CC - Item 4E - Request to Install Sign "Caution Cars Backing Out No Passing" 4516 Muscatel AvenueROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GLORIA MOLLEDA, CITY MANAGER M
DATE: AUGUST 28, 2018
SUBJECT: REQUEST TO INSTALL SIGN "CAUTION CARS BACKING OUT NO
PASSING" — 4516 MUSCATEL AVENUE
SUMMARY
The Traffic Commission received a request from a resident who lives at 4516 Muscatel Avenue for
assistance regarding difficulty when exiting her driveway. The resident stated that drivers traveling on
Muscatel Avenue, north of Mission Drive, are unable to see their vehicles when they are exiting their
driveway and that vehicles continue to pass them as their car merges onto Muscatel Avenue, creating an
unsafe environment for members of their household and vehicular traffic. The resident requested that a
sign be placed south of the driveway that would read "Caution Cars Backing Out No Passing".
Members of the Traffic Commission visited the site and determined that there was not a need for additional
signage as there was sufficient visibility due to the red curbing that was already in place along Muscatel
Avenue south of the resident's driveway and that the additional signage would not deter vehicles from
yielding to the resident backing out of the driveway. However, the Commission did request to direct staff
to re -paint the edge line striping further north of the resident's address in order to assist in slowing down
vehicles due to the striping creating the perception of a narrower drive lane.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION DISCUSSION
4516 Muscatel Avenue is located in a residential neighborhood and is next to a commercial retail property
located at the corner of Muscatel Avenue and Mission Drive. Both streets are well traveled. Mission
Drive serves as an arterial mode of transportation heading east and west, and Muscatel Avenue serves
north and south traffic. Traffic volume is increased in the immediate area of the subject site in comparison
to other residential areas due to the adjacent commercial property (7 -eleven).
The resident at 4615 Muscatel Avenue expressed a concern that vehicles traveling on Muscatel Avenue
north of Mission Drive do not stop or yield for vehicles that ae exiting her property onto the street, and do
not allow vehicles to join traffic from their driveway onto the street. Often, even when a driver does notice
that a vehicle is merging from the property onto the street the driver neither stops nor yields, and often
swerves into the lane of oncoming traffic to avoid hitting her family member's cars. The applicant feels
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City Council Meeting
August 28, 2018
Page 2 of 2
that this behavior makes an unsafe environment for her family and vehicles traveling on Muscatel Avenue,
north of Mission Drive.
The resident noted in her written request that a sign exists at 3939 Muscatel Avenue that reads "Caution
Cars Backing Out No Passing", and is requesting that a similar sign be placed approximately 24 feet to
the south of the subject property. The resident is referring to two signs in the vicinity of 3939 Muscatel
Avenue. The existing signs at the referenced location are adjacent to a well visited Civic Center Plaza
and "bracket" an area that consists of ten (10) on -street 45 degree angled parking spaces.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council accept the Traffic Commission's recommendation to deny the
installation of a "Caution Cars Backing Out No Passing" sign to the south of the property located at 4516
Muscatel Avenue, and approve the Traffic Commission's request to have staff re -paint the edge line
striping north of the subject site.
STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT - None
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW - None
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Prepared By:
Submitted By:
Rafael M. Fajardo, P.E. Greg S. Tsujiuchi
City Engineer Assistant City Manager/Interim Public Works
Director
Attachments:
1. August 2, 2018, TC Staff Report
2. August 2, 2018, Draft Minutes
rw.
Attachment A
Traffic Commission Staff Report
August 2, 2018
TO: TRAFFIC COMMISSION
FROM: GREG S. TSUJIUCHI, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER/ACTING DIRECTOR OF
PUBLIC WORKS
PREPARED
BY: RAFAEL M. FAJARDO, P.E., CITY ENGINEER
DATE: AUGUST 2, 2018
SUBJECT: REQUEST TO INSTALL SIGN "CAUTION CARS BACKING OUT NO
PASSING" — 4516 MUSCATEL AVENUE
SUMMARY
The Traffic Commission has received a request from a resident who lives at 4516 Muscatel Avenue for
assistance regarding difficulty when exiting her driveway. The resident's complaint describes that drivers
traveling on Muscatel Avenue, north of Mission Avenue, are unable to see their vehicles when they are
exiting their driveway. Additionally, the petitioner has stated that vehicles continue to pass them as their
car merges onto Muscatel Avenue, creating an unsafe environment for members of their household and
vehicular traffic on both the north and southbound traffic in this area of Muscatel Avenue.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Traffic Conunission:
1. Discuss the item;
2. Receive and consider public comment, both written and oral; and
3. Provide direction regarding the possible installation of a caution sign reading "CAUTION CARS
BACKING OUT NO PASSING" to the south of 4516 Muscatel Avenue.
