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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB 2 EMERG ACCESS 08-06-90tV, i.l DATE: TO: FROM: AUGUST 1, 1990 WILLIAM HUSTON, CITY MANAGER New Business No. 2 8-6-90 Inter- Com PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY USE OF EMERGENCY ACCESS EASEMENTS RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council deny the request of Akins Development for the temporary use of the emergency access easements for construction traffic. BACKGROUND: The AkinsDevelopment Company is the developer of three subdivisions in the Tustin Ranch area as follows: * Tract No. 13990 - westerly of Tustin Ranch Road and northerly of Irvine Boulevard * Tract No. 13701 - westerly of Tustin Ranch Road and southerly of La Colina Drive * Tract No. 13786 - westerly of Jamboree Road and northerly of Champion Way Akins Development has previously requested the use of the emergency access easements in each of their developments which would direct construction traffic to Tustin Ranch Road from Tract No. 13990, to La Colina Drive from Tract No. 13701, and to Jamboree Road from Tract No. 13786. Staff has denied each of these requests based upon traffic safety measures and the perimeter landscape activity which is currently under way by the Irvine Company on Tustin Ranch Road and La Colina Drive. The City has also received similar requests from two other developers requesting access to La Colina drive for Tract No. 13908 and to Jamboree Road for Tract No. 13824. These requests have also been denied by staff. DISCUSSION: Akins Development, per the attached letter, has requested this matter be presented to the City Council for their consideration of overturning staff's denial of the request for temporary use of the emergency access easements for construction traffic at each of their tract developments. Staff's decision was based upon the following for each of the developments: TEMPORARY USE OF EMERGENCY ACCESS EASEMENTS AUGUST 1, 1990 PAGE 2 Tract No. 13990 1. Emergency access easement would outlet directly to Tustin Ranch Road approximately 350 feet northerly of Irvine Boulevard. Construction traffic to and from this emergency access would be at a mid -block location and from a point which is not a routine street or driveway opening. Staff has determined that this high volume access could result in a hazardous condition and potential liability to the City. 2. Access can be gained from Adams Drive to the main entrance to the development. This would create a hardship to the developer by mixing construction traffic with the model homes and future residents. Staff believes construction phasing could be altered to minimize these hardships. Tract No. 13701 1. Emergency access easement would outlet directly to the south side of La Colina Drive between Tustin Ranch Road and the unincorporated county territory to the west. 2. All incoming construction traffic would have to be routed though the County residential area to access La Colina in the eastbound direction. This would be in direct conflict with the intent of the Tustin Ranch development with respect to minimizing traffic impacts to the existing county residential area. 3. Access can be gained from Adams Street to the main entrance to the development. This would also create a hardship to the developer by mixing construction traffic with the model homes and future residents. Staff again believes construction phasing could be altered to minimize these hardships. Tract No. 13786 1. Emergency access easement would outlet directly to the westerly side of Jamboree Road approximately 600 feet northerly of Champion Way. Construction traffic to and from this emergency access would be at a mid -block type location and from a point which is not a routine street or driveway opening. Staff has determined that this high volume access could result in a hazardous condition and potential liability to the City. 2. Access can be gained from Champion Way to.the main entrance to the development. This would create a hardship to the developer by mixing construction traffic with the model complex and future residents. Staff also believes that construction phasing could be altered to minimize these hardships. TEMPORARY USE OF EMERGENCY ACCESS EASEMENTS AUGUST 1, 1990 PAGE 2 3. As an interim solution, staff has recommended that the developer utilize the emergency access and the future perimeter landscape area/equestrian trail southerly to Champion Way until such time Champion Way is constructed or until a landscape contract is awarded for that area. Staff still recommends denial of request by Akins Development to utilize the emergency access easements for construction traffic. Bob Ledendecker Director of Public Works/City Engineer BL:mv Attach. MNS July 30, 1990 Mr. Bob Ledendecker Director of Public Works/City Engineer THE CITY OF TUSTIN 300 Centennial Way Tustin, CA 92680 Re: Tract 13990, 13701, and 13786 Temporary Use of the Emergency Access Easements for Construction Traffic Dear Bob: Thank you once again for your review and re-evaluation of the subject tracts emergency access easements being used for temporary construction traffic as summarized in your July 16, 1990 letter. As we discussed subsequent to this letter, I would appreciate your assistance in agendizing this issue as a Planning Commission topic to be heard at the earliest available meeting. We would offer the following safety elements to mitigate the potential traffic conflicts on Tustin Ranch Road and Jamboree Road as you have expressed. 1. Install stop signs and paint stop lines at each emergency access point; 2. Install temporary construction access signs/merging traffic signs at each emergency access points; 3. Each of our contractors will be given a letter outlining the vehicular safety/traffic procedure for the temporary use of these construction access points. It is our intent to develop a solution that mitigates your traffic safety concerns while allowing Akins to utilize these emergency access points on a temporary basis. The use of these access points mitigates the traffic conflicts we would have internal to our tract with construction traffic interfacing with homeowners and sales traffic. (This condition also poses a hazard which should not be overlooked or compromised.) Please give me a call to confirm your direction and schedule for a commission date. Best regards, Conrad Sick