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Home My WebLink AboutNB 4 PEDESTRIAN XING 10-06-80DATE: SEPTEMBER 30. 1980 NEW BUSINESS No. 4 · 10-6-80 Inter-Corn TO: DAN BLANKENSHIP, CITY ADMINISTRATOR FROM: BOB LEDENDECKER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER SUBJ£CT: SYCAMORE AVENUE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING On September 15, 1980, Mr. George Speicher appeared at the City Council meeting and presented h~s concerns regarding the subject pedestrian crossing. Also attached for your information is a written communication from Mr. Speicher. Since the completion of this crossing about a year ago, staff has received complaints from both Mr. Speicher of 14711 Alder Lane and Mr. Simon of 14712 Hyannis Port Road about the vandalism, noise, drinking and use of drugs within the immediate area of the crossing. More recently Mr. Speicher has expressed his concerns about the children who ride their bikes or mopeds down the sidewalk directly into Alder Lane. Mr. Speicher has made the following suggestion: Permanently close the two gates and re- locate them in the middle of the fence next to the emergency fire road. Staff has reviewed this suggestion and'has verified with the railroad that if the gates are relocated, a new application must be processed through the Public Utilities Commission (P.U.C.) and the existing warnin§ devices with bells and flashing lights would be required to be adjacent to the relocated walkway. Other than noise and traffic on the sidewalk, Mr. Speicher's other concern was for the safety of a child or adult being injured as a result of riding directly from the sidewalk into the Alder Lane and Sycamore intersection. The closure of these gates would certai, nly eliminate the hazard directly from the sidewalk to Alder Lane, but any relocation to the middle of the fence area would only relocate the bicycles, mopeds or motorcyles to Sycamore where a conflict with the Alder Lane traffi~ would still exist. One permanenant solution to this problem would be for the City to pursue the abandonment of the railroad tracks and the completion of the Venta Storm Drain from an open channel to a closed conduit. This would allow the adjacent property owners to hopefuly utilize the storm drain and railroad rights of way as a portion of their yards. More important would be the opening of Sycamore Avenue as a through street between the communities of Tustin Meadows and Pepper Tree w~]ich would eliminate the seclusion of the two dead end streets now enjoyed by the youth of the communities. This would certainly be a long term solution. September 30, 1980 Dan Blankenship Sycamore Avenue Pedestrian Crossing An interim solution would be the posting of no loitering signs within' the immediate area, increased police patrols during critical hours to reduce the noise and vandalism and the installation of barriers and ramps to discourage bicycle, moped and motorcycle traffic on the sidewalks. In addition the installation of a stop sign for north and south bound traffic on Alder Lane at Sycamore Avenue. This stop sign would probably not meet the State warrants and would most likely be irritating to motorists living southerly of the intersection. Recommendation: As an interim solution, it is recommended that the following be initiated: 1. Post no loitering signs in the immediate vicinity of the pedestrian crossing. 2. Increase Police patrols during critical hours.. Install barriers across sidewalks, and construct asphalt ramps to street for access of bikes, n~)peds and motorcycles to Sycamore Avenue. (Per attached ~ketch) install stop sign on Alder Lane at Sycamore Avenue to reduce bicycle, moped and motorcycle conflicts with traffic on Alder Lane. It is further recommended that staff be directed to pursue the abandon- ment of the Venta Spur line, so that Sycamore Avenue may be extended to join the two communities. BOB LEDENDECKER DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/ CITY ENGINEER BL:dph CC '- George Speicher George Simon Todd Ferguson - Pepper Tree Home Owners Association Kathy Weil - Tustin Meadows Home Owners Association k TO: FROM: SUBJEC~f: DATE: ~TUSTIN CITY COUNCIL/PLM~ING COEMISSIO[; George F. Speicher 14711 .Alder. Lsme Tustln, Ca. 92680 PEDESTRI;~N CROSSINC-Alder Lane & Sycsumore September 2, 1980 A little less than one year a~o a pedestrian crossing was built at Alder Lane and Sycamore with the primary objective of reducing the walking distance to school for the children of Peppertree. Slnce the crossing has been opened our home has experienced the following: 1) A dramatic increase in noise resulting from not only the increased pedestrian traffic but moped and motorcylce trsn?ic as well. 2) Our home has been the victim of numerous acts of vandalism, such as .... a broken window, paint on the sidewalks, dam~<ed lawn areas, stolen sprinkler heads, the house has been hit by rocks ..... you name it and it has happened or probably will in the near future. 3) Increased undeslreable activity such as drinking and the use of drugs resulting from the crossing becom&ng the central meeting point between Tustin Meadows amd Peppertree. 4) On numerous occasions the children ridetheir bikes or down the sidewalk adjacent our home directly onto Alder L~.e causing a number of near accidents...the law of aver~l~es :.:!ii soon ca[,ch up to someone. This would undoubtedly cause tiabi].ty .problem for the city. .5) We now have a beautiful view of two towering bright sliver posts approximately twenty feet high with a full complimen: of bells smd lighting devices .... just what every residential neighborhood needs. These devices sre necessary for safeiy, however, I feel that they could be made far less obtrusive with a little work. Ideally I would like to see the crossing completly closed. This would cause shoz% term inconveniences for the children attendir~ Thorman JuniOr High but would benefit all parties long-term. Being a realist I ,,aould prolmse the following: PEt~ANENTLY CLOSE THE TWO EXISTING GATES THAT ~ NEXT TO :<Y HOME AND THAT 0F MY NEIGHBOR IN TUSTIN ~EADOWS AND PUT THE GATES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FENCE ~[EXT TO THE E~RGENCY FIRE ROAD. This modification would accomplish the following: 1) Get the traffic off of our sidewalk and reduce the noise we are experiencing. We.have a two-year-old and an i_~f~ut that are constantly awakened by the noise. 2) Eliminate the chances of a child or adult from being severly injured as a result of riding directly from the sidewalk into the Alder and Sycamore intersection. The change would allow them to ride directly into the Cul De Sac which is free fron tr.~fic. DIRECT COSTS TO CITY OF TUSTIN: I ~ll do the work and supply whatever materials are necessary to do'the job properly .... consequently the cost to the City of Tustin will be nil. I am enclosing a copy of the existing situation and the proposed ninor modification. If you have any questions whatsoever please do not hesitate to give me a call at: (714) 8~8-4293 Residence (714) 557-3072 Business My wife and I have been residents of Peppertree and Tustin for over ten years and have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves until this crossing was installed. I realize that the project was designed with specific objectives in mind and did not foresee the ramifications that I described earlier. You are all homeowners in the area and probably have a fairly good idea of what we are experiencing. Your consideration and support in the matter would be sincerly appreciated. Thank You, ieorge F. SPeicher cc Tustin City:Council Members, City Engineer,Todd Ferguson-Homeowners Pres. V -/ c_0--0 ~ -r/lC