County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works

Neighborhood Traffic Management Program

April 12, 2004

1.                  CALL MEETING TO ORDER

The second meeting for the Beecher Lane Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) project began at 6:40 p.m. on April 12, 2004, at the Stevenson Ranch Elementary School Multi-purpose Room, 25820 N. Carroll Lane, Stevenson Ranch, CA.

2.                  ATTENDEES AND PRESENTER

The following persons were in attendance:

            Mr. Bob Haueter, representing Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich

Mr. Joel Falter, Project Manager, Katz, Okitsu and Associates, consultant/presenter

            Los Angeles county Department of Public Works, Traffic Investigations Section:

                        Mary McChesney, and Kari Allen

Captain Ellen Connelly and Officer Wendy Moore, representing the Newhall

             California Highway Patrol office

            Approximately 15 neighborhood residents were in attendance.

The following person was invited but was not in attendance:

            Captain Bruce Freeman, LA County Fire Department

3.                  MEETING NOTES

Ms. McChesney began the meeting by welcoming the attendees and introducing the staff and guests in attendance.

Mr. Falter presented a Power Point slide show to review the NTMP goals, objectives and process that were presented in the first meeting. He reported on the results of the comments received from the community through the first meetings discussions and also through the mailings and e-mails received thereafter. Mr. Falter informed the audience that speed cushions, neighborhood signs, and curb extensions received the highest response from the community. 

Mr. Falter presented the Phase 1 recommendation to install speed cushions along Beecher Lane between Faulkner Drive and Moore Lane.  Since the community feedback from residents north of Moore Lane does not show overwhelming support for speed cushions, they were not recommended at this time.  Speed cushions were also recommended on Bowman Way and Forster Way.  It was also recommended to add centerline and parking lane striping on Beecher Lane, as a means to visually narrow the roadway.  Curb extensions were recommended on Beecher Lane at Forster Way and  at Bowman Way.  Neighborhood signs were also suggested.  Both KOA and Public Works staff derived these traffic calming measures as having the most effect to deter speeding. The pros and cons of each measure were discussed in terms of effectiveness and restrictiveness.  Mr. Falter indicated that implementation of one or more of these measures could be accomplished as Phase 1, which would be followed by an adjustment period and reevaluation of traffic conditions to determine their effectiveness. Based on the results of the Phase 1 actions, those features implemented in a temporary fashion could be converted to permanent installations as Phase 2, including adjusting or augmenting the program as needed.

A period of Questions and Answers followed the slide show presentation.  The following questions and comments were received from the audience:

1.        Why were cul-de-sacs left off the survey when it was discussed at the last meeting?

Response:  Cul-de-sacs are very restrictive, and the process could be very long, since they require a majority of the communities support, and coordination with other departments.  As we discussed at the last meeting, they are not appropriate for the first phase of this program.  If the devices chosen for phase one of this program are not effective, cul-de-sacs could be considered at a later phase. 

2.        We park our cars on Forster Way at Beecher Lane.  Doesnt the parked cars already narrow the road, and effectively work like a curb extension?  Since cars still speed now, how would a curb extension be different?

  Response:  Bulbouts are extensions to the curb located at intersections, which result in a narrower curb-to-curb roadway width.  Their primary purpose is to "pedestrianize" intersections by shortening crossing distances. Vehicle turn speeds can also be reduced providing increased pedestrian safety.  Visibility is also improved for pedestrians and drivers.

3.        Would all the items be installed at the same time? 

Response:  If the community chooses all these items, the striping and signs could be installed very quickly.  The speed cushions and curb extensions would take longer since they need to be designed, and still require fire department approval. 

4.        If curb extensions and speed cushions are all installed at the same time, how would we know if they both are necessary?  Before removing parking from residents by installing curb extensions, wouldnt it better to see if the speed cushions work?

Response:  If your community decides that they would like to try speed cushions and test their effectiveness before installing any of the other devices, we can always come back to determine if any other devices are necessary during Phase two of this program.

Comments from the Community:  Some community members indicated that they agreed installing these devices in phases would be best, starting with speed cushions.  Other members of the community mentioned that they would like to proceed with striping the roadway since it could be done while we wait to hear about the speed cushions.

5.        How would the striping look? 

Response:   The centerline striping would be a double yellow stripe.  Parking lanes would be white.  The speed cushions will include white pavement markings and signage to alert motorists of the speed cushions. 

6.        What is the next step to have speed cushions installed?

Response:  Based on the communitys responses, the majority is in favor of the recommendation to install speed cushions. Public Works will prepare the engineering drawings for these devices and submit them to the Fire Dept. for their review and approval. Upon receiving their approval, Public Works will prepare the cost estimate for the project and acquire the funding and schedule information to present to the community. It is estimated that this process may take up to 2-3 months. The community will be informed of these developments through mailings and our website.

The residents in attendance were then given a chance to vote on the options recommended.  Based on that vote, the residents agreed to proceed with installing yellow centerline striping (without the parking lane striping) on Beecher Lane, and speed cushions on Fordyce Way, Bowman Way, and Beecher Lane between Moore Lane and Faulkner Drive.  

Mr. Falter and staff thanked all those that attended the meeting and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.

After the meeting, a petition signed by a majority of those residents present at the meeting recanted their request for centerline striping on Beecher Lane.   Based on this information, we will proceed with the recommendation for speed cushions, and will not install centerline striping at this time.

MEM:tlpub/invest/inv/ntmp/Minutes of BEECHER LN 2nd Meeting.doc