CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Waive the first reading and pass the ordinance to establish a “No Parking Zone” on the north side of Jefferson Avenue from a point 80 feet east of the centerline of Whispering Hills Drive to a point 125 feet west of the centerline of Whispering Hills Drive (requires six positive votes)
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Phil Tartaglia, TED Project Engineer
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
On May 4, 2023, the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) recommended approval to establish a “No Parking Zone” on the north side of Jefferson Avenue from a point 80 feet east of the centerline of Whispering Hills Drive to a point 125 feet west of the centerline of Whispering Hills Drive. Approved 5-0. Staff concurs.
BACKGROUND:
The City received a request to evaluate all-way stop controls at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Whispering Hills Drive from a local resident. The request cited concerns regarding sight distance when vehicles are parked on-street.
Whispering Hills Drive is currently stop controlled for Jefferson Avenue (two-way stop). This section of Jefferson Avenue is classified as a Collector roadway with a 25-mph speed limit. Whispering Hills Drive is a Neighborhood Connector roadway with a 25-mph speed limit.
Parking is prohibited on the north side of Jefferson Avenue between Whispering Hills Drive and Birchwood Drive to the east. Parking is also prohibited on the south side of Jefferson from 80 feet west of the centerline of Whispering Hills as well as a distance of 165 feet east of the centerline of Whispering Hills.
Between 2018 and 2023 (to date), 17 crashes were reported at the intersection (average of approximately three per year). Eight of the 17 crashes were right angle collisions.
In 2021, staff received an all-way stop request for this intersection. Analysis of this location found that it failed to meet the minimum thresholds for consideration of all-way stop control as established by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. However, the “No Parking” area on the southwest corner of the intersection was extended to the west through Ordinance 22-027. This change was implemented to improve the sight distance for northbound vehicles on Whispering Hills Drive.
DISCUSSION:
Based on the recent request and crash history, staff re-evaluated this intersection. Two additional measures are recommended to improve intersection operations and reduce the potential for future crashes. These modifications include:
• Installing stop bars on the pavement on northbound and southbound Whispering Hills Drive. In a few instances, motorists that were involved in crashes on Whispering Hills Drive did not stop or claimed not to see the stop sign. Adding stop bars on the pavement will help to reinforce the need for Whispering Hills traffic to stop at Jefferson Avenue. This change will be implemented through the upcoming 2023 pavement marking contract.
• Similar to the change implemented in 2022 on the southwest corner of the intersection, extend the “No Parking” restriction on the north side of Jefferson Avenue to a point 125 feet west of the centerline of Whispering Hills Drive. This modification will significantly improve the visibility of eastbound vehicles for southbound Whispering Hills Drive traffic, particularly if exceeding the posted 25 mph speed limit. An ordinance is needed to adopt this parking restriction into the Municipal Code.
Two on-street parking spaces will be lost with this change. Although these on-street parking spots are in high demand during the evening hours, the condominium has sufficient parking in the rear of the building for the tenants and guests. The condominium building closest to these parking spaces (northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Whispering Hills Drive) has been notified of this potential change.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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