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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-11 City Council (3)City City of Palo Alto Manager’s Report 3 TO: ATTN: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING DATE: SUBJECT: MAY 11, 1999 CMR:241:99 CREATION OF A TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, REVIEW OF TRANSPORTATION ISSUES, AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT RECOMMENDATION Staff and the Planning Commission recommend the following: Council expand the role of the Planning Commission to comprise that of a Planning and Transportation Commission. Further, that the focus of the Planning and Transportation Commission with respect to transportation matters be policy-oriented and strategic in character. After three years, Council to review the effectiveness of the Commission in its new transportation oversight role and make adjustments as needed. A joint Council-Planning and Transportation Commission workshop be convened annually, to review land use and transportation issues. Further, that staff prepare a report on transportation conditions and trends for review and discussion at the workshop. The Planning and Transportation Commission prepare a Transportation Strategic Plan for Palo Alto for Council consideration. Staff prepare and periodically update for review by both the Planning and Transportation Commission and Council a detailed implementation plan for the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan. BACKGROUND At its meeting on September 16, 1996, Council directed review and recommendation from both the Policy and Services Committee and the Planning Commission on several matters pertaining to the City’s transportation policy and program. These include the following: CMR:241:99 Page 1 of 3 Council expansion of the scope of the Planning Commission to comprise a Planning and Transportation Commission or creation by Council of a separate Transportation Commission. Convening an annual joint session of the Counc.i.1 and the expanded Planning and Transportation Commission or new Transportation Commission to review Palo Alto transportation conditions and trends. Development of an implementation plan for the Transportation Element of Palo Alto’s 1998-2010 Comprehensive Plan. DISCUSSION The Transportation Element of Palo Alto’s .Comprehensive Plan contains an ambitious, progressive agenda for developing mobility choices and enhancing transportation safety in Palo Alto. Creation of a more visible, institutionalized public forum for the City of Palo Alto’s transportation program would contribute to these goals. The advantages of such a public forum include improved citizen understanding and increased citizen involvement in transportation issues, as well as enhanced oversight of the City’s many transportation initiatives. At the present time, the Planning Commission and Policy and Services Committee serve these roles for certain activities. However, it is often unclear to the general public, and at times to Commission and Committee members, when and why certain items are brought before them while other items are not. Since they treat transportation issues on a sporadic rather than regular basis, Commission and Committee members are not able to fully develop the continuity, inter-relationships, and background understanding that come through participation in a body having regular responsibility for transportation matters. Expansion of the role of the existing Planning Commission, while creating an increased work load for the Commission, offers several advantages including: (a) creating an institutional linkage between Palo Alto’s land use and transportation issues, matters which are often closely inter-related; (b) making use of an established body recognized and.understood by the general public; (c) minirnimn" g the need for additional logistical support; and (d) avoiding . the complexity and functional overlap that would ensue with separate bodies for land use and transportation review. The Planning and Transportation Commission would add most value by maintaining a strategic focus on policies of citywide significance or those which affect whole neighborhoods, major travel corridors, or entire business districts. Examples include advising Council on such initiatives as the shuttle bus plan, the upcoming bicycle master plan, and the Embarcadero Road traffic calming project, as well as recommending to Council criteria for applicatior~, of traffic calming measures, installation of stop signs, and designation of crosswalks. In addition, the Commission might develop for Council consideration a strategic plan, including priorities and timeliness, for implementation of the transportation initiatives in Palo Alto’s Comprehensive Plan. A joint Council-Commission workshop would facilitate collaboration between the two bodies in these activities. CMR:241:99 Page 2 of 3 ALTERNATIVES The Policy and Services Committee could recommend that the City Council create a separate Transportation Commission. The advantages of separate Transportation Commission include, (1) greater focus by that body on transportation issues, and (2) a smaller work load than what would be required of a Planning and Transportation Commission. The disadvantages include, (1) lack of institutional linkage to land use decisions .