1. Install a 4-way Stop Sign with a crosswalk at Overland Ave. and Tennessee Ave. This simple act by the City would greatly reduce 5 of the 8 above described problems. It would eliminate cross traffic accidents as cars could now safely traverse Overland Ave. at Tennessee Ave. It would reduce the number of accidents as residents enter and exit their driveways as it will cause a break in traffic, thus allowing the homeowner safe passage to and from their homes. It would also allow pedestrians to cross safely at this intersection. Finally, it would significantly reduce speeding as it would cause vehicles headed in either direction to slow down, come to a stop and continue on their way at a reduced speed as they now no longer have 2 blocks to speed down. (This was completed with the installation the stop signs in August 2004, the northeast wheelchair access ramp in August 2005, and the marked crosswalks in September 2005.)

2. Removal of the Left Turn Arrow at Olympic Bl. and Overland Ave. which sends traffic south onto Overland Ave. This simple act will have a positive effect on the 6 of the 8 previously described problems. Overland Ave., being a narrow residential street, is poorly suited for a left turn arrow. Rather, the wider thoroughfares of Beverly Glen and Westwood Bl. are better suited for left turn arrows, yet they don't have them. By the way, no one did an impact study nor consulted the residents on Overland Ave. when the arrow was installed.

3. Install No Left Turn Signs onto Overland Ave. from Pico Bl. and Olympic Bl. during the peak hours of 7am-10am and 3pm-7pm. This simple act will have a positive effect on the 8 previously described problems.

4. Remove the Secondary Highway Designation for Overland Avenue as it fails to meet the legal definition for that designation. The legal definition can be found in the Los Angeles General Plan - Transportation Element, which was adopted by the City Council, on September 8, 1999, which includes the existing highways and freeways element which were first adopted in 1959 and states as follows:

"LOS ANGELES: STREET DESIGNATIONS AND STANDARDS CHAPTER VI (A)(3) defines the standards for a "secondary highway" as having a 90 foot row, a 10 foot sidewalk/parkway; 19 foot curb lane; 4 full time pass through lanes; all day parking; and 1 median left turn lane. For secondary highways, there is also a provision for "pedestrian priority segments" which include a 15 foot sidewalk/parkway; and 8 foot curb parking; four full time full through lanes; and all day parking."

Clearly, Overland Avenue between Pico Blvd. and Santa Monica Blvd. does not meet the aforementioned definition as it is precisely only 30 feet across, which is substantially less than the 90 foot requirement for this designation. In addition, secondary highway classification can only be had for streets with four lanes of traffic; Overland Avenue only has two lanes of traffic. Therefore, Overland Avenue between Pico Blvd. and Santa Monica Blvd. does not even meet the most basic definition of a secondary highway and this designation should be removed immediately. This designation change will have a positive effect on the 8 previously described problems. (Partially completed in December 2004, awaiting change to be made by the City Planning Department to the neighborhood traffic management plan.)

5. Install Speed Bumps on Overland Ave. between Pico Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard. There are speed bumps designs that can accommodate emergency vehicles. Other municipalities, such as the City of Santa Monica, currently have installed the alternative speed reduction methods on their streets to accommodate emergency vehicles. In fact, Manning, in the City of Los Angeles, has speed bumps and emergency services are still able to reach them. Speed bumps will have a positive effect on the 8 previously described problems.

6. More School Crossing Signs and a Smart Light Cross-Walk for Westwood Charter Elementary School. Currently the signage on Overland Ave. regarding the school is inadequate to ensure the safety of the children attending the school. This act by the City would greatly reduce 3 of the 8 above described problems. Making persons more aware of the school will cause drivers to be more conscientious about their driving and will reduce the chance of an accident by crossing pedestrians. (Signs and improved crosswalks installed in August 2004 and November 2005.)

7. Continue to support the elimination of the originally planned addition of Two Left Turn Lanes feeding into Overland Ave. as proposed in the street widening of Santa Monica Blvd. This will have a positive effect on all 8 previously described problems. Overland Ave., being a narrow residential street, is poorly suited for two left turn lanes at Santa Monica Bl. Rather, the wider thoroughfares of Beverly Glen and Westwood Bl. are better suited for vehicles needing to travel southbound from Santa Monica Bl. By the way, no one did an impact study nor consulted the residents on Overland Ave. when deciding to put in two left turn lanes.

8. The re-striping of Overland Ave. South of Pico Blvd. to encourage vehicles to travel single file upon crossing Pico Blvd. This would force drivers to recognize that they are entering a narrower part of the street and cause them to merge in an orderly fashion; rather than racing each other to get ahead as the street narrows from two lanes into one lane. Thus, the street should be re-striped so that the cars can travel equally north and south bound on Overland Ave. rather than having two lanes of traffic racing by the homes on the north bound side and backed up traffic on the south bound side. This act by the City would greatly reduce the 8th identified problem described above. (Completed August 2004.)