HomeMy WebLinkAbout22 - Bison/Jamboree Status Report and Setting of Special MeetingJanuary 11, 1999
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
ITEM NO. zz
TO: MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: BISON /JAMBOREE STATUS REPORT AND SETTING OF SPECIAL
MEETING
RECOMMENDATION:
Set the date of February 16, 1999, for a special meeting of the City Council to discuss
the traffic patterns at the intersection of Jamboree Road and Bison Avenue.
DISCUSSION:
A trial change to the traffic patterns at the intersection of Jamboree Road and Bison
Avenue was instituted in January 1998. The change was to prohibit northbound
Jamboree traffic from turning left into the Eastbluff neighborhood and to prohibit through
traffic in both directions on Bison Avenue. The reason for these changes was a desire
on the part of Eastbluff to reduce the amount of pass through traffic using residential
streets to get from one side of their neighborhood to the other.
The changes were to remain in place for 6 months to give motorists time to get used to
the changes and find the alternate routes that worked the best for them. After they were
implemented, the City began receiving calls and letters opposing the changes. While
opposition was heard from residents of many areas, the Bluffs area was the most
impacted and most of the requests to undo the changes came from that neighborhood.
A special night meeting attended by three Council members was held at Corona del
Mar High School on August 4, 1998. Over 350 people attended that meeting and strong
opinions were expressed by both those supporting the changes, and those who were
opposed to the changes.
Subsequently, a meeting was convened by former Mayor Edwards. The meeting was
attended by board members of the Eastbluff and Bluffs associations to see if a
consensus solution could be found. While several alternatives were discussed, there
remained a fundamental difference of opinion.
SUBJECT: BISON /JAMBOREE STATUS REPORT AND SETTING OF SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 11, 1999
Page 2
During the summer the City was a defendant in a civil trial resulting from a fatal traffic
accident at this intersection. While the jury found that the City was not at fault, they did
express some concerns about the overall safety of the intersection. As a result the City
has hired a consulting traffic engineer to review both the safety of the intersection itself
as well as its relation to the Eastbluff neighborhood. The consultant's final report will be
submitted in January and the results will be summarized in the staff report for the
special Council meeting.
The City Council needs to have a public meeting to receive input from both sides of this
issue and make a final decision. Due to the number of interested residents and the
likelihood of considerable public testimony, it is recommended that a special meeting be
set to discuss this single topic. It is proposed that the special meeting be held on
February 16, 1999, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers.
Respectfully submitted,
iv`"
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Don Webb, Director
By: 4. atylv
Richard M. Edmonston,
Transportation & Development Services Manager
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Harkless, LaVonne
.... .. ....
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From: John Lippman (jlippman@home.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 1999 10:32 AM
To: Tom THOMSON; Dennis D. O'NEIL; John E. NOYES; Norma J. GLOVER; Janice A. DEBAY; Tod
W. RIDGEWAY; Gary ADAMS
Cc: Iharkless @ city. newport- beach.ca.us
Subject: Special Council Meeting re. Bison /Jamboree Traffic Issue
It is my understanding that the City Council will consider the holding of a Special Meeting in order to discuss
and receive public comments regarding this matter.
Please let his electronic letter serve to encourage you to hold such a Special Council Meeting
regarding the subject of traffic control at the intersection of Jamboree and Bison.
This is a very sensitive issue dealing with such subjects as safety, convenience factors, basic traffic flow, etc.
Moreover, I would appreciate your consideration in allowing the undersigned to address the Council should
such a Special Meeting be scheduled. I am merely a concerned Newport Beach resident of some 29 years (all
spent in the Eastbluff /Bluffs area) and have no technical expertise in matters relating to traffic control other
than those safety and convenience factors which effect us in our daily lives.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
M. John Lippman
2010 Vista Cajon
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 644 -0610
ilippman C� home.com
1/5/99