(an important determinant of travel), (2) the difficulty facing a new entity in establishing the visibility and credibility needed for effectiveness, and (3) the possibility that, as a consequence of the preceding two factors, a separate Transportation.Commission would have a marginal impact on policy formulation in Palo Alto. ATTACHMENTS A. April 28, 1999 Planning Commission Staff Report Prepared by: Joseph Kott, Chief Transportation Official DEPARTMENT HEAD: CITY MANAGER cc:Planning Commission G. EDWARD GAV~ Director of Planning and Community Environment HARRISON Assistant City Manager CMR:241:99 Page 3 of 3 ATTACHMENT A PLANNING DIVISION STAFF REPORT TO:PLANNING COMMISSION FROM:Joseph Kott Chief Transportation Official DEPARTMENT: Planning AGENDA DATE:April 28,1998 SUBJECT:Creation of Transportation Commission; Review of Transportation Issues; and Development of an Implementation Plan for the Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element REQUEST The Planning Commission is requested to review and offer recommendations to the City Council with respect to: 1) designation by Council of a Planning and Transportation Commission or creation by Council of a separate Transportation Commission; 2) an annual review of Palo Alto transportation conditions and trends; and 3) development of an implementation plan for the Transportation Element of Palo Alto’s ,1998-2010 Comprehensive Plan. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the following: 1) the Planning Commission be assigned the role and responsibilities of a Palo Alto Transportation Commission; 2) an annual joint session of the Council and the Planning and Transportation Commission be convened to review Palo Alto transportation conditions and trends; and 3) transportation staff provide additional detail concerning and periodically update the transportation items contained in the Implementation Plan for Palo Alto’s 1998-2010 Comprehensive Plan BACKGROUND INFORMATION In response to a memorandum (Attachment A) from three City Council members (Fazzino, Kniss and Huber), Council approved a motion in July 1996 to have the Policy and Services Committee review ~tte City’s current transportation management structure and identify opportunities for improvement. The memorandum itself called for several specific initiatives: increasing the role of the Planning Commission in transportation matters or establishing a new Transportation Commission; establishing an annual Council-Commission review of transportation trends and the net transportation impact of development decisions; preparation s:\plan\pladiv\pcsr\trancon.wpd Page 1 of 9 of an implementation plan for the City’s 1.998-2010 Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element; assume leadership in developing effective traffic calming and other mitigation strategies, along with parking management strategies; and more visible involvement of senior management, including the Director of Planning and Community Environment and the City Manager, in transportation issues. The motion includ.ed referral to both the Policy and Services Committee and the Planning Commission for review. A joint Council-Planning Commission workshop in June 1998 supported expansion of the Planning Commissions’s role to include transportation issues. This staff report is intended to provide information to assist in review and decision in these matters. POLICY IMPLICATIONS The primary policy issue concerns a possible change in the role and responsibilities of the Planning Commission to include transportation or the creation of a new and separate Transportation Commission. DISCUSSION The background memo from Council Members Fazzino, Kniss and Huber emphasized the importance of traffic and transportation issues to Palo Altans, recognized on-going efforts to address Such issues, and suggested several potential areas for improvement including the following: Create a more visible public forum by increasing Planning Commission involvement in transportation issues and changing its name to the Planning and Transportation Commission, or possibly create a separate Transportation Commission. o Establish an annual Commission and Council review of transportation information and trends, including impacts of new development, monitoring of traffic volumes throughout the City, measures taken to reduce the impacts of traffic, etc. o More visible inVolvement in transportation issues by the Director of Planning and Community Environment and the City Manager. Develop a formal implementation plan for the Comprehensive Plan’s Transportation Element. Transportation Division Overview The following describes the Transportation Division (organization, functions, and work activities) of the Department of Planning and Community Environment, which has responsibility for City of Palo Alto transportation planning and operations. Organizationally, the Transportation Division has six full time staff members: five transportation engineers/planners, and one secretary. The division, which is managed by the Chief Transportation Official, is one of three divisions (Planning and Building being the other two) that comprise the Department of Planning and Community Environment. Functionally, the s:\plan\pladiv\pcsr\trancon.wpd Page 2 of 9 Transportation Division is involved with staff in several other departments. Apart from cooperation with the Planning Division of the Department of