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11.a. Keep Clear Pavement Markings and SignageMEMORANDUM TO: CITYCOUNCIL FROM: TERESA DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BY: MIKE LINN, ASSISTANT CITY ENGINEER SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION TO INSTALL "KEEP CLEAR" PAVEMENT MARKINGS AND SIGNAGE AT THE MASON STREET DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE TO THE ClTY HALL BUILDING AT 300 EAST BRANCH STREET DATE: MAY 8,2012 RECOMMENDATION: The Traffic Corr~mission recommends "KEEP CLEAR" pavement markings and signage not be placed on Mason Street at the driveway for the new City Hall at 300 East Branch Street. IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES: The estimated cost to paint pavement markings within the intersection and associated signage is approximately $750. This can be funded from the FY 2011112 Operating Budget. City crews will also need to repaint the markings on a yearly basis as part of their citywide restriping program. BACKGROUND: Due to difficulties entering the City Hall driveway, staff assigned the City's on-call traffic consultant, Omni Means, to perform an analysis and provide recommendations accordingly. Omni Means completed the review and forwarded a June 3, 2011 Memorandum to City staff (see Attachment No. 1) advising the placement of "KEEP CLEAR" pavement markings and "Do Not Block Intersection" signage. On July 18, 2011 and October 24, 2011, staff presented the issue to the Traffic Commission for consideration. The Traffic Commission discussed the information and accepted public comment (see meeting minutes - Attachment Nos. 2 and 3). Based on this information, the Traffic Commission advised against the subject request. At the City Council meeting on March 27, 2012, Mayor Ferrara requested the item be reviewed by the City Council. The City Council concurred. Agenda Item 11.a. Page 1 CITYCOUNCIL CONSIDERATION TO INSTALL "KEEP CLEAR" PAVEMENT MARKINGS AND SIGNAGE AT THE MASON STREET DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE TO THE CITY HALL BUILDING AT 300 EAST BRANCH STREET MAY 8,2012 PAGE 2 ANALYSIS OF ISSUES: At peak times, it is difficult for a vehicle proceeding southbound on Mason Street to make a left turn into the parking lot as it is located only 50 feet from the East Branch Street intersection. This is particularly a problem in the morning and afternoon when Paulding School students are being dropped off and picked up. The Traffic Commission discussed the following at the July 18, 201 1 and October 24, 201 1 meetings: The close proximity of the driveway to the East Branch Street intersection; Possible disruption of the intersection signal timing loop detectors due to a gap in the northbound Mason Street vehicle queuing; The need for emergency vehicles to exit the City Hall parking lot; Tractor trailers stopped on northbound Mason Street at the signal may extend into the "Do Not Block" area; The use of Mason Street as an alternate route 1 detour during City events; Potential enforcement issues; Approval of the designated "Do Not Block areas may set a precedent for similar requests at private business driveways. ALTERNATIVES: The following alternatives are provided for the Council's consideration: - Do not approve the placement of "KEEP CLEAR" pavement markings and "Do Not Block Intersection" signage; - Approve the placement of "KEEP CLEAR" pavement markings and "Do Not Block Intersection'' signage; or - Provide direction to staff. ADVANTAGES: The advantage of the recommendation and disadvantage of the pavement markings is that they will add to the responsibilities of the maintenance staff as they require yearly repainting. The Traffic Commission advised against the installation primarily due to the close proximity of the City Hall driveway to the Mason Street and West Branch Street intersection. DISADVANTAGES: The disadvantage of the recommendation but advantage of the pavement markings and signage is that they have been used in similar situations throughout the nation and clearly define the boundaries of the area to keep open. Similar markings within the City have been successful, such as at the intersection of West Branch Street and East Grand Avenue (near the Bank of America building). Agenda Item 11.a. Page 2 ClTY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION TO INSTALL "KEEP CLEAR" PAVEMENT MARKINGS AND SIGNAGE AT THE MASON STREET DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE TO THE ClTY HALL BUILDING AT 300 EAST BRANCH STREET MAY 8,2012 PAGE 3 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The subject considerations are categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15304(c). PUBLIC NO'TIFICATION AND COMMENTS: The Agenda was posted in front of City Hall on Thursday, May 3, 2012. The Agenda and report were posted on the City's website on Friday, May 