HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1998 0715 CC REG ITEM 10A"NO, 3
ITEM O •A.
CITY OF MOORPAIM CALIFORNIA
City Council Meeting
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ACTION:
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AGENDA REPORT
C =TY OF' MOORPARI4y' --L fix'
TO: The Honorable City Council /'
FROM: Kenneth Gilbert, Director of Public Works ' II
DATE: July 10, 1998 (Meeting of 7- 15 -98)
SUBJECT: Discussion of Proposal from Moorpark College to Convert
a Portion of Campus Road (Private) to Southbound One -Way
Traffic Only
As the City Council may recall, Moorpark College has been plagued
with a shortage of parking for a number of years. This problem has
been of particular concern to the local residents and the City when
college students have parked on residential streets in the
surrounding neighborhoods. City staff, the Police Department, the
Campus Hills HOA and residents in the area have met on a number of
occasions to discuss these parking problems and a number of
suggested solutions to those problems.
A. Request
The attached letter (Exhibit 1) from Dr. Ruth Hemming, Vice
President, College services, describes the recent projects
undertaken by the College to provide more on- campus parking.
Also discussed is a plan to restrict traffic on a portion of
Campus Road (private road) to southbound one -way traffic, in
order to provide for even more parking. Also attached is a
letter (Exhibit 2) from Tom Murphy of M3 Civil Engineering, the
firm retained by the College to provide certain traffic and
civil engineering services related to the proposed changes to
Campus Road.
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000 3b O.
Moorpark College: One -Way Traffic
July 15, 199€3
Page 2
B. One -Way Traffic: Description
The College proposes to limit Campus Road to two lanes of one -
way traffic, flowing southerly (clockwise), from Parking Lot "A"
at the north end of the campus, to Parking Lot "F" at the
southeast side of the campus (please refer to the map attached
as Exhibit 3). If the change were to be implemented, all of the
current trip "route /destinations" would remain unaffected except
one. Vehicles traveling to the northerly parking lots [Lots
"AA", "A", "B" & "C] would no longer be able to use Campus Road.
The sole access to the northerly lots would be Collins Drive.
C. District's Conclusions
Dr. Hemming and the Engineer retained by the College, Mr.
Murphy, have concluded that the proposed change would have
little or no effect upon traffic volumes or patterns at the
college. This conclusion is not based upon any in -depth traffic
analysis or modeling. It is apparently based upon the fact that
only one route has been eliminated, as described above.
i� -
One of the factors which has a bearing on the analysis of this
proposal is the number and location of the parking spaces, and
their proximity to the classrooms. The number of parking spaces
for each parking lot is noted on the diagram attached as
Exhibit 3. It should be noted that there are less than 200
parking spaces in the southerly parking lots (Lots "G" & "H").
These parking lots have less than ten percent (l0 %) of the total
parking available and are located the farthest away from the
classrooms. For this reason staff believes that the propose
change will cause a moderate to significant shift in the ingress
traffic volumes (traffic traveling to the college) from Campus
Road to Collins Drive.
The Traffic Study performed for the Hidden Creek Project
concluded that the current Level of Service (LOS C) for the
traffic signal at the intersection of Campus Park Drive and
Collins Drive could be maintained through the construction of
certain improvements to the intersection. Those conclusions
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uoon s b
Moorpark College: One -Way Traffic
July 15, 1998
Page 3
were based upon an assumption that the current traffic patterns
would be maintained. Traffic counts performed by that study
showed that approximately 48% of the northbound a.m. peak
traffic used the right turn lanes (1265 right -turn & 1400 thru-
traffic]. The proposed mitigation measures would increase what
was seen to be "unused" capacity in the right -turn movements by
constructing improvements which included the addition of a
"free -right turn" (north -to -east) at this intersection. In the
opinion of staff, the subject proposed change in traffic
patterns will significantly reduce the number of right -turn
traffic movements and affect this mitigation measure in the
event the Hidden Creek Project is approved.
. • - 4M WIRS 47L.
Although the concept was first mentioned at the above mentioned
neighborhood meeting held more than a year ago, the plans for
the subject proposal were only first seen by staff on Wednesday,
July 8, 1998. Although the concept was generally supported by
staff at the time it was first mentioned, implied in that
support was the need to review and evaluate the proposal prior
to its implementation.
