1. Re-designation of little Overland Ave. from a Secondary Highway to a Collector Road.

On June 23, 2004, Councilmember Jack Weiss announced at the Westwood South of Santa Monica Homeowners Association meeting that he introduced legislation to re-designate Little Overland Ave. from a Secondary Highway to a Collector Road earlier that same day.

As of October 1, 2004, there has been no movement on the passing of the legislation introduced by Councilmember Weiss on June 23, 2004. It appears that both the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Planning Department have to prepare reports regarding the legislation. The DOT has begun theirs while the Planning Department is yet to start preparing their report.

On October 8, 2004, representatives received the October 5, 2004 Report on Re-designation from DOT General Manager Wayne Tanda to the Transportation Committee Chairperson Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa which opposed re-designation and suggested widening of the street.

On October 27, 2004, members of the Overland Avenue Community, many wearing their red “Save Little Overland” T-shirts, attended the Transportation Committee Meeting held downtown. The Committee clearly understood that the root cause of our public safety concern is the nature and degree of traffic on our street and we appreciated their firm commitment to improving our quality of life. The Committee also commented that they were impressed by the tremendous showing of people who had taken the time out of their day to come to City Hall in support of this type of legislation.

On November 10, 2004, members of the Overland Avenue Community, again many wearing their red “Save Little Overland” T-shirts, attended the Transportation Committee Meeting held downtown. Councilmember Jack Weiss commended the members of the Overland Avenue Community for both the organizational efforts and for the impressive amount of people willing to take time out of their busy lives to attend the meeting. Councilmember Weiss then made a powerful presentation to the Transportation Committee regarding the basis for his Motion and his support behind the members of the Overland Avenue Community. DOT was also provided an opportunity to present their opposition to the Motion. Finally, several Overland Avenue Community members, including a very courageous appearance by Carolyn Rowan, spoke in favor of Councilmember Weiss’ Motion. Upon the conclusion of all speakers, Councilmember Tom LaBonge moved to pass the Motion and Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa seconded the Motion. The Motion was then approved by the Transportation Committee and will be forwarded to the Planning, Land Use and Management Committee for their review and approval.

On November 23, 2004, the issue of re-designating Little Overland Avenue was waived out of the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee by Committee Chair Councilmember Ed Reyes and sent back to the Transportation Committee Clerk for a final report and submission to the full City Council to be voted on December 14, 2004.

On December 14, 2004, the full City Council voted unanimously in favor of Councilmember Weiss’ motion to re-designate Overland Avenue between Santa Monica Boulevard and Pico Boulevard from a Secondary Highway to a Collector Road with traffic calming measures to be implemented. Numerous members of the Overland Avenue Community, wearing their red “Save Little Overland” T-shirts, were present for this meeting of the full City Council held downtown and witnessed first hand the vote for re-designation take place. Having the undivided attention of the full City Council, Councilmembers Jack Weiss, Antonio Villaraigosa, Ed Reyes and Tom LaBonge took the time before the vote to express their understanding of the importance of the issue before them and to express that they were impressed by the extraordinary organization of the residents of Little Overland Avenue, by the persuasiveness of the residents in making the case for a safer street and by the tremendous showing of people who had taken the time out of their day to come to City Hall in support of this type of legislation.

the agenda

the final vote!

On February 26, 2005, in response to the question of whether or not the Planning Department has prepared and made the plan amendments to the General Plan and Community Plan elements to reflect that Overland Avenue between Santa Monica Boulevard and Pico Boulevard has been re-designated from a Secondary Highway to a Collector Road, CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom stated the Planning Department has not begun to work on the Community Plan amendments. He stated that certain environmental clearances may need to be met, which will prolong the process and he is unclear if the Council Office can effect the decision as to whether the environmental clearances are necessary. Once this work is complete it will go to the City Planning Commission (CPC) and then back to Council. Following the adoption by Council the re-designation becomes official

