Editor, This is a highway traffic yield sign identical to that found at the corner of Forest Avenue and Broadway in Laguna Beach. From the DMV handbook it says: “A three-sided red “Yield” sign indicates that you must slow down and be ready to stop, if necessary, to let any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian pass [...]
Editor, The Task Force for Complete Streets met with city officials monthly since 2008 (four years). In that time the task force offered 98 interventions for street improvement; the city acted on only two. To propose a traffic-calming project on the grand scale of Glenneyre bike-lanes and roundabouts coincident with the local election period served [...]
Editor, The Complete Streets Act requires that cities plan (and provide) for a balanced, multi-modal transportation network that meets the needs of all (street users) for safe and convenient travel. The users of these streets include bicyclists, children, seniors, persons with disabilities, motorists, movers of commercial goods, pedestrians, and users of public transportation. Mandates in [...]
Editor, A recent professional survey ordered by City Council, brought some good news and some not so great news. Overall, the 405 folks that turned in the survey felt that Laguna rocks, and gave high marks for most everything: safety, 99%; Laguna as a great place to Live, 97%; city services, 89%. However, we [...]
Editor, In 2008, California’s legislature passed a law requiring that, after January 1, 2011, any substantive revision of a Circulation Element of a General Plan, the transportation system of a city must plan for a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways for safe and convenient [...]
Editor, Two objections heard most frequently from city leaders when adopting Complete Streets policy are municipal liability and lack of funding. Municipal liability is not an issue since cities are held immune from liability for use of a public street, and studies show (Pucher, Shoup, Gehl) the more pedestrians and cyclists using the street, the [...]
Editor, The Task Force for Complete Streets (CSTF) have been meeting formally with City Council members for 27 months to research and recommend policy changes to adopt a balanced mobility plan for Laguna Beach. In June this year, the Council reserved $300,000 intended for spending on Complete Streets infrastructure city-wide. In September this year, the [...]
Editor, Mr/Ms Cain (“Stepping on a Soapbox for Sidewalks,” Letters, Sept. 30) shows considerable disrespect for a handful of Laguna volunteers working jointly with City Council to explore at considerable personal (unpaid) commitment a new mobility plan for our town. He/she also shows complete ignorance for Complete Street Policy stating four mis-representations in [...]
Editor, Since automobiles became widespread during the beginning of the 20th century, cities and their streets have been and are being re-purposed to adapt to the surge of motor vehicle use. Efforts are now underway to re-define the purpose of streets and to re-design streets over time in a way that will benefit all users. [...]
Editor, Based on regular letters to the paper, many feel that our city streets are dominated by cars, and by drivers that feel they should be able to drive as fast as they like regardless of the impact to others. Yet virtually nothing is being done to address these dangerous traffic conditions in Laguna. How many [...]
Editor, In support of “Give Bikes a Route” by Justin Gresh, the new policy for mobility from our Federal Department of Transportation gives equal consideration to pedestrians, bicycles, buses, and private automobiles. Adopting this policy into Laguna Beach’s general plan would be the first step to bringing bike lanes to Laguna. If adopted, approved and [...]
Editor, Laguna Beach has no accommodation for cyclists, except for a few random bike racks, and a quarter-mile stretch of striped lane on Monterey Street that might be mistaken for a bike lane, even though it is not marked in any way. The city just spent $1.6 million to resurface streets and paint new lines, [...]
Editor, With regard to the $1.6M street re-surfacing project on PCH and Laguna’s residential streets, and the on-going $10K change-order for striping and final adjustments, now would be a good time to recall the updated policy from Caltrans, California’s Department of Transportation. It says, “The Department views all transportation improvements as opportunities to improve safety, [...]
Editor, Please google and read The Complete Streets Act for California and see how skateboarding may or may not be included as a part of this bill. Not sure how skateboarding will save on fuel consumption and carbon footprint. According to Councilperson Egly this bill does allow for skateboarding. Read this bill [...]
Editor, Please google and read The Complete Streets Act for California and see how skateboarding may or may not be included as a part of this bill. Not sure how skateboarding will save on fuel consumption and carbon footprint. According to Councilperson Egly this bill does allow for skateboarding. Read this bill [...]
Police Use Taser to Subdue Assault Suspect
An assault involving three men escalated into a struggle with Laguna Beach police, who ultimately deployed a taser twice to subdue the younger combative suspect in the 300 block of Cozumel around 1:15 a.m. Friday, May 10, police said. Police ultimately arrested Laguna Beach resident Sergio Gabriel Borgognone, 51, for allegedly resisting arrest and his [...]
