CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Jacki Scott, Public Works Director/City Engineer
DATE: June 6, 2023
SUBJECT: Annual Review of Traffic Controls for Charter Schools and George White Elementary School
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the installation of signs that prohibit midblock U-turns on Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja;
2. Approve the removal of No Right Turn on Red signs on Golden Lantern at Chapparosa Park; 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 sometimes 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 into how the parents, teachers, and students use the adjacent roadways and sidewalks. Attachment "A" shows the locations of the schools in the city.
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, staff received three requests to modify traffic control from school staff.
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 requests, categorized by school, are as follows:
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.
On the south side of the school, there is an alternative pedestrian path that CRA students may use at the end of the school day to enter the residential neighborhood at Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja. CRA students in grades 4 through 8 are allowed to use this path. OCASA students do not use the path. Approximately 40 to 50 vehicles use this area to pick up students and most cars will U-turn midblock once they've picked up their child rather than go to the cul-de-sac at the end of Via San Sebastian. CRA provides a staff member for this area. The intersection of Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja is at the bottom of a steep hill and there is no marked crosswalk for the students to cross the street. The principal from CRA has requested No U-Turn signs at the intersection of Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja to enhance safety during pick-up. Three No U-turn signs are proposed at the intersection of Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja (Attachment "B").
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 No Right Turn on Red signs on southbound Golden Lantern at Chapparosa Park Road from 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM on school days ("Attachment C"). The signs were installed over 20 years ago to meter traffic turning onto Chapparosa Park Road.
The office manager from George White Elementary School requested that an assessment be conducted to determine if the right-turn restriction is still necessary. Observations were done in March 2023 while the signs were covered, and staff determined that traffic patterns have changed and that the turning restriction is no longer necessary. Removal of the No Right Turn on Red signs is proposed.
Traffic and Transportation Commission Review
On April 26, 2023, 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 meeting, the Traffic and Transportation Commission recommended that the City Council:
1. Approve the installation of signs that prohibit midblock U-turns on Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja;
2. Approve the removal of No Right Turn on Red signs on Golden Lantern at Chapparosa Park; and,
3. Direct Police Services to continue enforcement efforts in and around the schools.
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 April 26,2023.
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 of the proposed improvements is approximately $1,000. There are sufficient funds in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Public Works Department budget to cover this cost.
LEGAL REVIEW
No legal review is required for this report.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the installation of signs that prohibit midblock U-turns on Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja;
2. Approve the removal of No Right Turn on Red signs on Golden Lantern at Chapparosa Park; and,
3. Direct Police Services to continue enforcement efforts in and around the schools.
Samara Retonneau ( Seco
Tamara S. Letourneau Jacki Scott
City Manager Publie Works Director/City Engineer
thy Nguye
Engineering Services Manager
Attachments:
A. School Locations
B. OCASA & CRA - Proposed Sign Installation on Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja
C. George White Elementary School - Existing Conditions D. Traffic and Transportation Commission Staff Report, April 26, 2023 E. Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes, April 26, 2023
ATTACHMENT A
School Locations
Legend
• George White Elem
O 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 RdO
• OCASA (charter)
• St. Anne School (private)
• McDowell School (private) Moulton Pkwy
Alicia Pkwy
Crown Valley Pkwy Golden Lantern
Niguel Rd
GMIPUBWRKSIWORD_DATAlTraffic13 - Agenda Items\2019104-Apr/AltachmenisiSchools ReviewlA - Schaol Localion2019.pdi Camino Del Avion
ELEBRATINC
36 School Locations
LAGUNA NIGUEL City of Laguna Niguel
ATTACHMENT B
OCASA & CRA - Proposed Sign Installation on Via San
Sebastian and Calle Vieja
Legend
Proposed Sign Installation
PROPOSED SIGN
Crown Valley Parkway
Orange County
Academy of
Sciences and Arts
(OCASA)
Community
Roots
Academy
Sebastian (CRA)
Calle Vieja
Calle Vieja and Via San Sebastian
Proposed Sign Installation
ATTACHMENT C
George White Elementary School - Existing Conditions
CN RED
CHOOL DATE
ON RED
LANE
BIKE
Existing No Right Turn on Red Signage at
Chapparosa Park Road and Golden Lantern
ATTACHMENT D
Traffic and Transportation Commission Staff Report,
April 26, 2023
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: April 26, 2023
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 installation of signs that prohibit midblock U-turns on Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja;
2. Approve the removal of the No Right Turn on Red sign on Golden Lantern at Chapparosa Park; 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 sometimes 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 into how the parents, teachers, and students use the adjacent roadways and sidewalks. Attachment "A" shows the locations of the schools in the city.
