HomeMy WebLinkAboutDirect Restriction of Left Turns from Tuscon Circle to NB WashingtonCITY OF PALM DESE RT
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STAFF REPORT ❑ PASSED TO 2NO READING
REQUEST: Direct Staff on the Restriction of Left Turns from Tucson Circle to
Northbound Washington Street.
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Greenwood, P.E., City Engineer
* CONTINUED to the meeting of August 25, 2005,
DATE: July 14,2005 and directed that in the meantime, Mayor Crites
and Councilman Spiegel (from the "2 x 2 Committee")
and City staff will enter into discussions
CONTENTS: Vicinity Map with both the City of La Quinta and with Desert
Sands Unified School District for an acceptable
resolution.
Recommendation:
Direct Staff on the Restriction of Left Turns from Tucson Circle to
Northbound Washington Street.
Discussion:
The raised medians on Washington Street are being modified as part of the proposed
street improvements associated with the Darby Road Middle School development. One
proposed deviation from the existing street configuration is that the median will be
constructed so as to prohibit left turn movements from eastbound Tucson Circle to
northbound Washington Street. This particular left turn movement has increasingly
become viewed as a safety concern by City Staff due to Washington Street's increased
traffic volumes, high travel speeds (posted for 50 mph), and the six -lane configuration.
Letters were sent to the 72 residents within Tucson Homes area informing them of the
proposed left turn restriction and announced a Public Information meeting on June, 30,
2005 to discuss the proposed median improvements, receive comments regarding the
proposed left turn restriction, and address any questions the residents may have
regarding the project. The letter also requested residents to call the City Transportation
Engineer, especially if they would be unable to attend the meeting.
As of July 1, 2005, the letter generated six phone calls. Support and opposition to the
proposed left turn restriction were equally split among the residents who called.
Of the 72 homeowners within the Tucson Homes area, 15 came to the meeting. Five of
the residents were in support of the left turn restriction and ten were opposed. Also in
attendance was the Homeowners Association Manager (a non-resident) who expressed
Direct Staff on Tucson Circle Left -Turn Restriction
Page 2 of 3
July 14, 2005
opposition to the left turn restriction. Below are several points that were raised by the
residents at the meeting. Staffs response follows each of the points.
• With only one access point into Tucson Homes, the prohibition of the left turn
from Tucson Circle to northbound Washington Street creates an undue hardship
on the residents.
Staff Response: Restricting left turns from Tucson Circle will alter the travel
pattern for residents destined north on Washington Street. In Staffs opinion, the
reduction in accident potential outweighs any inconvenience to drivers and the
turn restriction should be implemented.
• The existing refuge area in the middle of Washington Street used by left turning
vehicles from Tucson Circle should be maintained.
Staff Response: The refuge area will be eliminated with or without the left turn
restriction.
• The traffic on Washington Street is too fast. It needs to be slowed down. The
left turn would then become a safe maneuver.
Staff Response: Speed limits are posted per the requirements set forth by the
California Vehicle Code.
• Southern California Edison utility box restricts the view of oncoming traffic
creating line -of -sight issues.
Staff Response: SCE will be contacted to obtain information regarding the
possible relocation of the utility box. Staff will investigate possible striping
modifications at the Tucson Circle exit to improve sight distance at the
intersection.
• The intersection of Tucson Circle and Washington Street should be signalized.
Staff Response: Existing conditions at the intersection do not warrant installation
of a traffic signal now nor in the foreseeable future.
• U-turns should be restricted for northbound traffic at the intersection.
Staff Response: Staff will investigate the need for U-turn restrictions at the
intersection.
Direct Staff on Tucson Circle Left -Turn Restriction
Page 3 of 3
July 14, 2005
• Daily egress from Tucson Homes should be allowed onto Robin Road from the
emergency access gate.
Staff Response: A formal request to the City by the Homeowners Association
should be made in order to begin any discussion regarding egress access from
the emergency gate.
