CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

STAFF REPORT
TO:

MAYOR MCCLOUD AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

FROM:

SEAN CONROY, PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES MANAGER

THROUGH: JASON STILWELL, CITY ADMINISTRATOR

DATE:

6 DECEMBER 2011

SUBJECT:

RECEIVE A REPORT AND PROVIDE POLICY DIRECTION ON A

PROPOSAL TO MAKE SCENIC ROAD ONE WAY FROM SANTA LUCIA
AVENUE TO CARMEL RIVER STATE BEACH BEACH.

BACKGROUND
Scenic Road is a one way street from Eighth Avenue to Santa Lucia Avenue in Carmelby-the-Sea. Scenic then becomes a two way street as it runs south to Carmel River State
Beach. The City owns and maintains Scenic Road from Santa Lucia Avenue to Martin
Way. The remainder of the Scenic is owned and maintained by Monterey County.
In the past, the County has contemplated making portions of Scenic Road one way. Most
recently, a proposal to make Scenic one way from Valley View to Carmelo was met with
resistance from the residents. Some residents wanted to see all of Scenic made one way
while some residents were concerned with increased traffic on the interior streets that
would result.
Monterey County is now proposing to make Scenic Road a one-way street from Martin
Way to Carmel River State Beach. Some of the reasons for this proposal include:
Parts of the existing Scenic Road are too narrow for 2-way traffic - segments are
physically limited to a single car.
Sharp, blind corners create a safety concern that could be removed with one-way
traffic by avoiding on-coming traffic.
One consistent traffic through will reduce potential confusion.
Safer pedestrian/bike traffic due to reduced conflicts with vehicles.
Reduced potential need for bluff armoring by having less width that needs to be
maintained.

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6 December 2011
Staff Report
Page 2

PROCESS
The County intends on holding a public workshop with residents of the area to discuss
the proposal and to address comments and concerns. The City could participate in this
workshop if it is interested in considering making its section of Scenic Road one-way.
Once the County has developed a final proposal, an administrative permit would be
approved by the Zoning Administrator. This decision would be appealable to, and/or by,
the Coastal Commission. If the City determined to make its section one-way, a similar
permit could be issued administratively. Staff notes that the City does not need to act
concurrently with the County. The City could act independently at any point in the future
to make its portion of Scenic one-way.
EVALUATION

Staff concurs with the Countys reasons for making Scenic one way, particularly the
improved pedestrian and bicycle access. Staff also notes some of the potential drawbacks
including reduced options for access for residential properties, although only the Frank
Lloyd Wright House is located in the City limits, and the potential traffic increases on
adjacent residential streets.
Staff recommends that the City participate with the Countys workshop to receive more
public input on this issue before a final determination is made.
RECOMMENDATION
Provide policy direction to staff.

Scenic One-Way
6 December 2011
Staff Report
Page 3

The community appears to preter the one-waying of Scenic Road to better accommodate
joggers, walkers, walkers with pets, and to eliminate opposite direction vehicular conflicts at
certain bottlenecks. The one-waying of Scenic should also make it easier for vehicular traffic
to sightsee. The southbound direction of travel from downtown Carmel is much heavier than
the northbound; therefore, southbound was chosen for the direction of travel. Also, the
southbound direction matches Carmelwby-the-Sea's existing one-way between 81h and Santa
Lucia.
To reduce driver and possibly pedestrian confusion on the direction of vehicular travel on
Scenic, the County Department of Public Works, which includes two registered traffic
engineers, recommends Scenic Road be established as a continuous one-way road from Eight
Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea all the way to Carmelo Street in the County unincorporated
area. We believe leaving one block for two-way travel will only create confusion for visitors
and tourists and possibly for locals as well.