Current Turnbull Canyon Issues

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by SuperDKim, May 9, 2011.

  1. SuperDKim

    SuperDKim New Member

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    Well thought everyone should know. I just received this information from another rider friend and felt is was note worthy to pass on. We all seem to use Turnbull Canyon at one point or another but would appear they are trying to shut down access to bikes.

    Hi All,

    I had to forward this along to you, since I know each one of you enjoys cycling in Turnbull Canyon. A fellow cyclist and coworker of mine informed me that the City of Whittier has recently been asked to close trail access to bikers in Turnbull Canyon and also to enforce parking policies to discourage cyclists from parking on the streets near the trailhead (see attached and email thread below).

    The city of Whittier Parking and Transportation Commission agenda at the May 5th meeting included this item:



    NEW BUSINESS
    3. Mountain Bike Riders on Beverly Boulevard and Turnbull Canyon Road



    The Commission will consider a recommendation to approve signage along Beverly Boulevard from​


    Painter Avenue to Turnbull Canyon Road prohibiting bicyclist usage on sidewalks in accordance with​


    Whittier Municipal Code Section 10.52.040, and advise staff to survey the neighborhoods surrounding​


    Beverly Boulevard at Turnbull Canyon Road regarding parking and signing restrictions related to the​

    bicyclist issues.

    My coworker attended the last couple of commission meetings and sent me this note:

    " You may be interested in this. This came up in the open forum in the March meeting.
    One of the local residents wanted to close the trails to bikes and/or make the bottom of Turnbull Canyon a no parking zone. He didn't like the noise, the parking and people changing on the street. At the March meeting, I asked the commission to change some of the bike lanes on the east side of town to make them safer and to consider creating a bike advisory committee (similar to Fullerton's). I'm going to try to go to the Thurday meeting since it's on the agenda. You or your husband should come since you live in that area."

    I asked him what happend at the meeting and he said: "The meeting was ok. A lot of angry residents in that area. Look for increased enforcement of traffic laws and continued noise about closing the trails to bikes.
    (Habitat Authority was there and said that would very difficult given the historic use.) There is currently no advisory committee."

    Here is the bottom line: Everyone should be aware of the concerns of the Turnbull Canyon residents and also, if you park there to ride, be curteous and respectful to the residents. No mooning or littering! Please forward this to fellow cyclists in Whittier so they also know what is going on.

    Also, it would be great to get a bike advisory group together to try and work with the residents and the city (particularly for this issue) and possibly use this opportunity to get proper parking facilities, but help also advocate cycling throughout Whittier. Let me know if you are interested and we can begin to organize something with my coworker.

    CITY OF WHITTIER
    PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
    REGULAR MEETING
    TIME: 6:30 P.M., May 5, 2011
    LOCATION: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, WHITTIER CITY HALL
    13230 PENN STREET, WHITTIER, CA 90602
    CALL TO ORDER
    PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
    ROLL CALL Commissioner John McCandless
    Commissioner Doug Halliday
    Vice-Chairperson James Snedden
    Chairperson Al Martinez
    ORAL COMMUNICATION
    This is the time for the public to address the Commission regarding any item of Parking and
    Transportation business other than items on the Agenda. The Commission cannot take action or express
    a consensus of approval or disapproval on any oral communication. Please state your name and address
    when you step up to the podium. Speakers must limit their comments to three minutes.
    OLD BUSINESS
    1. Approval of Minutes
    Approval of minutes for the regular meeting of April 7, 2011.
    2. Mulberry Drive at Greenleaf Avenue – Traffic Signal
    The Commission will consider a recommendation to approve staff’s analysis and results for protected leftturn
    phasing for Mulberry Drive at Greenleaf Avenue; and forward a recommendation to the City Council
    for an appropriate traffic signal modification.
    NEW BUSINESS
    3. Mountain Bike Riders on Beverly Boulevard and Turnbull Canyon Road
    The Commission will consider a recommendation to approve signage along Beverly Boulevard from
    Painter Avenue to Turnbull Canyon Road prohibiting bicyclist usage on sidewalks in accordance with
    Whittier Municipal Code Section 10.52.040, and advise staff to survey the neighborhoods surrounding
    Beverly Boulevard at Turnbull Canyon Road regarding parking and signing restrictions related to the
    bicyclist issues.
    STAFF COMMENTS
    COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/CONFERENCE REPORT
    ADJOURNMENT
    NEXT MEETING: June 2, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
    TENTATIVE PARKING & TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION SCHEDULE:

