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Public Works Commission Minutes May 15, 2002 - Hermosa
Beach
PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION
MEETING OF WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2002
ROOM 4, COMMUNITY CENTER
710 PIER AVENUE
HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA
7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m.
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Roll Call
Present: Commissioners Cheatham, Howell, Koch,
Winnek
Also Present: Michael Flaherty, Public Works
Superintendent
Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant, Public Works
Department
Not Present: Commissioner Lombardo
Harold Williams, P.E., Director of Public Works/City
Engineer,
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Flag Salute
Chairman Winnek led the flag salute.
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Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the
April 17, 2002
meeting were approved as written.
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Public Comments
None.
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Correspondence
None.
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Items for Commission Consideration
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Request to Remove Red Zone at 1107
Loma Drive
(PDF file)
Mr. Flaherty presented the item. He had taken
pictures of the red zone area in question earlier that
day, showing various angles revealing a 15-foot
vehicle's bumpers exceeding both ends of the allotted
space, designated by the painted T and L markings. The
slopes and faces of the driveways meet all Public Works
requirements and standards. Public Works crews put in
all the other public parking spaces citywide.
Discussion of the item highlighted the
following:
- There are no parking spaces in the City as small
as this space
- Many red zones throughout the City are similar to
this one.
- Mr. Flaherty noted the following:
- If the red zone is removed, the space would be
left for whatever size vehicle fits safely
- Space will not have T and L markings
- Curb should be sandblasted so that color is
clear, not painted over.
- The only designated compact car spaces in the
City are determined by width, not length
- Staff has discussed the situation with the
property owner to the north of the space who is
willing to allow the red curb to be removed; the
owner to the south wants it kept red
- There are no ordinances at this time regarding
motorcycling, only about one vehicle per metered
parking space
Public comments included the following:
- Richard Applebaum, 1106 Loma Drive
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Mr. Applebaum stated he has spoken to many
neighbors and feels he represents them. He
explained that due to the number of restaurants,
businesses, and even a ball park located in the
vicinity of 1107 Loma Drive, parking space is at a
premium and people over time have never failed to
squeeze their cars into the tightest of spaces,
spaces not designated for parking, and even spaces
smaller than the one in question, without ever
being ticketed. So the logic goes that if these
areas are safe and acceptable by parking
enforcement standards for parking, the one in
question ought to be as well.
Mr. Applebaum claims the photos exhibited do not
objectively show the true size of the curbside
area, and that a compact car could easily fit. He
insists that curbs are not standardized anywhere,
particularly in this part of the neighborhood, and
in his fifteen years there, cars have parked there
without a problem. The people who purchased and
built this corner unit had already taken three
parking spots away. So if this spot were painted
red, it would become the fourth potential parking
spot taken away. As far as safety goes, the people
who live there will have to back out, turn around,
and be aware of cars coming down, just like every
other resident on the street.
Additional Commission discussion brought out the
following information and/or comments:
- There is no legal significance to the T and L
markings in that a car that exceeds the markings is
not necessarily in violation of parking laws. It's a
judgement call and also depends on whether complaints
are made.
- The 18-foot parking length standard was issued
standard based on measurements taken in Redondo and
Manhattan Beach, though other lengths exist, as it is
possible to deviate from the standard.
- The owner of the property next to the red zone,
who opposes allowing parking, had a mostly positive
history with the space but ultimately ended up having
to tow cars that presented a problem to the
driveway.
- In the future, more thought and planning should
be put into the early stages of development of new
spaces regarding making the most of available parking
space instead of letting it go to waste, and
realizing this after the fact.
MOTION
by Vice Chairman Cheatham that they allow a
sub-compact space at this location, 13 feet long,
stamped with "sub-compact only" markings. No second,
motion died.
MOTION
by Commissioner Koch to remove red zone with the
understanding that motorcycles can park there. Removal
would include sandblasting the paint and removing the
Ts and Ls. Seconded by Vice Chairman Cheatham.
Aye: Cheatham, Koch
Nay: Howell
Abstain: Winnek
Absent: Lombardo
Motion passed.
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Commissioners' Reports
Safety Sub-Committee
Commissioner Howell reported that "Be Street Smart
Hermosa" campaign pole banners were approved, will be going
up around town.
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Council Agendas - April
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Monthly Activity Report - March
(PDF file)
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Project Status Reports - March
(PDF file)
Above items are presented for information
purposes only.
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Items Requested by Commissioners
Vice Chairman Cheatham updated the statuses of three
action items: the construction standards review action item
is being handled by the infrastructure guideline
subcommittee; the item for developing fair and equitable
and consistent development standards is also being handled
by the infrastructure guideline subcommittee; and there was
a Council request that the Public Works Commission submit
recommendations addressing concerns on curbs and gutters,
also being handled by the infrastructure guideline
subcommittee; these three action items can be combined and
grouped as one.
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Other Matters
Vice Chairman Cheatham noted that National Public Works
Week is coming up, and that there will be a barbecue at the
City Yard for City employees.
Vice Chairman Cheatham brought up as a potential agenda
making the long red curb painted just outside the Coffee
Bean on Hermosa Avenue a green zone, with two spaces to
make it easier for customers to stop by for a quick coffee
pickup, instead of being ticketed for risking a few minutes
of parking.
The following items were noted on this matter:
- The curb was specifically painted red to facilitate
the making of legally designated U-turns at the
intersection where this red zone is located. Cars parking
there would block the space needed to complete the
U-turns safely.
- The curb was painted red prior to the Coffee Bean
being built.
- Any changes would require Council approval, which
would require an agenda item going to Council from the
Commission recommending the change.
Commissioner Koch requested an agenda item clarifying
Council's speed hump policy explaining to the Committee
what exactly is the current policy.
Commissioner Howell suggested having as a future agenda
item doing a study to see what the minimum possible size is
for a safe parking spot, specifically inquiring about
spaces for sub-compact cars and motorcycles.
Commissioner Howell also suggested as a future agenda
item for a subcommittee the issue of planting trees near
public infrastructure. He's noticed many trees growing to
the point where the roots are damaging nearby structures.
He would like to make sure people plant appropriate trees
near their buildings. The issue would be deferred to a
street tree subcommittee.
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Public Comments
None.
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Adjournment
At 8:06 p.m. Chairman Winnek adjourned to the meeting of
June 19, 2002.
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