February 10, 2026
Agenda Item No. 11
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
David A. Webb, Public Works Director - 949-644-3311, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Kevin Riley, City Traffic Engineer – 949-644-3329, [email protected] TITLE:
Proposed Traffic Calming and Public Safety Measures in the Bayview Heights Neighborhood ABSTRACT:
At the October 14, 2025, City Council Study Session, staff presented traffic calming and public safety options for the Bayview Heights neighborhood for the City Council’s consideration. The traffic calming options discussed included minor roadway striping and speed cushions. The speed cushions do not meet the City Council’s Traffic Management Policy (Council Policy L-26). The public safety options presented included implementing a road closure, traffic circle, or gateway median, and there was some discussion regarding Flock cameras. The City Council directed staff to proceed with the minor roadway striping and return to the City Council with an option for resident-supported speed cushion(s) for a policy waiver consideration, the gateway median at Spruce Avenue and Zenith Avenue, and three Flock camera installation locations.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; Waive City Council Policy L-26 - Traffic Management Policy, and install two speed cushions on Orchid Street within the Bayview Heights neighborhood, conditional on staff verification of residents’ written support directly adjacent to and fronting the proposed speed cushion location; and Approve Budget Amendment No. 26-050 appropriating $10,850 in increased expenditures in Account No. 01035355-811008 from the General Fund unappropriated fund balance and appropriating $49,000 in increased expenditures in Account No. 01201927-980000-25T03 from the General Fund Capital Improvement Program unappropriated fund balance to fund identified improvements.
DISCUSSION:
At the October 14, 2025 City Council Study Session, staff presented several traffic calming and public safety options at the request of the City Council, in response to concerns raised by some Bayview Heights residents. The traffic calming options presented were minor roadway striping/pavement marking improvements as well as the possible installation of speed cushions (pending resident approval of the location(s) and the City Council’s agreement to waive Council Policy L-26). The public safety options included implementing road closure, traffic circle or a gateway median at Spruce Avenue and Zenith Avenue and identifying optional locations for Flock cameras. The discussion regarding the street closure at Spruce Avenue and Zenith Avenue did not rise as a viable option due to its feasibility, lack of the City’s public safety departments’ support, and circulation concerns.
Council Policy L-26 provides warranting guidance on implementing three levels of traffic calming measures. Level 1 includes educational tools such as speed trailers, signage and minor striping; Level 2 includes speed cushions and road alignment changes; and Level 3 includes street closures. Levels 2 and 3 require specific traffic volumes and an 85th percentile speed threshold to be met, a petition process with a goal of obtaining at least 70% support of all properties within the study area, and City Council approval. At the October Study Session, staff informed the City Council that Council Policy L-26 does not support the installation of any Level 2 or 3 traffic calming measures in Bayview Heights due to the measured traffic volumes and speeds not meeting the policy’s minimum thresholds. Thus, a City Council waiver of the policy would need to be approved to implement any Level 2 or 3 traffic calming measures. The Level 1 edge-lines roadway striping and 25 miles per hour markings were permitted and were installed in November 2025. Staff received positive feedback from the community on the new striping and markings.
The October Study Session concluded with the City Council directing staff to return with options for speed cushion(s) on Orchid Street and Orchard Drive provided the necessary location signatures could be obtained, the installation of a gateway median on Spruce Avenue at Zenith Avenue, and the installation of three Flock camera at locations determined by the Police Department. Staff worked with the Bayview Heights lead petitioner to obtain the necessary support signatures for the homes adjacent to and directly fronting the proposed speed cushion locations on Orchid Street, developed a concept design for the gateway median, and collaborated with Police Department staff to identify the Flock camera locations. The Orchard Drive speed cushion lacked the required resident support for the location.
Below is the approximate total cost to install these three improvements and the operational cost for the Flock cameras.
Traffic and Safety Improvement Costs
Improvement
Cost
Speed cushions (two on Orchid Street)
$24,000
Gateway Median
$25,000
Flock Cameras*
$10,850
Total
$59,850
* $9,900 annual operational cost
City staff anticipates all three improvement categories could be completed within four months following funding appropriation. Staff is now requesting City Council approval to waive Council Policy L-26 and appropriate funding for the traffic and safety improvements within the Bayview Heights neighborhood.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Budget Amendment appropriates $10,850 in increased expenditure appropriations from General Fund unappropriated fund balance to fund the three Flock cameras for the first year and will require $9,900 in on-going operating costs each year thereafter. It also appropriates $49,000 in increased expenditure appropriations from the General Fund Capital Improvement Program unappropriated fund balance to fund the speed cushions and gateway median.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Speed Cushion Locations on Orchid Street Attachment B – Gateway Median on Spruce Avenue at Zenith Avenue Attachment C – Flock Camera Locations
Attachment D – Budget Amendment
Proposed Traffic Calming and Public Safety Measures in the Bayview Heights Neighborhood February 10, 2026
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