SR-07-09-2013-3H -308-003 /417-010City of
City Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: July 9, 2013
Agenda Item:
To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Director of Planning and Community Development
Subject: Real -Time Beach Parking Project
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Review final design of the Real -Time Beach Parking Project.
2. Direct staff to proceed with procurement of the signs.
3. Direct staff to proceed to publish a Notice Inviting Bids for a construction contract.
Executive Summary
This project would construct real time parking and travel information signs for motorists
traveling to Santa Monica beach parking lots adjacent to the Pier, on Ocean Avenue
and Palisades Beach Road. Signs placed near the Santa Monica Freeway off -ramps
would also display parking information for garages in the Downtown area. All signs
would display clear and concise parking information at the entrance to each parking lot
and at key gateways to the City. When central parking lots fill up, the signs would help
to distribute traffic, increase the efficiency of existing parking resources, and reduce
traffic congestion.
The City received permit approval from the California Coastal Commission in June
2013. This report offers the Council the opportunity to review the final design of the
signs. The next step is to proceed with the procurement process for manufacturing and
installation of the signs. Staff would return to City Council for approval of these
contracts. There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result
of the recommended action.
Background
The City received a $533,000 grant from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (Metro) to install signs that would display real -time parking
information available to motorists destined for Santa Monica beach parking lots. The
grant specifies that an additional $286,000 must be provided through City local match
1
funds. The grant funds are from the Federal CMAQ program. An additional $346,500
of State ITS funds were secured for the project as well. The total project budget is
$1,165,500.
On November 27, 2007 the City Council authorized acceptance of a Real -Time Beach
Parking grant through the 2007 Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Call for
Projects. On December 14, 2010 the City Council authorized the City Manager to
negotiate a contract with Kimley -Horn for an amount not to exceed $110,000 to provide
project design services for the preparation of plans, specifications and estimates for the
installation of the Real -Time Beach Parking project. On August 9, 2011, a contract
amendment was executed with Kimley -Horn and Associates, Inc., (Contract #9303) for
an amount not to exceed $25,000, for a total of amount of $135,000.
In January 2013, the City received the authorization to proceed with construction
activities from Caltrans. In June 2013, the City received a construction permit approval
from the California Coastal Commission.
Discussion
The project is designed to provide real -time parking and travel information for motorists
traveling to Santa Monica beach parking lots. Signs placed near the Santa Monica
Freeway off -ramps would also display parking information for garages in the Downtown
area. The signs would be connected with the City's Traffic Management Center so
information can be managed as part of the larger circulation network. The Real -Time
Beach Parking project is the first step towards implementing a comprehensive real -time
congestion management system in the Downtown that will also include a web -based
and mobile "app" component funded by a more recent Metro grant. These tools are key
to achieving congestion management goals (T15) identified in the city's Land Use and
Circulation Element (LUCE) where real -time signage is also called out as a specific
"Action ".
2
Location and Types of Signs
The locations of signs designed as part of the Real -Time Beach Parking Project are
shown in Attachment A. Two types of dynamic message signs (DMS) would be used to
achieve the project goals:
• Beach Lot Signs (small signs): The signs would display the real -time number of
spaces available at the entrance to each parking lot. The full matrix DMS (19" x 34 ")
would fit within the dimensions, and replace, the existing beach lot signage
immediately adjacent to the parking lot entrances, as shown in Attachment B. These
signs are planned to be installed at the following seven locations:
0 810 Palisades Beach Road (Lot 8 North)
0 1150 Palisades Beach Road (Lot 3 North)
0 1500 Palisades Beach Road (Lot 1 North)
0 2030 Ocean Avenue (Lot 4 South)
o Intersection of Ocean Park Boulevard and Barnard Way
0 2600 Barnard Way southbound (Lot 5 South)
0 2600 Barnard Way northbound (Lot 5 South)
• Directional Signs (medium signs): Gateway signs would have the capability to
display custom messages and assist with the management and diversion of traffic
during busy beach days, special events, planned closures, or unexpected incidents.
When central parking lots fill up, the signs would help to distribute traffic, increase
the efficiency of existing parking resources, and reduce traffic congestion and
vehicle emissions. This type of DMS is a full matrix sign that is capable of displaying
multiple lines of text and graphics. The DMS board has dimensions of 59" high x
129" wide. The sign size is based on specific engineering design criteria such as
vehicle speeds, letter height, number of characters that can be displayed per line,
and desired message types.
In order to make the signs more aesthetically pleasing, a static sign border is
3
proposed to be mounted around the electronic portion. This static sign has the City
logo and utilizes the Santa Monica graphic identity colors and lettering (see
Attachment C). The static border adds 20" to both the height and width of the DMS.
The vertical pole would also be painted to match the same blue color. The overall
dimensions of the DMS with the static border are 79" high x 149" wide. The design
of the static sign was developed collaboratively with staff from several departments.
