Traffic and Safety Commission reviews Olympic Boulevard study, approves curb changes and rejects parking‑tee plan

Montebello — The Traffic and Safety Commission heard a presentation on an Olympic Boulevard street‑safety feasibility study, reviewed multiple curb‑marking requests from residents and business owners, voted to reject a proposal for marked parking tees on three adjacent streets, and accepted staff data showing speed humps on Bradshaw Street reduced speeds.

The Olympic Boulevard feasibility briefing, delivered by city staff (identified in the record as Cesar), summarized collision and traffic‑count data and proposed pedestrian‑safety changes along the corridor from the city limits to Fourth Street. Cesar said the study reviewed collisions between January 2020 and December 2024 and found 65 collisions on Olympic Boulevard; he also reported average daily traffic counts “between 15,306, at peak.” Proposed engineering treatments include curb extensions (bulb‑outs), high‑visibility crosswalks, extended medians, ADA‑compliant curb ramps, targeted left‑turn restrictions at some intersections and bike turning boxes at Greenwood and Olympic. Staff said pave/striping and landscaping are part of the broader “complete streets” features under study and that outreach pop‑ups and social‑media postings will follow before items are taken to city council. One resident told commissioners, “I appreciate the study…it's a long time coming,” during public comment.

Why it matters: The study targets collision hot spots, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and circulation on a high‑traffic commercial corridor; proposed changes would alter curb geometry and turning movements at multiple intersections and will be shaped by community feedback and later council decisions.

On curb markings and parking items, the commission acted on several staff recommendations and resident requests: - 138 (red‑tipping): Staff recommended denying an on‑street disabled (blue) curb at 138 (applicant’s address) because the driveway exceeded the city’s width standard and provided off‑street parking; staff recommended and the commission approved 2 feet of red curb “tipping” on each side of the driveway instead. The motion to deny the blue curb and approve 2‑foot red tipping passed on roll call. Staff listed the action as requiring only routine maintenance funding. - 140 South Fifth Street (green zone): The commission approved a 20‑minute green curb/turnover zone for the market at 140 S. Fifth Street with standard signage and curb stenciling (7 a.m.–6 p.m., weekdays); staff estimated sign and post cost at about $350 and said maintenance funds are available. - 449 Via Norte Avenue (blue curb): Staff recommended denial because the driveway met width criteria, but the commission voted to approve the on‑street disabled parking (blue curb) at 449 Via Norte after discussion and member motions. The motion to install the blue curb at that location passed on roll call. - 847 West Deshires Road (blue curb): Staff recommended denial because an adequately wide driveway provided on‑site access; the commission voted to deny the blue‑curb request.

Parking tees and neighborhood layout: Staff presented a multi‑month engineering study and an attachment showing a proposed redesign for Wilbur Place, Beverly Terrace and Bradley Avenue at Beverly Boulevard that would have converted some segments to one‑way circulation and added marked parallel or angled stalls. The plan aimed to increase legal parking counts, but staff said community responses opposed the conversion and that parking tees (marked parallel parking stencils) could reduce total parking in places where residents currently squeeze multiple small vehicles into unmarked spaces.

Chair Beas moved to reject installation of the parking tees; Vice Chair Knox seconded. The commission voted to reject the staff recommendation to install marked parking tees on the three streets. Commissioners and members of the public debated alternatives such as a resident parking district (permit parking) and additional outreach; staff noted that parking‑district applications are handled by planning and require property‑owner petitions.

Bradshaw speed humps: Staff returned with a post‑installation speed study showing the installed speed humps reduced travel speeds. The traffic consultant’s counts showed 85th‑percentile speeds roughly 3 miles per hour over the posted 25 mph (i.e., about 28 mph) at surveyed locations after hump installation. Staff concluded the humps were effective as a traffic‑calming measure and the commission voted to receive and file the report.

Public comment and enforcement items: Public speakers raised neighborhood concerns including repeated requests for blue or red curb accommodations near family homes, parking conflicts near apartments, malfunctioning solar speed feedback signs on Garfield, and a railroad crossing on South Veil Street that some commissioners noted is controlled by the railroad and requires coordination with the railroad operator for repairs. Staff committed to follow up on individual applications and enforcement or operational matters.

Votes at a glance: - Approve July 28 minutes — Outcome: approved (yes: Takayama, O'Guin, Hernandez, Vice Chair Knox; abstain: Commissioner Sonia Hogan). Motion: Commissioner Takayama; second: Vice Chair Knox. (Yes: 4, Abstain: 1.) - Reject installation of marked parking tees on Wilbur Place/Beverly Terrace/Bradley Ave at Beverly Blvd — Outcome: rejected. Motion: Chair Beas; second: Vice Chair Knox. (Yes: Takayama, O'Guin, Hernandez, Vice Chair Knox, Chair Beas) (Yes: 5) - 138 (red tipping/blue curb request) — Outcome: deny blue curb; approve 2 ft red tipping each side. (Yes: 5) - 140 S. Fifth Street (20‑minute green zone) — Outcome: approved. Motion: Chair Beas; second: Commissioner Takayama. (Yes: 5) - 449 Via Norte Ave (disabled/blue curb) — Outcome: commission approved installation (motion by Vice Chair Knox; second Commissioner Takayama). (Yes: 5) Note: staff recommended denial. - 847 West Deshires Road (disabled/blue curb) — Outcome: denied. Motion: Commissioner Takayama; second: Commissioner Hernandez. (Yes: 5) - Bradshaw Street speed‑hump effectiveness report — Outcome: receive and file. Motion: Chair Beas; second: Vice Chair Knox. (Yes: 5)

What’s next: Staff said Olympic Boulevard concepts will be shown at neighborhood pop‑ups and on social media for community feedback; curb and parking changes require installation, signage, and coordination with maintenance budgets or separate resident petitions for permit parking where requested. Several resident curb requests will be followed up by engineering staff to confirm measurements and next steps.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to continue outreach on Olympic Boulevard and to follow up with residents and service providers on individual curb requests and enforcement concerns; additional formal actions will return as required by staff recommendations or resident petitions.