Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2001 0718 CC REG ITEM 10EI'T / & � k CITY OF Y Cif Council !aVleebf, ; Q e,a I BSo- l8lpr' (,, ACTION: Z © CU ®Lce �L},,e,Lt rr►ernbe AGENDA REPORT e'r'° °.?°SV m City of Moorpark �y: ,'s,'— r To: The Honorable City Council From: Kenneth C. Gilbert, Director of Public Works qc�� Date: June 28, 2001 (Council Meeting 7- 18 -01) SUBJECT: Consider Resolution No. 2001- Providing for the Installation of Stop Signs at Designated Entrances to the Intersections of Sierra Avenue / Shasta Avenue [North]; Sierra Avenue / Shasta Avenue [South]; and Sierra Avenue / Lassen Avenue DISCUSSION A. Background 1. Use of STOP Signs: The City often receives -requests for the installation of STOP signs as means to control excessive speed in a residential neighborhood. As discussed by the City Council on several prior occasions, STOP signs should not be used for the purpose of speed control. The purpose of a STOP sign is to clarify which vehicle has the right of way at an intersection. Attached as Exhibit 1 is a "handout" which discusses the proper use of STOP signs. 2. Warrants: The Caltrans Traffic Manual recommends that STOP signs not be installed unless at least one of several Warrants are met. When at least one of these Warrants are met, the intersection is deemed to warrant the installation of one or more STOP signs. 3. Warrant Study: It is the view of City staff, that the subject intersections would not meet any of the warrants for the installation of additional STOP signs. It is, therefore, not recommended that a STOP Sign Warrant Study be performed. 4. City Traffic Engineer: It is the recommendation of the City Traffic Engineer that STOP signs only be installed when Stop Sign Warrants are met. In that it is not anticipated that STOP Sign Warrants would be met at any of the subject intersection, the City Traffic Engineer was not asked to evaluate the subject intersections. Stop_sierra 090088 STOP Intersections June 28, 2001 Page 2 B. Report RE: Sierra Avenue / Shasta Avenue Traffic For additional background regarding traffic issues and concerns on Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue, please refer to a separate report on this topic, to be considered by the city Council at its July 18 meeting. C. Subject Intersections / Summary of Proposed Action M The intersections which are the subject of this report are listed as follows: 1. Sierra Avenue / Shasta Avenue [South] 2. Sierra Avenue / Lassen Avenue 3. Sierra Avenue / Shasta Avenue[North] The current and proposed location of STOP signs at the above intersections, is summarized as follows: Leg of Intersection: Sierra /Shasta -South Sierra /Lassen Sierra Shasta -North Current STOP Signs N E S W n/a n/a n/a Proposed STOP Signs N E S W n/a n/a n/a From: To: Sierra /Shasta -South No Controls Three -Way STOP Sierra /Lassen STOP on one leg Three Way STOP Sierra Shasta - North No Controls STOP on one leg Discussion of Proposed Action 1. Design Immunity: Cities rely on those provisions of the law pertaining to design immunity when faced with litigation involving the proper use and installation of traffic control devices. In order to be protected by design immunity the traffic controls in question must have been approved by the legislative body prior to installation, and the approval by the legislative body must have been based upon substantial reasonable evidence in support of said installation. 2. Unique Circumstances: In most cases, cities use as the evidence in support of the installation of STOP signs, the existence of one or more STOP sign warrants. As stated above, it is the view of staff that the subject intersections would probably not meet any of the STOP sign warrants. It is the view of staff, however, that certain unique characteristics exist at these intersections which support the installation of STOP signs at the locations indicated above. Those unique stop.sierra 0 8' STOP Intersections June 28, 2001 Page 3 characteristics are summarized as follows: a. Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue are local residential streets designed to primarily serve the residents of the immediate residential tract; b. Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue provide a path for non - local traffic to travel between Los Angeles Avenue and Poindexter Avenue; c. Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue also provide a path for non -local traffic to travel between Los Angeles Avenue and /or Poindexter Avenue and the northeast entry to the Mission Bell Plaza shopping Center via Lassen Avenue; d. The use of the Lassen Avenue entrance to the shopping center by non -local traffic is intensified by a number of other traffic generators in the vicinity, including the traffic signal at Leta Yancy Road [formerly Liberty Bell Road], Poindexter Park and Chaparral Middle School; e. These factors have attracted non -local traffic to use Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue for trips to and from areas outside the immediate neighborhood; f. The use of Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue by non -local traffic has resulted in traffic volumes on these streets which exceed twice the amount which would normally be found on a residential street; g. The increased traffic volume on Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue, and the use of said streets by non -local traffic, have contributed to a deterioration of safety levels for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic within this neighborhood; and h. Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue lie on a pedestrian "Route to School ". 3. Summary & Conclusion: It is the view of staff that the unique circumstances noted above support action by the City Council to direct STOP signs to be installed at the subject intersections as follows: Intersection Designation 1 Sierra Avenue / Three -way STOP Shasta Avenue [South] 2 Sierra Avenue / Lassen Avenue Three -way STOP 3 Sierra Avenue / West Leg STOP Shasta Avenue[North] (Shasta Ave.) stop.sierra T __ x'9003() STOP Intersections June 28, 2001 Page 4 E. Resolution The attached Resolution, if adopted, will direct the installation of STOP signs as summarized above. