HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-27 - AGENDA REPORTS - TRAFFIC CONCERNS STEINWAY STAGENDA REPORT
City Manager
Item to be presented by: //
Anthony J. Nisicly A
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
DATE: September 27, 1994
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CONCERNS ON STEINWAY STREET
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
BACKGROUND
In 1993, the City Council received a petition from the residents along Steinway Street
between Whites Canyon Road and Ashboro Drive. They expressed a concern regarding heavy
traffic volumes on this section of Steinway Street. They requested that the City consider
closing this street at Whites Canyon Road, requiring motorists to access the Skyblue Mesa
Tract via Ashboro Drive, west of Whites Canyon Road (see Exhibit "1"). The residents had
complained to Los Angeles County prior to the City's incorporation and to the City regarding
the same issue.
Traffic Study
The Traffic Engineering staff prepared a draft study report in December 1993 (copy attached
as Exhibit "2"). The draft report was made available to Mr. Bill Arens, a representative of
the Steinway Street residents, to review the report and share the findings with the affected
neighbors. Unfortunately, due to the January earthquake, follow-ups to this issue were
postponed until May 1994.
As part of the report six (6) different alternatives were proposed that if implemented, could
address the residents' concerns in this area. However, the report concluded that depending
on the option, there might be a trade-off, where the volume on Steinway Street would
decrease while the volume on some streets, like Merryhill and Ermine might increase. The
report also identified potential safety concerns for police, fire, and other emergency response
units, should any type of closure be implemented on Steinway Street.
Public Participation Meeting
Staff took the lead to conduct a public participation meeting with all the property owners
living in the immediate vicinity of Steinway Street who would be affected as a result of any
type of roadway closure on Steinway Street.
APPROV�D Q AG_ : a �,:
TRAFFIC CONCERNS ON STEINWAY STREET
September 27, 1994 - Page 2
On June 21, 1994, more than 400 residents in the immediate vicinity were notified regarding
the "July 7, 1994, 7:00 p.m. public meeting for Steinway Street/Request for Closure". A copy
of the notice is attached as Exhibit "3". The residents were introduced to six potential types
of access alternatives and were also notified that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss
the access issues and potential costs of any modification. Staff also erected two signs in the
direct route of the possible affected residents regarding the public meeting.
The public meeting took place on July 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Sierra Vista Jr. High School located
on Stillmore Street. More than 150 residents were present. Staff discussed all potential
access alternatives and their possible impact in the surrounding neighborhood.
With the exception of some 24 residents along Steinway Street, the overwhelming majority
of the attendees were against any type of closure on Steinway Street and they all agreed that
some other (new) road connection is needed to reduce the amount of traffic on Steinway
Street, Camp Plenty Road, and Ashboro Road.
The Sheriffs Department has notified the staff that during the period between April 1 to
July 1, 1994, they monitored that portion of Steinway Street between Whites Canyon Road
and Langside Avenue 15 times,. During this period, there were no violations observed. This
area is currently listed as Directed Patrol assignment for the Sheriffs Department deputies.
Recommendations from Fire and Sheriffs Departments
The Sheriffs office and also the Fire Department (Los Angeles County) were notified and
requested for their response on any type of closure. Both the Fire Department and the
Sheriffs Department have responded that they would not recommend any closure or partial
closure of Steinway Street since it would increase the emergency response to the residents
of this road between Whites Canyon Road and Ashboro Road and also the Skyblue Mesa tract
(see Exhibits 4 and 5).
Follow-up Meeting with Area Representatives
On August 17, 1994, staff met with Mr. Bill Arens and Mr. Paul Lertzell regarding the
possibility of a new access/connection to the Skyblue Mesa community and maybe some other
options to reduce the amount of traffic on Steinway Street. The following options were
discussed:
1. Roadway extensions of (a) Dorothy Street; (b) Keaton Street; or (c) Ermine Street, to the
west to connect to the future Golden Valley Road, with connection to Soledad Canyon
Road.
2. Evaluation of the speed limit on Ashboro Street and placing 25 mph speed limit signs
on Steinway Street.
3. Evaluation of placing signs on Whites Canyon Road, encouraging the drivers to use
Ashboro Drive rather than Steinway Street,
TRAFFIC CONCERNS ON STEINWAY STREET
September 27, 1994 - Page 3
Conclusions
Staff has evaluated the request, all the potential possibilities as were discussed in the Traffic
Engineering Report, and also the extension of any of the existing roads. The following are
the staff findings on Steinway Street:
1. Although the traffic volumes are relatively high on Steinway Street, they are comparable
to the volumes on some other similar streets, like Delight Street and Pamplico Drive.
