City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: DECEMBER 5, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: ADRIANA CASTAÑEDA, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to amend and reordain section 10-3-924 (FAILURE TO YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY TO PEDESTRIANS) of Article B (RECKLESS DRIVING, SPEEDING, ETC.) of Chapter 3 (OPERATION OF VEHICLES) of Title 10 (MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
BODY
ISSUE: Consideration of an ordinance to authorize the installation of signs for drivers to stop for pedestrians crossing or attempting to cross the street, consistent with new state legislation.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council consider the proposed ordinance (Attachment 2) on first reading and schedule it for second reading, public hearing and final passage on Saturday, December 16, 2023.
BACKGROUND: Pursuant to City Code § 10-3-924(a), the City may install and maintain yield signs at marked crosswalks requiring drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing or attempting to cross the street. In the 2023 legislative session, SB 1069 provided authority to named localities, including Alexandria, to install signs requiring drivers to stop for pedestrian who are crossing or attempting to cross the street, Va. Code § 46.2-924(D).
Additionally, the Vision Zero Action Plan identifies the strategy 2A.4 to “pursue and support state legislation to require drivers to stop, rather than yield, for pedestrians in the crosswalk.”
DISCUSSION: Staff is proposing an update to Section 10-3-924(a) to mirror state legislative language. The proposed change is both consistent with Vision Zero goals and increases the City’s legal authority to enforce crosswalk infractions.
FISCAL IMPACT: There will be a minor fiscal impact to updating signage around the City. Staff estimates that this will be less than $5,000.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Ordinance Cover Sheet
Attachment 2: Ordinance
Attachment 3: Updated State Code
Attachment 4: Presentation
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Joanna Anderson, City Attorney
Lindsay Dubin, Assistant City Attorney
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director, T&ES
Christopher Ziemann, Division Chief, T&ES, Transportation Planning
Alex Carroll, Principal Planner, T&ES, Transportation Planning