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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-02 City Council (10)TO: City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL 2 FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING DATE:February 2, 1998 CMR:116:98 SUBJECT:RESOLUTION TO INSTALL STOP SIGNS ON WEBSTER STREET AT NORTH CALIFORNIA AVENUE RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that Council adopt the attached resolution (Attachment 1) approving installation of, stop signs on Webster Street at North California Avenue, consistent with the recommendation of the Policy and Services Committee. BACKGROUND On December 9, 1997, the Policy and Services (P & S) Committee discussed the issue of installing stop signs on Webster Street at North California Avenue, and recommended that Council approve installation of stop signs on Webster Street at North California Avenue, as an interim solution. In addition, the P & S Committee directed that consideration be given to explore a long-term solution to the issue of North California .Avenue being used as a school commute corridor and a de-facto bike boulevard, and requested staffto address whether it will be handled as part of the Citywide School Commute Corridor-Study (Phase 1) or the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (for local and collector streets). DISCUSSION Installation of stop signs requires adoption of a resolution by the Council. A resolution consistent with the Policy and Services Committee recommendation to install stop signs on Webster Street at. North California Avenue is attached for adoption by the Council. The fmal report on the Citywide School Commute Corridor Study (Phase 1) includes evaluation and prioritization criteria for improvements along several school commute corridors. However, no specific recommendation is included in the report for North California Avenue. Over the next few months, staff will propose a Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. This proposed program would establish and formalize City policies and programs relating to protection of neighborhood streets from impacts of excessive cut-through vehicular traffic. The purpose of this proposed program is to be more responsive to resident concerns about CMR:116:98 Page 1 of 2 traffic problems on local and collector streets. The proposed program would define formal procedures, criteria, and funding in order to respond efficiently and fairly to residents’ concerns regarding traffic speed and volumes on local and collector streets. Staff anticipates bringing the proposed program to Council for its consideration and approval in Summer 1998. Staff intends to prioritize and develop a long-term response for North California Avenue consistent with Council approval of the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. RESOURCE IMPACT Installation of the stop signs will be accomplished within the existing resources of the Public Works Department. POLICY IMPLICATIONS This recommendation is consistent with the direction of the Council Policy and Services Committee on December 9, 1997. TIMELINE This work will be completed by February 9, 1998. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW Minor operational improvements are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. ATTACHMENTS Resolution installing stop signs on Webster Street at North California Avenue. PREPARED BY: Ashok Aggarwal, Acting Chief Transportation Official DEPARTMENT HEAD: -KENNETH R. SCHREIBER Director of Planning and Community Environment CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ~, o _/~/~_,t_a_~L~ EMIL’5’-HARRISON Assistant City Manager Harriet Lehrbaum Janice Banks Mary Lou Zobeck Kathy Durham CMR: 116:98 Page 2 of 2 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE CITYWIDE STOP INTERSECTION SYSTEM MAP WHEREAS, a Stop Intersection System Map was adopted by the City Council of the City of Palo Alto pursuant to Resolution No. 4291; and WHEREAS, traffic situations necessitate the amendment of the Stop Intersection System Map from time to time. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby-RESOLVE as follows: SECTION I. The modifications to the existing stop sign system, as set forth in Exhibit I, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, are hereby adopted as an amendment to the City of Palo Alto "Stop Intersection System Map." SECTION 2. The Council finds that this project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act and does not require an environmental assessment. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES : NOES : ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS : ATTEST:APPROVED: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Senior Asst. City Attorney Mayor City Manager Director of Planning and Community Environment 980121 he 0031920 EXHIBIT 1 Install Stop Signs on Webster Street at N. California Avenue ILegend .... }’~ P~oposed S’~OP Sign Locofion " E~-~ng sTce S~n Not to S~Io