Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-21 City Council (6)TO: City of Pale Alto City Manager’s Report HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT DATE:OCTOBER 21, 2002 CMR:422:02 SUBJECT:FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE RESOLUTION TO INSTALL STOP SIGNS ON ILIMA WAY AND ILIMA COURT AT LAGUNA AVENUE (CMR:367:02) DISCUSSION On August 5, 2002 this item was removed from the consent calendar of the Council agenda at the request of City Council in order to discuss the stop sign installation policy in greater detail at a future meeting. Council requested that this item be placed in the broader context of where and when stop control is desirable. As discussed in Attachment A, Laguna Avenue is defined as a collector, while Ilima Court and Ilima Way are both local streets. -Staff observations of traffic flow through the intersection indicate that vehicles traveling along Laguna Avenue proceed through the intersection at an average speed of 26 miles per hour, with speeds ranging from 22 to 30 miles per hour. These speeds are consistent with those expected on a collector street, but not with speeds prudent in the vicinity of an uncontrolled intersection where added caution is warranted and fight-of-way is not assured. Staff has observed that vehicles traveling along Laguna appear to be assuming the right-of-way, whereas in fact they may not have the right-of-way. Consequently, there is the potential for conflict with the intersection in its current configuration. Staft’s recommendation to install a stop sign on Ilima Way and Ilima Court at Laguna Avenue would positively establish fight-of-way, and is consistent with the safe operation of the intersection and Council’s priority regarding traffic safety. In addition, staff making this recommendation regardless of the condition of the comer landscaping, due to the lack of added caution executed by drivers along Laguna Avenue. CMR:422:02 Page 1 of 2 ATTACHMENTS A~. Resolution B.CMR:367:02, Resolution to Install Stop Signs on Ilima Way And Ilima Court At Laguna Avenue PREPARED BY: STILLl~N Engineer DEPARTMENT HEAD: CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: STEVE EMSLIE Director of Planning and Community Environment FRANK BENEST City Manager CMR:422:02 Page 2 of 2 ATTACHMENT A RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE CITYWIDE STOP INTERSECTION SYSTEM MAP TO APPROVE STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF ILIMA COURT AND LAGUNA AVENUE AND ILIMA WAY AND LAGUNA AVENUE WHEREAS, a Stop Intersection System Map was adopted by the City Council of the City of Palo Alto pursuant to Resolution No. 4219; and WHEREAS, traffic situations necessitate the amendment of the Stop Intersection System Map from time to time. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby RESOLVE as follows: SECTION i. The modifications to the existing stop sign system at Ilima Way, Ilima Court and Laguna Avenue, as set forth in Exhibit 1 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 California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") under Section 15301 (minor alterations to existing facilities) of the CEQA guidelines. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: ATTEST:APPROVED: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Senior Asst. City Attorney Mayor City Manager Director of Planning and Community Environment 020725 syn 0091124 Chief Transportation Official EXHIBIT I LAGUNA AVENUE 3746 884 883 894 895 oo0oOoO 9O5 City of Palo Alto C ty Manager’s Report TO: FROM: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT DATE:AUGUST 5, 2002 CMR:367:02 SUBJECT:RESOLUTION TO INSTALL STOP SIGNS ON ILIMA WAY AND ILIMA COURT AT LAGUNA AVENUE RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution amending the Citywide Stop Intersection Map, approving installation of stop signs on Ilima Way and Ilima Court at Laguna Avenue. DISCUSSION The intersection of Laguna Avenue and Ilima Court/Ilima Way is currently uncontrolled. Consequently, the safe operation of the intersection is dependent upon vehicles approaching the intersection from different legs being able to see each other far enough in advance of the intersection to adjust their speed as necessary, to avoid a collision. Laguna Avenue is defined as a collector street on the Palo Alto street network. Ilima Court and Ilima Way are both local streets, and are, therefore; the "minor" streets at this intersection. Currently, the sight visibility at this location is limited due to landscaping at the corners. Therefore, it is in the interest of safety to install stop signs on Ilima Way and Ilima Court (the minor streets) at Laguna Street in order to assign fight-of-way at this location. The Barron Park Association has been notified about this issue and has agreed that a stop sign is warranted at this location. RESOURCE IMPACT Installation of these stop signs and the associated striping will be accomplished within the existing budget of the Public Works Department. CMR:367:02 Page 1 of 2 POLICY IMPLICATIONS The Citywide Stop Intersection System was adopted by City Council several years ago. Consideration of updating the system on a periodic basis is consistent with the Council priority regarding traffic safety. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW Minor operational improvements are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). _ATTACHMENTS Attachment A (Resolution amending the Citywide Stop Intersection Map) PREPARED BY: DAVID STILLMAN Transportation Engineer DEPARTMENT HEAD: STEVE EMSLIE Director of Planning and Community Environment CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: HARRISON Assistant City Manager CMR:367:02 Page 2 of 2