HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 230-05reached to instead install a center median on Channing A venue to the east of Desoto Drive.
Detailed description of the Channing A venue Traffic Calming Project, its background,
performed analysis, community consultation process and received comments is provided in
the staff report to Commission (Attachment B).
COMMISSION REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
With the exception of two absent Commission members, the Planning and Transportation
Commission unanimously recommended the permanent retention of the Channing A venue
Traffic Calming Plan during the Commission's meeting held on November 17, 2004.
Minutes of the Commission's meeting are provided under Attachment C.
Commission member Burt requested that, in future projects, staff collect and report on
speeders (who travel at speeds higher than the 85th percentile speed), along with the
potential reduction in speeds and improvement in safety conditions as a result of·
implementing a traffic calming project.
A number of residents who attended the Commission meeting reported their support to the
overall traffic calming plan, but requested that the two speed tables be lowered to avoid
potential damage to vehicles, noise impacts, etc. Accordingly, should the traffic calming
plan be retained on a permanent basis, City staff will proceed to reconstruct the speed tables
at a profile that is only 3 inches high. Signing and markings of the reconstructed speed
tables will follow standards of the Manual· on Uniform Traffic Control Devices including
provision of the Supplemental Advisory Speed Plaques.
In addition, a few area residents raised concerns with regard to the general aesthetics due to
the lack of any landscaping or hardscaping of the center medians. Without contacting the
City, area residents planted some flowers in the medians. City staff is concerned about the
level of maintenance required and the liability issues associated with residents standing in
the middle of the' street to water the planted flowers. Following the Commission meeting,
Planning staff reviewed and is prepared to proceed with replacing the planted flowers with
very low maintenance Carpet Rose, or Lantana. Public Works staff was also ,contacted and
agreed to water the center medians once to twice a month during their regular watering of
the side trees.
An area resident also' requested during the Commission meeting that' City staff re-evaluate
the possibility of establishing physical traffic calming devices on Channing Avenue to the
east of Greer Road. Following to the Commission meeting, another area resident
contacted Transportation staff and requested that an in pavement lighted crosswalk be
added to the school crossing provided across Channing Avenue at Heather Lane. Based
on Council directive, Transportation staff will proceed to evaluate these requested
additions to the traffic calming plan.
CMR: 230:05 Page 3 of 4
Channing Avenue· near Lincoln Avenue, as well as requested that the section of
Channing Avenue located east of Guinda Street be studied for possible establishment of
traffic calming· measures. During this Council meeting, residents of Channing Avenue
raised their concerns about excessive vehicular traffic speeds and requested that traffic
calming applications be considered. Several residents' complaints and inquiries about
traffic problems on Channing Avenue were also forwarded to City staff at later dates. In
February. 2003, staff began the specific Channing Avenue/Lincoln Avenue traffic
calming project in an expedited manner. After achieving approval of affected residents,
a speed table was constructed on Channing Avenue near Lincoln Avenue and an
electronic speed advisory sign was installed near Addison Avenue.
On March 6, 2003, the St. FrancislDuveneck and Crescent Park Neighborhood
Associations sponsored a well-attended community meeting (over a 100 attendees) to
discuss Channing traffic issues. IIi addition to area residents, the meeting was attended
by representatives of, Saint Elizabyth Seton School, Duveneck Elementary School, and
City staff (of the Police and Planning & Community Environment Departments). The
key concern raised during the meeting was regarding excessive vehicular travel speeds
along Channing Avenue. An overwhelming 93 percent of community members voted to
move forward with a traffic calming plan for Channing Avenue between Guinda Street
and West Bayshore Road. Initiatives were also taken during this meeting to form a 17-
member working group to work with City staffon identifying specific traffic calming
options for trial implementation. Subsequent meetings were held on April 1 and 22, and
June 5, 2003. During the April 22 meeting, Transportation staff presented four traffic
calming plans ranging from ininimum to maximum speed reduction. The participating
group selected a "minimum" plan to avoid saturating the street with too many traffic
calming devices. This plan, with a few modifications, was submitted to Commission for
trial implementation. It should be noted that the segment of Channing Avenue located
between Greer and West Bayshore Roads was removed from the project area for
possible consideration at a later date .. Among the considerations for shortening the
. project area were the presence of a curve in the street alignment of Channing between
East Bayshore and St. Francis, existing stop signs, and lack of consensus amongst
residents of Channing between St. Francis and Greer on traffic calming meCj.sures to
deploy.
On July 9,2003, the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) discussed and
recommended approval. of a trial traffic calming plan for the section of Channing
Avenue between Guinda Street and Greer Road. The Director of Planning and
Community Environment approved the trial in August 2003, and the traffic calming
devices were constructed in April 2004. The City's Transportation Division developed
this traffic" calming plan jointly with the Duveneck-Saint Francis and Crescent Park
neighborhood associations. Area residents have been involved in the study process since
Permanent Retention of Channing Traffic Calming Project Page 2
the traffic calming plan. A workable majority of 55 percent of replies received still
favored the permanent retention of the devices on Channing Avenue.
From Tables 1 and 2, it can be concluded that 23 percent of all households (in the
. primary project area and its environs) favored the permanent establishment of the traffic
calming plan, which constitutes 59 percent of all replies received. Therefore, the second
NTCPcondition of reaching a simple majority (50+ percent) of project area survey
responses has also been met. It can also be concluded from the tables that 15 percent of
all households favored the removal of the devices, which represents 37 percent of all
replies received.
Comments noted on the returned survey cards, as well as in e-mail messages and letters
received are listed in Attachment C. Comments in favor and in opposition of the
pennanent retention of the traffic calming devices are categorized for the primary project
area and for its environs.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
Traffic
Channing Avenue is classified in the City's Comprehensive Plan as a collector street.
The traffic calming devices were spaced out over an approximately l.J-mile length of
Channing Avenue, from Guinda Street to Greer Road. This section of Channing has two
vehicular travel lanes (one lane per direction), bike lanes, and curb-side parking on both
sides of the roadway. Abutting land uses are mostly single family housing with the
exception of Saint Elizabeth Seton School, Duveneck Elementary School and Eleanor
Pardee Park. .
The primary purpose of the traffic calming plan was to reduce traffic' speeds along
Channing Avenue. The plan also focused on pedestrian crossing safety at three existing.
pedestrian and school crosswalks (by employing refuge center' islands at the Addison
Avenue and Heather Lane crosswalks, and a raised crosswalk at the Harriet Avenue
crosswalk). Studies assessing daily traffic volumes and speeds were performed before
and after the implementation of the trial project. Results of these "before" and'''after''
studies are summarized in Table 3. .
The aforementioned resident's letter (included as part of attachment C) also indicated
that the traffic calming plan was not warranted and was only implemented to address
some residents' needs. To consider the application of traffic calming measures, the
City's NTCP requires that at least two of the following five criteria be met.
Permanent Retention of Channing Traffic Calming Project Page 7
1. Minimum 85th percentile speed of 35 mph for collector streets.
2. Minimum daily volume of 4,000 vpd for collector streets.
3. Location within 1,000 feet walking distance of a school, senior citizen facility,
facility for the disabled, park, community center, or other site with significant
pedestrian activity.
4. Evidence (sUrvey' or field evaluation) of significant cut-through (i.e., traffic
without an origin or destination in the neighborhood) traffic.
5. Unusual accident history (as defined by six or more crashes or one fatal crash in
the prior three consecutive years -crashes due to parking, vehicle equipment,
drug/alcohol, and certain other causes clearly not solvable by traffic calming and
will not usually be counted).
Traffic volume and speed counts were conducted at a number oflocations on Channing
Avenue in March of2003, prior to the establishment of traffic calming devices. Results
. of these before surveys are summarized in Table 3.
The "before" speeds on Channing Avenue ranged from 25 mph to 34 mph. These are
average speeds for both traffic directions: Directional speeds Gust for northbound, or
southbound traffic) did reach the 35 mph margin required for conSIderation of traffic
calming applications.
With regard to the "before" traffic volumes, information summarized in Table 3 shows
that the daily vehicular traffic volumes on Channing Avenue ranged from 3944 vpd to
4567 vpd. Therefore, traffic volumes on some of the roadway segments exceed the
4,000 vpd threshold identified in the NTCP.
In addition, there are two schools (Saint Elizabeth Seton School and Duveneck
Elementary School) located on Channing Avenue. Therefore, it can be concluded that
three of the five aforementioned NTCP criteria were satisfied. Consequently,
consideration of traffic calming was warranted. Although no origin and destination
survey has been conducted for traffic movements on Channing, Transportation staff also
believes (primanly through field observation of truck movements on the street) that it is
highly probable that a fourth NTCP qualifying criterion, presence of significant cut-
through traffic, would also be met.
Following the, construction of the traffic calming devices, "after" volum,e and speed
counts were carried out. These counts were conducted from May 18 to the 27, prior
to the schools' summer break. Assessed daily volumes and 85th percentile speeds are
summarized in Table 3.
Permanent Retention of Channing Traffic Calming Project Page 8
The 85th percentile speeds in the overall project area ranged from 25 mph to 34 '1~ph
prior to the implementation of the trial traffic cahning project. Based on the results of
the speed surveys, the 85th percentile speeds were reduced to a range of 23 mph to 31
mph, following the construction of the devices. Along Channing Avenue in particular,
the reduction in vehicular traffic speeds is 3 percent to 16 percent depending on
. proximity of the survey location relative to the traffic calming device (a reduction of32
. percent at the speed table). Moreover, a reduction of the speed differential between
motor vehicles and bicycles (which typically average 15 mph in urban areas) creates
both safer and more comfortable conditions for cyclists ..
Department Comments
In addition to the comprehensive community consultation process, the Channing Avenue
Traffic Calming Plan was circulated to a number of City departments and other affected
agencies in order to obtain feedback on possible plan impacts. Comments received from
the Public Works, Police and Fire Departments are listed below. Also listed are
comments received from other project stakeholders consisting of Santa Clara Valley
Transportation Authority (VTA) , Palo Alto Sanitation Company (PASCO), Saint
Elizabeth Seton School, and Duveneck Elementary School.
Public Works Department -Operations: JUst about any traffic cahning device has some
effect on our street sweeping. Many of our sweepers ~e of the "regenerative air" type
with a "head" that drags along the roadways with rubber curtains to seal the head to the
road. When our sweepers drive over the speed tables, the head cannot stay sealed, so
leaves and debris that are inside the head are blown out onto the roadway. In November
and December when the Sycamore trees loose their leaves, this is expected to create a
mess and most likely generate some phone calls. The center islands installed are pretty
small and so far have not created any problems. There are generally increased
maintenance issues with sign replacement when they are damaged or faded. There is also
a need for weeding and hand sweeping to keep the signs clean.
Public Works Department -Engineering: Any speed table should not directly be
< constructed over utility service or maintenance access point (ex. manholes, valves, and
vaults). USA needs to be contacted prior to performing any excavations or drilling. Also
Public Works -Engineering needs to review the plans. It does not seem that the speed
tables on Channing Avenue have impacts· on gutter drainage, or on flooding potential
along this street. Fro:rn, a storm drainage perspective, there are no objections to making
the Channing Avenue traffic calming features permanent. There are also no· problems
with regard to the annual street maintenance program.
Police Department: The Police Department has not experienced any adverse
consequences as a result of the trafficcahning devices on Channing Avenue. We have
Permanent Retention of Channing Traffic Calming Project Page 11
"
continued to meet our response time without any delays. A recent vehicular collision
to,ok place on Channing Avenue, which is not rel~ted to the traffic calming d~vices. A
woman was traveling westbound on Channing Avenue. While driving, she reached to the
back'seat of her Chevy Suburban. When'she turned around, she discovered that she
drifted to the right. Before she could steer back onto the road, she collided with a fire
hydrant.