The primary contention made by City Staff is that the left turn across six lanes of traffic
is inherently unsafe, and the fact that there hasn't been a major accident at that
intersection does not mean that the City should wait for one to occur before addressing
a potentially unsafe situation.
Staff's recommendation from a safety standpoint is that Council approve the design as it
currently stands. The safety factor outweighs the inconvenience caused by the
prohibition of the left turn.
Therefore, staff requests that City Council direct staff on the restriction of left turns from
Tucson Circle to northbound Washington Street.
Submitted By:
Mark Greenwood, P.E.
City Engineer
Approval:
Homer L.
ACM for Dev
Car os L. Ort
City Manager
ment Services
Department Head:
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Michael Errante, P.E.
Director of Public Works
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To The City Council of Palm DesertV
To The Honorable Mayor of Palm Desert
To The Engineering Department, Palm Desert
Mike Loconte
20 Tucson Circle
Palm Desert, CA, 92211
July 11, 2005
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Re: Establishing a Traffic Signal At Tucson Circle and Washington Street
("Tucson Signal") to resolve ongoing traffic concerns there
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To gauge the level of interest of a Tucson Signal among residents of Tucson
Homes who are licensed drivers, I visited each home in Tucson Homes on
Saturday, July 9, 2005. This being the middle of the Summer Season, I found
someone home in 30 residences (there are 72 single family homes at Tucson
Homes).
The residents I found and spoke with were overwhelmingly in favor of a Tucson
Signal and I had no trouble collecting the names of more than 60 licensed drivers
on a instant petition to establish a Tucson Signal on this one day alone (the
number of licensed driver residents in favor of a Tucson Signal continues to
increase and an updated list will be presented at the July 14, 2005 City Council
meeting). In a few instances (fewer than 6), neighbors signed for other neighbors
who were out of town because of standing agreements between them where one
neighbor expects another to act in the best interest of the development.
Thus, having concluded in my instant poll that more than 90% of the licensed
drivers in Tucson Homes favor a Tucson Signal, I come now before the City
Council with the following proposal to alleviate the on -going traffic dilemma faced
by the residents of Tucson Homes when they enter and exit through their only
access from their community to the outside world:
That The City Council of Palm Desert ("City Council") approve the construction of
two traffic signals, one at the corner of Washington Street and Darby Road
("Darby Signal') and a second at the comer of Washington Street and Tucson
Circle ("Tucson Signal").
That such proposed Tucson Signal be identically and logically synchronized with
the approved Darby Signal such that no vehicles In either a northbound
direction or south bound direction on Washington Street shall be obligated
to come to more than one complete stop.
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To The City Council, Honorable Mayor & Engineering Department, page 2
The benefits of a Darby Signal and a Tucson Signal are minimally as follows:
Provides Police, Fire and Rescue personnel expeditious access in an
emergency within Tucson Homes.
Enables Tucson Residents to expeditiously seek medical assistance on
their own from all area hospitals and health care facilities.
Vehicular traffic northbound and southbound on Washington Street will not
be inconvenienced as the logical and simultaneous synchronization of the
Darby Signal and Tucson Signal will require all traffic to make the same
1 stop that would be required if just the Darby Signal only existed.
Establishes with finality a plan that enables Tucson Residents to enter and
leave from their only access to the outside world. For 5 years Tucson
Residents have had to cross 6 lanes of traffic in order to proceed
northbound, from their gate, onto Washington Street. A Tucson Signal
would facilitate a safe and reasonable means of entering and leaving The
Tucson Homes Community.
The high number of small and medium and large business owners and
vendors, who constitute a great majority of those employed in the
Coachella Valley, would not incur lost time and the added expense of
having to constantly make right hand turns only upon leaving the Tucson
Gate. It is estimated that there are more than 400 separate vendor trips in
an average month to residents of Tucson Homes. Such vendors include,
but are not limited to: pool cleaners, exterminators, parcel delivery
personnel, baby sitters and care givers, at least 3 separate newspaper
delivery services, several house cleaners and at least 4 different
landscapers. And this list does not include appliance and other household
repair and automotive service vehicles and other contractors that come
and go daily through our gate. This workforce Is the backbone and driving
engine of economics In the valley. It is not possible to ignore their
presence or to discount their contribution to our local economy.
