1 DeBray, Cydrice
From: Kathynick Soboleski
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 9:21 AM
To: webCityClerk
Subject: Pickleball Courts Creekside
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Hi,
We are unable to attend this evening. We have a business meeting with our boss that won’t end until 7:30pm. We just found out about it last night.
We are glad we are able to email the city with our thoughts about the Pickleball courts. We have lived in Brentwood since 2003 and we love this city. We are raising our 2 girls now 19 and 17 here.
Thank you so much for building the Pickleball courts. We use them at least 5 days a week. Our 17 year old daughter also goes out with her friends and uses them as well at least 4 times a week.
The Pickleball courts bring so much to so many people.
1. Many people commute for work so they can’t get to the courts until 6:30 or 7pm. Many of the retired play in the mornings and the kids come after school. This is a stress reliever for many especially after driving in traffic.
2. The community is amazing. The young are serving the elderly and the elderly are serving the young. Our paths would never have crossed and because of pickleball it does. These people are like family to us.
3. Health reasons. I have chronic lung disease because of Covid. I had to go on the ventilator. This is the only sport I can play. This is my pulmonary rehab. Anyone can play Pickleball. There are people who can barely move and some on oxygen and they play great and we have a good time.
4. Pickleball brings alternatives for families and individuals. Kids are playing with their parents. Single men and women are playing instead of going to the bar etc.
It’s our understanding that some of the neighbors have complained about the noise. We definitely understand that and are sensitive to that. We live by a freeway and it is constantly loud. We can’t open our windows. We know you have listened to these neighbors and changed the time from 10pm to 9pm. Which is reasonable. The city has done a great job. The noise ordinance is from 10pm‐6am. It’s our understanding the area has already been zoned because there was a basketball court there before and there is a tennis court and still basketball. There is a difference between violating a noise ordinance versus a noise nuisance. The sound of the pickleball can be a nuisance to some. Kids screaming at the park can be a nuisance to others. The bouncing basketball can also be a nuisance. The freeway by our house is a nuisance. Our point is we all live with things we don’t like and the city has already taken extra steps. This isn’t a noise ordinance violation it is a nuisance. We don’t expect the city to solve these type of problems.
These neighbors did not complain to the city while construction was going on. They chose to live by a park which we all know makes a ton of noise. We live by a freeway we knew there would be noise. We take responsibility and solve our own problems.
2 We ask that you keep the pickleball hours the same. You spent our tax dollars wisely. We are thankful for the lights as well.
Maybe the neighbors can look into sound proofing their home or turn the tv up or the city can look into to some sound proofing as well. We are trying to think of these neighbors. There comes a time to see what we can do to solve these nuisance problems ourselves and what the city is actually responsible for.
Thank for for your time and for listening
Nick and Kathleen Soboleski
Sent from my iPhone
From:
To: =yCouncil Members
Cc: Jayme Walls
Subject: Agenda Item G.2- Vineyard Parkway Traffic Update - Public Comment Date: Monday, March 24, 2025 1:13:14 PM
Attachments: Vineyard Pkwy Stop Control-6.pdf
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Council Members,
Thank you and staff for your thoughtful and extensive discussion and consideration of the traffic safety issues on Vineyards Parkway at Trilogy Parkway and Solera Ave.
I have included my planned comments for tonight and have attached a presentation summarizing our assessment of the conditions at this intersection and the need for 4 way stop control.
Joe Young
Director
Vineyards at Marsh Creek Owners Association
________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ City Council Meeting, March 25, 2025
Agenda Item G.2
Vineyard Parkway Traffic Update
Planned Public Comment
Mayor, Council Members and Staff – Thank you for the opportunity to speak on this critical matter
I am Joe Young, a Director for the Vineyards at Marsh Creek Owners Association, also known as Trilogy, which represents about 1800 Brentwood Residents. We are all deeply concerned about the recent tragedy at our community entrance and the ongoing traffic situation at the Vineyards and Trilogy Parkways intersection.
First, I must say, we appreciate the actions the City has already taken. They have helped.
