HomeMy WebLinkAbout37 - NB-2 - Request to Close Off Wall Openings - 7/7/2015CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: JULY 7, 2015 ITEM NUMBER: IVB -2
SUBJECT: REQUEST TO CLOSE OFF WALL OPENINGS ALONG VICTORIA STREET TO
PREVENT PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THE SIDE STREETS
DATE: JUNE 25, 2015
FROM: PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION
PRESENTATION BY: ERNESTO MUNOZ, PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FARIBA FAZELI, CITY ENGINEER
(714)754-5335
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction regarding residents' request to close off the wall openings to pedestrian access
along Victoria Street at the following locations:
1. Puente Avenue (north side of Victoria Street)
2. Raleigh Avenue (north side of Victoria Street)
3. Sterling Avenue (south side of Victoria Street)
BACKGROUND:
Staff has received requests from several residents on Puente Avenue, Sterling Avenue and
Raleigh Avenue to close off the wall openings along Victoria Street to preclude pedestrian
access to these cul-de-sac streets.
The residents are concerned about the wall openings (Attachment 1) attracting unneeded
attention/activities such as: transient usage to sleep and/or hang out, drug use, alcohol
consumption, public restroom and graffiti. In addition, the residents complain about the tenants
of the apartments along Victoria Street using their neighborhood to park their vehicles and
accessing their apartments through the wall openings. They also feel that the openings funnel
noise generated by traffic on Victoria Street into the residential neighborhoods.
The residents believe closing off the wall openings at the above-mentioned locations along
Victoria Street will reduce illicit activities, improve parking, and in general improve the quality of
life in their neighborhoods.
ANALYSIS:
Due to the proximity of five schools to these neighborhoods (Attachment 2), staff conducted a
survey to assess the usage through the wall openings along Victoria Street by school children.
On average, 21 school children accompanied by their parents use the opening from Raleigh
Avenue, 5 children on Sterling Avenue and 3 children on Puente Avenue.
Staff also conducted a search for the number of calls for service to the Police Department
received from these neighborhoods in the past year. A total of 198 calls for service were
received on Raleigh Avenue, 42 calls on Puente Avenue and 131 calls on Sterling Avenue.
These calls may or may not have been related to the arterial wall openings.
ALTERNATIVES:
One alternative to the City Council is to direct staff to close off the wall openings from Victoria
Avenue to Puente Avenue (north side of Victoria), Sterling Avenue (south side of Victoria) and
Raleigh Avenue (north side of Victoria). The cost to close off these openings is estimated at
$16,000 for each street (with a total cost of $48,000 for all three locations).
Another alternative is for the City Council to receive and file this report. With this alternative, the
wall opening will remain as is and continue to provide pedestrian access as it was originally
intended.
FISCAL REVIEW:
The total cost to close off the wall openings on Puente Avenue, Raleigh Avenue and Sterling
Avenue is $48,000. No funding has been allocated for this work.
LEGAL REVIEW:
No legal review is required for this item.
CONCLUSION:
Staff has received requests from residents to close off the pedestrian openings along Victoria
Street at the following three locations:
1. Puente Avenue (north side of Victoria)
2. Raleigh Avenue (north side of Victoria)
3. Sterling Avenue (south side of Victoria)
Staff is asking for direction from the City Council on this item.
ERNESTO MUNOZ
Public Services Director
Attachments: 1. Wall openings
2. Vicinity Map
Distribution: Chief Executive Officer
Assistant CEO
City Attorney
City Clerk
FARIBA FAZELI
City Engineer
1►