Fire Department: In general, the traffic calming plan on Channing Avenue has not had
any known adverse impacts on the apparatus. The Captain of Station 3 reported that the
speed humps are mild and can be easily negotiated. The humps cause a very slight delay
in response time. However, the response time is still within the Department's set goals.
VTA: After checking with the bus operators and visiting the area, it is detennined that
there are no operational issues associated with the traffic calming devices on Channing
A venue. The speed tables do not affect our operation' time wise, or by damaging the
equipment. The ATU Safety Stewart stated that route 88 schedule was too tight and that
the traffic calming devices make it difficult to keep his schedule. However, this may be a
VT A scheduling issue.,
PASCO: The speed humps ~nd raised medians ,are very good; and have been
instrumental in slowing the traffic on Channing Avenue. Most of the devices have had
no impacts on our operation. However, there is one center median on Channing Avenue
at Addison Avenue that forces the traffic to the right side of the road. There is a large
tree at this location and trucks that pass through this area are forced into the tree
branches. PASCO staff asked 'the adj acent home owner if it is possible to have the tree
cut back, and he was gracious in letting us do it. Inthe futUre, please make sure that
there are no overhead obstacles, wires, or tree limbs that are lower than 14 feet when you
install such' center medians. '
Saint Elizabeth Seton School: The school is pleased with the traffic calming plan and
considers it, very successful. It helped reduce traffic speeds and improve safety
conditions. The speed tables in general are mild for drivers, and the one located in front
of the school site has been effective in assisting students' crossing.
Duveneck Elementary School: As the school principal, I appreciate all the traffic calming
measures on Channing A venue, and support their continuation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
, A project analysis has determined that the Channing Avenue traffic calming project
, would not generate significant environmental impacts. A Negative Declaration was
prepared for the project and is attached under' Attachment E. The standard 20-day
Permanent Retention of Channing Traffic Calming Project Page 12
The City of Palo Alto has"LOS D as the threshold for acceptable intersection operational
conditions. The only signalized intersection within the studied section of Channing
Avenue is at Channing AvenuelNewell Road. To evaluate whether the trial traffic
calming plan impacted operational conditions at this signalized intersection, LOS
analysis was perfonned using Traffix software. The analysis was carried out for the AM
and PM peak hours using recent (2004) intersection turning movement counts. Lane
configurations, signal cycle length and phasing, lost time; etc. reflect existing conditions
(i.e., following implementation of the traffic calming plan). Traffix analysis outputs for
the AM .andPM peak hours are included as Attachment D.
The intersection operational analysis shows that the intersection of Channing
AvenuelNewell Road presently operates at LOS B during each of the AM and PM peak
hours. This reflects good operational conditions even during peak commute hours, with
minimal or no impacts due to the traffic calming plan.
NEXT STEPS
Continuation of the project and its approval process involve the following steps:
. Review of the Planning and Transportation Commission and
recommendation to retain the traffic calming devices on a pennanent basis;
-Review of City Council and approval to permanently retain the traffic calming
plan; and,
Proceeding with community's request and staff recommendation to replace
previously removed speed table (formerly adjacent to 1585 and 1586 Channing
Avenue) with a center median in the vicinity of Desoto Drive. This action will
be implemented subject to reaching consensus among abutting residents.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
B. Community Survey Results in the Channing Avenue Primary Project Area
and its Environs
C. Community Comments Noted on Returned Survey Cards, and in E-mail
Messages and Letters
D. TrafflX Software Outputs for Level of Service Analysis at Intersection of
Channing Avenue/Newell Road during the AM and PM Peak Hours
E. Draft Project's Negative Declaration
Permanent Retention of Channing Traffic Calming Project Page 14
ATTACHMENTB
Community Survey Results
in Primary Project Area and its Environs
STREET NAME
Addison Avenue
Boyce A venue
Channing Avenue
De Soto Drive
Greer Road
Guinda Street
Heather Lane
Hutchinson Avenue
Lincoln A venue
Melville Avenue
Newell Road
Sharon Court
Subtotal
Percentage of Replies Excluding
Returned Mail
Percentage of Surveyed Households
Excluding Returned Mail
Notes:
. SURVEY RESULTS IN THE CHANNING A VENtrE PROJEct AiU1x·
••• I." .•• ". .: •. ; .':~/
AGREE I OPPO$E I NEmIER I ~~I~ar~~ 1,;~~~}I;;r!ft¥J:~ji
2 1% 0%
1 I· 1% 0%
76 30 5 107 67% 51%
18 12 .1 31 19% 15%
1% 0%
1% 0%
1 2 1% 1%
2 2 1% 1%
1 1 2 1% 1%
1% 0%
2 1% 1%
8 8 5% 4%
109 47 3 8 159 100% 74%
68% 30% 2% Excluded 100%
51% 22% 2% Excluded 74%
• Total number of surveyed households is 213, located along Channing Avenue between Guinda Street and Greer Road including comer properties. Also
cul-de-sacs and intersecting streets that can only be accessed via Channing Avenue are included. The noted number of households (213) excludes
returned mail.
1
SuRVEY RESULTS OF ENVIRONS OF THE CHANNING A VENUE PROJECT AREA (CON'l'lNuErliV,:-,;,1:::;;:{I;,:';;::";:~,{;};'H;~;',:J;~t;~~~~
RETURNED
NuIilberQf, , ;"',~O;;< ~'i.1 STREET NAME AGREE OPPOSE NEITHER Replies ;', '
TO SENDER '" , (excluding ", ' REPLIES>
, , "retiJrnedmail)", , "':':"i,,,;,<,c; ':,,:,;',::;,:;:.),
Louisa Court 1 2 1 3 1% 0%
Martin Avenue 2 3 1 1 6 2% 1%
Melville Avenue 4 1 5 1% 1%
Metavante Way 1 0% 0%
Newell Road 4 7 I 4 12 3% 1%
Pitman Avenue 13 4 2 3 19 5% 2%
Primrose Way 8 4 1 12 4% 1%
Regent Place 1 3 4 1% 0% I
Rhodes Drive 3 3 1% 0%
Saint Francis Drive 1 0% 0%
Sandalwood Court 3 1 4 1% 0%
Somerset Place 3 2 5 1% 1%
, Stanley Way 1 2 1 3 1% 0%
Tevis Place ' 4 1 5 1% 1%
Tulip Lane 2 1 3 1% 0%
Walnut Drive 1 9 2 10 3% 1%
,Walter Hays Drive 20 20 2 9 42 12% 5%
Wildwood Lane 10 4 2 14 4% 1%
CARDS. WITH NO ADDRESS 6 6 12 3% 1%
Subtotal 199 146 19 75 364 100% 35%
Percentage of Replies Excluding 55% 40% 5% Excluded 100% Returned Mail
Percentage of Surveyed Households 19% 14% 2% Excluded 35% Excluding Returlled Mail -----------
Notes:
• Total number of surveyed households in the area surrounding Channing Avenue is 1112 excluding returned mail.
3
ATTACHMENT C
Comments Received from Surveyed Residential Community
COMMUNITY COMMENTS
IN RESPONSE TO SuRVEY LETTER
PRIMARY PROJECT AREA
1) In Favor of Retaining Traffic Calming Devices on a Permanent Basis:
• Traffic calming works! We believe we have a safer community as a result.
Would like the medians to be landscaped to make them more attractive~
• Your evidence makes it clear that of the devices used on Channing Avenue,
the bumps are the only really effective ones .. Use them more and do not use
the islands· and dangerous traffic circles. .
• The removed speed table should be put back (did you guys wimp out
because one neighbor griped?). It slowed down the traffic near the school.
• All or nC?thing approach is the wrong kind of survey. My answer is yes, but
the speed table at 1320 Channing Avenue create noise and is too high ..
• It is a good idea. Locals know to slow.
• Good project! Surprised that not greater speed reductions at 85% speeds
were achieved. However, volumes decreased, good sign.
• I thought that the speed table at 1585 was useful. Will it be replaced?
• Put the bump back at 1585 Channing Avenue.
• Center medians make bike lanes feel crowded as cars pass.
• The impediment raises consciousness of safety.
• I am concerned about cars swerving into bike lanes. Also need to make
sure that speed tables will not worsen flood risk.
• I wish that we could improve aesthetics through landscaping on this street
of the many bumps.
• . Having lived in Palo Alto for a nu~ber of years, I find it unfortunate that
we had to do this to slow down drivers. I v<?te that the electronic speed limit
sign be removed (too neon and looses effectiveness over time).
• I think the tables are too high and the pavement markings are faded (looks
terrible).
• We live on a feeder street to Channing and ~e are very pleased that the
traffic has slowed down.
• . We live on Channing, and we have noticed a big improvement. Speeders
and jay riders with boom boxes have slowed down.
• . I think that humps are more effective than center medians.
• Can the medians be landscaped with trees or flowers? They would look so
much better.
Page 1 of 12
• I very much prefer the medians over the speed tables. I actually like driving.
by the medians. Can we add four more medians at the intersection of
Channing/Greer. Good traffic calming plan, I hope it stays.
• The traffic island in front of our house does not seem to· provide much
visual deflection. The fastest drivers do not seem to be affected by the
islands. 1
• Planting the islands would ·be appreciated.
• I would prefer to see the medians replaced with speed tables.
• T!affic calming made Channing Avenue a better environment.
• From the survey results, speed tables seem to be more effective. There
should a stop. forpedestri~m sign at Heather Lane.
• The idea of enforcement oflaws and signs seems to be meaningless.
• It seems' the devices slow traffic down. I would like to see more devices to
reduce the volumes.
• The speed table at 1585 had the most speed reduction, yet you removed it!
Can you replace it?
e We are pleased the speed table at 1585 was removed.
• Perhaps an additional electronic speed advisory sign would be helpful by
the school.
• I attended the neighborhood meeting at 1585. Joe Kott did a marvelous job!
He is a municipal treasure.
• Since the speed table at 1585 Channing has been removed, traffic has
speeded up.
• Thank you! Nice job.
• I walk and ride by bicycle to work. The cars are definitely driving more
slowly down Channing.
• I am retired and I am aware of the traffic all day. The speed tables work
including the one near my house. The medians are not effective. Why can't
speed tables be put instead.
• No other traffic calming devices.
• . Please add landscaping to medians. Thank you.
• Cars do not always stop for children' crossing. Add yield sign to school
crossing at ChanninglHeather.
• Drivers talk on their cell phones like maniacs, one wonders if they care.
Add police enforcement.
•. We understand that you removed the table at 1585 Channing because it was
noisy, with what will you replace it. It is a busy street and we all have
noise. We understand. to install and remove the table cost $100k. We
assume that it was not removed because of utility issue and that you
explored that prior to spending the money.
Page 2 of 12
• Drivers are going slower and they are more courteous to pedestrians and
bikers. It has made the street substantially safer.
• We live on Channing and we noticed that traffic is moving slower because
of the speed bumps.
• The traffic is still moving too fast on Channing and by the school.
• We absolutely endorse the project. Please keep this perman'ently. It is vital.
• Thanks! We have asked for this for years. The trial has proved to us" that
the traffic moves slower and more carefully.
• Street sweeping seems to be the main concern, but safety is a higher
priority.
• More devices should be added at Lincoln. It is a major pedestrian crossing
location at school time.
• We vote that the plan be made permanent. We have reservation that at least
one of the speed tables is too high but in the correct place. We have noticed
a drop in truck traffic on Channing and a significant drop in speed.
• To help further, add traffic circle at Channing/Addison.
• The speeds are stIll too fast, more enforcement is ne:eded throughout the
City.
• I think it would be helpful to have one of those sigris that say the law
requires you to stop (like the one near Channing House) at the intersection
of ChanninglHeather.
• We support the traffic calming measures very much, but would rather see a
speed table in front of our house (west of Greer) as opposed to a median.
The speed tables seem to be more effective. Is there a way to change this?
The oJiginal plan called for a speed table but was changed at the last minute
to a median.