    July 7, 2011
    No business at this time
    August 4, 2011
    No business at this time
    September 1, 2011
    No business at this time

    NOTE: 72 hours prior to Parking and Transportation Commission Meetings, the entire Parking and Transportation Commission agenda package is available for review, upon request, at the reference desk in the Central Library (7344 Washington Avenue) and the Whittwood Branch Library (10537 Santa Gertrudes). The entire agenda package and any meeting related writings or documents provided to a majority of the Commission members after distribution of the agenda package are also available in the Public Works Department, Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street. Any person with questions regarding items on the Parking and Transportation Commission agenda should contact the Public Works Department at (562) 567-9500.

    Disability-related aids or services are available to enable persons with a disability to participate in this meeting, consistent with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Assisted listening devices are available for individuals with hearing impairments at the Reception Desk in the downstairs lobby. Should you require special accommodations to participate in the meeting due to a disability, please contact the Secretary of the Parking and Transportation Commission at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting at (562) 567-9500.

    I am not sure I am going about this in the right way but wanted to get the information out to everyone
     
  2. xhuskr

    xhuskr Powered by Guinness

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    thnx Kim...this could be a bad thing if we don't show the people of Whittier a bit more respect...or ask others to as well. Get dressed at home and change out of biking attire at a local restaurant. I thought it was odd to mention riding on the sidewalk...I don't see much of that, but only hit Turnbull again recently. For those that know the trail well...were would a better place to park be?
     
  3. freezy562

    freezy562 New Member

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    Nnnoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!
     
  4. Tee

    Tee TrailBlazer

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    No friggin way!....Darn it :/
     
  5. allroy71

    allroy71 Member

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  6. ohyeah89

    ohyeah89 LEARN-IMPROVE-TRAIN

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    It sounds like it is more a noise issue for the residents and their parking spaces. Please please PLEASE keep your talking to a normal level (I'm guilty of raising my voice sometimes too, it's just so exciting to be there and mtb and with your friends)!!!! I think the signs about not riding on the sidewalks would be great - I too am guilty of that (before I started road riding) because I didnt know any better. I will definately no longer ride on the sidewalk at all, now that I know!

    I havent heard anything from the Habitat Authority about this, good to hear they were at the meeting, and hopefully on our side! Even other fellow volunteers there always voice negative observations and preconceptions about mountainbikers, I cringe when hearing them but some are true!! I try my best to explain that "most" mountainbikers are respectful and good for our trails.

    I think a lot of the angry residents could be mollified by us mtbers showing some more respect when we park in front of their houses (esp early in the morning!) and then closing off Turnbull trails to bikes will be a nonissue. More of a traffic/parking enforcement issue than a trail access issue.

    Keep us updated about all meetings time/locations, I will be there if it is after work hours!!!
     
  7. Dino Brown

    Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot

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    I'm guessing we can still park on the street without risk of... ticket? warning? verbal reprimand?

    I sympathize with the residents.

    What would prevent riders from simply parking one block away (on Beverly Blvd..... Alta... Etc.)?
    The City can't put signs on every street corner.
    No easy solution!
     
  8. KBL

    KBL Powered by chocolate

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    Yeah, parking a block or two away would do a lot to ease tensions. Since I'm local I usually ride to the trailhead.

    These same complaints got use of the Rimcrest entrance to Chino Hills greatly curtailed. "No parking" signs went up, and I believe that was also when night riding was banned as well.
     
