HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/19/1995, C-5 - POLICY TO GUIDE THE INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS flli ��I�VI�� II=IIII�IMEETINP DATE
city of san lui s OBISPO
`
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT "Em NU 7:_
FROM: Michael McCluskey, Public Works Direow�
Terry Sanville, Principal Transportation Planner')
SUBJECT: Policy to Guide the Installation of Stop Signs
CAO RECONEWENDATION: Adopt a resolution establishing a policy for installing stop
signs and direct the Public Works Department to implement
it.
L DISCUSSION
The Public Works Department responds to requests from residents and business owners to install stop
signs. The traffic engineer reviews these requests and orders the signs installed if traffic conditions meet
wammis used by the engineering profession. In general, requests for stop signs in residential areas do
not meet standard traffic warrants. However, residents want them because they want to keep local
streets from becoming "raceways" or they want to increase gaps in the traffic for pedestrians or vehicles
to cross at intersections.
The number of requests for stop signs and other traffic controls seems to be increasing, due in part to
changing traffic-conditions, new .City transportation policies, increased resident awareness of traffic
problems and solutions, and a greater receptiveness by the staff and City Council. The policy shown
on the attached resolution will allow the Public Works staff to respond to citizen requests without delay.
It represents a change in the Public Works Department's traditional approach which was to resist the
installation of stop signs unless traffic warrants were met.
Requests for stop signs originate from all residential areas. The City has budgeted money to prepare
plans and begin installing traffic management facilities in one of seven residential areas identified by the
Circulation Element. It will take several years to complete plans and install facilities in all seven of the
areas -- and there are many residential areas that are not covered by this program.
III FISCAL HAPACTS
It costs about $150.00 for City crews to install a stop sign. The cost of warranted sign installations
would be covered by the Public Works Department streets budget -- reference page D-10, 1995-97
Financial Plan.
ATTACHNEEN IS
Draft Resolution establishing a City policy to guide the installation of stop signs
RESOLUTION N0. (1995 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
ESTABLISHING A POLICY TO GUIDE THE INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS
WHEREAS, City residents, land owners and business tenants periodically request that the Public
Works Department install stop signs at specific locations to control vehicle traffic; and
WHEREAS, the Public Works staff apply criteria("warrants") used by the engineering profession
to determine if traffic conditions warrant the installation of a stop sign at particular locations; and
WHEREAS, residents and owners of residential properties may desire the installation of stop
signs at locations where standard warrants are not met but where managing traffic continues to be a
concern; and
WHEREAS, the installation of stop signs and policies that guide their installation are exempt
from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as
follows:
Section 1: To adopt the following policy and direct the Public Works Director to initiate
immediate implementation:
The following policy will guide the Public Works Department in responding to citizen requests
for installing stop signs. This policy applies to the installation of individual stop signs; it does
not apply to the design of solutions to ansa-wide traffic problems.
1. Installation of stop signs in commercial areas should meet traffic warrants used by the
Traffic Engineer.
2. Installation of stop signs in residential areas will be considered when:
A. Traffic conditions meet warrants used by the Traffic Engineer, or
B. The stop sign is on a street designated by the Circulation Element as a "local"
street and is fronted by property zoned for "low-" or 'Medium-Density"housing;
and
C. The resident requesting the installation petitions households within a 100 meter
radius of the proposed sign location and submits petition results to the Public
Works Department; and
D. The Traffic Engineer detennines that the petition results show that at least 70%
of the households within a 100 meter radius of the proposed sign support its
installation; and
Page 2 -- Resolution No. (1995 Series)
E. The Traffic Engineerfinds that the cumulative impact of installing multiple stop
signs along a local street:
(1) Will not limit options for managing: traffic in Neighborhood Traffic
Management Amas designated by the Circulation Element; and
(2) Will not.divert traffic to other local streets in the area or cause traffic
standards set by the Circulation Element to.be exceeded.
3. When traffic conditions meet warrants, the City-will cover the cost of installing the stop
sign. When traffic conditions do not meet warrants, the requesting resident(s) shall pay
the City for installing the stop sign. Onceinstalled, the City will be responsible for
ongoing maintenance.
On motion of seconded by _ and
on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution.was.adopted on this day of 1995.
Mayor Allen K. Settle
ATTEST
City Clerk
APPROVED
Q94-0�A� �
ttor} ey ffr Jorgensen