It is the goal of the College to implement the subject proposal
prior to the beginning of the new school year. The completion
deadline has been set for late August. The College has not
provided adequate time for the review and analysis of this
proposal. There has been no in -depth traffic analysis or
traffic modeling by either the engineer retained by the College,
or by the City Traffic Engineer (CAA] or the City's traffic
consultant [Austin - Foust]. If approved, the project will be
implemented without an adequate understanding of the potential
traffic impacts.
RNff •• IN - NT-TIN
The following is a list of some of the possible negative impacts
which could arise as the result of the implementation of the
subject project.
1. an increase to the volume of egress (southbound) traffic on
Collins Drive, caused by a reduction in traffic speeds on
southbound Campus Road because of the traffic congestion
created by the angled parking activity on this street;
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uUU�.3�G
Moorpark College: One -Way Traffic
July 15, 1998
Page 4
2. an increase to the volume of ingress (northbound) traffic on
Collins Drive as discussed above;
3. an increase to the number of northbound vehicles staged on
Collins Drive south of Campus Park Drive, waiting to proceed
northerly on Collins Drive to the north parking lots;
4. an increase to the potential for northbound vehicles to back-
up onto the freeway off -ramps and /or an increase in the
number of times per day this might occur;
5. a deterioration to the LOS at the Collins Drive / Campus Park
Drive intersection due to an increase in the volume of the
northbound through traffic; and,
It should be noted that the City staff has no way of determining
the degree or significance of any of these or other potential
traffic problems which could be caused by this project. It is
possible that none of these problems will arise or will be
significant. A Traffic Study could provide information which
would be useful in determining whether or not any of these
problems are significant enough to cause the College and the
City to seek other options.
H. CEOA
In the opinion of staff the California Environmental Quality Act
[CEQA] requires that a Traffic Study be performed in order to
fully understand the traffic impacts of this project and to
develop effective mitigation measures. This determination is
discussed in more detail in the Memo from Nelson Miller,
Director of Community Development, attached as Exhibit 4.
I. Alternatives
Staff has identified two alternatives with regard to the
implementation of the subject project, described as follows:
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Alternate 11: Proceed with the Project: As stated above,
there has been no in -depth traffic analysis performed
regarding the potential traffic impacts of this proposal. If
the project proceeds immediately, it is recommended that the
College perform a Traffic Study subsequent to the completion
Moorpark College: One -Way Traffic
July 15, 1998
Page 5
of construction designed to monitor and evaluate traffic
flows and impacts upon the surrounding affected streets.
Such action would be consistent with comments made in the
letters from both Dr. Hemming and Mr. Murphy.
Accordingly, if this course is taken it is the recommendation
of staff that the City Council ask the College to agree to
comply with the following conditions:
a. A post implementation Traffic Study will be performed by
a Traffic Engineer to be retained by either the College or
the City;
b. The scope and content of said Traffic Study shall be
approved by the City Traffic Engineer;
c. All City's costs for said Traffic Study and /or the review
of same will be paid by the College;
d. Any "traffic problems" which are deemed by the City to
have been created by the project, and which are deemed by
the City to be significant, shall be mitigated by the
College; and,
e. Said mitigation efforts may include the conversion of
Campus Road to two -way traffic.
Alternate 12: Defer the Project: The other option is to
defer this project until after a Traffic Study is performed
to clarify the scope and degree of the potential traffic
impacts of the proposal.
J. Parkina Lot Entrance @ Campus Park Drive & Delfen Street
On a separate but related issue, the College has awarded a
contract, and construction is now underway, on a project to pave
the southerly parking lot [Lot "H" as shown on Exhibit 3). This
project includes the removal of a barrier which prevented
ingress and egress traffic from this former unpaved parking lot
onto Campus Park Drive at Delfen Street. It is apparently the
intent of the College to open this access point to traffic.
This action of the College was taken without the review and
approval of the City. When contacted about this proposal over
a year ago, staff advised the College, in a letter dated
col _prk
0001 abe
Moorpark College: One -Way Traffic
July 15, 1998
Page 6
September 19, 1997, that certain improvements to the traffic
signal should be undertaken prior to opening this intersection
to four -way traffic. Those requirements stated in that letter
are listed as follows:
1) replace the loop detectors in the east -to -north left turn
lane (presently inoperative);
2 ) confirm that the loop detectors in the north leg driveway are
operational;
3) install additional advance warning loop detectors north of
the driveway on College property;
4) prepare a legal description for a maintenance easement to
encompass the loop detectors to be installed on College
property;
5) convey said maintenance easement to the City to enable the
City to maintain these loop detectors in the future;
6) replace the signal pole at the southwest corner of the
intersection, with a new signal pole which includes a signal
mast arm to extend into the south leg of the intersection;
7) install an additional signal head on this new mast arm for
southbound traffic;
8) if determined necessary, remove and reconstruct the north leg
of the intersection to conform to City standards;
9) retain a qualified Civil Engineer to prepare plans for the
above described work;
10) submit said plans to the City Engineer for plan checking and
pay all necessary plan checking fees; and,
11) obtain an Encroachment Permit from the City for all necessary
work to be undertaken within the street right -of -way and pay
required inspection fees.
