08f No Left TurnsMEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: 4K TERESA MCCLISH, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
BY: MIKE LINN, ASSISTANT CITY ENGINEER
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION FOR POLICE ENFORCEMENT OF
"NO LEFT TURN" SIGNS AT THE ARROYO GRANDE HIGH SCHOOL
PARKING LOT EXITS ONTO FAIR OAKS AVENUE
DATE: JANUARY 24,201 2
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Council adopt a Resolution establishing a policy to prohibit left turns
onto Fair Oaks Avenue from the Arroyo Grande High School parking lot.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
There are no funding impacts.
BACKGROUND:
On May 17, 2004, the Traffic Commission reviewed a request from Mike Sears, Lucia Mar
Unified School District Superintendent, requesting Police Department enforcement of
parking restriction signs installed at the Arroyo Grande High School parking lot adjacent to
Fair Oaks Avenue . Three signs were installed by the School District in September 2003
with the verbiage "No Left Turn, 7:15 AM to 8:00 AM and 2:45 PM to 3:30 PM" in an effort
to mitigate the possibility of accidents and to improve the traffic flow exiting the parking lot
onto Fair Oaks Avenue. The Police Department had informed the School District that they
could not enforce signage on private property without the receipt of formal authorization.
Municipal Code Section 10.08.030, "Prohibited Turns", grants the City Council the
authority, by resolution, to "limit or restrict turning movements by vehicles in specified
locations." The City Council addressed a similar enforcement issue for signage on private
property in 1983 concerning the Mid-State Bank facility on East Grand Avenue. The City
Council passed Resolution No. 1722 on September 27, 1983 to prohibit left turns from the
Mid-State Bank parking lot onto East Grand Avenue.
Based on the information presented, the Traffic Commission advised staff to develop a
resolution for City Council approval to allow the Police Department to enforce the "No Left
Turn" signs at the Arroyo Grande High School parking lot exits onto Fair Oaks Avenue. At
Agenda Item 8.f.Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION FOR POLICE ENFORCEMENT OF "NO LEFT
TURN" SIGNS AT THE ARROYO GRANDE HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT EXITS
ONTO FAIR OAKS AVENUE
JANUARY 24,2012
PAGE 2
the request of the Police Department, staff recently searched the document archives and
determined that the resolution has never been formally presented to the City Council.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
Restricting left turns out of the High School parking lot during school start and end times is
a significant enforcement issue. Left turns create a safety hazard for vehicles, pedestrians
and cyclists caused by the conflicting movements. It also increases to the substantial
congestion problem on Fair Oaks Avenue during these times due to the delays caused to
exiting the parking lot. 'The issue was recently raised at a meeting of the Board of
Education. Despite signage, frequent violations occur by parents and student drivers
exiting the parking lot. Therefore staff presents and recommends adoption of a resolution
to complete the May 17, 2004 Traffic Commission recommendation.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council's consideration:
Approve staff's recommendation;
Do not approve staff's recommendation;
Modify staff's recommendation; or
Provide staff direction.
ADVANTAGES:
Adoption of the resolution will complete the recommendation of the Traffic Commission
and legally enable the Police Department to enforce the "No Left Turn" signage at the
Arroyo Grande High School for vehicles exiting the parking lots onto Fair Oaks Avenue.
This will increase safety and traffic flow.
DISADVANTAGES:
Enforcement may require an increased presence of Police officers at Arroyo Grande High
School during peak traffic times.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
There are no environmental considerations.
PUBLIC NO'TIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted in front of City Hall on Thursday, January 19,2012. The Agenda
and staff report were posted on the City's website on Friday, January 20, 2012. No public
comments were received at the time of preparation of this staff report.
Agenda Item 8.f.Page 2
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE ClTY COUNCIL OF THE ClTY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ESTABLISHING A POLICY TO
PROHIBIT LEFT TURNS ONTO FAIR OAKS AVENUE
FROM THE ARROYO GRANDE HIGH SCHOOL PARKING
LOT
WHEREAS, it appears necessary and desirable to prohibit left turns from the Arroyo
Grande High School parking lot onto Fair Oaks Avenue as more particularly described
below; and
WHEREAS, the Traffic Commission advised the prohibition of said left turns at their May
17, 2004 meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande
as follows:
Left turns are prohibited from the Arroyo Grande High School parking lot,
Assessor's Parcel No. 006-095-001, onto Fair Oaks Avenue, Monday through
Friday between 7:15 AM and 8:00 AM and 2:45 PM to 3:30 PM.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief of Police of the City of Arroyo Grande is
hereby authorized to enforce said prohibition of said left turns at the times indicated.
On motion of Council Member , seconded by Council Member I
and by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 24m day of January, 2012.
Agenda Item 8.f.Page 3
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 2
TONY FERRARA, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KELLY WETMORE, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
STEVEN ADAMS, CITY MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
TIMOTHY J. CARMEL, CITY ATTORNEY
Agenda Item 8.f.Page 4