4, 2012. No public comments were received. Attachment: 1. June 3,201 1 Memorandum - Omni Means to City 2. July 18, 201 1 Trafic Commission Mtg. Minute Excerpt 3. October 24, 201 1 Trafic Commission Mtg. Minute Excerpt Agenda Item 11.a. Page 3 Attachment No. 1 To: City of Arroyo Grande Date: June 3,201 1 Attn: Mike Linn Project: City Hall Driveway Access Analysis From: Marty Inouye, Todd Tregenza Re: Driveway Access Recommendations Job No.: 25-1275-17 File No.: C1516MEM001 .DOC CC: INTRODUCIlON This memorandum presents the results of an analysis performed by OMNI-MEANS for the City of Arroyo Grande. City Hall was recently moved hm its previous location on East Branch Street west of South Mason Street to the southeast comer of the E Branch Street / S Mason Street intersection. City staff have indicated observing queuing problems on S Mason Street at the new location's driveway, creating spill-back into the adjacent signahzed intersection on E Branch Street. This memorandum presents a review of the queuing issue centered on the S Mason Street driveway for the new City Hall location and presents a recommended solution to the observed issue. BACKGROUND City Hall was previously located in the southern Eace of E Branch Street between S Mason Street and Short Street. When City Hall moved to the southeast comer of E Branch Street / S Mason Street, traffic into and out of the parking lot w& essentially redirected from the west side of S Mason Street to the east side of S Mason Street. The parking lot to the new City Hall offices is located on S Mason Street less than 50 feet south of E Branch Street. During peak commute times, the northbound approach to the E Branch Street / S Mason Street signalized intersection can queue beyond the driveway entrance. The City has observed that inbound left turns into the City Hall driveway during peak conditions are at times unable to cross into the project due to northbound queuing at the E Branch S-t / S Mason Street Mc signal. In turn, the inability for southbound left turns to cross S Mason Street is creating a queuing condition that extends into the adjacent Mc signal such that vehicles can queue into E Branch Street, at times restricting circulation through the intersection. TRAFFIC SIMULATION AND OBSERVED CONDITION OMNI-MEANS simulated the existing operations at the E Branch Street I S Mason Street and at the S Mason Street I City Hall Driveway intersections. Due to the low turning movements in and out of the driveway, the observed queuing was not identified as a prominent issue in the Synchro or SimTraffic analyses. Despite not being identified in the simulation, however, it is clear that during brief periods of peak commute times, such queuing issues are being observed. This condition is accentuated during the AM commute time that coincides with school drop-off traffic. For these reason, solutions to the queuing issue are recommended in this memorandum despite the lack of significant queuing observed in the simulations using the Synchro and SimTraffic software. Even though the queuing issue occurs infrequently, it poses a potential public safety issue that should be mitigated. REKOMMJNDATION OMNI-MEANS recommends installing signage and a roadway marking indicating a "DO NOT BLOCK" zone in hnt of the City Hall driveway on S Mason Street. Figure 1 presents the proposed location of the "DO NOT BLOCK" roadway marking and "DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION" sign. The locations of these items were detamhed using the following Federal MUTCD guidelines and standards: - 943 Reserve Drive, Suite 100, Roseville, CA 95678 - (916) 782-8688 fax (916) 782-8689 Agenda Item 11.a. Page 4 June 3,201 1 Do NOT BLOCK ROADWAY ~&UUNG The California version of the MUTCD does not include recommended marking standards for'a ':DO NOT BLOCK" zone. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) version of the MUTCD was therefore used as a reference. Figure 3B-18 in the Federal .MUTCD presents options for various intersection markings denoting a "DO NOT BLOCK" zone. Figure 3518. Do Not Block Intersection Markings NXC. ~t mc oagcs or UIC oox to a& the rmjtc ma *at s na mtxwuo. Them-..m haw to k remnauh: m Oplion 8. WC: Option 0: Bm mlh -DO NOT BLDCK:'KEEP BorwmLlo6inch?ldrd p0 NOT 6LOM:XEEP CLEAR.' CLEnR: or slndljr rsn anh mmsmc whm mMkh hnQ or tima31 IUXI maaac lno om) OMNI-MEANS recommends using Option B as it includes the "DO NOT BLOCK text as well as a box, clearly denoting the limits of the desired clear zone. Option A or Option C are also viable solutions, as they both also clearly indicate the desired clear zone, yet both lack the textual feedback Do NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION SIGN As with the roadway markings, the California MUTCD does not include a section for "DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION" signs (Federal MUTCD sign R-10-7). 