HomeMy WebLinkAbout22 - Illuminated Street Name Signs Design at Signalized IntersectionsCTY OF
F
NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Staff Report
May 26, 2015
Agenda Item No. 22
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: David A. Webb, Public Works Director- (949) 644 -3330,
dawebb @newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Mark Vukojevic, Deputy Public Works Director /City Engineer
PHONE: (949) 644 -3319
TITLE: Illuminated Street Name Signs Design at Signalized Intersections
ABSTRACT:
Staff recommends approval of a new standard design for illuminated street name signs at signalized
intersections.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve a new standard design for illuminated street name signs at signalized intersections.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
Sufficient funding is available in the Capital Improvement Program for projects affecting traffic signals.
DISCUSSION:
At the March 24th City Council Study Session, staff presented various new design concepts for illuminated
street name signs at signalized intersections throughout the City. These illuminated signs, mounted at the
122 signalized intersections in the City are larger than they appear (typically 6 or 8 -foot in length and 16
inches in height). The City's current standard uses a green background with white lettering, which was the
traditional color and is still used by Caltrans and several cities.
Over the years, many surrounding cities have changed their illuminated signs to include different
background colors as well as specific features such as the City's name and /or logos. These features help
identify cities and also distinguish the border location to users of the street. Public Works Staff researched
signs used by many agencies and staff created several new versions for consideration. We are
recommending the background color be switched from the traditional green to the Newport Blue currently
used on all our corner post street name signs. With a large number of existing illuminated signal signs
being planned for change out due to the many signal rehabilitations, the opportunity exists to update the
City's current standard and add a Newport Beach identification feature. At first glance, the City's Seal could
be a nice addition to the sign. However, after creating life -size mock -ups and photo renderings, the City
Seal (even with a 12 -inch diameter) becomes a little difficult to recognize. 22 -1
Staff has created several possible options to review. Based on feedback received at the March 24th study
session and after soliciting input from Council and staff, staff developed a design which incorporated the
top two preferred concepts from the study session. Staff believes the best option is a design incorporating
the golden - yellow sail found on the City entry monument signs. This sail symbol is easy to recognize and
adds a simple recognition icon in identifying Newport Beach. In addition, the proposed design includes a
Newport Blue background with a thin golden - yellow border (instead of white) surrounding the sign. This
golden - yellow border feature compliments the existing unique street names signs found on all City streets.
It should be noted that by adding in the sail icon, in some cases, street name suffixes such Rd or BI may be
dropped should that sign be selected.
As part of the City's Capital Improvement Program, Public Works regularly replaces these illuminated signs
with new energy efficient LED fixtures. If this new illuminated street name sign standard is approved, Public
Works will incorporate the new signage design into planned signalized intersection construction projects.
Over the course of the next several years, it is expected that Capital Projects and routine traffic signal
maintenance could replace all of the signs throughout the City at a minimal cost.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
( °CEQA ").
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at
which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Attachment A - Proposed Illuminated Street Name Sign Standard
Attachment B - Rendering Example
Attachment C - Other Alternatives
22 -2
* Features include golden - yellow sail icon and border
Attachment A — Proposed Illuminated Street Name Sign Standard
22 -3
i,► .jamboree
Attachment B — Rendering example
22 -4
r
Attachment C — Other alternatives
22 -5