CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
1982
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Jacki Scott, Public Works Director/City Engineer
DATE: June 21, 2022
SUBJECT: Annual Review of Traffic Controls for Schools
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the modification of signs that prohibit stopping or unloading on southbound Chapparosa Park Road between Seaglen Drive and Saltaire from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on school days;
2. Approve the modification of signs that prohibit parking on eastbound Adelanto Drive between Crown Valley Parkway and Via Acaso Drive from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and for the public parking area frequently utilized by pickleball court users, from 7:00 to 9:00 AM and from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM on school days; and,
3. Direct Police Services to continue enforcement efforts in and around the schools.
BACKGROUND
In 1994, the City established a practice of annually reviewing traffic operations around the schools within the City. These reviews sometimes lead to recommended changes in traffic controls. As part of the reviews, the City has partnered with school staff to notify them of any traffic-related issues that occur during the school year. Since the school officials have day-to-day operational knowledge of the school, they possess unique insight into how the parents, teachers, and students use the adjacent roadways and sidewalks. Attachment "A" shows the locations of the schools.
City staff has been in contact with the principals throughout the school year to request input on traffic concerns or proposed modifications to the existing traffic controls around their school. This year, City staff received two requests to modify traffic controls.
Improving school traffic circulation supports City Council Goal 1 (Public Safety), Goal 4 (Infrastructure and Technology), and Goal 6 (Communication and Community Outreach) of the City's adopted Strategic Plan.
ANALYSIS
The traffic request, categorized by school, is as follows:
George White Elementary School
George White Elementary School is located west of Golden Lantern on Chapparosa Park Road. The preferred access is through the school's driveway on Chapparosa Park Road for drop-off and pick-up.
There are existing stopping/unloading restrictions on both sides of Chapparosa Park Road between Seaglen Drive and Saltaire from 7:00 AM to 8:10 AM and 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM on school days. Before the restrictions were put into place, a queue would form on southbound Chapparosa Park Road as parents waited to make a left turn into the school's driveway. Parked cars along southbound Chapparosa Park Road prevented pass- through traffic from maneuvering around the defacto left turn lane which caused delays and congestion in the area.
The principal from George White Elementary School requested to modify the stopping/unloading restrictions on southbound Chapparosa Park Road to coincide with the bell schedule and early release times (Attachment "B"). The following proposed expanded hours simplify the signs to encourage compliance as well as accommodate future changes to the bell schedule without the need to modify the signs:
• 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM on school days Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts (OCASA) and Community Roots Academy (CRA)
OCASA and CRA are the two charter schools located on the former Crown Valley Elementary School campus. The preferred access is through the school's driveway on Adelanto Drive for drop-off and pick-up.
There are existing parking restrictions on eastbound Adelanto Drive between Crown Valley Parkway and Via Acaso Drive from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM Monday through Friday, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Wednesday and Thursday, and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.
The principal from OCASA requested to implement the afternoon parking restriction from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM on all school days to coincide with the bell schedule and early/late release times for both CRA and OCASA (Attachment "C"). The parking restriction allows for the student pick-up line on eastbound Adelanto Drive to queue adjacent to the curb allowing through traffic to circulate.
There are a total of 8 sign locations on Adelanto Drive with sign location 1 being the closest to Crown Valley Parkway and sign location 8 the furthest from Crown Valley Parkway. The following proposed expanded hours simplify the signs to encourage compliance as well as accommodate future changes to the bell schedule without the need to modity the signs:
• Sign locations 1-2 and 6-8: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM on school days
• Sign locations 3-5: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM on school days The curb space adjacent to sign locations 3 through 5 allows for pickleball players to park on eastbound Adelanto Drive for the full duration of the pickleball court hours, which is 9:15 AM to 12:15 PM Monday through Friday. It takes approximately 15 minutes for the pickleball players to pack up and return to their cars by 12:30 PM. The proposed 30- minute window of parking is a compromise between student pick-up and pickleball parking. Parents arriving early for student pick-up before the 12:30 dismissal can queue at the curb space adjacent to sign locations 1 through 3 and 6 through 8.