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Adopt the attached Resolution. Attachments: Exhibit 1: STOP SIGN Hand -out Exhibit 2: Resolution stop.sierra 0190091 6TOID 6IGN8 WHY DON'T THEY PUT IN MORE STOP SIGNS? A stop sign is one of our most valuable and effective control devices when used at the right place and under the right conditions. It is intended to help drivers and pedestrians at an intersection decide who has the right -of -way. One common misuse of stop signs is to arbitrarily interrupt through traffic, either by causing it to stop, or by causing such an inconvenience as to force the traffic to use other routes. Where stop signs are installed as "nuisances" or "speed breakers," there is a high incidence of intentional violation. In those locations where vehicles do stop, the speed reduction is effective only in the immediate vicinity of the stop sign, and frequently speeds are actually higher between intersections. For these reasons, it should not be used as a speed control device. A school crossing may look dangerous for children to use, causing parents to demand a stop sign to halt traffic. Now a vehicle which had been a problem for 3 seconds while approaching and passing the intersection becomes a problem for a much longer period. A situation of indecision is created as to when to cross as a pedestrian or when to start as a motorist. Normal gaps in traffic through which crossings could be made safely no longer exist. An intersection which previously was not busy now looks like a major intersection. It really isn't it just looks like it. It doesn't even look safer and it usually isn't. Most drivers are reasonable and prudent with no intention of maliciously violating traffic regulations; however, when an unreasonable restriction is imposed, it may result in flagrant violations. In such cases, the stop sign can create a false sense of security in a pedestrian and an attitude of contempt in a motorist. These two attitudes can and often do conflict with tragic results. Well - developed, nationally recognized guidelines help to indicate when such controls become necessary. These guidelines take into consideration, among other things, the probability of vehicrc, orriving at an intersection at the same time, the length of time traffic must wait to enter, and the availability of safe crossing opportunities. r• 29 x ,. �), V RESOLUTION NO. 2001 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF SIERRA AVENUE / SHASTA AVENUE [NORTH]; SIERRA AVENUE / SHASTA AVENUE [SOUTH] AND SIERRA AVENUE / LASSEN AVENUE WHEREAS, Section 21354 of the California Vehicle Code authorizes the City to provide for the installation of STOP signs at one or more legs of any intersection under the jurisdiction of the City; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that, in order to better provide for the public safety, it is necessary and appropriate to place STOP signs at one or more entrances to certain intersections as described herein. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That certain conditions exist at and in the vicinity of the intersections of Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue [North], Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue [South] and Sierra Avenue and Lassen Avenue, which justify the placement of STOP signs at one or more entrances to each of those intersections, said conditions being summarized as follows: a. Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue are local residential streets designed to primarily serve the residents of the immediate residential tract; b. Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue provide a path for non- local traffic to travel between Los Angeles Avenue and Poindexter Avenue; c. Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue also provide a path for non -local traffic to travel between Los Angeles Avenue and /or Poindexter Avenue and the northeast entry to the Mission Bell Plaza shopping Center via Lassen Avenue; d. The use of the Lassen Avenue entrance to the shopping center by non -local traffic is intensified by a number of other traffic generators in the vicinity, including the traffic signal at Leta Yancy Road [formerly Liberty Bell Road], Poindexter Park and Chaparral Middle School; e. These factors have attracted non -local traffic to use Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue for trips to and from areas outside the immediate neighborhood; 0 Resolution No. 2001 - Page 2 f. The use of Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue by non -local traffic has resulted in traffic volumes on these streets which exceed twice the amount which would normally be found on a residential street; g. The increased traffic volume on Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue, and the use of said streets by non -local traffic, have contributed to a deterioration of safety levels for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic within this neighborhood; and h. Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue lie on a pedestrian "Route to School ". SECTION 2. That the intersection of Sierra Avenue and Shasta Avenue [South], as identified on Exhibit W attached hereto and made a part hereof, is hereby designated a stop intersection and that STOP signs shall be erected at all entrances thereto. SECTION 3. That the intersection of Sierra Avenue and Lassen Avenue, as identified on Exhibit W, is hereby designated a stop intersection and that STOP signs shall be erected at all entrances thereto. SECTION 4. That Sierra Avenue in the vicinity of Shasta Avenue [North], as identified on Exhibit W, is hereby designated a through street and a STOP sign is hereby directed to be placed at the west leg (for eastbound traffic) of said intersection. SECTION S. That the City Manager is hereby directed to provide for the installation and maintenance of appropriate signs and markings to effectuate these requirements. SECTION 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the book of original resolutions. PASSED AND ADOPTED this Attest: Deborah S. Traffenstedt, City Clerk Attachments: Exhibit W: Diagram - day of , 2001. Patrick Hunter, Mayor mmmm 13UT LED ;I CHAPARRAL MIDDLE I SCHOOL z �± 1 S IN sv z Q EVE EST Q VE. CL AVE. LOS ANGELES - T C a. .a