POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM: VIII B
MEETING DATE: 9/15/2026
TITLE
Proposed Parking Modification – Port Road at Main Street
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Discuss and authorize staff to establish approximately 10–15 feet of no-parking curb on Port Road at its intersection with Main Street to improve sight distance and traffic safety.
ANALYSIS
The intersection of Port Road and Main Street has a longstanding visibility issue for motorists entering Main Street from Port Road. The City has received numerous complaints and concerns over the years regarding vehicles, particularly larger trucks and SUVs, parking immediately adjacent to the corner. Vehicles parked close to the intersection can substantially obstruct a driver's view of southbound traffic on Main Street.
This concern has also been identified through the City's transportation planning process.
The City's 2022 Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) identifies Port Road and Main Street in its discussion of sight-line and blind-corner concerns and identifies the intersection among the City's High Injury Intersections.
The City's Coastal General Plan/Local Coastal Plan Policy 3.1.4 provides policy direction for addressing intersection visibility. The policy calls for improving sight distances at intersections and identifies measures including removing on-street parking near intersections and restricting large-vehicle parking where it interferes with visibility. The proposed modification is therefore consistent with and implements existing City transportation and safety policy.
Staff proposes establishing approximately 10–15 feet of no-parking curb on Port Road immediately adjacent to Main Street. The attached street-view photographs show the location and existing parking conditions, including how vehicles parked near the corner can affect the line of sight for motorists entering Main Street.
The purpose of the modification is to provide motorists exiting Port Road with a clearer view of southbound traffic and reduce the need for vehicles to pull farther into Main Street to see approaching vehicles.
The proposal is intentionally limited to approximately 10–15 feet in recognition of the importance of maintaining downtown parking. Staff believes this provides a reasonable balance between addressing a documented safety concern and minimizing the loss of available curbside parking.
STATE DAYLIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
California has strengthened intersection visibility requirements through Assembly Bill 413, which generally prohibits parking within 20 feet of the vehicle-approach side of a crosswalk. While the City's proposed 10–15-foot restriction is based on the specific sightdistance conditions at Port Road and Main Street, it is consistent with the state's broader goal of improving visibility and safety at intersections.
CALTRANS COORDINATION
Main Street is State Route 1 and is under Caltrans jurisdiction. Staff consulted with Caltrans, which has given the City permission to proceed with the proposed 10–15-foot no-parking area on Port Road at Main Street.
Caltrans will address final intersection safety considerations, including sight distance, pedestrian visibility, and applicable daylighting requirements, as part of its upcoming Main Street sidewalk and roadway improvement project. The proposed City action provides an interim safety improvement until that work is completed.
PARKING IMPACT
The proposed modification would restrict parking along approximately 10–15 linear feet of curb. This is less than the length normally required for a full parking space, so the overall impact on downtown parking is expected to be limited.
The City recognizes the importance of downtown parking to local businesses and does not take the removal of parking lightly. However, given the longstanding visibility concern, repeated complaints, and policies identified in the LRSP and Coastal General Plan, staff believes the limited restriction is warranted.
The adjacent property/business owner was notified in writing of the proposed parking modification and invited to attend the September 15 City Council meeting to provide comments.
Staff recommends authorizing approximately 10–15 feet of no-parking curb on Port Road at Main Street to address the longstanding visibility concern. The modification is supported by the City's 2022 Local Road Safety Plan, is consistent with Coastal General Plan/Local Coastal Plan sight-distance policies and state daylighting objectives, and has received Caltrans approval. Final intersection safety considerations will be addressed by Caltrans as part of the upcoming Main Street sidewalk and roadway improvement project.