A separate traffic study is being conducted to address parking and circulation concerns in the charter school area. City staff is working closely with school staff and other stakeholders such as nearby residents, Capistrano Unified School District, and Police Services to identify solutions that would improve the queue on Crown Valley Parkway.
Recommendations will be presented to the Traffic and Transportation Commission for review and approval this summer.
Traffic and Transportation Commission Review
On May 25, 2022, the Traffic and Transportation Commission reviewed the Annual Review of Traffic Controls for Schools discussion item (Attachment "D"). Based on field analysis presented by staff during the Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting, the Traffic and Transportation Commission recommended that the City Council:
1. Approve the modification of signs that prohibit stopping or unloading on southbound Chapparosa Park Road between Seaglen Drive and Saltaire from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on school days;
2. Approve the modification of signs that prohibit parking on eastbound Adelanto Drive between Crown Valley Parkway and Via Acaso Drive from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM on school days; and,
3. Direct Police Services to continue enforcement efforts in and around the schools.
Draft meeting minutes are provided in Attachment "E".
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
1. The City Council may decide not to approve one or more of the recommended actions, which would result in no changes to the existing traffic patterns around George White Elementary School, OCASA, or CRA. This alternative is not recommended because the proposed improvements were requested by the schools and recommended by the Traffic and Transportation Commission on May 25, 2022.
2. The City Council may decide to modify one or more of the recommended actions.
Any alterations to the recommended actions would be a deviation from the original requests made by the schools.
FISCAL REVIEW
The cost to fabricate and install custom signs at George White Elementary school is approximately $750. The cost to fabricate and install custom signs at OCASA and CRA is approximately $2,000. There are sufficient funds in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Public Works Department budget to cover the costs.
LEGAL REVIEW
No legal review is required for this report.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the modification of signs that prohibit stopping or unloading on southbound Chapparosa Park Road between Seaglen Drive and Saltaire from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on school days;
2. Approve the modification of signs that prohibit parking on eastbound Adelanto Drive between Crown Valley Parkway and Via Acaso Drive from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and for the public parking area frequently utilized by pickleball court users, from 7:00 to 9:00 AM and from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM on school days; and,
3. Direct Police Services to continue enforcement efforts in and around the schools.
Tamara S. Letourneau
City Manager
Kathy Nguyen
Engineering Seprices Manager
Attachments:
A. School Locations
B. George White Elementary School - Proposed Sign Modification C. OCASA & CRA - Proposed Sign Modification
D. Traffic and Transportation Commission Staff Report, May 25, 2022 E. Traffic and Transportation Commission Draft Meeting Minutes, May 25, 2022
ATTACHMENT A
School Locations
Legend
• George White Elem
• Hidden Hills Elem School
• John Malcolm Elem School La Paz Rd
• Laguna Niguel Elem School
Marian Bergesen Elem School
• Moulton Elem School
• Niguel Hills Middle School
• Community Roots Academy (charter) -Aliso. Creek Rd
• OCASA (charter)
• St. Anne School (private)
• McDowell School (private) Moulton. Pkwy
Alicia Pkwy
Crown Valley Pkwy Golden Lantern
Niguel Rd
G PUBWRKSIWORD_DATAITrafic13 - Agenda Items|2019104-Apr/Attachments|Schools Review - Schoel Location2019 .pdf Comino Del Avion
CELEBRATING
School Locations
LAGUNA NIGEL City of Laguna Niguel
ATTACHMENT B
George White Elementary School - Proposed Sign
Modification
LEGEND
NO STOPPING NO STOPPING
Stopping/Unloading