2) In"Favor of Removal o~Traffic Calming Devices:
• I think this is waste of money. It is dangerous to bicycles and does not slow
down traffic.
• We now use Greenwood to avoid bumps, but prefer to use Channing.
• Most people go over these at full speed and make very noisy loud clunks
every few minutes. Mostly City vehicles and large trucks.
• I have not seen enough improvement to justify the increased annoyance
caused by the devices. The islands between Heather and Greer do nothing
to slow down fastest speeders.
• Far too much traffic control -islands, crosswalks and bumps: The traffic
calming exercise was pointless.
• The medians are great. Take out the bumps only. Leave the electronic speed
advisory sign, it helps.
Page 3 of 12
• This traffic calming plan is very bad for flood control. The bumps will
impede swift flow of water, leave branches, etc. all along Channing.
• What a waste of money due to a very few minor complaints.
• Traffic bumps imply that people cannot do the right thing on their own.
Did you consider. sending mailers and posting signs with a thoughtful
explanation of why it matters?
• Need a stop sign at Addison.
• The median in front of my house is an accident waiting to happen. It leaves
no room and it has been difficult to get in and out of cars on the road side.
• Pedestrian refuge islands on Channing make cars drive into bike lanes, this
is not safe.
~:f,~:i.The choices given are 'not logical, we support some devices and not 6ther~.
Too much time is being spent on traffic calming and we recommend
holding off on further efforts in this area for a while.
• Is there a legal height for speed tables? They seem too high to me.
• Given the unfortunate choice of all or nothing. Nothing is preferable.
e What we need is police control.
• Remove speed bumps. These choices are rigged and ridiculous. Fire Joe
Kort.
• The plan did not make any difference: Dump trucks and buses remain the
worst offenders. I can only think that periodic speed traps and ticketing
might be tried next.
• The center medians are particularly dangerous for. cyclists. Bike lanes are
now narrower, and the medians force drivers to swerve into the bike lanes.
• There are six people living in our house (drivers). yve all vote this way.
• It has not reduced the traffic speeds on Channing. The pedestrian crossing
signs at Channing House do rriore to reduce traffic speed than anything
else. Thank you! ' .
3) Neither of Option 1, nor 2
• This mailer asks the wrong questions. Reduce the number of speed tables.
• We do not care one way or another. We did not think Channing had a
problem, and we do not think that traffic calming is intrusive.
• The raised median on our block has not been installed and we have no basis
for evaluation at this time. Secondly, the City has made no firm
commitment to landscape the islands. '
Page 4 of 12
ENVIRONS OF PRIMARY PROJECT AREA
1) In Favor of Retaining Traffic Calming Devices on a Permanent Basis:
• The improvement is noticeable on Channing, especially near the park.
e Please consider traffic calming/speed bumps on Greer between Channing
and Embarcadero.
•. The bumps need to be higher. The island at Addison does not slow people
down.
• The median at Heather/Channing has helped with crossing at Duveneck.
Cars are much more likely to stop.
• Seems to be helping and no major inconvenience.
• This project is great. Next project is Lincoln, which is a race track,
especially during lunch and commute hours. How about radar camera
ticketing (portable).
• I think the speed humps are good, but the medians do not do any good (cars
swerve in bike lanes).
• Install a couple more bumps at appropriate places.
• Wonderful improvement. People are definitely driving more slowly.
• I am surprised how little effect the devices have affected other people,
unlike myself. ..
• I cycle on Channing 2-3 times a week. This street feels much safer now
because cars drive at slower speeds.
• Really needs some beautifying.
• Moderate the bumps. They are too abrupt.
• Install more speed bumps down by the school and end of Channing.
• It is great, slows down traffic around schools.
• We think the d~vices.are effective in slowing most vehicles.
• Thanks for asking for our opinion.
• The traffic calming devices seem to be effective, yet tolerable for local and
. service traffic. It would be nice if the islands were landscaped or decorated.
• It has made a noticeable difference. Still much traffic at Greenwood!
Melville.
• May want to. consider bumps on Greer. Speeding cars and kids playing are
a disaster waiting t6 happen.
• I think the speed humps work best. You can drive over them at 25 mph but
not at 40,mph.
• Initially I was opposed. However, the trial has proven to me that they are
not disruptive, and help slow down traffic where there are many kids ~nd
elderly.
Page 5 of 12
• Pavement markings are fading and hard to see at night. The hump at
·Melville causes the front bumper of our car to dig into the road surface.
• We support the project 100% ..
• The bump at Stanley needs to be removed. It does not slow down traffic,
including me.
• It is important to keep lower speeds around schools. Also the island at
Channing/Addison stopped people from cutting the corner.
• I find the humps effective in reducing speeds, but I appreciate the flooding
concerns.
• I wonder whether the medians between Heather and Greer are properly
illuminated, so they can Clearly be seen at night.
• We expect more positive effect over time.
• The speed tables are much better than the bumps.
• Lov~ traffic calming! Our children now able to cross Channing at Heather,
much safer.
• The speed tables on Channing Avenue are efficient ~md reasonable
compared to the unreasonable tables on Ross Road.
• I especially support the pedestrian safety island at Addison/Channing.
• Plan should be extended to the section between Greer and Francis.
• We were sorry a speed table was removed, and we would like more added.
• Traffic needs to be slowed down more.
• There are enough devices at this time, and the remaining island should not
be installed. .
• I support most devices. It is overkill. Only 2/3rds of the system is
justifiable.
• First implementation of table was better, a little smoother.
• No one stops for crosswalk at Heather. Enforcement needed.
• I know speed bumps are not popular, but they provide necessary awareness
and safety.
• Traffic calming needs to be considered for Walnut Drive .. There are a lot of
young, fast drivers.
• Definitely puts drivers on the alert at both schools.
• I support traffic calming, but not necessarily every step that was taken.
• . I support bumps, but not islands. They are dangerous and statistics show
that they do not work.
• Add more devices.
• Thank you for these improvements. My children are much safer.
• The speed table at 1340 is over humped, check it out.
• Make sure bump signs are clear.
• The islands are not effective and only force drivers into bike lanes. What··
happened to speeds above 85 th percentile.
Page 6 of 12
• I have no objections as long as emergency and City vehicles can maneuver
them.
• Dana has been a short cut for traffic and is now worse, which is dangerous
for school kids.
• Thanks for slowing traffic on a street where kids were in danger.
• The devices seem to'slow down traffic without causing problems to
, residents.
• They work very well, but I would also suggest a roundabout.
• We very much appreciate the reduction in volume and speed.
• The traffic calming devices are O.K., but Channing did not have a serious
problem before.
• Speed bumps should be reconfigured to allow 25 mph speed limit.
• It has slowed down traffic around Duveneck for the safety of the children.
• . I fully support traffic calming in all neighborhoods. Enforcement of speed
limits is also necessary.
• Proximity to park and s'chools make these devices essential for safety.
;I Please fix your work ASAP!!! 21 holes for 2 weeks are too much.
• Good work, congrats.
• Take any necessary steps to reduce speeds on residential streets, especially
ilear schools, parks, and playgrounds.
• We have small children and there are many young children in the
neighborhood. We support the traffic calming devices and any other
measures that the City can take to slow traffic and make the area safer for
the children and families living here.
• We would like to see similar measures on Lincoln as well.
• Fabulous!
• The islands look bare, they should be bricked or something.
• I like the plan, but there are too many devic~s between Center and'Guinda.
One device should be enough.
• We want the speed table that was removed to be restored, and not converted
into an island.
• We support traffic calming devices from Guinda Street to Saint Francis
Drive. Why was the most effective hump at Stanley removed before ending
the trial period, or circulating a survey to the affected residents? You are
surveying residents after decisions were made and implemented. Only 3 out
of 10 devices originally installed reduced the 85th percentile speed' to 25
mph or less, and one of the 3 was remove,d. Also 1 of the remaining 7
devices was prematurely removed even though the 85th percentile speed
was still 30 mph (near Alester). Your survey is also another insult to our
intelligence. The devices' were constructed in April and the counts were
done in May. How long was the trial? From April 30 to May I?
Page 7 of 12
• My only complaint is· the bike lanes are now too narrow at the raised
medians. May be they could be widened by prohibiting parking, for the
safety of kids that cycle to schools. .
• . I felt very positive about the hump on Channing at Stanley, why was it
removed?
• The bumps are not big enough to slow down traffic. Cars only bounce over
them.
• The island definitely alerts traffic that there might be pedestrians crossing
Channing at Addison. Even if it does not slow cars very much, it make
crossing safer.
• It is ironic that the hump that was most effective was removed. I am in
favor of humps throughout the city. Please design it in a way not to
endanger cyclists. .
• Three bumps and 3 stops between Newell and Guinda are too many. Need
to study.
• Addison is narrow where it meets Channing from the north. Drivers on
Addison must nose into Channing to see incoming westbound traffic
because of poor visibility. Red curbs should be painted at the comers.
• I support the traffic calming idea, but not the new speed tables that are too
bumpy. The raised crosswalk at Harriet is good, and the table at Lincoln is
O.K. Thanks for removing the bump at Stanley Way. Can the bump at the
Park be reworked?
• The devices appear fine as they are. There is no need to spend more money
on planting bushes on a few square feet of space.
• The speed humps are much better. The islands force cars to swerve into
bike lanes. Menlo Park had same issue on Santa Cruz and took them out
because of it.
• I am definitely in favor of the traffic cahning plan. It has lIlade it much
easier to negotiate the intersection Oat Addison/Channing and slowed down
traffic along the entire length of Channing. I have two comments, a stop bar
and maybe the word "STOP" needs to be painted on Addison at Channing.
Many people traveling toward the bay on Channing see the stop sign on the
far comer of Addison, and stop despite not actually having a' stop sign.
May be reorienting the sign can be considered.
2-In FavQr of Removal of Traffic Calming Devices:
• I am surprised that traffic calming was justified for Channing. In my
opinion the biggest danger is cars parked on the road. Banning parking
would make it safer. Why not increase enforcement instead of spending
$1000s. The people buying houses for lower prices on Channing knew that
Page 8 of 12
• Please leave the electronic speed advisory sign and add similar signsm
other problem areas.
• Place a cop along the road pelmanently instead. Bumps caused near rear-
end accidents. The constant roadwork has been a nuisance.
• I am concerned about the effect these speed bumps have on the springs of
my car even at 20 mph.
• Speed humps are O.K. Narrowers are bad for cyclists.
• You are just shifting the problem to some unlucky street. There has not
been significant reduction in speeds.
• The bumps are annoying. We usually reroute to avoid them.
• I supported this initially, but I would hope the City could correct the height
of the bumps.
• Quit wasting money and assign a cop to Channing instead.
• Traffic onBoyce Street increased.
• Speed tables increase car exhaust due to decelerating and accelerating.
• Traffic calming is not needed and is a nuisance. Enforcement of the traffic
laws is what is ne~ded.
• I am with disability and the humps are too high, please remove them.
• Remove the speed bumps. This project has been a waste of resources.
• Channing now is les's safe and results statistically are unclear.
• The only worthwhile calming plan is the flashing sign, remove the rest.
• I have used Channing for 60 years!
• Enforcement of speed limit and stop signs would be more effective.
• Use medians and no tables. I no longer use Channing to avoid hurting my
back.
• Looking at the speed reductions, we have accomplished very little.
• Stop punishing everyone. Use enforcement.
• I reluctantly chose to remove devices because the tables are impossible to
navigate at speeds higher than 15 mph and are damaging to cars.
• Why no middle ground?
• The islands seem to be more dangerous. To come out of no where, then
swerve into bike lanes.
• I lived just off of Channing for 50 years and have no problems with
speeders.
• The islands work well enough. The tables are high and too invasive.
• Drivers seem to slow down only at the devices and speed up in between.
• Place a traffic' officer, and use the money to improve the streets.
