SR 05:276 - Laserfiche WebLink

Staff conducted another follow-up meeting in December 2002 with this same group of residents. Staff presented the roundabout based traffic calming plan and it was unanimously supported by those present as it addressed all of their traffic and pedestrian safety, noise, landscaping and corridor beautification goals. The residents were advised by staff that the City was not endorsing this alternative over other capacity increasing alternatives. Staff did fmd however that this plan merited further review and public discussion as a possible alternative that could be incorporated into the update of the Circulation Element. Staff has also met with a few residents from Ruby Hill that oppose the roundabout concept along this section of Vineyard Avenue. They were concerned about existing delays along Vineyard Avenue during the peak morning commute and school traffic periods. They were most concerned about the impact the 4-way stop signs at the intersection of Vineyard Avenue at Montevino Drive were having on westbound morning traffic. These residents requested that the intersection at Montevino Drive be modified to reduce westbound morning delays and queuing. They expressed the concern that building roundabouts to calm traffic disinfransised Ruby Hill residents and that they were not cut-through traffic. Staff suggested that constructing a traffic signal at the intersection of Vineyard Avenue and Montevino Drive would significantly reduce delay and would improve pedestrian safety at this intersection as requested by nearby residents. Staff also suggested that a compromise involving the construction of traffic signals instead of roundabouts could calm traffic somewhat while also improving pedestrian safety. However this option was not desireable to some nearby residents as traffic signals can contribute to more traffic noise due to increased stopping and accellerating, and the light pollution attributed to the changing red, yellow and green signal lights was not appealing. The issue of Vineyard Avenue traffic calming and circulation was discussed during the City Council Transportation Workshop on January 14, 2003 with both the residents supporting roundabouts and opposing roundabouts expressing their concerns regarding traffic conditions along this section of Vineyard Avenue. Vineyard Avenue Vineyard Avenue is designated as a Thoroughfare in the City's General Plan and is also shown as a 4-lane roadway in the General Plan from Bernal Avenue to a point 4,000 feet to the east. There are five uncontrolled intersections and driveways along existing Vineyard Avenue between Bernal Avenue and Montevino Drive. Several additional uncontrolled intersections and driveways are planned and in design along the realigned section of Vineyard A venue. An elementary school and City park are planned adjacent to the realigned section of Vineyard Avenue. X:\ADMIN\PGGS\Council2005\MEETINGlO0405\SR 05276 AttachmentI.doc Page 6