Planning and Community Environment, the Transportation Division works extensively with both the Public Works Department and the Police Department. The effectiveness of the Transportation Division is enhanced through such on-going cooperation. Work activities in the Transportation Division are identified in thirteen categories as follows: Work Category. Traffic Operations Analysis Examples: Operational improvements, traffic signs and signals, pavement markings, accident analyses, speed surveys, traffic counts, stop sign updates. Neighborhood Traffic Studies and Traffic Calming Examples: Downtown North Traffic Study (now underway); technical assistance in South of Forest Avenue (SOFA) area plan. Development Review Examples: site circulation and parking issues and review of traffic impact analyses and environmental impact reports for major projects such as Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF), Stanford West - Sand Hill Road, and Hewlett- Packard. Residential Arterial Traffic Calming Program Example: Embarcadero Road Traffic Calming Project (planning and schematic design phase now underway). Transit Planning and Coordination Examples: Local Shuttle Bus Project (planning phase now underway); coordination with VTA, Samtrans, and Stanford in transit planning within and to/from Palo Alto. Bicycle Planning and Programs Examples: Preparation of a Comprehensive Bicycle System Plan (soon to be underway); management of City bicycle lockers; site plan review for bicycle access, circulation, and parking; development of bicycle system improvements (lanes, paths, undercrossings, etc.). Parking Management Examples: Operation and management of City lots, garages, on street parking; technical assistance in residential permit parking program (in development) and parking structure feasibility studies. Regional Transportation Liaison and Coordination s:\plan\pladiv\pcsfltrancon.wpd Page 3 of 9 Examples: Participation on Valley Transportation Authority Technical Advisory Committee, Capital Improvement Program Sub-Committee, and Intelligent Transportation Systems Committee; liaison with the Peninsula Joint Powers Board (Cal Train), SFO Roundtable, Caltrans District 4, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Permits and Traffic Control Plans Examples.: Traffic control plans for construction in public rights-of-way, including Public Works and Utilities projects; oversized vehicle permits. School Commute Safety Examples: School Commute Safety studies and safety improvements program; staff assistance to City/School Traffic Safety Committee. Special Studies and Plans Examples: Intermodal Transit Center Study (underway soon); Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan; traffic signal systems modernization study (now underway). Citizen Complaints, Requests, and Suggestions Examples: stop sign and speed bump requests; traffic speed and cut-through complaints; pedestrian crossing safety concerns. Administration ,E.xamples: Work Program and budget development and management; grant administration. Historically, the Planning Commission and the Policy and Services Committee have been pre-Council public forums for review and discussion of various Transportation Division work activities. The’ items that have been previously brought before the Planning Commission or the Policy and Services Committee for review and recommendation to Council include the following: Planning Commission Roadway projects that result in capacity increases Development review projects, including traffic impacts and proposed mitigation measures Changes to zoning ordinance parking requirements Transportation Element of Comprehensive Plan Special studies and major development projects All Capital Improvement Projects s:\plan\pladiv\pcsr\trancon.wpd Page 4 of 9 Policy and Services Committee Stop signs Neighborhood traffic studies School commute safety studies Parking structure feasibility studies The following sections provide background information on four areas for potential improvement in Palo Alto’s transportation program. Create a More Visible Public Forum The Transportation Element of Palo Alto’s Comprehensive Plan contains an ambitious, progressive agenda for developing mobility choices and enhancing transportation safety in Palo Alto. Creation of a more visible, institutionalized public forum for the City of Palo Alto’s transportation program would contribute to these goals. The advantages of such a public forum include improved citizen understanding and increased citizen involvement in transportation issues, as well as enhanced oversight of the City’s many transportation initiatives. At the present time, the Planning Commission and Policy and Services Committee serve these roles for certain activities. However, it is often unclear to the general public, and at times to Commission and Committee members, .when and why certain items are brought before them while other items are not. Since they treat transportation issues on a sporadic rather than regular basis, Commission and Committee members are not able to fully develop the continuity, inter-relationships, and back~ound understanding that come through participation in a body having regular responsibility for transportation matters. Consequently, recommendations sometimes go to the full Council with less than full public participation and lacking the in-depth