• City Transportation should make the decision. We don't need everything to
be decided based on a direct democracy basis.
• I hate the speed bumps. If we approve Channing, then it will be Newell,
Guinda, etc.
Page 10 of 12
• Too many speed bumps.
• I do not see the difference between before and after to warrant such
extensive devices.
• Simply site motorists for speeding occasionally.
• Risk of damaging the cars and items carried in the car.
o Traffic calming on Channing caused traffic jams on Melville and Addison.
• The speed bumps are ill des.igned other than to damage cars. Placing ~n
island in the middle of a block makes no sense and encourages jaywalking.
• People still ignore stop signs and flashing "your speed" sign. • We do not need it.
• Please share complete results with the news media.
• If voted to stay, please make them smaller.
• Does not seem to make much difference. Islands are O.K., but bumps must
go.
• Devices are dangerous, especially at night.
• It seems to me there should be more options than to keep them or remove
them.
• The pedestrian islands actually cause more hazards for pedestrians.
• Please remove. the bumps from the bike lanes.
• I prefer roundabouts, medians and electronic signs. I oppose the number of
bumps that require reductions to below the speed limit.
• The islands are fine-they help pedestrians and do not impede cars. The
bumps between Newell and Guinda are hard on the cars-take them out.
• Bumps cause potential flood problems and City liability.
• Channing is a wide, smooth street that offers direct connection to
downtown. Cars are forced to find alternate routes, which are not as safe.
• I would prefer a choice in between instead all or nothing. The bump at the
church is fine, but the other ones are teeth rattling unless I drive at 20 mph
or lower.'
• The islands are fine, the bumps are just silly, and the flashing sign is
hazardous because it is too bright.
• The bumps are hazardous to motorcycles. I have to slow down to 9-10 mph
with my li.ttle scooter, which causes problems for cars behind me.
Note: In the interest of fully covering a three-page letter received from an. area
resident, the letter is attached to this list of comments.
3) Neither of Options # 1, or # 2
• Don't really care one way or another. Residents on Channing sbould really
decide this issue.
Page 11 of 12
• One bump has been removed, and Channing has been under construction.
So, how can someone inake a decision?
• Please leave the islands and remove the bumps.
• I support a modified traffic calming plan for Channing.
• Keep the electric sign and bumps and remove the islands.
• Neither of the two options accurately reflects my sentiments. (1) The
survey is inappropriately· biased and does achieve survey purpose as per
item #10 of the NTCP. (2) There are more important issues (process, safety,
livability, etc.) that have not been addressed. (3) A project area meeting
should have been held to request people's inpu~ prior to the survey.
• I think bumps are effective, but not the islands. I do not like veering around
them where cars are parked. The plan should not be all or nothing.
• Instead of the island at Heather, install a stop sign.
• I think that the trial plan should be continued until the effects on
neighboring streets are more thoughtfully evaluated. Relevant segments of
Hamilton were not examined.
• I have no strong feelings one way or another. If the kids think they help,
that is fine with me.
• I think there should be a third option of partial removal of bumps to only
retain the one in front ofthe school.
• The bumps are poorly designed or constructed. Replace them with a better
shape.
• I only support devices near the school and those proven to be effective.
• Pedestrian refuge islands are fine-the bumps are not. Stop signs are more
effective .in reducing speeds.
• Raised crosswalk by the school is an excellent idea. Medians are not as
effective and dangerous for bicyclists.
Page 12 of 12
table, the wheel can't go back down again after the initial upward bump. The high part
(the table itself) is still there. So· the WHOLE CAR is forced upward. And then of
course the whole car is dropped right back down again a second later. 1ms makes for a
very rough, unpleasant driving experience -no matter how slow you go. (Within reason,
of course -obviously if you take the speed table at 5 miles per hour, it won't be as harsh,
but surely you don't expect us to go that slow, do you?)
My point is, even at relatively slow speeds; those speed tables create a ·very harsh,
unpleasant bump.
And are they really necessary? Traffic already moves slowly in this area. The speed
table (apparently you call it a raised cross-walk) in front of Saint Elizabeth Seton school
is just a few yards away from a three-way stop sign. Likewise for the hump in front of
Eleanor Pardee Park, which is not only close to that stop sign at Center, but is also close ..
to Newell road, an intersection controlled by a traffic light that is usually red. So in just
over one short block, going westbound on Channing, it's stop (for the light at Newell),
start, slow way down for the bump, speed up again, stop (for the sign at Center), start,
then slow way down again for the bump in front of Seton school. (Going eastbound, it's
a similarly frustrating sequence of events, albeit in reverse order.)
Have there been a lot of speed-related traffic accidents along Channing Avenue? Let's be
honest -the reason these humps and bumps have been put in is not because of safety, it's
because a bunch of vocal neighbors want to slow down traffic for aesthetic concerns.
The neighbors want slower traffic, just like they want size limits on large homes and so
forth. It has nothing to do with safety, although they themselves may not even realize it.
They just like slower traffic, period. But that's not a good enough reason to subject every .
single vehicle on Channing to this annoying series of bumps. (And it's not like I'm
trying to zip down Channing at breakneck speed. As I pointed out above, even at slow
speeds, these bumps are extremely irritating.)
I submit that these infuriating measures are not only unnecessary~ but are inappropriate,
given your department's own criteria. I direct your attention to the following, taken
directly from your own F AQ web page: .
How will my request qualify for Traffic Calming?
To qualify, at least two of the following three criteria must be satisfied:
• Minimum 85th % speeds of 32mph for local streets and 35m ph for collector streets.
• Minimum volume of 1200 vehicles per day for local streets and 4000 for collector
streets.
• Unusual accident history (6 or more crashes or one fatal crash in the prior 3
consecutive years)
The 85th percentile speed on Channing, according to "Exhibit B" (The before-and-after
volume and speed chart mailed out to homes in the area) before the measures were
installed, was, at most, 34 mph. (In some places, 31 mph.) 1ms violates the fIrst item in
your criteria listed above.
The same chart also puts traffic volume at 3979 vehicles per day (at 951 Channing) and
3944 vpd (1796 Channing), below the 4000 vpd requirement for traffic slowing
measures.
As for the third requirement, an unusual accident history" I am,unaware of a large or
unusual number of accidents on Channing Avenue in this area. I don't have easy access
to such data, but I very much doubt that there have been six car accidents in this area in
the last three years. (Especially speed-related crashes,. or ones ,that might have been
avoided by lower prevailing speeds. Reference was made in "Exhibit C" to a recent
single-vehicle accident caused by a woman who drifted to the right and hit a fire hydrant
when she looked back and reached behind her for something in her SUV while driving.
This was correctly deemed to be unrelated to the traffic-slowing measures. But it was
also obviously not caused by excessive speed, either.) ,
As you can see, this stretch of Channing doesn't qualify for any of the three criteria for
the installation of traffic slowing devices.
It should be noted that roads exist to facilitate the flow of traffic, not to impede it.
Furthermore, these devices -especially those dreadful speed tables -increase fuel
consumption and pollution. Every time a motorist has to slow down for these things, he
has to hit the gas pedal and speed up again. At a time when our dependence on foreign
oil and our need for clean air has taken on more importance than ever before, is this
something we should be doing?
I strongly urge you and City Council to REMOVE these exasperating and unnecessary
humps, bumps, dividers and medians without further delay. (If the rate of speed-related
traffic accidents suddenly starts to rise, I will concede that I was wrong. If not, are you
willing to concede that you were wrong???)
Respectfully submitted,
Miles J. Coatsee, Esq.
ATTACHMENT D
Level of Service Analysis during the AM and PM Peak Hours
at the Intersection of Channing AvenuelNewell Road
MITIG8 -Existing AM Tue Nov 9, 2004 10:42:43 Page 1-1
Level Of Service Computation Report
2000 HCM Operations Method (Base Volume Alternative)
********************************************.************************************
Intersection #0 Channing Avenue/Newell Road
********************************************************************************
Cycle (sec):
Loss Time (sec):
Optimal Cycle:
70 Critical Vol./Cap. (X):
12 (Y+R = 4 sec) Average Delay (sec/veh):
31 Level Of Service:
0.316
l3 .8
B
*************************************"*******************************************
Approach: North Bound South Bound East Bound West Bound
Movement: L T R L T R L T R L T R
----------------------------------------------------·-----II---.,--~--------I
Control: Permitted Permitted Permitted Permitted
Rights: Include Include Include Include
Min. Green: 000000000000
Lanes: o 0 1! 0 0 0 0 1! 0 0 0 0 1! 0 0 0 0 1! 0 0
------------1---------------11---------------11------"---------11---------------1
Volume Module: » Count Date: 28 Oct 2004 « 7:45-8:45 p.m.
Base Vol: 62 164 19 11 120 60 48 68 46 29183 40
Growth Adj: 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Initial Bse: 62 164 19 11 120 60 48 68 46 29 183 40
User Adj: 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
PHF Adj: 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
PHF Volume: 62 164 19 11 120 60 48 68 46 29 183 40
Reduct Vol: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 boo 0 0
Reduced Vol: 62 164 19 11 120 60 48 68 46 29 183 40
PCE Adj: 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.001.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
MLF Adj: 1.00 ~.OO 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Final Vol.: 62 164 19 11 120 60 48 68 46 29 183 40
------------1---------------11---------------11---------------11---------------1
Saturation Flow Module:
Sat/Lane: 1900 1900 1900 1900 1900 1900 1900 1900 1900 1900 1900 1900
Adjustment: 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Lanes: 0.25 0.67 0.08 0.06 0.63 0.31 0.30 0.42 0.28 0.11 0.73 0.16
Final Sat.: 481 1272 147 109 1194 597 563 798 540 "219 1380 302
------------1---------------11---------------11---------------11------------.,.--1
Capacity Analysis Module:
Vol/Sat: 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.10 0.10 .0.10 0.09 0.09 0.09 0.13 0.13 0.13
Crit Moves: ****
Green Time: 28.6 28.6
Volume/Cap: 0.32 0.32
Uniform Del: 14.1 14.1
IncremntDel: 0.2 0.2
InitQueuDel:
Delay Adj:
Delay/Veh:
User DelAdj:
AdjDel/Veh:
HCM2kAvg:
0.0 0.0
1.00 1.00
14.3 14.3
1.00 1.00
14.3 14.3
4 4
28.6
0.32
14.1
0.2
0.0
1.00
14.3
1. 00
14 .3
4
28.6 28.6
0.25 0.25
13.6 13.6
0.2 0.2
0.0 0.0
1.00 1.00
l3.8 l3.8
1.00 1.00
13.8 13.8
3 3
28.6
0.25
l3 .6
0.2
0.0
1. 00
l3.8
1.00
13.8
3
29.4 29.4
0.20 0.20
12.9 12.9
0.1 0.1
0.0 0.0
1.00 1.00
13.0 13.0
1.00 1.00
13.0 13.0
2 2
29.4
0.20
12.9
0.1
0.0
1. 00
13.0
1.00
l3 .0
2
****
29.4 29.4
0.32 0.32
13.6 l3.6
0.2 0.2
0.0 0.0
1.00 1.00
13.8 13.8
1.00 1.00
13.8 13.8
4 4
29.4
0.32
13.6
0.2
0.0
1. 00
13 .8
1. 00
13.8
4
********************************************************************************
Traffix 7.7.0715 (c) 2004 Dowling Assoc. Licensed to CITY OF PALO ALTO
ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST FORM
City of Palo Alto
Department of Planning and Community Environment
1. Project Title: Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Project
2. Lead Agency .. Name and-Address: City .0LPalo .Alto Transportation Division,
P.O. Box 10250, Palo Alto CA 94303 .
3. Contact Person and Phone Number: Heba EI-Guendy (650) 329-2552
. 4. Project Location: Channing Avenue, City of Palo Alto
Traffic calming devices were constructed in April 2004 along the section of
Channing Avenue located between Guinda Street and Greer Road.
