Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Traffic Safety Tree Visibility topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
UFAC asks Public Works to address trees blocking traffic signs, votes to send recommendations
Summary
After public comment documenting street signs and signals obscured by vegetation, the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee voted unanimously to send recommendations to Public Works, ask for coordination with Parks, and request a report back from Public Works director Rob Tobin at the next meeting.
The Urban Forestry Advisory Committee voted unanimously to ask Public Works to evaluate and respond to a set of recommendations aimed at preventing trees and other vegetation from obstructing traffic signs and signals. The committee's action followed public comment from Mark Wisniewski, who presented examples and a set of proposed standards.
Traffic signs and signal sightlines that are obscured by tree growth can create safety risks for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Wisniewski pointed the committee to regional clearance standards and recommended a routine, documented inspection program, prioritized street schedules, contractor verification before payment and, where appropriate, vegetation removal instead of repeated pruning.
Wisniewski told the committee he had used the San Diego Regional Urban Forest Council clearance standards and that the standards include rules such as “line of sight … shall not be obstructed by tree growth from a clear view by motor vehicle operators.” He urged the city to adopt an inspection and verification procedure and to “completely remove vegetation so that it cannot regrow and block the sign again.”
Committee members discussed three practical avenues: (1) ask Public Works how it will respond to the recommendations; (2) request coordination between Public Works and Parks & Recreation where responsibilities overlap; and (3) consider a city-side work‑order review so recurring problem locations are tracked and evaluated for longer‑term fixes rather than repeated short‑term pruning.
City arborist Hansen told the committee the city manages roughly 20,000 trees and that most visibility work is still handled on an as‑reported basis: “it is a lot of it is driven by public outreach from people. I mean, we do get a lot of requests, and we do deal with it as they come in pretty quickly.” Hansen said many visibility issues are addressed in‑house and that work orders are detailed and searchable when submitted through the city’s reporting system. Committee members asked staff to consider adding a specific “signage visibility” category to the My Encinitas app to make public reporting clearer and faster.
The committee approved a motion—moved by Chairman Lefkowitz and seconded by Committee Member Marchini—to voice support for Wisniewski’s recommendations, request coordination between Public Works and Parks, ask Public Works to explore a recurring work‑order review for problem locations, and request Public Works Director Rob Tobin provide suggestions and a report at the next UFAC meeting. The motion passed with all six members present voting yes.
Next steps: Melissa (UFAC staff) will forward Wisniewski’s written materials and the committee’s request to Rob Tobin (Public Works) and ask him to attend the next UFAC meeting to report on how Public Works proposes to handle inspections, tracking and interdepartmental coordination.
