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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBUS LAYOVER ZONES 09-02-80DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT: AUGUST 27, lg80 Inter-Corn DAN BLANKENSHIP, CITY A~MINISTRATOR BOB LEDENDECKER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER ORANGE COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT (OCTD) BUS STOP/LAYOVER ZONES On August 18, 1980, Mr. Robewt Nicholas appeared at the City Council meeting and expressed his complaints about the excessive noise caused by OCTD buses idling on Centennial Way and delivery trucks traveling to Von's Market and other merchants in Larwin Square. In addition to Mr. Nicholas' appearance, a staff report was prepared and made available to Council. A copy without the drawing is attached for your information. Staff met with Mr. Nicholas on Friday, August 22nd and received the following information from him as quoted below: Buses start to idle while being parked from 5:55 AM to the evening hours on a daily basis. They race their engines, blow horns, have.squeaking brakes and speed daily. They idle engines continuously for lengthy periods while parked on the layovers. Four or more buses are parked frequently on Centennial Way at Second Street at any one time. Approximately 85% of the tenants at the Second Street and Centennial Way residential complex have for the past two years complained to OCTD continuously.. The Second Street and Centennial Way bus stop is seldom used and passengers were refused boarding at that stop in a few cases. Passenyers were dropped off and subject passengers reside closer to Prospect or E1Camino Real rather than the current bus stop location. Trucks delivering to Von's Market as well as many other trucks of other merchants use Centennial Way to enter or to exit from Larwin Square. These trucks operate as early as 2:00 A.M. The following were recommendations received from Mr. Nicholas: Move all buses to Newport Avenue (Larwin Square) now. For a temporary basis the north side of Main Street west of Centennial Way could be utilized. August 27, 1980 OCTD Bus Stop/Layover Zones page 2 Approvals from Larwin Square owners and/or merchants are not required because: A. Buses are already on First Street at Larwin Square. 'B. Second Street and Centennial Way approvals from owners, and/or merchants and/or residents were not obtained. Trucks should enter or exit Larwin Square from Newport Avenue or the southerly driveway on Centennial Way and not utilize the northerly portion of Centennial Way. Mr. Nichola's also recommended that the services of the County of Orange, Human Services Agency Public Health and Medical Services be obtained as much as the city Police Department is not expected nor is it equipped to measure proper noise levels. Mr. Nicholas had also indicated that he has been experiencing some problem with his hearing since the noise problem has commenced and will be obtaining an examination to de~ermine same. He also discussed the possibility of a legal action for any related hearing problems against the OCTD and the City. Staff has reviewed the comments and recommendations of Mr. Nicholas and have some concerns as follows: 1. Centennial Way has been referred to as a residential street, but in fact it has only one multi-family residential unit on the street frontage. Of the 2400 lineal feet of street frontage only 160 lineal feet or approximately 6.7% is of residential use and/or zoning. 2. Staff feels that if all the buses (seven routes) were to be relocated to Newport Avenue that both the Larwin Square owners and merchants should be notified and their general concurrence of any relocation be provided the City. Relocation of seven buses simultaneously would be an impact to that area. Contact with the Larwi~ Square owners has already been made by OCTD and a negative response to any proposed relocation to Newport Avenue has been received. A copy of their response is provided for your information. 3. Contact was made with the County of Orange, Human Services Agency,Public Health and Medical Services as suggested by Mr. Nicholas. This contact confirmed staff's thoughts that this Agency does not have jurisdiction to monitor and enforce ex- cessive noise levels when they originate from within the public right-of-way. This enforcement falls under the California Vehicle Code (C.V.C) and must be enforced by local police departments and county or state law enforcement agencies. ,5 oS' II , ~ P~,OPOSeO gUS STOPS Au§ust 27, 1980 OCTD Bus Stop/Layover Zones page 3 3. (cont'd) It is very ¢oubtful.that these buses exceed the allowed noise levels as outlined in the Vehicle Code. Correspondence from the City Attorney's office is attached for you[~information. 