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Home My WebLink AboutAGENDA REPORT 1998 0819 CC REG ITEM 11GITEM • AGENDA REPORT CITY OF MOORPARK TO: THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL �t r Q V Pct FROM: DIRK LOVETT, ASSISTANT Prepared by: David Grantham CITY ENGINEER_ Assistant Enginee - -` - DATE: AUGUST 4, 1998 (CC MEETING OF AUGUST 19, 1998) SUBJECT: CONSIDER THE MODIFICATION TO CONDITION NUMBER 67 OF RESOLUTION 96 -1189 - NEW LOS ANGELES AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENTS FOR TRACT 4973 - CARLSBERG DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND On March 7, 1996, the City Council passed Resolution 96 -1189 approving Tentative Tract Maps 4973 and 4974, filed by C.T. Financial (Carlsberg) along with the respective conditions of approval for each residential development. These tracts are located south of New Los Angeles Avenue, north of Tierra Rejada Road, west of the 23 Freeway and east of Spring Road. A vicinity map is attached for your reference (Exhibit A). Development of these tracts includes the construction of Science Drive from Tierra Rejada Road to New Los Angeles Avenue, widening of both Spring Road and New Los Angeles Avenue, installation of storm drain systems and rough grading of the area in preparation for residential development. Condition number 67 of the approved resolution details the requirements for widening New Los Angeles Avenue. It indicates that upon widening, New Los Angeles Avenue will have three travel lanes in each direction, a bike lane in each direction and a fourteen foot raised landscaped center median. On October 2, 1996, the City Council also approved revisions to the Carlsberg Specific Plan. One of the revisions was the addition of a commercial driveway located on New Los Angeles Avenue, east of Science Drive. The driveway was approved subject to the construction of the raised median on New Los Angeles Avenue such that left turns out of the commercial site onto New Los Angeles Avenue would be physically prevented. DISCUSSION New Los Angeles Avenue is a State right -of -way and therefore all improvement plans have to be submitted to and be approved by the California Department of Transportation ( Caltrans). Carlsberg initially submitted the improvement plans to Caltrans with a raised median however, upon review, Caltrans denied the raised median. Caltrans clarified their position in the attached letter dated July 28, 1997 (Exhibit B) addressed to Mr. Lloyd Laycook. Since that time, Carlsberg has met with various Caltrans personnel discussing alternatives to the raised median to prohibit left turn movements. The developer investigated alternatives such as an angled raised median on the driveway, concrete berms and raised pavements markers, none of which were approved by Caltrans. Caltrans has only approved the use of "Rumble Strips," thick painted markings on the road. These "Rumble Strips" are to be placed on the driveway at the intersection to New Los Angeles Avenue and are proposed to be installed to direct vehicles east bound on New Los Angeles Avenue. The proposed installation is detailed on Exhibit C. The result would be similar to the McDonald'sBlockbuster driveway. It should be noted that the right -of -way for New Los Angeles Avenue is over 200 feet wide, approximately 75 feet of which is between the southern right -of -way boundary and the driveway intersection at New Los Angeles Avenue. Carlsberg requested the installation of an angled raised median within the 75 foot driveway area but Caltrans also denied this request. Staff has verified with Mr. Pang of Caltrans that, due to its proximity to New Los Angeles Avenue Caltrans will not allow a median on the driveway. A raised median can be installed within the Carlsberg property, however due to its distance from the intersection it will not aid in preventing left turn movements onto New Los Angeles Avenue. It is also important to note that approximately 65 feet of Science Drive is also within Caltrans' right -of -way. However, since the Science Drive and New Los Angeles Avenue intersection has traffic signals, Caltrans considers this area "controlled" and as such the raised median required for Science Drive will be allowed. The driveway will not have traffic signals and therefore is not considered "controlled," and as such, a raised median is not allowed. The developer hereby requests a modification to the conditions of development to delete the raised median within New Los Angeles Avenue. It is recommended that Condition No. 67 of Tract 4973 be revised and should read, in its entirety, as follows (changes are italicized): "New Los Angeles Avenue shall be per Ventura County Standard Plate B -2A with right -of -way modified per cross section "G" of Exhibit 9 of the Carlsberg Specific Plan (revised 9/7/94) (Exhibit 9, Plate G) a. The final location of the sidewalk will be as shown on the Approved Landscape Plan. Approval of the landscape plan shall be required prior to or concurrent with approval of the grading plan for Tract 4973. (SP -26.d) b. Should the sidewalk location be altered from the location shown on the approved Tentative Map, the grading within the street improvement area shall be revised and the final elevations shall be approved by the Director of Community Development. C. The raised median is to be replaced by a striped median . Exhibit 9, Plate G of the Carlsberg Specific Plan is attached for your reference as Exhibit D. SUMMARY: In light of Caltrans' restrictions, Carlsberg is unable to construct a raised median within New Los Angeles Avenue to fulfill the obligations of Condition No. 67 and the revised Specific Plan. As such, Carlsberg has requested that Condition No. 67 of Tract 4973 and the driveway conditions be revised to eliminate the requirement for a raised median on New Los Angeles Avenue. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Authorize the revision of Resolution No. 96 -1189, Condition No. 67 to eliminate the requirement for a raised median on New Los Angeles Avenue as recommended in the staff report and; 2. Allow the construction of the driveway on New Los Angeles Avenue, east of Science Drive, pending staff approval of the proposed signage and "Rumble Strips" prohibiting left turns out of the driveway. l/ k , t` l 1�i VICINITY MAP 73 STATE OF CALIFORNIA— BUSINESS AND TRANSPORTATION AGENCY PETE WILSON, Govemor DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT 7,120 SO. SPRING ST. LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 (213) 897 -0384 July 28, 1997 RRECEIVED Mr. Lloyd Laycook Ramseyer and Associates 1881 Knoll Drive Ventura, California 93003 Dear Mr. Laycook: MAY 19 1998 On July 3, 1997, you inquired about Caltrans policy on raised median on State Highways such as conventional State Routes 23 and 118 westerly of the Route 23 Freeway. It is against Caltrans policy to allow any raised median on a State highway where the speed is 45 mph or higher. On new Los Angeles Avenue, the speed limit is such that a raised median could create a safety problem for the motoring public. You also inquired about the status of the adopted Ven 23 freeway north of the Ven 118 freeway. I checked with Caltrans Headquarters staff Karen Fong who informed me that the adopted alignment for the Moorpark Freeway is still valid. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you the above information. Should you need any further questions, please contact me at (213) 897 -0384. cc: Doug Failing, Oscar Villacorte Sincerely yours, 0�w STEPHEN PANG, P.E. Chief, Office Of Project Development C EXHIBIT B EXHIBIT C PO I Pof PA S�IEET RIW I /NE e ENO i3otj " j i ii: W 3V ow LANOSGIPE 1 4 . T �' 44 PAPO MAY WW WS ANGa n AVENUE • - r%#L UrAT10M OF MN ALK TO K WDOMED AT THE TAE OF 7W OOWDWZ'L DEVaAftlofT APPROVAL Y AM IMY K U)CAM ON EXHIBIT 9 (REVISED 9/7!94)