HomeMy Public PortalAbout11) 10A Removal of One Way Restriction in Downtown AlleysCity Council
May 5, 2015
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looked at the land uses abutting each alley, site access, circulation, and accident
data.
4. In December 2014, Transtech staff prepared a memo presenting the results of
their study and recommending that the alleys be restored to two-way travel
(Attachment "B").
5. On February 11, 2015, the Transportation and Public Safety Commission
considered the one-way alleys and Transtech's recommendation, and voted to
recommend that the City Council remove the one-way restrictions and restore the
alleys to two-way travel.
ANALYSIS:
As discussed in greater detail in the attached memo from Transtech, local jurisdictions
may limit alleys to one-way travel if deemed necessary to protect the public health,
safety, or welfare. Such regulations are not enforceable until appropriate signs have
been posted at every entrance to the alley. While "No Right Turn" and "No Left Turn"
signs are posted at the north end of each alley, "One Way" signs are not posted at the
entrances to the alleys.
The California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD) suggests that
prior to restricting vehicle movements, a study be completed to determine whether the
restriction would result in "undue circuitry of travel." Transtech concluded that one-way
travel in the alleys results in a circuitous route for residents attempting to access their
garages and parking spaces from the alleys. Rather than traveling south from
Woodruff, residents are required to access the alleys from the south through public or
private parking lots. Further, some parking spaces in the alleys were designed to be
accessed in a southerly direction.
Transtech did not find any information or data suggesting a need to designate the alleys
for one-way travel. After reviewing the alley geometry and operations, Transtech staff
recommended in their engineering judgment that the alleys be restored to two-way
travel. To address concerns about potential speeding in the alleys, Transtech
recommended installing two additional speed humps in each alley (each alley already
has one speed hump) and 15 mph speed limit signs at each end of each alley.
The Transportation and Public Safety Commission considered this matter on February
11, 2015. The Commission voted to recommend that the City Council approve
Transtech's recommendation to restore the alleys to two-way travel and to install new
15 mph speed limit signs at both ends of each alley. The Commission did not agree
with Transtech's recommendation to install additional speed humps in the alleys and
believed that the one existing speed hump in each alley is adequate. Although the
speed humps are not required, Transtech continues to recommend two additional
speed humps in each alley. The Commission recommended that the existing speed
City Council
May 5, 2015
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humps be repainted with reflective paint to increase their visibility and that speed hump
warning signs be installed in advance of the speed humps in each alley for both
directions of travel. To ensure that adequate notice of the conversion to two-way travel
is provided, the Commission recommended posting notice at the alleys of the date that
the one-way restriction will be removed, and providing notification to all residents and
businesses with access to each alley.
CONCLUSION:
After reviewing each of the four alleys, Transtech staff recommends that the alleys be
restored to two-way travel and has determined that restricting the alleys to one-way
travel is not necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare. Therefore, to
further the Strategic Plan goal of Public Health and Safety, staff recommends restoring
the alleys to two-way travel.
However, local jurisdictions have the authority to restrict alleys to one-way travel if
deemed necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare. If the City Council
believes that restricting the alleys to one-way travel is necessary to protect the public
health, safety, or welfare, additional signs will be necessary to ensure that motorists are
aware of the one-way restriction. If the City Council decides to leave the alleys with the
one-way travel restriction, staff recommends that the City Council approve the
installation of signs and pavement markings at each entrance to each alley to clearly
indicate that the alleys are restricted to one-way travel, in addition to the speed limit
signs, speed humps, and speed hump warning signs noted above.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost to install the signs and speed humps can be covered by funds allocated in the
Fiscal Year 2014-15 City Budget for traffic signs and striping maintenance.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution No. 15-5077
B. Transtech Memo dated December 1, 2014
ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO. 15-5077
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE
CITY APPROVING THE REMOVAL OF ONE-WAY TRAVEL
RESTRICTIONS ON FOUR PUBLIC ALLEYS IN THE AREA BOUNDED
BY LAS TUNAS DRIVE, CLOVERLY AVENUE, WOODRUFF AVENUE,
AND KAUFFMAN AVENUE AND RESTORING THE ALLEYS TO TWO-
WAY TRAVEL
WHEREAS, the California Vehicle Code authorizes local jurisdictions to restrict travel in alleys if
deemed necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare; and
WHEREAS, the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices suggests that prior to
restricting vehicle movements, a study be completed to determine whether the restriction would result in
"undue circuitry of travel;" and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed and considered the report prepared by Transtech
Engineers, Inc., which concludes that restricting the alleys to one-way travel results in a circuitous route for
residents attempting to access their garages from the alleys, and that there is no evidence suggesting that
restricting the alleys to one-way travel is necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Temple City approves
the removal of the one-way travel restrictions on four public alleys in the area bounded by Las Tunas
Drive, Cloverly Avenue, Woodruff Avenue, and Kauffman Avenue, including removal of all related signs
and markings; and approves the installation of 15 mph speed limit signs at each entrance to each alley,
two additional speed humps in each alley, and speed hump warning signs in advance of the speed humps
in each alley.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED on this 5th day of May, 2015.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
City Clerk
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution, Resolution No. 15-5077, was duly passed, approved
and adopted by the City Council of the City of Temple City at a regular meeting held on the 5th day of May,
2015, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmember-
Councilmember-
Councilmember-
Councilmember-
City Clerk
The alleys provide access to:
• Single family residences' garages and driveways
• Multifamily parking garages
• Back parking lots to commercial, retail and office uses
• Smaller private commercial parking lots and the public parking facilities operated by the City.
