[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6429274,"mediaKeyId","5897085-f465bebb06de1e43ca2b411de9618050","parentId",5897085,"title","Commission supports traffic calming on Unicornio Street after neighborhood survey shows strong backing","audioSeconds",1273,"startMs",4426000,"endMs",5699000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897085-f465bebb06de1e43ca2b411de9618050&start=4426&end=5699","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897085-f465bebb06de1e43ca2b411de9618050/thumbnail_4426000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6429274/Carlsbad/San-Diego-County/California/Commission-supports-traffic-calming-on-Unicornio-Street-after-neighborhood-survey-shows-strong-backing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429274-378b0a7fe70af4f2136a52b77ec908c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122118&Signature=LfAI6b5hD3qSlqMfPElF2Zbi80KGLI42ud1oiBs~HlysWiSlSspnkzsrq-gXgSe8~hTDEU~lpXTdjEqrIULL0r2rcDQDUOV3~1ylH9NbLNXphojSE2JNFDRrNy8ml~kvg-Y5sR~a3sQ0fgypxduT6KFwqxunMGWBFPgjcWp7dth~lzt9Wla-rs1i~XHZvFBdVp21KVs8mZhWfr-3ubO2ZEJ34yZICdmCTtxQb3h3-U03ruMDEBr-FR7Efi5xW3jU4ER6sZgP0wyBOasNud-VcYbMbiH5MtvenqPmFfMEXJHuGFl97rYLMj8IvJRChkdhXJqPdDQc-ysJTdM9CR~LgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Carlsbad","date","2025-10-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission recommended that staff proceed with design and City Council approval steps for a traffic calming plan on Unicornio Street that would add two speed cushions and a stop sign at Kakatua Street after staff's phase-1 data collection and a neighborhood mail survey.

Senior engineer Miriam James and associate engineer Mindy Pham summarized the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program (CRTMP) and the Phase 2 process. Pham said temporary speed feedback signs were deployed to gather speed data and that Unicornio met the program's threshold for Phase 2: the measured critical speed was 32 miles per hour (the speed at or below which 85% of drivers were traveling). \"The critical speed on Unicorno is measured at 32 miles per hour,\" Pham said.

Key features of the proposed plan:
- Location and scope: the project covers Unicornio Street from Rancho Cortez to El Fuerte, roughly 1,200 feet.
- Proposed treatments: two speed cushions spaced about 400 feet apart and a stop sign on Kakatua Street (the side street), in response to resident requests.
- Community support: a mailed survey to property owners/residents returned an 81% response rate with 92% support, exceeding program thresholds (minimum 50% response and 67% approval).
- Safety data: staff reported a maximum recorded speed of 49 mph during data collection; Pham said staff could provide a more detailed breakdown of the percentage of drivers exceeding 25 mph on request.

Public comment: David Pierce (Aviara area) praised the proposal, noting that Unicornio is a downhill stretch where drivers can gain speed; he said he was \"thrilled\" with the plan.

Design and safety notes: commissioners raised questions about cushion geometry and cyclist safety. Staff said the city maintains design specifications for speed cushions, including edge transition slopes and a one-foot transition zone at each cushion edge; cushions were designed with a wheel gap to allow emergency vehicles to pass with minimal deflection. Staff committed to ensuring construction follows the specifications and to having inspectors verify the finished edges during installation.

Process and timeline: staff will prepare construction documents and return final plans to the commission and then to City Council for authorization to bid. Staff projected the next design and approval steps would occur over coming months; construction timing depends on Council authorization and bidding.

Action: The commission made a motion to support the proposed traffic calming plan for Unicornio Street; the motion passed with five yes votes and one no.

Quotes (exact): \"The critical speed on Unicorno is measured at 32 miles per hour,\" Mindy Pham said. David Pierce said: \"I'm thrilled with this proposal. It's fantastic to get people to slow down who, really should know better.\" Staff also noted a recorded maximum speed of 49 mph on the street during data collection.

Clarifying details provided to the commission included the CRTMP thresholds (Phase 2 eligibility at critical speed >=32 mph), the survey results (81% response, 92% support), and design details (two cushions, approximately 400 feet apart, with a wheel gap for emergency vehicles). Staff said they will return with final plans and additional data on speed distributions as requested by commissioners.