ANALYSIS
4516 Muscatel Avenue is located in a residential neighborhood and is next to a commercial retail property
located at the corner of Muscatel Avenue and Mission Avenue. Both avenues are well travelled. Mission
Avenue serves as an arterial mode of transportation heading east and west, and Muscatel Avenue serves
north and south traffic. Traffic volume is increased in the immediate area of the subject site in comparison
to other residential areas due to the adjacent commercial property (7 -eleven).
Traffic Commission Meeting
August 2, 2018
Page 2 of 7
The resident at 4615 Muscatel Avenue has expressed a concern that vehicles traveling on Muscatel
Avenue north of Mission Avenue do not stop or yield for vehicles that are existing her property onto the
street, and do not allow vehicles to join traffic from their driveway onto the street. Often, even when a
driver does notice that a vehicle is merging from the property onto the street the driver neither stops nor
yields, and often swerves into the lane of oncoming traffic to avoid hitting her family member's cars. The
applicant feels that this behavior makes an unsafe environment for her family and vehicles travelling on
Muscatel Avenue, north of Mission Avenue.
The resident noted in her written request that a sign exists at 3939 Muscatel Avenue that reads "CAUTION
CARS BACKING OUT NO PASSING", and is requesting that a similar sign be placed approximately 24
feet to the south of the subject property. The resident is referring to two signs in the vicinity of 3939
Muscatel Avenue. The existing signs at the reference location are adjacent to a well visited Civic Center
Plaza and "bracket" an area that consists of ten (10) on -street 45 degree angled parking spaces.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process, as well as courtesy
notifications to property owners located within a 300 -foot radius of the subject property.
Prepared By:
Rafael M. Fajardo, P.E.
City Engineer
Attachments:
1. Resident's Request
2. Vicinity Map
3. Possible Location of Sign
4. Courtesy Notification
5. Opposed to Request Letter
Submitted By:
Greg S. Tsujiuchi
Assistant City Manager/Acting Director of Public
Works
Traffic Commission Meeting
August 2, 2018
Paee 3 of 7
Attachment 1
Resident's Request
.tune 14 2018
Rosemead CityHall
Traffic Commision- Pat Platt
From RudyTrujillo and Patricia Trujillo
Address 4516 Muscatel Ave, Rosemead CA 91770
I Patricia, am sending you this request for our safety. While
exiting our driveway at this busy intersection Mission Dr &
Muscatel Ave, behind 7-11 Store we are in danger of having
an accident due to the fact that my husband Rudy is a
Boardmember of the American Legion and Honor Guard and
has to attend many meetings and funerals for Veterans.
When he is backing out of the driveway and is halfway in the
street, no body stops or yields for him to safely finish
backing out, the traffic never stops!
We would greatly appreciate it if you could approve a Safety
Sign like the one at 3939 and 3937 Muscatel Ave. that is
Diamond Shape Yellow and Black that reads, CAUTION
CARS
BACKING
OUT
NO PASSING
My husband has a perfect driving record
And we don't want to jeopardize his record.
Please do not hesitate to call us at, or
In response to this urgent request.
Respectfully yours,
r
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Traffic Commission Meeting
August 2, 2018
Page 7 of 7
Attachment 5
Opposed to Request Letter
From: robert tran
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 4:11 PM
To: Greg Tsujiuchi <GTsuiiuchi@citVofrosemead.org>
Subject: Concerned comments regarding sign for 4516 Muscatel Ave
To whom it may concern:
I would like to provide some comments regarding the backing out sign for 4516 Muscatel Ave
As a neighboring resident, I do not support this sign. There is no reason for this sign to exist,
otherwise, you should put this sign for other condos/apartments on busy streets such as
Mission Dr, where cars also do not necessarily yield for other cars backing out of their
residential driveways. This will cost the city unnecessary time and expense, as if you create
this sign for this one property then you will have to put these signs up for numerous other
properties across the city just to be fair.
