Due to landslides in the early 1980s, the Board of Supervisors approved the closure of Carquinez Scenic Drive from the Ozol Fuel Facility (owned by the United States of America) to the Contra Costa Brick Works Plant 9 (former property of TXI Operations and recently purchased by the East Bay Regional Park District). In 2004, the Board of Supervisors approved the temporary overnight closure of Carquinez Scenic Drive, east of the Martinez city limit, to prevent ongoing criminal activity on that portion of the roadway. Vehicle Code Section 21101.4 authorizes eight additional temporary closure periods, of up to 18 months each, after the initial temporary closure.
The County Public Works Department, Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol believe that vehicle traffic would contribute to the occurrence or reoccurrence of the serious and continual criminal activity found to exist when the immediately preceding temporary 18-month closure was authorized. The Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol recommend continuing to prohibit overnight vehicle traffic on the above-described eastern portion of Carquinez Scenic Drive.
Public Works Department staff has determined that Carquinez Scenic Drive has not been designated as a through highway or arterial street. Public Works Department staff have also determined that the immediately preceding overnight closure of the eastern portion of Carquinez Scenic Drive has not substantially adversely affected traffic flow, safety on the adjacent streets or in the surrounding neighborhoods, the operation of emergency vehicles, the performance of municipal or public utility services to, or the delivery of freight by commercial vehicles, in the area of the eastern section of Carquinez Scenic Drive.
A public hearing and adoption of a resolution is required to continue the overnight closure of the above-described section of Carquinez Scenic Drive. This Board Order fixes February 26, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., for the hearing. At least 14 days before the hearing, notice of the hearing needs to be mailed to the residents and owners, as shown on the last equalized assessment roll, of property adjacent to that section of Carquinez Scenic Drive.
The temporary closure of Carquinez Scenic Drive, beginning at the Martinez city limit and extending 1.7 miles northeasterly, would not be continued, resulting in the occurrence of overnight criminal activity on that section of roadway.