5. Application Number(s): Not applicable
6. Project Sponsor's Name and Address: Same as lead agency .
7. General Plan Designation: The project area predominantly contains single-
family residences except for Eleanor Pardee Park, Saint Elizabeth Seton School,
and Duveneck Elementary School.
8. Zoning: Improvements are primarily within the road right-of-way. Zoning within
the project's primary area includes R-1, and PF.
9. Description of the Project: Traffic calming refers to the use of engineering
measures to make permanent physical changes that reduce· traffic speed and
volume, thereby improving safety and livability for street users and residents. The
specific traffic calming plan proposed for permanent retention by the
Transportation Division is shown on the attached Plan: This . initial study
analyzes the environmental impacts of the recommended Plan. In this manner,
the Negative Declaration provides the foundation under the California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") for the City Council's approval of the Plan.
The traffic calming devices recommended for permanent retention are as follows:
• Channing Avenue at Addison Avenue -center medians/pedestrian refuge
islands at existing crosswalk
• Channing Avenue at Harriet Avenue -raised ~rosswalk at existing school
crossing
• Property line between numbers 1310 and 1320 Channing Avenue -speed table
• Channing Avenue at Heather.Lane -center medians/pedestrian refuge islands at
existing school crossing
• Adjacent to numbers 1748 and 1760 Channing Avenue -center median/slow
point
• Adjacent to numbers 1832 to 1856 Channing Avenue -center median/slow point.
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist Page 1 of 26
Appropriate signing and pavement markings were established along with the .
tried ,implementation of the physical traffic calming devices. The aforementioned
devices were implemented in addition to two traffic calming measures that were
already in place ·near Addison Avenue (an electronic speed advisory sign) and
near Lincoln Avenue (a speed table). The latter two devices were implemented
based on a Council directive.
It should be noted that the traffic calming plan implemented in April 2004 initially
included a speed table adjacent to numbers 1585 and 1586 Channing Avenue.
This speed table was removed in response to a request made by· nearby
households .. Residents of the section of Channing Avenue between Stanley Way
and Newell Road met with: City Transportation staff to discuss replacement oUhe
speed table. A consensus was arrived at the replacement of the speed table with
a center median to be implement~d on Channing Avenue in the vicinity of De
Soto Drive.
The trial traffic calming plan included performance measures to meet city goals
established for the project. These measures include reducing through traffic,
limiting diverted traffic, monitoring vehicular speeds, monitoring operational
conditions at signalized intersection, monitoring vehicular accidents following
plan installation, and tracking comments from City Departments (especially
emergency services) and other agencies (ex. VTA, PASCO) regarding the Plan
elements.
10. Surrounding Land Uses and· Setting: {Briefly describe the project's
surroundings}
The neighborhood consists primarily .of single family residential properties, with
some neighborhood public facilities namely Eleanor Pardee Park, Saint Elizabeth
Seton School, and Duveneck Elementary School located on Channing Avenue.
The studied section of Channing Avenlje is a neighborhood route between
Middlefield Road-University Avenue on the north side, and the interchange of
Embarcadero Road/Highway 101 on the south side.
11. Other public agencies whose approval is required {e.g. permits, financing.
approval, or participation agreement}.
None
ENVIRONMENTAl., FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED:
The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this
project, involving at least one impact that is a "Potentially Significant Impact" as
indicated by the checklist on the following pages.
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
_._-"-_. __ ._-------_ ..... "--_._-. .--.-.... -----. ----------------------- ---_._--------
Page 2 of 26
.----.. _.-- --.---------. --.. -----------------.---------------
EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:
1) -A brief explanation is required for ·all answers except "No Impact" answers
that are adequately supported by the information sources a lead agency cites
in the parentheses following each question. A "No Impact" answer is
adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the
impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved (e. g. the
project falls '()utside a -fault -rupture zone). A "No -Impact" answer should be
explained where it is based on project-specific factors as well as general
standards (e. g. the project will not expose sensitive receptors to pollutants,
based on a project-specific screening analysis).
2) All answers must take account of the whole acti.on involved, including off-site
as well as on~site, cumulative as well as project-level, indirect as well as
direct, and construction as well as operational impacts.
3) Once the lead agency has determined that 'a particular physical impact may
occur, then the checklist answers must indicate· whether the impact is
potentially significant, less than significant with mitigation, or less than
significant. "Potentially Significant Impact" is appropriate if there is
substantial evidence that an effect may be significant. If there are one or more
"Potentially Significant Impact" entries when the determination is made, an
EIR is required.
4) "Negative Declaration: Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated"
applies where the incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect
from "Potentially Significant Impact" to a "Less than Significant Impact." The
lead agency must describe the mitigation measures, and briefly explain how
they reduce the effect to a less than significant level (mitigation measures
from Section 17, "Earlier Analysis," may be cross-referenced) ..
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist Page 4 of 26
Issues and Supporting Sources PotentiaUy Potentially Less Than No
Information Resburces Significant Significant Significant Impact
Issues Unless Impact
Mitigation
Incorporated
I. . AESTHETICS. Would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse. 2,3 X
effect on a scenic vista? .
b) Substantially damage -2,3 X
scenic resources,
. including, but not limited
to, trees, rock
outcroppings, and historic
buildings within a state
scenic highway?
c) Substantially degrade the 2,3 X
existing visual character or
quality of the site and its
surroundings?
d) Create a new source of 2,3 X
substantial light or glare,
which would adversely
affect day or nighttime
views in the area?
II. AGRICULTURE RESOURCES. In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources
a)
b)
are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California
Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the
California Dept. of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on
agriculture and farmland. Would the project:
Convert Prime Farmland,
Unique Farmland, or
Farmland of Statewide
Importance (Farmland), as
shown on the maps
prepared pursuant to the
Farmland Mapping and
Monitoring Program of the
California Resources
Agency, to non-agricultural
use?
Conflict with existing
zoning for agricultural use,
or a Williamson Act
contract?
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
X
X
Page 5 of 26
Issues and Supporting
Information Resources
candidate, sensitive, or
special status species in
local or regional plans,
policies, or regulations, or
by the California
Department of Fish and
Game or U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service?
b) Have a substantial adverse
effect on any riparian
habitat or other sensitive
. natural community
identified in local or
regional plans, policies,
regulations or by the
California Department of
Fish and Game or US Fish
and Wildlife Service?
c) Have a sUbstantial adverse
effect on federally
protected wetlands as
d~fined by Section 404 of
the Clean Water Act
(including, but not limited
to, marsh, vernal pool,
coastal, etc.) through direct
remOVed, filling,
hydrological interruption,
or other means?
d) Interfere substantially with
e)
the movemenl.of any native
resident or migratory fish
or wildlife species or with
established native resident
or migratory wildlife
corridors, or impede the
use of native wildlife
nursery sites?
Conflict with any local
policies or ordinances
protecting biological
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
Sources Potentially Potentially Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact·
'Issues Unless· Impact
Mitigation
Incorporated
X
X
X
,
X
Page 7of26
Issues and Supporting Sources Potentially
Information Resources Significant
Issues
resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or
ordinance?
f) Conflict with the provisions
of an adopted Habitat
Conservation Plan, Natural
Community Conservation
Plan, or other approved
local, regional, or state
habitat conservation plan?
V~ CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a) Cause a sUbstantial
adverse change in the
significance of a historical
resource as defined in
15064.5?
b) Cause a SUbstantial
adverse change in the
. significance of an
archaeological resource
pursuant to 15064.5?
c) Directly ·or indirectly
destroy a unique
paleontological resource or
site or unique·geologic
feature?
d) Disturb any human
remains, including those
interred outside of formal
cemeteries?
VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS. Would the project:
a) Expose people or
structures to potential
substantial adverse effects,
including the risk of loss,
injury, or death involving:
i) Rupture of a known
earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most
recent Alquist·Priolo
Earthquake Fault Zoning
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
.-.. ~.-_ .... --_._ .... -... -.. _-.. _ .. _---_ .. __ .. -._-. __ ._-----------_ ..... . ... _-. -_ .......... --.. _-_ ...... _ .. -.. """'-, ._--_ .. _-----------._-_ .... __ ... _-._---'. . .. -
-Less Than No
Significant Impact
Impact
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 8of26
Issues and Supporting
Information Resources
Map issued by the State
Geologist for the area or
based on other
substantial evidence of
a known fault? Refer to
Division of Mines and
Geology Specicd
Publication 42.
ii) Strong seismic ground
shaking?
iii) Seismic-related ground
failure, including
liquefaction?
iv) Landslides?
b) Result in substantial soil
erosion or the loss of
topsoil?
c) Be located on a geologic
unit or soil that is unstable,
or that would become
unstable as a result of the
project, and potentially
result-in on-or off-site
landslide, lateral spreading,
subsidence, liquefaction or
collapse?
d) Be located on expansive
e)
soil, as "defined in Table 18-
1-B of , the Uniform Building
Code (1994), creating
substantial risks to life or
property?
Have soils incapable of
adequately supporting the
use of septic tanks or
alternative waste water
disposal systems where
sewers are not available for
the disposal of waste
water?
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
Sources Potentially Potentially Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Issues Unless Impact
Mitigation
Incorporated
X
X
X
X
X
..
X
X
Page 9 of 26
.
Issues and Supporting Sources Potentially Potentially Less Than No
Information Resources Significant Significant Significant Impact
Issues Unless Impact
Mitigation
Incorporated
. -.. ,
VII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Would the project?
a) Create a significant hazard
to the public or the
environment through the
routing transport, use, or
disposal of hazardous
materials?
b) Create a significant hazard
c)
d)
e)
to the public or the
environment through
reasonably foreseeable
upset and accident
conditions involving the
release of hazardous
materials into the
environment?
Emit hazardous emissions
or handle hazardous or
acutely hazardous
materials, substances, or
waste within one-quarter
mile of an existing or
proposed school?
Be located on a site which
is included on a list of
hazardous materials sites
compiled pursuant to
Government Code Section
65962.5 and, as a result,
would it create a significant
hazard to the public or the
environment?
For a project located within
an airport land use plan or,
where such a plan has not
been adopted, within two
miles of a public airport or
public use airport, would
the project result in a safety
hazard for people residing
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
"'---'--~-" ... _--.... __ ._----._--._-.----_ .. _--_._----_ .. _-_. __ . --..... _. " .. _-"--... ------. __ ....... __ ...... _---.. -_ ...... __ ...... _-
X
X
X
X
X
Page 10 of 26
---_. --------------------.----------_.-
Issues and Supporting Sources Potentially Potentially
Information Resources Significant Significant
, Issues Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
or working in the project
area?
f} For a project within the
vicinity of a private airstrip,
would the project result in a
safety hazard for people
residing or working the
project area?
g) Impair implementation of or 1,2,3
physically interfere with an
adopted emergency
response plan or
emergency evacuation
plan?
h) Expose people or .
structures to a significant
risk of loss, injury, or death
involving wildland fires,
including where wildlands
are adjacent to urbanized
areas or where residences
are intermixed with
wildlands?
VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY. Would the project:
a) Violate any water quality
b)
standards or waste
discharge requirements?
Substantially deplete
groundwater supplies or
interfere substantially with
groundwater recharge such
that there would be a net
deficit in aquifer volume or
a lowering of the local
groundwater table level
(e.g., the production rate of
pre-existing nearby wells
would drop to a level which
would not support existing
land uses or planned uses
for which permits have
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
. Environmental Checklist
...
