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Home My WebLink About04/02/1996, C-7 - INSTALLING ADVISORY STREET SIGNS OR ENTRY FEATURES AT THE ENTRIES TO RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. Q�VI��MIWIIIII�IIIIN u! 1" MEET DQT ci o san lues oBIspo REM N� B COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT FROM: Mike McCluskey, Public Works Director PREPARED BY: Terry Sanville, Principal Transportation Planner 'L5 SUBJECT: Installing advisory street signs or entry features at the entries to residential neighborhoods. CAO RECOMMENDATION: Review various options for installing neighborhood entry/traffic signs and direct staff to consider such options only as part of an overall neighborhood traffic planning program. L DISCUSSION On February 20, 1996, the City Council approved the Chorro Area TraffI Calming Plan. The Chorro Area Plan stipulates that the City will install: ■ Entry features on Chorro Street that identify the area as a residential neighborhood; and ■ Signs on routes leading into the Chorro Street area that advise motorists to select alternate routes. At the February 20th meeting, the City Council felt that this strategy (or something like it) might apply to other neighborhoods throughout San Luis Obispo. This agenda report responds to the Council's interest, identifies options that the Council can consider, and presents cost estimates. However, the Staff does not recommend that the Council pursue any of the options. We believe that advisory signs and entry features should be an integral part of the neighborhood planning process and that signage will have little benefit in achieving traffic management goals if implemented as "free standing" projects. II. SIGNAGE OPTIONS Staff considered the following alternatives that might apply to the seven residential areas identified in the Circulation Element (Figure #3 attached as Exhibit A). However, if the City Council established an advisory signing program, there may be other areas (eg. areas served by collector streets) that may request signs. A. Install Advisory Signs: These types of signs could look like the following: Entering The THROUGH TRAFFIC [SPECIFY AREA] NEIGHBORHOOD USE [SPECIFY ALTERNATIVE ROUTE PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY �►�I�1C�II�P��IU city of San WIS OBISp0 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT These signs could be installed by City crews on poles at the entrances to- or at turning points into residential areas. The Council could decide to use one or both types of sign in each targeted residential area. These types of signs are advisory only; the City is not allowed to enforce the use of specific through routes (except for commercial trucks)or the driving behavior of motorists when it complies with the California Vehicle Cf, B. Installing Entry Features For Residential Neighborhoods The Chorro Area Traffic Calming Plan stipulates that entry features will be installed on Chorro Street in the traffic circle at Rogeot Place and within a median island south of Lincoln Street. A concept 0 of an entry feature that is included in the Chorro Plan is shown in Figure 1. This type of entry feature is defined by curbs and 1 includes irrigated landscaping and a sign that identifies the neighborhood. The sign can also coach motorists to drive carefully (similar to the message on the pole sign shown above). Lighting may also be advisable at some locations where existing street lights would not adequately light up an entry feature. Because these types of entry features are located in the center of the street, they will narrow the roadway and may have a mild traffic calming effect. Narrowing the roadway at some locations may require some curb parking to be removed to Figure 1: Entry Feature From Bolder Colorado allow vehicles to safely drive around the entry feature. In every case, care must be taken in locating the entry feature to avoid blocking turns into driveways, access to utilities in the street, bus stop locations, fire hydrants, and other features adjoining the roadway. Implementation Strategies: These types of entry features should not be installed by the City without first contacting area residents and seeking their input. Since the entry feature involves neighborhood identification, area residents will want to select a name used on the sign (if desired) or other appropriate sign message. Another implementation strategy might be to Avertise the program and respond to neighborhood groups that have selected locations for entry features and know what the sign message should say.. Either implementation option will consume a significant amount of staff time and should be part of the neighborhood planning process. Other benefits of installing entry features are providing landscaping with the street. While landscaping does not specifically meet traffic management objectives, it helps beautify residential areas and incrementally improves the quality of those areas. �l►►M►bNI�IfNI�Ipi► �IHU��I city of San LUIS OBISpo i COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT G Combination of Entry Features and Signage. It is possible to install both entry features (Option B) and advisory signage that directs through traffic to use alternative routes (Option A, sign on the left). Staff believes that this combined strategy would not have a significant effect on motorists selecting routes or on traffic speeds in residential areas. D. Conclusions and Recommended Action In sum, staff believes that signage and neighborhood identification are largely psychological elements that are effective when used in combination with road humps, stop signs and traffic circles or other physical features that slow or divert traffic. Installing them as "free standing" elements will raise the expectations of area residents that traffic conditions will change. Staff believes that if a residential area is concerned with neighborhood-wide traffic calming, then it should pursue the neighborhood traffic planning program already endorsed by the City Council and included in the 1995-1997 Financial Plan. IM FISCAL EMPACTS Option A: Advisory Signs. Each custom-made advisory could cost $300 to $500 to fabricate and install. If each of the seven neighborhoods identified by the Circulation Element received four signs, the overall program cost might range from $8.400 to $14,000. If the Council supports the installation of advisory signs, staff recommends that their fabrication and installation be paid for by funds earmarked in the current budget for minor neighborhood traffic calming facilities (see 1995-97 Financial Plan, Appendix D, page 84). Option B: Entry Features. Each permanent entry feature could cost $3,000 to $8,000 to install depending on the size, availability of water service, type of landscaping and custom signage. It is likely that these facilities would have to be installed by contractors rather than City crews. If each of the seven areas identified in the Circulation Element received two entry features, the overall program cost might range from $42,000 to $112,000. If the Council supports the installation of entry features, staff recommends their design and installation be paid for by funds earmarked for permanent traffic calming facilities. For FY 1997-98 the adopted financial plan earmarks $200,000 for installing permanent facilities (see 1995- 97 Financial Plan, Appendix D, page 82). However, these same funds are targeted for funding permanent facilities called for by adopted neighborhood traffic calming plans -- such as the Chorro Area plan. Option C: Combination of A and B: If each of the seven neighborhoods identified by the circulation element received two advisory signs and two entry features,the program costs could range from $46,200 to $119.000. Funding for these facilities could draw from the two sources identified under Options A and B above. IV. ATTACHIV®NT Exhibit A: Neighborhood Traffic Management Areas (1994 Circulation Element) i 1 � i POLY • _.J 1 I i y:.: J I i I i I i i I • I I i 1 utu1�X uKE i ( i 1 I I 1 r�- s 1 11 fr-]11 i N i Q SCALE Y - 4OW � FIGURE #3: Neighborhood Traffic Management Areas LEGEND TRAFFIC IUXAGSMENT AREA CITY OF SAN LUIS OSISPO 21 City Of san IDIS OBISPO o Mai a e ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING REVISED COUNCIL AGENDA Tuesday, April 2. 1996 - 7:00 PM Council Chambers, City Hall 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo A ADDED CONSENT ITEM: C-8 INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY V. CITY OF PASO ROBLES (JORGENSEN) Consideration of authorizing the Mayor to sign. the "Assignment of Causes of Action for the Collection of Unpaid Tipping Fees" in the matter of Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) v. City of Paso Robles. ♦ RECOMMENDATION: By motion, authorize Mayor to sign "Assignment of Causes of Action." 1