AGENDA TITLE:
title
Receive Report on 2014 Crosswalk Removal on Holly Drive at George Washington Elementary School (PW)
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MEETING DATE:
November 5, 2025
PREPARED BY:
Deputy Public Works Director / City Engineer
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive Report.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Councilmember Hothi requested this item to be placed on the agenda to receive information from the Public Works Department and to provide an opportunity for Council discussion.
The City Council and City Staff have received communication from a resident and Lodi Unified School District (LUSD) Board Member requesting to “repaint” the midblock crosswalk on Holly Drive between Crescent Avenue and Fairmont Avenue, immediately north of George Washington Elementary school.
Staff wanted to provide the City Council with the following background information on the crosswalk:
In 1955, the Daisy Avenue residential area developed and dedicated a 10-foot pedestrian access/walkway between 700/648 Daisy Avenue and 909/915 Holly Drive (crossing the railroad tracks heading towards General Mills). This pedestrian walkway was intended for use by the George Washington Elementary School students living on Daisy Avenue (or north of Daisy) as a shorter route to get to school (see attached Exhibit A). In early 2013, Lodi Unified School District (LUSD) modified the Lakewood and George Washington School boundaries such that the Daisy Avenue residential area was no longer part of the George Washington School boundary.
Due to the increased nuisance activities (such as graffiti, fights, motorcycle use, etc.) occurring in the pedestrian walkway, the surrounding property owners requested that the walkway to be vacated. Vacation notifications were sent out to utility companies, LUSD, Lodi Police Department, Fire Department, and residents within a 500-foot radius and no objections were received. On May 1, 2013, the City Council approved the pedestrian walkway vacation (see attached Exhibit B). The home owners at 700 and 648 Daisy Avenue participated in the acquisition and received half (5 feet) of the City property. For the two Holly Drive home owners, only 915 Holly Drive participated and received the entire City property (10 feet). The property owners were required to remove the existing fencing and replace the fencing at their own expense. From past aerial images and Google Street View dates, the fencing was removed/relocated in 2014 (see attached Exhibit C).
In November 2013, Public Works staff conducted pedestrian surveys during the student drop-off and pick-up periods. There was one student observed using the crosswalk during these surveys. As part of the State requirements for crosswalk removal, a 30-day public notice was posted in the local newspaper, and notice was posted at the proposed crosswalk removal location. There was no public objection received during the notification period from the notice in the newspaper and posted at the crosswalk on Holly Drive. At that time, LUSD, Washington School’s Principal and Lodi Police Department were all in support of the crosswalk removal. On December 18, 2013, the City Council approved the removal of the midblock crosswalk and all associated signage. The crosswalk markings and signage were removed in November 2014 (as shown on Exhibit C).
On September 24, 2025, the Public Works Streets Department staff were removing the residual of the crosswalk markings and the Principal of Washington School inquired as to what was happening. Public Works staff provided the above background information to the Principal and it was well-received.
STRATEGIC VISION:
7H. Public Safety: Address strategic safety problem areas in the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not Applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Not Applicable.