4. The removal of the bus stop at Centennial Way and Second Street for Routes #65, 66 and 158 is a decision that should be made by OCTD based upon use and need. Staff does not feel that this bus stop should be removed by the City based on an emotional decision. As indicated previously, OCTD has contacted the owners of Larwin Square with regards to relocating all buses to the westerly side of Newport Avenue between First Street and Main Street. The owners of Larwin Square were totally opposed to this concept as indicated in their letter of response. Staff is in concurrence that any massive relocation of buses to the westerly side of Newport Avenue would block the visual affects of the recent rehabilitation of the shopping center. This rehabilitation made Newport Avenue the window and main entrance to the development. Discussions with OCTD staff reveals that there are three other locations in the immediate vicinity that would be practical from the District's viewpoint for Bus Stop/Layover Zones. These areas are as follows and as shown in red on the attached map: 1. North side of First Street between Fashion Lane and Centennial Way adjacent to Santiago Bank. This area would hold two (2) buses. 2. South side of Bryan Avenue easterly of Newport Avenue 'adjacent and northerly of the old "Tamale Wagon" restaurant. This area would hold three (3) buses. 3. Easterly side of Newport Avenue southerly of Bryan Avenue in front of the old "Tamale Wagon" restaurant. This a.rea would hold one (1) bus. None of these locations-have been discussed with any of the adjacent property owners. / In addition to these three locations it is proposed to add three additional spaces to the existing zones along First Street. These areas are shown in green on the attached map. The relocation of buses as indicated above would remove about 50% - 60% of the bus traffic and 100% of the layover zones from Centennial Way. Mr. Nicholas had recommended that all bus traffic be removed from Centennial Way. · If these buses were rerouted to Prospect Avenue an additional 2/3 of a mile would be added to each route and an estimated time delay of approximately August 27, 1980 OCTD Bus Stop/Layover Zone Page 4. 5 minutes. These figures would then be multiplied by the number of bus runs per day per route. Both the City ond OCTD staffs have not had the opportunity to calculate the additional costs that would occur the the OCTD and eventually the taxpayers for rerouting these buses to Prospect Avenue. A letter will be sent to both Von's Market and Larwin Square Management requesting a rerouting of their delivery trucks during the evening and early morning hours as requested by Council. Recommendation: It is recommended that the'Tustin City Coucil at their meeting of September 2, 1980 authorize, staff to designate the following: 1. Approximately 120 feet of red zone for a bus stop/layover on the northerly side of First Street between Fashion Lane and Centennial Way. 2. Approximately 170 feet of red zone for a bus stop/layover zone on the southerly side of Bryan Avenue easterly of Newport Avenue.' 3. Approximately 60 feet of red zone for a bus stop/layover zone on the easterly side of Newport Avenue southerly of Bryan Avenue. 4. Approximately 130 feet for a bus stop/layover within the existing red zone on the southerly side of First Street adjacent to Larwin Square. These recommendations would eliminate all layover zones and reduce the bus traffic by 50% - 60% on Centennial Way. OCTD staff has indicated that it would take a minimum of two weeks to initiate the changes as indicated above. BOB LEDENDECKER DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS CITY ENGINEER BL: dph' CC: OCTD Robert Nicholas Norm Hower BATE: AUGUST 8, 1980 NEW BUSINESS Nc). ~ 8.l 8, 80 Inter-Corn TO: DAN BLANKENSHIP, CITY, ADMINISTP~TOR FROH: BOB LEDENDECKER, DIRECIOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER SUBJECT: ORANGE COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT (OCTD) BUS STOP/LAYOVER ZONES - CENTENNIAL WAY~ During the past two years staff has ~eceived complaints from Mr. Robert Nicholas of 190 Centennial Way regarding the OCTD buses and their resultant noise. More particular, Mr. Nicholas' most recent complaint is the bus stop and layover zone on the easterly side of Centennial Way across from his place of residence at 190 Centennial Way. During the month of July, Mr. Nicholas has experienced noise disturbance in the early morning hours (5:45 AM to 6:30 AM) due to the idling engines of the buses. On