Vehicles making a u-turn at the Tucson Signal (northbound on
Washington Street) will only be able to do so on the green arrow. This will
greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the existing hazard faced by residents now
(and in the future, if there is no Tucson Signal) when they leave Tucson
Homes.
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To The City Council, Honorable Mayor & Engineering Department, page 3
If only the Darby Signal is developed, Tucson Residents seeking to go
northbound on Washington will have to make u-tums at Fred Waring.
The existing hazard is that vehicles going eastbound on Fred Waring and
making a right -on -the -red light at Fred Waring onto Washington Street
rarely come to a full stop and generally proceed as if they are the only
vehicle proceeding northbound. Not knowing if another driver will obey
traffic signals is, at times, as dangerous as crossing 6 lanes of traffic.
Ensures that residents of Robin Road will not have increased traffic
concerns as the back gate of Tucson Homes can remain an emergency
gate.
Relocation of the 2 large Edison electric boxes may not be needed as
traffic will be stopped at either the Darby Signal or the Tucson Signal at
the same time. The 2 large Edison boxes represent a severe vision
impairment to residents leaving Tucson Homes and can reasonably be
deemed a driving hazard.
I would like to thank the City Council, The Honorable Mayor and the Engineering
Department for their time and consideration of this most important matter
affecting the homeowners, residents and other Interested parties at Tucson
Homes.
Very Truly Yours,
Michael J. Loconte
Attached: Signatures of 65 Licensed Driver Residents of Tucson Homes
Requesting the Tucson Signal.
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Jul 13 05 02:28p Paul Wallend
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
PALM DESERT, CA
7005 JUL 13 PM 2: 24
Fax
Tie Mayor Buford Cnifos
Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Ferguson
City Councilperson Robert Spiegel
City Coundlperson Richard Kelly
City Councliperson Jean Benson
Pom 760340-0574
760-834-0381
Paul D. Wallend
42 Marricope Court; Palm Desert, CA =11
Home Tel: 7WA%-3401
Cell: 310-704-7645
Home Fax 760-834-0381
Email: wallendabigfooLcom
Frermr Paul D. Wallend
PaevQ 1 including this cover page
Plumm 760-340-0574 Dotes 7/13/05
Rat Vote to Prohibit Left Turn Q Tucson Circle CC:
❑ lk vm* ❑ For Review ❑ Please C .
Mr. Mayor and honorable city officials,
❑ Pleasov Reply O Please Recycle
As a brand new resident of Palm Desert, and more specifically, the Tucson subdivision located at
Tucson Circle and Washington Avenue, I was shocked to get a flyer today delivered by our
homeowners association advising that the Palm Desert City Council would be voting tomorrow to
prohibit left hand turns from the Tucson Circle main gate onto Washington Avenue northbound.
Needless to say, this will present a tremendous inconvenience for all of us who live in this community
and it unfairly penalizes us for the city's lack of foresight in placing a traffic light at this heavily used
intersection.
With the completion of the new school complex in the future, it will become even that much more
Imperative that a light be installed In this section of Washington to moderate the Increased traffic flow.
Hopefully, plans for such a light are already In place.
In the meantime, I and my fellow residents hope that you will reconsider this measure in right of the
burden it will place on each of us. Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully yours,
Paul D. Wallend
Received Jul-13-05 02:19pm From-760 834 0381 To -PALM DESERT CITY CLE Page 01
p.1
Page 1 of 1
Michelson, Wilma
From: Murphy [gomurphgo@dc.rr.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 4:01 PM
To: CityhallMail
Subject: tucson traffic signal
Attn: Mr. Buford Crites,
Please VOTE to install a traffic signal at Washington and Darby Road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely,
Brent, Kris and Ian Murphy
72 Tempe Trail
Palm Desert, CA
7/ 14/2005
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July 14, 2005
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PALM DESERT, CA
7005 JUL 14 PM 3: 06
ATTN: Mayor Crites and Palm Desert City Council Members
RE: Tucson Homes left hand turn out of gate.
