HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-04-27 - AGENDA REPORTS - CALGROVE VALLEY BARRICADES (2)NEW BUSINESS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
April 27, 1999
CALGROVE BOULEVARD/VALLEY STREET BARRICADES
City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council consider the removal of the barricades on the public portion of Calgrove Boulevard;
direct staff to investigate and report back to Council regarding the feasibility, financial aspects,
environmental issues, and quality of life impacts of designing and constructing traffic calming
measures along Calgrove Boulevard and Valley Street in the vicinity of the existing barricades
to minimize the traffic impacts to the neighborhood (Hidden Valley and Valley Street
residents); and direct staff to contact the impacted residents prior to the next City Council
discussion on this item.
BACKGROUND
Calgrove Boulevard/Valley Street is designated as a through street and classified as a
Secondary Highway in the City's General Plan. Calgrove Boulevard has been improved to
public street standards and includes curb, gutter, sidewalks, and streetlights. Valley Street,
however, is only partially improved and meanders around a few oak trees south of Maple Street
as it approaches Calgrove Boulevard.
The City often receives complaints from citizens living in the Newhall area about the lack of
adequate circulation roads in this neighborhood. Each time this issue has been brought before
Council, some area residents have expressed concerns about the adverse impacts of through
traffic should the barricades be removed. At the same time, due to the construction activity on
Wiley Canyon Road, as well as mechanical difficulties and vandalism with the private gate, the
gate has been open for several months. Far less traffic may be going through the gated area
than the residents have anticipated.
There are several benefits if traffic is allowed through these streets. Police and fire can provide
better service to citizens living in the area. The City's transit system could provide a through
service to the area instead of making U-turns on Calgrove Boulevard, as the buses do now
without servicing the Valley Street residents. All of the residents in the area would have equal
access to all parts of the community.
CALGROVE BOULEVARDIVALLEY STREET BARRICADES
April 27, 1999 — Page 2
For the relatively small amount of traffic going through these streets, the City could also
implement appropriate traffic calming strategies at each end of the gated/barricaded area to
diminish traffic impacts and provide a smooth and safe traffic environment. The above
recommendation includes Council direction that staff review the existing situation and report
back to Council, identifying an appropriate process to implement traffic calming strategies
along Calgrove Boulevard/Valley Street and the financial aspects of such a proposal.
As part of this report, staff would also consider environmental and quality of life issues and
impact to the adjoining communities. For this reason, staff recommends that the impacted
residents be notified prior to the next City Council discussion on this item.
The City Attorney has advised that California case authority restricts the ability of cities to
permanently close a street unless the city (1) makes a finding that the street is no longer
needed for through vehicular traffic; and (2) makes required physical changes to comply with
other applicable standards (Rumford vs. City of Berkeley [1982131cal.3d545). In addition, more
recent case authority precludes the gating of a public street for limited access by selected users
(Citizens against Gated Enclaves vs. Whitley Heights Civic Associations [19941
23cal.appAth812).
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
1. Leave existing situation as is.
2. Other action as determined by City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
None at this time. Fiscal impact and alternative strategies may be suggested in future
follow-up reports.
ATTACHMENTS
Vicinity Map
FF:BJ:lkl
mun¢7\oalgrove.doc
>
A, w
� A w ; F—
N4X338S CROSS to LLJ
NmN<
COLV, N z z Li
LOA >
TREASURE MSTA R :DJANEL AVE z Z —
ry
nq o4b�6 FL
15
R "VE
DEFIXiB ST
OJACO M
KAI — — — 0 24400
Coazzo CT
PEACHLAND
�o
FOUR z
RE CAMYO
A 44110 w
I.V
At
5,00
2
M
,GORYROSIN DR
02
'd7
yyn CT
2
�o
FOUR z
RE CAMYO
A 44110 w
I.V
At
5,00
2
M
,GORYROSIN DR
02
'd7
yyn CT
2