2. The Sheriffs Department actively monitors this street for speed enforcement, but, no
specific speeding problems have been observed. Installation of 25 mph speed limit signs
on this street would help increase the motorist's awareness of the legal speed limit.
3. The residents are requesting more access for the Skyblue Mesa neighborhood.
4. At present, there are no applications for any type of development within the City and
County of Los Angeles on the west side of the Skyblue Mesa neighborhood to require
additional roads or extensions of any existing roads.
5. The City has no plan nor budget presently to extend any of the roadways west of the
Skyblue Mesa neighborhood to connect to Soledad Canyon Road. This matter will be
referred to the Redevelopment Agency to include the extension of Ruether Avenue
(Golden Valley Road) in their priority list. The issue will also be referred to the Citizens
Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) to be included in their discussion of
"unfinished roads" planned to be on its agenda sometime this Fall..
RECOMMENDATION
Direct staff to:
1. Conduct an Engineering and Traffic survey on Ashboro Street to verify the appropriate
speed limit on this roadway and modify the existing speed limit sign if necessary.
2. Install a 25 mph speed limit sign on Steinway Street, assign the PARET speed display
unit to be used again on the street, and request the Sheriffs Department to continue
selective enforcement on this street.
3. Evaluate, and if appropriate, install advisory signs on Whites Canyon Road, encouraging
drivers to use Ashboro Drive.
4. Refer the issue of potential roadway extensions to the Redevelopment Agency and to the
Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) for future discussion and
consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2
Exhibit 3
Exhibit 4
Exhibit 5
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DRAFT
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Anthony Nisich, City Engineer
FROM: Bahman Janka, City Traffic Engineer
DATE: December 14, 1993
SUBJECT: STEINWAY STREET - TRAFFIC CONDITION
BACKGROUND
On August 24, 1993, the City Council received a petition from the residents along Steinway'Street
between Whites Canyon Road and Ashboro Drive. They have expressed a concern regarding a
heavy traffic volume on the section of Steinway Street. They are requesting that the City consider
closing this street at Whites Canyon Road, requiring motorists to access the Skyblue Mesa Tract
via Ashboro Drive, west of Whites Canyon Road (see Exhibit "A7). The residents have been
complaining to Los Angeles County prior to the City's incorporation and to the City regarding the
same Issue. On August 27, 1993, City staff met with Mr. Arens, a resident of the subject section
of Steinway Street, to further discuss the neighborhood's concerns. City staff Informed Mr. Arens
that Traffic Engineering Staff will conduct a study to investigate potential options to address the
residents' concerns. The following is the Traffic Engineering staff's findings on this Issue:
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Steinway Street is an east -west residential roadway, 36 -feet wide with curb and sidewalk on each
side. The roadway has one travel lane in each direction, and on -street parking is permitted.
26 homes front the street. The prima facie speed limit is 25 mph and It is not posted,
Ashboro Drive is a residential collector street. The roadway runs east -west between Whites Canyon
Road and Merryhlll Street and runs north -south between Merryhill Street and Ermine Street. The
roadway is 40 -feet wide with curb and sidewalk on each side. The roadway has one travel lane in
each direction, and on -street parking is permitted. No homes front the street. The posted speed
limit is 25 mph.
Traffic Volumes
24-hour traffic volumes were collected on Steinway Street, and Ashboro Drive west of Whites
Canyon Road. Results are summarized below:
Date
Street
Eastbound
Westbound
Total Volume
09-13-93
Steinway
2750
1990
4740
09-13-93
Ashboro
1230
1130
2360
Exofv ?1p
MEMORANDUM
Steinway Street - Traffic Condition
December 14, 1993
Page 2
In addition, traffic volumes on Delight Street and Pamplico Drive were collected for comparison
purposes (see Exhibit "B"). Similar characteristics include: a residential street serves as a
residential collector street, all houses abut the streets, sidewalks are present and on -street parking
Is permitted. Traffic volumes are summarized in the table below:
Date Street Total Volume
09-27-93 Delight w/o Whites Canyon 3760
09-27-93 Pamplico w/o Seco Canyon 6085
09-13-93 Steinway w/o Whites Canyon 4740
As shown in the above table, traffic volume on the subject section of Steinway Street is comparable
to Delight Street and Pamplico Drive.
Accident
Traffic Engineering staff reviewed accident records dated from January 1990 to September 1993 on
Steinway Street between Whites Canyon Road and Ashboro Drive. Three (3) accidents were
reported at the intersection of Steinway Street and Ashboro Drive, one In 1990, 1991, and 1993,
respectively. In addition, two (2) mid block accidents were reported in 1990. Upon review of the
accident records, it has been determined that no type of correctiorf is needed for Steinway Street
or at the intersection of Steinway Street and Ashboro Drive.
