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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - LINDA VISTA CLOSURE AT CANVAS (2)NEW BUSINESS DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: l! CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval Item to be presented by: March 11, 2008 Andrew Yi, Anthony L Berge PRELIMINARY FINDINGS RECOMMENDING AGAINST THE POSSIBLE CLOSURE OF LINDA VISTA DRIVE AT CANVAS STREET Public Works RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council to receive staffs report of preliminary findings recommending against the possible closure of Linda Vista Drive at Canvas Street. BACKGROUND Staff has been working with local residents in the Canvas Street/Linda Vista Drive neighborhood to reduce their traffic concerns. Many studies and improvements have been completed to address their issues about traffic. A summary of these studies and improvements is attached (Attachment "A"). Some of the residents appeared before City Council during the Public Participation portion of the regular meeting on January 22, 2008, to.bring those concerns to the Council's attention. Subsequently, Councilmember Boydston had a field meeting with the residents. During the City Council meeting on February 12, 2008, the City Council requested that staff conduct an investigation into the possible closure of Linda Vista Drive at Canvas Street with an emergency gate. Staff has conducted a preliminary investigation into the closure of Linda Vista Drive. This investigation includes a review of field conditions, area traffic volumes, City code requirements, and vacation procedures for a public street. A summary of staff s findings is attached (Attachment "B"). Staff is concerned that the closure of Linda Vista Drive will be very problematic. The closure will force residents to travel longer distances, increasing traffic volumes on an arterial system which is already overburdened and lacking secondary relief routes. It will effect public safety by closing the secondary emergency access routes for two neighborhoods. It will establish a bad wi II -- i-S (06,0 av& �D lm6er -140'` Jac"e7 I�h C.lu �Q�ti.�; ih VeSIN' 9aAV)" �� Clog 11 -N� e_ Sfi✓�f precedent and could lead to quality of life issues for the neighborhoods. Due to the numerous negative impacts on the neighborhood and uncertainty of the related traffic relief associated with the closure of Linda Vista Drive, staff recommends against the installation of an emergency gate. A letter was sent to all neighboring property owners informing them of the proposal and this meeting. The letter provided an alternative method to comment for those unable to attend the meeting. A map is attached indicating those property owners determined to be affected by the proposed street closure. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT The fiscal impact is contingent upon City Council's direction. ATTACHMENTS Attachment "A" - Completed Improvements and Studies for Linda Vista Drive/Canvas Street Attachment "B" - Preliminary Findings on Potential Closure of Linda Vista Drive at Canvas Street Attachment "C" Map of Affected Areas Attachment "A" Completed Improvements and Studies for Linda Vista Drive/Canvas Street Neighborhoods 1. Review of 15 intersections for the possible installation of all -way stop signs — Work to review the locations has included review of collision histories, collection of traffic volume counts, and site reviews. The information was compared to the City's warrants for the installation of all -way stop signs at residential street intersections. Based on the request, the City has already installed 2 all -way stop sign controls at the intersections of Winterdale Drive and Goodvale Street and Winterdale Drive at Canvas Street. In addition, staff has provided the residents with many references citing the challenges associated with the installation of non -warranted all -way stop signs. 2. Sheriffs Enforcement— The Sheriff's Department has provided a strong presence with enhanced traffic enforcement in the neighborhood. 3. Installation of additional signs and markings - Staff has installed 10 new speed limit signs, replaced four others with larger signs, and. 25 supplemental .pavement markings. A stop sign was installed on the terminating leg of Linda Vista Drive at Canvas Street (this is not an all -way stop sign controlled intersection). 4. Other speed related measures - The PARET (radar speed feedback trailer) has been deployed many times, and has been scheduled for periodic deployment in the neighborhood. 5. Permit for privately owned speed feedback trailer (PARET) — Staff has completed working with the City's attorneys to develop specific permit conditions to authorize the placement of privately owned speed feedback trailers within the road right-of-way of residential streets. 6. License plate survey and traffic volume study - Staff conducted a license plate survey, which did not indicate a problem with motorists "cutting through" between Soledad Canyon Road and Sierra Highway. Staff also conducted extensive traffic volume counts, and determined that the volume entering and exiting the neighborhood streets are consistent with the number of residences they serve. 7. Parking on Galeton Road and Stillmore Street - A parking study was completed for Galeton Road, Stillmore Street, and the surrounding area. That study indicated that any additional no -stopping zones would force parking further into the neighborhood where there is already a fairly heavy use of on -street parking by the local residents. Residents further requested that we review the 'possibility of allowing curbside parking on Soledad Canyon Road along the frontage of the Riverview Condominiums to accommodate their overflow parking. Staff has denied this request due to concerns for the overall safety of both road users as well as the residents while parking along the curb of a high-speed major arterial. 8. Other parking related measures - Overnight parking was restricted along Sarita Avenue along the frontage of Canyon Country Park. 9. No left -turn signage on Deep Creek Drive at Soledad Canyon Road — Staff is willing to complete this change if the surrounding impacted residents are in favor. The neighborhood watch group is working on getting evidence of support from those residents who will see the greatest impact from the turn restrictions. Attachment "B" Preliminary Findings on Potential Closure Linda Vista Drive at Canvas Street Pros Cons Will reduce neighborhood cross traffic on Limit/Cut-off direct access to destinations: school, certain streets (Linda Vista Drive to/and from work, shopping, etc. Canvas Street) Increases travel distance for many local trips May provide for some reduction of traffic Diverts traffic causing increased traffic volumes on volume on certain streets sections (Linda Vista other streets Drive and Canvas Street near closure) May lower vehicle speeds on Linda Vista Drive May not lower vehicle speed on Linda Vista Drive and Canvas Street I and Canvas Street May require construction of cul-de-sac with right-of-way dedication from private property based on type and location of closure Limits emergency access May require vacation of public road and/or Conditional Use Permit process Violates City Uniform Building Code, requiring two means of access for developments of over 150 units (effects 2 areas on each side of closure) Significant costs associated with permit and construction processes SAPW\TRAFFIC\Angela\Linda Vista Closure 2.doc u PALOMINO PL u