MOTORISTS: Remember SPRING = Cycling

 It's almost Spring 2025 and there are more bike riders on the road. When you see 

 

Bontrager Jacket Womens

1. TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS
2. Keep your eyes on the road
3. Watch for bike riders
4. PASS SAFELY Allow 3-Feet space

Remember the California Vehicle Code Rules have changed  

• AB-1371 says give 3-feet to pass bike riders
• AB-2147 allows pedestrian mid-block crossings without a cross-walk

 -LS

A MESSAGE TO LAGUNA BEACH MOTORISTS

GOT-IT ?

Since September 16, 2014, drivers must give bikes at least 3 feet. VEHICLE CODE AB-1371, give bicyclists more safe space when passing.

-LS

The Forest Ave Promenade IV

 

Illustration courtesy Ailustrar.com

The LB Independent Newspaper disapproval rating for the downtown Promenade Project is 90.3%. Here's what Laguna Beach City should have done in 2021 to prepare for a project of this magnitude. YAWN! 

OK, but without knowing where a project is going and WHY, you'll end-up somewhere else.   

After three redesigns LB Public Works still does not know WHY they build promenades.  "Having lost sight of our goals, we redoubled our efforts" -Mark Twain  Let's give them a hand-up here.

PROMENADE PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
Requirements answer what function the project performs, what are the objectives achieved and WHY;

- who are the project stakeholders
- what problems or issues does a Promenade solve
- who benefits, who looses
- what does it cost
- who pays for it.

Promenade Functional Requirements, the Project shall:

1. increase foot traffic and reduce car traffic
2. remain consistent with Vision 2030 Promenade
3. MO4 Downtown Pedestrian Enhancement Mobility page-29
4. AC2 Arts and Culture page-49
5. remain consistent with Feb 9, 2021 RFP for a Design Consultant
6. "promenade" "pedestrian zone" is not addressed in LB General Plan
7. plan consistent with General Plan (update the LB GP)
8. provide community space where once was parking space
9. provide shared space for public gatherings
10. design-in alternative to car transport with walking, biking, transit
11. revitalize local retail business, make economic sense
12. open to both LB Residents and Visitors
13. remain accessible to LBFD and LBPD
14. satisfy Cal Coastal Commission Replacement Parking Exemption
15. financial: business receipts before and after Promenade interventions
16. financial: reinvest business profits into local infrastructure
17. financial: pool business profits into local business district
18. identify funding sources; grants, taxes, parking fund, GoFundMe - metrics: measure traffic counts before and after interventions
19. identify cost estimates, construction, maintenance, Enforcement, city services
20. retail business compensation during construction

The Promenade Design Requirements, the Project shall:

1. preserve look and feel downtown village, preserve trees
2. enhance visitor experience by sharing community space
3. develop a multi-modal access plan
4. provide access to cyclists, provide bike parking throughout
5. provide amenities to walkers with wash station
6. provide amenities for walkers with pets
7. take traffic counts for multi-modal use: walkers, cyclists, transit
8. ensure Coastal Commission exemption is met
9. reroute transit stops
10. place benches for seniors at entrance and middle of Promenade
11. provide audible  music
12. provide a performance stage
13. provide entertainment for children
14. enhance public bathrooms, add bathrooms
15. provide furniture for outdoor dining and public meeting (tables)
16. address replacement parking in the project RFP (Feb 9, 2021)
17. ensure Coastal Commission Replacement Parking Exemption is met
18. develop connectivity between downtown, transit stops, Forest alley
19. address flood control drainage
20. provide permeable surfacing with storm drainage
21. provide utility power and lighting for events
22. allow a hybrid design for seasonal variation in traffic
23. allow a hybrid design for emergency vehicle access

 

-LS

LB City Expenditures for Animal Limosines

From the 28 January 2025 Agenda Bill here a city purchase of three vehicles for animal carriers:

(1) Authorize the City Manager to purchase one 2025 VW Buzz electric van for the Animal Shelter, at a cost not to exceed $75,000 from the Animal Shelter Estate Donation Fund, which includes the van, electric charging equipment, installation, and necessary vehicle modifications;

(2) Authorize the City Manager to purchase two 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning electric trucks from Tuttle-Click Ford of Irvine for $102,000, and allocate $98,000 for custom-built animal containers with air conditioning, light bars, computers, radio communication equipment, and other necessary modifications, for a total cost of $200,000; and

(3) Appropriate $30,000 from the Capital Improvement fund for the purchase and installation of a charging station for the Animal Services Trucks, as well as required electrical work in the City Hall rear parking lot.

AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE THREE ELECTRIC VEHICLES FOR THE ANIMAL SHELTER AND ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICERS AND CHARGING STATION

That's a total of 305,000 of Electric Vehicles to chauffeur animals?

-LS