Speed
Speed surveys conducted at this section of the road during the morning, evening peak traffic hours,
and off -traffic hours, and the results are summarized in the table below:
85TH PERCENTILE SPEED
Time period
Eastbound
Westbound
35 mph or Higher
AM Peak
35
MPH
33 MPH
7%
PM Peak
33
MPH
33 MPH
14%
Off Peak
34
MPH
35 MPH
15%
Average
34
MPH
34 MPH
12%
The 85th percentile speed, or the Critical Speed, is the speed at or below which 85 percent of
motorists travel. Fifteen percent of traffic was observed travelling at 10 mph or more above the
speed limit. The current speeding patterns on Steinway Street, however, Is not unusual and is
typical of other residential streets in the City and elsewhere.
Speeding Is a behavioral problem which Is best addressed by the Sheriff's enforcement. Special
speed enforcement by the Sheriff's Department has proven to be the most effective way of reducing
the speed of vehicles.
DRAFT
MEMORANDUM
Steinway Street - Traffic Condition
December 74, 7993
Page 3
ACCESS ALTERNATIVES
The following is an evaluation of potential access alternatives for the section of Steinway Street.
Evaluation of each alternative will include potential impacts on neighborhood streets, emergency
service, cost estimates, requirements, and applicability of implementation.
Alternative I - Barricade Steinway Street at Whites Canyon Road (Exhibit "C")
Impact: An adequate tum around area would not be provided on Steinway Street.
Thus, It Is not applicable.
Alternative II - Modify existing street to Cul -de -Sac street at Whites Canyon Road (Exhibit "D").
Impact: Implementation of Alternative II would will prohibit traffic from the subject
section of Steinway Street. As a result, traffic on the subject section of Steinway
will be diverted to the neighborhood streets via Ashboro Drive, which will add
650 vehicle trips to Merryhill Street, 1,450 vehicle trips to Ermine Street, and
4,700 vehicle trips to Ashboro Drive .dally. Ashboro Drive would be the only
available direct access for the entire Skyblue Mesa tract to Whites Canyon Road,
which presents a serious problem for emergency services to the area. At minimum,
four (4) residences would be affected because additional -right-of-way would be
required to modify the existing street to a cut -de -sac street and $60,000 for design
and construction. These four (4) homes would require relocation or property loss
to their front yards.
Alternative III - Barricade Steinway Street at Ashboro Drive (Exhibit "E")
Impact: An adequate tum around area would not be provided on Steinway Street.
Thus, it is not applicable.
Alternative IV - Modify existing street to cul-de-sac at Ashboro Drive (Exhibit "F").
Impact: Impacts of Implementation of Alternative IV would be the same as
Altemative It.
Alternative V - Continuous raised median on Whites Canyon at Steinway (Exhibit "G").
Impact: Implementation of Alternative V would prohibit north -southbound left turns
and east -westbound left turns at the intersection of Steinway Street and
Whites Canyon Road. The westbound traffic on the subject section of the Steinway
Street would be diverted to the neighborhood streets via Ashboro Drive, adding
400 vehicle trips to Merryhill Street, 800 vehicle trips to Ermine Street and
2000 vehicles trips to Ashboro Drive daily. Eastbound traffic on the subject section
of Steinway Street will not be changed. Altemative V would also limit the access for
the subdivision east of Whites Canyon Road. Ashboro Drive would be the only
Inbound direct access for the entire Skyblue Meas tract from Whites Canyon Road
which also presents potential problems for emergency services for this area.
Design and construction cost of Alternative V is estimated at $50,000.
MEMORANDUM
Steinway Street - Traffic Condition
December 14, 1993
Page 4
Alternative VI - Continuous raised median on Whites Canyon with median opening at Steinway to
only prohibit northbound left -turns at the intersection of Steinway Street and
Whites Canyon Road (Exhibit "H").
Impact: The Impacts of Alternative VI to the area are similar to Alternative V except
a full access for the subdivision east of Whites Canyon Road will remain at the
Intersection Steinway Street and Whites Canyon Road. Design and construction
costs of Alternative VI is estimated at $50,000.
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City of
Santa Clarita
23920 Valencia Blvd
Suite 300
City of Santa Clarita
California 91355
June 21, 1994
Phone
(805) 259-2489
Fax
(805)259-8125
Re Public Meeting: July 7, 1994, 7:00 p.m. - Steinway Street/Request for Closure
Dear Resident:
The City of Santa Clarita has arranged a public meeting on July 7, 1994 at 7:00 p.m.
at Sierra Vista Jr. High School regarding the possible closure of Steinway Street.
