Title
Subject: Closing 59th Street East of Shattuck Avenue
From: Oakland Police Department
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution regarding rules and regulations prohibiting ingress/egress to local streets by means of roadway design features such as islands, curbs, traffic barriers, etc., to implement the Transportation Element of the City's General Plan and authorizing the use of appropriate roadway design features to permanently prohibit ingress/egress to 59th Street, east of Shattuck
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C!-. Y CLERK
2003 R.'! f 2 Pn" 2: 4
CITY OF OAKLAND
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Office of the City Manager
ATTN: Robert C. Bobb
FROM@ Office of the City Manager
DATE: June 24, 2003
RE: Resolution of the City Council of the City of Oakland
Authorizing the Permanent Closure of a Portion of
59th Street East of Shattuck Avenue
SUMMARY
On December 3, 2002, the Public Safety Committee accepted a report and resolution
from the City Manager authorizing the continued temporary closure of a portion of 59h
Street east of Shattuck Avenue. Further the Committee directed staff to conduct a review
of crime and adverse traffic impacts on surrounding streets as a result of the continued
closure of 59h Street. Additionally, the Committee directed staff to consider small area
traffic mitigation alternatives for surrounding streets. The Police Department reviewed
criminal offenses, arrests, and calls for service for the eighteen (I 8) month period of time
preceding and after the last resolution continuing the temporary closure of a portion of
59th Street east of Shattuck Avenue. The results of this review reflect that criminal
offenses increased ftom 429 to 472, arrests decreased from 94 to 91, and calls for service
decreased from 2,045 to 1,413. The Police Department noted that crime continues to be a
problem in and around the area of the 59t" Street barriers, and recommended retention of
the barriers.
The Transportation Services Division of the Public Works Agency conducted a study of
traffic impacts on surrounding streets of the 59h Street barriers, and found that the
closure of 59'h Street resulted in increased traffic. As part of the small area traffic
mitigation plan, speed bumps and stop signs have been installed to help regulate the flow
oftrafficonsurroundingstreets. On6l@StreetnearWashingtonElementarySchool,one
stop sign has been installed and additional signs may be installed in the near future.
Further a drop-off zone has been created in front of Washington Elementary School to
allow parents to drop off students and ease the traffic congestion dufing the beginning
and ending of the school day. The adverse traffic impacts on Shattuck Avenue, the main
artery abutting 59h and other streets in the area, resulted from the lack of enforcement of
traffic laws. The Police Department is aware of these problems, and greater enforcement
will be provided to ensure that motorists comply with all traffic laws-
Item to. ce-, Item
omm e
ORA/Council 2003
july 15, 2003
Robert C. Bobb
June 24, 2003 2
A portion of 59h Street cast of Shattuck Avenue has been closed in excess of nine (9)
years to protect the health and safety of the public by preventing through traffic, crime
and high-speed travel on this street. The Land Use and Transportation Element of
Oakland's General Plan allows for the design of local streets in a manner that creates
intimate neighborhood environments, provides primary access to abutting properties in
residential neighborhoods, and discourages through traffic, large traffic volumes, and
high-speed travel. The permanent closure of 59th Street east of Shattuck Avenue, along
with the installation of speed bumps and stop signs on surrounding streets, fulfills the
requirement that the City take every opportunity to explore street design and small-area
planning to minimize the adverse impacts to the environment, respect the importance of
pedestrian and bicycle movement and contribute to the overall quality of a neighborhood.
The City may adopt rules and regulations prohibiting ingress and egress to local streets
by means of roadway design features such as islands, curbs, and traffic barriers to
implement the Transportation Element of the City's General Plan. A resolution is
attached providing for the adoption of roadway design features to prohibit entry to and
exit from local streets, and the permanent closure of a portion of 59 1h Street east of
Shattuck Avenue.
FISCAL F"ACT
The existing concrete barriers at 59h Street east of Shattuck Avenue will be replaced by
more attractive permanent barriers. However, no significant fiscal impacts are
anticipated to remove the existing barriers and replace them with new and more attractive
barriers.
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21101.4, the City temporarily closed a
portion of 59th Street east of Shattuck Avenue for nine (9) years due to the existence of
serious and continual criminal activity on 59h Street and a belief that the removal of the
barriers would result in reoccurrence of the serious and continual criminal activity. On
December 3, 2002, the Public Safety Committee accepted staff s recommendation to
continue the temporary closure of a portion of 59h Street east of Shattuck Avenue to
preserve public health and safety and the status quo. The continued temporary closure
was also supported by the proximity of the location to Washington Elementary School
and Bushrod Recreation Center, and the safety concerns expressed by neighbors with
regard to crime. The Council adopted a resolution on December 17, 2002 continuing the
temporary closure of a portion of 591h Street east of Shattuck Avenue.