Less Than No
Significant Impact·
Impact
X
X
X
X
X
Page 11 of 26
Issues .and Supporting
Information Resources
been granted)?
c) Substantially alter the
existing drainage pattern of .
the site or area, including
through the alteration of the
course of a stream or river,
in a manner which would
result in substantial erosion
or siltation on-or off-site?
d) Substantially alter the
existing drainage patternof
the site or area, including
through the alteration of the
course of a stream or river,
or substantially in.crease
the rate or amount of
surface runoff in a manner
which would result in
flooding on-or off-site?
e) Create or contribute runoff
water which would exceed
the capaciw of existing or
planned stormwater
drainage systems or
provide substantial
additional sources of
polluted runoff?
f) Otherwise substantially
degrade water· quality?
g) Place housing within a 100-
year flood hazard area as
mapped on a federal Flood
Hazard Boundary or· Flood
Insurance Rate Map or
other flood hazard
delineation map?
h) Place within a 100-year
flood hazard area
structures which would
impede or redirect flood
flows?
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
Sources Potentially Potentially Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
. Issues Unless Impact
I . Mitigation
Incorporated
X
2,3 X
2,3 X
X
X
X
Page 12 of26
"._ ... _-._.----..... --.... . -...... -.. "'--_ ...... _-.... -------. --...... __ . -----_._---_ ... --._-_._-._---_ ... -.-.... _ ...•... ,--_ .. -....... ----------.
Issues and Supporting Sources Potentially
Information Resources Significant
Issues
i) Expose people or
structures to a significant
risk of loss, injury or death
involve flooding, including
flooding as a result of the
failure of a levee or dam?
j) Inundation by seiche,
tsunami, or mudflow?
IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING. Would the project:
a) Physically divide an 1,2,3
established· community?
b) Conflict with any applicable 1,2,3
land use plan, policy, or
regulation of an agency
with jurisdiction over the
project (including, but not
limited to the general plan,
specific plan, local coastal
program, or zoning
ordinance) .adopted for the
purpose of avoiding or
mitigating an environmental
effect?
c) Conflict with any applicable
habitat conservation plan
or natural commu'nity
conservation plan?
X. MINERAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a) Result in the loss of
b)
availability of a known
mineral resource that would
be of value to the region
and the residents of the
state?
Result in the loss of
availability of a locally-
important mineral resource
recovery site delineated on
a local general plan,
specific plan or other land
use plan? .
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
Potentially Less Than No
Significant Significant Impact
Unless Impact
Mitigation
Incorporated
X
..
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 13 of26
Issues and Supporting Sources Potentially
Information Resourc£JS Significant
Issues
XI. NOISE. Would the project result in:
a) Exposure of persons to or
generation of noise levels
in excess of standards
established in the local
general plan or noise
ordinance, or applicable
standards of other
agencies?
b) Exposure of persons to or
generation of excessive
ground borne vibration or
ground borne noise levels?
c) A substantial permanent 2,3
increase in ambient noise
levels in the project vicinity
above levels existing
without the project?
d) A substantial temporary or
periodic increase in
ambient noise levels in the
project vicinity above levels
existing without the
project?
e) For a project located within.
an airport land use plan or,
where such a plan has not
been adopted, would the
project expose people
residing or working in the
project area to excessive
noise levels?
f) For a project within the
vicinity of a private airstrip,
would the project expose
people residing or working
in the project area to
excessive noise levels?
XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING. Would the project:
a) Induce substantial
population growth in an
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
--------.----------------------------. ------------------------.----.-.-----
Potentially Less Than No
Significant Significant Impact
Unless Impact
Mitigation
Incorporated
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 14 of26
... -.... ---.--... --... __ .--------------.----. ----------------
Issues and Supporting
Information Resources
area, either directly (for·
example, by proposing new
homes and businesses) or
indirectly (for example,
through extension of roads
or other infrastructure)?
b) Displace substantial
numbers of existing
housing, necessitating the
construction of
replacement housing
elsewhere? .
c) Displace substantial
numbers of people,
necessitating the
construction of
replacement housing
elsewhere?
XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES.
·a} Would the project
result in substantial
adverse physical
impacts associated with
the provision of new or
physically altered
governmEmfal· fad lities,
need for new or
physically altered
governmental facilities,
the construction of
which could cause
significant
environmental impacts,
in order to maintain
acceptable service
ratios, response times
or other performance
objectives for any of the
public services:
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
Sources Potentially Potentially Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Issues Unless Impact.
Mitigation
Incorporated
X
X
.
Page 15 of26
Issues and Supporting Sources
Information Resources
.'
established by the county
con'gestion management
agency for designated
roads ,or highways?
c) Result in change in air
traffic patterns, including
either an increase in traffic
levels or a' change in
location that results in
substantial safety risks?
d) Substantially increase , 1,2,3
hazards due to a design
feature (e.g., sharp curves
or dangerous intersections)
or incompatible uses (e.g.,
farm equipment)?
e) Result in inadequate 1,2,~
emergency access?
f} Result in inadequate 1,2,3
parking capacity?
g) Conflict with adopted 1,2,3
poliCies, plans, or programs
supporting alternative
transportation (e.g., bus
turnouts, bicycle racks)?
XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS.
a)
b)
Exceed wastewater
treatment requirements of .
the applicahle Regional
. Water Quality Control
Board?
Require or result in the
construction of new water
or wastewater treatment
facilities or'expansion of
existing facilities, the
construction of which could
cause significant
environmental effects?
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
Potentially Potentially Less Than No
Significant Significant Significant Impact
Issues . Unless Impact
Mitigation
Incorporated
X
X
X
X
X
Would the project:
X
X
Page 17 of 26
Issues and Supporting Sources Potentially
Information Resources Significant
Issues
c) Require or result in the
construction of new storin ..
water drainage facilities or
expansion. of existing
facilities, the construction
of which could cause .
significant environmental
effects?
d) Have sufficient w~ter
supplies available to serve
the project from existing
entitlements and resources,
or are new or expanded
entitlements needed?
e) Result in a determination
by the wastewater
treatment provider which
serves or may serve the
project that it has adequate
capacity to serve the
project's projected demand
in addition to the provider's
existing commitments?
f) Be served by a landfill with
sufficient permitted
capacity to accommodate
the project's solid waste
disposal needs?
g) Comply with federal, state,
and local statutes and
regulations related to solid
waste?
XVII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE.
a) Does the project have. the
potential to degrade the
quality of the environment,
substantially reduce the
habitat of a fish or wildlife
species, cause a fish or
wildlife population to drop
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
.
Potentially Less Than No
Significant Significant Impact
Unless· Impact
Mitigation
Incorporated
X
-... , .....
,
X
X
X
X
X
Page 18 of 26
_ •• _---• ----'.-------.---------._------.------- ----. ___ ..... -" .. _._ b._ ..•..... _. _ '" ••...•.•..• __ .. ___ •.•.••. ___ ._. __ .' __ .••.•. ____ . __ • ________________ . __ ...•• __ .. ,_'_. ____ ._ .• ,_ •.. _ .•... _ •. , ..•••...
Issues and Supporting Sources Potentially Potentially Less Than No
Information Resources Significant Significant Significant Impact
b)
c)
Issues Unless Impact
Mitigation
Incorporated
below self-sustaining
levels, threaten to eliminate
a plant or animal '. ,-.. .. . .... . . . '
community, reduce the
number or restrict the
range of a rare or
endangered plant or animal
or eliminate important
examples of the major
periods of California history
or prehistory?
Does the project have
impacts that are
individually limited, but
cumulatively considerable?
("Cumulatively
considerable" means that
the incremental effects of a
project are considerable
when viewed in connection
with the effects' of past
projects, the effects of
othe'r .. current projects, and
the effects of probable
future projects)?
Does the project have 1,2,3
environmental effects
which will cause
substantial adverse effects
on human beings, either
directly or indirectly?
SOURCE REFERENCES:
1. Planning and Transportation Commission Staff Report, November 12, 2004,
Channing Avenue Traffic, Calming Project-, Recommendations to Proceed with
Permanent Retention of the Physical Traffic Calming Devices on Attached Plan.
2. City of Palo Alto Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (Booklet). April 9, 2001
3. Traffic Calming. State of the Practice, Reid Ewing, Institute of Transportation
Engineers, August 1999.
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist Page 19 of 26
X
X
EXPLANATION FOR CHECKLIST RESPONSES: Explain choice of impact
category.
Traffic caiming devices shown on attached Plan include a total of four center medians,
one raised crosswalk, and one speed table. This plan is in addition to two traffic
calming devices (a speed table and an electronic speed advisory sign) that there
previously established in response to a Council directive. Main objectives of this traffic
calming "plan are tO~Teduce vehicular speeding on -Channing Avenue, and to enhance
safety at pedestrian crossing locations especially in the vicinity of the two schools. The
recommended devices were constructed within the City's existing right-of-way in a
typical urban environment. Therefore, some listed items are identified as not be
·impacted by the proposed project and only briefly discussed below.·
I. AESTHETICS
I. a), b), & d): The proposed plan does not impact any scenic vistas, damage any
scenic resources, nor create a new source of light or glare that will adversely impact
views in the area.
I. c): Substantially degrade existing visual character? Less than Significant Impact.
Implemented traffic calming plan resulted in adding signing, pavement markings, speed
tables, and center medians on Channing Avenue. Although these features are
noticeable additions to the street, they are not uncharacteristic features of a typical
streetscape. The implemented elements do not detract from the residential character of
the streets nor significantly degrade the visual character of the neighborhoqd.
II. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES a) -c): No impact. The traffic calming plan is
located in an urban environment and did not convert or resulted in the conversion of
farmland or Williamson Act contract lands.
III. AIR QUALITY
III. a}, d) & e}: No impact. The traffic calming elements do not conflict with any
applicable air quality plans, expose any sensitive receptors to substantial pollutants, nor
add any objectionable odors to the neighborhood.
III. b} & c}: Violate air quality standards? Less than significant impact. This traffic
calming project is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan as discussed in the Land
Use and Planning Section. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)
Guidelines encourage cities to design and implement traffic calming measures and
ways to increase pedestrian and bicycle use. The City of Palo Alto utilizes the BAAQMD .
threshOlds of significance for project review of potential air quality impacts. BMQMD is
the responsible agency for regulating and providing gU,idance to jurisdictions for air
quality and pollutants of concern. Many pollutants of concern such as carbon monoxide
and ozone are regulated on a region-wide basis. The BMQMD thresholds for projects
look at 1) a project's direct contribution to pollutants of concern (those in non-
attainment) to the region (most often through additional vehicle trips), 2) where project
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
.. -_._----_. "'---'-.. ". _.-- -------------------------------------------
Page 20 of 26
------------------------------_ ---_____ H __ 0---______________________ ••• ___ • __ •• _ •• M' •• _____ _
traffic causes intersections with 0 or worse to decline further, and 3) for projects. that
directly add 100 or more vehicle trips, whether those additional vehicle trips cause
. significantshifis in traffic patterns.
Based on performed analysis detailed in the staff report, the traffic-calming project does
not generate additional: vehicle trips in the area; therefore the first and last BMQMD
thresholds do not apply. The only signalized intersection along the studied section of ~.
·Channing Avenue is located at the infersection of Channing Avenue/Newell Road. The
City of Palo Alto has LOS 0 as the threshold for acceptable intersection operational
conditions. To evaluate whether the trial traffic calming plan impacted· operational
conditions at the signalized intersection, LOS analysis was performed using Traffix
software~ The analysis was carried out for the AM and PM peak hours using recent
(2004) intersection turning movement counts. Lane configurations, signal cycle length
and pbasing, lost time, etc. reflect existing conditions (i.e., following implementation of
the traffic calming plan). Results of the intersection operational· analysis showed that the
intersection of Channing Avenue/Newell Road presently operates at LOS B during each
of the AM and PM peak hours. This reflects good operational conditions even during
peak commute hours, with minimal or no impacts .due to the traffic calming. plan.