However, safety at this intersection is still a major concern to the Trilogy Residents I am representing tonight. Some of whom I have asked to be here tonight.
It is clear from the various traffic manuals there are no hard and fast rules as to the requirement for a 4-way stop at Trilogy and Vineyards Parkway.
There is a lot of guidance and manuals on what to consider in making that decision.
There are a lot of statistical numbers, vehicle and pedestrian counts, and unfortunately, one recent tragic death at this intersection that was likely preventable had there been a 4-way stop.
The various guidance manuals make it clear that the decision will ultimately be a judgment call based on many factors impacting traffic and safety at this intersection.
We have discussed and provided our input on these factors in the attached PowerPoint We believe the installation of a 4-Way stop is well supported by the data, conditions, and the community.
We feel the use of stop signs with flashing lights, possibly motion activated – Similar to those at Oak Ave and Byron Road is the appropriate approach at this time.
We also believe that a pre warning PREPARE TO STOP sign with flashing lights several hundred feet south of the intersection for the north bound lane of Vineyard Parkway is essential due to the topography and short sight distance at this intersection.
It seems that the RRFB’s currently at this intersection could be moved to the Andalucia Intersection and the grant funds may possibly be repurposed to support the installation of the flashing signage identified above.
We thank you for your consideration of this matter and are looking forward to a positive and supportive decision by the Council.
Thank You
Joe Young
Director, VMCOA
I am available for questions.
Vineyard & Trilogy
Parkways
Stop Control
Vineyards at Marsh Creek Owners Association
The Intersection
References
• CA MUTCD
• California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
2014 Edition
• MUTCD
• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, US Dept of Transportation 11th Edition
• HDM
• Highway Design Manual – CalTrans July 1, 2020
How Is Need For Traffic Control
Determined?
• The decision to use a particular device at a
particular location should be made on the basis
of either an engineering study or the application
of engineering judgement.
• Thus, while this manual provides standards,
guidance, and options for design and application
of traffic control devices, this manual should not
be considered a substitute for engineering
judgement.
• CA MUTCD 1A.09 31 Pg 58
Multi-Way Stop Applications
CA MUTCD 2B.07
• Warrant Guidance Considerations (Meet 2 of 3)
• Accident History
• Traffic Volume
• Visibility
• Other Equal or Overriding Considerations
• Site Distance for crossing vehicles
• Control of vehicle\pedestrian conflicts
• Control of left turn conflicts
Warrant Analysis - Accident
History – City Study
• One recent fatality
• A multi-way stop likely would have saved a life
• Primary contributor to accident was seasonal
sun blinding.
• Warrant guidance 3-5 accidents not met yet
• BUT WE DO NOT WANT TO GET THERE
• There are frequent near misses
• Forced Stops
• Speed reductions
Sun Blinding
Warrant Analysis - Traffic Volume
City Study
• 8 Hour Combined Average volume
• Vineyard Pkwy 1982 total, Average 248 VPH
• Trilogy/Solera 606 total, Average 76 VPH
• Hourly combined average 324 VPH
• Two Criteria Are Specified
• Combined Volume Criteria
• 450 VPH for 35 MPH speed
• 315 VPH for Speed > 40 MPH Criteria Met
• Side Street Criteria (4-6 Ped/Hr not included)
• 150 VPH for 35 MPH
• 105 VPH for speed> 40 MPH
• 84 VPH for Isolated Community Population < 10,000
Isolated Community Criteria for
Population < 10,000
• Vehicle volume Count Reduction for Isolated
Community 56%
• MUTCD 4C.02 Pg 653
• Recognizes that for small communities the
traffic hazard still exists even though the risk
probability is less due to lower traffic volume
• Recognizes that when a community is smaller
the acceptable level of risk is lower.