My name is Kristen Murphy and I'm a resident of Tucson Homes at 72 Tempe trail. I'm
writing regarding the city council vote today on whether to eliminate the left hand turn
out of our development.
I hope that you will vote "no" today and pursue adding a traffic signal light outside
Tucson that would be synchronized with the planned Darby Road signal. This would
resolve the safety issue we have with the left-hand turn, but would not negatively impact
our property values in Tucson or make access to Northbound Washington as difficult as
the elimination of the left-hand turn would surely do.
Of concern also is the lack of easy access in and out of Tucson in emergencies if our
ability to tutu left is taken away. Fire, police and ambulance personnel needing to head
northbound on Washington would have to turn right and then make a u-turn at Fred
Waring. This would cost them a lot of time which may be critical.
I'm writing on behalf of myself and my husband, Brent Murphy. Thank you in advance
for your "no" vote on this issue. The installation of a traffic signal would be a win -win
solution for everyone.
Sincerely,
Kristen Murphy
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Page 1 of 2
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Michelson, Wilma nLoECA
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From: Pam Doze [pamdoze@hotmai].Z�f IJUL 14 FM Z• 24
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 12:08 PM
To: CityhallMail
Subject: Tucson Homes Left Turn Acsess
Honorable Mayor Buford Crites
City Council Members
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am writing at this time to voice my opinion and concerns about the possibility of losing our current right to exit left
from our community. I will not be able to attend the scheduled meeting due to an illness.
We have just the one ingress and egress from our community. If we should lose the ability to turn left I foresee a
number of issues.
1. No left turn could mean a pile up within our community. Only two cars can fit between the automatic gate and
Washington St. If all 70+ homeowners are forced to exit right only this could be a problem
2. We would have limited time to cross Washington to place ourselves in the inside turn lane at Fred Waring to
allow us to make a u-turn to head north to our local community shopping, gas. pharmacy, etc... not to mention I-
10 access. How many cars at a time do you feel will be able to accomplish this maneuver? Could take quiet
awhile depending on the amount of residents exiting (traffic is a concern)
3. What will projected traffic be like when the proposed shopping center is built at the N.E. corner of Washington
Street and Fred Waring? Where will the Centers ingress and egress be? I can assume Washington Street. How
will the line of cars making u-turns be effected by the shopping center traffic?
I am not particularly in favor of a signal at the entrance of our community, however I do feel that could be an
alternative to losing our currently abilities to exit. The signal itself I feel could cause exit problems with our
automatic gate.
Darby Rd. is currently the biggest danger, the traffic turning left onto Darby from Washington and the traffic
turning left from Darby to Washington south bound , with the realignment of Darby and the new signal at Mountain
View most of the problem is eliminated.
fell it is imperative that we keep our left turn exit access. I feel the inconvenience of right turn only will be
huge. I feel it will be more dangerous and we will begin to see accidents at Washington Street and Fred Waring if
we are forced to make a u-turn a access north bound Washington St.
What about emergency vehicles in the event of an emergency? turning left out of the community could save a life!
What about Woodhaven CC ? They have a left hand exit option!!!!!!
I know that there are many schools of thought, many opinions and many professionals which have been working
on this project. We need however to remember we have had no accidents or injuries due to our ability to turn left
Allow us the refuge we currently have on Washington St. and we will be able to continue as we are.
I appreciate your time and consideration of this matter. Our community as a whole is very passionate about
keeping our current abilities.
