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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-09-30 - AGENDA REPORTS - BENZ RD TRAFFIC DIVERTER (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: September 30, 2008 SUBJECT: Removal of Benz Road/Alaminos Drive Traffic Diverter DEPARTMENT: Public Works RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council receive public testimony and provide direction to staff regarding the traffic diverter currently in place at the intersection of Benz Road and Alaminos Drive. BACKGROUND At the August 26, 2008, City Council meeting, the City Council approved the installation of a temporary traffic diverter at the intersection of Benz Road and Alaminos Drive. The purpose of the diverter is to reduce the volume of traffic on Benz Road, particular traffic that is utilizing Benz Road as a cut -through route between Copper Hill Drive and Bouquet Canyon Road. Two weeks prior to the August 26, 2008 City Council meeting, a letter was sent to approximately 530 residents in the affected area to notify them of the upcoming Council meeting. The area that was notified is shown in Exhibit "A". The City Council approval included a condition that the diverter was to remain in place for three months, during which time City staff would be performing an evaluation study to determine the impact of the diverter on traffic throughout the neighborhood. Upon completion of the evaluation period, the City Council would consider the traffic data provided by staff to deten-nine if the diverter would become a pen-nanent measure or if alternative measures should be considered. During the week of September 22, 2008, 'approximately 530 letters were sent to residents in the affected area to notify them that the diverter would be installed that week. The area that was contacted is shown in Exhibit "A". Installation of the diverter occurred during the morning hours of Wednesday, September 24, 2008. The peak hour turn restrictions, that had been previously established to address Benz Road traffic issues, were removed since they were no longer necessary. The peak hour turn restrictions had been in place since Spring 2006 at the following intersections: Copper Hill Drive/Benz Road, Copper Hill Drive/BuPkhorn Lane, Bouquet Canyon Road/Benz Road, Bouquet Canyon Road/Sue Drive. Since installation of the diverter, City staff has received over 100 telephone calls and over 100 e-mails in opposition to the diverter. One of the primary reasons expressed is that the diverter has increased the time' to take children to/from Bouquet Canyon Elementary School. Another often cited reason is the diversion of traffic onto adjacent streets in the neighborhood (e.g. Alaminos Drive), increasing traffic volumes on those streets. A minority of the response received has been in support of the diverter, particularly from residents along Benz Road. At the request of the Mayor, it has been decided to bring this item back before the City Council prior to the original three month evaluation period, due to the significant public response received by the City. It is the desire of the Council to receive additional public testimony in order to make a decision that best meets the needs of all a, ffected parties. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Leave traffic diverter in place for original three-month evaluation period. 2. Remove traffic diverter and re -install peak hour turn restriction signage at Copper Hill Drive/Benz Road, Copper Hill Drive/Buckhom Lane, Bouquet Canyon Road/Benz Road, Bouquet Canyon Road/Sue Drive. FISCAL IMPACT There would be minimal fiscal impact for any of the actions above. ATTACHMENTS Benz Road Chronological Summary Exhibit "A" MTRAFFICUMCOUNCIL REPORT - BENZ & ALAMINOS.DOC Benz Road Chronological Summary The following is a chronological summary of events regarding traffic conditions in the Benz Road area: March 2003 - Benz Road was opened to Copper Hill Drive. Shortly thereafter area residents became increasingly concerned when traffic volumes began climbing from a few hundred vehicles per day to over 3,300 vehicles per day. 2003 and 2004 - City staff began working with residents to reduce traffic volumes including installation of centerline and edge line striping, speed limit signs, two multimay stop signs, and weight limit signs. Staff also worked with the Sheriffs Department to increase enforcement. March 22, 2005 - Residents brought their concerns to City Council. At that meeting, the City Council directed staff to continue working with residents, the County, and the Sheriff s Department to reduce traffic volumes and vehicle speeds. 