Council keeps Lower Ocean two-way and directs ADA-focused Downtown improvements

Public works staff presented results of an updated traffic study and a summary from an Ocean Avenue town hall. The consultant and staff told the council that a one-way conversion of Lower Ocean to increase angled parking would produce "very little to no change" in level of service at four study locations but that public comment at the town hall and in follow-up emails had been broadly opposed to a one-way conversion.

Alpha Santos Ginsel, the public-works project manager, summarized the town-hall feedback: "All comments received were against the conversion of Lower Ocean Avenue," and listed business concerns about circulation, bump-outs and parking. Staff recommended focusing on safety and accessibility improvements that would not materially degrade circulation downtown.

Council members reached consensus to keep Lower Ocean two-way and to prioritize bump-outs and sidewalk widening at locations required under AB‑413 to meet ADA accessibility standards — notably the Ocean/Beach intersection and the transit-center area — while asking the design team to further study tree species and sizes to create a consistent downtown canopy (staff suggested larger specimen magnolias or other hardy street trees). Council also supported minor mid-block bump-outs that add planting opportunities without reducing net parking.

Next steps: staff will incorporate the council’s direction into design, take the concept to the Planning Commission for a concept review early next year, proceed with a level‑2 arborist risk assessment and continue public outreach on construction timing and traffic management during work. The council did not adopt a policy change tonight but provided clear direction to pursue ADA and streetscape improvements while retaining two-way traffic on Lower Ocean.