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AGENDA REPORT:
City of Moorpark n
To: The Honorable City Council
From: Kenneth C. Gilbert, Director of Public Works VM_
Date: June 28, 2001 (Council Meeting 7- 18 -01)
SUBJECT: Consider Traffic Issues on Sierra Avenue and Shasta
Avenue [Moorpark Estates]
DISCUSSION
A. Non -Local Traffic
It has been brought to the attention of the City that the
northwest entrance to the Mission Bell Plaza shopping center,
at Lassen Avenue, causes non -local traffic to use Sierra
Avenue and other local neighborhood residential streets to
travel between Poindexter Avenue and Los Angeles Avenue.
Traffic counts conducted by the City confirmed that the
volume of traffic on Sierra Avenue, Shasta Avenue and other
local streets, is two times that of the traffic volume
typically found on a residential street.
B. Transportation and Streets Committee
The City Council Transportation and Streets Committee
(Councilmembers Mikos and Millhouse) has discussed this issue
on a number of occasions. One such discussion occurred at a
Committee meeting convened on May 7, 2001, at the corner of
Sierra Avenue and Lassen Avenue, in the affected
neighborhood. A notice of that meeting was mailed to all of
the property owners and residents in the neighborhood. The
purpose of the meeting was to invite comment and input
regarding the perceived traffic problems in the neighborhood
and any suggested solutions.
There was a follow -up discussion of this matter by the
Committee, at its June 4th meeting. Attached as Exhibit 1 is
a report submitted to the Committee for the June 4 meeting,
which summarizes many of the comments and concerns expressed
by the public at the previous May 2nd field meeting.
Sierra traffic C
Sierra Avenue Traffic
June 28, 2001
Page 2
C. Notice of July 18 Meeting
A second Notice was sent to area residents advising them of
the intent of the City to have the City Council discuss this
matter at its July 18 meeting. Attached as Exhibit 2 is a
copy of that notice.
D. STOP Signs
One of the possible actions discussed by the Committee was
the installation of additional STOP signs at certain
intersections in the neighborhood. In a separate report to be
considered by the City Council on July 18, staff is
recommending adoption of a Resolution adding STOP signs at
certain intersections in the neighborhood.
E. Access Options
At the May 7 field meeting, there was discussion of a number
of possible changes to the northwest shopping center access
[Lassen Avenue], including the following:
No change;
• One -way traffic at the Lassen Avenue entry;
• Closure of the Lassen entry;
• Closure of Lassen accompanied by the extension of the
future Gisler Road south to connect to the shopping
center parking lot; and
• Extension of Lassen Avenue west [at Sierra Avenue]
easterly to connect to the segment of Lassen Avenue
intersecting with Park Lane.
F. Residential / Commercial Mix
With regard to the possible connection of Gisler Road to the
shopping center parking lot, it is normally not recommended
that commercial traffic from a shopping center parking lot be
directed onto a residential street. Increased traffic volumes
-- of the type now being experienced on Sierra Avenue -- is
the unavoidable consequence of such an action.
G. Other Possible Actions
A number of other traffic control and /or traffic management
measures are discussed in the report to the Transportation
and Streets Committee attached as Exhibit 1. Those actions
include Speed Humps and a double yellow center line.
Sierra traffic 000083
Sierra Avenue Traffic
June 28, 2001
Page 3
H. Future Traffic Siqnal at Shasta Avenue
With regard to the possible closure of the Lassen Avenue
entry to the shopping center, it seemed to be the general
view of local residents that such an action should not be
taken until after the future Shasta Avenue traffic signal is
installed by the developer of the property on the south side
of Los Angeles Avenue (Pacific Communities) . Many local
residents use Lassen Avenue to access the traffic signal at
Leta Yancy Road to turn left (eastbound) on Los Angeles
Avenue.
It should be noted that "short -cut" traffic between Los
Angeles Avenue and Poindexter Avenue use Shasta Avenue as
well as Lassen Avenue. It should also be noted that the
installation of a traffic signal at Shasta Avenue may cause
the number of vehicles using that "short -cut" to increase.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Direct staff as deemed appropriate.