review and discussion that is characteristic of the public process in Palo Alto. Staff recommends creation of a single, more visible public forum for review of pertinent transportation related items and recommendations to Council. Two ways to achieve this objective are: (1) to expand the role (and title) of the Planning Commission to include both Planning and Transportation or (2) to create a new and separate Transportation Commission.. Expansion of the role of the existing Planning Commission, while creating an increased work load for the Commission, offers several advantages including: (a) creating an institutional linkage between Palo Alto’s land use and transportation issues, matters which are often closely inter-related; (b) making use of an established body recognized and understood by the general public; (c) minimizing the need for additional logistical support; and (d) avoiding the complexity and functional overlap that would ensue with separate bodies for land use and transportation review. While some cities have established separate Transportation Commissions and have found ways for them to function effectively, staff does not believe that such an approach would contribute to the broader, sophisticated consideration of transportation issues called for in Palo Alto’s Comprehensive Plan Staffhas contacted the cities of Berkeley and Menlo Park, each of which has a separate Transportation Commission, for insight into their role and function. A summary of each is provided for information and s:\plan\pladiv\pcsr\trancon.wpd Page 5 of 9 reference as Attachment B (Berkeley) and Attachment C (Menlo Park). The only notable advantage in creating a separate Transportation Commissions appears to be in sharing the review work load among members of two commissions rather than one. The most compelling argument for expanding the role :of the Planning Commission is the benefit of integrating land use and transportation review functions. Land use changes impact the transportation system just as transportation system changes influence land use. Public policy in Palo Alto and across the nation has in recent years come to recognize the importance of this relationship. Bringing land use and transportation review together under. a single Commission would create an insfitutonal mechanism for a more comprehensive approach to both topics. A typical Planning and Transportation Commission agenda might contain both land use and transportation items. Included as Attachment D is a summary of the types of issues that could be brought before a Planning and Transportation Commission. They are divided to three categories: 1.Items that already go to the Planning Commission; 2.Items that now go to the Policy and Services Committee; and 3.Items that may be appropriate for an expanded Commission, now or at a later time. Staff believes that it would be useful to have discussion at both the Planning Commission and the Policy and Services Committee, including comments and ideas from the public, prior to making any recommendations regarding what items should go to an expanded Planning Commission. In addition, since the duties of the Planning Commission are prescribed in the Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC), it will likely be necessary to amend the PAMC if a decision is made to expand the duties of the Commission. While it may be premature to detail such changes at this time, there is nothing that staff is aware of that would preclude expansion of the role of the Commission to include any of the items related to transportation. I~ should be noted that the staff recommendations contained herein suggest that a new Planning and Transportation Commission would consolidate and expand somewhat the oversight and review functions in respect to transportation matters that are now exercised by both the Planning Commission and the Policy and Services Committee. Establish an Annual Review of Transportation As a result of the. Citywide Land Use and Transportation Study, staff has monitored the traffic volume and calculated the level of service at eleven key intersections throughout the city. This information has been shared with the Council and Planning Commission in the form of an informational report. In addition, City staff annually receives traffic volume data (intersection volumes and roadway volumes) collected for a variety of purposes and coming from a variety of sources. Periodically, on a three to five year cycle, a comprehensive set oftraffc volume data is collected on roadways throughout the city and published in the form s:\plan\pladiv\pesr\trancon.wpd Page 6 of 9 of a traffic flow map. These reports provide, at best, a fragmented and incomplete portrait of Palo Alto transport system conditions and trends. A more appropriate model for Palo Alto would be a comprehensive and multimodal annual report on transportation conditions and trends. Such a report might contain data (with accompanying analysis) on traffic volumes, intersectibn and roadway levels of service, accidents, traffic speeds, traffic generation projected for completed and approved development, transit ridership, bicycle system volumes, and travel demand management activities. In addition, an annual Palo Alto Transportation Report could include a summary of transportation plans, programs, and projects underway or completed in the previous year and