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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTemporary Conversion of the First Block of Main Street from Council/Agency Meeting Held:_ l Deferred/Continued to: ❑ Approved ❑ Con itional y A proved e 'ed Cit� lerk' ignatuf .SZrv-.n.Y Council Meeting Date: August 15, 2011 Department ID Number: PW 11-052 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members SUBMITTED BY: Fred A. Wilson, City Manager PREPARED BY: Travis K. Hopkins, PE, Director of Public Works SUBJECT: Approve the implementation and funding for the temporary conversion of the first block of Main Street from two-way to one-way street Statement of Issue: The temporary conversion of the first block of Main Street from a two- way to one-way direction street is requested to evaluate if traffic conditions on Main Street and nearby intersections improve from the conversion. Staff plans to conduct the necessary studies and analysis to determine if the one-way conversion on Main Street is beneficial to vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, and businesses. Financial Impact: Funds are available in the current General Fund Budget for Public Works operations and contract services to implement the recommended action. Recommended Action: Motion to: Approve the temporary conversion of the first block of Main Street to one-way. Approve funding the temporary conversion and to conduct studies to analyze the temporary conversion traffic conditions. Alternative Action(s): 1. Deny the temporary conversion of the first block of Main Street to one-way. 2. Postpone implementation of the conversion until another time as determined by the City Council. xB -769- Item 24. - I REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION MEETING DATE: 8/15/2011 DEPARTMENT ID NUMBER: PW 11-052 Analysis: The Main Street one-way concept would change.the first block of Main Street from a two lane, two-way street, to a one-way street with two lanes inbound from Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The second block and beyond would remain unchanged. Traffic operations at the intersection of PCH and Main Street would change significantly with the elimination of all Main Street exits to PCH. The removal of the exiting vehicular movements would increase the traffic efficiency at PCH/Main Street providing greater capacity to accommodate pedestrians and vehicle traffic on PCH. The one-way conversion is expected to result in fewer closures of Main Street access during peak summer periods, and vehicle storage for inbound Main Street will increase substantially. The two lane configuration will also provide opportunities for motorists to maneuver around vehicles blocking traffic in either lane (typically waiting for parking spots). A diagram depicting the proposed street layout and operations is provided in Attachment 2. Public Works staff completed a traffic study to examine the potential impacts of diverted traffic from the one-way conversion. The traffic study analysis showed no significant negative impacts at the studied intersection locations on PCH, Main Street, and Walnut Avenue, based on typical traffic operation analysis techniques. However, it is recognized that methods to evaluate conditions like those experienced downtown on Main Street just do not exist. The interaction of pedestrians, motorists and parking activity in this area cannot be simulated with any traditional means. Predicting the diversion of traffic resulting from the conversion is equally difficult. Staff believes that the best way to assess the impacts and benefits of this operation is to implement it and evaluate the actual conditions that result. The analysis completed to date does provide staff with a reasonable level of confidence that significant adverse traffic impacts are not likely to be experienced. However, it is important to recognize that this concept is not likely to significantly improve operations at the intersection of Main Street and Walnut Avenue. In fact, it is possible that we could see some undesirable activity as a result of the change, such as wrong way drivers (both bike and auto), confusion, and increased delays. These are all examples of situations that are difficult to predict accurately. The initial proposal for the one-way Main Street concept is to implement a pilot conversion with minimal construction to allow operational effectiveness to be evaluated and gauge acceptance by the public and businesses. The conversion can be implemented at a relatively low cost, mainly requiring only changes to signs and markings on the roadway. Initial direction to proceed with the concept evaluation was from Downtown Economic Development Committee and direction to bring the proposal forward to the City Council. The proposed pilot conversion, upon City Council approval, would occur the week of August 22nd and evaluated through September 6th. If there are any unforeseen significant impacts to operations during the pilot conversion staff may make the decision to return the conversion to pre-pilot operations. After the review period staff would solicit feedback from the BID, the Police Department, and Public Works Department which is anticipated to occur in the two weeks after the data and observations are collected. Staff will provide