HomeMy WebLinkAboutFred Waring Drive Widening Project INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council and City Manager
FROM: Richard J. Folkers, Asst. City Manager/Public Works Director
SUBJECT: FRED WARING DRIVE WIDENING
DATE: August 26, 1993
RECOMMENDATION
By minute motion, direct Public Works staff to prepare cost estimates for Option
II-B for review with the City Council.
BACKGROUND
At the July 8, 1993, City Council Meeting, staff was directed to study a section
of Fred Waring Drive between Portola Avenue to Deep Canyon Drive for potential
widening and also investigate impacts of such improvements on the residential
properties on the north side. Attached is a letter sent to the neighborhood
which was written by Mr. Erik Larsen (Exhibit A).
Fred Waring Drive, or Avenue 44, as it was known previously, was a major
street on the County of Riverside master road plan prior to incorporation by the
City of Palm Desert in November of 1973. The subdivision along the north side
of Fred Waring Avenue between Portola Avenue and Florine Avenue was built
prior to incorporation and there was 40 feet of right-of-way dedicated. The
half street (now westbound Fred Waring Drive) along with the rolled curb and
gutter with sidewalk were constructed at that time.
Fred Waring Drive as a major county road goes back to at least 1966. The
official name change took place on August 14, 1980, (Resolution 80-103).
Highlights of some major improvements made are shown in Attachment A-2.
Our investigation, within the scope of this project, included surveys of existing
conditions on matters such as traffic flow and roadway conditions as well as
developing a series of short, medium and long term options for council review
and consideration:
A. EXISTING CONDITIONS:
(1) Fred Waring Drive is designated as an east-west arterial roadway in
the City's general plan.
(2) Within the limit of the study area it carries a total of 18,000
vehicles per day.
(3) The roadway is a five lane (two in each direction plus a center
lane) arterial with no on-street parking. This segment of the
roadway has the narrowest overall width among all segments in the
City.
Page 1 of 6
SUBJECT: FRED WARING DRIVE WIDENING
(4) The current five lane section was the result of an improvement
project completed in December 1991. Prior to that time, the
roadway was four lanes undivided where left-turns from the
eastbound traffic had to take place from the through lane.
(5) The improvement made in 1991 resulted in a substantial reduction
of accidents from 19 to 3 (see Exhibit B-1 and B-3).
(6) Peak hour characteristics in a directional movement westbound in
AM peak and eastbound in the PM peak is generally experienced.
(7) In 1986, this section of roadway (Deep Canyon to Portola) had an
ADT (Average Daily Traffic) of 15,300 vehicles per day. In 1988,
such volume increased to 16,300 and in 1990 was 18,300 vehicles
per day. The overall traffic growth rate has been 18% since 1986
or a 3% per year (see Exhibit C).
(8) An average of 19 accidents per year have been recorded for Fred
Waring Drive within the study area between 1987 to 1992. A
substantial number of the accidents that occurred were due to the
lane restriction which previously existed between Deep Canyon and
Portola Avenue.
(9) As noted in Exhibit B-1 there has been a substantial accident
reduction due to the street widening that took place in December
1991. Therefore, such a widening has substantially improved
motorist safety.
(10) As for bicycle and pedestrian-related accidents, the data analyzed
does not indicate existence of potential safety problem associated
with the exposure of pedestrian and bikers to the vehicular traffic
flow (see Exhibit B-2).
B. RIGHT-OF-WAYS AND SET BACKS:
* Of a total of 26 parcels, 2 are currently owned by the Palm Desert Water
and Services District. The remaining lots are designated or used for
resident»l T»rvoses. There are 23 individual homes within the study
area.
* Most of the homes have a front setback of 20 feet from the roadway
right-of-way.
* The street right-of-way extends 18 feet north of' the existing curb line
on the northside of the street providing an overall set back of +38 feet
from individual residential structures to the Fred Waring Drive curb line.
Page 2 of 6
SUBJECT: FRED WARING DRIVE WIDENING
* The section of this roadway between Florine Avenue and Deep Canyon
Road does not contain any residential units and is a part of Scared Heart
Church Complex located at the northwest corner of Fred Waring/Deep
Canyon intersection. Any potential widening to Fred Waring Drive is not
expected to impact the church building due to the availability of the
building setback.
C. OVERHEAD UTILITY LINES:
Overhead power lines are currently serving the area. Poles are located at
the back of the existing sidewalk on the north side of the street.
Depending on the availability of funds and the desired option these poles
can be left alone, relocated further to the property line or even converted
to underground.