Ending: With the commission's support, staff will complete detailed design documents and bring the item to City Council for authorization to bid and construct; the commission requested that staff include detailed speed-distribution data and maximum-speed breakdowns with future design materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Traffic and Mobility Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented a Phase 2 traffic calming plan for Unicornio Street that proposed two speed cushions and a new stop sign at Kakatua Street; the commission supported the plan and staff will complete design and return with final plans and a City Council authorization to bid.","taxTitle","Carlsbad, San Diego County, California","taxId",2843,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429277,"Commission backs staff recommendation for all-way stop at State Street and Laguna Drive; will seek City Council ordinance",1842,2554000,4396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897085-f465bebb06de1e43ca2b411de9618050&start=2554&end=4396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897085-f465bebb06de1e43ca2b411de9618050/thumbnail_2554000.jpg","/articles/6429277/Carlsbad/San-Diego-County/California/Commission-backs-staff-recommendation-for-all-way-stop-at-State-Street-and-Laguna-Drive-will-seek-City-Council-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429277-e0876a38b9529df20b5d3587373136aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122118&Signature=PLVjiLjzutuVkpFi6rACpTrYc8KTTUWLrSCBwUPFYphLaAFccyzj4H5DOVKKaxBvqpLVV2s13zxdcDfc-XMTkSAQM1ZfNTmhxKBm8L63wVm-YmoDE1NWrP4yXja0VRkEJS~M20TOp-JEhU~98h22MrncQqlM30Tuov-cJjv1tvw76NLtJjhwZvaca7pfBydZkfr3jxogFlw6t05ROEBVKQ4cKf3u3F0lcZE1NxU6fs1kIFv12pDZbCfTT15GHN5RZ8gfXEBbfLcrB-6RwVhyOz-DK~905RdrhjRJZMkA-TAKZAUx54eDesjZMg~BlbPFYVaK3kjOR-JyhX6ZObRr2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Traffic engineering staff recommended—and the Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission supported—installing an all-way stop at the intersection of State Street and Laguna Drive in Carlsbad Village to improve pedestrian safety near Maxton Brown Park and new residential development.

Senior engineer Miriam James and associate engineer Mindy Pham presented the staff analysis, which followed the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) multi-way stop criteria. Pham said primary MUTCD criteria (collision history, major/minor street volumes and delays) were not fully met, but two optional criteria were satisfied: higher pedestrian volumes near the park and limited sight distance at some approaches. \"Based on the collected data, there is a total of 326 pedestrians crossing on a typical weekday at this intersection,\" Pham said.

Staff's technical findings included:
- Speed limits: State Street is posted at 25 mph and Laguna Drive at 30 mph.
- Collision history: one reported collision from Jan. 2023 to Dec. 2024 (insufficient to meet the MUTCD primary criterion for collisions).
- Sight distance: northbound visibility on State Street is partially obstructed by parked vehicles; providing the required 150 feet of stopping sight distance would require 17 feet of additional red curb but staff recommended against removing more on-street parking given village parking demand.
- Pedestrian counts: staff reported 326 weekday pedestrian crossings, prompting optional-criteria consideration for an all-way stop.
- Rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) devices are allowed only at uncontrolled crossings; installation of an all-way stop would require removal of the existing RRFB at the intersection.

Public commenters who live or own property near the intersection urged the commission to approve the stop. David Farris (Laguna Point condominiums) described parked vehicles and limited sight lines, and Eric Hefner, president of the Ocean 17 HOA, said the intersection was \"a matter of time\" before a serious injury if conditions did not change.

The commission discussed potential traffic queuing and impacts on a nearby roundabout; staff said queuing was not expected to reach the roundabout and recommended a phased pedestrian-crossing striping approach. Staff noted the north-leg crosswalk could not be marked immediately because an ADA-compliant ramp on the west side is missing and would be added as a future CIP project. The installation of the all-way stop also would require City Council adoption of an ordinance to establish the stop legally; staff said once the ordinance is adopted they would install the signs and pavement markings.

Action: A motion to support the staff recommendation to install an all-way stop was made and seconded; the commission vote passed 5 to 0. (A commissioner was absent.)

Quotes (exact): \"Based on the collected data, there is a total of 326 pedestrians crossing on a typical weekday at this intersection,\" Mindy Pham said. David Farris said: \"The parking on Laguna Drive has constantly been filled ... you cannot see 150 feet down that street.\" Eric Hefner said residents at Ocean 17 \"fully support staff's recommendation to go forward with the 4 way stop.\"

Next steps: Staff will forward the commission's recommendation to City Council for an ordinance; after council adoption staff will remove the RRFB and install stop signs and associated pavement markings. Staff also committed to follow up if sight-line concerns persist after installation.

Ending: The commission recommended the all-way stop in response to pedestrian safety concerns and resident testimony; implementation depends on subsequent City Council ordinance and scheduling of construction and marking work by staff.","Traffic staff recommended installing an all-way stop at State Street and Laguna Drive in Carlsbad Village to address pedestrian safety and sight-line concerns; the commission voted to support the recommendation and will forward it to City Council for an ordinance and installation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429281,"Carlsbad legislative subcommittee outlines city advocacy, flags AB 2,234 e-bike provisions for local action",1761,121000,1882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897085-f465bebb06de1e43ca2b411de9618050&start=121&end=1882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897085-f465bebb06de1e43ca2b411de9618050/thumbnail_121000.jpg","/articles/6429281/Carlsbad/San-Diego-County/California/Carlsbad-legislative-subcommittee-outlines-city-advocacy-flags-AB-2234-e-bike-provisions-for-local-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429281-a53d7e477c14e6b75442edc801d7f05b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122118&Signature=aGEZ6tLmBBK7OvHEB4Wf6hQ6Vhk7Ere2ay47-vJAQpbrhZ0S4PBrB66Wmm9ANKT0EMh8vg4OB15spfWLBG4HHW8Q6Grt4AkzebkKLj3ZF1kNztw3hOcbRnvKH3e0XFLt6ALk4je-EsOKIk3QFBeXl8t78g1qJ7ibejgIGwD3-M8DvE1tMLm5GR3UsK3lmxYuY4SnEqMvwKeSvENf2grAxzUEOL~kHCmokMDBJl46epxx68k1TRkxd10F22J06KZlTzuzbogfa5KXVprk0GDr3oYXUrTT7tQiC~ObGz1O5CaQGQaxqd4LHJxsroV3TwyH~Ga0~FGKkNaIktBMSR6kLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jason Haber, the city's intergovernmental affairs director, and Councilmember Acosta appeared before the Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission to review Carlsbad's legislative program and recent state legislation the city tracked.

