CC - Item 4B – Staff Report Request for Removal of Red Curb at 1216 Walnut Grove Ave. O S f
0
\4O
.0s staftep ort
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DRANK G. TRIPEPI, CITY MANAGER
DATE: �" OCTOBER 27, 1998
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR REMOVAL OF RED CURB AT 1216 WALNUT GROVE
AVENUE
DISCUSSION
Staff received a request from Mr. Howard Tong for the removal of red curb in front of his residence
at 1216 Walnut Grove Avenue. This subject site is on the east side of Walnut Grove Avenue in the
vicinity of Drayer Lane. Mr. Tong wants to provide additional parking for his family and guests. In
addition, Mr. Tong has also requested evening and weekend parking on Walnut Grove Avenue.
After reviewing the location, staff found that the northbound curb lane is 14 feet in width, which does
not provide for a travel lane and parking. The east side of the roadway is posted with"No Stopping
Any Time" signs and red curb. The southbound curb lane is 18 feet in width, which allows for a
travel lane and parking.
There is a portion of unpainted curb in front of 1216 Walnut Grove Avenue which allows parking.
This happens to be the only portion of curb in this vicinity not restricted by parking signs or red curb
markings. The lack of red curb in front of the subject site may have occurred during sidewalk repairs.
When such repairs are done, replacement of the curb paint is at times overlooked.
In regards to the consideration of allowing weekend and evening parking on Walnut Grove Avenue,
staff finds that with such parking there would be an increase in accident potential. Overall, staff finds
that the benefit of parking for residents along Walnut Grove Avenue does not outweigh the increased
accident potential.
COUNCIL. AGENDA 1
GCT271998
ITEM No. _L/L. et-4
K
RECOMMENDATION
The Traffic Commission recommends that the City Council APPROVE staff recommendation that
no parking on the east side of Walnut Grove Avenue be retained due to the 14 foot curb lane width.
In addition, it is recommended the red curb be replaced in front 1216 Walnut Grove Avenue, as
shown in Figure 1 in the attached staff report. The installation of weekend and evening parking on
Walnut Grove Avenue is also not recommended.
On October 1, 1998, the Traffic Commission voted 4-0 to approve the staff recommendation to
replace the red curb in front of 1216 Walnut Grove Avenue thereby retaining no parking on the east
side of Walnut Grove Avenue.
Exhibits: A. Traffic Commission Staff Report,dated September 22, 1998
B. Letter from Mr.&Mrs.Howard J.Tong,dated October 1, 1998
TO: HONORABLE CHAIRMAN
AND MEMBERS
ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION ,�n�ppP.�
FROM: JOANNE ITAGAKI, DEPUTY TRAFFIC ENGINEER \
DATE: SEPTEMBER 22, 1998
RE: REQUEST FOR REMOVAL OF RED CURB AT
1216 WALNUT GROVE AVENUE
REQUEST
A request has been received from Mr. Howard Tong for the removal of red curb
in front of his residence at 1216 Walnut Grove Avenue. Mr. Tong's home is on
the east side of Walnut Grove Avenue in the vicinity of Drayer Lane. Mr. Tong is
requesting the removal of red curb to provide additional parking for his residents
and guests. Mr. Tong has also requested consideration of allowing evening and
weekend parking on Walnut Grove Avenue.
CONDITIONS
Walnut Grove Avenue is a 64-foot wide north/south roadway with a posted
speed limit of 45 mph. There are two lanes of travel in each direction separated
by a two-way left turn lane.
The northbound curb lane is 14 feet in width. This width does not provide for a
travel lane and parking. Therefore, the east side of the roadway is posted with
"No Stopping Any Time" signs and red curb.
The southbound curb lane is 18 feet in width. This width allows for a travel lane
and parking. Therefore, the west side does allow parking in certain areas.
Those areas where parking is prohibited are posted with "No Stopping Any Time"
signs and red curb.
In front of 1216 Walnut Grove Avenue, there is a portion of unpainted curb which
allows parking. This is the only portion of curb in this vicinity not restricted by
parking signs or red curb markings. The curb lane width remains 14-feet at this
location.
Figure 1 depicts the lane configuration and curb markings in front of 1216 Walnut
Grove Avenue.
Page 2
Request for Removal of Red Curb at
1216 Walnut Grove Avenue
DISCUSSION
Staff has contacted Mr. Tong by phone and indicated to him the curb lane is too
narrow to allow parking in front of his property. The lack of red curb in front of
1216 Walnut Grove Avenue may have occurred during sidewalk repairs. Often
times sidewalks are repaired due to cracks or lifting of the sidewalk that can
cause tripping hazards. When the repairs are made, replacement of the curb
paint is sometimes overlooked.
Mr. Tong has also requested the consideration of allowing weekend and evening
parking on Walnut Grove Avenue. This type of parking is sometimes found on
roadways experiencing heavy commuter-type traffic. Parking is allowed during
non-peak commuter hours and weekends. This would increase on-street parking
availability benefiting residents along Walnut Grove Avenue. Staff, however,
believes there would also be an increase in accident potential.
Staff anticipates an increase in the following type of accidents:
1. Rear-end accidents: Northbound vehicles traveling in the curb lane would
need to transition to the number 1 lane when vehicles are parked along the
curb. If the northbound vehicles are unable to transition, a rear-end type
accident could occur with the parked vehicle.
