TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to work with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) to strengthen partnerships between the City and LBUSD in order to address ongoing parking and traffic issues at Long Beach schools impacting local residents and neighborhoods.
DISCUSSION
Many Long Beach schools were planned and developed with the intention of primarily serving the neighborhoods in which they are located. As the City has grown, traffic in and out of these neighborhoods has increased as students are coming from farther away. Use of facilities after school hours and on weekends has increased as well.
Many Long Beach schools lie within residential communities, which experience periods of increased activity during school pick-up and drop-off times, after-school events, weekend sports leagues, festivals, and other events thatdraw large crowds from outside the neighborhood. These periods have a noticeable impact on surrounding neighborhoods, including traffic congestion, parking difficulties for residents, unsafe pedestrian activity, litter, and other disruptions.
DISCUSSION
It is respectfully requested that the City Manager identify neighborhoods with the greatest congestion issues due to activity at local schools and work with LBUSD leaders to mitigate such issues to the extent possible.
Solutions might include more specific permitting requirements, increased traffic officer presence, and enhanced enforcement for existing traffic laws and parking regulations.
In concert with LBUSD, the City Manager might also consider:
• Redirecting traffic flow during times of increased activity, including school drop-off and pick-up, as well as for facilities use during sporting events and other activities taking place after school hours and on weekends;
• Creating a volunteer program that enlists parents and community members to promote a greater flow of traffic during school drop-off times;
• Establishing and expanding designated parking zones to relieve parking congestion in surrounding neighborhoods, and related enforcement;
• Examining the permitting process to ensure that neighborhoods' capacity are not otherwise adversely affected during special events and activities;
• Working with LBUSD to establish a 'good neighbor' policy for organizations using school property outside of school hours; and
• Addressing any need for specific signage to direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic in order to minimize disruption to surrounding neighborhoods.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact related to the delivery of this analysis.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
STACY MUNGO
COUNCILWOMAN, FIFTH DISTRICT
SUZIE PRICE
COUNCILWOMAN, THIRD DISTRICT
DARYL SUPERNAW
COUNCILMEMBER, FOUTH DISTRCIT