Staff was directed to conduct a review of crime and adverse traffic impacts on 59h and
surrounding streets, and small-area traffic alternatives on surrounding streets impacted by
the closure of 59'b Street. The Oakland Police Department conducted a review of
criminal offenses for the fifteen (15) month period preceding and the twelve (12) month
Robert C. Bobb
June 24, 2003
period following the last temporary closure of 59"' Street. Presented below are the results
of their review:
Jan 2000-May 2001 Jan 2001-Dec 2002
Offenses 429 472
-Arrests 94 9 1
-Calls for Service 2,045 1,413
The results for criminal offenses and arrests remain fairly stable. Although there was a
decrease in the number of calls for service during the last twelve month period, the
number of calls for service remained very high. The Police Department further related
that there were existing properties where drug activity is of a particular concern, and that
the barriers prevented access to these properties and other nearby drug activity.
Additionally, the Police Department related that the crime was worse before the
installation of the barriers, and would likely return if the barriers were removed. The
Police Department recommended the retention of the barriers.
The Transportation Services Division of the Public Works Agency conducted a study of
adverse traffic impacts on streets surrounding 59h Street east of Shattuck Avenue. The
study found the closure of 59th Street resulted in an increase of traffic and accidents on
surrounding streets. Further the Transportation Services Division expressed concern over
the increase of traffic on 61' Street where Washington Elementary School is located. As
part of the smaII-area traffic alternatives to alleviate traffic and other adverse impacts on
surrounding streets, speed bumps and additional stop signs were installed. To help
reduce traffic congestion in front of Washington Elementary School, a drop-off zone was
created whereby parents could drop off their children in the morning and pick them up in
the afternoon when the classes ended. The adverse traffic impacts on Shattuck Avenue,
the main artery abutting 59h and other streets in the area, were found to result from lack
of enforcement of traffic laws. The Police Department is aware of this problem and
greater enforcement of traffic laws shall occur in this area.
The Oakland Land Use and Transportation Element of the General Plan mandates that
local streets be designed in such a way that they create intimate neighborhood
environments, are used primarily to provide access to abutting properties in residential
neighborhoods, and discourage through traffic, large traffic volume, and high-speed
travel. Further the Land Use Transportation Element of the General Plan mandates that
the City take every opportunity to explore street design and small-area planning to
minimize adverse impacts to the environment, respect the importance of pedestrian and
bicycle movement, and contribute to the overall quality of a neighborhood. In addition to
the action cited above, the City may adopt rules and regulations prohibiting the entry to
and exit from local streets to implement the Transportation Element of the General Plan.
Robert C. Bobb
June 24, 2003 4
The attached resolution provides for the adoption of rules and regulations prohibiting
entry to and exit from local streets by means of roadway design features such as islands,
curbs, and traffic barriers to implement the Transportation Element of the City's General
Plan; and authorizes the use of appropriate roadway design features to permanently close
a portion of 591h Street east of Shattuck Avenue. Staff recommends the adoption of the
attached resolution.
SUSTAIENABLE OPPORTUNITIES
The permanent closure of 59th street to through traffic would enhance the safety of young
persons using the Bushrod Recreation Center and neighboring residents. Additionally,
the closure of 59h Street has reduced criminal activities and safety hazards created by
speeding through traffic on 59h street, east of Shattuck Avenue. The closure of 59 tb
Street has resulted in fewer calls for police service in 2002 compared to 2001.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Loitering or the presence of several persons engaged in criminal activities result in
increased litter and waste in public areas. The permanent closure of 59h Street prevents
persons desiring to engage in criminal activities from loitering and participating in such
activities, and this action might yield environmental benefits.
SOCIAL EQUITY
The permanent closure of a portion of 59h Street east of Shattuck Avenue will continue
to improve the perception of safety and the overall quality of life for neighboring
residents and young persons attending events at the nearby Bushrod Recreation Center.
DISABILITY AND SENIOR CITIZEN ACCESS
There are no disability and senior citizen access issues in this report.
RECOMMENDATION AND RATIONALE
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council approve a resolution
authorizing the permanent closure of a portion of 59"' street, east of Shattuck Avenue.
Rationale: The permanen closure of 59h street, east of Shattuck Avenue, is consistent
with the Transportation Element of the City's General Plan and will continue to protect
the public health and safety. The 59h street barrier has been in place for nine (9) years, is
close to a local school and recreation center, and neighboring residents have expressed
public safety concerns with regard to crime returning to this location if the barrier is
removed. The views of the neighboring residents are supported by the Chief of Police,
who also recommends the permanent closure of 59h Street east of Shattuck Avenue.