These DMS would be placed at strategic locations near City entrances. The DMS
would be integrated with the City's centralized parking availability system and
display messages directing motorists away from the freeway to the nearest available
parking facilities. The signs are planned to be installed at the following nine
locations:
0 1 -10 westbound off -ramp at Lincoln Blvd
0 1 -10 westbound off -ramp at 4th/5th median
0 5th Street northbound just south of Colorado Avenue
o Palisades Beach Road southbound at Lot 8 North
o Palisades Beach Road southbound at Lot 3 North
o Lincoln Boulevard southbound just north of Pico Boulevard
o Pico Boulevard westbound just east of Main Street
0 4th Street southbound just north of Civic Center Drive
o Neilson Way northbound just south of Ocean Park Boulevard
The DMS would also have the capability to display custom messages and assist with
the management and diversion of traffic during special events, planned closures, or
unexpected incidents. All locations have been determined in coordination with other
City departments, including Community and Cultural Services, Finance, Information
Systems, and Public Works. The DMS would not need to take existing parking spaces
from any of the City's parking lots, or reduce any capacity of adjacent roadways. The
signs would generally be oriented perpendicular to the beach and near existing
structures (such as the existing pedestrian overpasses on Palisades Beach Road), in
order to minimize impacts to visual resources.
Environmental Analysis
The proposed project has been determined to be categorically exempt from the
provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Article 19,
Section 15311 (Class 11 project), which provides exemption for the construction of
minor structures accessory to existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities,
including on- premise signs. The project would occur within existing beach parking lots
operated by the City of Santa Monica, immediately adjacent to the parking lot
entrances, and at key gateways to the City on property owned and maintained by the
City of Santa Monica. Therefore, the project qualifies as a Class 11 exemption. In
addition, none of the exceptions specified in Section 15300.2 of CEQA Guidelines
would apply that would preclude the use of this CEQA. Therefore, this project is a
Class 11 project that is categorically exempt per Section 15311 of the CEQA
Guidelines.
Public Outreach
An informational letter (Attachment D) was mailed to residents, and businesses within
100 feet of each of the proposed signs. Staff received one request for a presentation to
residents. A concern was raised regarding the possible light impact when signs are
illuminated in the evening. Staff committed to turning the signs off at night unless
needed for a rare special event.
Public Hearing
The project is located within the Coastal Zone and is grant funded, thus necessitating a
Coastal Commission permit. On June 13, 2013, the City received permit approval from
the California Coastal Commission. Adjustments were made to the project in response
to Coastal Commission staff concerns about the aesthetic impacts of several signs in
key locations. The directional signs were reduced to a smaller size and the location of
the sign at Ocean Park Boulevard on Barnard Way was moved so as not to obstruct the
5
view of the Pacific Ocean.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action.
Prepared by: Andrew Maximous, P.E., Transportation Engineer
Approved:
t�� � ik�-VZ4� -"
David Martin, Director
Planning and Community Development
Department
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
Attachments: A: Sign Location Map
B: Beach Lot Sign Renderings
C: Directional Sign Renderings
D: Resident Letter
9
Attachment A
Sign Location Map
Montana
�—
O 99 i
Liry a�zH -- L� s��
�]$j{_ —� __ST
n Monica �_3 iZLH —
-'
CfrYOF SANTA MONICA
- —_
School-
—_
DisticH
' Co0ege 77
John
Adams ''
ReaSl iTgin m Le
fnc--
Lincoln
r sr No lt°
ParR: Z ee
46TH ^Mkldl
S-
L
f i
Will Rogers
Middle
O
Elementary
LEGEND
14TH LS
0 V
—
2
P ropsoe Dynamic
Messag e Signs
ElCLD-
EUCLID ST
,
I _ST_
-
ST
O
-
N
Beach Lot Sign
w
Directional Sign
11TLI- S7 - SMCJ
71 7�1
Campus
-10
NTH- J ST
TJ
w
¢ W
i (1� _
w y
o
eeVelt �_ - -�
Aorcnal �i7� - !.,
- 51- -;J
tt U - BLVD-
entaty _LtbICOLnI - BLVD -. _
—Rem
ielter t tVi1 _ oL„
Olympic
_ —_ I
�' dk1 - >,
P High r w
STH E�+k_l
y rr _ _m
z n+r -!-- : School
F 1 -.- L- Santa Mon oO f
I Joslyn
gA_I
ST
a_ r k
- BigBlue ➢j ��_
- Monica
-11HighSchool
ST"
- 6TiL_' 57
- -
Lbm _
sAi n
Ss�Lrx.