On May 27, 2005, in response to an April 11, 2005 email asking ?Whether or not the Planning Department has prepared and made the plan amendments to the General Plan and Community Plan elements to reflect that Overland Avenue between Santa Monica Boulevard and Pico Boulevard has been re-designated from a Secondary Highway to a Collector Road?,? CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom stated the Planning Department still had not assigned the re-designation to a staff member. He further stated that this wasn't unusual as the Planning Department told him that they've had street re-designations sitting in their office for several years due to staffing problems. He did, however, state that Councilmember Jack Weiss has directed his Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Community and Planning, Renee Schillaci, to work with the Planning Department in expediting the process. As of May 25, 2005, Ms. Schillaci is still trying to work something out with senior planning staff.

In or about April, 2004, the DOT painted an edge line along the east side of little Overland Ave. demarking the parking lane in order to address side-swiping of parked vehicles.

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(Completed: April 2004)

2. With the scheduled June 2004 resurfacing of big Overland Ave. between Pico Bl. and Notre Dame H.S., DOT will change the striping going northbound on Overland Ave., south of Pico Bl., to reduce the two northbound through lanes to a single lane before the cars cross Pico Bl. so that the cars will already be in single file when traversing Overland Ave.

In or about June, 2004, DOT changed the striping going northbound on Overland Ave., south of Pico Bl., to reduce the two northbound lanes to a single lane before the cars cross Pico Bl. so that the cars will already be in a single file when traversing Overland Ave.

On August 30, 2004, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated the arrow pavement markings have been installed. There are two "double right turn" regulatory signs for northbound traffic, one at beginning and one at the intersection. There are advanced warning signs that indicate that northbound curb lane becomes a right-turn-only lane. Also, on the signal mastarm there is "double left-turn, no U-turn" sign. There is no need for additional lane assignment signs.

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(Completed: August 2004)

3. At the cost of $7,000 to $14,000, DOT will install a speed display sign that reads “25 mph” and underneath that “your speed” with the display that shows the vehicle speed.

DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated that the above depends on finding overtime monies to fund the design and construction. DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated she believes the speed display sign is very necessary; that DOT needs overtime funds for its design group and that DOT also needs to work with DWP to lay down the source conduit to power the sign or, if this is not possible, then a solar unit that operates 12 hours a day could be installed. Notwithstanding, she stated that the expected completion time for this installation is within the next six months.

On August 30, 2004, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated that DOT can expedite the installation of the speed display signs by using the in-stock solar units instead of signs that require a/c electrical power source from DWP. DOT will install one sign to face northbound traffic south of Tennessee (near Address #2346), and one sign to face southbound traffic north of Tennessee (near Address #2235). DOT will still to do a design sketch/plan in order to sort out the substructure issues for the foundation work hence she doesn't have the exact time frame. She guesses DOT can probably accomplish this within two months.

On October 10, 2004, in the Westwood Charter Elementary School Auditorium, the Overland Avenue Community came together for a second general meeting regarding the traffic problems associated with ?Little Overland? Avenue between Pico and Santa Monica Boulevards. All present agreed that we do not want these installed. If there is no money for the mitigations stated below, it hard to believe that DOT has $7,000 per speed display to spend. It may be better to spend the $7,000 per sign on other mitigations rather than a sign which will ultimately be ignored.

On February 27, 2005, in the Westwood Charter Elementary School Auditorium, the Overland Avenue Community came together for a third general meeting regarding the traffic problems associated with ?Little Overland? Avenue between Pico and Santa Monica Boulevards. The majority of those present agreed that we do not want these signs installed. If there is no money for the mitigations stated below, it hard to believe that DOT has $7,000 per speed display to spend and the Community prefers that the $7,000 per sign be spent on other mitigations, rather than a sign which will ultimately be ignored. Notwithstanding, the Los Angeles Police Department has a program by which a speed display sign mounted to a trailer may be borrowed by residents and could be set up on the street on a periodic basis.