OR UNLOADING OR UNLOADING
Restriction
Proposed Sign 7:00 - 8:10 AM 7 - 9 AM
Modification
2:00 - 3:00 PM 12 - 3 PM
SCHOOL DAYS SCHOOL DAYS
EXISTING SIGN PROPOSED SIGN
eaglen Dr
Chapparosa Park Rd
Saltaire
SCHOOL
George White Elementary School
Proposed Sign Modification
ATTACHMENT C
OCASA & CRA - Proposed Sign Modification
LEGEND NO PARKING
M-TU-FR
7-9AM & 2-4PM
Parking Restriction WED & THUR
7-9AM & 12-2PM
SCHOOL DAYS
Proposed Sign
EXISTING SIGN
Modification
NO PARKING NO PARKING
MON - FRI MON - FRI
7 - 9 AM 7 - 9 AM
12 - 4 PM 12:30 - 4 PM
Crown Valley Pkwy
SCHOOL DAYS SCHOOL DAYS BEGIN
A
2 PROPOSED SIGNS
C
B
3 Adelanto Dr
4 Monte Verde Dr
B
5 A
6 A
7 Orange County Academy A
of Sciences and Arts 8
(OCASA)
Community Roots
Academy
(CRA)
OCASA & CRA
Proposed Sign Modification
ATTACHMENT D
Traffic and Transportation Commission Staff Report,
May 25, 2022
CITY OF LagUNA NIGUEL
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
AGENDA ITEM
To: Traffic and Transportation Commission Members
FROM: Kathy Nguyen, Engineering Services Manager/City Traffic Engineer DATE: May 25, 2022
SUBJECT: Annual Review of Traffic Controls for Schools
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission recommend that the City Council:
1. Approve the modification of signs that prohibit stopping or unloading on southbound Chapparosa Park Road between Seaglen Drive and Saltaire from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on school days;
2. Approve the modification of signs that prohibit parking on eastbound Adelanto Drive between Crown Valley Parkway and Via Acaso Drive from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM on school days; and,
3. Direct Police Services to continue enforcement efforts in and around the schools.
BACKGROUND
In 1994, the City established a practice of annually reviewing traffic operations at/near the schools within the City. These reviews often lead to recommended changes in traffic controls. As part of the reviews, the City has relied on school staff to notify them of any traffic-related issues that occur during the school year. Since the school officials have day-to-day operational knowledge of the school, they possess unique insight on how the parents, teachers, and students use the adjacent roadways and sidewalks. Attachment "A" shows the locations of the schools.
City staff has been in contact with the principals throughout the school year to request input on traffic concerns or proposed modifications to the existing traffic controls around their schools. This year, City staff received two requests to modify traffic controls.
ANALYSIS
The traffic requests, categorized by school, are as follows:
George White Elementary School
George White Elementary School is located west of Golden Lantern on Chapparosa Park Road. The preferred access is through the school's driveway on Chapparosa Park Road for drop-off and pick-up.
There are existing stopping/unloading restrictions on both sides of Chapparosa Park Road between Seaglen Drive and Saltaire from 7:00 AM to 8:10 AM and 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM on school days. Before the restrictions were put into place, a queue would form on southbound Chapparosa Park Road as parents waited to make a left turn into the school's driveway. Parked cars along southbound Chapparosa Park Road prevented pass- through traffic from maneuvering around the defacto left turn lane which caused delays and congestion in the area.
The principal from George White Elementary School has requested that the City modify the stopping/unloading restrictions on southbound Chapparosa Park Road to coincide with this year's bell schedule and early release times. The following proposed expanded hours simplify the signs to encourage compliance as well as accommodate future changes to the bell schedule without the need to modify the signs (Attachment "B"):
• 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM on school days Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts (OCASA) and Community Roots Academy (CRA)
OCASA and CRA are the two charter schools located on the former Crown Valley Elementary School campus. The preferred access is through the school's driveway on Adelanto Drive for drop-off and pick-up.
