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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - December 18, 1985 (82)CITY COUNCIL NiEE'i'�TG DBCEMM I8,, 11985 • . _ MID-BIOa CROSSWALK REQUESTED AT CASA DE ISI Council was reminded that, atitsregular meeting of December 4, 1985, the City Council received a petition signed by approximately 225 residents of Casa de Lodi. requesting the installation of a mid -block crosswalk at the entrances to this mobile hCue park. The City Council asked that this matter be placed on this agenda for discussion. City Manage.:- Peterson_ pointed out that the City, is the past, has been 5Z.rongly opposed to the installation of mid -block crosswalks aad has discouraged their use. Public Works Director Jack Ronsko, in a nvema to the City Manager, made the following points in support of the City's positions: 1. Nbtorists expect crosswalks and pedestrians at intersections and motorists do not expect crosswalks placed in the middle of a block. 2. They may cause pedestrians to have a false sense of security with respect to vehicular traffic. { j 3. .They may cause a greater number of rear -end j collisions due to pedestrians not waiting for gaps in ' traffic. 4. They may cause an increase in fatal and serious injury accidents because crosswalks are usually considered to be safety devices. However, accident studies show a disproportionate accident rate in terms of marked versus unmarked crosswalks, probably due to a less cautious pedestrian attitude at unmarked walks. The staff believes that the use this mid -block crosswalk would receive would be quite minimal. It would, for example, not receive the kind of use such a crosswalk would receive in the downtown area. The Public Works Director further advises that the City does not normally paint crosswalks unless the intersections are on a route to school or have a ?high pedestrian count. Also included for Council's information was a copy of an informal speed survey conducted earlier this year on Turner Road between Beckman Road and Cluff Avenue. D?.agrams of the subject area were also presented for Council's perusal. A very lengthy discussion followed with questions being directed to Staff. Addressing the Council regarding the matter were: a) Dr. A. E. Mason, Space 151., Casa de Lodi- b) odi b) Beryl Georguson, 2223 W. Cochran Road, Ipdi . ABSENT: Council Members - None Following additional discussion, Mayor Pro Tempore Reid moved for adoption of Resolution No. 85-186 establishing a speed limit on the full length of Turner Road within the city limits of the City of Lodi of 35 MPH. The motion was seconded by Council Members Olson and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Council Members - Olson, Reid, & Hinchman (Mayor) Noes: Council Members - Pinkerton and Snider Absent: Council Members - None A very lengthy discussion follow3d regarding the establishment of a mid -block crossing it the area of Casa de Dodi. A motion was made for the establishment. of a raid -block crossing in the subject area by Mayor H.i.nchman, Reid second; however, following additional discussion, the motion and second were withdrawn. Public Works Director Ronsko asked that the record show that he recommended against the establishing of a mid -block crossing in the subject area. Following additional dis(m:ssion Council directed Staff to review the various locations suggested for a Turner Road mid -block crossing and to bring back a _report regarding the matter to Council at the earliest possible date. COUNCIL COAIAIUNICA-r-ION TO: THE CITY COUNCIL � DATE FROM: THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE December 12, 1985 SUBJECT: MID -SLAC{ CROSSVVJK AT CASA DE LODI RFICOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council not place a mid -block crosswalk on Turner Road at the entrances to Casa de Dodi. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: At its regular meeting of December 4, 1985 the City Council received a petition signed t v approximately 225 residents of Casa de :moi requesting the installation of a mid -block crosswalk at the entrances to this mobile home park. The City Council asked that this matter be placed on this agenda for discussion. As the Council is aware, the City in the past has been strongly opposed to the installation of mid -block crosswalks and has discouraged their use. Public Works Director Jack Ronsko, in a nem to the City Manager, made the following points in support of the City's positions: 1. Motorists expect crosswalks and pedestrians at intersections and motorists do not expect crosswalks placed in the middle of a block. 2. They may cause pedestrians to have a false sense of security with respect to vehicular traffic. 3. They may cause a greater number of rear -end collisions due to pedestrians not waiting for gaps in traffic. 4. They may cause an increase in fatal and serious injury accidents, because crosswalks are usually considered to be safety devices. However, accident studies show a disproportionate accident rate in terms of marked versus unmarked crosswalks, probably due to a less cautious pedestrian attitude at unmarked walks. The staff believes that the use this mid -block crosswalk would receive would be quite minimal. It would, for example, not receive the kind of use such a crosswalk would receive in the downtown area. The Public works Director further advises that the City does not normally paint crosswalks unless the intersections are on a route to school or have a high pedestrian count. In addition, there is attached for the City Council's information and review a copy of an informal speed survey conducted earlier this year on Turner Road between Beckman Road and Ciuff Avenue. There has been discussion from time to time concerning the speed limits on Turner Road from Church Street east past the Casa de Iodi. This speed study of the area in question revealed that if a speed limit were to be established at this time on Turner Road between Beckman Road and Cluff Avenue, the speed limit would. be 40 miles per hour rather than the existing 35 miles per hour. The existing speed limit of 45 miles per hour under the railroad grade separation and over the freeway has speed zones of 35 miles per hour on either side and as a result, the entire area, with regard to speed zones, has been a matter of concern to sorre.Counciinx-T,-;ers for sena tini�. Wim. TAP/lh