The presentation summarized the city's legislative platform, a 2019 council resolution and City Council Policy No. 39 that together set advocacy priorities; described the city's use of lobbyists and partnerships with the League of California Cities and National League of Cities; and listed bills the city has sponsored or tracked in recent sessions. \"My name is Jason Haber. I'm the city's intergovernmental affairs director,\" Haber said as he opened the update.

The update noted five bills Carlsbad sponsored since February 2022 that have become law, highlighted AB 2,234 (an e-bike-related bill), and described a 2024 Brown Act exception bill the city sponsored to allow closed-session cybersecurity discussions. Councilmember Acosta said the subcommittee has also pushed for legislation tied to lifeguarding and employee protections.

Why it matters: the commission's duties overlap with several transportation and public-safety items in the city platform. Staff told the commission they will carry the commission's prior recommendations on AB 2,234 and additional short-term measures to the full City Council at a tentative Dec. 4 meeting.

Key points from the briefing:
- Legislative platform and process: the platform is reviewed annually and gives staff authority to take positions (support, oppose, watch, support if amended). The city uses state/federal lobbyists and a grant writer to pursue funding and policy outcomes.
- Bills and outcomes: the city has sponsored bills on lifeguarding flexibility (2022), an employee temporary restraining order authority (2023), AB 2,234 (e-bike-related) and an authorizing bill to allow cybersecurity closed sessions (AB 2,715). Haber said the original concepts behind some measures were amended in Sacramento for reasons including cost, administrative limits and legal constraints.
- AB 2,234 and commission recommendations: the commission's earlier suggestions included endorsing the bill's under-12 e-bike prohibition, considering a 16-and-over passenger restriction, researching inclusion in a Marin County pilot to restrict some class 2 e-bikes, requiring helmet use for all e-bike riders, and seeking broader state authority for cities to license and register e-bikes or raise minimum ages. Staff said some items were removed from the bill during negotiations but the city may pursue them in future legislation or local regulatory steps.
- Next steps: staff will assemble recommendations the commission gave previously and several recommendations that could be implemented without state law; those will be forwarded to the City Council tentatively on Dec. 4.

Public comment: David Pierce, a resident of the Aviara area, spoke during public comment, urging caution about local-control arguments and expressing concern that state action to supersede local development limits had been necessary in the past. Pierce also cautioned against mandatory e-bike insurance, saying it could undercut the cost advantages of bike travel for some families.

Quotes from the meeting (exact): \"There is a lot of work to be done and I know Mr. Haber's gonna go over the bills that we have sponsored, from the city of Carlsbad,\" Councilmember Acosta said. David Pierce said, \"If it weren't for the state, superseding development maximums, we would probably still have that limit in the city of Carlsbad.\" Jason Haber summarized the commission's prior recommendations: \"To adopt the under 12 e-bike rider ban ... consider adopting a rule that would prohibit riders that are 16 from carrying passengers on e-bikes ... [and] recommend researching the feasibility of including Carlsbad in another bill ... as a pilot program.\"

What the city will do next: staff will consult with the police department and city attorney to identify near-term local measures that do not require state action and will compile the commission's recommendations for a City Council agenda item in early December.

Background and limits: staff emphasized the difficulty of changing state law and noted that some originally-discussed items were removed from AB 2,234 because of cost, administrative or legal constraints. The presentation also described other bills the city tracked this year, including SB 79 (density/height near transit) and SB 358 (revised developer fee treatment), which the city opposed and which were on the governor's desk at the time of the briefing.

Ending: The commission did not take a formal vote on the legislative update; staff left the commission with an invitation to forward ideas to the legislative subcommittee or to attend subcommittee meetings. Staff noted the city posts its platform and letters of support/opposition to bills publicly and encouraged commissioners to submit proposed language for the platform if they wish.","City intergovernmental staff and Councilmember Acosta briefed the Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission on the council's legislative program, recent sponsored bills and next steps on AB 2,234; staff will bring a set of recommended local actions to City Council on Dec. 4.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission supports traffic calming on Unicornio Street after neighborhood survey shows strong backing

Commission backs staff recommendation for all-way stop at State Street and Laguna Drive; will seek City Council ordinance

Carlsbad legislative subcommittee outlines city advocacy, flags AB 2,234 e-bike provisions for local action