(Completion Date: Unknown)

4. Increase and improve the amount and types of signage on Overland Ave. (ie. 25mph signs, no trucks over 6000lbs signs, school zone, school crossing signs). Specifically, DOT will replace the 25 mph sign on little Overland Ave. just north of Pico Bl. in front of 2362 Overland Ave. with a larger, more visible sign and move it closer to the intersection of little Overland Ave. and Pico Bl. DOT will study the placement of the current signs on little Overland Ave. to see whether or not there are other locations for the signs on the street that would be more effective. DOT will also consider better and more visible placement of the school zone signs denoting Westwood Charter Elementary School.

Originally, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated that school warning signs can be placed up to 500 feet from the Westwood Charter Elementary School in advance of the school. The residents of Overland Ave. requested that DOT place signs at the intersections of Overland Ave. and Olympic Bl. and Overland Ave. and Missouri Ave. (at a minimum) as these intersections would provide an unobstructed view of the signs had been discussed.

In addition, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan originally stated DOT will replace the 25 mph sign on little Overland Ave. just north of Pico Bl. in front of 2362 Overland Ave. with a larger, more visible sign and move that sign closer to Pico Bl. as well as moving the “no vehicle over 6000 pounds” sign closer to Pico Bl where they will be more visible.

Finally, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan originally stated that she expected/estimated all of this work to be completed in June 2004 at the earliest, and hopefully no later than August 2004.

Notwithstanding the above, on August 30, 2004, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated that a "No Trucks Over 6,000 lbs" sign has been installed on the signal pole at Pico Bl. and that there is no need to add another school sign south of Olympic Bl.; however the school sign north of Olympic Bl was relocated closer to Olympic Bl. for better visibility.

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However, on August 30, 2004, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated that she had talked with the Signal Timing experts and that turns out that her optimism for reducing the green arrow time was premature. DOT can't shorten the green arrow time. Apparently, DOT has already set the green arrow time to a minimum of 5 to 6 seconds of time, and only when there is at least 5 cars in the pocket (the queue detector is placed around where the 5th car is situated in a queue). The history also indicated a historical pattern of left-turn queues spillover onto the adjacent through lane.

Considering the number of cars that get through, the timing of the left-turn arrow is not an issue. Rather, the residents want the left-turn arrow removed all together. After a careful review of DOT’s “Master Files” for the intersection of Overland Ave. and Olympic Bl., there is nothing in the file that ever supported the installation of the left-turn arrow in the first place. In fact, neither the residents directly impacted by the left-turn arrow, nor the Homeowners Association were ever notified, surveyed or asked about the installation. DOT clearly acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner, to the detriment of the tax paying, voting, residents of Overland Ave., when it installed the left-turn arrow. DOT didn’t even extend the residents the same courtesy DOT is willing to extend neighboring streets when discussing mitigations for Little Overland Ave.

On February 26, 2005, in response to the question of when the left-turn arrow will be removed altogether, CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom stated that he will ask DOT to revisit the request.

On May 27, 2005, in response to an April 11, 2005 email asking ?When the left-turn arrow will be removed altogether?,? CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom stated they are still awaiting traffic counts from Department of Transportation to justify the removal of the left-turn arrow. He states it will be another month or two, at a minimum, before they receive any results.

(Completion Date: Unknown)

DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated Transportation Engineer Mo Blorfroshan has put in an order with DOT’s design group for this installation and that it should occur in about 6 months (some time in December, 2004) as there is a back up in expedited requests.

Notwithstanding the above, on August 30, 2004, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated that a Work Order was submitted to DOT's design group for plan preparation. However, no definite date can be given yet because the need for signal construction citywide exceeds DOT's limited budget for the Traffic Signal Construction Program

In a letter dated October 25, 2004, DOT Assistant General Manager John E. Fisher stated that the addition of a left-turn arrow eastbound Pico Bl. at Beverly Glen Bl. to encourage traffic to use Beverly Glen Bl. to get to Century City is currently being programmed.