Construction of the planned median on Channing Avenue in the vicinity of DeSoto Drive
will result in minor construction-related impacts, including particulate matter releases
with grading or paving tha~ occurs. The levels released will not be at significant levels
given the small-scaie nature of the traffic calming improvement. The BMQMO does not
require the quantification of short-term particulate matter emissions and does not
consider such emissions to be a· significant impact to nearby sensitive receptors or
others, provided that certain standard construction practices to reduce fugitive dust are
implemented. Accordingly, these measures from the BAAQMO CEQA Guidelines will be
required of the City's ·contractorsin the undertaking of the installation of the center
median.· .
It should be noted that during implementation of remaining center median, the City shall "c.
iheludeiri'CbhstrtJction contracts the following requirements:·
a. Cover all truck hauling construction and demolition debris from the site;
b. If there are exposed or disturbed soil surfaces water them at leas.t twice daily;
c. Use watering to control dust generation during demolition of structures or break-up
of pavement;
d. Ifthere are exposed or disturbed soil surfaces, sweep daily (with water sweepers);
e. Provide daily clean-up of mud and dirt carried onto paved streets from the site;
f. Install sandbags or other erosion control measures to prevent silt runoff to public
roadways; and,
g. Replant any vegetation that is disturbed as quickly as possible.
IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES a) -f) No impact. The project is entirely within a
previously disturbed road. right-of-way in an urban area, does not involve wetland,
riparian, HCP lands, nor stream habitats and wiil not affect endangered, candidate,
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environml;lntal Checklist
• _. -- ---• - --.---. ----_____ • --_._--------.-._."-- -------__ oM • ____ •• __ -
Page 21 of26
--_.---.-_.---------_. -,--..... _-----_.-..... __ ..... __ ..... _---.... -.. -..... -............. ,
local, sensitive, or special species nor their habitat. Installation of the project measures
did not impact local biological resources (trees).
V.CULTURALRESOURCES
V. a) -d) No impact. Change the significance of a historic resource? Destroy a unique
paleontological or unique geological feature. The traffic calming elements are located
within the road. right-of-way and there are no unique paleontological resources or sites
or unique'"geological features in'the project-area. ,,--, "
VI. GEOLOGY & SOILS a) -e) No impact. The plan is located in the seismically
active San Francisco Bay area so ground shaking during a major earthquake would
likely be severe. Channing Avenue is inan area with expansive soils. Even though the
plan is located in a seismically active area and an area with expansive soils, the traffic
calming improvements do' not increase the risk to pubJlc health and safety or increase
the potential for geo-seismic hazards because traffic calming el.ements do not bring any
more people, into an existing 'area with greater seismic risk than that which would
otherwise be experienced. '
VII. HAZARDS & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS a) -h) No impact.
Implemented traffic cakning plan includes improvements within the existing right-of-way
in a primarily residential area. The plan does not increase the risk of exposure to
hazardous materials or material sites. The traffic calming plan is not located within 2
miles of a public or private use airport, in an FAA designated civilian airport Runway
Clear zone (RCZ), or within a military airfield "Clear Zone (CZ) or Accident. Potential
Zone (APZ). The project is within a'developed primarily residential area and does not
expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving
.wildfires. No potentially explosive, flammable fuels or chemical storage facilities are
located directly on the corridor.
VIII. HYDROLOGY a) -j) No Impact. The traffic calming improvements comply with
City, State a"nd Federal ,standards pertaining to water quality and waste discharge; and
storm water run-6ft The 'pian "'(10'138 nofsubstantiallY alfer'the"e5(Jstih"g"d raiha~Je' 'pattern
of the roadway. City standard conditions of approval require the incorporation of Best
Management Practices (BMPs) for stonn water poliutionprevention in all construction
operations, in conformance with the Santa Clara Valley Non-Point Source Pollution
Control Program. BMPs would be added to address short-term impacts associated with
the construction of the remaining median, as well as permanent storm water runoff.
With these BMPs, the traffic calming devices do not increase the hazard of stormwater
pollution. Placing project elements within a 100-year flood hazard area is further
discussed under XVI (c).
IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING
IX. a) Physically divides an .established com,munity? No impact. ,
. -This plan does not include any' street closures that could divide street segments and
detour vehicular traffic. The plan elements do not impede ,residents biking or walking
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist
_.-'-'-~-"------"----.----------------------_. "--... _----------._.--_ .. _ .. _._------------._._----.-.-- -
Page 22 of26
-_.:._---------_.-_ .. ----............... _----_ .. .
through the area. Thus, the traffic calming devices do not constitute a division of the
neighborhood in the sense that denies access between any two parts of the community.
IX. b) Conflictvvith applicable land use plan or regulations? No impact.
The· traffic calming plan is consistent with the City of Palo Alto ComprehensIve Plan and
does not conflict with the residential use of Channing Avenue. The Comprehensive Plan
Transportation discussion strongly supports' traffic calming and minimizing traffic
impacts' to re-sidentialstreets,' incfuding ·Policy··T-34: '''Implement traffic calming
measures to slow traffic on local and collector residential streets ... Incfude traffic circles
and 'other traffic calming devices among these measures". Other applicable
Comprehensive Plan policies incfude Program T-32: "Improve pedestrian crossings with
bulbouts, small curb radii, street trees near corners, bollards, and landscaping to create
protected areas." In this case, pedestrian crossings are improved through the
establishment of raised crosswalks along with, associated signing and pavement
markings. .
IX c) Conflict with Habitat Conservation Plan? No impact.
X. MINERAL RESOURCES a) & b): No impact.
The Plan is located within an urban area, previously disturbed road right-of-way and
does not include any areas with important mineral resources. .
XI. NOISE
XI. a) -c); e) & f). No impact.
The Plan does not expose persons to noise levels in exc~ss of established standards.
Small percentages of vehicle trips may have diverted from one. street to another, but this
diversion does not cause a significant increase in noise levels in this residential
neighborhood. Construction related noise is further discussed under d) below.
XI. d) Temporary noise impacts. Less than significant impact. Temporary noise.
Impacts will resl:1IL fro.m the cOI1§truction of the remaining center . median. Typical
construction noise sources would incfude mechanical equipment associated with
excavation, removal of pavement,. and construction vehicles. Although this impact is
probably insignificant because of its short duration, the following terms will be
incorporated to ensure that it will be less than significant.
Construction hours will be' limited to Monday through Friday 8:00a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., as per the City Noise Ordinance, Chapter 9.10
requirements. All construction truck traffic shall conform to the City of Palo Alto Trucks
and Traffic Ordinance (10.48) that details city truck routes.
The following bar chart is provided to illustrate the relatively insignificant noise imp'acts
of traffic calming devices' as it compares between noise levels in the vicinity of an
uncontrolled location,a four-way stop controlled intersection, a traffic circle and a raised
crosswalk.'
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist Page 23 of 26
elements are within the City fight-of-way, and the main objectives of the devices are to
reduce excessive speeding and enhance safety at pedestrian crossings.
The Channing Avenue traffic calming project had to comply with the following
performance measures in order to conclude that the project does not cause significant
traffic diversion impacts on neighboring local and/or collector streets.
-·· .. On local and collector streets with "before" counts of less than 2500 vehicles
per day (vpd), no average daily vehicle count at a peripheral orintema1
location will increase by more than 25 percent of the "before" count. On local
streets, the addition will not cause the volume to exceed 2500 vpd ± 10
percent; and,
On local streets with a "before" count of 2500 vpd or greater, no average daily
traffic count at a peripheral or intemal location will increase by more than 10
percent of the "before" count.
The traffic calming plan resulted in a general reduction in traffic volumes on Channing
Avenue measured in the range of 5 percenUo 8 percent. However, the reduced traffic
volume on Channing Avenue did not show as diverted traffic on the neighboring streets
namely Green\Vood Avenue, Hamilton Avenue and Greer Road. These neighboring
streets serve daily traffic volumes of less than 2500 vpd, which also experienced
reductions in traffic volumes that range from 2 percent to 13 percent. It should be
noted however that a reduction of 13 percent in the daily traffic volume on Greenwood
Avenue is only 42 vpd. Therefore, project's after studies show that the implemented
. traffic calming devices do not generate traffic related impacts.
As noted earlier, the traffic calming project does not add additional vehicle trips to the
Channing Avenue corridor, including the signalized intersection of Channing
Avenue/Newell Road. The "after" operational level of service (LOS) at this signalized
intersection is "8" during each of the AM and PM peak hours. .
xv. c) impact air traffic patterns? No impact.
xv. d) 'Substantially increase design haza·rds? Less Than Significant Impact.
The traffic calming devices do not introduce abrupt changes in vertical and horizontal
alignment that are beyond the normally accepted standards. The measures are placed
in the traveled way, and are signed and striped according to standard California
Department of Transportation (Caltrans) guidelines and accepted engineering practices,
resulting in no significant traffic hazard. The reduction in traffic volumes and speeds in
the neighborhood is expected to reduce the potential for accidents throughout the
neig hborhood.
xv. e) Result in inadequate emergency access? Less than Significant Impact.
Please refer to qiscussion under XIII(a) above.
xv. f) Result in inadequate parking capacity? No Impact.
Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Plan
Environmental Checklist" Page 25 of26
1 Chair Cassel: Under New Business we are discussing the permanent retention of the Channing
2 A venue Traffic Calming Plan. Staff is recommending that the Commission approve retention on
3 a permanent basis the physical traffic calming devices implemented on Channing Avenue and
4 adopt the project's environmental negative declaration. Can we please have a Staff Report?
5
6 NEW BUSINESS:
7 Public Hearings.
8
9 1. Channing Avenue Trial Traffic Calming Project: Review of evaluation results and
10 recommendation on making permanent the trial traffic calming plan implementation
11 Channing between Guinda and Greer.
12
13 Mr. Joseph Kott, Chief Transportation Official: I would be very glad to do that Chair Cassel.
14 Good evening Commission. I am here with Reba EI-Guendy who is a member of our
15 Transportation Divisio~ Staff as the Commission may recall from our last meeting with you.
16
17 This evening we are discussing, ~s Chair Cassel said, the Channing Traffic Calming Project
18 Trial. It is implemented under a mandate of the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan to implement
19 traffic calming measures to slow traffic on local and collector residential streets. The
20 Commission may recall that Channing is classified as a collector street.· .
21
22 A little bit about the project background. Council discussed the issue of traffic calming and
23 slowing car speeds on Channing back in June of1999. There was explicit Council direction to
24 actually implement traffic calming or traffic management at Lincoln and Channing at that
25 meeting and there was a generalized mandate to us to study ways to slow traffic and manage
26 traffic on Channing at that meeting but no specific directive to do a plan. We did hold a
27 community meeting in March of2003 really at the behest ofa couple of the neighborhood
28 associations that border Channing, the Saint Francis Duveneck neighborhood and the Crescent
29 . Park neighborhood. We conducted other outreach. We held in all three small group meetings
30 with residents in different sections of Channing at different times and engaged in quite a bit of
31 modern day consultation by email lists orerriail interaction.
32
33 As the Commission may know, this is more for the benefit of those who are not that familiar
34 with our traffic calming program, which was initiated by .Council in20()1,·tI1ePalo Alto·
35 approach is really to try traffic calming measures and traffic management devices before making
36 them final. The reason for this is it is very important to not only gauge the effectiveness of the
37 measures in tenns oftraffic management and metrics associated with traffic management but
38 also community acceptance of whatever measures have been deployed. Both of those things are
39 best done in trial mode with data collection and consultation. The Channing Avenue Traffic
40 Calming Project in contrast to one or two others that we have done over the years has relatively
41 moderate measures that is no streets are closed either partially or fully and we used measures that
42 are fully transversable by emergency vehicles and buses and so forth and don't hinder cyclists
43 and so on.