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, staff received three requests to modify traffic control from school staff.
ANALYSIS
The traffic requests, categorized by school, are as follows:
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.
On the south side of the school, there is an alternative pedestrian path that CRA students may use at the end of the school day to enter the residential neighborhood at Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja. CRA students in grades 4 through 8 are allowed to use this path. OCASA students do not use the path. Approximately 40 to 50 vehicles use this area to pick up students and most cars will U-turn midblock once they've picked up their child rather than go to the cul-de-sac at the end of Via San Sebastian. CRA provides a staff member for this area. The intersection of Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja is at the bottom of a steep hill and there is no marked crosswalk for the students to cross the street. The principal from CRA has requested No U-Turn signs at the intersection of Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja to enhance safety during pick-up. Three No U-turn signs are proposed at the intersection of Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja (Attachment "B").
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 No Right Turn on Red signs on southbound Golden Lantern at Chapparosa Park Road from 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM on school days ("Attachment C"). The signs were installed over 20 years ago to meter traffic turning onto Chapparosa Park Road.
The office manager from George White Elementary School requested that an assessment be conducted to determine if the right-turn restriction is still necessary. Observations were done in March 2023 while the signs were covered, and staff determined that traffic patterns have changed and that the turning restriction is no longer necessary. Removal of the No Right Turn on Red signs is proposed.
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, 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 of the proposed improvements is approximately $1,000. There are sufficient funds in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 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 installation of signs that prohibit midblock U-turns on Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja;
2. Approve the removal of the No Right Turn on Red sign on Golden Lantern at Chapparosa Park; and,
3. Direct Police Services to continue enforcement efforts in and around the schools.
Yeun
Cathy Nguye
Engineering Services Manager/
City Traffie Engineer
Attachments:
A. School Locations
B. OCASA & CRA - Proposed Sign Installation on Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja
C. George White Elementary School - Existing Conditions
ATTACHMENT A
Traffic and Transportation Commission Agenda Item -
April 26, 2023
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
O OCASA (charter)
• St. Anne School (private)
McDowell School (private) Moulton Pkwy
Alicia Pkwy
Crown Valley Pkwy Golden Lantern
Niguel Rd
G PUBWRKSIWORD_DATAiTra ic13 - Agende Items\2019104-Apr/AltachmenisiSchools Reviewl4 - School Localion2019 pdf Cama
Del Avion
3 School Locations
DAGUNA NICUEL City of Laguna Niguel
ATTACHMENT B
Traffic and Transportation Commission Agenda Item -
April 26, 2023
OCASA & CRA - Proposed Sign Installation on Via San
Sebastian and Calle Vieja
Legend
Proposed Sign Installation
Parkway
Crown Valley,
PROPOSED SIGN
Orange County
Academy of
Sciences and Arts
(OCASA)
Community
Roots
Academy
(CRA)
Calle Vieja
Calle Vieja and Via San Sebastian
Proposed Sign Installation
ATTACHMENT C
Traffic and Transportation Commission Agenda Item -
April 26, 2023
George White Elementary School - Existing Conditions
CN RID
SCHEI DAE
ON RED
LANE
BIkE
Existing No Right Turn on Red Signage at
Chapparosa Park Road and Golden Lantern
ATTACHMENT E
Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes,
April 26, 2023
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
April 26, 2023 - 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER - Chair Betonte called the Regular Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commission Members: Chair Amy Betonte - Present
Vice Chair Foster "Gene" Johns - Present
Commissioner Robin Cashion - Present
Commissioner Gregory Clements - Present
Commissioner Susan Harden - Present
Council Liaisons: Council Member Ray Gennawey - Present City Staff Present: Public Works Director Jacki Scott
City Traffic Engineer Kathy Nguyen
Police Chief Isaac Flores
Administrative Sergeant Jason Howell
Deputy Sheriff Aaron Gilbert
Commission Secretary Kaylee Choa
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Commissioner Cashion
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Harden, seconded by Vice Chair Johns, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion carried 5-0.