FISCAL IMPACT
Minimal. Implementation would consist primarily of appropriate curb marking and/or signage and can be completed as part of normal City operations.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Port Road/Main Street – Street-View Photographs
2. 2022 Local Road Safety Plan – Relevant Port Road/Main Street Excerpt
3. August 31, 2026 Notification Letter to Adjacent Property/Business Owner
CITY MANAGER SIGNATURE
________________________________
Paul Andersen, Asst. City Manager/City Clerk
New No Parking Section at Port Road & Main Street
Attachment 1
City of Point Arena
Local Roadway Safety Plan
10 District 1. Two stakeholder meetings among these departments/agencies were conducted to review project goals and findings, and to solicit feedback from the group during the project timelines.
This stakeholder outreach was supplemented by a project website (mendocinosaferoads.com), with an interactive map input platform. Project related info was also published on the City’s website. As part of the Mendocino County Local Road Safety Plan, a public input platform called mapptionaire was published online and advertised on social media to solicit input public comments regarding traffic safety. The mapptionaire tool was open for public comments starting March 5th, 2021 and closed on September 31, 2021. During this period 324 comments were submitted, out of which 13 comments were for the City of Point Arena.
The most common commented on traffic safety issue was pedestrian safety, with a total 6 comments. Three comments regarded School Street/ Main Street/ Route 1 and the other three comments were on Port Road. One comment requested a rectangular rapid flashing beacon at the intersection of Lake Street and School Street. One comment requested a marked crosswalk across Main Street at the Post Office. Sight lines and blind corners were the second most common issue, with two comments, one comment of the intersection of Iverson Avenue and Main Street and the other on Port Road and Main Street. The next most common commented on traffic safety issue was speeding and bicycle safety at Port Road and Main Street/Route 1.
Other responses were collected through website, email correspondence, and social media comments.
Table 1. Point Arena: Public Comments
0 1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 Port Rd Main St/Route 1 Iverson Ave/Main st Lake St and School St/Route 1
Port Rd and Main
St/Route 1
Riverside Dr
Speeding Pedestrian Safety Bicycle Safety Sight Lines Pavement Issues U-Turn Attachment 2
CITY OF POINT ARENA
451 School St. | PO Box 67 | Point Arena, CA 95468
(707) 882-2122 | pointarena.ca.gov
August 31, 2026
Point Arena Hotel
c/o Steve Suddith
PO Box 272
Point Arena, CA 95468
Dear Steve,
The City is writing to let you know about a proposed parking modification at the intersection of Main Street and Port Road adjacent to your business.
Over the years, the City has received numerous complaints and concerns about visibility at this intersection, particularly for motorists entering Main Street from Port Road. When larger vehicles and trucks park immediately adjacent to the corner, they can substantially obstruct a driver’s view of southbound traffic on Main Street and create a potential safety hazard.
This concern has also been identified through the City’s transportation planning process. The City’s 2022 Local Roadway Safety Plan specifically identified sight lines and blind corners at Port Road and Main Street as a public safety concern. The Plan’s countermeasure recommendations for this intersection specifically include reducing parking near the intersection.
The Safety Plan also incorporates the City’s General Plan policy calling for improved sight distances at intersections, including possible measures such as removing on-street parking near intersections and prohibiting large-vehicle parking where it interferes with visibility.
To address this longstanding concern, the City is proposing to daylight approximately 10 feet of curb at the corner of Port Road and Main Street, as shown on the attached aerial photograph. Parking would no longer be permitted within this approximately 10-foot section.
The intent is to provide a clearer line of sight for vehicles entering Main Street while limiting the impact on available downtown parking.
This proposal will be discussed by the Point Arena City Council at its September 15, 2026 meeting at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. You are welcome to attend the meeting and provide comments regarding the proposed change.
Attachment 3
The City recognizes that downtown parking is important to local businesses and do not take the removal of any parking area lightly. Given the longstanding visibility concerns, repeated complaints, and the specific recommendations contained in the City’s Local Roadway Safety Plan, staff believes this limited modification would provide a meaningful safety improvement at the intersection.
Please feel free to contact City Hall if you have any questions before the meeting.
Sincerely,
Paul Andersen
Asst. City Manager/City Clerk