The goal of this program is to promote safe and pleasant conditions for pedestrians,
bicyclists and motorists on neighborhood streets, using a process in which residents
work with City staff to address traffic and safety problems.
The City will prioritize requests for traffic mitigation based on documentable criteria,
in order to make the best use of limited public resources.
Solutions to neighborhood
traffic problems will be chosen from a “tool kit” of traffic-calming measures
described in City of Sebastopol Traffic Calming
Guidelines prepared by Whitlock & Weinberger Transportation Inc. for the
City in January 2003.
This program encourages
a collaborative approach by Citizens, working with City staff in all phases
of neighborhood traffic management activities.
To initiate a request for
neighborhood traffic calming, contact the Sebastopol Police Department at (707)
829-4400.
APPLICATION FOR NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING
Any individual or group
of neighbors may submit an application to the City for Neighborhood Traffic
Calming.
In your application, describe
the location and nature of the problem, and provide primary contact information.
In completing the application, you should try to be as specific as possible
in defining the problem in your neighborhood. Provide as much information as
you can, including photos and sketches if they are useful in describing the
problem.
The fee for an application
for an initial evaluation is $100.00.
EVALUATION PROCESS
Once an application is received
the Police Department will make an initial evaluation of the problem, and will
consult with other City staff and consultants as required, and will recommend
appropriate measures. There are three primary tools which can be used to address
neighborhood traffic problems — Education, Enforcement and Engineering.
Education and Enforcement
Some neighborhood traffic
problems may be addressed through relatively simple means such as enhanced enforcement,
use of a speed trailer to monitor vehicle speeds, improved signage, distributing
educational materials to households in the neighborhood, or working with a neighborhood
group.
Engineering
If the problem is persistent
and serious, the Police Department may recommend that the neighborhood request
a more detailed evaluation and consideration of physical improvements to the
roadway to mitigate the problem.
PETITION FOR PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS
Neighborhoods may petition
the City to conduct an analysis of the problem and determine whether physical
improvements to the roadway are warranted. In order to qualify, at least 50%
of the households immediately affected by the problem and any potential solutions
must indicate their support by signing the petition. Each household represents
one vote.
The analysis will consider
the problem in terms of the following criteria:
Eligible Streets
Local streets and residential
collectors.
Primary Thresholds
Traffic Speed 15% of traffic exceeding posted limit by more than 5 mph
Accidents reported
Traffic Volume: >500 ADT on local streets, and >1000 ADT on residential collectors
Secondary Criteria
Other factors that will
be taken into account include proximity to schools, parks and other pedestrian
destinations, lack of sidewalks, accessibility and special needs issues, bicycle
accessibility, roadway characteristics, and so on.
PROCESS
On receipt of a petition
and fee deposit, City staff and consultants will conduct a preliminary analysis
to verify that the problem meets threshold criteria for a Traffic Calming Project.
Staff will develop preliminary recommendations for a solution and hold a neighborhood
meeting to discuss the results of the analysis, recommended treatments, estimated
cost of projects and funding options.
If the neighborhood is in
agreement to proceed with a project City staff will develop a workplan, budget
and funding proposal for approval by the City Council in the City’s Capital
Improvement Plan.
A deposit of $750.00 is
required to be submitted along with the petition to cover staff and consulting
costs.
PROJECT FUNDING
Because the City has extremely
limited funding available to pay for the costs of engineering analysis, neighborhoods
submitting these requests will be asked to pay for this work.
Likewise, funding for improvement
projects may depend on the financial participation of those who will benefit
most from them -- neighborhood residents -- in order to move forward to construction.
The City will continue to
look for ways to fund projects of general City-wide benefit through developer
fees and grants, and using City funds as the budget situation permits.
CONTACT THE SEBASTOPOL POLICE DEPARTMENT (707) 829-4400
FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Traffic Calming Process Chart
Evaluation Criteria
Application for Neighborhood Traffic Calming
Petition for Preliminary Analysis
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