HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-09 City Council (13)TO:
Ci~ of Polo Alto
City Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
4
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING
AGENDA DATE: September 9, 1996 CMR:387:96
SUBJECT: Resolution Establishing Mid-Block Crosswalk on Quarry Road
REOUEST
Stanford University staff has requested City approval to install a mid-block pedestrian
crosswalk on Quarry Road, between the Stanford Shopping Center and the Hoover
Pavilion. The California Vehicle Code Section 21106 provides that local authorities, by
ordinance or resolution, may establish crosswalks between intersections.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that Council approve the attached resolution (Attachment 1)
establishing a mid-block pedestrian crosswalk on Quarry Road, between the Stanford
Shopping Center and the Hoover Pavilion.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
During the past twelve years City policy has been not to install new mid-block
crosswalks. Exceptions were made for the one that was installed in front of the Whole
Foods Market on Homer Avenue, and the three specially marked and signed crosswalk%
with center refuge area, on Welch Road.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Proposed Project
Stanford University, as part of their efforts to improve and expand the Marguerite service,
proposes to establish and provide amenities and safety improvements for transit users at
Marguerite stops on both sides of Quarry Road, between the Stanford Shopping Center
and the Hoover Pavilion. The amenities and safety improvements include a marked mid-
block crosswalk, bus shelter and pad on each side of Quarry Road, extension of a
concrete sidewalk (along the north side of Quarry Road) from the Shopping Center
CMR:387:96 Page 1 of 5
driveway to a County transit bus stop/layover point, and installation of handicapped
ramps. The proposed changes are illustrated in the concept plan shown in Exhibit 1.
The pedestrian crosswalk will be marked and signed and will include a center refuge area
demarcated by small concrete islands, which will help emphasize the crosswalk and
provide a measure of refuge and protection. This type of installation will be similar to
others that currently exist at one location on Fabian Way and .three locations on Welch
Road. These existing installations have been, and continue to be, effective.
Information provided by Stanford indicates that in a 12-hour period (6:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m.), on a typical weekday, there were 480 pedestrians and 38 bicyclists crossing Quarry
Road, at this location. Quarry Road, at this location, has one travel lane and one bike lane
in each direction, and a center turn lane. Travel speeds were not measured, but
observation would indicate that they are moderate in this area. There are no other
crosswalkson Quarry Road from Arboretum Road to E1 Camino Real.
Stanford will administer and pay for the implementation of this project. Upon completion
and acceptance by the City, Palo Alto will be responsible for enforcement and
maintenance of the marked crosswalk, raised islands, signs, and sidewalk. Stanford
agrees to be responsible for the maintenance of the bus shelters, pads, and related
appurtenances.
The implementation of the Sand Hill Corridor Projects, as presently proposed, would
establish a full signalized intersection at a new location in proximity to this location
(Quarry Road/Palo Road/Shopping Center Driveway) and would eliminate the need for
this mid-block crosswalk. However, such changes are, at best, several years away, and
are subject to change during the ongoing Sand Hill Corridor Projects development review
process.
Use of Mid-Block Crosswalks
Traditionally, City staff has opposed the installation of new mid-block pedestrian
crosswalks; and that position, in general, will continue. This opposition is based upon
professional literature which indicates that mid-block crosswalks create a false sense of
security for pedestrians. A pedestrian is more likely to exercise due diligence and care
when crossing a street without a marked crosswalk, than with a marked crosswalk.
While California law establishes that a pedestrian within a marked crosswalk has the legal
fight-of-way and vehicles have the legal responsibility to stop for a pedestrian who is
within a marked crosswalk, the severity of the consequences for failure to conform to this
CMR:387:96 Page 2 of 5
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requirement is potentially very serious. Therefore, staff’s position has been, and will
continue to be, not to establish any new marked mid-block crosswalks, in order to avoid
creating a false sense of security. While there are a number of existing mid-block
crosswalks in Palo Alto, the only new ones that have been installed during a period of
over twelve years, are the one in front of the Whole Foods Market on Homer Avenue and
the three crosswalks on Welch Road referred to above.
That position notwithstanding, staff supports the establishment of the subject pedestrian
mid-block crosswalk on Quarry Road, based, in part, on the number of pedestrians
crossing at this location, the volume and travel speed of traffic on this segment of Quarry
Road, adequate visibility for traffic to see pedestrians crossing Quarry Road, presence of
street lighting, the manner in which the crosswalk is to be implemented, and the
effectiveness of similar installations elsewhere in Palo Alto. The crosswalk will be well
marked and well signed, and will have a center refuge area.
FISCAL IMPACT
Stanford will administer and pay for the implementation of this project. Upon completion
and acceptance by the City, Palo Alto will be responsible for enforcement and
maintenance.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Installation of crosswalks and related signing is considered a minor operational
improvement, and is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Therefore, no environmental assessment is required.
STEPS FOLLOWING APPROVAL
If Council approves the resolution establishing a mid-block crosswalk on Quarry Road,
Stanford will prepare more detailed implementation plans for submittal, as part of their
application for a Street Works Permit. Once the Street Work Permit review and approval
process is completed, Stanford will proceed with implementation of the project.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution establishing crosswalk
CMR:387:96 Page 4 of 5
Prepared By:
Department Head Review:
Ashok Aggarwal, City Traffic Engineer
TH R. SCHREIBER
Director of Planning
,and Community Environment
City Manager Approval:
city
cc: Stanford University (Jeffrey Tumlin, Ann Ording, Andy Cole)
CMR:387:96 Page 5 of 5
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
ESTABLISHING A CROSSWALK BETWEEN INTERSECTIONS ON
QUARRY ROAD
WHEREAS, pursuant to Vehicle Code section 21106, the
legislative body of a city or county, by ordinance or resolution,
may establish crosswalks between intersections; and
WHEREAS, the Council desires to approve the establishment
of a pedestrian crosswalk in one location along Quarry Road,
between the Arboretum Road and E1 Camino Real intersections, as
shown on Exhibit i, attached hereto and incorporated herein by
reference.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does
RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION i. The Council hereby establishes a pedestrian
crosswalk in one location along Quarry Road, between the Arboretum
Road and E1 Camino Real intersections, as more specifically shown
on Exhibit i.
SECTION 2. The Council finds that this project constitutes
a minor alteration to land and as such is categorically exempt from
the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act
("CEQA"), pursuant Section 15304 of the CEQA Guidelines.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FROM:City Manager
Senior Asst. City Attorney Director of Planning and
Community Environment
Chief Transportation Official
960814 la¢ 0031413
, EXI-IIBIT 1