BACKGROUND
What is an Alley
The California Vehicle Code (CVC Section 110) defines an "Alley" as any roadway not exceeding 25 feet in
width which is primarily used for access to the rear or side entrances of abutting property. An alley is most
useful in residential areas with six (6) or more dwelling units per acre and in mixed-use commercial areas.
Alleys eliminate the need for multiple driveways at the thorough streets. There are three primary benefits
to alleys:
1. Alleys increase the amount of curb space available for on-street parking
2. Alleys eliminate backing movements of vehicles across sidewalks and into the streets
3. Alleys improve front-side aesthetics.
In higher density developments, alleys can provide access to rear lot parking spaces as a common
driveway. The alley also affords secondary access for fire equipment, service trucks and maintenance
access to rear-line overhead utilities. There are also some disadvantages of alleys such as the need to
provide more on-street parking because residents do not have a front driveway to park, backyard noise,
personal security needs of residents, and street/alley lighting needs.
Site Access
Site access must be provided for residents, visitors, employees, customers, loading/delivery, and service
personnel. In most neighborhoods the majority arrive by motor vehicles. The particular needs of each
must be considered when considering access and circulation needs. This includes:
• Location of Driveways Fronting the Alley
• Garage Dimensions
• Spacing
• Corner Clearance
• Parking Lot Layout
• Loading Zones
• Turning Paths Into and Out of Residential and/or Mixed Use Driveways, Garages or Lots
Circulation in Alleys
According to the CVC (Section 21102.1) notwithstanding any other provision of law, local authorities may,
by ordinance or resolution, adopt rules and regulations restricting vehicular and pedestrian traffic through
any alley by means of gates, barriers, or other control devices, when in the opinion of the local authority
having jurisdiction over the alley, the restriction is necessary for the protection or preservation of the
public peace, safety, health or welfare, subject to the following condition: No ordinance or resolution
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FIELD INVESTIGATION ALLEY 2: BETWEEN TEMPLE CITY BLVD TO PRIMROSE AVE
EXISTING CONDITIONS WESTSIDE EAST SIDE
LAND USE Multifamily residential Strip Commercial
GARAGES 12 0
DRIVEWAYS 6 with parking lots 4 Parking lots
ESTIMATED PARKING SPACES 8 0
SPEED BUMPS Yes Yes
WIDTH OF ALLEY 20.1 FEET
LENGTH OF ALLEY 440.10
WIDTH OF CROSS GUTIER 3 FEET
SIGNS No signage on west side. -SLOW yellow warning
-Pedestrian Crossing
IN STREET DEVICES (4)Power poles (1) Sewer holes
(8) Utility Boxes (4) Utility Box
PARI<ING LOTS WITH ACCESS TO ALLEY 2
PRIVATE #OF PARKING SPACES (STALLS}
Lot 1 (Shopping NE corner) 34
Lot 2 (Abandoned lot) 20
Lot 3 (East Side above public) 15
PUBLIC LOTS (2 way circulation) #OF PARKING SPACES (STALLS}
SOUTH LOT 76
WEST SIDE LOT 54
• ALLEY 3: ALLEY BETWEEN CAMELLIA AVENUE AND TEMPLE CITY BOULEVARD
Alley 3 serves mainly mixed residential uses on the east side and strip commercial on the west. The west
side includes a glass shop, State Farm, multi-family dwelling units (MFDU), accountant, herbal store,
Cheers club, Dance Studio, hair sa lon, upholstery s hop, vacuum cleaner repair, lock and key and a tailoring
shop. Parking on Temple City Boul eva rd is parallel parking with one space in front of each business and
the remainder of parking to the rear along the alley. Access to the alley from Woodruff Avenue is
restricted with no turns into the alley.