report on progress toward implementing the Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element. The Transportation Report could be discussed in a joint "study session" or "town hall" meeting of the City Council and the Planning and Transportation Commission. This would provide both the information and means for an open public discussion of transportation, and would likely evolve to a point of establishing priorities for future years and budgets. Copies of the Transportation Report could be made available to other City boards and commissions, as well as to interested citizens. The Transportation Report would include data from the traffic conditions monitoring effort (Program L-7) called for in the 1 ~98-2010 Comprehensive Plan. One important step in the direction of improved monitoring of Palo Alto transportation conditions is already in progress. Staff is currently working with a consultant to assess Palo Alto’s existing traffic signal control infrastructure and to prepare both a design and action plan for a technologically advanced system. In addition to operating the traffic signals, such a system should be able to provide comprehensive traffic monitoring and reporting information, as well as additional traffic management .capabilities. This project will provide some of the information base required for more comprehensive tracking of Palo Also transportation conditions and trends. More Visible Involvement of Upper Level Management The Director of Planning and Community Environment and City Manager have already increased their involvement in lransportation related issues. This involvement would increase further shouM the proposals for a Planning and Transportation Commission and an annual Commission/Council joint transportation session be implemented Transportation staff is now drafting a monthly transportation program status report to both the Director of Planning and Community Environment and the City Manager. Provision of this information may also facilitate upper management involvement. Develop an Implementation Plan for the Transportation Element of the !Somprehensive The Transportation Element of the 1998-2010 Comprehensive Plan is ambitious and multimodal. The Planning and Community Environment Department has recently submitted to Council the Planning Commission’s proposed 1998-2010 Comprehensive Plan s:\plan\pladiv\pcsr\trancon.wpd Page 7 of 9 Implementation Plan. This document includes all of the transportation programs called for in the 1998-2010 Comprehensive Plan. Transportation staff recommends that more detail be added to the transportation items in the Implementation Plan and that, periodically, this expanded version be submitted by staff to the Planning and Transportation Commission for review of progress. : Work is now, or soon will be, underway to realize aspects of the vision in the 1998-2010 Comprehensive Plan of a safer, more effective, and more diverse transportation system. Some of the major transportation projects contained in the 1998-2010 Comprehensive Plan that are now being planned and designed include the following: a citywide shuttle bus system, a residential arterial traffic calming project on Embarcadero Road, a citywide traffic safety education program, a comprehensive bicycle master plan, creation of an intermodal transit center at the University Avenue Caltrain station, development of a neighborhood (local & collector streets) traffic calming program, and creation of a citywide travel demand management effort. The City. Manager and the Director of Planning and Community Environment are committed to using the 1998-2010 Comprehensive Plan as a guide to decision making. FISCAL IMPACT The fiscal impact of these proposals would include additional data collection and publication expenses incurred in preparing the proposed annual Palo Alto Transportation Report. No estimate of these costs is available at this time. There may also be staff implications, depending on the increase in work load required to support the work of a Planning and Transportation Commission. These might be addressed either through re-prioritization of the Transportation Division work program and reallocation of existing staff time, or recruitment of additional staff. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT This is not a project for the purposes of CEQA. NEXT STEPS Review by the Policy and Services Committee, followed by full Council discussion and direction to staff. s:\plan\pladiv\pcsr\trancon.wpd Page 8 of 9 ATTACHMENTS/EXHIBITS A.Memo from Council Members B.City of Berkeley Transportation Commission C.City of Menlo Park Transportation Commission D.Potential Items for Planning and Transportation Commission COURTESY COPIES: City Council Policy & Services Committee Prepared by:Joseph Kott, Chief Transportation Official Reviewed by:Ed Gawf, Director of Planning. and Community Environment Eric Riel, Chief Planning Official Division Head Approval:~ Transportation OfficialJ e~Ko~t, Chief/~~-~ s:\plan\pladiv\pcsr\trancon.wpd Page 9 of 9 Office of the Council MEMORANDUM ATTACHMENT A DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT: September 12, 1996 Our Colleagues Council Members Fazzino and Kniss and Vice Mayor Huber Traffic/Transpo~ation Management Issues Few issues engender such passions among Palo Altans as traffic and transportation. Traffic concerns were the