General (2)
Public Comment
From:Theresa Bass
Sent:Tuesday, February 15, 2022 10:25 AM
To:Public Comment
Subject:FW: \[EXTERNAL\] This bill authorizes local authorities to implement a "Slow Streets
Attachments:20210AB773_96.pdf; 202120220AB773_Senate Transportation.pdf
From: craig a. durfey <
Sent: Tuesday, February 8, 2022 5:42 PM
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Subject: \[EXTERNAL\] This bill authorizes local authorities to implement a "Slow Streets
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02-08-2022
(P.R.D.D.C.)
PARENTS FOR THE RIGHTS OF DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN
CRAIG A. DURFEY FOUNDER OF P.R.D.D.C.
GARDEN GROVE, CA 92842
CELL
SOCIALEMOTIONALPAWS.COM
FACEBOOK: CRAIG DURFEY
U.S. HOUSE OF CONGRESS H2404 - HONORING CRAIG DURFEY FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST AUTISM
... Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2003-03-27/pdf/CREC-2003-03-27.pdf
new website socialemotionalpaws.org
To whom it may concern.
1
CA State passed AB 773 2021 is to make it easier for cities to make the slow streets Program,”
as specified, to close or limit access to vehicular traffic on certain neighborhood local streets.
Defines requirements for the program including public
outreach and engagement.. Bill to Help Cities Make “Slow Streets” Permanent Moving in
Assembly – Streetsblog California.
Thank You
Craig A Durfey
2
Assembly Bill No. 773
CHAPTER 587
An act to amend Section 21101 of the Vehicle Code, relating to streets.
[Approved by Governor October 6, 2021. Filed with Secretary
of State October 6, 2021.]
legislative counsel’s digest
AB 773, Nazarian. Street closures and designations.
Existing law authorizes local authorities to adopt rules and regulations
by ordinance or regulation for highways under their jurisdiction if specified
criteria are met. Under existing law, authorized actions by local authorities
include permanent or temporary highway or street closures under certain
conditions and the designation of a highway as a through highway.
This bill would authorize a local authority to adopt a rule or regulation
by ordinance to implement a slow streets program, which may include
closures to vehicular traffic or through vehicular traffic of neighborhood
local streets with connections to citywide bicycle networks, destinations
that are within walking distance, or green space. The bill would require the
local authority to meet specified conditions to implement a slow street,
including a determination that closure or traffic restriction is necessary for
the safety and protection of persons using the closed or restricted portion
of the street, conducting an outreach and engagement process, and clearly
designating the closure or traffic restriction with specific signage.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 21101 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
21101. Local authorities, for those highways under their jurisdiction,
may adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution, except as
provided in subdivision (f), on the following matters:
(a) Closing any highway to vehicular traffic when, in the opinion of the
legislative body having jurisdiction, the highway is either of the following:
(1) No longer needed for vehicular traffic.
(2) The closure is in the interests of public safety and all of the following
conditions and requirements are met:
(A) The street proposed for closure is located in a county with a
population of 6,000,000 or more.
(B) The street has an unsafe volume of traffic and a significant incidence
of crime.
(C) The affected local authority conducts a public hearing on the proposed
street closure.
96
(D) Notice of the hearing is provided to residents and owners of property
adjacent to the street proposed for closure.
(E) The local authority makes a finding that closure of the street likely
would result in a reduced rate of crime.
(b) Designating any highway as a through highway and requiring that
all vehicles observe official traffic control devices before entering or crossing
the highway or designating any intersection as a stop intersection and
requiring all vehicles to stop at one or more entrances to the intersection.
(c) Prohibiting the use of particular highways by certain vehicles, except
as otherwise provided by the Public Utilities Commission pursuant to Article
2 (commencing with Section 1031) of Chapter 5 of Part 1 of Division 1 of
the Public Utilities Code.
(d) Closing particular streets during regular school hours for the purpose
of conducting automobile driver training programs in the secondary schools
and colleges of this state.
(e) Temporarily closing a portion of any street for celebrations, parades,
local special events, and other purposes when, in the opinion of local
authorities having jurisdiction or a public officer or employee that the local
authority designates by resolution, the closing is necessary for the safety
and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street during
the temporary closing.