On February 26, 2005, in response to the question of when installation of a left-turn arrow eastbound Pico Bl. at Beverly Glen Bl. would occur, CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom stated that the signals have been approved and are in the design queue. Following the completion of the design they will be moved to the construction queue. Due to the extensive backlog, the installation will occur in 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years.

(Completed: June 2006)

7. DOT will add a left-turn arrow westbound Olympic Bl. at Westwood Bl. to encourage traffic to use Westwood Bl. to get to the 10 Freeway;

DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated Transportation Engineer Mo Blorfroshan has put in an order with DOT’s design group for this installation and that it should occur in about 6 months (some time in December, 2004) as there is a back up in expedited requests.

Notwithstanding the above, on August 30, 2004, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated that a Work Order was submitted to DOT's design group for plan preparation. However, no definite date can be given yet because the need for signal construction citywide exceeds DOT's limited budget for the Traffic Signal Construction Program.

In a letter dated October 25, 2004, DOT Assistant General Manager John E. Fisher stated that the addition of a left-turn arrow westbound Olympic Bl. at Westwood Bl. to encourage traffic to use Westwood Bl. to get to the 10 Freeway is currently being programmed.

On February 26, 2005, in response to the question of when installation of a left-turn arrow westbound Olympic Bl. at Westwood Bl. would occur, CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom stated that the signals have been approved and are in the design queue. Following the completion of the design they will be moved to the construction queue. Due to the extensive backlog, the installation will occur in 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years.

(Completed: June 2006)

8. DOT will add specific signage which would direct traffic to use alternate routes, other than little Overland Ave., to Century City, Westwood Village and the 10 Freeway even if only with arrows pointing underneath.

DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan originally stated that this would require a work order and would take time as there is a staffing shortage in DOT. Also, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated that since this was less important and there was a need to prioritize, the installation would occur in about a year.

Notwithstanding the above, on August 30, 2004, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated that amongst the number of things that are on the table that may be done to enhance safety on Overland, the guide signs would be the least cost effective. At this time, DOT would like to focus their very limited resources on measures on Overland Ave. and more effective/immediate measures.

The residents of the Overland Avenue Community feel that instead of spending $7,000 per speed display sign, DOT should spend part of that money to add specific signage which would direct traffic to use alternate routes, other than little Overland Ave., to Century City, Westwood Village and the 10 Freeway even if only with arrows pointing underneath.

On February 26, 2005, in response to the question of when specific signage which would direct traffic to use alternate routes, other than little Overland Ave., to Century City, Westwood Village and the 10 Freeway would be installed, CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom stated that he will ask DOT to revisit the request.

On May 27, 2005, in response to an April 11, 2005 email asking "When will we get specific signage which will direct traffic to use alternate routes, other than Little Overland Ave., to Century City, to Westwood Village, and the 10"? CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom stated they should be able to get guide signs to Century City, however Westwood is a problem.

(Completion Date: Never)

9. At the February 26, 2004 and May 26, 2004 meetings with DOT and CD 5, the residents discussed improving the visibility of the crosswalks on Overland Ave. next to Westwood Charter Elementary School. DOT stated it will repaint the crosswalks next to the school in addition to repainting the faded limit lines of the intersections north of the school. In the alternative, raised, stamped asphalt to look like brick was suggested where already marked crosswalks already exist.

In or about August 2004, DOT repainted the crosswalks next to the school in addition to repainting the faded limit lines of the intersections north of the school.

Residents of Overland Ave. also requested a contact name from the Bureau of Street Services (BSS) who implement textured/stamped/colored asphalt crosswalk pavement from DOT. On August 30, 2004, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated that the BSS’ workload already exceeds staffing level and therefore recommend that CD 5 works with BSS to see whether stamped crosswalks are possible, and when and how they can be installed.

On December 3, 2004, CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom began the inquiry process with BSS to see if stamped crosswalks are possible, what it would cost and when and how they can be installed.

