09.E Report Traffic Safety Committee Recommendations 2021-03-02
PISMO BEACH COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Agenda Item #9.E
SUBJECT/TITLE:
TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the installation of a multi-way stop at the
intersection of James Way and Frances Way;
2. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the installation of a red curb on Bay Street, and
update the City’s Curb and Striping Atlas;
3. Receive a report on other items considered by the Traffic Safety Committee at its
most recent meeting.
BACKGROUND:
The Traffic Safety Committee (TSC) met on February 11, 2021, and the following
summary outlines the results of this meeting. The Public Works Department will
implement the Traffic Safety Committee recommendations, unless otherwise directed by
the City Council.
Item 1 – Multi-Way Stop Request at James Way and Frances Way
The TSC reviewed a request from resident to install a multi-way stop at James Way and
Francis Way at the existing school crossing intersection.
TSC Recommendation:
Residents were in attendance, and five spoke at the Traffic Safety Committee meeting.
They voiced concerns about being able to cross safely with the traffic volume and speed
of vehicles traveling on James Way. These residents used the crosswalk often while
walking to the church/preschool on the other side of James Way.
The Director of Public Works/City Engineer discussed that installation of a stop sign
cannot be used as a traffic calming device but needs to meet Federal Highway
Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) warrants. He was
able to open the MUTCD online to show the attendees what warrants the stop sign would
have to meet.
The Police Chief noted that they did not have collision data for this intersection, but that
he understood the challenge of crossing a roughly 65-foot-wide roadway. He noted that
this was a tough spot to cross from either direction, and thought it would be a good idea
to see if this intersection would meet MUTCD warrants.
A motion was made to immediately move forward with a study to see if the intersection
meets MUTCD warrants. The study has been done and since the meeting it has been
determined that the intersection does meet the criteria and that a sign should be installed.
Council Agenda 3-2-2021 9.E-1
Motion by Jim Lewis seconded by Jake Miller, to approve the TSC
recommendation.
Passed: 7/0/0
Ayes: Jim Lewis, Ben Fine, Matt Downing, Jake Miller, Paul Lee, Jorge Garcia,
Dave Daguerre
Noes: None
Absent: None
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the TSC’s recommendation by adoption
of a Resolution (Attachment 1). An exhibit is provided as Attachment 3.
Item 2 – Request for “Dead End,” “Not a Through Street, ” and “No Beach Access”
signs at Shell Beach Road and Terrace Avenue
The TSC reviewed a request from resident to install “dead end,” “not a through street,”
and “no beach access” signs on Shell Beach Road and Terrace Avenue.
TSC Recommendation:
The Community Development Director noted his concern for sign pollution in the City.
When too many signs are installed, drivers become overwhelmed by the number of signs
and are not able to focus on the necessary signs.
The requesting resident had previously noted that they wanted signage to be similar to
those signs placed at the corner of Shell Beach Road and Boeker Avenue. The TSC
discussed the differences between Boeker Avenue and Terrace Avenue. Boeker Avenue
does not have a bulb-out or turn-around location, the street is narrow, and there was
reported property damage from trucks trying to turn around on Boeker Avenue. Terrace
Avenue is a wider street and has a large turn-around spot.
The Police Chief mentioned the amount of children crossing the street at this intersection.
Additional signage could cause vision impairments to drivers.
A motion was made to not consider the request for additional signs at this intersection at
this time.
Motion by Jorge Garcia seconded by Ben Fine, to approve the TSC
recommendation.
Passed: 7/0/0
Ayes: Jim Lewis, Ben Fine, Matt Downing, Jake Miller, Paul Lee, Jorge Garcia,
Dave Daguerre
Noes: None
Absent: None
No action is required by City Council. A representative from the Traffic Safety Committee
will contact the resident to provide them with information regarding this item. An exhibit is
provided as Attachment 4.
Council Agenda 3-2-2021 9.E-2
Item 3 – Bay Street Red Curb
The TSC reviewed a request from City staff to install a red curb on Bay Street due to
drainage and slope failure.
TSC Recommendation:
City staff has noticed that this portion of the road is heavily impacted by storms, and has
been placing no parking signs in this location when a storm is forecast.
The TSC agreed that this request makes sense and moved to stripe the area red and add
this portion of red curb to the City’s Curb and Striping Atlas.
Motion by Ben Fine seconded by Matt Downing, to approve the TSC
recommendation.
Passed: 7/0/0
Ayes: Jim Lewis, Ben Fine, Matt Downing, Jake Miller, Paul Lee, Jorge Garcia,
Dave Daguerre
Noes: None
Absent: None
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the TSC’s recommendation by adoption
of a Resolution (Attachment 2). An exhibit is provided as Attachment 2.A.
Item 4 – Traffic Study
The TSC reviewed a request from City staff to review Traffic Study.