(f) Implementing a slow streets program. For purposes of this section, a
“slow streets program” may include closures to vehicular traffic or through
vehicular traffic of neighborhood local streets with connections to citywide
bicycle networks; destinations, such as a business district, that are within
walking distance; or green space. A local authority may implement a slow
streets program by adopting an ordinance that provides for the closing of
streets to vehicular traffic or limiting access and speed on a street using
roadway design features, including, but not limited to, islands, curbs, or
traffic barriers. A local authority may implement a slow streets program if
it meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Conducts an outreach and engagement process that includes
notification to residents and owners of property abutting any street being
considered for inclusion in the slow streets program.
(2) Determines that the closure or traffic restriction leaves a sufficient
portion of the streets in the surrounding area for other public uses, including
vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic.
(3) Provides advance notice of the closure or traffic restriction to residents
and owners of property abutting the street.
(4) Clearly designates the street closure or traffic restriction with signage
in compliance with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices.
(5) Determines that the closure or traffic restriction is necessary for the
safety and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street
during the closure or traffic restriction.
(6) Maintains a publically available internet website with information
about its slow streets program, a list of streets that are included in the
96
— 2 — Ch. 587
program or are being evaluated for inclusion in the program, and instructions
for participating in the public engagement process.
(g) Prohibiting entry to, or exit from, or both, from any street by means
of islands, curbs, traffic barriers, or other roadway design features to
implement the circulation element of a general plan adopted pursuant to
Article 6 (commencing with Section 65350) of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of
Title 7 of the Government Code. The rules and regulations authorized by
this subdivision shall be consistent with the responsibility of local
government to provide for the health and safety of its citizens.
O
96
Ch. 587 — 3 —
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Senator Lena Gonzalez, Chair
2021 - 2022 Regular
Bill No: AB 773 Hearing Date: 7/13/2021
Author: Nazarian
Version: 7/5/2021
Urgency: No Fiscal: No
Consultant: Melissa White
SUBJECT: Street closures and designations
DIGEST: This bill authorizes local authorities to implement a “Slow Streets
Program,” as specified, to close or limit access to vehicular traffic on certain
neighborhood local streets. Defines requirements for the program including public
outreach and engagement.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
1) Prohibits a city or county from enacting or enforcing any ordinance or
resolution on matters covered by the California Vehicle Code unless expressly
authorized by that code.
2) Allows local authorities, for those highways under their jurisdiction, to adopt
rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution on a number of matters,
including:
a) Closing any highway to vehicular traffic in certain circumstances , including
it is no longer needed for vehicular traffic or the closure is in the interest of
public safety, as specified.
b) Designating any highway as a through highway, as specified .
c) Prohibiting the use of particular highways by certain vehicles, as specified.
d) Closing particular streets during regular school hours for the purpose of
conducting automobile driver training programs, as specified.
e) Temporarily closing a portion of any street for celebrations, parades, local
special events, and other purposes, when local authorities designate the
AB 773 (Nazarian) Page 2 of 7
closing as necessary for the safety and protection of persons who are to use
that portions of the street during the closure.
f) Prohibiting entry to, or exit from, any street by means of islands, curbs,
traffic barriers, or other roadway design features to implement the
circulation element of a general plan.
This bill:
1) Defines a “Slow Streets Program” to include closures to vehicular traffic or
through vehicular traffic of neighborhood local streets with connections to
citywide bicycle networks ; destinations , such as a busines s district, within
walking distance; or green space.
2) Authorizes a local authority to implement a Slow Streets program by adopting
an ordinance that provides for the closing of streets to vehicular traffic or
limiting access and speed on a street using roadway design features, including,
but not limited to, islands, curbs, or traffic barriers .
3) Requires a local authority to meet the following requirements to implement a
Slow Streets program:
a) Conduct an outreach and engagement process that includes notification to
residents and owners of property abutting any street being considered for
inclusion in the program.
b) Determine that the closure or traffic restriction leaves a sufficient portion of
the streets in the surrounding area for other public uses, including vehicular,
pedestrian, and bicycle traffic.
c) Provide advance notice of the closure or traffic restriction to residents and
owners of property abutting the street.
d) Clearly designate the street closure or traffic restriction with signage in
compliance with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices .
e) Determine that the closure or traffic restriction is necessary for the safety
and protection of persons who are to use that portion of the street during the
closure or traffic restriction.
f) Maintain a publically available internet website with information about its
Slow Streets program, including a list of streets that are included in the
AB 773 (Nazarian) Page 3 of 7
program or are being evaluated for inclusion in the program, and instructions
for participating in the public engagement process.