impetus behind Measure R last year, and the issues importance to the City was evidenced through the significant attention it received during the Comprehensive Plan discussions. The Council devotes much time to reduction of traffic impacts through project mitigation, traffic calming, and regional leadership. During the last year, the Council also implemented a major new traffic safety program. Given this level of attention to a complicated set of issues, Palo Alto generally performs an excellent job of addressing transportation challenges. However, we believe transportation issues could be even better managed through more visible leadership, structural opportunities to focus on project and net transportation impacts, and a formal implementation plan for our Comprehensive Plan’s outstanding Transportation Element. In addition, citizens need a standing forum to address their traffic/transportation concerns and to be assured that steps are being taken to address them. Such a forum might well reduce the sometimes current piecemeal nature of traffic/transportation issues consideration, which sometimes leads to inconsistent decision making as well. We recommend that Council direct the Policy and Services Committee to work with City staff to review the City’s current transportation management structure and identify opportunities for improvement. Some suggestions include: Establishing an annual Council review of net transportation impacts of the previous year’s development decisions or other trends. This could be incorporated into.the annual city,vide land use review which the Council recently approved. Actions could then be taken to slow or reduce net traffic growth. Renaming the Planning Commission the Planning and Transportation Commission; or establishing a Separate Transportation Commission; or, at the very least, assuring increased Planning Commission attention to transportation issues. Although project proposal traffic impacts are part of the Planning Commission’s charter, its focus is currently on development and design issues. A Planning Commission with enhanced transportation involvement or an independent Transportation Commission would not only be a forum for issues which deeply concern Palo Altans, such as the traffic producing elements of project proposals and recommendations for appropriate mitigations, but would also provide policy direction for the Council that could avoid inconsistent and piecemeal decisions. At the very least, the City should identify an appropriate forum for meaningful discussion and action on traffic management issues. Recommending to the City Manager a possible change in the Director of Planning and Community Environment’s title or set of responsibilities to assure top level management of and visibility for transportation issues. Our Transportation Division does an excellent job of managing specific programs; but given the importance of this issue to Palo Altans, higher level leadership is required to provide sufficient direction. Identifying and promoting City action on auto-alternative transportation programs. Developing a formal implementation plan for the Comprehensive Plan’s" Transportation Element, in.particular its auto-alternative components. Several excellent objectives and programs were included in the Comprehensive Plan, including creation of a city shuttle system linking major work centers, public facilities, neighborhoods, and transit centers. No plan is currently in place to implement these excellent ideas. We fear that unless the City commits itself to implementation of this plan and identifies a group to play a leadership role, the press of daily city business will override implementation opportunities. Providing leadership on controversial traffic calming and other traffic mitigation measures and assuring that specific projects bear a strong relationship to an overall set of City transportation objectives. Working with the City staff, business districts, Chamber of Commerce, and the public to develop solutions to the City’s parking problems. Although we have identified several traffic/transportation management alternatives, we are not necessarily committed to any particular course of action at this time. However, we do believe that the public would benefit from improved City management of transportation issues. At the very least, we would all benefit by a careful evaluation of current City structure and processes to determine ~vhether the tools are in place to achieve our transportation objectives and to satisfy the public’s thirst for active involvement in this set of issues. ATTACHMENT B: Berkeley Transportation Commission Transportation Commission The City of Berkeley has a Transportation Commission, comprised of nine members, appointed by the City Council. The Commission is empowered to hold hearings, gather and evaluate information and data relevant to legislative actions on transportation, and make recommendations to the City Council or City Manager on traffic management policies and implementation of such policies. More specifically, the Commission is to be involved in taxi regulations, parking, safety, pricing, vehicle circulation, impact of land use, finances, service vehicles, goods movement vehicles, pedestrians, public transit, and bicycles, as they relate to the transportation issues. The Commission has a Secretary, who is a City