City Council Split on Olive Avenue Traffic Calming as Studio Workers Demand Safer Streets

Burbank City Council members found themselves divided Tuesday night over proposed traffic calming measures for Olive Avenue between Hollywood Way and Pass Avenue, a stretch that has become increasingly congested as the Media District continues to grow.

The debate comes after months of complaints from studio workers, residents, and local business owners who say the corridor has become a dangerous speedway for commuters cutting through to avoid freeway traffic. Three pedestrian accidents in the past six months, including one involving a Warner Bros. assistant editor crossing near the AMC 16, have pushed the issue to the forefront.

“I’ve worked at Disney for twelve years, and I’ve never seen it this bad,” said Maria Santos, a story coordinator who walks to work from her apartment on Screenland Drive. “Cars are flying down Olive at 50 mph in a 35 zone. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets killed.”

The Proposed Changes

City staff presented three options to council members, each carrying different price tags and implementation timelines:

Option A includes installing speed bumps every 300 feet between Hollywood Way and Buena Vista Street, upgraded crosswalk signals at three intersections, and enhanced lighting. Cost: $180,000.

Option B adds protected bike lanes on both sides of Olive Avenue, removing approximately 40 parking spaces but creating a dedicated cycling corridor connecting to the existing Chandler Bikeway. Cost: $340,000.

Option C represents the most comprehensive approach, featuring raised crosswalks, curb extensions at bus stops, decorative medians, and complete street redesign. Cost: $650,000.

Councilwoman Sharon Springer voiced strong support for the most aggressive option. “We’re talking about the heart of our Media District. This is where thousands of people work every day, and we need infrastructure that reflects that reality.”

But Councilman Bob Frutos pushed back on the cost. “Six hundred and fifty thousand dollars is a lot of money for speed bumps and crosswalks. We have potholes on Magnolia Boulevard that have been waiting two years for repairs.”

Business Community Concerns

Local business owners presented mixed reactions during public comment. Tony Ricci, owner of Tony’s Deli on Olive Avenue, worried that bike lanes would eliminate crucial customer parking.

“Half my lunch business comes from studio people who grab sandwiches between shoots,” Ricci said. “You take away parking, you take away my customers. It’s that simple.”

But Jennifer Walsh, who runs Prop House Vintage across the street, disagreed. “Slower traffic means people actually see our businesses instead of racing past. And bike lanes bring foot traffic. Look at what happened on Magnolia Boulevard after they added bike infrastructure—retail sales went up 15%.”

Safety by the Numbers

Burbank Police Department data shows a troubling trend along the Olive Avenue corridor. Traffic citations have increased 30% over the past two years, with speeding violations making up the largest category. The three recent pedestrian accidents all occurred during daylight hours in marked crosswalks.

“The problem is visibility and speed,” explained Traffic Engineer Dave Morrison during his presentation. “When cars are traveling 15-20 mph over the speed limit, reaction time decreases dramatically. Our traffic studies show average speeds of 42 mph in a 35 mph zone during peak hours.”

Motion-activated traffic counters installed last month recorded more than 18,000 vehicle trips daily on the stretch between Buena Vista Street and Pass Avenue—a 25% increase since 2019.

Studio Support Grows

The issue gained momentum after Disney, Warner Bros., and Nickelodeon Animation jointly submitted a letter supporting traffic calming measures. The studios employ more than 8,000 people in the immediate area, many of whom walk, bike, or take public transit to work.

“Our employees shouldn’t have to risk their safety getting to and from work,” the letter stated. “We support comprehensive improvements that prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety.”

Union representatives from IATSE Local 839, which represents many animation workers in the district, also spoke in favor of the changes. “Our members work long hours and often leave the studio after dark,” said Local 839 representative Mike Chen. “Better lighting and safer crossings aren’t luxuries—they’re necessities.”

The Rancho Perspective

Residents from the nearby Rancho neighborhood expressed concerns that traffic calming on Olive would push cut-through traffic onto residential streets like Reese Place and Screenland Drive.

“You slow down Olive Avenue, and suddenly everyone’s racing through our neighborhood,” said longtime Rancho resident Patricia Delgado. “We need a comprehensive approach that doesn’t just shift the problem around.”

City staff acknowledged these concerns and proposed complementary measures on side streets, including stop signs and “No Thru Traffic” designations during peak hours.

What’s Next

The council stopped short of approving any specific option Tuesday night, instead directing staff to conduct additional community outreach and refine cost estimates. A follow-up session is scheduled for the December 19 meeting.

Mayor Konstantine Anthony emphasized the need for a balanced approach. “We have to weigh public safety against fiscal responsibility and business impacts. This isn’t a decision we’re going to rush.”

The city will host two community workshops in January—one at the Buena Vista Branch Library and another at the Media District offices—before returning to council with a refined proposal.

Springer pushed for faster action. “How many more accidents do we need before we act? Every month we delay is another month of unnecessary risk.”

Looking Forward

The Olive Avenue debate reflects broader questions about Burbank’s growth and infrastructure needs. As the Media District continues attracting new businesses and residents, city officials face mounting pressure to balance economic development with livability concerns.

“This is really about what kind of city we want to be,” Santos said after the meeting. “Do we prioritize moving cars quickly, or do we prioritize people? I hope the council makes the right choice.”

Public comment for the December 19 meeting can be submitted through the city website or in person at City Hall. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers.

For now, studio workers and residents continue navigating what many consider one of Burbank’s most dangerous stretches of road, hoping city leadership will act before the next accident occurs.