one ocassion one of the buses experienced an engine breakdown which resulted in its repair at the Centennial Way layover site. At the present time, OCTD has seven bus routes that utilize the La~in Square area for a layover ~ne. Four of these routes utilize the First Street area adjacent to Larwin Square amd three routes use the Centennial Way layover zone. OCTD will be expanding their service in September, 1980 and have requested additional layover zones within the Larwin Square area for five more routes. OCTD has also indicated that in the future they will probably.add five additional routes for a total of seventeen routes that will layover at the Larwin Square area. City staff has requested OCTD to evaluate the impact of these additional routes to the Larwin Square area prior to the City considering any add- itional route layover zones. Mr. Nicholas has pursued his noise complaints through the OCTD, the Tustin Police Department, the .Engineering Division and the City Attorney's office. On July 30, 1980 staff met with Mr. Nicholas and reviewed his concerns and suggested solut'ions to the noise problem. Mr. Nicholas indicated his first desire would be to remove all bus traffic including stops and layover zones from Centennial Way because of its residential nature. It must be noted at this time, that the only residential use i~ediately adjacent to Centennial Way is the apartment complex in which Mr. Nicholas resides, (shown in Red on the attached aerial photo.) Mr. Nicholas provided the following recommendations to the noise and traffic problem: Relocate the Centennial Way layover zone to the north side of Main Street adjacent to the City Hall/Library complex, referenced as Location "A" on the aerial photo. This area could accomodate three buses. These buses would then continue westerly to either Prospect Avenue or E1Camino Real, thence northerly to First Street and easterly on July 8, 1980 Bus Stop Layover on First Street to the Larwin Squarebus zone ......... 2. ACqUiSti°n bY OCTD of LocatiO~ ,'B', a~'~ihe northl] i~i<]]' easterly corner of E1 Camino Real and Third Street for a bus layover site. This reconl~endation would certianly not be a short term solution, but would tend to be long term because of property acquistion procedures and funding vehicles of Public Agencies. Provide a bus layover zone on the south side of First Street at Location "C" between Centennial Way and the first Larwin Square driveway easterly of Centennial Way. Previously this area was restricted for bus parking because of visiblity at Centennial Way at First Street. The recent traffic signal installation at that intersection would now allow a limited area for bus parking. This area is eighty feet in length would allow space for two buses. Relocate all bus layover zones on Centennial Way and First Street to the northwesterly corner of E1Camino Real (Laguna Road) and Newport Avenue. This reconinendation would also be~-a long term solution due to the property acquisition procedures. Prior to the July 30th meeting with Mr. N'icholas, staff met with OCTD to discuss this noise problem and the proposed addition of five routes to the Larwin Square area. OCTD is presently reviewing a plan to re- locate all buses to the westerly side of Newport Avenue between First and Main Streets. OCTD was made aware that any proposal of this type would require the approval of the owners of Larwin Square and its tenants as well as the City. It was also suggested that OCTD investiQate the feasibility of a property purchase to construct a terminal facility which would remove all layover zones from city streets in the vicinity of Larwin Square. These ideas of course are all long term solutions and do not solve the immediate problem of Mr. Nicholas. It appears that there are four short term alternatives to the noise problem as related by Mr, Nicholas: Relocate the Centennial Way layover zone to the north side of Main Street {Location "A"). Advantage: a. Reduction of noise and buses on Centennial Way, Disadvantage: a. Diversion of buses to Prospect Avenue which also has residential units adjacent to the street. b. Reduction of convenient on-street parking immediately adjacent to the Library Complex. July 8, lg80 Bus Stop Layover 2. Relocate Centennial Way layover zone to a point northerly of Second Street (Location "D") and . leaVe the bus stop'(40' red zone and sign).at ~its present location southerly of Second Street. Advantages: A. No new noise or traffic impact to other streets with in the area. B. Partial decrease in noise impact to the Nicholas residence. o Disadvantages: A. No decrease in bus traffic on Centennial