an agenda item on September 6th City Council meeting for City Council to consider continuing the pilot, discontinue the pilot, or defer the decision to anther meeting for additional information and/or data collection. Item 24. - 2 xB -770- REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION MEETING ®ATE: 8/15/2011 DEPARTMENT I® NUMBER: PW 11-052 Environmental Status: The temporary conversion of Main Street one-way was determined to be exempt from coastal development permit requirements. This action is not subject to environmental review requirements as a temporary project. Consideration of a permanent conversion in the future would require environmental review. The proposed evaluation of project impacts during the pilot period will enable the City to more accurately assess and depict the environmental effects of the concept. Public Works Commission Action: The item was not reviewed by the Public Works Commission. Strategic Plan Goal: Maintain and Enhance Public Safety Attachment(s): 1. Existing Main Street between PCH and Walnut Avenue 2. Main Street Conversion to One-way Inbound xB -771- Item 24. - 3 ATTACHMENT # 1 Item za. - a HB - .-_ a. t k k' it n sGa i ,f . 1 p � P I MAI ai t �� : � � ,���" �'+�M�•,w.....�f��� P a ` r �1 4: ���`., p C^a�. ��t-. ate, ' ? � ��� •_ ""r♦-' ATTAC H M E N T #2 Item 24. - 6 iiB - .-4- h •nr 'L I'3 d I _ � f;^ .& '�,:: i. ,�Y T`. 4�`. .�.."a Wr'��' Y.yl °x MR�lir I} _ ��.r � _•ir .t..,x 'tit � r 1 ; -2..n s.v�. G ��.'�'t t�;�!r' r 1 �. 1 h C ' k ilA ��_ ;'. �,• -., �14��t�r1 a.. .e; "'}` � �}t. 5 'ulrY, � ° ��� •'�?`� T hl'1r �� ��` ' ot` � Ix� °i�rs ��;.rc sY X^r. �.r�J,t s W-. ,�• ,.� 4� 6k ffi 9�(� �a� �. ��J� sr d�`, is t 'r• �� '>z !� a � ��' � L � � f ° �' t� kl �Ippy� °� � -.., -`c� v, .i....' 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" s no s t e U # , • ' , I M • � rec fromObied d o y ou ncil owntow n co n o m� �,c Development �Comm ��tte�.e Processingtemporary & per' ma, nent c.o nversr n fro, � u ni-c i tom tyCo e d rect on ed � temporary coilnlversllo� n i m ement N� ol � caat � on a nd communication wr� tg DontOw wb n B ID no i su= ,ip ort s. j r. a .' �� — , .— r e ' a.. A I n ied ,, 0 V ell, Zo] ull� Sx, , %wi Ell Im"pitement weeko.f� � . ust 22 A� g • Prov des u�p to 2; weeks, of summer , ex.perience Reta i n for° a n a.d d�i i on:a l 3 weeks, FI,exi b i I i t to re•stjo rye 2 -w ay ogr} exten d: try al` ct e . o u . , �� aPD -- EllA , i-v I , c ��m nica�te with BID n Co��uni'�,c':il� l.r�l ,f�-e,,e�d back at Septem,'� e,�r 6 a ndw/or Se,pen . meet 9 F � "'P ehll.t d & r i — — m ri ., ��,a ... � � ". •.._. ..���..+ � ' ,.. �. ." � Caty Counc� h� to co s� de r the, te,mnpora ry co n ve r is a nhddirectibnsioln nsu; � �rovi e; Pirocess��, Co�a star'I�� D-eve ho m�eint. Permit p Environmental revi,ew pr��i rn�a�r iIt��ra f f.- �y lose-coohrd naUon with Daowntown3 busine-s- ses" M s n , ,a ,t R c r d a ex o4" ' r I. ep Celd th 'Plillotirect Staff to. prO Conveirsionolf Ist- Bloick . D"Irect Sta illn. it"all uration � . 2 weeks, week -,(staffdam,e n ti o-nr) _ E xrt es n d u� t 3 o n t£' s w �J t'h pros ri t i.v e- re t e wystm • Agree to -r - view Selpt, 6tn anod9tt'h / • Authorizez Cepty+ Managerto.,� resto,re, pe.rati,o,ns at any t� a e, neederd� tW M*, it I' I HJ ue- --loin ol August 8,2011 To Matthew Harper My name is David McHowell, I own and live at 223 2"d Street. I am writing regarding the attached Ietter I received. I have a question; Why not permanently close the mentioned area from PCH to Walnut? This would lessen the congestion and make our Main Street area more desirable and attract a better quality citizen. Our current Main Street area attracts nothing but riff raff. Not to mention keeping area open for pedestrians. Other cities such as Santa Monica have made this work beautifully. I look forward to your response. Res f ly, v' owell SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATION kl,--a p Date: p r EMD AUG 10 2011 August 5, 2011 Huntington Beach CITY COUNCIL OFFICE Dear Resident/Occupant. On the August 15, 2011 regular meeting, City Council of Huntington Beach will consider the temporary conversion of the first block of Main Street to one-way. Currently,the first block of Main Street is a two-lane, two-way, street (See Figure 1). The proposal will reconfigure Main Street to a two-lane,one-way street inbound as shown on Figure 2. The reconfiguration will be in effect on a trial basis for several weeks. If the concept is well received the change may be permanent. With City Council approval,the scheduled conversion date is August 22, 2011. By converting the first block of Main Street to one-way inbound vehicle storage will increase,the need to close the left turn pocket on Pacific Coast Highway is reduced, and the traffic efficiency at the Pacific Coast Highway/Main Street intersection will increase,benefittiing pedestrians. Also,traffic operations at Pacific Coast Highway/Walnut Avenue may improve. During the trial period City staff will monitor and collect traffic data to assess if the conversion is beneficial. +r:r Figure 1. Existing First Block Main Street Figure 2. Proposed Main Street One-Way Should you have any questions or concerns please contact me at(714) 374-1619 or darren.sam@s`urfcity- hb.ord. Sincerely, Darren Sam, Public Works Dept.