Thank you,
7/14/2005
Page 2 of 2
Pamela Doze
71 Tempe Trail
Palm Desert, CA. 92211
760-360-6004
7/14/2005
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To The Honorable Mayor of Palm Desert
To The Mayor Pro Tern
To The City Council of Palm Desert
Michael J. Loconte
20 Tucson Circle
Palm Desert, CA 92211
July 18, 2005
Dear Mr. Mayor, Mayor Pro Tern and City Council Members,
Re: A Traffic Light at Tucson Circle and Washington Street
Thank you for taking the time to listen to each of our concerns last Thursday
evening, at the July 14 City Council Meeting. I am grateful for your leadership
and the many solid pointed questions that you and the City Council members
raised. This was my first appearance before the City Council and I am most
impressed by the experience.
It would appear that the instant issue of determining whether or not the
City of LaQuinta ("LaQuinta") will be helpful in adjusting the location of the
traffic signal and or the new road called Palm Royale Drive ("Palm Royale")
may have something to do with both the Desert Sands Unified School District
("School District") and the plans that LaQuinta has approved for the land
immediately north of Palm Royale.
A discussion of LaQuinta's plans for Palm Royale, a newly discovered issue,
appears below. Please see the two (2) attachments to this letter entitled
Darby School Complex Map ("School Map") and the Preliminary Site Plan for the
Apartments (the "Apartments Plan").'
' It would appear, based on information provided by LaQuinta's Community
Development Department, that LaQuinta has approved plans for 224 units of high
density, high occupancy apartments to be established In 18 different buildings on
land directly north of Palm Royale. In fact, based on the Apartments Plan,
Palm Royale will be the principal road that is designed to serve the future renters
needs. Knowing this, it is not surprising that LaQuinta would want the traffic signal to be
placed exactly where LaQuinta seeks it, at a dead end road in Palm Desert.
This last Important fact was not discussed at the earlier meeting between the
Palm Desert City Engineer and Tucson Residents or at last Thursdays (July 14) full City
Council meeting. My sense, judging from your and the City Council's questions, is that
none of you knew that LaQuinta approved 224 apartment units so close to Washington.
That LaQuinta would like to use Palm Royale for more than one purpose and in a way
that directly benefits the city of LaQuinta to the exclusion and detriment to the City of
Palm Desert and its residents, is an interesting development. While I do not know what
the threshold is for one city (Palm Desert) to intervene to protect its residents from the
aspirations of another city (LaQuinta) this instant situation most probably rises to the
level of requiring some reasonable corrective action.
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To The Honorable Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and City Council Members, page 2
Sunestion 1
Based upon a reading of the School Map, it would appear that School District
land directly across from the Tucson Homes Gate is slated to be a sizable green
belt of School District property.
If the School District would allow for the development of a road that would fork
from either Darby Road or Palm Royale (on School District property) up to a point
directly east and across from the Tucson Gate, that would facilitate the
installation of a traffic signal at Tucson and Washington. A light at Tucson and
Washington would then preclude the need for a light at Palm Royale and
Washington, as traffic at Palm Royale and Washington could make unlimited
northbound turns without a light and egress up the new forked road to the
Tucson Light for southbound turns with the light at Tucson and Washington.
Su
gestion 2
If the School District refuses to cede any of its land or grant any right of ways for
a Tucson light, then the traffic signal could still be located at Tucson and
Washington (and not at Palm Royale and Washington) but with no fork or other
road leading from Darby Road or Palm Royale. This is not as one sided as it may
seem because future residents of the apartments will be able to make unlimited
northbound turns at Palm Royale and Washington and future residents of the
apartments will also have the option of proceeding to Fred Warinst and
Palm Royale where there will be a traffic signal.
In fact, §Roestlon 2 would direct all traffic that may desire a southbound, east
bound or west bound direction proceeding from Darby Road and the 224
apartment units to the new future traffic light at Palm Royale and Fred Waring.