Trilogy is an Isolated Community
Population less than 10,000
• Our community
• Vineyards at Marsh
Creek (Trilogy)
• Lark Hill
• Vista Dorado
• Barossa
• Seems unfair to
subject us to a
hazard created
largely by traffic
using our community
as a throughfare
Warrant Analysis - Traffic Volume
VMCOA Study
• 8 Hour Combined Average volume
• Vineyard Pkwy 1877 total, Average 235 VPH
• Trilogy/Solera 703 total, Average 88*VPH
• Hourly combined average 323 VPH
• Combined Criteria
• 450 VPH for 35 MPH speed
• 315 VPH for Speed > 40 MPH Criteria Met
• Side Street Criteria (*4-6 Ped.s /Hr not included)
• 150 VPH for 35 MPH
• 105 VPH for speed> 40 MPH
• 84 VPH for Isolated Community Criteria Met
Warrant Analysis - Visibility &
Other Considerations
• Warrant
• Is the minor street stopping distance LESS than
recommended? – NA Minor street has stop sign
• Warrant Doesn’t Evaluate Other Considerations
• Is minor street crossing sight distance LESS than
required to safely enter the intersection – Yes Met
• Is major street stopping distance LESS than required? - Possibly Yes Met?
Sight Distance - Other
Considerations
• Sight Distance for vehicle stopped at stop sign on
side street (Trilogy Parkway)
• Adequate time should be provided for a stopped
vehicle on the minor road to cross all lanes of
through traffic, cross the near lanes and turn left or
turn right. HDM 405.1 (2)(a )
• For Trilogy Parkway this equates to 8.25 seconds
of travel at 45 MPH = 545 feet
• This condition is not met
• Additionally, seasonal sun blinding impacts
southernly sight – One death to date
Sight Distance – To Safely Cross
Intersection – 545 Feet
Car at Limit line
View at Limit Line – No 545’ Pylon
Drivers Compensation For
Inadequate Sight Distance
• Pull into the cross walk & beyond
• Forcing pedestrians into the throughfare
• Increasing risk further to pedestrians and
vehicles
Car in Cross Walk
View at Cross Walk – 545’ Pylon
Stopping Distance – Other
Considerations
• Stopping sight distance also is to be provided for
all users
• 45 MPH Stopping distance is 360 Feet
• Compliance is marginal
• Requires vigilant landscape managment
Through Traffic Stopping Distance
-
Stopping Distance – 360’
Conclusion
Multi Way Stop Is Reasonable
• Accident history is still developing
• Traffic volume base on isolated community warrants
a multi way stop
• Visibility warrants a multi way stop based on time to enter & cross intersection
• An engineering study applying engineering
judgement related to other consideration does not
preclude a multiway stop at the Trilogy Parkway
intersection.
• An engineering study applying engineering judgment
reasonably supports a multiway stop at the Trilogy
Parkway intersection
Request – Install Multi Way Stop
• Install multi way stop at Trilogy Pkwy/Solera &
Vineyards Parkway intersection
• Grant funding is already available for improve
flashing beacons and integrated pre warning signage
• A four-way stop will not cost significantly more
• Use stop sigh with flashing lights, possibly motion
activated – Similar to Oak Ave & Byron Road
• Use Pre-Warning PREPARE TO STOP sigh with
flashing lights
Flashing Stop Sign Byron & Balfour
Thank You
• Bottom Line – This is a Judgement Call
• There are a lot of manuals and guidance
• There are a lot of numbers
• We believe installation of a Multi Way Stop is well
supported by Data, Conditions, & Community
• We are asking you to make that call for us
From: Sheri C.
To: =yCouncil Members
Subject: Stop sign at Solera and Vineyard Parkway
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025 7:41:11 AM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Dear Councilmembers,
I would like to show support for a stop sign at the location listed above. It’s only a matter of time before one of the college speeders hits one of our terrible drivers (seniors), you know what I mean ! Sincerely,
Sheri & Milt Checchi
Sent from my iPhone
From: Angelo Christo
To: =yCouncil Members
Subject: Stop Signs on Vineyards Parkway
Date: Monday, March 24, 2025 12:21:48 PM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Dear Council Members,
I live in Tuscany Village within Trilogy at the Vineyards. The agenda for your March 25th meeting indicates that you will once again be discussing the traffic on Vineyards Parkway and the possibility of adding two stop signs along Vineyards Parkway where it meets Trilogy Parkway.