Relocation of these poles to the property line is estimated to cost over
$200,000 per Southern California Edison. Undergrounding the utility lines
on the other hand seem to be substantially more. Current estimates seem
to indicate a cost as much as $700,000 for such work.
D. ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT:
Widening Fred Waring Drive appears to be warranted based on future
conditions. Acting as a vital link between Highway 111 in Palm Desert
and Indio Boulevard in Indio, crossing three other jurisdictions (Indian
Wells, Riverside County and La Quinta), this roadway provides necessary
capacity and connection for motorists travelling in the east/west direction.
At this time, much of the road in Indian Wells and the County barely has
two lanes in each direction although Indian Wells is currently under
construction on a four lane facility within their jurisdiction.
Continuous commercial growth in Palm Desert and the surrounding areas
and expansion of the residential base in the areas east of' the City limit
have added substantial volumes to the traffic on Fred Waring Drive. Peak
commuting traffic, as a result, is currently seen and expected to intensify
in the future. On the other hand, in recognition of the need to maximize
r ohrstrian and non—vehicular traffic safety, it CPems desirable to address
the need for all modes of transportation including bike and golfcart
movements.
E. CRITERIAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
There are a number of options available to address potential roadway
improvements. As listed in the Exhibit D, these improvements can be of
short term, medium term or long term types.
Page 3 of 6
SUBJECT: FRED WARING DRIVE WIDENING
Issues and criteria to evaluate these options would include the following:
(a) Recognition of the extent of widening
(b) Cost effectiveness of options considered
(c) Relative cost associated with options
(d) Availability of needed funds
(e) Long term objectives in land use or zoning redesignation
(f) Acceptability of parameters such as minimum setback between
the roadway and building lines
(g) Utility relocation matters and costs
(h) Individual home/parcel direct access
(i) Time element
F. PREFERRED INTERIM PLAN
As an interim (Mid Range) plan, staff has concluded that Option II—b can
accommodate needed improvement in providing better separation of
vehicular and non—vehicular traffic. As noted in the exhibit, this option
would provide a relocated and wider sidewalk. The amenity also can
accommodate golfcarts and bicycle riders. No adjustment to the current
right—of—way or property taking is required under this option. The
recommended improvement can be accommodated within the existing 18 foot
spacing between the north curb line and the existing property lines.
G. LONG TERM PLAN
As stated earlier, selection of a long term plan seems to be contingent
upon various issues stated previously in this report including cost—
benefit, funding availability and land use/zoning matters. Based on this,
staff recommends that the matter be brought to the Council as a
discussion item so staff can receive appropriate direction for preparation
of a final long term plan. Such a plan can be presented to the council in
September or October after necessary refinements are made. If long term
options are desired for implementation, land use adjustment policy needs
to be decided by the Council to address the future use of the properties
needed to be acquired under any selected long term improvement option.
Among uses to consider, the following are offered:
- Linear Park
— Rezoning for Commercial
- Rezoning for Office
- Rezoning for Higher Residential Densities
(i.e. duplexes, apartment rentals, etc.)
Page 4 of 6
•
SUBJECT: FRED WARING DRIVE WIDENING
The above analysis and options described are very preliminary. Staff
recommends that further in—depth studies of individual options, or recommended
solutions, be performed before final action by Council.
Such analysis would address preferred roadway improvements, funding
requirements and sources available for this project.
RI HARD J. OLKERS, P.E. REVIEWED tj ND CONCUR
' CITY MANA E R
CITY COUNCIL ACTION:DENIED
APPROVED OTHER 1)121-rected the. Redevelopment Agency Director to do the
RECRIVED __ --- the necessar s etermine what it would take to acquire
properties on Fred Waring Drive that
MEETING DC�k residents wish to sell; 2)directed Public
AYES: Works Department in the meantime to look
rrn
NOES: L,�u.�-�--- at the study that has already been done
ABSENT: and come back to Council with specific
ABSTAIN: recommendations on several of the
VERIFIED BY { city C16T �� suggestions that the City can afford to
origin i on File �- implement quickly to make the street
safer.
Page 5 of 6
FRED WARING DRIVE WIDENING
SHORT AND LONG TERM OPTIONS
SHORT TERM OPTION
(a) Install Pedestrian/Bike Advisory Sign on the sidewalk
II MID TERM OPTIONS
(a) Move the sidewalk further north within the existing R.O.W. Keep
the power pole at current locations.