7_
-
4TH -ST
`__. - -E=-
_I
0
_ _- Z -='�_I 1 -.
o PR6M�
C'IVIC __-�.-
�Pi -- fAU�N iot M Hopat
O�y£tal� -- hao Park a
r�
3R[1 Q ST 3RD- ��
o rc ��-- =
r z - K 4 p
ZO ❑ �Q
¢ �0 �Q —_MAIN ti ° Crnc r
�A tlE�iton m
- 1r- --"_SL
o. .-
4 �r -3-vw
�n 2Nt�� -- h _ST_ -0 _ �-0
-- 3
L3S' - -s
- __- st._-s
a
O- _
_
`s ceaLn bP.AaaAiY c
— O CEAFI- -0CFAN-
o
� vE ¢ NELSON_
veil
Park
"_- --- -_-- -- .- ROAO__
FROM
JJ
-�_�
o
-,i Use hers °�`^'� °^T wnur _ S ztic
-- cean View Parrc
Pie
Beat far
ocE9N RONTWq� BIM1 Ch
Pier �—
Miles
0 0.125 0.25
I
Sale: t'in =0.28 m1
inn w+m. Mn ns��•am..
enoa.l
vels��ian All apM1tx
unlry Owelepmct OepeRmont Tn n:peNOen Enpi ... ri +na MaNpe tOlvb1ep.201
Attachment B
Beach Lot Sign Renderings
I
Attachment C
Directional Sign Renderings
300
SPACES
AVAILABLE
Attacha ent D
Resident Letter
Dear Resident,
The City of Santa Monica Transportation Engineering and Management Division will be installing new
dynamic messaging signs as a part of the "Real -time Beach Parking" project. Some of these signs will be
installed near your residence, which is located within the coastal zone. Within the next few months, you
may receive a letter from the California Coastal Commission regarding this project. We are reaching out
to you in advance to provide more information about the project.
What is the project?
The Real -time Beach Parking project will install new signage at all of the beach parking lots and in the
vicinity of the beach parking lots. These new signs will provide greater guidance to residents and visitors
seeking available parking at our beach parking lots, especially on busy weekends. The new signs will be
dynamic message signs that will display real -time parking information to motorists. When central
parking lots fill up, the signs will help to distribute traffic, increase the efficiency of existing parking
resources, and reduce traffic congestion.
Where will the signs be installed?
The signs will be installed at key points leading to and adjacent to the beach parking lots. The map
printed on the back of this letter indicates the location of each sign. All signs are located within the
City's right -of -way. None of the signs will be placed directly in front of homes.
How bright will the signs be?
The signs will have embedded light sensors that automatically adjust the brightness of the sign
according to the time of day and are similar to a typical street light. All signs will be set to never exceed
the amount of light already existing at each location.
How is this project funded?
This project is funded through grants from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (Metro) and the Federal Highway Administration's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
Improvement (CMAQ) Program
When will the new signs be installed?
The City anticipates that construction may begin in the fall of 2013, with construction completing by
winter 2013 /2014.
Questions?
If you have any further questions regarding this project, please feel free to contact the Transportation
Engineering and Management Division at (310) 458 -8291 or transportation.mgmt @smgov.net
tel: (310) 458 -8291 • fax: (310) 576 -9170
Planning and Community Development Department
Transportation Engineering and Management Division
1685 Main Street, Room 115
Santa Monica, California 90401
uhy of
Santa 1111011111e .e
Dear Resident,
The City of Santa Monica Transportation Engineering and Management Division will be installing new
dynamic messaging signs as a part of the "Real -time Beach Parking" project. Some of these signs will be
installed near your residence, which is located within the coastal zone. Within the next few months, you
may receive a letter from the California Coastal Commission regarding this project. We are reaching out
to you in advance to provide more information about the project.
What is the project?
The Real -time Beach Parking project will install new signage at all of the beach parking lots and in the
vicinity of the beach parking lots. These new signs will provide greater guidance to residents and visitors
seeking available parking at our beach parking lots, especially on busy weekends. The new signs will be
dynamic message signs that will display real -time parking information to motorists. When central
parking lots fill up, the signs will help to distribute traffic, increase the efficiency of existing parking
resources, and reduce traffic congestion.
Where will the signs be installed?
The signs will be installed at key points leading to and adjacent to the beach parking lots. The map
printed on the back of this letter indicates the location of each sign. All signs are located within the
City's right -of -way. None of the signs will be placed directly in front of homes.
How bright will the signs be?
The signs will have embedded light sensors that automatically adjust the brightness of the sign
according to the time of day and are similar to a typical street light. All signs will be set to never exceed
the amount of light already existing at each location.
How is this project funded?
This project is funded through grants from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (Metro) and the Federal Highway Administration's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
Improvement (CMAQ) Program
When will the new signs be installed?
The City anticipates that construction may begin in the fall of 2013, with construction completing by
winter 2013 /2014.
Questions?
If you have any further questions regarding this project, please feel free to contact the Transportation
Engineering and Management Division at (310) 458 -8291 or transportation.mgmt @smgov.net
tel: (310) 458 -8291 • fax: (310) 576 -9170
Real-time Beach Parking Proiect
OMFM�$
40 Proposed sign
CL
Lu
C
0
.!2
Z
E
w
bb
C
bb
a a
0 UJ
2 `o
.2 0
C4
r
m
H 0 X
CL 0
0
0
F C.
O
O
N
O
O
0
C
R
4A
LU
CO