City fights speeding drivers





By Michael Picarella
Acorn Staff Writer

Calabasas traffic calming workshops began in April and they’ve been very productive, according to Calabasas Traffic and Transportation Manager Robert Yalda. As a result, there have been changes, some of which might become permanent.


The workshops, designed to slow down excessive speed on city streets, have focused on 12 residential regions of Calabasas and have taken place at 6 p.m. every fourth Tuesday at city hall, before the city’s traffic and transportation commission meetings.


"We had implemented the majority of the items that residents wanted and those were speed humps and a couple of medians," Yalda said. "These items were implemented immediately."


According to Yalda, Calabasas City Councilman Barry Groveman wants fast responses to residents’ concerns. "That means, we will respond within whatever timeline that allows us to do all the appropriate paperwork and government functions," Yalda said. "There’s no delays anymore."


In addition to workshops to reduce speeding motorists, Yalda said Groveman and Yalda have visited people’s homes to discuss other traffic concerns. Some residents have disagreed with the solutions, and Yalda and Groveman have tried to address their concerns, too, Yalda said.


"We assure them that what we are doing is for the benefit of the community," Yalda said. "But also, we are flexible. We tell them that after six months, if (the solution) doesn’t work and doesn’t do what we expected it to do, we are willing to try something else," he said.


The workshops will continue indefinitely to get motorists to slow down, Yalda said. He encouraged residents to attend and offer suggestions, and to cite other problems and possible solutions. If something isn’t working, the city wants to know about it, Yalda said. Traffic calming devices include speed humps, roundabouts and even traffic signs.


"Each month, we meet with a specific region of the city," Yalda said. Excluded from workshop discussions, he said, are gated neighborhoods and open areas.


"Usually we have good crowds. I’ve been really impressed by attendance and public participation," Yalda said.


Speed humps applied to Calabasas streets in response to speeding motorists, among other locations, include two on Eddingham Avenue, two on Towhee Drive, and a median was installed on Parkmor Road.


For more information, please call city hall at (818) 878-4225.



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *