HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/01/2009, COMM - -57
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To the Members of the City Council de V L Somber 1,2009
Planning Department Director
Traffic Problems on Oceanaire Drive. -F4 451.1
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What this neighborhood represents is a diverse community which includes many longtime homeowners of 10,
20,30+years,as well as many kn"rm, individuals and traditional families who are renters.This residential
area Is not to be treated as housing for a transient population of uninterested individuals, ie student rentals who
have no vested interest in the safety issues on our streets.
Traffic Control for the Neighborhood
The construction of the Irish Hills commercial development brought into our neighborhood a major traffic change
which was totally unexpected and had a serious impact on our quiet,pedestrian friendly streets.The construction
workers immediately began using Oceanaire Drive as a"short cut"to reach the construction sight.The
speedway has continued from the first groundbreaking until today with the Development I place.Although it may
seem strange,it is logical to drivers because after the signal at Madonna and Oceanaire,there is not one stop
sign until the vehicles reach Los Osos Valley Road.Conversely,on the return trip,it is non-stop from Los Osos
Valley Road to Madonna The various right and lett turns may have been originally designed to calm traffic
however, now they have only become a challenge to the confidence of drivers of cars and motorcycles in their
steering capabilities.50 mules an hour is not rare.
Oceanalre Drive is no longer safe for residents on bicycles,children are always in danger,and several animals
have been hurt and/or killed since the change.Within the last 3 months 2 cars have spun out as they sped
around the Cayucous/Oceanahe tum causing damage to the front yards of 2 homes as well as frightening
residents as they run from their homes as vehicles crash into curbs and shrubs. And no,we dont bother to call
the Police!
Over the last 10 years we have seen an increase in young families moving into this neighborhood but now they
are never tar from a raceway.This area also has a County School Extension Facility on Vicente drive which
brings large school buses from each of the county school districts down our streets twice a day. Drivers have
become so usual that even the School Bus drivers have had to be reminded that vehicles their weight make the
excessive speed even more dangerous. Many calls are made by residents during the school year. As new
development is proposed it will only become worse,doubting with both construction workers and Irish Hills
shoppers on our streeL
When 1 dimcussed this with the Planning Department they were very surprised to loam there is nothing to mediate
speed through our residential neighborhood. We dont even have a speed sign posted as does the other side of
Madonna Road.We need a stop sign at the comer of Pinecove and Ooeanaire Dr.,both directions,and at the
Intersection of Vicente and Garcia The same problem obviously occurred on the°lake°side of Oceanalre Drive
as people avoided the interchange at Madonna and LOVR. The city has installed several Stop signs on that
portion of Oceanaire Drive and it has made a big difference. 1 propose the same is done immediately on our
portion of the street The cost of the signage is minimal.These Stop signs could be the cheapest fix to a
problem you have on your plate anywhere I the city. Based on costs projected by the County for 12 such signs
in unicorporated areas of the county,this project would likely cost less than$4,000.
Do not wait until there is a tragedy on our street some Halloween Night to recognize the Importance of this
simple solution to haft cathing in our neighborhood.
I believe it is the responsibility of the Planning Department and the City Council to protect all of the residents of
this city from health hazards and provide safe streets in residential neighborhoods.The above issues must be
addressed and improved before moving forward with any further discussion of additional projects.
Theodora Jones, 1945 Oceanaire Drive(805)541-1898