TO: HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC
COMMISSION
FROM: James Ozouf, Senior Civil Engineer
PREPARED BY: Brian Stephenson, Consulting Traffic Engineer
SUBJECT:
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Kingwood Road New Striping
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Install a designated pick-up/drop-off parking lane and center lane stripe on Kingwood Road between Torrey Pines Road and Tennyson Road.
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BACKGROUND
The City received a request from Murrieta Valley Unified School District (MVUSD) to explore the possibility of increasing its use of Vintage Park located at Torrey Pines Road and Kingwood Road, to help address traffic and safety concerns at Buchanan Elementary School, and to accommodate a potential increase in student enrollment. Specifically, MVUSD requested City’s feedback on the following:
• Exploring the feasibility of adding an exit onto Torrey Pines Road from the park’s parking lot.
• Allowing a pedestrian walkway from the school playground into Vintage Park as an additional access point to the school, in the efforts to reduce congestion during pick-up and drop-off times.
Feasibility of adding an exit onto Torrey Pines Road from the park’s parking lot:
Due to the significant grade difference and steep slope between the Vintage Park parking lot and Torrey Pines Road, establishing a direct connection between the park and the roadway is not feasible. In addition to the topographical challenges, introducing a connection could create potential conflicts with vehicle circulation and operations within the existing parking lot.
Allowing a pedestrian walkway from the school playground into Vintage Park:
The City supports adding pedestrian access to the school through Vintage Park by establishing a designated drop-off and pick-up zone along Kingwood Road. Kingwood Road has sufficient width to accommodate two-way traffic, residential parking on the west side, and a marked pick-up/drop-off lane on the east side, where parking would be restricted during school hours. In addition, MVUSD will install a new gate and construct a connecting walkway between the school and the park, allowing students to enter and exit through the park. A license agreement between the City and the MVUSD was approved at the October 7, 2025 City Council meeting, authorizing the construction and maintenance of the gate and sidewalk by the District.
Kingwood Road adjacent to the park is currently 44 feet wide, with all-way stop controls at its intersection with Torrey Pines Road and Tennyson Road. The speed limit along this segment is posted at 25 mph. To accommodate a passenger loading lane, the proposed striping will consist of the following:
Northbound Direction:
• 12’ travel lane
• Designated 10’ parking lane with appropriate passenger loading signage.
Southbound Direction:
• 22’ shared travel lane & parking lane
A centerline stripe is also proposed along this segment to clearly delineate northbound and southbound traffic. This measure is intended to enhance traffic flow and safety by reducing the likelihood of vehicles encroaching into opposing lanes and eliminating potential conflicts.
New signage will be installed adjacent to the pick-up/drop-off area, prohibiting parking between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM on school days and designating the area exclusively for passenger loading.
City staff mailed letters to approximately 125 homeowners in the vicinity of Vintage Park to notify them of the proposed changes and invited them to attend the Traffic Commission meeting to share any concerns.
Staff recommends installing designated pick-up/drop-off lane, parking restriction signage, and a center lane stripe on Kingwood Road between Torrey Pines Road and Tennyson Road.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed striping and signage improvements are expected to cost $12,200.00. Funding is available in the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) and will utilize Measure A and Gas Tax funds.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Striping Exhibit