  9. SuperDKim

    SuperDKim New Member

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    Just to keep everyone posted, this is the latest email I am getting on this matter.

    RE: Turnbull Canyon MTB access

    The meeting schedules and agendas are online at the City of Whittier's website. The Habitat Authority meetings will be the ones to watch.

    It's a bit of a mess. The land is owned by some combination of the County, Whittier, and the Rose Hills Foundation and is managed by the Puente Hills (Landfill) Native Habitat Authority. The access point at the bottom of Turnbull (owned by Whittier who will not pay for it) is marked on the HA's map with an A for Access, not a P for Parking. Every other trailhead is a P.

    The idea of a parking lot was discussed (wouldn't solve all the parking issues and would require CEQA to impliment). An information kiosk/trail map/trash cans would make sense to me as a user but further legitimizes riding in the hills so that's a no go from most perspectives. I don't know if these residents are going to HA meetings or the Whittier Park Commission meetings ...


    Despite one of the commissioners stating during his comment period that "this is monster created by the Habitat Authority," it's still theoretically only a parking issue on Beverly and nearby streets. They're going to survey the residents and see what the consensus is. However, I'm not sure they're going to limit their questions to ones related to parking. As for the commission, they're apparently very senstive to "quality of life" issues and property values decreased by the alleged mobs of mountain bikers taking over people's front lawns and nearly running down walkers. I think they're not posting any signage until after the survey; they will be stepping up enforcement for failure to stop at stop signs. It will be interesting to see if they start giving tickets for lack of reflectors or speeding. (Think villagers with torches and pitchforks you're in the ballpark of several of the residents.)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 10, 2011
  10. ohyeah89

    ohyeah89 LEARN-IMPROVE-TRAIN

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    You know what's interesting? Say they ban mountainbiking. Turnbull Canyon, Rose Hills Fireroad is a very popular place for hikers too. Go any Saturday or Sunday morning and you'll see cars parked (illegally?) all along Turnbull Canyon road on the dirt ditch/shoulder. Even if they ban mountainbikers, there will still be plenty of hikers who park there. Then what? Ban all access? Isnt that shooting themselves in the foot?


    P.S. Now might be a good time to start volunteering for the Habitat Authority if you are interested!!!
    http://www.habitatauthority.org/

    Volunteer Opportunities:
    http://www.habitatauthority.org/pdf/Vol Opportunities (2).pdf

    I recommend the Trail Patrol, super fun and no schedule commitment (you "patrol" on your own time)!
     
  11. Earn Your View

    Earn Your View Member

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    Hello, I'm a new poster to this site, but I've been visiting for quite a while now (aka a "lurker"). I ride Turnbull Canyon periodically with my buddies and while I haven't observed any rude activity, I'll remind them to be respectful of the local residents.
     
  12. eruizela

    eruizela mountain bike addict

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    Thank you for this update
     
  13. SuperDKim

    SuperDKim New Member

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    I wanted to forward the latest information I rec regarding Turnbull Canyon:

    Hi Kim,

    I attended the HA meeting on Tuesday. There are a few very vocal residents that filed a complaint with the HA to try and get cyclists off the trails, but the HA did not seem to support that. The people were not at the meeting - they attended the Board meeting last month. The issue will be brought to the Board meeting today - "Receive and file complaint addressed to the City of Whittier regading parking on Beverly and Turnbull Canyon Roads to access trails in the Puente Hills Preserve". I plan to attend the meeting.

    I explained our efforts to communicate with the folks we know about use of the parking and not being loud, changing, or littering. And that we are encouraging folks to park elsewhere and ride up and not to ride on the sidewalks. I also explained that, in general, folks fear that cars will be broken into at the area by the trailhead and that we do try and avoid it, when able. I suggested a study to evaluate use of the trails, since I felt it was overeggagerated and there were always many more hikers and runners compared to cyclists. And that we do not like the people riding dangerously there, either. I suggested some outreach and communication for proper trail ettiquette. They had a lot of discussion about parking options, but there are few choices, and the property belongs to the City, not the HA. The TAC group was very receptive to our representation and asked me to work with the Public Works Dept. to help figure out what to do about parking. They plan to do a use study and a survey of residents' feelings about parking options is ongoing right now.

