Traffic committee moves updated 4-way stop recommendations to council after revisiting 2003-04 study

The Carmel-by-the-Sea Traffic Safety Committee voted May 28 to forward an updated set of recommended stop‑sign changes in the city’s Commercial District to the city council with a staff report and supporting documents.

Committee Chair Paul Tomasi reviewed an earlier Higgins & Associates traffic study (circa 2003–2005) and told members that the original report recommended changes at 15 intersections in the Commercial District. The committee noted that some of those intersections have been converted to 4‑way stops over the intervening years, and staff proposed modifications to the original list to reflect changed traffic patterns and modern vehicle characteristics.

The committee’s updated recommendations included converting San Carlos Street at Fifth Avenue to a 4‑way stop, adding 3‑way or 4‑way stop control at several Monte Verde and Lincoln intersections, and adding “cross traffic does not stop” signage at San Carlos & Sixth and Mission & Sixth. The committee recorded a total of seven intersection changes in the current proposal, which staff said would result in roughly 16 new stop signs overall if adopted.

Committee members discussed safety and operational concerns raised in the earlier study, including past fire department objections to converting some intersections near the fire station because of potential traffic backup delaying emergency response. Staff noted those exceptions would remain and that the updated recommendations intentionally exclude intersections where emergency‑response delays had previously been documented.

The committee voted to send the updated recommendations and supporting materials to city council with a staff report so council can review, ask questions, and either adopt or amend the proposal. If council adopts the plan, staff said implementation could begin after council action and any necessary public outreach and sign installation.