REQUEST FOR STOP SIGNS ON ARDMORE AVENUE AT
30TH STREET TO CREATE A 3-WAY STOP CONTROL

 

Recommendation

It is recommended that the City Council approve the request for three-way stop control at Ardmore Avenue and 30th Street and adopt the attached resolution entitled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE INTERSECTION OF ARDMORE AVENUE AND 30TH STREET A THREE-WAY STOP CONTROL INTERSECTION".

 

Summary

Residents in the vicinity of the intersection of Ardmore Avenue and 30th Street have expressed concern for traffic safety at this intersection. They have requested that the City install stop signs on Ardmore Avenue.

On April 4, 2001, the Public Works Commission concurred with Staff’s report and is recommending that the City Council approve the request.

 

Background

At the March 14, 2001, meeting, the Public Works Commission considered a request from residents to close 30th Street west of Sepulveda Boulevard and to install stop signs on Ardmore Avenue at 30th Street to create a three-way stop. While it had been suggested by Staff that the street closure issue be addressed as a part of a comprehensive traffic study, the request for the Ardmore/30 ^th Street stop signs can be pursued independently and more expeditiously.

The Staff recommendation at the March 14, 2001, Public Works Commission meeting was to install a three-way stop at the intersection of Ardmore Avenue and 30th Street. There was some concern expressed by the Commissioners, however that a three-way stop control may encourage more pedestrians to cross Ardmore at this location while accessing the Greenbelt between Ardmore Avenue and Valley Drive. Staff was directed, therefore, to more closely evaluate the pedestrian access issue to and from the Greenbelt at the Ardmore/30th Street location.

 

Discussion:

The existing conditions relative to pedestrian amenities in the vicinity of Ardmore and 30th Street are as follows:

• A sidewalk along the east side of Ardmore north and south of 30th Street.
• A sidewalk along the north and south sides of 30th Street east of Ardmore.
• A sidewalk on the south side of 30th Street on the link between Valley and Ardmore.
• Handicapped ramps at the northeast and southeast corners of the Ardmore/30th intersection.
• No sidewalk on the west side of Ardmore along the Greenbelt.
• Narrow informal sand pedestrian trails (footpaths) leading from the west curb of Ardmore through the vegetation on a downgrade into the Greenbelt. There are two such trails, each of which is generally aligned with and across from the 30th Street sidewalks on the east side of Ardmore.

Please refer to the attached Site Location Map.

The primary concern that was raised at the Public Works Commission meeting is that pedestrians who elect to cross Ardmore at 30th Street would not have good access to and from the Greenbelt. Observations indicate that pedestrians are currently crossing at this location without the protection of stop signs and are entering/exiting the park via the footpaths. Pedestrians have to step over the curb on the west side of Ardmore while passing to and from the Greenbelt. If the stop signs were to be installed, pedestrians would continue to access the Greenbelt via the footpaths, the primary difference being that vehicles on Ardmore would be required to stop at the intersection. The stop signs would, in effect, improve safety for the pedestrians, even if more pedestrians elected to cross at this intersection.

As pedestrians currently cross Ardmore at 30th Street and are accustomed to accessing the Greenbelt via the informal foot paths, it is Staff’s opinion that the proposed stop signs would not create a new hazard relative to pedestrian activity but would instead render it safer for pedestrians who are passing to and from the Greenbelt at this location.

Therefore, Staff is recommending the installation of the 3-way stop control without marked crosswalk or hardscape improvements on the Greenbelt.