COMMENTS:
1) Purpose. According to the author, “S low Streets program has offered children,
families, and constituents throughout the state of California the opportunity to
play, exercise, and socialize, safely, in their own neighborhoods throughout the
pandemic. Enacting AB 773 will give local communities the opportunity to
have safer and more accessible streets that promote healthy neighborhood
recreation, especially during the ongoing public health crisis as AB 773
authorizes local authority to make temporary slow streets permanent slow
streets.”
2) What are slow streets? According to the National Association of City
Transportation Officials (NACTO), slow streets reduce traffic volume and
speed to a minimum so that people can walk, bike, and run safely. Slow streets
typically involve the installation of temporary traffic barriers and “Local
Traffic Only” signs or similar signage at main vehicle entry points, and the
identification of stewards to take care of and monitor barricades. Slow streets
allow local access, deliveries, and emergency vehicles.
Both before and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, cities globally as
well as in California have initiated Slow Streets programs, which are generally
focused on providing safe places for people to walk, cycle, skate, or otherwise
get outside and exercise without having to worry about vehicular traffic at high
speeds.
3) COVID -19 and Active Transportation . According to the California
Transportation Plan 2050 (CTP 2050), a long range transportation plan
developed by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) that
provides a blueprint for the future of California transportation, “in the months
following the outbreak of COVID-19, more Americans embraced active travel.
California cities that typically have low bicycle ridership, such as Riverside and
Oxnard, experienced a 90% to 125% increase in bicycle miles traveled.
Stockton, Bakersfield, Fresno, Sacramento, and San Diego also experienced
increases of more than 50%. Trends suggest that travelers shifted from transit to
active travel when risks increased. In San Francisco, many residents who
needed to make essential trips opted to walk or bike. Recreational biking and
walking have also skyrocketed. The Rails -to -Trails Conservancy observed a
110% increase in trail use compared to the same period in 2019.”
AB 773 (Nazarian) Page 4 of 7
4) California Cities Adopt Slow Streets Programs. In 2020, after Governor
Newsom issued an emergency stay-at-home order for the state and required
social distancing measures for protection from COVID-19, many cities in
California moved to implement temporary Slow Streets programs to help
facilitate alternative mobility and outdoor activity. These cities include Los
Angeles, Sacramento, Oakland, and San Francisco, to name a few. Each city
developed a unique program with common elements including a focus on
neighborhood local streets and establishing network connections for better
mobility. Local authorities either identified streets for possible inclusion in the
program or asked for public nomination and input of streets to include. The
local authorities would erect temporary barriers and signage on the slow streets
to restrict them from traffic or thro ugh traffic and lower vehicle speeds.
For example, Los Angeles launched its Slow Streets program in May 2020.
Eligible organizations would nominate a small network of neighborhood streets
to reduce and slow traffic. A network of eligible streets to be nominated must
be approximately 1-3 miles in length, local or collector streets as identified by
the city’s Mobility Plan 2035 that are primarily residential, and the road
segments should be contiguous to one another and provide connections to
nearby neighborhood destinations.
After vetting applications, the Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) and the
Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) deployed temporary
signage at intersections advising drivers to slow down for people using the
street to exercise. Slow Streets sponsors play an active role by communicating
the project to their neighbors and ensuring barricades and signage are properly
placed throughout the project. Local traffic and parking are still allowed on the
streets.
The city also focused on equity in its deployment of slow streets, noting, “Slow
Streets L.A. set out with the goal to deploy 20 Slow Streets with at least five
within communities most impacted by the lack of open space due to the
pandemic. In Los Angeles, these are typically communities with high
residential density, low access to traditional recreational opportunities,
communities of color, and low income communities.” According to the city ,
demand for Slow Streets remains high with over 427 applications received to
date. LADOT implemented approximately 50 miles of Slow Streets in 30
neighborhoods. In October 2020, the city reached capacity for the program and
paused on implementing new slow streets, and are now focusing efforts and
resources in enhancing the current network.
