TC - Item 3A - Traffic Concerns Along Muscatel AvenueTO: TRAFFIC COMMISSION
FROM: CHRIS MARCARELLO, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: JANUARY 12, 2012
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CONCERNS ALONG MUSCATEL AVENUE
SUMMARY
A request was received to discuss traffic concerns along Muscatel Avenue (from Valley
Blvd to Mission Drive). Residents have expressed concerns with traffic and parking in this
neighborhood and have asked that traffic calming measures be installed using the City's
Neighborhood Traffic Calming "Toolbox" Program. Potential improvements may include the
use of additional street striping /markings, parking restrictions, signage, and speed
enforcement. Residents in this area have asked to attend the Commission's January
meeting to discuss their concerns regarding traffic in the area.
Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the Traffic Commission take public input and designate a member
of the Commission to work with residents and staff in evaluating possible traffic calming
improvements.
ANALYSIS
In late November 2011, a request was received to evaluate traffic conditions along
Muscatel Avenue from Valley Boulevard to Mission Drive. Residents in this area contend
that there are several traffic concerns in the neighborhood, including:
• Excessive vehicle speeding
• On- Street parking spaces are used as a carpool parking location for a nearby
Beauty School
• Unsafe conditions for pedestrian crossings
Muscatel Avenue is a 40 -foot roadway in between Valley Boulevard and Mission Drive.
Muscatel Avenue is a two -lane (one lane in each direction), north -south trending roadway
with moderate to heavy traffic conditions during morning and evening peak hours. On-
street parking is generally open along the street with the exception of street sweeping
parking restrictions. The uses along Muscatel are mixed, including single family residential
properties, a junior high school campus, and commercial uses at Valley Blvd. The speed
limit is 30 miles per hour along the street.
Traffic Commission Meeting
January12,2012
Page 2 of 2
Improvements were made at this location in conjunction with a previous Safe Routes to
School grant project in 2010, including the installation of in- pavement flashing lights at the
mid -block crosswalk at Muscatel Avenue /Scott Street and the installation of speed
feedback radar signs. Although these measures improve safety, Muscatel still receives a
heavy volume of cut - through traffic from Grand Avenue to the Interstate 10 Freeway. In
response to additional traffic concerns, staff asked for assistance from the Sheriffs
Department including additional speed enforcement and the possible deployment of a
'decoy' police car to help reduce vehicle speeds.
Staff has distributed notification flyers (Attachment 1) to properties located on Muscatel, in
between Valley and Mission. Following the discussion of this issue, it is recommended that
the Traffic Commission work with neighborhood residents using the City's Neighborhood
Traffic Management Toolbox. This would include tracking vehicle /pedestrian volumes and
identifying improvement options for the Muscatel corridor. It would be appropriate for the
Commission to appoint one or two liaisons to work with residents during late -
January/February, develop improvement recommendations, and then subsequently bring
those recommendations back to the Commission for a full discussion and implementation.
Submitted by:
CHRIS MARCARELLO
Public Works Director
Attachments:
1. Notification Flyer
2. Neighborhood Map, On- Street View
3. Street Drawing
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