Robert C. Bobb
June 24,2003 5
ACTION REQUESTED OF TFIE CrFY COUNCIL
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the resolution authorizing the permanent
closure of a portion of 59h street, cast of Shattuck Avenue.
Respectfully submitted,
L Y OtL
PrearedCy Carroll
Administrati Hearing Officer
Special Activity Unit
APPROVED AND FORWARDED TO THE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:
OFF@lt OF/T"CITY MANAGER
Item /0--
ORA/Council
July 15, 2003
@)FFIC7
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
2LP103 4 0
RESOLUTION NO. C.M.S.
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAKLAND
ADOPTING RULES AND REGULATIONS PROHIBITING INGRESS/EGRESS
TO LOCAL STREETS BY MEANS OF ROADWAY DESIGN FEATURES SUCH
AS ISLANDS, CURBS, TRAFFIC BARRIERS, ETC., TO IMPLEMENT THE
TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT OF THE CITYS GENERAL PLAN AND
AUTHORIZING THE USE OF APPROPRIATE ROADWAY DESIGN
FEATURES TO PERMANENTLY PROHIBIT INGRESS/EGRESS TO 59TH
STREET EAST OF SHATTUCK
Whereas pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21101.4 and
following a number of public hearings establishing a high level of crime-related 9th
traffic problems occurring at this location, the City installed street barriers on 5
Street East of Shattuck; and
Whereas the street barriers have remained for over nine years and have
been fully integrated into the traffic routes and patterns at this location without a
major adverse impact on the delivery of emergency services; and
Whereas the Council finds that, from time to time, the heavy use of local
streets for through traffic related to criminal activity will conflict with the City's
goals of providing for the safety of its citizens, especially those who live along
such heavily traveled local streets; and
Whereas the Council finds that continuing concerns about traffic and
speeding related to criminal activity and supporting data collected by the Oakland
Police Department require that the street barriers at this location be permanently
retained in order to adequately protect public health and safety; and
Whereas the Council finds that there is a pressing need to implement a
program that provides for the permanent retention of traffic barriers on local
streets where such barriers have been previously placed pursuant to California
Vehicle Code Section 21101.4 and where the permanent retention of these
barriers would further public health and safety by discouraging through traffic,
crime and high speed travel on such streets; and
Whereas consistent with the responsibility of local governments to provide
for the health and safety of its citizens, California Vehicle Code Section 21 1 01 (f)
specifically authorizes cities to adopt rules and regulations prohibiting entry to,
exit from, or both, from any street by means of islands, curbs, traffic barriers or
other roadway design features to implement the circulation/transportation
element of a city's general plan; and Item 10-IaC-d-
ORA/Council
3uly 15, 2003
Whereas the Land Use and Transportation Element of Oakland's General
Plan provides 'that local streets should be designed in such a way thatthey
create intimate neighborhood environments; are used primarily to provide access
to abutting properties in residential neighborhoods; discourage through traffic,
large traffic volumes and high-speed travel; and
Whereas the Land Use and Transportation Element of Oakland's General
Plan requires the City to take every opportunity to explore street design and
small-area planning to minimize adverse impacts to the environment; respect the
importance of pedestrian and bicycle movement and contribute to the overall
quality of a neighborhood; and
Whereas Object N1 1.4 of the Oakland General Plan mandates that "The
City should be designed to allow community members to use City codes to
facilitate nuisance abatement in their neighborhood"; and
Whereas the Council finds that the adoption of this resolution is exempt
from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3) General rule of
no potential for causing significant impact and CEQA Guidelines section 15301 -
Existing Facilities; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Oakland that the following rules and regulations are hereby adopted and in
effect:
Use of Roadway Design Features to Prohibit Entry to or Exit from Local
Streets
1. Roadway Design Features, as set forth above, that would permanently
prohibit entry to or exit from a local street where such entry to and exit from has
been temporarily prohibited for a period of three years or more as a result of the
installation of temporary traffic design features pursuant to California Vehicle
Code Section 21101.4 may be allowed to permanently remain upon a
determination by the City Council that such measures are necessary to protect
public health and safety and help implement or are consistent with the Oakland
Land Use and Transportation Element of the General Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that street barrier at 59th Street East of
Shattuck deters traffic related to criminal activity and shall be permanently
retained as a roadway design feature that protects public safety and which is
consistent with and helps implement the Oakland Land Use and Transportation
Element of the General Plan.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA. 20
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES- BRUNNER. CHANG, BROOKS, NADEL, REID, QuAN, wA-N and PRESIDENT DE LA
FUENTE
NOES-
ABSENT-
ABSTENTION-
ATTEST
CEDA FLOYD
City Clerk and Clerk of the
Council
of the City of Oakland,
California
Item 10. 3 C2 (!,C.
ORA/Council
July 15, 2003