The College did not respond to this letter, took no action to
undertake any of these needed traffic signal improvements and
have proceeded with the proposed establishment of this access to
a City street without addressing the concerns raised by staff.
col_prk
1) 001 "a S: �
Moorpark College: One -Way Traffic
July 15, 1998
Page 7
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions:
1. One -Way Traffic: Approve Alternate #2 as described in this
report. [Note: If Alternate #1 is approved, it is recommended
that the conditions set forth above be included in such action.]
2. Campus Park Drive Driveway: Request that the College do the
following: a) seek and obtain a City Street Encroachment Permit
for the driveway apron work being constructed as a part of the
south parking lot improvement project; b) pay the City an
amount equal to the estimated cost for the design, construction
and inspection of a City project to undertake the needed
improvements to the traffic signal at Campus Park Drive and
Delfen Street; and c) convey to the City any required
construction and /or maintenance easements required for the
modification and maintenance of the traffic signal.
col,prk
0001 39
30 Years of
Exceffence
1967-1997
Dr. Ruth M. Hemming
Vice President,
College Services
Phone: (805) 378 -1412
Fax: (805) 378 -1581
7075 Campus Road
Moorpark, CA 93021
(805) 378 -1400
Fax: (805) 378-1499
July 9, 1998
Kenneth C. Gilbert
Director of Public Works
City of Moorpark
799 Moorpark Ave.
Moorpark, CA 93021
Dear Mr. Gilbert:
I'd like to bring you up to date with scheduled parking improvements at
Moorpark College, a result of our on -going efforts to accommodate students and
the surrounding community. As you will recall, the parking situation was very
difficult last August, at the beginning of the Fall semester; we're doing everything
we can to make parking on campus this Fall semester, which begins on August 17,
an easier and more pleasant experience for all.
One major initiative is the construction of two large parking lots, at a cost
of $1.15 million. Both lots- -one behind the Music and Performing Arts buildings
and the other on the lower campus adjacent to the athletic fields - -have been
available as unpaved, dirt lots. Completion of the two paving projects will
eliminate dust and air pollution problems in the surrounding neighborhoods and
provide more than 550 paved parking slots for students. Both lots are scheduled
for completion in early August-Just in time for the beginning of classes.
In addition, we are planning to convert Campus Park Drive, between the
east entrance to University Drive and the lower parking lot entrances on campus,
to one -way traffic moving in a southwesterly direction. By so doing, we will
achieve an additional 150 parking slots for compact cars, with what we believe
will be little negative impact on through traffic. Students will continue to access
the northern or upper parking lots from Collins Drive, and exit back onto Collins
going either direction. They will also be able to access the southern, or lower,
lots from either Collins or Campus Park Drive, and exit south back to Campus
Park. An attached campus map depicts the changes.
Plans for this parking pattern change have been prepared under the
direction of Tom Murphy of M -3 Civil Engineering in Camarillo. We all believe
that no significant disruption of traffic patterns will occur, and remain committed
to accommodating the needs of local residents to the greatest possible extent. In
the event that any unforeseen problems occur, we are committed to working with
the City and local residents to alleviate them.
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Thank you for the opportunity to provide this information to the City
Council at its July 15, 1998 meeting. Dr. James Walker, college president, and I
will be present at the meeting to answer questions or provide additional
information.
Cordially,
Dr. Ruth M. Hemming,
Vice - President, College Services
cc: J. Walker
T. Murphy
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3 Consulting Civil Engineers
M CIVIL/ Land Planners
Inc. L and Surveyors
July 9, 1998
City of Moorpark
799 Moorpark Avenue
Moorpark, CA. 93021
Attn: Mr. Ken Gilbert, Public Works Director
RE: Moorpark College - Campus Road Parking Improvements
Dear Ken,
This provides documentation of the opinion we expressed to you verbally in our meeting
yesterday at the City, repeated as follows:
We feel that the proposed parking improvements will not have a significant adverse
impact on traffic circulation through the Collins Drive /Campus Road/Campus Park Drive
loop, and that any adjustments that may be needed (and only if needed for signal
phasing at the Campus Park Drive- Collins Road intersection can be made following
observation of intersection performance after the improvements are in place, and when
Moorpark College is back in regular session.