This would be a plus for reducing traffic onto already busy Washington Street in
Palm Desert. Because residents of the future 16 apartment buildings are
assured of unlimited northbound turns onto Washington Street and a traffic
lioht at Palm Royale and Fred Warinq, their needs for safe and convenient
access to and from their homes would appear to be amply satisfied.
For the reasons mentioned above, especially the fact that residents of the
224 apartments will have a traffic light at Fred Waring and Palm Royale to which
they can safely proceed, §ygjaestion 2 appears to be the most attractive.
I recognize that LaQuinta has probably arranged for a developer impact fee that
would cover the costs of the traffic signal at Palm Royale and Washington. That
LaQuinta may be unhappy with the proposition of no light at Palm Royale and
Washington is more of a form over substance issue since there will be a traffic
light at Palm Royale and Fred Waring to serve the apartment residents needs.
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To The Honorable Mayor, Mayor Pro Tern and City Council Members, page 3
It would appear that Su�aestion 1 or Suaaestlon 2 will provide a fair, realistic
and long-term solution to the traffic problems that Tucson Homes' homeowners
have been experiencing while safely and reasonably satisfying the needs of the
residents of the future apartment buildings in LaQuinta.
In the spirit of mutual cooperation between cities, we are confident that you, as
our Mayor, will right align the interests of LaQuinta with those most important and
reasonable requests of Tucson Homes' residents, such that an outcome mutually
agreeable to all parties is achieved.
I would like to thank you all, again, for your time and consideration of these most
important issues to Tucson Homes' residents.
Very Truly Yours,
11 It � 1
94`�-
Michael J. Loconte
Attachments:
Darby School Complex Map ("School Map") and
The Preliminary Site Plan for the Apartments (the "Apartments Plan").
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1 73-510 FRED WARING URIVF
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 9226o--2578
i TEL: 760 346-o6I I
FAX: 760 340-0574
Ciryhall@)Li.palm-desert.Ca.us
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
August 1, 2005
Paul D. Wallend
42 Marricopa Court
Palm Desert, California 92211
Dear Mr. Wallend:
In response to your letter dated July 27, 2005, I believe that the points you made were
both clear and understandable, and need to be investigated. I will ask City staff to
look specifically at each point you addressed, and to prepare a report for City Council
review at its August 25, 2005, Council meeting. I will also ask staff to respond to
you.
Thank you for your reasonable comments and concerns.
Sincerely,
ORD A. CRITES
MAYOR
BAC:lw
cc: City Manager
PAUL D. WALLEND
42 Marricopa Court
Palm Desert, CA 92211
Home:760-469-3401 Fax:310-834-0381 Call: 310-704-7645
Email: vvallendabigfoot.com
July 27, 2005
To the Honorable Mayer of Palm Desert
To the Mayor Pro Tom
To the City Council of Palm Desert
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert. CA 92280
Re: A Triffic Licht At Tucson Names and Washineton Street
Dear Mr. Mayor and City Council Members,
Via FacsimBe
(160) 340-0574
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To more fully develop the factual record concerning La Quanta's approval for the 224 apartment units (in
18 buildings on land immediately north of Palm Royale) and The City of La QuinWs desire to place the
traffic signal at Washington and Palm Royale Drive (where it would tie in with the dead end street at
Mountain Yew) some additional research has been conducted.
In reviewing the correspondence file that The City of La Quinta maintains on this project, we see that a
packet of information was sent to Palm Desert on or about October 31, 2003 and that the purpose of the
mailing was to solicit comments, concerns and recommendations from Palm Desert on the proposed
construction of the apartments, on traffic issues and other matters.
As confirmed by the Community Development Department in La Quinta, it would appear that Palm
Desert did not reply to the request of La Quinta seeking the City of Palm Deserts' comments on this
projec
it would be a great Injustice If the reasonable requests of Tucson Homes'. (for a traffic signal at
Washington Street and Tucson Circle) should not be realized due to a miscommunication between cities.
