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Department of Transportation, Community Development Services recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 090-2017 sanctioning the revision to the parking prohibited zones and signage for Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Sawmill Road, as follows:
1) Add "No Parking Anytime" / "Tow Away Zone" signs to Lake Tahoe Boulevard from 250 feet west to 325 feet east of Sawmill Road on the south side of the roadway and "No Parking Anytime" / "Tow Away Zone" signs on Lake Tahoe Boulevard from 250 feet west to 975 feet east of Sawmill Road on the north side of the roadway; and
2) Add "No Parking on Public Road Right of Way Nov 1 Thru May 1" signs on Sawmill Road 650 feet south of Lake Tahoe Boulevard on the east side of the roadway and "No Parking Anytime" signs on Sawmill Road from 650 feet to 1000 feet south of Lake Tahoe Boulevard on the east side of the roadway and "No Parking Anytime" signs on Sawmill Road 1000 feet south of Lake Tahoe Boulevard on the west side of Sawmill Road.
FUNDING: Road Fund. (100% - Local)
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Department of Transportation (Transportation) recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 090-2017 sanctioning the revision to the parking prohibited zones and signage for Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Sawmill Road, as follows:
1) Add "No Parking Anytime" / "Tow Away Zone" signs to Lake Tahoe Boulevard from 250 feet west to 325 feet east of Sawmill Road on the south side of the roadway and "No Parking Anytime" / "Tow Away Zone" signs on Lake Tahoe Boulevard from 250 feet west to 975 feet east of Sawmill Road on the north side of the roadway; and
2) Add "No Parking on Public Road Right of Way Nov 1 Thru May 1" signs on Sawmill Road 650 feet south of Lake Tahoe Boulevard on the east side of the roadway and "No Parking Anytime" signs on Sawmill Road from 650 feet to 1000 feet south of Lake Tahoe Boulevard on the east side of the roadway and "No Parking Anytime" signs on Sawmill Road 1000 feet south of Lake Tahoe Boulevard on the west side of Sawmill Road.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Transportation conducted a No Parking Survey (Survey) for the vicinity of the Lake Tahoe Boulevard/Sawmill Road intersection. The scope of the Survey was to determine if the existing winter season parking restrictions in the vicinity of the Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Sawmill Road interesection are warranted and are in the best interest of public safety. At issue, is parking associated with the use of the adjoining Sawmill Pond recreational facility in the winter months and during Transportation's on-going snow removal operations.
The Survey concluded that there are existing seasonal "No Parking" signs present to prevent vehicles from parking at this intersection. However, drivers are not abiding by these seasonal "No Parking" zones, which is leading to issues with snow removal operations and bicycle and pedestrian public safety. Sawmill Pond is the parking attraction used for fishing in the spring and summer months and ice skating in the fall and winter months. There is a parking area available for the spring and summer months but is closed during the ice skating months, which is affecting snow removal operations and locations which must be preserved for public safety.
Also, a recent Capital Improvement Project (CIP) titled Lake Tahoe Boulevard Erosion Control/Stream Environment Zone (CIP Project 95163/95175) installed a new crosswalk and flashing beacon at the Lake Tahoe Boulevard/Sawmill Road intersection to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.
The Survey has found the requirement of supplemental "No Parking Anytime" / "Tow Away Zone" signs on Lake Tahoe Boulevard to be necessary to better improve visibility and safety.
The following recommendations were approved by the South Lake Tahoe Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) at a meeting held in South Lake Tahoe on April 5, 2017:
Delete:
"(f) On Lake Tahoe Boulevard (No. 2204) adjacent to Sawmill Road along the west shoulder for approximately 200 feet during the winter season between November 1st through May 1st."
"(g) On Sawmill Road (No. 2202) east of Lake Tahoe Boulevard for approximately 1000 feet on both sides of the roadway during the winter season between November 1st through May 1st."
Add:
"(f) On Lake Tahoe Boulevard (No. 2204) "No Parking Anytime" (R26)/"Tow Away Zone" (ER 9) signs on Lake Tahoe Boulevard from 250 feet west to 325 feet east of Sawmill Road on the south side of the roadway" AND "No Parking Anytime" (R26)/"Tow Away Zone" (ER 9) signs on Lake Tahoe Boulevard from 250 feet west to 975 feet east of Sawmill Road on the north side of the roadway."
"(g) On Sawmill Road (No. 2022): "No Parking on Public Road Right of Way Nov 1 Thru May 1" (ER7S) signs on Sawmill Road 650 feet south of Lake Tahoe Boulevard on the east of the roadway AND "No Parking Anytime" (R26) signs on Sawmill Road from 650 feet to 1000 feet south of Lake Tahoe Boulevard on the east side of the roadway" AND "No Parking Anytime" (R26) signs on Sawmill Road 1000 feet south of Lake Tahoe Boulevard on the west side of Sawmill Road."
As stated above, these signs are seasonal and will be installed and taken down as appropriate for winter season signage.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to disagree with the TAC's recommendation. In that event, the signage would remain the same and Transportation will present alternatives to the TAC for review and approval.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and TAC.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Installation of the parking prohibited signage is estimated at $6,500. Funding to complete this work is included in the current fiscal year's Transportation Road Fund budget for the Maintenance Unit.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk will obtain the Chair's signature on one (1) original copy of the Resolution.
2) The Clerk will forward one (1) signed copy of the Resolution to the Department of Transportation, Headington Site, attention Cierra Garcia.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure and Public Safety.
CONTACT
Don Spear, Deputy Director - Maintenance and Operations
Department of Transportation