Hilltop stop signs approved for safety

Safety trumped neighborhood and staff opposition to a stop sign on Park Avenue at the approach to the downhill side of the Third Street hill, recommended by the Parking, Traffic and Circulation Committee.

After about an hour of testimony by more than 25 locals, the City Council voted unanimously for committee recommendations, which included a second stop sign on Park Avenue into Through Street, and crosswalks at the Third Street and Park Avenue, described by recommendation supporters as one of, if not the most, dangerous intersections in town.

“My wife, myself and my friends take our lives in our hands at that intersection,” said Top of the World resident Dave Connell.

However, City Public Works Director Steve May told the council that accidents are rare at the intersection.

“Over the past three years, there have been seven reported accidents at or near this intersection,” May said. “That equates to less than one accident per million vehicles, which is considered a very low rate of accidents. None of the accidents involved injuries and only one vehicle needed to be towed. This data does not suggest that a safety problem exists.”

Staff also reported that about 6,500 vehicles, based on a 1988 study, pass through the intersections daily; but except for peak times when school is starting or ending, the intersection is not congested.

Staff opined that with the stop signs installed where no stops were previously required under benign traffic conditions, additional fuel would be consumed and pollution would be increased. Yearly totals were estimated at 9,200 extra gallons of gas, 1,400 pounds of additional carbon monoxide and 275 pounds of additional nitrous oxides per year.

“I can’t believe I am saying this, but listen to the staff,” said intersection neighbor Paul Barnard, who collected the signatures of 24 nearby residents who opposed the stop signs.

Speaking for the Top of the World Neighborhood Assn. board of directors, Gene Felder declared their opposition on behalf of the residents who live up Park Avenue and regularly drive the Third Street hill.

“There are 550 homes up there and two [voting] precincts,” Felder said, a remark given the raspberry by some.

PTC members Vic Opincar and Dennis Myers spoke in favor of the recommendation, which had previously been consider at the July 22, 2004 committee meeting. That request was included in the 2006 traffic study by RBF and a follow-up study by Fehr & Peers. Due to neighborhood opposition the request was denied, but the committee revived it at meetings in May and June. Neighbors still opposed the proposal, but the committee unanimously approved it.

“It was courageous thing the PTC did to recommend the stop signs,” Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl Kinsman said. “Everyone knows it is dangerous. The stop sign may prevent a tragedy.” Per the committee recommendation, Public Works will evaluate traffic operations in six months.

However, the council agreed with city staff that a PTC recommendation for a pilot program to provide flags to help pedestrians cross South Coast Highway at Anita Street would increase city liability in the case of a lawsuit and probably wouldn’t be very effective.

BARBARA DIAMOND can be reached at (949) 494-4321 or coastlinepilot@latimes.com.