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Bellflower selects one‑way design with bulb‑outs for Koch Avenue sidewalks after LADWP 'no‑build' constraint
Summary
After staff reported a 50‑foot LADWP no‑build radius around transmission poles and a potential 2½–3 year LADWP review for easement approvals, the council selected a one‑way traffic design with pedestrian bulb‑outs (option 2) for Koch Avenue and directed staff to add a mid‑block bulb‑out; Councilmember Coops recused on the item.
The Bellflower City Council voted on May 11 to advance a sidewalk and traffic‑calming design for Koch Avenue, selecting a one‑way north‑to‑south option with pedestrian bulb‑outs and a mid‑block bulb‑out to slow traffic.
Public works staff advised the council that Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) staff communicated two constraints: a 50‑foot no‑build radius measured from transmission tower footings that would prohibit sidewalks, curbs and related flat work within that buffer, and an estimated LADWP review/lease approval timeline of about 2½–3 years for any required easement or lease approvals. Staff described those constraints as significant for portions of the proposed alignment.
Staff presented two design alternatives: Option 1 would maintain two‑way traffic with a narrowed drive aisle and a sidewalk on the west side; Option 2 would convert Koch Avenue to one‑way northbound, allow pedestrian bulb‑outs at intersections (which create choke points to slow drivers), and retain on‑street parking. Staff and several councilmembers discussed tradeoffs including lane widths, on‑street parking loss, potential future conversion if traffic patterns prove problematic, and additional traffic‑calming measures (rumble strips, radar speed feedback signs and landscaping).
Councilmember Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez moved to direct the city manager to proceed with Option 2 and include a mid‑block bulb‑out for additional traffic calming as the traffic engineer deems appropriate. The motion passed on roll call with a 4–0 tally and one recusal (Councilmember Coops declared a property conflict and left the room for that item).
Staff said design work and surveys would proceed next, with an estimated design and survey period of a few months followed by bidding and outreach steps; staff cautioned that any work requiring LADWP easement approval could face a longer external timeline. The council asked staff to pursue outreach to neighboring jurisdiction Long Beach to seek a sidewalk connection where the city limit meets Long Beach’s jurisdiction.
What’s next: Staff will start design work for the selected option, coordinate required notifications to emergency responders, produce community outreach materials, and return with draft design documents and schedule for council review and bidding.