staff’person appointed by the .City Manager. Agendas and minutes are distributed to the Planning Commission (PC) and the Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB; a separate body, also referred to as a commission) as are both the PC & ZAB agendas and minutes distributed to the Transportation Commission. The PC & ZAB are directed to submit matters coming before them that would have a significant impact on transportation to the Transportation Commission for advice and comment. A Transportation Liaison Committee (two members from the Transportation Committee) is established to meet semiannually to review the status of the Transportation Element of the Master Plan and can serve, upon request from the PC or ZAP, to consider actions by either Commission that would exert a significant impact on transportation policies and programs. ATTACHMENT C: Menlo ’Park Transportation Commission The City of Menlo Park has a Transportation Commission, which is one of six Advisory Commissions (Art, Environmental Beautification, Housing, Library, Parks & Recreation), each of which is comprised of 7 members, appointed by the City Cofincil. The Commission is charged with studying and developing recommendations to the City Council on transportation matters that arise from the Commissions own initiative, requests from the public, and referrals from the Council. More specifically, the Transportation Commission is charged with advising City Council on matters related to the adequacy and improvement of all types of public and private transportation within and across the City, including: establishing and maintaining transportation systems and facilities for the transport of people and goods around the City; coordination of motor vehicle, bicycle, mass transit, and pedestrian facilities; development of the best transportation system for the City, supporting the goals of the General Plan; coordination with regional transportation systems; and serving as an appeals board for appeals from staff determinations concerning establishment of traffic signs, pavement markings, speed zones, parking regulations, traffic signals, bike lanes, bus stops, etc. The Commission meets monthly,, meets periodically with the City Manager, and meets at least once a year with the Council. Near the beginning of each regular Council meeting, there is a item for "Commission Reports" at which time the Commission may make recommendations and reports and may request direction and support. When an Initial Study and/or a draft EIR for a proposed project has been prepared, the Transportation Commission is given the opportunity to provide input to the Planning Commission. All Planning Commission meeting agendas are to be routinely mailed to the Chairperson of the Transportation Commission so that they may decide wether of not to send a representative to the Planning Commission. ATTACHMENT D Existing and Potential Transportation Items for Planning and Transportation Commission Review Existing Planning Commission Review Functions Roadway Projects that result in capacity increases Review of development projects, including traffic impacts and proposed mitigation measures Changes to zoning ordinance parking requirements Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan and Plan Update Capital Improvement Program Existing Polic.v & Services Committee Review Functions Stop sign requests Neighborhood traffic studies School commute safety studies Parking structure feasibility studies Potential Planning and Transportation Commission Review Continuation of Current Review Functions Concerning: Roadway Projects that result in capacity increases Review of development projects, including traffic impacts and proposed mitigation measures Changes to zoning ordinance parking requirements Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan and Plan Update Capital Improvement Program Additional Review Functions (Illustrative List): Transportation System and Program Status - ~Proposed annual report of Palo Alto transportation conditions and trends ~Monthly status report on Palo Alto transportation planning and operations Traffic Operations - ~Stop sign requests ~Neighborhood traffic and traffic calming studies ~School commute safety studies ~Establishment of speed limits Pedestrian crosswalks and signing Traffic Signal System Study recommendations Embarcadero Road Traffic Calming Study recommendations Neighborhood (local and collector streets) Traffic Calming Study (proposed) Truck Route Study (proposed) Traffic safety and education program recommendations Parking Operations and Management - Parking structure feasibility studies Valet parking ordinance Establishing parking restrictions ’ Space allocation in new lots and structures Residential permit parking program Transit Operations and Planning - 6 Local Shuttle Bus Feasibility Study recommendations ~Local Shuttle Bus operations reports ~,Updates on VTA, Samtrans, Caltrain, Stanford transit plans, University Avenue ~Multimodal Transit Center Feasibility Study schematic design Bicycle Facilities Planning- Bicycle Master Plan Establishment of new bike lanes Travel Demand Management - Palo Alto Commute Alternatives Program design (proposed) Transportation Noise Impacts- ~Airport noise monitoring and mitigation recommendations ~Train whistle noise monitoring and mitigation recommendations Other - g Grant applications