(b) Move the sidewalk further north and add Bike/Golf Cart lane (12 ft)
at property line.
(c) Keep existing curb but add N.J. barrier or 6—inch asphalt berm.
(d) Keep existing sidewalk but add guard rail.
(e) Install new curb and sidewalk, and relocate poles further back to
the right—of—way line.
III LONG TERM OPTIONS
Construct roadway to six—lane—divided arterial
(a) Reconstruct the roadway with 14 ft or 18 ft raised median
(b) Construct the roadway that would require purchasing only homes
with encroachment into future right—of—way
(c) Purchase all or most of the homes and vacant lots/reconstruct the
roadway with raised median.
(d) Widen the roadway, construct a sound wall at the new property line,
reorient individual home driveway access to the back of their
properties through a 20 foot wide alley.
(e) Construct a sidewalk on the southside of the street, shift the
roadway further north.
Page 6 of 6
nr: T - .ti - _ TIIF ? _ ' 2 1 F} _ C7I '7 - 77
•
U •1
Erik Larsen
74-266 Fred Waring Dr.
Palm Desert , CA 92260
340-4316
July 9 , 1993
Dear Residents of Fred Waring Dr:
My name is Erik Larsen; I live at 74-266 Fred Waring Dr.
This is a letter to update you on my dealings with the
City of Palm Desert for a safer Fred Waring Drive.
A week ago I received a letter from the City Manager
stating that Palm Desert' s Master Plan is to turn Fred
Waring Drive into a 6-lane divided highway, takg only
.f/e04
from the .proper y Qn ..the norrh _sid .of the street. I
21 u,v approached the city council on July 6TZ993 because under
this new plan they stated the necessity to purchase the z,
i4-) r4-P homes on the north side of the street between San Pasqua'
V M and Florine when they come up for sale, at fair market
value, with relocation costs . I recommend that you contact
t- me for any additional information and write a letter to
the city connc.il expressing ynt,r cent rn . If this is
, — going to happen, it must be done sooner rather than later,
• before the market value of our homes is decreased too
5
J f)Iw much. This way we can reinvest while the real estate market
v/7 '-// and interest rates are still within our reach.
agi-
I would like to thank fellow residents of Fred Waring Dr . ,
Cory & Michele Barbeau, Richard Fuller and Dwaine Stahl,
who provided me with the extra amount of support and
dedication in working with this problem.
The City' s commitment has been made. If we stay
together we can see this through.
Sincerely,
T./'ve_ cf. V o,kc C Ta.cZ-y
_._ _._ ------��-� Erik Larsen
340-4316
EXHIBIT "A"
FRED WARING DRIVE
HISTORICAL IMPROVEMENT TRENDS
ROADWAY SEGMENT LIMIT AND TYPES OF IMPROVEMENT
PHYLLIS JACKSON TO COOK North side east of Phyllis Jackson +400 feet (Jul.1986)
North side widened easterly of Phyllis Jackson
500 feet (Jul.1986)
North side east of Phyllis Jackson +400 feet (Jul.1986)
D.CANYON TO PHYLLIS JACKSON South side improved C&G Deep Canyon easterly
1300 feet (Hidden Palms) (Jan.1978)
North side west of Phyllis Jackson +400 feet (Jul.1986)
PORTOLA TO DEEP CANYON North side C&G Portola to Deep Canyon (Dec.1958)
South side widened Portola to Deep Canyon
(300' east of Portola) (Jun.1991)
SAN PASCUAL TO SAN PABLO North & south sides improved C&G (1961)
North side widened San Pablo to San Pascual (Jul.1979)
North side widened San Pablo easterly 1000 feet (Aug.1979)
South side widened 600 feet east of San Pablo
for 258 feet (Sep.1981)
South side C&G San Pablo to San Pascual, north
side C&G beginning 400 feet east of
San Pablo (Aug.1984)
lw/8/12/93 EXHIBIT "A2"
iRED DARING DRIVE .•
ll►C1D NIS HISTORY
AREA 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
1
A. VEHICULAR
INTERSECTIONS: DEEP CANYON 0 1 0 0 0 0
PORIOLA 1 4 5 3 3 1
SAN PASCUAL 2 3 2 0 0 1
SEGMENTS: DEEP CANYON TO PORTOLA 10 10 13 16 15 3
POR1 DLA 'ID SAN PASCUAL 1 1 6 2 5 5
TOTAL 14 19 26 21 23 10 Average per year
18.8
B. PEDESTRIAN
POR'PDLA '1O DEEP CANYON 0 1 1 0 0 1 3
C. BICYCLES
POR'1DLA TO DEEP CANYON 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
EXHIBIT 'Bl"
FRED WARING DRIVE
ACCIDENT HISTORY
3
CC
W
} 2 _
CC
d
H
a /if
U
Q
0 ° - / N •
Z
1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
YEAR
An- PEDESTRIANS + BICYCLES
EXHIBIT "B2"
FRED WARING DRIVE .