Additionally, it further appears that La Quanta only required the apartments' developer to prepare an
environmental checklist (a much more basic requirement of CEQA) rather than a full-fiedged EIR, which
would have included an up to date traffic study specific to this project.
As a footnote to the present construction of the school, the apartments and the proposed placement of
the traffic signal at Washington and Palm Royale Drive. In 2002 a different developer proposed a similar
apartment complex on the exact site that the school will now be located. That project called for the
alignment of Darby Road with Tucson Circle and the placement of a traffic signal at the realigned Darby
Road and Tucson Circle. That project was not approved by La Quinta's City Council (by a " vote) after
meeting opposition from nearby residents of La Quinta who did not want apartments so close to their
homes.
In closing, it is my opinion that a miscommunication between Goes should not result in Tucson Homes'
residents being underrepresented in this process. We have been seeking a long-term solution to the
traffic problem on Washington Street for years and it seems the addition of the apartments, the future
retail space on the comer of Washington and Fred Waring and the school, with no light at Washington
Received Jul-27-05 04:05pv Frar780 834 0381 To -PALM DESERT CITY CLE Page 01
-2—
July 27, 2005
Street and Tucson Circle, will only make matters signifloantly more difficult, if not more dangerous, for
US.
Also, since the traffic signal could originally have been placed at Tucson Homes and Darby Road, I see
no reason now why it still cannot be placed at Tucson Homes and Washington, especially since the
residents of the apartments will have access to Washington street for northbound turns and, also, have a
traffic signal at Palm Royale and Fred Waring.
As this is the last possibility for Tucson Homes' residerKs to obtain a long-term solution to this problem
that addresses our needs, we hope that you will decide in favor of a traffic light at Washington Street and
Tucson Circe.
II would greatly appreciate a response to this letter at your earliest convenience.
Very Truly Yours. n
Paul D. Wallend
Cc: Mr. Carlos L Ortega, City Manager of Palm Desert
Received Jul-27-05 04:05p* Frw760 834 0381 To —PALM DESERT CITY CLE Page 02
To The Honorable Mayor of Palm Desert
To The Mayor Pro Tern
To The City Council of Palm Desert
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Re: Tucson Homes
Dear Mr. Mayor and City Council Members,
•i l E1)
Ci i _13WS OFFICE
f)cSLPT, CA
2005 AUG -8 Aft I k 17
I was unable to attend the July 14 City Council meeting and I do not know if I can
attend the next one, either, but 1 just want you to know that I am 100% behind the
installation of a traffic light at Washington Street and Tucson Circle.
Additionally, I am especially grateful to the Tucson residents who are acting on
my behalf to establish a traffic signal at the Tucson gate (due to the difficulty I
have of getting to the City Council meetings on time).
As our elected officials, 1 understand that you have great burdens placed upon
you, yet I know that you all have tremendous experience and wisdom that
enables you to do your jobs effectively.
Please note that my signature is on the petftlon seeking the establishment of a
traffic signal at Tucson Circle and Washington Street.
Each year the traffic situation Is only getting worse outside our gate and it
appears that there are few flood options available.
I hope In this brief letter I have been able to communicate the importance I
place on a traffic signal outside the Tucson Gab and the confidence I have
In you and the City Council members to make the best decision you can for
those of us that live in Tucson Homes.
Thank you for reading my letter.
' d6111"-
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Recsivsd Aut-08-06 10:16am From- To -PALM DESERT CITY CLE Page 01
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Received Aus-19-05 09:39am From- To -PALM DESERT CITY CLE Page 02
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Received Aua-1i3-06 06:39am From- To -PALL DESERT CITY CLE Page 03
FROM : FAX NO. : Aug. 19 2005 O8:49AM P4
Th Honorable Mayor of Palm Desert
yThe Mayor Pro Tom , .A4---. �`"--
To The City Council of Palm Desert
73-610 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Dear Mr. Mayor and City Council Members,
Re: Tucson Homes
As a resident of Tucson Homes I want to thank you for the time and attention you
are devoting to our development and the careful thought you are giving toward
the establishing of a traffic signal at Tucson Circle and Washington Street.
