The Public Safety Commission disagreed with City Council staff recommendations about traffic safety in a Point Dume neighborhood, where a commercial building project is currently under review by the council.
The project, an office complex designed by architect Ed Niles, which would be situated on Portshead Road, was appealed in front of the City Council by several Point Dume residents after it was approved by the Planning Commission last year. The neighbors were primarily concerned about possible traffic impacts.
The City Council recommended that the Public Safety Commission take a look at the matter.
Although city staff recommended installing a dedicated left-turn lane that would allow traffic to make left turns onto Pacific Coast Highway from Portshead Road, the Public Safety Commission suggested otherwise, because commissioners were troubled with the safety of the left turns, said Ryan Embree, commission chair.
As it reviewed the matter, the commission also considered the cumulative impact of all future development currently taking place on Portshead Road. It recommended that left turns on PCH not be allowed. Instead, the commission suggested that drivers make a right turn from Portshead onto PCH and then a no U-turn provision would be removed from the Kanan Road/PCH intersection for drivers heading southeast, allowing drivers to head northwest. This would only require a simple traffic signal software revision so protected U-turns would be allowed at Kanan, noted Embree.
“It’s an excellent idea,” said Niles. “Portshead Road has always been a difficult intersection.” However, this software revision would need to be executed by Caltrans because it owns the signal at that intersection.
The commission also recommended that a deceleration lane be created for eastbound traffic when turning right on Portshead Road, and to remove the dirt berm that blocks the view.
Alcohol beach fines may go up
This year, if the City Council approves the idea, the Beach Patrol Team would charge violators a $100 fine, up from $75, if they are caught with alcohol on public beaches.
“The fine is more in line with what other cities are doing,” said Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Lt. Thom Bradstock.
But the offense would be considered an infraction instead of a misdemeanor, as this would minimize the time spent by sheriff’s deputies on paperwork.
Malibu will spend $268,072, totaling $4,000 more than last year, on beach patrol expenses this year. The city is paying for enforcement on county beaches because they are within the city’s boundaries. But Malibu does get some compensation by receiving a 10 percent tax, equaling 60 cents per car, from beach parking revenue.
“That ends up being around $100,000,” said Bradstock.
Additionally, the city receives 89 percent of money from alcohol fines and a percentage of the parking violations and towing citations. This is estimated to bring in about $190,000 per year. “But it’s not like we won the lottery,” said Embree, who feels the city spends a lot for beach enforcement.
The number of deputies assigned to patrol the beaches at any given time is flexible. It is usually based on the weather, days of the week and changes on special occasions or holidays.