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August 11, 2026
ITEM TITLE
Council Policies: Consider Approving a Resolution Amending City Council Policy 576 -16 Installation of Pedestrian Crosswalks
Report Number: 26-0107
Location: Citywide
Department: Engineering
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice: This activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines . T herefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution to amend City Council Policy No. 576-16 “Installation of Pedestrian Crosswalks”.
SUMMARY
The purpose of this Policy is to establish minimum criteria for the installation of pedestrian crosswalks between intersections or at intersections that are not controlled by stop signs or traffic signals and to provide guidance for crosswalk treatments based on roadway conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and it has been determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
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BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Traffic Safety Commission, at their meeting on January 8, 2026, concurred with staff’s recommendation that the City Council amend City Council Policy 576-16 Installation of Pedestrian Crosswalks (the “Policy”).
DISCUSSION
Existing Policy Background
City Council Policy No. 576-16 “Installation of Pedestrian Crosswalks” was approved in April 1978 . At that time, the City of Chula Vista’s (“City”) population was less than 80,000 people, there were no disabled pedestrian access standards, curb ramps, or pedestrian-activated flashing beacon crossings, and the primary motivation in the field of traffic engineering was conveying the most passenger vehicles with minimal delay while accommodating pedestrians where they would minimally impact drivers. Since that time, the City has more than tripled in size, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Public Right of Way Access Guidelines (PROWAG) have become broadly accepted standards for pedestrian access, and focus has shifted from solely conveying passenger vehicles to providing infrastructure and traffic control measures for all transportation modes. This item represents a comprehensive update to the Policy to guide future crosswalk installation decisions.
The existing Policy provide s warrant criteria for the installation of an uncontrolled pedestrian crosswalk considering the following three primary factors:
1. Pedestrian Volume – How many pedestrians are observed crossing during the peak hour (any existing crossing with less than ten observed pedestrian crossings would warrant a crosswalk).
2. “General Conditions” – Site-specific conditions that support pedestrian crossing, such as helping with pedestrian navigation, directing pedestrians to shorter crossing distances, improving visibility of pedestrians, and limiting pedestrian exposure to vehicles.
3. Gap Time – How many gaps between vehicles are sufficiently large for a pedestrian to cross without conflicting with a passing vehicle in an average five-minute period.
Proposed Policy
The proposed Policy preserves the point -based criteria and some of the existing factors, but updates point weights and site conditions criteria to reflect current federal and state standards for pedestrian traffic control and right-of-way. The proposed Policy begins with screening criteria that are primarily relevant to mid-block conditions but can be appl ied to any uncontrolled crossing. The initial screening criteria determines whether further data gathering for the complete point-based study is warranted.
The initial screening criteria are:
Do at least 5 pedestrians cross the location during the peak hour OR does the crossing serve a major pedestrian generator?
Is the crossing at least 300 feet from the nearest pedestrian crossing? Is the prevailing speed of vehicles less than 40 mph? Is there vehicle stopping sight distance of at least 10 times the speed limit or will the visibility of pedestrians be improved?
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The proposed Policy then proceeds to the point-based criteria similar to the existing Policy, evaluating the following factors:
1. Pedestrian Volume – Similar to existing Policy
2. Pedestrian Setting/Generators – Whether the crossing is connecting pedestrian generators or dedicated pedestrian pathways to account for potential latent demand
3. General Factors – Site-specific factors of the crossing such as distance to the nearest controlled crossing, pedestrian visibility to motorists, proximity to a transit stop, the road being crossed is lower volume and speed
4. Gap Time – similar to existing Policy
In addition to the warrant criteria, the proposed Policy provides guidance for appropriate crossing treatments at a warranted crossing based on observed vehicular volume, crossing distance, and prevailing vehicular s peeds. Depending on the combination of these factors, crossing treatments may range from a marked crosswalk with standard signage to a crosswalk with signage and rectangular rapid flashing beacons or ultimately a pedestrian hybrid beacon crossing.
Conclusion
In summary, the updated criteria in the proposed Policy equip staff with updated standards for implementing pedestrian crossings and appropriate crossing treatments using established methods and modern criteria that efficiently determine how to address a request for an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing.
The following items summarize the significant changes in the proposed amended Policy:
The observed crossing pedestrian threshold for screening whether to study a potential crosswalk was halved;
There is more consideration for adjacent land uses and site factors to account for latent pedestrian demand for the crossing;
The points threshold for constructing a marked crosswalk was reduced by approximately nine percentage points relative to the existing Policy; and
There is additional guidance for adding crosswalk enhancements.
Authorization of City Engineer or Designee
Consistent with Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 10.76.010 which authorized the City Engineer to establish, designate, and maintain crosswalks at intersections and other locations, staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Engineer or designee to adopt and approve on behalf of the City future revisions to Table 2: Crosswalk Treatment Screening of the proposed Policy. This delegated authority would facilitate and expedite adoption of future amendments to the proposed Policy.
Public Outreach
In addition to presenting the proposed policy update to the Traffic Safety Commission on January 8, 2026, staff presented and answered questions regarding the proposed policy update to the Bike-Walk Chula Vista advisory group at their February 4, 2026 meeting. Staff did not receive requests to modify the draft policy as presented at either meeting.
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DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Councilmember, of any othe r fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no current-year fiscal impact as a result of this action.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact as a result of this action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Traffic Safety Commission Resolution No. SC-2026-001
2. Revised City Council Policy 576-16 Installation of Pedestrian Crosswalks
3. Existing City Council Policy 576-16 Installation of Pedestrian Crosswalks Staff Contact: Luis Schaar, PE, Director of Engineering/City Engineer Eddie Flores, PE, Assistant Director of Public Works/City Traffic Engineer Paul Oberbauer, PE, TE, Principal Traffic Engineer
Oscar Cortes, PE, Senior Traffic Engineer