AB 773 (Nazarian) Page 5 of 7
In launching its Slow Streets program, the City of San Francisco noted, “the
goal of the Slow Streets program is to provide more space for socially distant
essential travel and exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to
support further reopening of the economy, we need to make San Francisco more
welcoming and accessible for people who want to travel on foot, bicycle,
wheelchair, scooter, skateboard or other forms of micro -mobility. Slow Streets
are critical infrastructure that attracts users of the full array of neighbo rhood
demographics —including children, older adults, people with disabilities and
people of color.”
Due to the popularity for the program, the city is now evaluating all of the
streets in the network, with input from residents, to determine which streets
could be made permanent.
Like Los Angeles , San Francisco has developed criteria for its program.
Specifically, the street must be a neighborhood residential street with low traffic
volumes; have strong support from residents living both on the slow street and
overall neighborhood ; have an identified local community partner group to
support the slow street; be consistent with local plans, including the city’s bike
network; and have traffic data evaluation to ensure the slow street does not have
a negative impact on the surrounding transportation network. The city also
maintains a pubic website with maps, details , and policies for the program,
including opportunities for public feedback.
5) AB 773 keeps Slow Streets going. AB 773 would authorize local authorities to
implement a permanent Slow Streets program to provide for the closure or
restriction of vehicular traffic on neighborhood local streets. The streets
eligible would provide connections to citywide bicycle networks ; destinations ,
such as business districts; and green space. The local authorities would have to
adopt the program by ordinance, with requirements to define the program and
facilitate pubic engagement. Specifically, the locality must determine the
closure or restriction is necessary for the safety and protection on the people
who are to use that portion of the street, determine that the closure or restriction
leaves a sufficient portion of streets in the surrounding area for other public
uses, such as vehicular traffic; and clearly designates the streets with state-
approved signage.
And to better engage the public, the locality must conduct an outreach and
engagement process that at a minimum, includes notification to the residents
and owners of property abutting any street being considered for inclusion in the
program; provide advance notice of any closure or traffic restriction to residents
and owners of abutting streets; maintain a public website with information
AB 773 (Nazarian) Page 6 of 7
about the program, including a list of streets that are in the program or being
considered and instructions for participating in the public engagement process.
6) Arguments in support. According to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, the
sponsor of the bill, “the City’s program launched in May 2020 and now has
more than 50 miles of temporary Slow Streets across 30 neighborhoods. Each
Slow Street is a partnership between the City and a local sponsor, with many
Slow Streets located in low-income communities with dense housing and poor
access to parks. The largest Slow Streets installation is in Koreatown, the
densest neighborhood with the lowest park access per capita. Providing
Angelenos access to safe spaces for fresh air has been essential to mental and
physical health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and community response
to our program has been extremely positive. The Slow Streets installations have
been imperative in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring community
well-being.
“Under current law, Slow Streets programs must be temporary. However, due
to the overwhelming demand for the installations, a permanent program would
allow the City to develop a plan to reach more residents while still prioritizing
their safety. Furthermore, the ability to restrict vehicle access, which requires
authorization from the California Vehicle Code, would calm neighborhood -
level traffic and improve safety. This bill would support our most vulnerable
communities at this critical time without any fiscal impact on the State. AB 773
simply provides cities the opportunity to exercise traff ic control actions at their
discretion and expense.”
RELATED LEGISLATION:
AB 61 (Gabriel, 2021) – Would extend certain COVID-19-related measures for
the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC), to allow licensees to continue
to exercise license privileges in an expanded licensed, and permitted food facility
to continue to prepare and serve food as a temporary satellite food service without
obtaining a separate satellite food service permit, as specified. AB 61 is pending in
the Senate Health Co mmittee.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on Wednesday,
Wednesday, July 7, 2021 .)
AB 773 (Nazarian) Page 7 of 7
SUPPORT:
Activesgv, a Project of Community Partners
City of Los Angeles
City of San Carlos
Destination: Pico
Independent Hospitality Coalition
League of California Cities
Mayor Eric Garcetti, City of Los Angeles
Streets for All
OPPOSITION:
None received
-- END --