'The Federal MUTCD was therefore consulted, and the placemnt of the sign, as depicted in Figure 1, is recommended on the existing street light pole just south of the City Hall driveway entrance. This placement is in accordance with the placement indicated in Figure 3B-18 of the Federal MUTCD (shown above). SIGNAL OPERATIONS WITH 'DO NOT BLOCK" ZONE The traffic operations north of the driveway at the E Branch Street / S Mason Street signalized intersection were analyzed in Synchro and SirnTrafic. No changes to signal timing or phasing will be required with the 'TI0 NOT BLOCK" zone installed, as no deleterious effect on signal opmtions was observed in our analysis. 2 943 Reserve Drive, Suite 100, Roseville, CA 95678 - (916) 782-8688 fax (916) 782-8689 Agenda Item 11.a. Page 5 NOTES: 1. SIGN R10-7 MAY BE MOUNTED ON THE EXIS1-ING LIGHT POLE. 2. THE "DO NOT BLOCKn MARKING SHOWN IS PER OPTION B OF THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION MUTCD, FIGURE 3B-18. Clty of Arroyo Qrande Figure 1 W. Branch St and S. Mason Ct 'Do Not Blockm Detail' lCMala~\~~ool.awg win Agenda Item 11.a. Page 6 Attachment No. 2 TRAFFIC COMMISSION ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA July 18, 201 1 6:00 PM CONSIDERATION TO INSTALL "DO NOT BLOCK" PAVEMENT MARKINGS AND SIGNAGE AT THE MASON STREET DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE TO THE CITY HALL BUILDING AT 300 EAST BRANCH STREET Assistant City Engineer Linn presented the staff report addressing Mayor Tony Ferrara's request to review the possible placement of "KEEP CLEAR" pavement markings adjacent to the Mason Street driveway entrance to the new City Hall at 300 East Branch Street. The Mayor believed that during peak times, it is difficult for a vehicle proceeding southbound on Mason Street to make a left turn in to the parking lot as it is located 50 feet from the East Branch Street intersection. During public comment, Aaron Henkel, South Alpine Street, opposed the concept as he believed the driveway gap may create conflict with the operation of the signal loop detectors. He stated that an additional loop detector may need to be installed south of the driveway. Commissioner Carson and Brownlee agreed that the signal operation is addressed by Omni-Means; stated that with no pavement markings and signage this could make it difficult for the Police to get out of the City Hall parkirrg lot. Commissioner Ross expressed concern with the kind of stacking of vehicles that will happen by installing the loop detector causing other vehicles to go around into oncoming traffic; stated this is a truck route; some trucks with trailers may stick out; is against the placement of pavement markings; and would not approve for other businesses. It was moved by Corr~missioner Carson, seconded by Commissioner Brownlee to advise staff to install "DO NOT BLOCK pavement markings and signage on Mason Street at the driveway for the new City Hall at 300 East Branch Street. Upon roll call vote: AYES: Commissioners Carson and Brownlee; NOES: Commissioner Borda and Ross; ABSENT: Commissioner Hall. Motion died due to a tie vote. Mr. Linn stated that staff will do further research on this item and bring back to the Commission. Agenda Item 11.a. Page 7 Attachment No. 3 TRAFFIC COMMISSION ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA OCTOBER 24,201 1 6:00 PM CONSIDERATION TO INSTALL "DO NOT BLOCK" PAVEMENT MARKINGS AND SIGNAGE AT 'THE MASON STREET DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE TO 'THE CITY HALL BUILDING AT 300 EAST BRANCH STREET Assistant City Engineer Michael Linn presented the staff report as a follow-up to the July 18, 201 1 meeting. The request centers on the installation of pavement markings and signage to prevent vehicles from blocking the City Hall driveway entrance during corlgested traffic periods. The meeting was opened to the public: Aaron Henkel, South Alpine Street believed that the proposed markings would set a bad precedent, creates an enforcement issue for the Police Department, and that the City Hall is not a designated emergency facility. Commissioner Carson expressed concerns about the close proximity of the City Hall driveway to East Branch Street and noted that Mason Street is often used as detour and alternate routes during City events. Commissioner Ross added that a similar application near Bank of America at the Wesley Street and East Branch Street intersection was to keep the intersection clear and he could not locate another instance where the markings were placed for a driveway entrance. It was moved by Commissioner Brownlee and seconded by Commissioner Borda to deny the requested placement of requested pavement markings and signage. The motion passed on a roll call vote: Ayes: Commissioners Brownlee, Borda and Ross; Nay: Commission Carson; Abstain: Commissioner Hall. Agenda Item 11.a. Page 8