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Seaside commission approves study to convert Contra Costa Street to southbound one‑way to improve safety and access
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Summary
After staff briefed the commission on a proposed one‑way conversion of Contra Costa Street from West Broadway to Palm to improve safety and business access, the commission approved moving forward and asked staff to coordinate with fire and other agencies on implementation details.
The Seaside commission voted to advance a proposal to convert Contra Costa Street to one‑way southbound from West Broadway to Palm Avenue, a change staff said could improve safety, slow speeds and support downtown businesses.
Aaron Hahn summarized a 2022 parking study by DKS consultants and the more focused current proposal. "Reconfiguring to one way southbound could provide adjacent neighboring businesses and residences potentially limited access and could divert traffic into the alleyways," Hahn said, noting safety and access tradeoffs and that staff could not replicate the earlier study’s claimed net gain of stalls.
Business owners and residents told the commission the one‑way conversion has potential to slow speeds, increase nearby parking accessibility and create a more pedestrian‑friendly environment. One restaurant owner said some blocks are primarily sit‑down restaurants and that longer customer stays merit parking strategies that differ from two‑hour turnover policies. "We need people to stay as long as they can because that's what makes us operate," a downtown business representative said.
A motion to approve staff’s recommendation to pursue the one‑way conversion was seconded and passed in committee. Commissioners directed staff to coordinate with fire and public safety officials and to return with final striping, ADA and emergency vehicle access plans before advancing the change to full council for implementation approval.
