Staff recommends crosswalks, signage updates and a right‑turn pocket near San Marino Elementary

City staff presented the results of a traffic‑safety assessment around San Marino Elementary and recommended a package of measures to improve pedestrian safety.

Assistant City Engineer Dipdi Arabolo said counts taken during school arrival and dismissal showed 406 vehicles in the morning peak and 200 in the afternoon, with pedestrian crossings of 14 (AM) and 15 (PM). “The warrant requires 500 versus 40,” Arabolo said, referencing the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices standard for adult school crossing guards, and concluded the location did not meet the threshold for a crossing guard.

Instead, staff recommended three measures: (1) install a west‑leg crosswalk at Sanrio Drive and San Rolando Way to improve north–south pedestrian connections; (2) update school signage and ladder‑type markings to current California MUTCD standards (a mandatory change); and (3) optionally add a dedicated right‑turn pocket from San Rolando to Sanrio to reduce queuing and right‑turn conflicts—this would remove roughly three on‑street parking spaces. Staff estimated the sign/striping work at about $3,000–$5,000 and said crosswalk art is permissible under FHWA guidelines if it preserves the white transverse lines. Arabolo noted creative crosswalks typically need periodic maintenance and that art installation costs were roughly estimated at $30,000 with annual maintenance around $2,000.

Councilmembers supported proceeding with the mandatory signage updates and many expressed support for the other recommendations; staff said they would notify affected homeowners about parking changes and return with design details and any required budget appropriations.