I know that the City of Brentwood has already taken steps to make this intersection more safe by adding speed limit markings on the pavement, by increasing the landscaping maintenance to reduce the height of plants, by adding additional time to the RRFBs, by making the crosswalk striping more visible, and by installing radar speed signs.
My understanding is that more RRFBs at other pedestrian crossings and advanced warnings signals are also in plan.
I applaud all of these enhancements.
However, I think adding two stop signs along Vineyards Parkway would be a mistake. There is not enough traffic on the the parkway to justify the signs so they will be a nuisance to drivers, and my prediction is that many drivers will simply ignore them. If drivers do not ignore them, they will cause congestion at the intersection, which will also be a nuisance. Given all the recent improvements along Vineyards Parkway, I believe the parkway is safe enough and do not think that anything additional needs to be done.
Sincerely,
Angelo Christo
From: Claudia Curran
To: =yCouncil Members
Cc:
Subject: Council meeting March 25
Date: Monday, March 24, 2025 9:50:34 AM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Good morning Council Members,
My husband and I live at Trilogy at the Vineyards. This morning I was alerted in our daily digest of a council meeting tomorrow evening pertaining to a potential stop sign on Trilogy Parkway. There wasn’t a mention of what intersection. Unfortunately we cannot attend this meeting, thus my note.
I understand there was a fatality at the intersection leading to our clubhouse. There is another one that we have had particular trouble at Zinfandel/Vineyards Parkway (and across the street it’s Latour/Vineyards Parkway (Bordeaux community). I personally have almost been hit a dozen times and find walking from Bordeaux side to Sonoma gate in the crosswalk I have to wait in the median as people zoom down Trilogy Parkway, not necessarily residents.
Driving across from Bordeaux to Sonoma gate I have had to stop in the middle of the crossing as someone is driving fast down the hill, with one car honking their horn at me as she wasn’t stopping. The visibility is lacking. I feel there needs to be a stop sign here.
There is another dangerous intersection coming from Balfour on John Muir Parkway towards Concord Ave. The left turn from John Muir Pkwy onto Ventura is dicey, people speed coming from the neighborhood, school, etc., and there’s little visibility for us making a turn if a car is coming. I have been almost hit several times. My husband witnessed a near collision there as well. Maybe a stop sign coming out of that community, or a mirror that we can see cars coming so we can turn safely.
Warm regards,
Claudia Curran
Sent from my iPhone
From: Mel Zimowski
To: =yCouncil Members
Subject: Vineyards Parkway Traffic Update
Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025 10:30:43 PM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Dear Council Members,
I see that a Vineyards Parkway Traffic Update and discussion is on the agenda for your March 25th meeting. Although I will not be able to attend, I would like to share some of my thoughts regarding traffic solution options for Vineyards Parkway.
I attended the September 24, 2024 Council Meeting via Zoom. My plan was to listen to and possibly participate in the Vineyards Parkway Traffic Update discussion. Unfortunately, this discussion occurred very late in the meeting, not starting until approximately 11:40 PM, which made it impossible for me to participate. I did, however, record the discussion and have listened to what transpired.
Since I was unable to actually participate, I would now like to share some of my observations and thoughts with Council members.
First, as a resident of Tuscany Village in Trilogy, I would like to commend the City Council and the Engineering Department for the actions taken thus far and the further actions already in plan. The pavement speed limit markings, the continued maintenance to reduce the height of landscaping, the additional time added to the RRFBs, the more visible crosswalk striping, and the radar speed signs have all added to the safety of Vineyards Parkway. Additional RRFBs and the advanced warning signals that are in plan will make this parkway even safer. Thank you for all these enhancements. Let me also mention that I am especially appreciative of the RRFBs. I am disabled and walk slowly, but I still frequently walk from Tuscany Village to our clubhouse mailroom to pick up the mail. Needless to say, I always activate the RRFBs when walking across Vineyards Parkway. I have never felt unsafe because cars have always slowed down and/or stopped in order to give me the time I need to walk across the parkway. This is proof positive that the RRFBs are effective.