Way. B. On-street parking spaces utilized by offices northerly of Second Street is decreased. Partial relocation of Centennial Way layover zone to Location "C" on First Street with relocation of return route to another street other than Centennial Way. Advantages: A. Elimination of two bus routes from Centennial Way. B. Partial decrease in nqise to Centennial Way. Disadvantages: A. Diversion of buses to other streets resulting in noise and traffic impacts, Leave all bus stops and layover zones as they exist. Advantages: None. Disadvantages: A. No reduction off'noise to the residences at 190 Centennial Way. B. No reduction of bus traffic on Centennial Way. Anypropo~ed changes to the present routes or layovers will require coordination and approval from the OCTD. Staff will continue working with OCTD for permanent long term solution to the problem in addition to whichever alternative is selected. Recommended Action: Pleasure of the City Council. BOB LEDENDECKER DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/ CITY ENGINEER August 13, 1980 Mr. Robert Nicholas Post Office Box 415 Tustin, California 92680 RE: Noise Problem Dear Mr. Nicholas: I have had conversations with the Orange County Health Departmen~ and it is their position that the regu- lation of noise from motor vehicles licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles is exclusively governed by the provisions of the Vehicle Code. It is their opinion that from tests they h~ve made on various heavy duty vehicles that it is unlikely that normal operation of an OCTD bus would exceed the limitations set forth in the Vehicle Code. For your information we enclose copies of the pertinent sections of the Vehicle Code. Very truly yours, CITY OF TUSTIN BY JGR:js:D:8/13/80 Enclosure cc: Robert Ledendecker Tustin Police Department AU [, 12 P.O, BOX 6221 ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA 92806 (714) 731-1093 (714} 533-1192 Evenings August 18, 1980 Mr. Stephen A. BJornson Supel-vision-Stops and Zones OrAnge County Transit District 11222~Aoacia Parkway, P.O. Box 3005 Garden Grove, Califorr~ia 926~? Re: Red lini~ NewPort Avenue Parking -nd stoppi~ Buses Adjacent to La.win Square-Tustin Dear Steve: Pursuant to our meetin~ and at your request I have met with the Owner of Laz~in Square-Tustin concerning your hopes of moving your Bus stop from First Street to Newport Avenue, and regretfully, my Owner has instructed me to advise you t~t he is absolutely against your proposed plan. We have continually experienced problems with cars that park within our Center and while they Bus elsewhere. Our Tenants have expressed their displeasure whenever and whereever they park these cars within our lot, as it does prevent their customers from parking near to their stores for shopping. Y~u'are attempting to remove all parking from Newport Avenue for your Buses, this we ce~ not and will not tolerate that, our Ten-nts ~nd their employees park there, and the overflow ef customer parking also utilize this parking wb~le trading within our Center. Further, parking of your Buses along Newport Avenue will block the view and visualability to our Center. I am sending a copy of this letter to Bob Ledendecker so that our opposition will be a matter of record. ~cerely yours, M trey J. ~t~dm~_u RECEIVED cc/ Mr. Arthur Bartlett Larwin Square LTD Bob Ledendecker, City of Tustin: AUG 19 1980 IUSTIN PUBLIC WORKS DEPT. TR.~SFF..R CKNT'F.R LOCATION - IJ~N SQUARE .~-~ Operations Dsts ~s Frequencies ~us .hys Required _ Deficiencies/Excess ]~xistLu~Factlittea O Feb. 1980 ~981 1983 1987 7 8 11 12 30-75 nih. 30-75 ntn[ 20-60 nih. 10-60 nih. 6 7 10 12 0 -1 -& -6 On-street ~d-curb area with space for fo~ bus spaces on First Street. On-Street red-curb ares with apace for two buses on Cen~p~ial. ~en~hos and shelter on Fi.st ~hort-?era I~p rove~ents Additional red curbin~ on Centennial or Newport with space for aiz buo.'e~, subject to City approvml. l~oviaion of addittoflal shelters and benches on First 5tre~t and other bu~ atop areas, Lon~-Range I~prove~ent o On street /~prove~ents viii provide enough apace through 1987. o Pro. de off-mtreet facility, if l~d ts mvailmble. ~u~ Conclusions Staff analysis has ~ete~ined that OCTD bus stop and layover.space needs mt Lamein Squ~re cmn be met through additional red curbins and facilities (shelters and benches) -- at mln~al cost. It is ~ecoJm~ended that the on-street operat£o~s ah Lmz~in iq, ore b~ msin~l~d until m~ tiiJe miter 1987, when cap&city m~y be approached. ~2070380C~SC 0 144 ~rvine' 143 144 158 144 158 66 71 65, 67, 143 66 · ..s,s,.,,....,. 71 ..... 144 ----'"---- 158 COLUMBUS TUSTIN STREET STREET