TSC Recommendation:
The TSC discussed the recommended speed limit changes noted in the Traffic Study,
which include an increased speed limit at Ventana Drive from 30 to 35 miles per hour, a
reduced speed limit on 4th Street from 45 to 40 miles per hour, a reduced speed limit on
Shell Beach Road from 40 to 35 miles per hour, and a reduced speed limit on Mattie Road
from 50 to 45 miles per hour.
The TSC chose to defer the recommendation to the City Engineer, given its technical
nature.
A motion was made to accept the recommendations of the traffic study, except for those
in table 2 as shown in the Study, which increase Ventana Drive’s speed limit and will
provide a letter to file stating why that increase was not accepted.
Motion by Ben Fine seconded by Jake Miller, to approve the TSC
recommendation.
Passed: 7/0/0
Council Agenda 3-2-2021 9.E-3
Ayes: Jim Lewis, Ben Fine, Matt Downing, Jake Miller, Paul Lee, Jorge Garcia,
Dave Daguerre
Noes: None
Absent: None
No action is required by City Council.
Item 4 – Traffic Calming Policy
The TSC discussed the need for a traffic calming policy or handbook that could be
available to the public for common TSC requests.
TSC Recommendation:
At the February 2, 2021 City Council meeting, the City Council directed that staff provide
the Traffic Safety Committee with the opportunity to consider the development of a traffic
calming handbook. The TSC believes there should be a “handbook” or policy document
with a consistent plan for when and how traffic calming devices are installed. This
handbook should enforce the Fire Code, Police Code, and MUTCD. This policy will make
available better parameters for the public and the TSC. There should be a frequently
asked questions portion to the handbook that covers common requests the TSC receives.
It was discussed that the TSC would like to review policies from other cities and potential
traffic calming policy options at the next regularly scheduled meeting in May of 2021.
No action is required by City Council.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Council adopt the Resolutions provided as Attachments 1
and 2. The Public Works Department will implement the other Traffic Safety Committee
recommendations, unless otherwise directed by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with receiving this report or implementing the
Committee’s recommendations.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Provide alternative direction to staff regarding the above recommendations.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution: Authorizing the installation of a multi-way stop at the intersection of
James Way and Francis Way should staff find that the intersection meet MUTCD
warrants
2. Resolution: Authorizing the installation of a red curb on Bay Street, and update the
City’s Curb and Striping Atlas
2.A. Exhibit A to Resolution: Bay Street Exhibit
3. James Way and Frances Way Exhibit
Council Agenda 3-2-2021 9.E-4
4. Shell Beach Road and Terrace Avenue Exhibit
Prepared by: Meeting Date: March 2, 2021
Madeline Kacsinta, Engineering Technician
Submitted by: Benjamin A. Fine, P.E., Director of Public Works/City Engineer
City Manager Approval:
Council Agenda 3-2-2021 9.E-5
RESOLUTION NO. R-2021-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH,
CALIFORNIA AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF A MULTI-WAY STOP AT THE
INTERSECTION OF JAMES WAY AND FRANCES WAY
WHEREAS, James Way is a wide street with a school crossing at the intersection of
James Way and Frances Way; and
WHEREAS, residents often use the crosswalk to get to the preschool/church located on
the other side of James Way; and
WHEREAS, vehicles do not have the best line of sight from either direction; and
WHEREAS, staff has determined that the Federal Highway Administration Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) warrants a multi-way stop at this intersection.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach
hereby authorizes the installation of a multi-way stop at the intersection of James Way
and Frances Way.
UPON MOTION OF Council Member , seconded by Council Member , the
foregoing resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach this 2nd
day of March 2021, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:
Approved: Attest:
________________________ ________________________
Ed Waage, Mayor Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
Attachment 1
Council Agenda 3-2-2021 9.E-6
RESOLUTION NO. R-2021-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH,
CALIFORNIA AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF A RED CURB ON BAY
STREET, AND UPDATE TO THE CITY’S CURB AND STRIPING ATLAS
WHEREAS, Bay Street has experienced some drainage and slope failure; and
WHEREAS, City staff often places “no parking” signs in this location when large storm
events are forecast; and
WHEREAS, City staff is concerned that a vehicle parked in this location may cause more
strain on the slope.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach
hereby authorizes the installation of a red curb on Bay Street, (as depicted in Exhibit A)
and an update to the City’s Curb and Striping Atlas to reflect the change.
UPON MOTION OF Council Member , seconded by Council Member , the
foregoing resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach this 2nd
day of March 2021, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:
Approved: Attest:
________________________ ________________________
Ed Waage, Mayor Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
Attachment 2
Council Agenda 3-2-2021 9.E-7
Bay Street
Proposed Red Curb
ϯͬϬϮ/2021 1 1
Attachment 2.A
Council Agenda 3-2-2021 9.E-8
James Way & FrancĞs Way
Existing Conditions
ϯ/ϬϮ/2021 11
Attachment 3
Council Agenda 3-2-2021 9.E-9
Terrace and Shoreline
Existing Conditions
ϯͬϬϮ/2021 1 1
Attachment 4
Council Agenda 3-2-2021 9.E-10