sr-020875-11ai/~- .
Santa h7onica, California, February 11_, 1975
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~~ SUBJECT'.
hlayor and City Council >- .
City Staff ~ ~~~
Petition Re 18th Street as One-Way Northbound between Dewey,.Street.and.
Bryn h1awr AvenueJNavy Street
?ntroduction
At the January 14, 1975 meeting, the City Council referred to the staff for
report a petition requesting .the traffic flow be changed on that portion of 18th
Street between Dewey Street and Navy Street from two-way to one-o-ray northbound.
Background
The matter of 18th Street widening improvements evith one-way and tiro-way traffic
configurations ~fras considered by the Council in 19b9, however the Council did not
adopt the required 1911 Act resolution making a finding of public necessity and
convenience for the improvements. The subject petition was signed by nine area re-
sidents, four of whom have 18th Street addresses. However, it was felt that a
greater representation of property o~rmers in the immediate area of 1Sth Street who
would be affected by such a one-way traffic restriction be obtained. A mail survey
etas made of 736 residents living in the immediate area who would most be affected
by such a one-gray restriction.
Eighty-two residents responded to this mail survey, which represents a very
impressive response of SC o. Of the to+_a1 responding, 43 were in favor, 37 opposed
and t;•ro indicated no preference. Disregarding the two arho showed no preference,
the 43 in favor represent 53.7,°; of those responding.
Alternative Solutions
1. The Council can direct the placement of ten signs designating that portion
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of 18th Street requested in the petition (De;vey Street to Sryn i~ia:ar Avenue/Navy
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Street) be restricted to one-way northbound traffic only. Estimated costs would
be $300. ldhile all the residents of this particular block are in favor of the
one-way restriction, the 18th Street hill is two blocks long: Therefore, any one-
way restriction should 6e for the entire hill, not just a portion.
2.. The Council can direct the placement of 18 signs designating that portion
of 18th Street requested in the petition (Dewey Street to Sryn Mawr Avenue/Navy
Street) as well as from Navy Street to Wellesley Drive/Marine Street be restricted
to one-way northbound traffic only. Estimated costs would be $550. While this
action would be more practical since it would encompass the 78th Street hill; un-
fortunately a majority of residents fronting in the block between htarine Street
and Navy Street who responded to the petition oppose a one-way restriction.
3. The Council can direct that a 1911 Act assessment district be created to
physically improve the roadbed of 18th Street between Dewey Street and Marine
Street by widening the pavement from the present substandard 20' width to a
minimum 28' width and constructing curb and gutters on-the westside. Estimated
costs for. this improvement on the public right-of-way is 26,000. Unless other-
tiri se directed by the Council, under the 1971 Act assessment district, these costs
are assessed against the property owner fronting on the improvement.. Upon comple-
tion of this street improvement which would meet today's safety standards, tha
Council then-could designate 18th Street from Dewey Street to ~~larine Street one-
way northbound only.
4. The Council can direct that a 1977 Act assessment district be created to
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physically improve the roadbed of 18th Street between Dewey Street and Marine
Street by widening the pavement from the present substandard 20' width to a
minimum 40' width and constructing curb and gutters on the avestside. Estimated
costs for this improvement on the public right-of-way is $60,000. Unless other-
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wise directed by the Council, under the 191.7 Act assessment district, these costs
are assessed against the property owner fronting on the improvement. Upon comple-
tion of this street improvement which wwuld meet today's safety standards, the
street could remain two-tvay with no inconvenience to any of the residents in the
area.
Recommendation
Sn view of the area residents' failure to show a decided preference for a
one-way traffic restriction on 18th Street, we believe that alternative number 4
should be adopted by Council. The present visibility problem created by the shelf-
like configuration on 78th Street at-Navy Street should be improved considerably
during construction and widening of 18th Street to a full 40' roadbed width.. The
basic problem of trash pick-up, street cleaning and emergency vehicles responding
to a call having to travel. the wrong way on a one-way street,. would be eliminated
by alternative number 4.
Prepared by: E. Douglas McAteer -
J. J. 4lrenn
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