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.

BACKGROUND
Scenic Road is a one-way street from Eighth Avenue to Santa Lucia Avenue in Carmelby-the-Sea. Scenic Road 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 the
Frank Lloyd Wright house, just past Martin Way. The remainder of Scenic Road is
owned and maintained by Monterey County.
Monterey County is proposing to make Scenic Road a one-way street from Martin Way
to Carmel River State Beach. The purpose of this item is for the Council to provide
policy direction on whether it is supportive of the Countys efforts and also to consider
whether the City should include its portion of Scenic Road in the proposal.
PROCESS
The County intends to hold a public workshop with residents of the area to discuss the
proposal and to address comments and concerns. The City has been invited to be a
sponsor of this workshop.
Once the County has developed a final proposal, an administrative permit would be
approved by the County 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.

Scenic One-Way
6 December 2011
Staff Report
Page 2

EVALUATION
The Countys Public Works Department, which includes two traffic engineers, are
recommends making Scenic Road a one-way street, including the Citys portion of
Scenic Road, for the following reasons:
Parts of the existing Scenic Road are too narrow for 2-way vehicle traffic.
A one-way design would better accommodate walkers, joggers, bikers, etc.
Sharp, blind corners create a safety concern that could be removed with one-way
traffic by avoiding on-coming traffic.
The proposal would create a consistent flow for vehicles traveling from Eighth
Avenue south to Carmel River State Beach.
Leaving one block (Santa Lucia to Martin Way) for two-way travel would create
confusion for motorists.
A one-way design would reduce the potential need for bluff armoring by having
less width that needs to be maintained.
Staff concurs with the Countys reasons for making Scenic one-way. In addition,
vehicles traveling south on Scenic Road often enter the one-way section at Santa Lucia
Avenue going to wrong direction despite the no entry signs that are posted. Making all of
Scenic Road one-way would alleviate this tendency.
However, staff also notes some of the potential drawbacks that should be considered,
including reduced options for access for residential properties on Scenic Road, although
only the Frank Lloyd Wright House is located within the City limits, and the potential
traffic increases on adjacent residential streets.
Staff recommends that the City join in sponsoring the Countys public workshop to
receive more public input on this issue prior to making a final determination.
RECOMMENDATION
Provide policy direction to staff.