Attachments:
Exhibit 1: May 23rd report to Committee
Exhibit 2: Notice of July 18 Meeting
Sierra traffic
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5 A
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Transportation and Streets Committee
Councilmember Mikos
Councilmember Millhouse
FROM: Ken Gilbert, Director of Public Works
DATE: May 23, 2001 [Meeting Date: 6/4/011
SUBJECT: Sierra Avenue Traffic
A. Background
At the April 2 meeting the Committee discussed a Traffic Flow
Analysis prepared by the City Traffic Engineer which indicated
that the traffic volume in the Shasta /Sierra neighborhood was
200% of "normal ".
On May 7 the Committee met in the field at the corner of
Sierra Avenue and Lassen Avenue. Notices were mailed to all
of the property owners and residents in the area inviting them
to participate in the meeting and provide input on the
perceived traffic problems in that neighborhood.
The May 7 meeting was attended by a large number of property
owners and residents of the area. This report summarizes all
or most of the points raised.
B. Summary of Comments Received
1) SIERRA / LASSEN INTERSECTION:
a) Perceived problems included the following:
• delivery truck traffic to and from the shopping
center;
• other "illegal" truck traffic (Sierra not a Truck
Route) ;
• youth sports related traffic to and from the park and
the school (Lassen Ave. south of the Chaparral Middle
School);
• lunch hour traffic between the shopping center and
the industrial area west of Shasta Avenue;
• excessive speed through the intersection, especially
turning traffic;
• running the Stop sign and "rolling stops; and
Comst_010524_5A
-0008
Sierra Avenue Traffic
May 23, 2001
Page 2
• City bus route through the tract.
b) Suggested solutions included:
• additional traffic enforcement;
• three -way STOP;
• "NO TRUCKS" signs;
• 25 MPH signs;
• installation of a north -south road from Poindexter
Avenue along the west side of Poindexter Park through
to the shopping center parking lot;
• speed humps;
• double yellow centerline;
• closure of Lassen to vehicles (Pedestrians only)
• One -way traffic on Lassen - Eastbound; and
• Most preferred that any full or partial closure of
Lassen be deferred until after the traffic signal at
Shasta Avenue is installed and operating.
c) Other Comments:
• One -way traffic on Lassen - Eastbound; and
• Some people wanted the road to remain open. Most
wanted changes;
• Most of those present expressed concern about the
volume of traffic and the number of vehicles driven
by people who do not live in the area;
• Mr. Hartley expressed his wish to continue to use
this route to and from his residence located outside
of the neighborhood;
• Concerns were expressed about speed contests and
other disruptive behavior in the shopping center
parking lot; and
• Concerns were expressed about the number of vehicles
parked and the activities going on at a residence
located just north of Lassen Avenue.
2) SHASTA AVENUE TRAFFIC:
a) concerns were expressed about the number of vehicles
using Shasta Avenue as the route of the "short- cut ";
b) it was recognized that if Lassen Avenue is closed,
traffic would shift to use Shasta Avenue;
c) it was mentioned that a traffic signal was planned to be
installed at Shasta and Los Angeles avenue;
d) it was mentioned that after the traffic signal is
installed, the volume of "short -cut" traffic may
increase;
e) concerns were expressed about the potential danger of
rear -end collision when attempting to slow down and turn
on to Shasta Avenue from westbound Los Angeles Avenue.
Comst_010524 -5A
0
Sierra Avenue Traffic
May 23, 2001
Page 3
f) concerns were expressed about the potential danger of
attempting to turn left from Shasta Avenue to eastbound
Los Angeles Avenue;
g) it was requested that the striping in the median on Los
Angeles Avenue be modified to allow the "legal" use of
the median as a "safe haven" for left turners from
Shasta Avenue to eastbound Los Angeles Avenue.
C. Supplementary Comments by Staff
1. Speed Limit Signs: An investigation revealed that 25MPH
speed limits signs are already installed.
