Half of Traffic Panel’s Members Resign

Half the members of a Redondo Beach citizens committee have resigned in frustration over the City Council’s rejection last month of the panel’s proposals to decrease traffic in residential areas.

“I do not want to be associated with a disingenuous effort,” wrote Tom Bauer, in a letter last week addressed to the council. Three other members of the North Redondo Beach Traffic Committee--Emily Duncan, Roberleigh Richester and Essie Blacet--also resigned.

The committee was appointed last year by the council to work with the city’s engineering and public works staff in devising a plan to divert commuter traffic from the narrow, 40-year-old residential streets in north Redondo Beach.

Last month the panel presented to the council proposals that would turn several of the north-south streets into one-way streets. However, after hearing criticism from other residents who feared inconvenience as well as decline in property values, the council voted against the plans.

“I feel the committee has done great work,” said John Mate, associate civil engineer for the city. “The need for a solution still exists.”

The council will have to decide at its next meeting whether to continue the committee’s work, said Larry Cote, the panel’s chairman.