2005 - Staff held meetings with the residents and devised a least restrictive two-step plan of action that was acceptable to the residents. The goal of the plan was to reduce cut -through traffic and overall vehicular volumes on Benz Road to less than 2,000 trips per day. o The proposed Step I improvements included installing signs to restrict turns during peak -hours from Bouquet Canyon Road onto Benz Road and Sue Drive, and from Copper Hill Drive onto Buckhorn Lane and Benz Road, The latter improvements on Buckhorn Lane at Copper Hill Drive were contingent upon approval by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. o The proposed Step 2 improvements included signing and striping modifications restricting all but outbound right-tiirn movements from Benz Road and Buckhorn Lane onto Copper Hill Drive. Step 2 improvements would only be- implemented if Step I improvements proved unsuccessful at reducing traffic volumes to less than 2,000 trips per day. 0 February 28, 2006 - City Council approved the two step plan. May 19, 2006 - The County Board of Supervisors approved a revised plan. While many County residents on Cross Creek Drive opposed the two step plan, staff worked with the County to reach a compromise for the implementation of Step 1. The compromise was to reduce the hours of turn restrictions from Copper Hill Drive onto Buckhom Lane and from Copper Hill Drive onto Benz Road. March 20, 2006 - Staff instituted the morning -peak turn restrictions of Step I and installed signs restricting left turns from Bouquet Canyon Road onto Sue Drive and from Bouquet Canyon'Road onto Benz Road. Benz Road Chronological Summary Page 2 June 8, 2006 - Staff instituted the evening -peak turn restrictions of Step I and installed signs restricting right turns from Copper Hill Drive onto Buckhorn Lane and from Copper Hill Drive onto Benz Road. Staff also continued to work with the Sheriff s Department to enforce the new turn restrictions. January 2007 - Residents of Cross Creek Drive continued io petition the County for construction of back-to-back cul-de-sacs at the intersection of Canterwood Drive and Buckhorn Lane. The County held a public meeting to inforrii these residents and their neighbors that such improvements would require the support of the affected area to move forward. October 2006 to January 2007 - Traffic volume counts were collected on Benz Road near Dan Court and totaled between 1,500 and 1,850 vehicles daily. This indicated Step I improvements were working to achieve the results, desired by Benz residents, of reducing cut -through traffic. August 2007 - After residents commented the traffic volumes on Benz Road were greater south of Canterwood Drive than at the control location of Benz Road and Dan Court, staff conducted the following additional traffic counts while school was in session: • Traffic volume on the upper section of Benz Road between Dan Court and Copper Hill Drive (Count Location A on the attached Survey Area Map): • Weekday average of 1,800 vehicles per day • Weekend average 1,590 vehicles per day • Traffic volume on lower section between Alaminos Drive and Canterwood Drive (Count Location B on the attached Survey Area Map): • Weekday average of 2,450 vehicles per day • Weekend average of 2,130 vehicles per day • Average traffic volume (for Locations A and B combined): • Weekday average of 2,125 vehicles per day • Weekend average of 1,860 vehicles per day November 2007 - Staff met with County engineering to discuss the most recent traffic volume findings, neighborhood opposition to additional restrictions, and alternatives. County staff was pleased with the results of the current restrictions and concerned that any additional restrictions would be controversial and might adversely impact the community. April 23, 2008 - Many residents indicated additional restrictions on Benz Road would create higher traffic volumes on their streets. Staff worked with the residents to develop a letter and questionnaire to send to residents in the Benz Road area for their input on additional traffic measures. Benz Road Chronological Summary Page 3 0 June 10, 2008 — Staff presented the findings of the Benz Road neighborhood survey to City Council and recommended leaving existing restrictions as is. The City Council directed staff to reevaluate the area and develop physical solutions to address the neighborhood concerns. August 5, 2008 — The City Manager's Office held a neighborhood meeting at Rosedell Elementary School during which four feasible alternatives were presented to the residents for their feedback. August 26, 2008 — Staff presented four traffic -calming options to the City Council and recommended the speed hump option. The City Council approved the diagonal diverter option to be installed on a temporary basis for three months. Staff was directed to perforin an evaluation study and report back to the City Council after the three month demonstration period. August 24, 2008 — The diagonal diverter was installed at the intersection Alaminos Drive and Benz Road. The peak hour turn restrictions were removed at the intersections of Copper Hill Drive/Benz Road, Copper Hill Drive/Buckhorn Lane, Bouquet Canyon Road/Benz Road, Bouquet Canyon Road/Sue Drive. Current - City staff continues to work with the Sheriff s Department on enforcement and monitoring traffic volumes. S \PW\TRAFFIC\Gus\Be- Rosd\Benz Road Chronology doc