Correspondence
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Letter from Ms. Janet Norris regarding traffic on 5th Street
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Letter from 5th Street Traffic Committee
Mr. Morgan acknowledged receipt of the above correspondence. The 5th Street Committee, a lay/citizen committee, comprised of residents of 5th Street was invited to comment.
Commissioner Cheatham verified with the 5th Street Committee that parking was provided on both sides of the street at all times with alternating days of non-parking for street cleaning. Confirmed.
Commission Cheatham verified with Mr. Morgan the issue of banning truck traffic from the street; Mr. Morgan stated he had spoken with the Police Department and that truck traffic making local deliveries could not be restricted.
Mr. Morgan reviewed the issue of moving the bus stop and converting the bus stop to a loading/unloading zone for trucks accessing the businesses at Pacific Coast Highway. He stated he would approach the MTA and report back to the Commission.
Commissioner Lombardo asked a question regarding problems of installing speed humps with the steep grade on the street. Mr. Morgan stated that the grade requirement could be met at certain locations on the street. He stated that 100% agreement from the properties adjacent to the hump location and 67% of the neighborhood are required from the residential community before considering the implementation of speed humps. He also referred them to the Speed Hump Policy and Procedures available on the City's website.
Commissioner Cheatham reminded the group that the upcoming undergrounding project should be considered for this area prior to any action regarding repaving the street.
Mr. Morgan stated that 5th Street is not presently planned for undergrounding.
7:21 p.m. Commissioner Winnek arrived.
Coming forth to address the Commission were:
Mel Leschowitz, 1022 5th Street
Stating he represented the 5th Street Committee, he clarified several comments and questions put forth by the Commission. Further, he stated the objectionable trucks appear to be using 5th Street as a through street. They include delivery trucks for the businesses at the end of the street, and many trucks from A&M Towing Service. The residents have a problem with the offset at the intersection. He restated the suggestions the committee is making which, if used in combination, would help to alleviate the problems they face. He made reference to a correspondence package dated 9/17/03 previously submitted to the Commission, and restated the residents of 5th Street have responded to a survey generated by the committee.
Commissioner Beste asked if the survey responses had been tabulated and Mr. Leschowitz explained the responses had been prioritized.
Mr. Leschowitz restated many of the ideas for improvement established by the committee, both from the existing resident survey and other recommendations not included on the survey.
Commissioner Cheatham stated that because this was not an agenda item, no action could be taken at this time. However, he encouraged the committee to submit the survey results to the Commission.
Mr. Morgan stated that the Public Works Department was definitely in favor of providing a solution to the residents' concerns. He further stated that a compilation of 5 years worth of accident reports had been sent to Caltrans within the past 2 weeks. He stated he believed that Caltrans would approve separate phasing of the westbound and eastbound traffic on 5th Street at the intersection, because of the impact of the improvements at 2nd and 8th Streets. He further stated that Caltrans would be analyzing the impact of left hand turns off of PCH for safety improvement. He explained he will be meeting with Caltrans on 9/25/03 and will discuss the most recent traffic accidents with them at that time.
Commissioner Winnek requested the results of the resident surveys be shared with the Commission. Mr. Leschowitz agreed to submit the results to the Mr. Morgan by 9/25/03.
Commissioner Lombardo asked if the issue was ready to become an agenda item. Commissioner Cheatham asked that the Public Works Department would compile the information and bring it to the Commission on the October meeting agenda.
Deborah Norris, 1018 5th Street
She stated she has been a resident of 5th Street for 6 years and has a safety concern for her children due to the speed of the traffic on 5th Street. She estimated the speeds to be 40 mph. She reiterated many of the cross-traffic concerns shared by the committee. She asked for the Commission to consider the committee's plea for resolution of their concerns.
Commissioner Cheatham recommended the residents submit a petition from the Public Works Department webpage to the department. Mr. Morgan reiterated the petition had been provided to the committee and recommended coordinating the support of the residents.
Commissioner Lombardo reiterated that permission is required from the residents directly adjacent to where the speed humps are to be implemented.
Ms. Norris further discussed a tree blocking visual access to the traffic signal on 5th Street. Commissioner Beste recommended she call the Public Works Department and submit a service request to have the tree cut back.
Todd Nuber, 833 5th Street
He stated his concern about the vehicular speeds on the street. He noted a concern about the trucks parking on the street making deliveries to the shopping center. He stated his concern regarding a lack of respect by the business owners in the shopping center for the residents, specifically painting of a business during evening hours. His concerns were expressed about making the street a safer place.
Commissioner Cheatham suggested that the 7-11's Conditional Use Permit should be reviewed.
Mr. Morgan reiterated the results of the survey are critical for the Commission to take action.
Commissioner Winnek requested the committee approach the owners of the strip mall to elicit their support and report back to the Commission with their responses.
Jack Burns, 1030 5th Street
As a resident of 5th Street, he stated his concerns for the amount of traffic on the street, as well as the safety issues. He stated his concerns about having the residents of 5th Street deal directly with the business owners, in that their requests would impact the way they are doing business. His concern was that it would be confrontational. He reiterated he felt the committee's ideas are valid, paramount to safety and volume of traffic.
Commissioner Cheatham shared it was his believe that tow truck traffic restrictions were not enforceable. Further, he stated that repaving tended to improve the noise level on the street.
Mr. Webb, no address given
He stated his concerns about safety on the street. He reiterated his concerns regarding speed and the noise level. He stated the street is residential, not commercial.
Commissioner Lombardo stated the Commission takes the concerns of the residents of 5th Street very seriously.
MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to agendize the issue when Public Works receives the necessary data to formulate a solution to their problems.
Commissioner Winnek seconded the motion.
Ayes: Commissioners Winnek, Lombardo, Cheatham, Beste
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Commissioner Applebaum
Motion passed.
Receive and File.
Commissioner Lombardo mentioned that the committee would be noticed.
