To: PUBLIC WORKS AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
From: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
TITLE
title
FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION OF LONG-TERM INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT RIPLEY/HUNTINGTON/PERKINS
end
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is finalizing construction plans for an upcoming residential street rehabilitation project along Huntington Lane and Perkins Lane. After previous discussions and action at the Ripley/Huntington/Perkins intersection, staff recommends revised modifications to the intersection after analyzing area residents’ feedback. At this time, staff proposes to keep overall traffic patterns the same, but recommends implementing necessary safety improvements. This block, which contains frontage for one residence, is currently one-way eastbound. Staff is seeking input on this matter from the public and from the Public Works & Sustainability Commission (PWSC) in advance of final plans being prepared.
ANALYSIS
The following background and prior discussions pertaining to this intersection are provided in Attachment 2:
• June 26, 2023 PWSC - All-Way Stop recommended, long-term improvements suggested
• October 3, 2023 City Council - All-Way Stop approved
• March 24, 2025 PWSC - Long-term improvements discussed; item continued
During the March 24, 2025 PWSC meeting, staff and the PWSC received feedback and suggestions from an area resident. The PWSC decided to continue the discussion to the April 28, 2025 PWSC meeting. Since the March meeting, City staff worked with the resident to clarify the City’s goals and intentions, and provided alternative solutions. In particular, the resident expressed visibility concerns about reversing into a street (Huntington Lane) that receives traffic from Ripley Avenue (one-way westbound) rather than Perkins Lane (existing one-way eastbound).
At this time, City staff is recommending a revised street improvement plan that addresses both the resident’s concerns and the previously identified and discussed issues (Attachment 1). Staff shared Attachment 1 with the resident, who was in support of the revised concept. Staff proposes to keep existing traffic patterns the same, where Huntington Lane remains one-way eastbound between Perkins and Ripley. This would require less signage and pavement markings than a one block one-way conversion. This would also preserve one parking space along Huntington Lane adjacent to homes. However, parking would remain prohibited along the island to preserve visibility. Staff continues to recommend relocating the westbound Ripley stop approach to the Perkins intersection to comply with engineering and safety best practices. Next, staff continues to recommend curb extensions to provide necessary space for curb ramps, reduced turning speeds, and improved intersection approach angles. Lastly, staff proposes to expand the island formed by Ripley, Perkins, and Huntington to reduce unnecessary roadway space. Curb ramps and sidewalk will be provided along the Perkins side of the triangle, but the remainder of the island would be landscaped to provide infiltration and native plantings. Staff does not recommend providing sidewalk and curb ramps to cross Huntington at Ripley, the longest crossing, since ramps are provided at Perkins, a nominal (30’) difference in distance for pedestrians traveling along Ripley. This will also expand the amount of landscaped area. At the March 2025 PWSC meeting, the PWSC also suggested providing a marked crosswalk across Ripley due to proximity to area schools. At this time, staff does not recommend adding an additional curb ramp on the south side of Ripley to provide that crossing. The Metro Active Transportation Project along Ripley will provide a raised crossing at Inglewood Avenue (320’ east), while crossing guard services are provided at the Felton intersection (760’ west). Student access is not provided to schools near the Perkins intersection. Staff recommends that students continue to focus their crossings where existing and future safety treatments are provided.
Staff is preparing to proceed with final design of these improvements and is seeking input from the public and the PWSC. The residential rehabilitation project will incorporate these changes into the design plans for consideration of design approval by the City Council later this Spring.
COORDINATION
Coordination of this report took place within the Public Works Department.
ATTACHMENTS
1 - Ripley/Huntington/Perkins Proposed Change (Revised)
2 - March 24, 2025 PWSC Administrative Report and associated attachments