Vista council backs study of raised crosswalk, will consult Vista Unified on crossing guard

The Vista City Council directed staff to pursue plans for a raised pedestrian crossing near Foothill Oak Elementary and to consult Vista Unified School District about crossing-guard priorities, with a staff report and preliminary renderings due as part of the year-end fund discussion on Nov. 12.

Councilmember Melissa Contreras introduced the item, saying residents and parents had long requested a safer crossing along Oak Drive in front of the school. She described options ranging from a push-button flashing beacons installation (roughly $60,000) to a raised speed-table-style crossing with bulb-outs and more elaborate engineering (up to about $150,000).

Several parents and residents described near misses and speeding at arrival and dismissal times. “That would be extra safe,” parent Luis Torres said, asking the council to consider a crossing guard and an engineered crosswalk. Community speakers Myrna Casillas and Andy Rodriguez emphasized high pedestrian volumes and the need for a clear, visible crossing that would slow vehicles and reassure families.

City traffic staff said a raised crosswalk at the proposed location would be an appropriate improvement and noted a short section of Oak Drive is not designated as a fire response route; where street segments are on an adopted fire route, traffic-calming devices such as speed humps are restricted. Councilmembers discussed alternatives including standard crosswalks with flashing beacons, curb extensions, and speed tables. Several councilmembers asked staff to consult the school district about crossing-guard funding and priorities, and to return with cost estimates and renderings.

The council voted unanimously to include the project on the list for consideration in the upcoming year-end funding discussion, to ask staff to contact Vista Unified School District for input, and to provide preliminary renderings of a raised crossing with and without bulb-outs before Nov. 12.