    Will you please pass on this info?

    Terri
     
  14. Samusick

    Samusick OI!

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    Thank you for keeping us updated with this Kim. I know that losing access to Turnbull would be a big blow for us and don't want that to happen.
     
  15. tandem

    tandem New Member

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    SuperDKim,
    Thanks for the update.

    Just for clarification, since there is a ride @ Turnbull this Saturday, May 28, 2011, are we still allowed to park along Beverly Blvd?
     
  16. KBL

    KBL Powered by chocolate

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    I rode Turnbull yesterday. I pedaled to the trailhead (I live in Whittier like you do) and passed several fellow mountain bikers' vehicles parked on Beverly.

    Yes, parking is still allowed on Beverly Blvd, but the best thing to do would be to disperse the parking to other nearby streets. It's generally a good part of town around the trailhead, so don't feel like Beverly is the only safe place to park.
     
  17. tandem

    tandem New Member

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    Thanks! I just wanted to be sure since I do not want to risk a ticket or even fan the flames of anger by the residents there.
     
  18. SuperDKim

    SuperDKim New Member

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    Yes parking is still ok. We were up on tuesday and we are trying to spread out a bit and keep conversation to normal level. We chat to the residents as well.

     
  19. SuperDKim

    SuperDKim New Member

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    Hi all, I rec this on friday thought I would just post as update! thanks





    "Thanks Kim! Here's another one to post.

    I attended the Habitat Authority Board Meeting yesterday, and they did not bring up the trail use survey, but I did find out that the resident survey was mailed yesterday. They'll get the results in a couple of months.

    Meanwhile, the Transportation Commission meeting next Thursday will be focused on cycling related issues, including bike lanes, sidewalk laws, the parking issues on Beverly, etc. That is the meeting to be to voice any opinions about it, so I plan to be there. We will have 3 minutes, each, to speak. The Assist. Director of Public Works spoke with me a while about everything and they are very receptive to us helping, but stressed that there is infrastructure already in place to accomodate cyclists and we can participate. They do invite input to improve. The Transportation Commission will participate in a technical advisory group to discuss parking options near the trailhead at Turnbull Canyon. However, since there are many stakeholders involved, the issue is complex, and not within any single jurisdiction. This TAC will pull everyone together to come up with something amenable to all.

    Right now, the Transportation Commission is trying to figure out if the Habitat Authority wishes to close the trails to bike riders to solve the problem. If that is not feasible, the installation of appropriate signang and curb painting can be done to help mitigate issues, but will not completely solve the problem.

    All this, from one letter from one person that just wants some peace in his neighborhood and to be able to park in front of his own house on the weekend....and not pick up everyone's trash. I can't say I blame him, or that this is an easy fix.

    I can say, that cycling in Whittier can be accepted by the residents so long as there are options and desires for cyclists in the community. One of the obvious options is to support the businesses in Whittier, so they welcome cyclists. There is free parking in Uptown during the weekends people!!! Go over there, meet at your favorite resturant or coffee shop and spend your money there before and after your ride! Wouldn't it be awesome if we coud start seeing the businesses hanging signs up saying "Cyclists Welcome Here!!" No one could argue that it is bad for the community. As for the environment and safety of other trail users, that is up to YOU to learn trail ettiquette and BE SAFE during your ride. No one, not even fellow cyclists, like it when people do dumb and dangerous stuff.

    I'll send an update after the Transportation Commission meeting on June 4th at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Hope you can join me. If you have any questions directed for me, send email: [email protected]. Otherwise, spread the word about this issue so we can keep cycling in the Whittier Hills trails an allowable (and safe) use.

    Terri
     
  20. tandem

    tandem New Member

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    Thanks for the update.
     

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