Minutes of the Regular Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting on February 22, 2023
Approved as written.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. La Plata Drive Traffic Calming Improvements
City Traffic Engineer Nguyen gave a presentation on existing and proposed traffic calming improvements on La Plata Drive.
Discussion ensued between Commissioners and staff.
Traffic & Transportation Commission Regular Minutes Page 1 of 3 April 26, 2023 Commissioner Clements requested increased police enforcement on La Plata Drive.
Vice Chair Johns requested a comprehensive traffic calming study on La Plata Drive and Commissioner Harden inquired what the study would entail.
Commissioner Clements requested that a subcommittee be formed to discuss La Plata Drive traffic calming measures.
City Traffic Engineer Nguyen stated that a comprehensive traffic calming study would include neighborhood workshops, talking to stakeholders in the area, and exploring how the different traffic calming measures affect the streets holistically.
Residents Anders Lasater, Tom Garner, Drew Hall, Ray Goldmann, Taylor Parham, David Piset, Pat Simmsguard, Mark Popoff, Jerry Monson, Alice Cowell, Tanya Yonda, Geoff Middleton, and Rick Costa spoke on traffic calming improvements on La Plata Drive.
Commissioner Clements inquired what improvements could be done in the interim while waiting for the results of the comprehensive traffic calming study.
City Traffic Engineer Nguyen stated that interim measures include police enforcement, speed feedback trailers, striping, and signage.
Chair Betonte inquired if the comprehensive traffic study would take future developments into consideration.
City Traffic Engineer Nguyen stated that the projected traffic generated by the Grace Church development would be considered in the comprehensive traffic study.
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Harden, seconded by Vice Chair Johns, to:
1. Develop a comprehensive traffic calming plan for the affected streets in the Niguel Hills neighborhood; and,
2. Direct staff to provide additional enforcement, speed feedback trailers, and signage in the interim.
Motion carried 5-0.
2. Annual Review of Traffic Controls for Schools
Laura Forinash, Traffic Engineer from Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., gave a presentation on the requests from Community Roots Academy and George White Elementary School to modify traffic control.
Discussion ensued between Commissioners and staff.
Commissioner Harden inquired about the use of temporary signage for Community Roots Academy and if it could be enforced
Traffic & Transportation Commission Regular Minutes Page 2 of 3 April 26, 2023 City Traffic Engineer Nguyen stated that temporary signage may disappear over time and recommended that signs be posted for consistent enforcement.
Commissioner Cashion inquired if a crosswalk could be installed on Via San Sebastian.
City Traffic Engineer Nguyen stated that people are legally allowed to cross anywhere on a residential street like Via San Sebastian and that the proposed signs on Via San Sebastian are intended to prevent midblock U-turns.
Resident Jim Favero spoke on modifying the location of one of the proposed signs prohibiting midblock U-turns.
Commissioner Cashion requested a before and after study of the sign installation and to bring the results back to the Traffic and Transportation Commission.
A MOTION was made by Vice Chair Johns, seconded by Commissioner Clements, to:
1. Approve the installation of signs that prohibit midblock U-turns on Via San Sebastian and Calle Vieja;
2. Approve the removal of No Right Turn on Red sign on Golden Lantern at Chapparosa Park; and,
3. Direct Police Services to continue enforcement efforts in and around the schools.
Motion carried 5-0.
STAFF, CITY COUNCIL, AND COMMISSION COMMENTS
Laura Forinash gave an update on traffic improvements on Shark Bay at Niguel Hills Middle School.
Commissioner Cashion requested an update on the work being done on La Paz Road between Kings Road and Rancho Niguel Road.
Public Works Director Scott stated that the City is studying the cause of the distress in the roadway and potential solutions.
Chair Betonte requested an update on e-bike safety from Police Services.
Deputy Sheriff Gilbert stated that Police Services has been working with Capistrano Unified School District to educate students about e-bike safety.
ADJOURNMENT - Chair Betonte adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitter
Kaylee (
Traffic and Transportation Commission Secretary
Traffic & Transportation Commission Regular Minutes Page 3 of 3 April 26, 2023