PISMO BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item #9.F
Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
TITLE:
Hermosa Drive and Shell Beach Road Red Curb
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the installation of red curb on Hermosa Drive at Shell Beach Road.
DISCUSSION:
At the September 16, 2024 Traffic Safety Committee (TSC) meeting, the committee reviewed a request from residents of Hermosa Drive to install red curb on both sides of the intersection of Hermosa Drive and Shell Beach Road. Due to the proximity of the nearby Palisades Sports Courts, Hermosa Drive is frequently used for cars to park when the parking lot at the courts is full, leading to vehicles sometimes parking within ten feet of the corner. The TSC reviewed the request and recommended a sight distance evaluation be performed. Staff contracted with Rick Engineering to prepare a sight distance assessment of the intersection. The assessment found the intersection to meet all sight distance requirements. However, vehicles driving too fast while making the right turn from southbound Shell Beach Road onto Hermosa Drive might not see a parked vehicle if it were parked too close to the corner. It was determined, and the Traffic Safety Committee concurred, that red curb should be placed on the north side of Hermosa Drive at Shell Beach Road, and the TSC left the length of the red curb to the discretion of the Public Works Director.
The Public Works Director (Director) met with the resident who initially requested the red curb on both sides of the street to walk the area, hear the resident’s concerns, and watch driver and cyclist behavior. The placement of a PG&E owned streetlight makes the placement of a STOP sign closer to the corner difficult because it would be hidden from view on approach by the light standard. The result is that a vehicle is able to park between the STOP sign and the corner, which can cause visibility issues when cyclists who rent e-bikes illegally cut the corner after riding on the sidewalk. The Director observed this behavior. For this reason, the Director requested that the City Engineer assess the situation and determine the length of red curb necessary to at minimum keep that space between the STOP sign and the light standard free of parked vehicles.
Staff will provide a follow-up report and discussion for the Traffic Safety Committee at its next meeting. While there are no sight distance issues for vehicles exiting Hermosa Drive onto Shell Beach Road, the other potential traffic safety issues outlined in this report should be addressed. The City Engineer has reviewed the location and recommends 30 feet of red curb be installed on both sides of the intersection starting at the ramp wing, as shown in Attachment 1.A. If approved, the Public Works Department will install the red curb as described. Staff will provide a follow-up report and discussion for the Traffic Safety Committee when they meet next.
Council Agenda 5-20-2025 9.F-1
Conclusion and Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) authorizing the painting of red curb on Hermosa Drive at Shell Beach Road as shown in Attachment
1.A.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
1.A Exhibit A to Resolution: Hermosa Drive Red Curb
Prepared by:
Erin Olsen, Senior Management Analyst
Submitted by: Rosemarie R. Gaglione, PE, Director of Public Works City Manager Approval:
Council Agenda 5-20-2025 9.F-2
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH,
CALIFORNIA AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF RED CURB ON HERMOSA
DRIVE AT SHELL BEACH ROAD
WHEREAS, the intersection of Hermosa Drive and Shell Beach Road is used to park cars due to the proximity of the nearby Palisades Sports Courts; and WHEREAS, at the September 16, 2024 Traffic Safety Committee (TSC) meeting, the committee reviewed a request from residents of Hermosa Drive to install red curb on both sides of the intersection and recommend a sight distance evaluation be performed; and WHEREAS, the assessment completed by Rick Engineering found the intersection to meet all sight distance requirements, however vehicles driving too fast while making the right turn from southbound Shell Beach Road onto Hermosa Drive might not see a parked vehicle if it were parked too close to the corner; and
WHEREAS, it was determined, and the TSC concurred, that red curb should be placed on the north side of Hermosa Drive at Shell Beach Road, and the TSC left the length of the red curb to the discretion of the Public Works Director; and WHEREAS, the Public Works Director visited the site to observe vehicles and cyclist behavior and based on those observations as well as the placement of a PG&E streetlight requested the City Engineer assess the situation and determine the length of red curb necessary; and
WHEREAS, the City Engineer has reviewed the location and recommends 30 feet of red curb be installed on both sides of the intersection starting at the ramp wing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach hereby authorizes the installation of red curb on Hermosa Drive at Shell Beach Road as depicted in Exhibit A.
UPON MOTION OF Council Member , seconded by Council Member , the foregoing resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach this 20th day of May 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:
Council Agenda 5-20-2025 9.F-3
Attachment 1
Approved: Attest:
________________________ ________________________
Ed Waage, Mayor Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand on _______________________. ________________________
Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
Council Agenda 5-20-2025 9.F-4
Attachment 1
Hermosa and Shell Beach Road
Red Curb
EO
5/5/2025 1 1
Requested Red Curbs
North side of intersection
South side of intersection
Council Agenda 5-20-2025 9.F-5
Attachment 1.A