Agenda Text
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Traffic and Parking Director responding to #200262 re: using mirrors to improve street sight lines.
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Official Text
To the Honorable Board:
Agenda Item 200262 Update
That the Director of Traffic and Parking report to this Board on whether the use of mirrors to provide improved sight lines for existing driveways or narrow streets has been considered here.
Traffic and Parking has considered the use of parabolic mirrors. Traffic and Parking has requested a legal opinion from the City’s Solicitors Office on the use and installation of these mirrors. When Traffic and Parking receives this opinion, it will be forwarded to the Board.
Traffic and Parking has received a legal opinion from the City Solicitor’s Office concerning the use of parabolic mirrors as a traffic control device. This opinion is as follows:
“Mr. Smith,
You have asked whether the City may lawfully install parabolic mirrors as a traffic control device. In my opinion, the City may lawfully do so, provided that the City articulates a public purpose in incurring the expenditure.
For your information, based on my research, neither the MUTCD nor the State offer any guidance, restrictions, or prohibitions on this issue.
If the City intends to install the mirrors on private property, the consent of the landowner must be obtained. In such event, I recommend that you work with the Law Department to draft the appropriate licensing documents.
I also recommend that the City establish objective criteria for determining whether to incur the expenditures in a particular situation.”
Traffic and Parking will prepare criteria and a policy for the installation of parabolic mirrors.
Please contact me with any questions.
Suzanne Rinfret
Director of Traffic and Parking