenue The Traffic Safety Committee evaluated this issue at their December 13, 2001 meeting. The Committee concurred with the staff findings and recommendations. The 25 m.p.h. speed limit signs have already been installed; however, Council Action is necessary to install the recommended stop signs. It is therefore recommended that Varsity Avenue be declared a "through highway" and a one- way stop be established at the intersection of Varsity Avenue and Universal Avenue (Varsity Avenue will stop). The Committee also recommended that this issue be brought back for their review once a study is completed, quantifYing the volume of cut-though traffic travelling in this section of Varsity Avenue. Financial Imoact: The estimated cost of $1 ,000.00 for installing the new "stop" signs will come from General Fund Account No. 001-187-5111 (Signing and Striping Materials). Recommendation: Adopt Resolution declaring Varsity Avenue a through highway from College Avenue to Universal Avenue. This action will enable Traffic Engineering Staff to install a 2-way stop at the intersection of Varsity Avenue and 48th Street and one-way stops at Varsity Avenue's intersections with Shorter Street and Grand Avenue (the approaches to Varsity Avenue will stop). Adopt Resolution establishing one-way stop at the intersection of Universal Avenue and Varsity Avenue (Varsity Avenue will stop). 3 Varsity Avenue between College Avenue and Universal Avenue Proposed Through Highway and one-way stop C ) Location of Proposed Through Highway o Location of Proposed I-Way Stop w JlIlE Wf 4 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO AMENDING RESOLUTION 3 NO. 655 ENTITLED, IN PART, "A RESOLUTION... DESIGNATING CERTAIN STREETS, OR PORTIONS THEREOF AS THROUGH HIGHWAYS..." AND 4 DECLARING UNIVERSAL AVENUE A THROUGH HIGHWAY AT ITS INTERSECTION WITH VARSITY AVENUE AND DECLARING VARSITY AVENUE A 5 THROUGH HIGHWAY FROM COLLEGE AVENUE TO UNIVERSAL AVENUE. 6 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN 7 BERNARDINO AS FOLLOWS: 8 SECTION I: Resolution No. 655, which designates certain streets, or portions 9 thereof, as through highways, Section One is amended by adding Subsection (21.2) 10 UNIVERSAL AVENUE to read as follows: 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 / 21 / " (21.2) UNIVERSAL AVENUE (A) At its intersection with Varsity Avenue." SECTION 2: Resolution No. 655, Section One is amended by adding Subsection (21.3) VARSITY AVENUE to read as follows: " (21.3) VARSITY AVENUE (A) From College Avenue to Universal Avenue." 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 5 . . 1 RESO: AMENDING RESOLUTION 655 DECLARING UNIVERSAL A VENUE A THROUGH HIGHWAY AT VARSITY AVENUE AND VARSITY AVENUE A THROUGH 2 HIGHWAY FROM COLLEGE AVENUE TO UNIVERSAL AVENUE. 3 4 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Mayor and 5 Common Council of the City of San Bernardino at a 6 7 thereof, held on the day of wit: AYES NAYS 20 The foregoing resolution is hereby approved this 21 22 23 24 25 ,2001. pproved as to form and legal content: 26 ames F. Penman ity Attorney 27 28 / 6 meeting , 2001 by the following vote, to- ABSTAIN ABSENT Rachel Clark, City Clerk day of Judith Valles, Mayor City of San Bernardino