ACCIDENT HISTORY
cc 18^
w 16- 15 ROADWAY
11\ WIDENING
14- 13 COMPLETED
a_ 12_ ,
10-
10 10
w 8-
0 -
U 6-- ..g-
0 �� 5
< 4- , �: 3
Li- - 2 2 c
O 2- 1 '� 1
0 0 •:"
z 0- 0 0 0 0 0
-2
1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
YEAR
-la— PORTOLA TO D.CANYON - ± PORTOLA S/PASCUAL < PORTOLA I/S
} DEEP CANYON I/S x SAN PASCUAL I/S
EXHIBIT "B3"
,
FRED WARD DRIVE
TRAFFIC VOLUMES
ROADWAY SEGMENT 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
Phyllis Jackson to Cook 15,300 12,700 9,500 N/A N/A 21,300 23,000
Deep Canyon to Phyllis Jackson 19,500 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 13,500
Portola to Deep Canyon 15,300 N/A 16,800 N/A 18,300 18,000 18,000
Portola to San Pascual N/A N/A N/A N/A 21,300 23,000 22,750
SS/lw/8-9-93
EXHIBIT " C "
Exsr LONG TERM OPTIONS PROPOSED
R .w R_O•W.
7 98'
82 .
Y 1 I T , 7.577 ., ,,,, •
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34 ' t41 34 1 2' 8 2'
1
OPTION III-a) OPTION III-b
Reconstruct the roadway with 14 ft or 18 ft raised median
Construct the roadway that would require purchasing only homes
with encroachment into future right—of—way
ii 114
);1"—EY/5 77 eo.w. '1
98 I -ti
fft,... ,., 1 1
1
1 i ,
4 40, '18� 40 a 8 z'
OPTION III-c
Purchase all or most of the homes and vacant lots/reconstruct the
roadway with raised median.
1 94 -/oZ'
8 '
R
SO' r' i
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4 34 14� �
- 1 8 34 8 l z- �
OPTION III-d
Widen the roadway, construct a sound wall at the new property line
reorient individual home driveway access to the back of their
properties through a 20 foot wide alley.
lag' '1 f /OCo I82 -&o'
1
4,1,iikE,,e0,..zim, .
1 I,l i
: , ,. , ,
Fj' 4' 34 ' 14 - l8, 34 ' 8,
OPTION III-e •
Construct a sidewalk on the southside of the street. shift the
roadway further north.
FRED WARING DR. IMPROVEMENT OPTIONS
CROSS SECTIONS LOOKING WEST
NO SCALE EXHIBIT "D2"
I D TERM OPTIC S
Ex/5 r. Ex/;r.
,eQ.v/.1-,} 2t..
I , / , �'- 12�.W.
IZ-5 II II II 12.5
i
IA 1 1 1 �.
58
EXISTING + IS
I �
i
! Sc ' .ay
12 5 I I I I f 1 12.5
i i
I i i
+�
4 OPTION II-a ± 18 /
I Move the sidewalk further north within the existing R.O.W. Keep 1
the power pole at current locations.
I2.51
I2• 51 II ' I1 ' III
-,f2—
Li ) i I T i' '2 ÷2.
11 OPTION II-b X /
1
Move the sidewalk further north and add Bike/Golf Cart lane
I (12 ft) at property line. 1
12.5 II II II 12.5
W DI 1 1 _ C. i 1 12 ,,,,5
4' OPTION II-c X + Is /
Keep existing curb but add N.J. barrier or 6-inch asphalt berm.
I
T..
1
I2.5I III fI III IZ.5
...... A. 1 1 �. I I ' o
.
.1 OPTION II—d X ± is' /
1
Keep existing sidewalk but add guard rail.
IZ.5 III III III 12.51 •'' li-ar-
1 1 c ) ' a ''
4 OPTION II-e V ± 18' /
Install new curb and sidewalk, and relocate poles further back to
the right-of-way line.
FRED WARING DR. IMPROVEMENT OPTIONS
CROSS SECTIONS LOOKING WEST FIIBIT "Dl"
NO SCALE