Existing entrance to residents' garages and driveways and to the private lots is via a circuitous route
through the public parking lot off ofTemple City Boulevard and Camellia Avenue (shown in red arrows on
aerial). There is heavy on-street parking on both Kauffman Avenue and Temple City Boulevard. During
the field review, the owner/operator of the business near the public lot on the west side complained that
his delivery trucks could not access his parking lot because they have to go through the public parking lot
and cannot make the turn into his lot at this angle. He indicated that his trucks would continue to travel
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SPEED BUMPS YES YES
WIDTH OF ALLEY 18.7 FEET
LENGTH OF ALLEY 439
WIDTH OF CROSS GUTTER 3 FEET
SIGNS No signage on west side. -SLOW yellow warning
-Pedestrian Crossing
IN STREET DEVICES (7)Power poles (1) Power Pole
(19) Utility Boxes (2) Sewer holes
(7) Utility Box
(1) Water Meter
--
PARKING LOTS WITH ACCESS TO ALLEY 3
PRIVATE-7 LOTS #OF PARKING SPACES (STALLS)
LOll 4
LOT2 9
LOT3 16
·-
LOT4 7
LOTS 14
LOT6 16
LOT7 6
PUBLIC LOT (2 way circulation) II OF PARKING SPACES (STALLS)
SOUTH LOT 59
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FIELD INVESTIGATION ALLEY 4: BETWEEN KAUFFMAN AND CAMELLIA
EXISTING CONDITIONS WESTSIDE EAST SIDE
LAND USE Multi Family Single Family
GARAGES 26 9
DRIVEWAYS 2 2
ESTIMATED PARKING SPACES 0 10
SPEED BUMPS YES YES
WIDTH OF ALLEY 19.3 FEET
LENGTH OF ALLEY 442.5
WIDTH OF CROSS GUTTER 3 FEET
-
SIGNS No signage on west side. -SLOW yellow warning
-Pedestrian Crossing
IN STREET DEVICES (S)Power poles (1) Partial Pole
(11) Utility Boxes (2) Sewer holes
(1) Utility Box
(1) Water Meter
-·-·--·-·--
PARKING LOTS WITH ACCESS TO ALLEY 4
NO PRIVATE LOTS
PUBLIC LOTS (2 way circulation) #OF PARKING SPACES (STALLS)
WEST SIDE LOT 27
EAST SIDE LOT 26
NORTH EAST LOT 17
ACCIDENT DATA
Accident data was obtained from the computerized accident records system maintained by the State of
California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). There have been no recorded accidents
per SWITRS between 2009 and 2013. SWITRS does not have data for 2014 at this time.
CIRCULATION PATH FOR ONE WAY VERSUS TWO WAY
The diagrams on the following pages show the circulation path for the current conditions of the alley being
one way in the northbound direction next to what the circulation path would be for the alleys if the one-
way restriction was removed and the alley were functioning as a two-way alley. The circulation path
shows the access to residential driveways with the No Left/No Right Turn signs on Woodruff Avenue (one-
way) versus if the restriction was removed. Currently residents cannot access their driveways/garages via
Woodruff Avenue, but must travel via the side streets between the alleys and turn left/right into the public
parking lots to travel up the alley.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
There is no specific policy direction for use of alley ways in the CVC or CAMUTCD. Local authorities may,
by ordinance or resolution, adopt rules and regulations restricting vehicular and pedestrian traffic through
any alley by means of gates, barriers, or other control devices, when in the opinion of the local authority
the restriction is necessary for the protection or preservation of the public peace, safety, health or
welfare, subject to the following CVC and CAMUTCD provisions:
(a) No ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this section shall be enforceable until appropriate
signs giving notice of the restriction are posted at every entrance to the alley (CVC Section
21102.1).
(b) Authorities in charge of any highway may designate any highway, roadway, part of a roadway, or
specific lanes upon which vehicular traffic shall proceed in one direction at all or such times as
shall be indicated by official traffic control devices. Local authorities may also place turn
restrictions at intersections based on a thorough investigation to determine whether or not the
prohibited movement can be satisfactorily made at other locations without undue circuitry of
travel (CVC Section 22113 and CAMUTCD Section 28.18).
Site access for the residents and service personnel is considered when evaluating the need for a one way
street. Due to location of residential driveways fronting the alley, it was important that existing garage
dimensions, corner clearances, spacing of the alleys as one-way streets, turning paths into and out of the
residential driveways were investigated as part of this report.
After careful review of existing roadway geometries, operations, and engineering judgment it is
recommended that all signage designating the alleys as one-way be removed, thereby allowing two-
way movements. This will allow those residents living near Woodruff Avenue to enter and exit near their
residences without having to travel a circuitous route to and from their parking garages or parking spaces.
This will necessitate the removal of the existing "No Left Turn" and No Right Turn" signs on Woodruff
Avenue at the alley entrances.
There is currently one set of speed hump in each alley, one on each side of the cross gutter (drainage
ditch). To address speed related concerns and to enhance safety along the alleys, it is recommended that
two additional sets of speed humps in the alleys for each direction including speed hump signs and
markings be installed per CAMUTCD.
It is also recommended that 15 mph speed limit signs be installed at each end of the alleys for
northbound and southbound directions. Per the CVC and CAMUTCD the speed limit in any alley is 15m ph.
Should the City determine that it is in the best interest for the community that the alley operations
remain as existing, the following recommendations may be considered:
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