2. "NO TRUCKS" Signs: Signs are on order and will be installed
at appropriate locations as soon as they are received.
3. Red Curb: As previously discussed, it is the view of staff
that the prohibition of parking (by RED CURB) near the
intersection of Sierra and Lassen will remove road
narrowing obstructions which will, in turn, tend to cause
vehicular speeds to increase.
4. Bus Route: There are no plans to change the Bus Route to
avoid Sierra Avenue. The benefits of leaving the Bus Route
unchanged is that the Bus Stop is on Shasta Avenue and not
on the busier Los Angeles Avenue.
5. Three -inlay STOP: It is the intent of staff to bring a
Resolution to the City Council establishing Lassen Avenue
and Sierra Avenue as a Three -Way STOP. It is not
recommended that any other STOP signs be installed in the
Moorpark Estates neighborhood
6. Double - Yellow Centerline: It is not recommended that a
double yellow center line be installed on Sierra Avenue.
This was tried and failed on Pecan Avenue. Although the
double yellow line could slow traffic by narrowing lanes,
it also may increase speeds by making the road look like a
Highway.
7. Increased Enforcement: The potential for increased
enforcement will be discussed with the Police Department.
8. Closure of Lassen Avenue: It was the general consensus of
those at the meeting that Lassen Avenue should be closed to
vehicular traffic, but that action to close this street
should be deferred until after the Shasta Avenue traffic
signal is installed and working.
9. One -Way Traffic: There seems to be no support for making
Lassen Avenue one -way prior to the Shasta signal.
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Sierra Avenue Traffic
May 23, 2001
Page 4
10- Median Striping on L. A Avenue just east of Shasta Avenue:
Caltrans was asked to re- stripe the median to enable south -
to -east left turners to use of the median as a "safe haven"
without having to cross a double - double yellow line. No
response yet received.
11. Speed Humps: It is not recommended at this time that Speed
Humps be installed on Lassen Avenue.
CC: The Honorable City Council
Steven Kueny, City Manager
Comst_010524_5A )
F 4q MOORPARK
0
o ' 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 529 -6864
July 6, 2001
To: Property Owners and Residents: Moorpark Estates
Subject: Notice of City Council Consideration of Certain Traffic Control Measures on Sierra
Avenue and Shasta Avenue
Place: City Council Chambers
Date: Wednesday, July 18, 2001
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Dear Property Owner and /or Resident:
This is to advise you that on July 18, 2001, the City Council will be considering a number of traffic
control measures designed to improve traffic safety in the Moorpark Estates neighborhood. The
measures being considered are being brought forward from the City Council Transportation and
Streets Committee. That Committee's review of the matter included a meeting held in the
neighborhood with local affected residents.
A summary of the various traffic control measures being considered is as follows:
1. STOP signs: Consideration will be given to installing new STOP signs as follows:
• Sierra / Lassen: Three -way STOP;
• Sierra /Shasta [South]: Three -way STOP
• Sierra / Shasta [North]: STOP for eastbound Shasta Avenue at Sierra Avenue ( Sierra Avenue
to remain a through street);
2. Closure of Lassen Avenue: The possible closure of Lassen Avenue, to vehicular traffic, at the
shopping center entrance, upon the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Shasta
Avenue and Los Angels Avenue;
3. Gisler Road Connection: The possible southerly extension of Gisler Road (a future street to be
constructed along the west side of Poindexter Park) to connect to the shopping center parking lot;
You are cordially invited to attend this meeting, to ask question and to provide input on the matter. If
you should have any questions about the meeting or the topic, please feel free to call me at 517 -6255.
Sin er
Ken Gilbert,
Director of Public Works
cc: The Honorable City Council
Steven Kueny, City Manager
Comst 010706_notice
PATRICK HUNTER CLINT HARPER ROSEANN MIKOS KEITH F. MILLHOUSE
Mayor Mayor Pro Ter Councilmember Councilmember
008
JOHN E. WOZNIAK
Councilmember