2. Sideswipe accidents: If the northbound vehicles are unable to transition, they
may try to avoid the parked vehicle and thus sideswipe an adjacent
northbound vehicle.
3. Broadside accidents: With vehicles being allowed to park on the east side,
the visibility of vehicles from driveways entering traffic is affected. Entering
vehicles will "creep" into traffic lanes and may cause or be involved in
accidents.
Overall, the benefit of parking for residents along Walnut Grove Avenue does not
outweigh the increased accident potential.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended the no parking on the east side of Walnut Grove Avenue be
retained due to the 14 foot curb lane width. In addition, it is recommended the
red curb be replaced in front of 1216 Walnut Grove Avenue. Figure 1 depicts
this recommendation.
The installation of weekend and evening parking on Walnut Grove Avenue is not
recommended.
Attachment
066Aplhsd\1216 Walnut Grove
m
oco
n
J
ca az)
D CC 0 U
0 CC 0
L o EC C
_> `o >
U > 0
0 >
E o
a) o
C m
-JCO
/ N
T cu cq
KI—
CU r e
❑ 0
CD C
Q a ci
m
o _
cIO C N
N @ Q
a);
3
> co 0
0
To
I z
Et
X o
w U
1 1
22toU
To: Jessica Wi'kmson Rosemead Traffic Comni,sion From_612 P4_ 1599 I0ry;93 I? nr 4
Raga ^p(g.
Mr..@ Mrs.Howard.1 :one
1216 Walnut Grove Avenue
Rosemead, CA 91771 i
(62(9`8.-Ih^4
Jessica Wilkinson
City of Rosemead
8838E. Valley Blvd
PO Pox 399
Rosemead. CA 91770
I
Dear Jessica.
I am writing in regards to the Rosemead Traffic Commission hearing scheduled for Thursday,October 91,
1995 at 7At_gmt_ Due to my work schedule.]am unable to attend and voice my rebuttal to the staff
recomniendation as written by Joanne Itagaki,dated.Sept 22. 1998 It is my hopes. that this letter be
allowed to represent my opinions to the traffic commission.
As new residents ofRosemead.the Tong family brings anew and large family to the neighborhood. As a
consequence- we have many relatives and friends visiting our home frequently. I would estunale a
minimum of two or three visits per week and also on weekends_ Our driveway Is not lathe enough to
accommodate all our guests. The overflow is forced to pat on the one legal parking space in front of our
house(see attached report for details)or across the street.
1 have contacted Jessica Wilkinson and Joanne ltagali to investigate the possibility of allow m
'additional'parking to the street It seems l ogi cal that if one parking space he allowed,that two nrore in
the exact same area would he feasible Fnwever,i am dismayed to discover it is now recommended that
our only avai lahle parking spot he taken away)
Please consider the following in response to the staff anticipated accidents.
i Rear-end accidents' Firstly,northlanund vehicles would he approaching from a nearby traffic signal
The average velocity achieved at the time of discovery of a parked car is very low. There is ample
time to slow down and make a lane change.Secondly,there are has stops poor to and atter our
residence. If vehicles do not collide with these basses,why would they collide with s parked vehicle?
lathy, it is a fact that there are at least two condominium complexes just south of our house These
complexes have gated entryways which force cars in the numher 1 lane to stop In the lane and Int
soh'le the fate opens fh ese driveways are hefore our parking area in quest on.yet tl ey Jo it 2et
rear-ended it is In cal to assume that the number I lane is the sloe lane.and nonuaulers are aur are of
the condo drivewayshos stops. 115 mail vehicles.garbage trucks and parking at 121n wainu!t^Ie
avenue.
2 .Sideswipe_ To reaerate point one above. vehicles are not movino fast enough to he Lina;le to slow
down and check lane 2 for a lane change. There is ample time and distance to trautt:on Rr a Ione
charge.
Broadside accidents: There is only one driveway entering traffic alter this parking area. This is our
only neighbor located north of our property. We would not want to Jeopardize their safctc. If we felt
Ma:this would be a problem,we would drop this request all together. However,iI is proven with and
"existing"parking spacewhich has been utilized all the while.that there has never been an accident,
rear end,sideswipe or broadside- Further. upon contacting the Rosemead Police dent. !km c been
informally cold that there are no accidents recorded in the area of question I au int official :documents
to Support Etis clans.
In addition to the above arguments, Walnut move,although 2 large street is not a busy street It is
obviously busier during the clay hours,as commuters driving to the nearby office buildings ac to work. As
Tp 3ess c2 A':i"<mcnn Rosenead Traffic Gommision From:61294315 _ 10^J65 1305'.04 Page 3 of 3
a resident living on this street, it is a known fact that during the evenings and weekends,there are but a few
cars that come once in a while. Hardly ally traffic is present at all. It is my belief that allowing weekend
and evening parking would provide parking al a time of minima)risk if any.
In conclusion,I feel that the addition of two parking spaces adjacent to the existing parking space at 1216
Walnut Grine Avenue should be allowed for evening and weekends. Please consider that evenings and
weekend traffic is practically non-existent. Also,it has been proven that parking at this area is safe,and
during peak daytime hours as well. Please also consider that forcing my elderly and youth relatives to park
across the street and cross five lanes are not only burdensome,hut also dangers these pedestrians crossing
this large street which has no crosswalk.
Your consideration of this parking request is greatly appreciated. Please contact me at(626)280-1824 if
you would Lace to discuss any of these issues.
Sincer' y,
'P