Rolling Hills Estates traffic commission approves two driveway requests, recommends clearer evacuation signage and declines new speed survey

The Rolling Hills Estates Traffic Commission on Sept. 26 approved two zoning requests for driveway work, moved to recommend improved emergency-evacuation signage at Crest Road East and Eastfield Drive, received a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department traffic report for July and August 2024 and voted not to commission an engineering speed survey.

The commission unanimously approved zoning case 24-073, a staff-recommended administrative review to enlarge and shift a driveway apron about 10 feet east at 10 Crest Road West. City staff described the change as limited to the driveway apron and said the altered apron will remain within the existing side-yard setback. Traffic engineer Vanessa (last name not recorded) told the commission, "I did a field verification of side obstruction, so my recommendation was to approve." The motion passed on a voice vote.

The commission also approved zoning case 24-074, which clears a new 15-foot-wide decomposed granite (DG) driveway serving a proposed barn and corral at 2 Possum Ridge Road. Staff said the project is part of a larger remodeling plan for the 4.2-acre parcel and that the proposed driveway would not exceed the city's front-yard impervious surface requirement (projected to cover about 4.7% of the front yard). Vanessa said she conducted a site review and "recommended [the driveway] be approved." The commission approved the driveway approach by voice vote.

Commissioners spent the largest portion of the meeting discussing signage and emergency egress at Crest Road East and Eastfield Drive, near the gated Crest Road East access. Resident Michael Visco (identified in the record as a long-time participant on the issue) said the commission had previously voted on signage in December 2023 and pushed for clearer, reflective signs and an auxiliary flashing light to alert approaching drivers when the gate is open. "Change the signage to accurately reflect the purpose of the road. Work with the association to get it to the light to flash when the gate is open so we don't have to rely for somebody out there directing traffic," Visco told the commission.

City staff and the traffic engineer explained that the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA) controls the gate and that the association had told staff it did not want changes at this time. Vanessa said her original review had assumed standard dead-end signage and that, if the commission wanted to pursue signage for evacuation purposes, she would need to study the site with evacuation routing in mind. Gate supervisor Mark Bridal and RHCA operations manager Artie Beckler told the commission the gate location and the existing three-rail fencing create sight-line limitations for drivers and that some additional signing near the fence line would help.

After discussion the commission voted to recommend improved signage that clarifies the location's role for emergency evacuation, to consolidate and raise signs where feasible, and to have Vanessa return with specific sign recommendations. Staff noted the city manager has authority under the municipal code to replace city signs and that any flashing-light system would be a separate coordination with the association.

Officer Sullivan, the sheriff's department representative, briefed the commission on enforcement activity for July and August. "For the two-month period, we had a total of approximately 39 citations," he said, summarizing speed and stop-sign enforcement in hotspots such as Crest Road and Portuguese Bend Road. Commissioners thanked the department for its presence; the commission then moved and voted to receive and file the report.

On item 13, staff presented background on engineering and traffic surveys typically used to set or defend speed limits. The commission heard that, because many Rolling Hills roads are private, an engineering study is not strictly required for the sheriff to issue citations. Vanessa recommended keeping the current speed limits in place for now but said a study would be useful if the city later decides to change posted speeds. Commissioners voted not to commission a new engineering traffic survey and to retain existing limits.

The commission also agreed to move the November meeting to Thursday, Nov. 21 (the week before Thanksgiving) and directed staff to agendize that date.

Votes at a glance - Consent calendar (affidavit of posting, other consent items): approved (voice vote). - Zoning case 24-073 (10 Crest Road West, driveway apron moved ~10 feet east): approved (voice vote). Motion text in packet: "Approve driveway and apron as presented." Mover/second: not specified in the audio record. Outcome: approved. - Zoning case 24-074 (2 Possum Ridge Road, new DG driveway to barn/corral): approved (voice vote). Motion text in packet: "Approve driveway approach as planned." Mover/second: not specified. Outcome: approved. - Signage at Crest Road East/Eastfield Drive (emergency-evacuation signage): motion to recommend improved, consolidated, higher reflective signage and to have the traffic engineer return with specific recommendations; commission to coordinate with RHCA on flashing-light options: approved (voice vote). Mover/second: not specified. Outcome: recommendation to city manager/city council; flashing-light component requires RHCA action. - Receive and file Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department traffic report (July-August 2024): approved (voice vote). - Engineering traffic/speed survey (item 13): motion to not commission an engineering traffic survey at this time and to retain existing speed limits: approved (voice vote). Mover/second: not specified. Outcome: no study ordered.

Background and context The Traffic Commission serves in an advisory capacity; final sign changes and any electrical or flashing-light installation at the Crest Road East gate would involve coordination with the Rolling Hills Community Association and possible action by the city manager or city council. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that the association controls gate operations and that a flashing-light system would require association approval and funding. Vanessa noted that standard traffic-control sign placement and retroreflectivity follow state guidance and that sign heights around 7 feet are used to improve visibility and driver decision time.

What happens next Vanessa will return with a sign proposal addressing both the standard dead-end/warning function and the emergency-evacuation function; staff will coordinate with RHCA on the association'managed gate and any flashing-light option. The commission will meet next on Thursday, Nov. 21 for its regularly scheduled November meeting.

Ending The commission adjourned after directing staff to agendize the Nov. 21 meeting and thanking the sheriff's representative for the report.