HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 - Balboa Peninsula Crosswalk Crossing Study - Approval of PSA (17T03) - CorrespondenceReceived After Agenda Printed
Item No. 10
Rieff, Kirn September 13, 2016
From: City Clerk's Office
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2016 3:06 PM
To: Mulvey, Jennifer; Rieff, Kim
Subject: FW: 09-13-16StudySession/Peninsula Crosswalks
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1985[1].JPG; IMG_1986[1].JPG
From: Kiff, Dave
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2016 3:05:32 PM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: City Clerk's Office
Subject: FW: 09-13-16StudySession/Pen insula Crosswalks
For the record.
From: Brian H Ouzounian[mailto:brian.oci@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2016 2:59 PM
To: Dept - City Council
Subject: 09-13-16StudySession/Peninsula Crosswalks
Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers:
This is to provide my comments regarding the study session item today
concerning crosswalks on the Balboa Peninsula.
A. Attached are photos of the intersection of Balboa Blvd and "E" street.
As you can see, this is where the boardwalk dumps out into Balboa Blvd, a
very dangerous intersection of everything on wheels and the presumption
that "everyone sees and avoids what I'm rolling on." Kids going to Newport
Elementary are exposed to the dangers here as well as residents and
visitors. The bikes use the crosswalk as a "bike crossing" and do not stop
at limit lines nor dismount and walk their bikes through the crosswalk. A
lot of short cuts take place by bicyclists, cutting their turns up the
boardwalk ramp early. This is a dangerous condition as it does not mix
well with motor vehicles.
There are "No U -Turn" signs posted in both the east and west directions at
the intersection because of problems of vehicles making U -Turns in the
intersection. Everything from tour buses, school buses, concrete trucks,
large commercial delivery trucks, and "lost" visitors make these U -Turns
and sometimes back right up to the bike ramp. The problem goes unchecked
as vehicles continue do U -Turns in the intersection and ignore the signs.
Horns honk all hours of the night at those making the illegal turns, which
disturbs our residential peace and quiet. Suggest another sign farther
away from the intersection and possibly an overhead bright yellow sign
over the intersection.
Better devices and solutions at this intersection are necessary for public
safety. Extending the boardwalk would be a positive and partial solution.
Better signage is needed. I would be glad to meet with any City official
at the site to view these conditions onsite. Is this possible.
B. There are many crosswalks along the peninsula and for good reason. It
has become quite difficult, however, to navigate a car each way, this for
residents and visitors alike. The public seems to believe a crosswalk is
the same as a bike path because they jet out randomly causing dangerous
accidents and harrowing rides for residents daily ingress and egress.
seldom do the bicyclists walk their bikes through the crosswalk. This is
true many times for baby strollers that seem to appear in the crosswalks
expecting vehicles to stop, of course, even if they dart into it from the
sidewalk and median. The new vegetation in the medians is nice but the
line -of -sight has been reduced for drivers. Marina Park has also produced
many more crossings of Balboa Blvd.
C. Bicycles using the right lanes on Balboa Blvd instead of the boardwalk
have become problematic as it essentially reduces the boulevard to one
lane due to the 3' of clearance required when passing a bicyclist. A
comprehensive amendment to the Master Bicycle Circulation Plan needs to be
completed to move the bikes to the boardwalk. This is also needed for
emergency egress as I am sure CERT would agree.
Best Regards,
Brian Ouzounian
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