STAFF REPORT
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
GREG RAY, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
SUBJECT:
DISCUSSION REGARDING OPTIONS FOR EQUESTRIAN CROSSING AT
WEST GRAND BETWEEN HIGHWAY ONE AND THE BEACH
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BACKGROUND
The West Grand Avenue Enhancement Project, Phase 3 located west of Highway 1 was
completed in October of 2015. The project included installation of crosswalks with
decorative paving crossing two new State Park access driveways and crossing West Grand
Avenue adjacent to each of the two new driveways. The decorative paving is a stamped
concrete boardwalk pattern selected by Council to complement the future development of
the Grover Beach Lodge to be located west of Highway One.
The undeveloped open dirt area located at the east side of the State Park property near
Meadow Creek has often been used by equestrians to stage horse rides on the dunes and
beach. Equestrians continue to use this area but now, in order to cross West Grand Avenue
at the same location used previously, they're utilizing the new decorative pedestrian
crosswalks. Recently the City has been receiving complaints from equestrians claiming that
the new crosswalks have caused horses to slip and fall. At the December 21'' City Council
meeting, the Council provided direction to staff to return to Council with options for
addressing the equestrians' concerns.
DISCUSSION
Staff researched available sources for information on equestrian crossings and suitable
surfaces for horses. Based on this research staff has determined that most concrete and
asphalt surfaces are unsuitable for equestrian use unless they are in very poor condition or
specially treated to have a very rough surface. Options considered by staff include warning
signs to warn riders to avoid the stamped concrete crossing, modifications to the existing
crosswalks to increase friction, signage to exclude equestrians from using the crosswalks,
signage and other improvements to identify a specific equestrian crossing area, and
identification of an alternate route to access the beach and dunes area.
Warning Signs. Shortly after completion of the West Grand Phase 3 project staff purchased
warning signs and placed them on each side of the crosswalks on barricades. Even with the
signs in place, staff still received complaints from equestrians about the surface of the
APPROVED FOR FORWARDING
Meeting Date: January 19, 2016
Please Review for the Possibility of a
Potential Conflict of Interest:
i'l"None identified by Staff o Bright
o Shoals
o Nicolls
D Lee
D Shah
Agenda Item No. _10
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Staff Report - Discussion Regarding Options For Equestrian Crossing
At West Grand Between Highway One And The Beach
January 19, 2016
Page2
crosswalks and soon the signs were found to be missing. An option would be to install sign
posts at each end of the crosswalks and near the horse crossing areas warning equestrians
to avoid the decorative concrete. Without additional improvements and in order to avoid all
areas of decorative concrete, equestrians would likely continue to cross the new landscape
area and sidewalk to the west of the west driveway entrance (see Option A on Attachment
1). This is how many equestrians are now accessing the beach and dunes and this is the
only crossing area that can avoid all decorative concrete crosswalks without making
additional improvements to the new fence and trail on the south side of West Grand Avenue.
Equestrian crossing in this area is resulting in damage to the new sidewalks and
landscaping, but this is probably the least expensive solution and is expected to cost
between $500 and $1,000. Based on review of the preliminary Lodge Project site plans,
future use of this crossing location by equestrians will be incompatible with future Lodge site
improvements. To resolve this conflict, Council could provide direction to staff to incorporate
modifications to the Lodge project to accommodate equestrian crossing in this area.
Modifications to Existing Decorative Concrete. The existing crosswalks are finished in a
stamped concrete boardwalk pattern and, according to equestrians; this surface is too
slippery for safe equestrian use. The surface could be modified to increase friction. One
option would be to apply a spray on friction coating. The coating would need to be applied
several times per year and is expected to cost between $1,500 and $2,000 per year
including additional staff time to monitor the condition of the surface.
Signage to Exclude Eguestrians from the Crosswalks. Another option would be to simply
install permanent signs excluding equestrians from the pedestrian crosswalks. The signs
would have a red circle with a slash through it over a picture of a horse and rider as
identified in the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Based on staff's
research the California Vehicle Code would support enforcement of this option. This is
similar to the first option identified except that with warning signs equestrians may choose to
continue to cross the decorative concrete at their own risk. This option is expected to cost
between $500 and $1,000. But, this option does not identify a specific crossing area for
equestrians and staff anticipates equestrians would continue to use the crossing area
identified as Option A on Attachment 1 with the same anticipated conflicts between
equestrian use and future Lodge improvements.