There are existing parking restrictions on eastbound Adelanto Drive between Crown Valley Parkway and Via Acaso Drive from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM Monday through Friday, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Wednesday and Thursday, and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.
The principal from OCASA requested to extend the afternoon parking restriction from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM on all school days to coincide with this year's bell schedule and early/late release times for both CRA and OCASA. The parking restriction allows for the student pick-up line on eastbound Adelanto Drive to queue adjacent to the curb allowing through traffic to circulate. The following proposed expanded hours simplify the signs to encourage compliance as well as accommodate future changes to the bell schedule without the need to modify the signs (Attachment "C"):
• Sign locations 1-2 and 6-8: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM on school days
• Sign locations 3-5: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM on school days The curb space adjacent to sign locations 3 through 5 allows for pickleball players to park on eastbound Adelanto Drive for the full duration of the pickleball court hours, which is 9:15 AM to 12:15 PM Monday through Friday. It takes approximately 15 minutes for the pickleball players to pack up and return to their cars by 12:30 PM. The proposed 30- minute window of parking is a compromise between student pick-up and pickleball parking. Parents arriving early for student pick-up on before the 12:30 PM dismissal can queue at the curb space adjacent to sign locations 1 through 3 and 6 through 8.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
1. The Traffic and Transportation Commission may decide not to recommend one or more of the recommended actions to the City Council, which would result in no changes to the existing traffic patterns around George White Elementary School, OCASA, or CRA.
2. The Traffic and Transportation Commission may decide to modify one or more of the recommended actions to the City Council. Any alterations to the recommended actions would be a deviation from the original requests made by the schools.
FISCAL REVIEW
The cost to fabricate and install custom signs at George White Elementary School is approximately $750. The cost to fabricate and install custom signs at OCASA and CRA is approximately $2,000. There are sufficient funds in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Public Works Department budget to cover the costs.
LEGAL REVIEW
No legal review is required for this report.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the Traffic and Transportation Commission recommend that the City Council:
1. Approve the modification of signs that prohibit stopping or unloading on southbound Chapparosa Park Road between Seaglen Drive and Saltaire from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on school days;
2. Approve the modification of signs that prohibit parking on eastbound Adelanto Drive between Crown Valley Parkway and Via Acaso Drive from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM on school days; and,
3. Direct Police Services to continue enforcement efforts in and around the schools.
Kathy Nguyen
Engineering Services Manager/
Attachments:
A. School Locations
B. George White Elementary School - Proposed Sign Modification C. OCASA & CRA - Proposed Sign Modification
ATTACHMENT A
Traffic and Transportation Commission Agenda Item -
May 25, 2022
School Locations
Legend
George White Elem
• Hidden Hills Elem School
• John Malcolm Elem School La Paz Rd:
Laguna Niguel Elem School
• Marian Bergesen Elem School
Moulton Elem School
• Niguel Hills Middle School
• Community Roots Academy (charter) Aliso Creek RaD
• OCASA (charter)
• St. Anne School (private)
McDowell School (private) Moulton. Pkwy:
Alicia Pkwy
Crown Valley Pkwy Golden Lantern
Niguel Rd:
G:IPUBWRKSIWORD_DATAlTralliel) - Agenda llems/2019104-ApıVllachmen(s|Schools Review/^- Scloo Lucalion2019 pdf comino Det Avion
CELEGRATING
3 School Locations
City of Laguna Niguel
LAGUNA NIGUEL
ATTACHMENT B
Traffic and Transportation Commission Agenda Item -
May 25, 2022
George White Elementary School
Proposed Sign Modification
LEGEND
NO STOPPING NO STOPPING
Stopping/Unloading OR UNLOADING
Restriction OR UNLOADING
7:00 - 8:10 AM 7 - 9 AM
