TO: Chair and Members of the City Traffic Commission
THRU: Larry Tay, Deputy Public Works Director/Traffic Engineer
FROM: Jose A La Torre, Transportation Analyst
1. Subject
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Installation of a school bus loading zone on the west side of California Street adjacent to California iInspire Academy
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2. Summary
Orange Unified School District requested that the City establish a designated bus loading zone adjacent to California iInspire Academy. The loading zone is expected to enhance school site and perimeter circulation.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Approve the installation of a school bus loading zone and associated red curb on the west side of California Street between Adams Avenue and Collins Avenue.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology
6. Discussion and Background
For the 2026-2027 school year, California Inspire Academy will expand services to include a mild-moderate special day class (SDC) program. The new program is expected to result in more bus trips to and from the school. In anticipation of the parking/traffic impacts related to the SDC program, and in an effort to better optimize site circulation, OUSD proposes an adjustment to California iInspire Academy’s pick-up and drop-off operations that involves the installation of a bus loading zone on California Street.
More specifically, OUSD has requested designating a 50-foot-long section on the north side of California Street (between Adams Avenue and Quincy Avenue) as a bus loading zone from 7AM to 4PM on school days. Doing so would ensure the curb space is available for school buses and any violations of the curb restriction are enforceable.
California Street is a local residential street with light traffic volumes. The proposed loading zone spans approximately 50 feet and lies along the 450-foot school frontage. Parking demand in the surrounding neighborhood is low, and the establishment of a bus loading zone is not anticipated to impose any hardship on area residents. Outside school hours, the loading zone would remain available for general parking.
In addition to the 50-foot bus loading zone, staff will install an additional 25 feet of red curb on either side of the bus loading zone south of the exit driveway of California iInspire Academy to provide an increased buffer between the school buses and nearest driveway.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Letter of Request
• Area Map & Site Sketch
• Notification Letter