Workshop for 16th Street Residents
Mr. Morgan presented the item, giving a brief history of events leading up to the workshop, noting the focus would be on traffic volume, speed, and parking issues; advised that discussion of potential change of lane striping west of PCH would be discussed at a future meeting, possibly the March Public Works Commission meeting; also said that the City had applied for a “Safe Routes to School” grant for sidewalks on 16th St.; then presented Mr. Jerry Stock, the City’s new contract Traffic Engineer. Mr. Stock reviewed the counts taken to date, explaining how the counts were taken; where they were taken and for what area; and went over the results, including the most recent numbers – those taken within the past two weeks. The traffic study determined that the total volumes west of PCH have increased approximately 50% since prior to the opening of the Pavilion and the installation of the traffic signal.
Once Mr. Stock completed his report, Mr. Ron Miller of 16th Street west of PCH spoke, voicing his concerns regarding lack of information and reporting regarding 16th Street west of PCH. Mr. Miller was advised that, while the meeting notice included this section of 16th St., a review of 16th west of the highway would take place at a future meeting. Mr. DiVirgilio noted that the intention of this evening’s meeting was to focus on the east side of PCH and it wasn’t the Commission’s intention to ignore the west side of 16th Street. Mr. Morgan advised that a speed survey will be done for the west side of PCH and a meeting will be held to specifically address 16th Street, west of PCH.
Mr. DiVirgilio thanked everyone for attending; determined the most expedient method of getting everyone’s thoughts would be to pass the microphone around the table, allowing everyone an opportunity to speak.
A narrated film (DVD) of traffic traveling in front of the home of Mr. Lee Grant of 16th Street was presented prior the passing of the microphone.
Many residents attended the meeting, each having the opportunity to speak if desired; highlights of the suggestions included the following:
- There is a heavy amount of foot traffic
- Appears to be a definite increase in traffic
- Highest speeds appear to be mid-block, can these areas be monitored?
- Signage indicating a 15 MPH speed limit
- Close 16th St. at Raymond
- Have permit parking for residents only
- Make 16th St. one way
- Make 16th St. partially one way – ½ the street
- Install stop signs at Mira, Bonnie Brae and Raymond – at all or any one
- Install sidewalks on 16th Street
- Reduce parking on 16th Street
- Install speed bumps (doesn’t meet the criteria, per Mr. Morgan)
- Install signs: NO THRU TRAFFIC (difficult to enforce, per Chief Savelli)
- Change to 15 or 20 MPH speed limits with enforcement
- Make Mira St. one way – north
- Install signs: CAUTION – CHILDREN AT PLAY
- Install signage: RIGHT TURN ONLY, LEFT TURN ONLY – easily enforceable
- Make it “no right turn from northbound PCH in front of VCA Pet Hospital”
- Reevaluate actions after have been in place 3 months
- Trash collection company will be contacted and advised drivers aren’t to use 16th Street as main route
- Eliminate parking spaces on PCH by bus stop – parked cars make it difficult for buses to stop
- There is concern about commercial traffic using 16th St. for travel to Prospect
- Permit parking is allowable in the Municipal Code once identify a district with boundaries
- Striping west of PCH is separate issue
- Traffic increase makes backing out onto 16th difficult at best
- Safety issues should be collaboratively, not combatively, and continually addressed
- Streets in area other than 16th are being adversely affected by traffic increases
Mr. DiVirgilio thanked all for attending and the time spent doing homework. Suggested that changes are stages co can capture easy wins – items that don’t require Council approval. Next step: Establish sub-committee to meet with residents and come back in two months to go over major solutions, determine which are Council items, which aren’t are.
Chief Savelli noted the following:
- Have motor officers do speed enforcement
- Most vehicles not traveling as fast as perceived
- He supports reducing speed limit
- Can put up advisory sign to let drivers know how fast they’re going
- Hidden radar is good data gatherer
- Signs, no turns, one-way streets are easily enforced
Further discussion among commissioners, Mr. Stock and Chief Savelli noted the following:
- Speed limit on 16th St. can be reduced to 15 MPH because of narrow width, reduced visibility, and the significant grade – making it defensible in court.
Recommended Actions:
- Actions would be taken incrementally
- Go to Council with request to reduce speed limit to 15 MPH on 16th Street, and the intersection of 16th St. at PCH, restricting traffic on 16th St. at PCH to right and left turns only for both east and west bound traffic.
- Will look into an eastbound barrier in the future if first recommended actions are unsuccessful
- Once Council approves changes, will review situation in five months
- Will redo traffic counts before school lets out for summer
- Parking is not part of recommendations
MOTION by Mr. Katz to accept Mr. Morgan’s recap as the Commission’s recommendation of actions to be taken and presented to City Council for their approval; seconded by Ms. Brittain.
AYES: Brittain, DiVirgilio, Katz, Koch, Marinelli
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Additional discussion included when and where red curb could be placed and how it would assist with traffic but could reduce number of parking spaces.
MOTION by Mr. Koch to accept red curb recommendations as described by Mr. Flaherty; seconded by Ms. Brittain.
AYES: Brittain, DiVirgilio, Katz, Koch, Marinelli
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
