HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10121993 - 1.53 COWELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION,INC.
4465 S. Larwin Ave. RECEIVE®
Concord, CA 94521
(510) 687-9961 9P3 �
10
September 28, 1993
CLERKSORS
TRA COSTA CO.CO
Supervisor Tom Torlakson
651 Pine St. Rm. 106
Martinez CA 94553
Dear Supervisor Torlakson:
Last night we met with members from Concord's City Council and staff to discuss a strong
safety concern which has developed over time,and has substantially escalated over the last few
months. Because of the joint jurisdiction issue which exists along Ygnacio Valley Rd. it was
recommended that we contact the County on this issue immediately. The source of our concern is
our proximity to Ygnacio Valley Rd. and the small section of opened space which exists between
S. Larwin Ave. and our homes, and the Ygnacio Valley "freeway". Ygnacio Valley Rd. has
developed over time into a very busy highway/freeway with very active truck traffic to and from
the quarry,and a very steady stream of vehicles day and night. Althouth the speed along Ygnacio
is posted at 55 MPH we have been informed by Concord Police Department that speeds have been
cited up to 114 MPH. While we are sure that most drivers do not travel 114 MPH,55 MPH
seems to be on the bottom end of what most vehicles do travel. There is no guardrail on Ygnacio
Valley Rd. along that stretch bordering our open space. In fact the only stretch of guardrail that
comes to mind is at the intersection of Ygnacio and Pine Hollow where there is a small strip of
railing. The lack of a guardrail creates a safety issue for our homeowners who use the slope area
to walk,exercise their dogs,the kids who play on the slope area,persons using the bus stops
located along the base, and the houses along S. Larwin,some of which have been hit by cars
coming off Ygnacio.
To better explain our concerns here is a summary of five incidents which we are aware of that
occurred in a 2 month period:
1. 2/10/93 at approximately 4:30PM a 16 year old boy(Concord police case#93-3506) was
driving East on Ygnacio and flew over the center divide and down our slope only stopping when
he wedged his flattened vehicle sideways against a tree at the base of the hill. His vehicle ripped
out the asphalt curb when it went off Ygnacio Valley and dragged down the hill.
2. 3/19/93 in the evening hours an unknown vehicle broke through the asphalt curb along Ygnacio
Valley Rd. across from Sheepberry Ct. and toppled 4 medium sized pepper trees before going all
the way down the slope and ending up on S. Larwin Ave.
3. 3/26/93 1:05 PM a yellow plymouth Valare ripped through the curb across from Sweet Shrub
Ct. and spun out wedging itself in the slope area. Concord police responded to the call but
referred it to the Highway Patrol for handling.
4. 3/26/93 10:15 PM(Highway Patrol file 12-13593) a young male under the influence of alcohol
lost control of his vehicle and ripped through the curb between Lawson and Sweet Shrub along
Ygnacio smashing his vehicle head on into our acascia trees. The Highway Patrol had to cut the
car out of the trees, and extract the gentleman with the jaws of life.
5. 4/3/93 at approximately 8:45 AM a young adult female was forced off Ygnacio Valley by a
truck merging onto Ygnacio Valley at the Ayers Rd. intersection. The car rolled down the
embankment and flipped twice before landing at the base of the hill. Concord police responded to
this call.
These accidents have occurred at all times of the day and night and in many different weather
conditions. At night,this section of Ygancio is totally unlighted and drivers even in daylight may
not perceive the steepness or extent of the slope. Large trees in our landscaping may appear at a
glance from the roadway to be shrubs. Some barrier is urgently needed.
It is our concern that there is a serious safety issue here for both the drivers on Ygnacio who
are flying off the road and ripping through the curb and plant material to end up smashed against
trees,or rolling down embankments etc.,and the residents of our development who use the
opened space for walking,exercising and playing. We propose that the installation of a guardrail
would be a tremendous safety feature for all parties. Drivers would be guided along the side of
the road rather than careening over the edge of the bank,and open space users would be able to
safely enjoy the green areas.
Last night we met with Concord's Councilmember Lloyd Mayshore, Assistant City Manager
Steve Jepsen, and Transportation Manager Tom Clausen. Some of the types of issues that were
raised were a guardrail installation in key areas where extremely steep embankments do exist,
such as at the intersections of Ayers and Ygnacio(City of Concord) and Cowell and Ygnacio
(County),improved markings at the edge of the road to visually remind drivers where the edge of
pavement is at night,channel posts.with reflectors installed at regular intervals,signage-which
would notesteep drop offs, and improved use of lane markings and reflector bumps. It seemed
wise to all those attending the meeting,that the treatment of the stretch of road be handled as
uniformly as possible,even though it would be through two different entities.
-.-- We would ask that you review this situation immediately to avoid future life threatening
situations. Again,keep in mind the high volume of traffic that Ygnacio carries...certainly more
than most residents of Concord originally envisioned,and the speed at which the traffic moves.
Please feel free to direct any questions or comments to our manager Margie Turrin,687-9961.
Thank you for your assistance in resolving this issue.
For the Board ofirectors,
Cindy Pease, ice President,and Project Chair
c.c.Board of Supervisors
Maurice Shiu,County Deputy Public Works Director/Transportation