This opinion was formed on the basis of the following observations and understandings:
a) Our current design of the parking improvements, summarized as follows:
- The project will enhance on- campus parking by approximately 150 parking spaces.
All parking spaces are designed to accommodate compact vehicles at a 450 angle
to the curb.
- Campus Road will be limited to two lanes of one - direction traffic only (southerly,
clockwise) for a reach of approximately 2,500 feet - from just beyond the easterly
end of Collins Road (just east of the easterly intersection of University Drive and
Collins Road) to the driveway entrance between Parking Lots G and F.
b) Our limited evaluation of current vs. proposed parking lot ingress /egress. With the minor
exception noted below in "c) ", traffic ingress /egress should remain the same, hence the
Collins Drive /Campus Road/Campus Park Drive circulation pattern should undergo little
Project resultant change.
400 Rosewood Avenue, Suite 201 • Camarillo, CA 93010 • (805) 445 -4404 • FAX (805) 445 -4401
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c) Parking Lot D, the farthest parking lot containing any vehicles that would logically
egress in the Collins Drive (northwesterly) direction will be required to egress in the
Campus Park Drive (southwesterly) direction. Lot C will still be able to egress towards
Collins Drive, but that access will be more difficult because Lots B and A will have to
be crossed to reach the nearest driveway with egress to westbound Collins. Because
these lots hold a very small percentage of all vehicles using Collins Drive/Campus
Road/Campus Park Drive, the percentage of increase in traffic in the southwesterly
direction is also expected to be small.
d) It is our understanding that southbound Collins Drive traffic is difficult to accommodate
during peak hour conditions, and that this traffic movement can back up significantly at
the Collins Drive - Campus Park Drive intersection. As the proposed Project can only
lessen southbound Collins Drive traffic, the Project may serve to somewhat reduce the
above noted congestion.
We have appreciated your assistance on this Project, and we'll be happy to answer any further
questions you may have.
Respectfully Submitted,
Thomas J. Murphy, RCE
Principal
No. 369
Exp. 061
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cc: Dr. Ruth M. Hemming
Vice President, College Services
Andrew Oddo, Traffic Engineer
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CITY OF MOORPARK
MEMORANDUM
TO: Ken Gilbert, Director of Public Works
FROM: Nelson Miller, Director of Community Developmekt yc�'�%_
DATE: July 10, 1998
SUBJECT: Moorpark College Proposed Parking and Circulation Changes
The Moorpark College proposed changes to convert Campus Road to one -way southbound
operation, addition of parking, and paving of new parking lots would definitely be subject to the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Furthermore, since the proposed changes in
circulation and parking lot improvements involve potentially significant effects upon off -site
circulation and levels of service at intersections serving the College, these improvements would not
qualify for any categorical exemptions. Section 15300.2c of the CEQA Guidelines states that a
categorical exemption shall not be used for an activity where there is a reasonable possibility that
the activity will have a significant effect.
The studies of the Campus Park/Collins intersection completed by Austin -Foust Associates last year
show that over 45 % of the northbound volume in the AM (morning) peak are right -turn movements
(see attached Figure 2). Most of the right turn movements would be converted to through
movements by the proposed changes, significantly altering the dynamics of this intersection and
affecting the levels of service, not only at this intersection, but also affecting the freeway off -ramps
due to increased stacking.
A environmental analysis, including a traffic study, should definitely be prepared to analyze the
changes in offsite circulation and effects on levels of service at intersections, especially all along
Collins Drive from the freeway off ramps to the parking lot entrances, as well as along Campus Park
Drive, especially the intersection of Delfen Street. Decreases in speeds and levels of service could
also have air quality impacts, which should also be analyzed.
Attachment: Figure 2 from Austin -Foust Associates Study
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Review of Collins/Campus Park Signal Operation
Technical Notes
Figure 2
COLLINS RD
TRANSYT NODES. LANES AND
AM & PM PEAK HOUR TURN VOLUMES
Austin -Foust Associates, Inc.
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Review of Collins/Campus Park Signal Operation
Technical Notes
Figure 2
COLLINS RD
TRANSYT NODES. LANES AND
AM & PM PEAK HOUR TURN VOLUMES
Austin -Foust Associates, Inc.
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