HUNTINGTON BEACH : Residents to Argue for Four-Way Stop

Residents of the West Central Park area today plan to urge the City Council to approve a four-way stop sign in their neighborhood despite a city staff report that recommends against it.

The staff report has recommended that the council instead approve a “flashing pedestrian-crossing beacon” at the intersection of Edwards, Varsity and Central Park streets.

“A flashing yellow light is a step in the right direction, but it’s only a partial solution,” said William M. Hodge, a resident of the area. “We had an ad hoc committee meeting (of residents in the area), and it was pretty unanimous that we want a four-way stop sign. A four-way stop sign addresses all the issues we are concerned about.”

Two persons have been killed in traffic collisions at the intersection in the past two years.

Several residents appeared at the City Council meeting Aug. 19 to appeal for a four-way stop sign. They were supported by Councilmen Don MacAllister and Jack Kelly, but city staff recommended against the four-way stop.

“We just can’t put our head in the sand and wait for another death in two years,” MacAllister said. “I think it’s time we took some action.” He and the rest of the council directed that the city staff re-examine the issue and report back at today’s meeting.

According to the staff report to be issued today, “although two fatalities have occurred at this intersection during a 2.5-year time period, the frequency and nature of the accidents are not likely correctable by the installation of traffic controls (such as) stop signs or traffic-signal installations.”