Former North School renamed Vista, gets traffic plan approved

Workers work to complete remodel of North school, newly renamed Vista. Photo

 

A plan for managing traffic, transportation, and student loading and unloading at the newly-modernized Vista School (formerly known as North School) was approved Tuesday by the Hermosa Beach City Council on a 4-1 vote.

Council member Hany Fangary voted against the plan, saying, “Many questions [from parents and neighboring residents] remain unanswered.” He also expressed concern about potential city liability.

Assistant City Attorney Lauren Langer assured the council the city faced no liability threat under the new plan, which is the result of a year-long effort.

The North School Neighborhood Transportation Management Program (NTMP) was jointly developed and approved by the city and the Hermosa Beach City School District.

Council members learned only Tuesday that the school will be renamed “Vista School.”

A stakeholders’ group, composed of parents and other residents, participated in the planning.

Mayor Mary Campbell said the planning effort was “a huge hill to climb,” and Mayor pro Tem Justin Massey said it was “a plan to make for safe travel for students and drivers.”

While the plan was designed to smooth traffic during school hours, it noted that “peak-hour congestion” at delivery and pickup points is “unavoidable,” and parking and roadway hazards pose “significant” impacts.

Overall, however, the council praised the plan and testified to its potential effectiveness.

Implementation of the plan, now started, will be simplified because the district’s “hybrid” opening of classrooms will be limited to 50 percent of student capacity due to the pandemic. Staggered drop-off and pickup times have been established.

Parents will be informed of the plan’s requirements.

The plan seeks to create a “safe, comfortable, and convenient routes for travel via foot, bicycle, public transit, and automobile and to create vibrant, people-oriented public spaces that encourage active living,” according to the council report.

Cost of operation and new construction under the plan is estimated to be approximately $200,000, which will be split equally between the city and district.

 

In other action, the council:

 

— Voted unanimously to establish “clear standards” for dine-in restaurants after police and code enforcement authorities expressed growing concern over people congregating or lining up on sidewalks and Pier Plaza. 

The council’s action “ensures compliance” with city and county pandemic-related health orders, said Community Development Director Ken Robertson.

A “trend” of restaurant-goers lining up or gathering in crowds to await a table is concerning, the council was told, because it creates safety issues and problems for pedestrians passing through public areas.

According to Robertson’s report, recent county health orders recommend restaurants use reservation and ”call back” systems to prevent congestion. These are no longer sufficient for Hermosa Beach, said Robertson, and he outlined additional measures for dine-in restaurant owners to implement. Among them: 1. Congregating or lining up of customers in a public right-of-way or on sidewalks is now prohibited; 2. A diner must be seated immediately in a restaurant’s outdoor dining area unless no table is available. In that case, the customer must wait in a vehicle or away from the restaurant premises; 3. Dine-in restaurants shall implement a phone reservation or call-back system to notify patrons via text, phone or other method that a table is available; and 4. Restaurant staff is responsible for discouraging lines or congregation of customers.

There is no apparent fiscal impact to the city, said Robertson. 

“Instead, it will place the responsibility on the restaurants to use more efficient systems to manage crowds and congestion outside their seating areas,” he noted, adding, “This will further protect public safety.”

— Approved a four-week, free parking plan during late November through Christmas to help increase holiday shopping traffic to the downtown area. The plan will be repeated next year with no further action, the council decided. Mayor pro Tem Justin Massey objected to the two-year proviso and cast the lone dissenting vote. 

In a letter to the council supporting the move, Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce president Maureen Hunt wrote: “This year, more than ever, with COVID closures affecting our local businesses, we believe that increasing holiday shopping traffic to the downtown area is essential to helping our downtown Hermosa Beach businesses survive.” Hunt said the chamber will issue a press release on the issue and launch a social media campaign to promote the free holiday parking

The free parking policy pertains to the 411 so-called “silver-post” parking meters in the commercial zone. Those will be capped with red bags from Black Friday (Nov. 27 this year) to Christmas. Thirty-nine parking stalls presently dedicated to outdoor dining patrons will continue in that role. ER

 

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