Stop signs were installed on July 26 making the intersection of Saratoga and Ebers in Ocean Beach an all-way stop.
“The installation was catalyzed by a community request and installed using Part C of Council Policy 200-8,” said senior City spokesperson Anthony Santacroce.
That City policy provides for stop signs to be installed to establish right-of-way at intersections, to reduce vehicle delay and decrease accidents. All-way stops are usually installed at the intersections of streets with similar traffic volumes, or where justified by other criteria.
Andrea Schlageter, chair of Ocean Beach Planning Board, said the board voted 10-2 in January to create the new four-way stop at the intersection, which is adjacent to a recreation center and churches and is near OB Elementary.
“It (four-way stop) was started by an effort by parents who were concerned about the safety at the adjacent park,” said Schlageter. “The sight lines can be pretty bad, and a lot of people drive quickly down Ebers.”
Adjacent to the intersection is Ebers Street Park, a highly utilized green space and playground for toddlers and their families.
In January, Isaac Darby, vice president of OB Neighborhood Watch, testified that large trucks are often parked on the street causing blind spots. He added the intersection is most dangerous during the morning and evening commutes for both drivers and pedestrians.
Initially, Darby’s application to the City for a four-way stop sign was denied because it didn’t meet requirements. That caused him to seek out OBPB to get the group’s recommendation to put in a new all-way stop at Saratoga and Ebers.