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(Completed: August 2004)

10. The residents continue to request that DOT implement a four-way stop with marked crosswalks at Tennessee Ave. and Overland Ave. Instead, DOT wants to construct a landscaped median island on Overland Ave. at the intersection with Tennessee Ave. with marked crosswalks.

The drawings of this proposed plan were made available for review at the Westwood South of Santa Monica Homeowners Association (HOA) meeting on June 23, 2004, thereby allowing both residents of little Overland Ave. and those residents that live east and west of little Overland Ave. the opportunity to review the proposed plan. Those present discussed the fact that the residents want a four-way stop with marked crosswalks in order to meet all of our public safety needs; specifically, causing traffic speed to slow, improve public safety for pedestrian crossing and allowing for safe passage of four way traffic. After review and discussion of the plan among the residents of little Overland Ave. and now the residents that live to the east and west of Overland Ave., all agreed that a four way stop with marked crosswalks would be the most desirable solution to the problems at the intersection of Tennessee Ave. and Overland Ave. Those living east and west of Overland Ave. not only want to be able to cross safely as pedestrians but also would like to be able to cross the intersection safely in all directions with their vehicles. Furthermore, according to the DOT person present with Transportation Engineer Mo Blorfroshan and in charge of the diagram stated that the chief concern of the residents, i.e. speeding, would not be addressed by the median plan.

In response to the residents/ request for a four way stop with marked crosswalks, on August 30, 2004, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated that the installation of stop signs will surely cause significant traffic to divert to adjacent residential streets, especially Tennessee Ave and Manning Ave. She stated that there are other non-diversionary ways to prevent cross-traffic collisions, shorten and enhance the safety of the pedestrian crossing, and to reduce speeding such as the speed display signs, the median islands along the centerline of Overland Ave., and bump outs on Tennessee to shorten the pedestrian crossing on Overland Ave. Finally, DOT Senior Transportation Engineer Pauline Chan stated that if diversionary measures such as a four way stop with marked crosswalks are still sought, then an area-wide strategy is needed, which requires the participation of residents from the broader community, esp. on streets that would be affected by the diversion of traffic.

The goal of the residents is to make Little Overland Ave. a SAFE place to live by controlling traffic in a meaningful way. The way we want to control traffic is by modifying driving behavior. A four-way stop and speed tables will modify driving behavior by causing drivers to drive slower and more cautiously. This will result in less auto accidents and potential pedestrian fatalities. In addition, those living east and west of Overland Ave. not only want to be able to cross safely as pedestrians but also would like to be able to cross the intersection safely in all directions with their vehicles.

On October 28, 2004, the Department of Transportation installed badly needed stop signs to control north and south bound traffic at the intersection of Overland Avenue and Tennessee Avenue. However, the marked crosswalks for the intersection are still pending.

On December 8, 2004, CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom confirmed that the request for crosswalks at this intersection had been initiated and it is just a matter of time before the installation occurs.

On February 26, 2005, in response to the question of when the crosswalk/crosswalks for the intersection of Overland Ave. and Tennessee Ave. would be installed, CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom stated that crosswalks have been approved for the intersection and he will ask DOT to investigate installing simple stripes

On May 27, 2005, in response to an April 11, 2005 email asking "When will the crosswalk(s) for the intersection of Overland Ave. and Tennessee Ave. be installed"? CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom stated that the DOT has given the okay to place marked crosswalks at the intersection once the City is able to find a funding source. If this is going to happen, CD 5 and the community really need to start exploring options for raising funds. In the meantime, CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom is attempting at a minimum to get DOT to stripe one section across Overland Ave. at Tennessee Ave. There has been resistance by DOT on this issue but he believes CD 5 can get it done. According to CD 5 Field Deputy Paul Backstrom, DOT only stripes crosswalks at signalized intersections, schools and areas with heavy pedestrian traffic; none of which he claims Overland Ave. and Tennessee Ave. would qualify for.