To: PUBLIC WORKS AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
From: Department of Public Works
TITLE
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE INSTALLATION OF A SPEED CUSHION ALONG THE 700 BLOCK OF N JUANITA AVENUE
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In response to a resident request, staff is bringing forward a recommendation to install a speed cushion along the 700 block of N Juanita Avenue between Beryl Street and Agate Street. In accordance with the City Council’s policy for speed cushion and traffic calming requests, staff provided materials to the petitioner on the block to solicit feedback and approval. Residents initiated a survey of all 59 residences within the block and provided 48 approval signatures (81%), which is above the two-thirds threshold required for further evaluation. The City’s Transportation Engineer performed multiple site visits and a speed survey as part of an engineering study in accordance with the City Council’s policy. Based on these factors, staff recommends the installation of speed cushions (1 set) along the 700 block of N Juanita Avenue is seeking the input of the public and the Public Works and Sustainability Commission before bringing the matter to City Council for final consideration.
BACKGROUND
Juanita Avenue runs northwest-southeast, is classified as a local street, and has a 25-mph residential prima facie speed limit. It is approximately 40 feet wide with one travel lane in each direction that is separated by a dashed yellow centerline. The street is sloped uphill (<8%) towards the southeast direction. Parking is allowed on both sides of the street. The subject block is approximately 650 feet long and is controlled by stop signs at Agate Street to the northwest and Beryl Street to the southeast. Further north, Juanita Avenue terminates at PCH with a cul-de-sac that prohibits vehicular access to and from PCH. Attachment 1 shows the existing intersection controls in the vicinity of the subject block.
Fronting development along the block is multi-family residential. Beryl Heights Elementary School is further northeast at Lucia Avenue and Beryl Street. Sidewalks, curbs, and gutters are present along the subject block and yellow school zone crosswalks are striped at Beryl Street and Juanita Avenue.
The process to approve and install speed cushions is based on City Council policy (rev. March 3, 2021). Resident petitioners are required to seek approval of at least two-thirds of residents on the affected block by reading and signing the City’s standard signature form for these types of requests. Only one vote per dwelling unit is allowed and signatures are spot-verified against City records. Under the City’s policy and procedures, signatures received outside of the surveyed street segment are not considered as part of the official approval process. Only after sufficient resident support is reached would the City proceed with further technical study.
DISCUSSION:
Staff received a request for speed cushions along this block in January 2024. The request is due to resident(s)’ concerns with vehicular speeds and traffic safety along this block, approximately 650 feet, that does not have other speed control devices.
Staff provided the City’s official materials in accordance with City policy and resident petitioner(s) proceeded with soliciting neighbor feedback and approval. 59 residences are located within the 700 block of N Juanita Avenue, and 40 signatures are required to advance the request. As of April 2024, the City received 48 approval signatures, of which 38 were verified against City records or with a proof of residence. Attachment 2 shows the petition signatures on the City’s official form, as well as a map. Because 81% of the block’s residences provided signatures, of which the great majority were verified, City staff deemed this step of the process complete.
The City has a list of technically-based installation criteria for speed cushions, which includes street classification, grades, horizontal alignment, speed limit, surveyed 85th percentile speed, and traffic volumes, shown in Attachment 3. Staff determined that the 700 block of N Juanita Avenue would qualify for speed cushions from a technical perspective. The slope of the street does not exceed 8% per City policy. Speed and volume survey were performed for one week (7 days) along the block in March 2024, which showed an average daily traffic volume (ADT) of 590 vehicles per day along the subject block and an average two-way 85th percentile speed of 31 mph. Therefore, the ADT aligns with the City’s policy threshold, as required. Staff would like to note that the northbound (32 mph) and southbound (30 mph) 85th percentile speeds differ due to roadway grade, as the northbound direction towards Agate Street trends downhill, which can result in higher speeds. Speed cushions cannot be installed on just one side of an undivided street. Although the block’s average two-way 85th percentile speed of 31 mph is 1 mph below the City’s policy threshold of 32 mph, City staff determined that the block would still meet the City’s policy threshold based on the downhill northwesterly speed. Attachment 4 shows a speed and volume summary table based on the data provided by the count vendor. The raw data can be made available if desired.
Based on the performed engineering technical studies and resident approvals in accordance with the City’s policy, staff recommends proceeding with the installation of speed cushions along the 700 block of N Juanita Avenue.
After a site visit by the City’s engineers, one set of speed cushions is proposed to be located at the following location:
• In front of 714-716 and 715 N Juanita Avenue
This specific location was determined to provide the most effective speed control along the subject block and be located outside of resident driveways. This location is located approximately halfway between the stop controls located at Agate and Beryl, separating the block into (2) 300-foot segments with speed controls, nearly identical to the recently re-installed speed cushions along the 700 block of N Irena Avenue. Staff would like to note that petition signatures were received from all three street-facing residences on the south side of the street in proximity to the proposed location (713, 715, 717). On the north side, the City only received a signature from 712. According to the resident petitioner, the resident of the street-facing front unit of 716 is in the process of moving out and declined to sign. A signature was not received from the resident of the front unit of 714.
Speed cushions and associated signage and striping would be installed in accordance with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD) and engineering judgement. Street parking removal would not be required upon installation of speed cushions along this block. Attachment 5 shows the proposed location of the speed cushions.
COORDINATION
Coordination of the resident survey and engineering evaluation and this report took place within the Public Works Department. Noticing for this meeting was provided to the residents of the subject block. Traffic data was collected by an outside vendor.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 1 Existing Conditions Map
2. Speed Cushion Petition Signatures
3. City Speed Cushion Policy and Criteria
4. Speed and Volume Data Summary
5. Proposed Speed Cushion Location