Caltrans answers questions vaguely at council meeting

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Pacific Coast Highway is not only the center of town, it was the center of a debate at the City Council meeting on Monday as officials from Caltrans came to answer questions from residents at the request of councilmembers.

Caltrans official, Sameer Haddadeen, presented an update of PCH improvement projects.

The traffic management system, which is expected to be completed by 2003, will include a highway advisory radio system intended to inform people ahead of time when problems occur, a drainage system in various locations around the city and the installation of three smart crosswalks. But Caltrans did not specify what impacts the construction work will have on local commuters.

The heart of the PCH discussion followed when Mayor Tom Hasse invited the public to share their concerns about PCH.

“Don’t be shy,” Hasse said, as he explained officials were here so the public can get to know them.

One resident, who has lived on PCH for 43 years, cited the Topanga Canyon traffic light timing situation.

Traffic backs up all the way to Big Rock where she lives, which is unusual, she said.

Caltrans officials agreed that traffic is exasperating at Topanga, but they said there are no easy solutions because Topanga Canyon’s incoming traffic can experience heavy delays as well. They said they would upgrade the hardware on the signals, but they did not specify how that was going to solve the matter.

The resident also requested that no right turns on red should be allowed at Las Flores Canyon Road, an intersection plagued with accidents because of the blind curve. Caltrans officials agreed to look into the situation.

Ted Vaill, from the Planning Commission, said Caltrans periodically blocks lanes of traffic, creating delays for residents in the area.

“Do you have any idea of the impacts for those of us who work in town?” he asked. “We deserve a little more planning by Caltrans.”

Officials explained that rush hour work can only be done in case of emergency, and if lanes are closed during those hours, it is done illegally, they said.

Malibu resident Ozzie Silna told Caltrans he has been trying to get a signal at the Serra Road intersection for a long time. Traffic patterns in that area are complicated because the cars confront each other in the median as they attempt to make left turns, he said. This matter is aggravated because surfers and beachgoers also make U-turns in the vicinity.

But Caltrans indicated adding a light to that intersection could create as many problems as it solves. They agreed to look at less restrictive measures instead.

The PCH Beautification Committee has been working on ways to beautify the median, especially between John Tyler Road and Cross Creek Road. Now they hope for Caltrans to take note. The actual cost to implement the plan, using native shrubs and an irrigation system, is expected to be at least $800,000.

But Caltrans said they could not chip in for the project, funding is entirely up to the city.

“We will more than happy to work with the city as long as it’s maintained by the city and no operational safety exists,” officials said.

Another pressing esthetic concern for the city is the medians where weeds grow abundantly. Councilmember Ken Kearsley asked Caltrans to clarify its role on this matter.

And again, the governmental ping pong was evident when a Caltrans maintenance manager said chemical use was reduced by 50 percent over the last two years, as required by Sacramento, allowing the weeds to flourish. While a mowing company was contracted to take care of the medians, the government pulled them out, so the process of having a crew available to man the area more frequently is in the works.

Councilmember House expressed concern about the response time when signals don’t work. Caltrans explained repair crews only work during regular office hours and they usually come from a central location when a problem exists. If signals break during rush hour or off hours, response time is delayed, as the crews need to be called in to do the repairs.

Councilmember Jeff Jennings asked for a well-publicized phone number that people can call when they see a problem. Caltrans indicated that such a number already exists: 213.897.0383.

Another project sparking lengthy discussion at the meeting pertained to a 20-foot wide access road improvement proposal that was approved by the Planning Commission to the dismay of some neighbors in the Sweetwater Mesa area who appealed the decision.

The appellants requested an environmental impact report because they are concerned about the road’s impact on the Serra Road neighborhood. The proposed road, northeast of Sweetwater Mesa Road, would lead into an L.A. County area where potential development parameters have not been established yet.

Additionally, the Serra Canyon Property Owners Association was concerned about a potential connection between Piuma Road and PCH that may emerge if the new road is built without clear limitations.

This road was approved by the Planning Commission because of a hardship claim, said a concerned neighbor who thought this was unjustified.

“I think the Planning Commission did not have a full disclosure,” he said.

Another unclear issue about the road permit is a court order resulting from a settlement agreement in which the city was not a party, said attorney Todd Sloan as he spoke against the project.

After hearing all the facts in the lengthy manner, the council agreed to grant the appeal and continue the issue, pending an Environmental Impact Report and review from staff.

They also indicated limitations should be placed ahead of time on future development and subdivision possibilities for the five large parcels this road will serve.

In other matters, the council appropriated $60,000 of general funds for a grant-seeker contract service and materials to Barbara Cameron, who will search for grants on behalf of the city.

They discussed the La Costa Overlay specifications and referred the matter back to staff after a speaker shared concerns that some property owners were taking advantage of the lack of institutional memory as planning directors have come and gone.

The council resolved to support the public purchase of Lechuza Beach at a fair market value though the resolution is not related to and does not affect any current or future litigation or settlement that involves the City of Malibu.

Also discussed was the potential of a special election ballot pertaining to recently approved advisory Measure O, and directed staff to report on how the city can conduct special elections.