Signage and Other Improvements to Identify a Specific Equestrian Crossing Area. This
option would require identifying an equestrian crossing area that would avoid the decorative
concrete crosswalks and constructing signage and other improvements to support use by
equestrians. There are two areas that staff has identified as possible crossing areas. One
is the area currently being used by many equestrians and is located just west of the west
driveway entrance (see Option A on Attachment 1). In order to formalize this crossing, staff
would recommend installing signs identifying the equestrian crossing, signs warning
pedestrians and bicyclists of the crossing over the sidewalk area, modifications to the
asphalt pavement to increase friction and modifications to the Lodge improvements to
resolve conflicts between Lodge improvements and equestrian use. This option is expected
to cost between $10,000 and $15,000 including Lodge site improvements. Another option is
to create an equestrian crossing just east of the east driveway entrance (see Option B on
Attachment 1). This would require similar signage but, in addition, would require removal of
a section of the existing split-rail wood fence on the south side of West Grand Avenue and
additional improvements to the decomposed granite path to allow equestrians to pass
Staff Reporl- Discussion Regarding Options For Equestrian Crossing
At West Grand Between Highway One And The Beach
January 19, 2016
Page 3
behind the accessible pedestrian ramps. This option does not conflict with proposed Lodge
improvements but is expected to cost between $15,000 and $20,000.
Identification of an Alternate Route. Staff has determined that equestrians could currently
access the dunes and beach by entering the dune area near the State Park restrooms (see
Option C on Attachment 1). There is an existing trail that leads to the beach through the
dunes between the restrooms and the beach boardwalk. This would require equestrians to
modify their current behaviors and to travel further to access the beach and dunes. Further
input from equestrians is warranted to determine the suitability of this option as it involves
additional conflicts between vehicles, pedestrians and equestrians. Also, this option will
conflict with future Lodge improvements. To resolve this conflict Council could direct staff to
modify the Lodge improvements to accommodate this option. If the Council selects this as
the preferred option, staff recommends new signage to identify the alternate route and
signage to prohibit equestrian crossing on West Grand Avenue and encourage equestrian
use of this alternate route. This option is expected to cost between $10,000 and $15,000
including improvements to the Lodge site.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council has the following alternatives to consider:
1.
Provide direction to staff to install warning signs to alert equestrians to avoid the
decorative concrete crosswalks; or
2.
Provide direction to staff to modify the existing decorative concrete crosswalk
surfaces to provide additional friction; or
3.
Select another option from those provided in this report.
4.
Take no action at this time.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council provide direction to staff to install warning signs to alert
equestrians to avoid the decorative concrete crosswalks.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact depends on direction provided by Council but could range between $500
and $20,000. In order to implement options costing over $2,000 staff would need to return
to Council for identification of a source of funding and budget allocation.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act. Copies of the agenda and this
staff report were also mailed to: Dena Bellman with California State Parks; Brent Marshall
with California State Parks; Linda Clark, representative of one of the local equestrian
groups; and Shelia Patterson, President of the Ride Nipomo Equestrian Alliance.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Map: Equestrian Beach and Dune Access Locations
Map: Equestrian Beach and Dune Access Loca ons ATTACHMENT 1 Op on A Op on B Op on C Decora ve Sidewalk GRAND AVENUE City of Grover Beach
DISCUSSION REGARDING OPTIONS FOR
Equestrian Crossing at West Grand Avenue
Between Highway One & the Beach
Greg Ray, Public Works Director /City Engineer
January 1 9, 201 6
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DISCUSSION REGARDING OPTIONS FOR
Equestrian Crossing at West Grand Avenue
Background:
• West Grand Avenue Phase 3 created
decorative crosswalks
• Stamped boardwalk pattern
• Equestrians stage in dirt area and cross
Grand Avenue to access the dunes
• Complaints: horses can slip and fall on
crosswalk
DISCUSSION REGARDING OPTIONS FOR
Equestrian Crossing at West Grand Avenue
DISCUSSION REGARDING OPTIONS FOR
Equestrian Crossing at West Grand Avenue
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Options:
•
•
•
•
•
Install permanent warning signs: $500 to $1,000
Modify decorative concrete : $1,500 to $2,000 per
year
Install permanent signs prohibiting horses in
crosswalks: $ 500 to $1 ,000
Improvements to identify an equestrian crossing
(Options A or B): $10,000 to $20,000
Establish an alternate route (Option C): $1 0,000 to
$15,000
DISCUSSION REGARDING OPTIONS FOR
Equestrian Crossing at West Grand Avenue
Alternatives:
1.
Direct staff to install warning signs
2.
Direct staff to modify the concrete
crosswalk surfaces
3.
Select another option from those
identified
4.
Take no action
DISCUSSION REGARDING OPTIONS FOR
Equestrian Crossing at West Grand Avenue
Recommendation:
Provide direction to staff to install
warning signs alerting equestrians to
avoid the decorative concrete
crosswalks
DISCUSSION REGARDING OPTIONS FOR
Equestrian Crossing at West Grand Avenue
Fiscal Impact:
Recommended action :$500 - $1,000
Options:$500 - $20,000
(over $2,000 would require budget
allocation)
DISCUSSION REGARDING OPTIONS FOR
Equestrian Crossing at West Grand Avenue
Questions or Comments?