I listened to the update presentation given by Allen Bacquilar on September 24, 2024 and would like to introduce one additional point that should be considered when discussing the possible installation of a traffic light, stop signs or speed humps at or near the intersection of Vineyards Parkway and Trilogy Parkway: congestion. At the moment, the flow of traffic is not unnecessarily impeded. During most times of the day, the traffic on Vineyards Parkway is light and flows nicely. If vehicles are now required to stop or slow down, the flow will be interrupted, even when there is no safety reason for doing so. This will adversely impact those using the parkway, and it will especially impact Trilogy residents, and in particular Tuscany Village residents, who use the parkway and minor connecting roads frequently. Two physical points of congestion that should be specifically noted will be the left hand turn lanes in both directions. These turn lanes are only able to hold a few cars, so as traffic backs up, it will overflow onto Vineyards Parkway proper. The overflow will eliminate the possibility of right turn on a red light if a traffic light is installed or, in the case of stop signs, brief stop and go pass thru traffic. This congestion will be most noticeable during those times of the day when larger numbers of residents all head to the club at the same time (e.g. mail pickup, dinner or special community events) or when large events, such as weddings, are contracted by nonresidents at the club house. For this reason alone, I and others in the Trilogy community are strongly opposed to the addition of a signal light, stop signs or speed humps. Will the addition of any of these include a lengthening of the left hand turn lanes? I also have a few comments on some of the discussion that followed the presentation. My impression is that there may be some misunderstanding among Council members about the accident that occurred in 2023 that resulted in the death of a Tuscany resident. I arrived at the scene just a minute or two after the accident, before EMS or any police arrived. Here is what I saw. The accident did not occur on Vineyards Parkway, as some Council members seem to believe. It occurred in the Solera gate entry area for Tuscany Village after the truck that hit the woman had turned right off of Vineyards Parkway. The woman was lying on the pavement at least 10 to 15 and possibly even 20 feet into the Solera gate entry area just in front of the truck. The back of the truck was completely inside the gate entry area and beyond the crosswalk. The woman was struck while walking her dog, and based on the location of the woman and the truck following the accident, it would be reasonable to conclude that the woman was walking well within the gate entry area and not in a crosswalk at the time. Due to the time of day, the driver of the vehicle was blinded by the sunlight as it set in the West. It seems likely that the woman was walking far enough within the Solera gate entry that she could not have been seen by the driver before making the turn, and there was no reason for him to expect that a pedestrian would be where she was. The details surrounding this accident, many of which are not even clearly understood by some (most?) Trilogy residents, should be verifiable by looking at the police report. Some Council members seem to believe that a traffic light, stop signs, or speed humps would have prevented this accident, but this seems unlikely given the actual location of the accident and the circumstances involved.
Due to the light traffic within the Trilogy villages and the fact that most drivers drive slowly many residents are very lax about using the sidewalks when they are out for walks. It is not at all unusual to see them walking in the streets, with or without their dogs. In addition, many drivers are not careful when entering Vineyards Parkway from their villages, as the attached email points out. It will not be possible for the City of Brentwood to protect these residents even if the city places a traffic light or stop signs at every intersection where a minor road connects to Vineyards Parkway. Residents simply need to be more alert and careful.
In closing, I would like to make one additional point. During the discussion, at least one Council member stated that Trilogy residents “told me that they wanted a stop sign”. There is, in fact, a very vocal subset of Trilogy residents who do want a traffic light, stop signs or speed humps. This cannot be denied and you have met some of them at your City Council meetings. However, the Trilogy community at large has never been formally polled on this matter, and I know that there are other residents like myself who feel that there is no justification for a traffic light, stop signs, or speed humps, and that the Trilogy Parkway Vineyards Parkway intersection is now safe enough given the light traffic and the many new and planned traffic enhancements. One of the reasons I moved to Brentwood from San Jose, and in particular to Trilogy, on the outskirts of Brentwood, was to get away from all the traffic and traffic congestion that one finds in a larger city. Does the City Council really want to introduce traffic congestion into a part of the city where there currently is none? I hope not. One additional future enhancement that I think would be worth considering is speed safety cameras. This would target offenders that make the parkway less safe without adversely affecting the rest of us.