REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Red Curb Requirements at Controlled Intersections (Information Only)
Report
BACKGROUND
Recently staff received a question regarding the painting of red curbs at controlled intersections and previous Council actions from 2012. A concern was expressed that staff had not followed the Council direction. Staff reviewed the previous RTCs, the proposed changes to the Municipal Code, reviewed the Council videos, reviewed the Council minutes, coordinated with the City Attorney's Office, and reviewed the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), to better understand the decisions made five years ago.
On December 6, 2011, Council discussed RTC No. 11-264, an update to the Corner Vision Triangle ordinance. Staff's Alternative 1 included a number of recommendations including that "signalized intersections shall provide no parking zones of 20 feet from curb return, consistent with the parking restriction standards of MUTCD". The Council approved staff's Alternative 1, but modified the language from "signalized" to "controlled." Signalized intersections involve only traffic signals, whereas controlled intersections encompass all forms of traffic controls including traffic signals and traffic signs. In addition, the Council had a significant discussion regarding the implementation of the Council action. The Council discussion acknowledged that there was no funding for implementation, which placed limits on the ability to implement the Council direction. Further, Council acknowledged that implementation would need to occur over a period of time as funding was identified.
On October 2, 2012, an Ordinance was introduced to amend the Sunnyvale Municipal Code to reflect the previous Council action. The Ordinance, as approved by Council, stated that "The city traffic engineer is authorized, consistent with the latest standards or guidelines established by Caltrans, to install appropriate markings or signage creating "no park...
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