HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2003 1105 CC REG ITEM 10DMOORPARK CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
IT 1d- -D•
,ry
AC,
TO: The Honorable City Council
FROM: Kenneth C. Gilbert, Director of Public Works
DATE: October 16, 2003 (CC Meeting 11 -5 -03)
SUBJECT: Consider Approval of a Traffic Study to Assess the
Impacts of Closing the West End of Charles Street and
the West End of Everett Street at Moorpark Avenue
DISCUSSION
A. Commuter Traffic on High Street
During the morning and afternoon peak traffic hours, there is a
relatively high volume of traffic traveling through the City on
Route 23 going to or coming from Fillmore and points beyond.
The City's adopted Truck Routes require truck traffic (local
deliveries excepted) to use the State Highways (Moorpark Avenue
and Los Angeles Avenue). Commuters (passenger vehicles), on the
other hand, may and do use High Street to go to and from the
Princeton Avenue freeway ramps.
B. Short -Cut Route
At times in the morning southbound traffic is backed -up on
Moorpark Avenue at the High Street traffic signal. Likewise,
westbound afternoon rush hour traffic is often backed -up on
High Street at the Moorpark Avenue traffic signal. This
congestion often prompts commuters to use Charles Street and
Everett Street as a way to get around the congestion.
C. Residential Streets
Charles Street and Everett Street are within a residential
neighborhood. The high volume and high incidence of excessive
speed demonstrated by the commuter traffic using these streets
is negatively impacting this neighborhood.
Charles closure-0310 000104
Closure of Charles Street and Everett Street
October 16, 2003
Page 2
D. Committee Meetin
At the October 6, 2003, meeting of the Transportation and
Streets Committee [Councilmembers Mikos and Millhouse], there
was discussion of the above described traffic problems. The
Committee suggested that the City investigate the feasibility
of closing the west end of Charles Street and Everett Street at
Moorpark Avenue, in order to prevent commuter traffic from
using these residential streets.
E. Study
The first step in considering such an action would be the
preparation of a Traffic Study [ "Study "] to assess the current
conditions as well as the affect of the subject road closures.
It is anticipated that the elimination of the "short -cut"
routes discussed above, will exacerbate the traffic congestion
problems on the main thoroughfares. The purpose of the Study
would be to quantify those impacts, discuss possible
mitigations and render an opinion regarding the feasibility of
this concept. It is estimated that the Study would cost between
$10,000 and $15,000. Such costs would be charged to an existing
Budget Account established for such Engineering Studies.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Direct staff to retain a consultant to prepare the Traffic Study
described in the agenda report.
Charles closure 0310
000105