Carmel council approves additional stop signs in commercial district, asks 6-month effectiveness report

The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council voted 4-1 Aug. 5 to install additional stop signs at intersections in the city's commercial district and to request a six-month traffic impact report from the police department.

Councilmembers approved the measure after a presentation by Acting Police Chief Todd Trier, who recommended new signs at seven intersections including the post office (San Carlos and Fifth Avenue) and the downhill approach points on Fifth and Sixth at Monteverde. Trier said improved signage and a public awareness rollout would reduce risks from drivers unfamiliar with local traffic patterns.

The council majority said consistency across downtown intersections would improve safety for drivers and pedestrians. "We want people to know when they are in the downtown core they will encounter consistent stop control," Mayor Byrne said during discussion. Council member Barron cast the lone dissenting vote.

Trier told the council he had reviewed two years of collision reports for the subject intersections and found 11 collisions total (property damage only) concentrated at Lincoln with Fifth and Sixth and at the post-office intersection. He proposed a public information campaign and a sign-installation sequence designed to make the changes notice-able to visitors and residents.

The resolution (Council file: 2025-071) directs the police department to return in six months with a traffic-impact assessment and recommended next steps. The council also discussed enforcement strategy and whether new signs should be followed immediately by ticketing or by a warning period; Trier said the department would pursue outreach and then enforcement as needed.

By taking the action, the council authorized Public Works to install the signs at the approved intersections and asked staff to include cost estimates in the follow-up report. Public Works estimated the materials cost for all proposed signs would be about $10,000; the staff rollout will allocate labor and installation timing.

The measure passed on a roll call vote with Council member Barron voting no and the remaining councilmembers voting yes. The police department will begin public outreach and will return to council with the six-month report that will include collision counts, enforcement data and any recommended modifications.

The new signs will be installed on a schedule intended to give residents and visitors advance notice through the city website and local media.

Provenance: The subject was introduced by Acting Chief Trier during the post-dinner session and the roll call adopting the resolution occurred later in the meeting.