Proposed Sign
Modification
2:00 - 3:00 PM 12 - 3 PM
SCHOOL DAYS SCHOOL DAYS
EXISTING SIGN PROPOSED SIGN
eaglen Di
Chapparosa Park Rd
Saltaire
SCHOOL
George White Elementary School
Proposed Sign Modification
ATTACHMENT C
Traffic and Transportation Commission Agenda Item -
May 25, 2022
OCASA & CRA
Proposed Sign Modification
LEGEND NO PARKIRG
N-TO-FR
7-9 AM & 2-4PM
Parking Restriction WED G THUR
7-9AK & 12-2PM
SCHOOL DAYS
Proposed Sign
EXISTING SIGN
Modification
NO PARKING NO PARKING
MON - FRI MOR - FRI
7 - 9 AM 7 - 9 AM
Crown Valley Pkwy A :2 - 4PM 12:30 - 4 PM
1 SCHOOL DAYS SCHOOL DAYS BEGIN
A
PROPOSED SIGNS
B
3 Adelanto Dr
4 Monte Verde Dr
B
6 Orange County Academy A
of Sciences and Arts 8
(OCASA)
Community Roots
Academy
(CRA)
OCASA & CRA
Proposed Sign Modification
ATTACHMENT E
Traffic and Transportation Commission Draft Meeting Minutes, May 25, 2022
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
May 25,2022 - 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER - Chair Kinney called the Regular Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commission Members: Chair John Kinney - Present
Vice Chair Susan Harden - Present
Commissioner Amy Betonte - Present
Commissioner Foster "Gene" Johns - Present
Commissioner Gregory Clements - Present
Council Liaisons: Council Member Fred Minagar - Present Council Member Rischi Paul Sharma - Present
City Staff Present: Public Works Director Jacki Scott
City Traffic Engineer Kathy Nguyen
Administrative Sergeant Jason Howell
Deputy Sheriff Joe Bucaro
Senior Management Analyst Russell Narahara
Commission Secretary Kaylee Choa
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Commissioner Betonte
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim Noggle spoke on the proposed City Center development project and his concern about the overflow of parking in his neighborhood.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Clements, seconded by Commissioner Johns, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion carried 5-0.
Minutes of the Regular Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting on April 27, 2022
Approved as written.
Traffic & Transportation Commission Regular Minutes Page 1 of 3 May 25, 2022
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Status of Summer Trolley Program
Senior Management Analyst Narahara provided a PowerPoint presentation on the status of the Summer Trolley Program.
Discussion continued between Commissioners and staff.
There were no public comments on this item.
Commissioners accepted and filed this report.
Status Update of Travel Time and Delay Studies
City Traffic Engineer Nguyen provided a status update on arterial travel time and delay studies.
Discussion continued between Commissioners and staff.
There were no public comments on this item.
Commissioners accepted and filed this report.
3. Annual Review of Traffic Controls for Schools
Public Works Director Scott presented the annual review of traffic controls for schools.
Discussion continued between Commissioners and staff
There were no public comments on this item.
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Clements, seconded by Vice Chair Harden, to recommend that the City Council:
1. Approve the modification of signs that prohibit stopping or unloading on southbound Chapparosa Park Road between Seaglen Drive and Saltaire from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on school days;
2. Approve the modification of signs that prohibit parking on eastbound Adelanto Drive between Crown Valley Parkway and Via Acaso Drive from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM on school days; and,
3. Direct Police Services to continue enforcement efforts in and around the schools.
Motion carried 5-0.
Traffic & Transportation Commission Regular Minutes Page 2 of 3 May 25, 2022
STAFF, CITY COUNCIL, AND COMMISSION COMMENTS
City Traffic Engineer Nguyen provided a preview of the discussion items for the June 22, 2022 Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting.
Council Member Minagar commented on the Coastal Fire and commended the Orange County Sheriff's Department and Orange County Fire Authority for their quick response to the fire.
ADJOURNMENT - Chair Kinney adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kaylee Choa
Traffic and Transportation Commission Secretary
Traffic & Transportation Commission Regular Minutes Page 3 of 3 May 25, 2022