In addition, what if cars do not yield to the car backing out of property at 4516 Muscatel Ave
and an accident occurs? Who is in fault? What if the car is unfamiliar with the area and does
not necessarily see the sign and the car backing out 4516 Muscatel Ave is reckless, assuming
they have the right of way. In this case, there are further complications. Instead we should just
follow the rules of the road that we've learned from the dmv and the car that has the right of
way should still have the right of way.
Regards,
Concerned Rosemead Resident
Attachment B
Traffic Commission Draft Minutes
of August 2, 2018
Minutes for the
ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING
August 2, 2018
The meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Chair Masuda at 7:03 p.m. in the
Council Chamber, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California.
FLAG SALUTE: Chair Masuda
INVOCATION: Chair Masuda
PRESENT: Chair Masuda, Vice Chair Ornelas, Commissioner Berry and:Qommissioner Quintanilla
ABSENT: Commissioner Sevilla
REORGANIZATION: Vice Chair Ornelas made a motion to nominate CheitWasuda as Chair, seconded by
Commissioner Berry. Votes resulted in:
Yes: Ornelas, BE
No: None
Abstain: None
Commissioner Berry made a motion to nol
Commissioner Quintanilla. Votes resulted
Berry,
: None
Sevilla
COMMENTS
2. CONSENT
and Masuda
Vice Chair, seconded by
Public Works Greg Tsujiuchi, City Engineer
Commissioner Berry mdttoned; seconded by Vice Chair Masuda to approve Item A (June 7, 2018 Minutes)
from the Consent Calendar -presented. Votes resulted in:
Yes: Berry, Masuda, Quintanilla and Ornelas
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Sevilla
3. NEW BUSINESS
A. REQUEST TO INSTALL SIGN "CAUTION CARS BACKING OUT NO PASSING" — 4516
MUSCATELAVENUE
Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of August 2, 2018
Page 1 of 3
Staff gave the Traffic Commissioners a brief description on the item, along with recommending that the Traffic
Commission discuss this item, receive and consider public comment, both written and oral; and provide
direction regarding the possible installation of a caution sign reading "CAUTION CARS BACKING OUT NO
PASSING" to the south of 4516 Muscatel Avenue.
Chair Masuda commented that they received one letter that is opposed to the sign installation.
Commissioner Berry visited the site and mentioned that the cross street is far from the requestor's driveway
and they have clear visibility to see oncoming traffic.
Commissioner Quintanilla informed the Commissioners that the curb before the requestor's driveway is
painted red and doesn't think the sign would be effective.
Chair Masuda mentioned that the line of sight is clear for the resident vahhen exiting their driveway and doesn't
think there's much they can do to slow down traffic when commg.areurdahe corner.
Commissioner Quintanilla asked if staff can repaint
Commissioner Berry motioned, seconded by Corr
"CAUTION CARS BACKING OUT NO PASSING" si
the edge line striping along Muscatel Avenue. Votes
4. STAFF
Staff provided the
throughout the City
Commissiaper Berry ask
its placemerl`t that warns
left lane. Mr. Berry also i
Olney Street haven't bee
Vice Chair Ornelas
front of the schools.
Yes: Berry, Quintanilla, Ornelas
No: None
Abstain: None'`
Absent: Sevilla
along Muscatel Avenue.
:r Quintanilla to dehy the Installation of the
16 Muscatel Avenue and=difect staff to repaint
with an update on current and upcoming projects and events
1 if staff can reevaluate the Temple City Boulevard and Olney Street signage and
rivers there's a freeway entrance ahead and freeway traffic must merge onto the
antiodad that the sig hs and traffic improvements that were approved to be done on
done and' asked if they can be done.
Schools District determined where the drop off spots are placed in
Staff informed the Commissioners that the School District determine where the drop off spots are placed.
Commissioner Quintanilla asked for an update on the street closure for eastbound traffic on Olney Street.
Staff informed the Commissioners that converting a thru street into a dead-end is a long process. Staff also
recommended bringing a new layout showing new signage and street marking that can improve the safety
issues in the area. Staff also recommended putting the item on the agenda for further discussion.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of August 2, 2018
Page 2 of 3
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for September 6,
2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard.
Howard Masuda
Chair
ATTEST:
Rafael M. Fajardo
City Engineer
Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of August 2, 2018
Page 3 of 3