HomeMy WebLinkAboutWidening Coast Hwy -Dover Dr and Rocky PointCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. - 5__
January 19, 2606
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: Richard Edmonston
Public Works Department
949 - 644 -3345, red monstonAcity .newport- beach, ca. us
SUBJECT: Widening Coast Highway between Dover Drive and Rocky Point
ISSUE:
Should the Planning Commission forward a recommendation to the City Council
that Coast Highway be widenedlimp roved between Dover Drive and Rocky Point
to provide three westbound lanes as a priority project for the Capital
Improvement Program (CIP)?
RECOMMENDATION:
Any proposal for the widening and/or restriping of Coast Highway should be
made in conjunction with a comprehensive review of pedestrian and vehicular
circulation in the Mariners Mile area and should not be undertaken until the
General Plan update has been finalized so that any changes to land use can be
included in the review.
DISCUSSION:
Coast Highway currently has three lanes westbound through the signal at Dover
Drive. The third lane drops fairly abruptly just past Dover Drive and then picks up
again westerly of the area known historically as Rocky Point or more recently
identified by the Pelican Wall. The proposed Mariners Gateway development
includes widening for three westbound lanes for a distance of approximately six
hundred feet (600') across the frontage of the project which would leave about
two thousand feet (2000') with only two lanes for westbound traffic.
The Circulation Element of the General Plan has included six through lanes on
Coast Highway for the entire segment from Dover Drive to Newport Boulevard for
many years. The City identified a minimal cross section for this segment that
typically will require a twelve foot widening on the inland side and no widening on
the bay side. It also would eliminate on- street parking on the inland side. The
implementation of this widening has been controversial with both Mariners Mile
property owners and members of the Newport Heights /Cliff Haven area whose
properties overlook Mariners Mile.
The current Mariners Gateway project and past projects such as the Balboa Bay
Club renewal point to the need for a comprehensive analysis of future
transportation improvements along the Mariners Mile. This evaluation should
include such topics as the number of through lanes, the need for additional turn
lanes at signalized intersections, revisions to traffic flow under the Arches Bridge,
potential locations for additional traffic signals potential locations for pedestrian
overcrossings, and how the loss of on- street parking should be addressed.
The Public Works Department does not believe it is appropriate to proceed at this
time with any plans for further widening of Coast Highway or restriping within the
existing curb lines without having the results of a comprehensive analysis as
described above.
Environmental Review:
Environmental impacts of any change to the circulation system along Mariners
Mile would be evaluated once a specific proposal has been identified.
Prepared by:
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Richard Edmo ton
Transportation & Development Services Manager