REQUEST FOR STOP CONTROL - HERMOSA AVENUE AT 14TH COURT

 

Recommendation :

It is recommended that the City Council approve and adopt the attached resolution entitled " a resolution of the city council of the city of hermosa beach designating the intersection of hermosa avenue and 14th court as a one-way stop control intersection."

Background :

The intersection of Hermosa Avenue and 14th Court has recently been re-opened as a vehicular street in conjunction with the construction of the downtown parking structure. As there are numerous pedestrian/traffic conflicts at the intersection and as eastbound traffic on 14th Court cannot safely enter Hermosa Avenue without stopping, a stop sign is needed to ensure that motorists stop fully before proceeding across the sidewalk and into the intersection. For these reasons, staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution to authorize the use of a stop sign on eastbound 14th Court at Hermosa Avenue.

Analysis:

If an intersection does not have a stop sign in place, motorists must proceed into and through the intersection according to the right-of-way rules outlined in the California Vehicle Code (CVC). For the intersection of Hermosa Avenue and 14th Court, this means that motorists entering Hermosa Avenue from 14th Court must yield the right-of-way to vehicles on Hermosa Avenue. They would not necessarily be required to stop before proceeding into the intersection unless there were other vehicles or pedestrians present. If a stop sign were to be installed, all traffic on 14th Court would be required to stop, which would improve safety for motorists and pedestrians in the area.

In the Caltrans Traffic Manual , various conditions are listed that would justify the installation of a stop sign at a particular intersection. Among the conditions that are applicable to the intersection of Hermosa Avenue and 14th Court are the following: 1) on the less important road (14th Court) at its intersection with a main road (Hermosa Avenue) where application of the normal right-of-way rule is unduly hazardous as evidenced by accidents susceptible to correction by stop signs, 2) on a street entering a legally established through highway or street, 3) on a minor street where the safe approach speed to the intersection is less than 10 miles per hour, 4) at an unsignalized intersection in a signalized area.

The Caltrans manual indicates that one or more of the above conditions could justify a stop sign, while all four conditions are applicable to the 14th Court/Hermosa Avenue intersection. The staff conclusion, therefore, is that a stop sign is appropriate for eastbound 14th Court at Hermosa Avenue. This finding is consistent with the existing pattern of stop signs in downtown Hermosa Beach as the other courts that intersect with Hermosa Avenue have stop signs. In addition, the Police Department has indicated that the stop sign is needed to improve pedestrian and traffic safety.

Fiscal Impact:

Funds are available under the current Operations and Maintenance budget of Street Maintenance.

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RESOLUTION NO.

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE INTERSECTION OF HERMOSA AVENUE AND 14TH COURT AS A ONE-WAY STOP CONTROL INTERSECTION.

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach, California, intends to continue to improve public convenience and safety, and

WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there is particular danger to motorists and pedestrians crossing at the intersection of Hermosa Avenue and 14 ^th Court.

NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. That the intersection of Hermosa Avenue and 14th Court is designated as "One-Way Stop Control Intersection" and the Director of Public Works is hereby authorized to erect a stop sign at the west approach to Hermosa Avenue at 14th Court.

SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Works is authorized to remove all conflicting signs and curb markings if required.

SECTION 3. This resolution shall not become effective until appropriate signs giving notice of such one-way stop have been erected.

PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 28th day of August, 2001.

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