After hearing the City Engineer state that daily traffic counts on Washington
Street are 50,000 cars per day now and will go to 70,000 cars per day "sooner
rather then later" it is imaginable that traffic will ultimately reach upwards of
85,000 to 90,000 cars per day.
The thought of not having a signal at the Tucson Gate and having to make
U-Turns at the already busy intersection of Washington Street and Fred
Waring (to go north on Washington), where a strip mall or other shopping center
is planned, does not seem like a viable long-term solution.
The additional concerns of emergency personnel quickly getting access into and
out of the Tucson Homes community does give me pause for what the future
looks like for our community.
While I know that the Clty of La Quinta would like to establish a traffic light at
Mountain View (a dead end road) it just seems that a better all-round solution
would be to place the traffic signal at Tucson, even if this would create some
limited, near -term inconvenience for The City of La Quinta.
Thank you, for your time and consideration.
Very Truly Yours,
F1�1r-M J��T
to • � 7--'�- i 1
Received AuQ-19-05 09:39am From -
To -PALM DESERT CITY CLE Paae 04
FROM : FAX NO. : Aug. 19 2005 08:49AM P5
The Honorable Mayor of Palm Desert
To The Mayor Pro Tam
To The City Council of Palm Desert
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Dear Mr. Mayor and City Council Members,
Re: Tuoson Homes
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I am a resident of Tucson Homes and my signature is on the petition seeking the
establishment of a traffic signal at Tucson Circle and Washington Street, D
3
Before 1 begin, I want to thank you for listening to the presentation that certain
our residents made at the July 14 City Council meeting. Although I was not ablfg
to attend this meeting, I am keenly interested in, and very much in favor of, a
traffic light at the Tucson gate. A traffic signal seems to be the best solution to
our ongoing traffic concerns.
1 understand that La Quinta has already approved the construction of high
density, high occupancy apartment buildings immediately north of the
proposed new road (Palm Royale) that will connect to the existing dead end
road called Mountain View on Washington Street.
It would be most unfair if La Quints plans on having this new road serve
the needs of future tenants in the high density rental apartment units and
neither Palm Desert nor LaQuinta gave no thought whatsoever to residents
of Tucson Homes, who are Palm Desert homeowners.
Thank you for taking the time to address my concerns.
r jlk c-Se a G >Zc
'Qf1i..M DES 6%T,
Received AuQ-18-05 09:39am From-
To -PALM DESERT CITY CLE Page 05
FROM : FAX NO. : Aug. 19 2005 O8:5OAM P6
To The Honorable Mayor of Palm Desert
To The Mayor Pro Tam
o The City Council of Palm Desert
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Re: Tucson Homes
Dear Mr. Mayor and City Council Members,
I was unable to attend the July 14 City Council meeting and I do not know if I can
attend the next one, either, but I just want you to know that I am 100% behind the
installation of a traffic light at Washington Street and Tucson Circle.
Additionally, I am especially grateful to the Tucson residents who are acting on
my behalf to establish a traffic signal at the Tucson gate (due to the difficulty I
have of getting to the City Council meetings on time).
As our elected officials, I understand that you have great burdens placed upon
you, yet I know that you all have tremendous experience and wisdom that
enables you to do your jobs effectively.
Please note that my signature is on the petition seeking the establishment of a
traffic signal at Tucson Circle and Washington Street.
Each year the traffic situation is only getting worse outside our gate and it
appears that there are few good options available.
I hope in this brief letter I have been able to communicate the importance 1
place on a traffic signal outside the Tucson Gate and the confidence I have
in you and the City Council members to make the best decision you can for
those of us that live in Tucson Homes.
Thank you for reading my letter.
LPk • cL �L-2-1 l
Racoivad Aug-19-05 09:39am From- To -PALM DESERT CITY CLE Page 06