On October 2023, Governor Gavin Newson signed assembly Bill 413 (AB413) into law (Attachment 1). The bill was authored by assembly member Alex Lee of San Jose and aims to increase visibility at crosswalks across California.  The bill went into effect January 1, 2024 and adds a section to the existing California Vehicle Code Section; 22500: Stopping, Standing & Parking.

AB413, more commonly known as the Daylighting Bill went into effect January 1, 2024, with enforcement required to begin on January 1, 2025.

The added language to the California Vehicle Code Section 22500 is as follows:  (n)(1)(A) Within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present.  

Additional language to Section 22500 includes options for implementation and compliance of the law. 

Option #1: A local authority may establish a different distance if both of the following requirements are met; (1) The local authority establishes the different distance by ordinance that includes a finding that the different distance is justified by established traffic safety standards; and (2) A local authority has marked the different distance at the intersections using paint or signs.  

Option #2: A local authority may permit commercial vehicle loading or unloading within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present if both of the following requirements are met. (A) A local authority authorizes the commercial loading and unloading by ordinance and identifies the crosswalk or crosswalks in the ordinance; and (B) A local authority has marked the commercial loading and unloading areas with paint or signage.

Option #3: A local authority may permit spaces be used for bicycles or motorized scooters within 20 feet of a crosswalk.  

In order to develop a plan for the city, where we meet the requirements of AB413, and increase pedestrian safety, staff took a three step approach to the proposed pan. 

Step 1:  Analyze accident data for the village:  

• Over the past six years, analyzing accident data from 2019 to August 2024 there have been a total of 9 pedestrian versus vehicle accidents. Of those 9, only one potentially would have been avoided by the requirements of AB413. In this single accident, a contributing factor was darkness due to the time of night, which impacted the driver’s ability to see the person in the crosswalk. In all other accidents, improving the sight view on the approach side of the intersection would not have made a difference in the outcome of the accident as the visibility being gained by this law would not have changed the outcome.   

Step 2: Identify the intersections that have the highest probability for pedestrian versus vehicle accidents: 

• This study focused on primarily the business district, including streets and intersections from Junipero to Monte Verde, and 5th Avenue to 8th Avenue.

• Intersections with the heaviest traffic and pedestrian traffic were identified. 
• Intersections were identified by staff were primarily along Ocean Avenue and the intersections surrounding Devendorf Park. 

Step 3:  Determine the number of spaces in the business district.

Staff initially tallied all of the parking spaces available in the core of the village, consisting of Junipero to Monte Verde and 5th Avenue to 8th Avenue. Spaces counted include 2-hour, Commercial loading, 30/10-minute zones, and Disabled parking. Spaces not included are Hotel Loading Zones and spaces contained within parking lots or curbs that are already painted red. 

Current Parking Stock (Attachment 2): 

810 total spaces:

• 696 Two-hour parking spaces
• 102 Thirty/Ten minute zones
• 8 Commercial Loading Zones
• 4 Disabled Parking 

The development of the proposed plan took into consideration the large number of 30-minute parking zones in the village and looked for opportunities to convert a number of these spaces into 20-minute commercial vehicle loading zones. This would still allow short term parking for vehicles.

The following plan, besides being flexible, may also help reduce the number of small vehicles double parking, which is often done for pick-ups and/or deliveries.  The double parking creates lane closures which impacts traffic flow and increases an arguably greater risk to pedestrians.  This plan does not address full size trucks which legally still can double park for deliveries.    

Staff proposes the following plan (Attachment 3):  

Staff completed a study of the remainder of the city where spaces would be impacted by AB413.  The following intersections were identified, and staff has made recommendations for these intersections.

• Junipero & 4^th - Center Median - Red
• Mission & 4^th - NE Corner - Loading
• Mission & 4^th - NW Corner - Loading
• San Carlos & 4^th - SE Corner - Loading
• San Carlos & 4^th - NE Corner - Loading
• San Carlos & 12^th - SE Corner - Red
• San Carlos & 9^th - SE Corner - Loading 
• San Carlos & 9^th - SW Corner - Loading
• Dolores & 9^th - SW Corner - Loading
• Casanova & 8th - NE Corner - Red
• Camino Real & 8^th - NE Corner - Loading  
• Camino Real & 8^th - SW Corner - Loading
• Carmelo & 8^th - NE Corner - Loading  
• Carmelo & 8^th - SE Corner - Loading
• San Antonio & 8^th - NE Corner - Red
• Camino Real & 7^th - NE Corner - Red

A total of:

• Five (5) Red Zones
• Eleven (11) Commercial Loading Zones

This plan was presented to the Traffic Safety Committee on August 28, 2024.  The Traffic Safety Committee received the report with a proposal to bring the final plan to City Council for approval and recommendations.

This plan gets us complaint with AB413 and allows for flexibility based on future needs of the city while limiting the impact on our existing available parking. Future changes to the plan would be made by the Traffic Safety Committee, unless required to be made through the City Council.  If approved by Council, staff will return in November for the first reading of an ordinance identifying the parking spaces being converted to Commercial Loading Zones and begin implementation of the proposed plan.