BACKGROUND - The City Council has received a petition from the residents along
Steinway Street between Whites Canyon Road and Ashboro Drive who have expressed
concerns regarding the relatively high traffic volume on this section of Steinway Street
(approximately 4,700 vehicles per day). They are requesting that the City consider
closing this street at Whites Canyon Road, requiring motorists to access the Skyblue
Mesa Tract via Ashboro Drive, west of Whites Canyon Road. Traffic Engineering staff
has conducted a study to investigate potential options to address the residents'
concerns. The traffic study concluded that depending on the option, there might be a
trade-off where the volume on Steinway Street will decrease while the volume on some
other streets, like Merrybill and Ermine, might increase. The purpose of this meeting
is to collect the neighborhood's concerns and input before a formal recommendation is
presented to the City Council.
ACCESS ALTERNATIVES - The following are potential access alternatives for this
section of Steinway Street (see the back page for illustrations). Evaluation of each
alternative will include potential traffic and access impacts on neighborhood streets,
emergency service operations, potential cost impacts to the residents, and applicability
of implementation:
Alternative I Barricade Steinway Street at Whites Canyon Road.
Alternative II Modify existing street to cul-de-sac street at Whites Canyon.
Alternative III Barricade Steinway Street at Ashboro Drive.
Alternative IV Modify existing street to cul-de-sac at Ashboro Drive.
Alternative V Continuous raised median on Whites Canyon at Steinway.
Alternative VI Continuous raised median on Whites Canyon with median opening
at Steinway to only prohibit northbound left -turns at the
intersection of Steinway Street and Whites Canyon Road.
Staff will be present at this meeting to describe the above alternatives and some of
their potential impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods. We hope to see you at the
meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting and have any concerns, please call
Mr. Rabie Rahmani at (805) 286-4057 or write to us at the above address..
Sincerely,
LYNN M. HARRIS
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Bahman Janka, Ci affic Engineer
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COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
FIRE DEPARTMENT
i= NOPTH EASTERN AVENUE
LOS ANGELES. CALIFORNIA 90063,3 �
P; MICHAEL FREEMAN-
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AugLiSt 25�1594
? BahmaYn Jainka
City *Y'rAfti>` .LYigineer
aa)16 YalenC a Blvd X300
Santa Claritd,iCA 91355
gibjeatz atjinway Street - Request for Closure
Dear Mr.. Jai4Ga
olasuk or:partial
closure of Steinway Stye@t�would add
to the ezdtgdncy response to the residents on steinway;Street,
between'WIjites'Canyon Rd and Ashboro Drive. Also an, added -
2esponse time would be
to the residents of the Skyblue Mesa
-tract. For.tbis reason
any closure or partial closure oF.
S,t'biriway:Stieet would not be recommend bythe L 24 minty
Fire: Dept,
si Merely
..
Capt Ga`' 13�erta
re,zp$,Y vision
2375?'ttalgridfh"r Blvd
Valencia; CA'?91355
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SNERMAN BLOCK,s.nu4rF (805)255-1121
August 30, 1994
Bahman Janka, City Traffic Engineer
City of Santa Clarita
23920 Valencia Boulevard
Valencia California 91355
Dear Mr. Janka:
On August 15, 1994, we received your letter regarding the proposed closure of
Steinway Street between Whites Canyon Road and Ashboro Drive. I directed that
our Traffic Supervisor, Sergeant Stephen Mulcahy, study and evaluate the
material you provided.
Sergeant Mulcahy and his staff recommend that Steinway Street not be closed to
vehicular traffic because only three roadways lead in and out of the area. The
following points were noted:
- Steinway Street: If Steinway Street is closed, access to the area by
emergency vehicles would be restricted. An extra 30 seconds to a
minute would be required for emergency vehicle access.
- Ashboro Drive: If Ashboro Drive was impassable to vehicular traffic,
emergency vehicles would be required to use Camp Plenty Road. This
could add an additional three minutes to an emergency response.
� ✓radfion 0 Jeroice
BAHMAN JANKA -2- August 24, 1994
Based on the recommendation of Sergeant Mulcahy, I do not support the closure
of Steinway Street at this time. If you require further assistance in this matter,
please contact Sergeant Mulcahy at (805) 255-1121 ext 257.
Sincerely,
SHERMAN BLOCK, SHERIFF
0. ( 4"�
Michael Quinn, Captain
Santa Clarita Valley Station