44
45 An important objective in this project and in all traffic calming projects is to reduce vehicle
46 speeding in residential streets. As the Commission knows there is an association between the
47 vehicles speeding and the dampening of people's interest in walking across streets and cycling
48 and even their degree of safety in doing both of those activities. I think in the Staff Report Reba
City of Palo Alia Page 2
1 Ms. Heba El-Guendy, Transportation Engineer: The trial implementation of the Channing
2 Avenue Traffic Calming Plan was approved by the Commission in: July 2003. What is now in
3 place is somewhat different than what was approved last year. Changes to the plan were based
4 on the additional issues that were identified later on after the Commission's approval, and based
5 on additional community consultation with affected residents.
6
7 The project was constructed in April ofthis year and the data collection was carried out in May.
8 We had to perform the data collection before the end ofthe school year so it was done in the
9 second half of May.
10
11 This is the study area, and the corridor of Channing that is included in this study extends from
12 Guinda Street all the way to Greer Road. Most of the abutting land uses are residential single~
13 family housing except for the two schools and the park. We have divided the study area into two
14 sub-areas. The primary area includes Channing Avenue and all the dead end streets and the
15 streets that can only be accessed via Channing like DeSoto. The environs cover the surrounding
16 area that goes even beyond what is shown on this slide.
17
18 These photos will take us through all ofthe traffic calming measures that are present including
19 the ones that were implemented as part of the trial program and the. ones that were in place at the
20 time. This is the intersection that Joe was mentioning a minute ago, the intersection of Channing
21 Avenue with Guinda Street, which has non-typical configurations .. The establishment of medians
22 helped in improving the operational conditions at the intersection in general and it also helped
23 motorists to make tighter turning movements instead of turning at high speeds too wide. So it
24 also acts as a traffic calming device despite that it was mainly implemented for operational and
25 safety purposes.
26
27 This intersection is Channing with Addison and it includes the new medians that were
28 . implemented aspart of the trial program. The median was implemented at the existing
29 crosswalk. As you can see it was built as two medians not to inconvenience the movements of
30 physically challenged pedestrians. The electronic warning sign was implemented earlier based
31 on the Council direction in 1999. The striping here, the main purpose of it is to direct the
32 motorists to the right in passing by the medians.
33
34 This is Channing near Lincoln; and this is the speed table that was implemented again based on
35 the Council direction. The trial project really only includes two additional speed tables. I know
36 that some of the tables in the Staff Report reference the speed tables as humps. This is because
37 both the speed tables and humps are two types of humps. Either a parabolic speed hump or a
38 flat topped speed hump, but they are being recognized as a hump and a speed table.
39
40 This is the intersection of Channing and Harriet, which includes the new speed table at the
41 school crossing. As you noticed we are going from west to east.
42
43 Chair Cassel: Is this the park or is this the school?
44
45 Ms. EI-Guendy: That is the park. Note that this speed table doesn't have a crosswalk.
46
47 These islands again were not part of the traffic calming project I just included them because they
48 do act to some extent, in combination with the rest ofthe meas,:!res, as traffic calming devices
City of Palo Allo Page 4
1 just even for the visual effect. However, they were mainly implemented for sign posting to make
2 them as visible as possible.
3
4 This is the intersection of Channing with Heather and the center median that was again
5 constructed at the existing crosswalk. As you can see here, whenever we implement a median
6 we taper off the edge lines of the travel lanes and this is again to direct the path of the cars. The
7 widths of the bike lanes here even at the narrowest sections is still to the standard five feet. We
8 ' didn't touch the parking width all along this street.
9
10 This is the center median, there isn't a crosswalk here but whenever we implement center
11 medians at crosswalks they also act as refuge space for pedestrians. This particular median is not
12 too close to the intersection, it is just a center device for slowing down traffic. As you can see
13 here, the pavement markings on the approach and left sides of the median; There is also
14 appropriate signage associated with it, and the tapering ofthe edge lines.
15
16 This is the last device that was added which is again a center median and it is in the vicinity of
17 1832 Channing Avenue.
18
19 I do apologize for the quality of this slide. These values are for the volumes and these are for the
20 speeds before the trial, and these are the volumes and speeds after. These two columns show the
21 difference in volumes and speeds and are also included in the Staff Report which maybe more
22 visible.
23
'24 From these columns, it can be concluded that the reductions in the volumes are relatively small,
25 which really coincide with one ofthe objectives ofthe project not to divert traffic elsewhere, (in
26 other words, not to reduce the traffic volume on Channing by too much and divert it elsewhere).
27 The volume measures on Channing and surrounding streets namely Hamilton and Greenwood
28 showed an overall reduction. The 85th percentile speeds, which means 85% of the drivers drive
29 at this speed or less, shows reduction that vary from about three percent all the way to 13%, well
30 this was at a device that was removed so all the way to 12%.
31
32 Mr. Kott: Just one comment about this data. This 85th percentile data doesn't capture the very
33 highest speeds on the street. So there are two effects we think of devices like'these. They have
34 an effect on prevailing speeds, the speeds that most motorists travel at and in this case we have
35 what we consider well-behaved data because it does show reduction in prevailing speeds. A
36 moderate reduction, which is more or less in line with the moderate measures being used. We
37 don't show the data that indicates what we think is another effect, very high speed driving is
38 quite inhibited because of the physical interference of having to divert around medians and also
39 having to traverse humps. The second piece of this is in terms oftraffic shift. We are always
40 concerned about not shifting problems around and our data suggests that we have not, at least we
41 may infer that we have not, shifted traffic onto nearby streets in this array of street segments.
42 We are not talking about Embarcadero. I don't think we took counts on Embarcadero. In terms
43 of the other collector and local residential streets in the vicinity we appear not to have shifted any
44 traffic. That is well-behaved data because it meets expectations. We didn't expect we would
45 shift traffic because we used moderate measures.
46
City of Palo AlIa Page 5
1 Commissioner Lippert: I have a question coming back to this one. The one traffic calming
2 device that was removed, the one at Channing, what was the reason for removing that one and
3 especially associated with that it also has the largest difference?
4
5 Mr. Kott: Right. Well, the second point first; it has the largest difference because we measured
6 the spe~ds very close to the table itself. In other locations the tubes wen:~ put further way. We
7 removed the table after the project began. because we were approached by a number of residents.
8 In fact three of them are here, Mr. Atkinson and the Cohen's, who wanted to discuss with us
9 problems they perceived with the table and possible options. They live on either side ofthe table
10 on either side of Channing. They organized a very nice meeting of the entire street section and
11 we can talk about that later in Q & A. The meeting .concluded with a consensus that we would
12 replace the speed table with a raised center median. We have been working on it. We promised
13 folks we would get approvals from abutters before we did that since it is a replacement.
14
15 Chair Cassel: I would like if you could finish your presentation and then we will go back to that
16 question.
17
18 Mr. Kott: Thank you;
19
20 Ms. El-Guendy: It really depends on the design of each device but in general speed humps have
21 more effects on speeds than center medians. The reductions here are also affected by where the
22 measurement was taken as Joe was just mentioning.
23
24 For Staff to be able to recommend the permanent retention ofthe devices a 50% of all replies
25 from the overall area had to be reached including 50% of the households within the primary area.
26 So the 50% of the overall area is 50% ofthe replies, but the 50% of the primary area is 50% of
27 the households. The results of the survey that was circulated in the primary area shows about
28 68% of the replies were in favor of retaining the devices, 30% wanted them to be removed and
29 two percent didn't choose one or the other. We still kept the "neither response" in the results
30 because we also wanted to include the comments that were noted on these cards, which one
31 included in one ofthe Staff Report attachments. The table also shows that 51 % of the houses
32 along Channing Avenue and the immediate streets accessed by Channing were in favor of
33 maintaining the devices and 22% wanted them to be removed. So, One of the two conditions has
.34 been met.
35
36 This table shows the results of the survey from the environs, not the overall area. It shows 55%
37 ofthe replies in favor of retaining the devices, 40% chose the devices to be removed and five
38 percent didn't select either. You can see the difference between the opinions in the environs
39 relative to the primary area because the primary area is impacted by the devices more and
40 residents are more concerned about speeding and cut-through traffic on Channing more than in
41 the environs. Nineteen percent of the houses in the environs wanted the devices to be maintained'
42 and 14% wanted them to be removed. From all the replies, the 55% in the area environs and the
43 68% in the primary area, would add up to about 59% of the overall area, which again meets the
44 second condition that identified in the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. So based on the
45 results of the survey sent to the community, the Staff is recommending retaining the devices. In
46 addition to community consultation, we have also consulted with the Fire and Police
47 Departments and we have included their comments in the Staff Report, which were generally
48 positive. We have also consulted with VTA and PASCO.
City of Palo Allo Page 6
1
2 We have done additional analysis that is required as part of the environmental evaluation
3 including the level of service analysis at the signalized intersection of Channing and Newell for
4 instance. We came up with the level of service "B" during the AM and PM peak hours, which is
5 considered to be very good in terms of operational conditions. Considering the volumes and the
6 changes in speeds and delays, I suspect that the level of service at this intersection before the trial
7 was also in the range of"B". Now I will turn it to Joe if you have any questions.
8
9 Mr. Kott: Thank you, Heba. Yes, please, I would welcome any questions Commissioners.
10
11 Chair Cassel: Do you have any clarifYing questions? Go ahead, Bonnie.
12
13 Vice Chair Packer: The speed table that was removed in front of 1585 was that removed before
14 or after the data that was done between May 18 and May 27? In other words; does the data of
15 the traffic counts and the speeds reflect conditions with the table or without the table?
16
17 Mr. Kott: We had the table in when we collected the data, yes. As the Commission knows we
18 collect data just before we do a project and at some point after the project is constructed.
19
20 Vice Chair Packer: It is the after data though.
21
22 Mr. Kott: Yes, it does include that table.
23
24 Vice Chair Packer: Okay, thank you.
25
26 Chair Cassel: Are there any other clarifYing questions?
27
28 Ms. EI-Guendy: May I just add a small comment on that? Because ofthe spaGing between the
29 devices the presence of the table or the lack of it would not change the overall results of the
30 surveys by much.
31
32 Chair Cassel: Pat, do you have a question?
33
34 Commissioner Burt: Yes. Joe, do you have any data on the impact on the high speeders, the
35 outliers?
36
37 Mr. Kott: Yes we do have that data. We typically don't show it but we do have it.
38
39 Commissioner Burt: I would both in this case and in the future really value it because that is
40 really one of our primary objectives is to address that. It may be even more meaningful than the
41 85th percentile in terms ofthe safety benefit. .
42
43 Mr. Kott: I will make a note of that Commissioner.
44
45 Commissioner Burt: ,Great, thank you.
46
47 Chair Cassel: Are there any other clarifying questions before I go to the public? Okay. If
48 anyone wants to speak would they please fill out a speaker card and then give it to Zariah and
City of Palo Alto Page 7
1 she will give it to me. When you speak you will have three minutes. Now we have to record this
2 so that it can be put in the minutes also this is I ive on air so we would appreciate it if as you
3 speak you come forward and speak at this mike up here. If you are very tall or very short then
4 we will try adjusting the mike for you. The first person to speak will be Mary Carlstead. If you
5 will give your name and your address and you have three minutes to speak. Bonnie is timing it.
6 The person to follow will be Patricia Lacey .
7
8 Ms. Mary Carlstead, 147 Walter Hays Drive, Palo Alto: Thank you members ofthe
9 Commission. I have lived at 147 Walter Hays Drive for almost 40 years and I remember.
10 Channing Avenue as it was then. I remember when there was no stop light at Newell and
11 Channing and I remember the horrific fatal accident ofthe teenagers, which prompted getting
12 lights into that intersection somewhere about 1964 or 1965. I remember when there was no stop
13 sign at all at Alester and Channing at the school and our children went to school there. There
14 were kids in their yellow and red uniforms getting the children across the street. I remember the
15 wonderful principal, Lon Andrews, who fought to get that stop sign at Alester and Channing. I
16 remember when there was no stop sign at Greer and I personally led a ten year long fight to get
17 the all way stop at Saint Francis and Channing. We have come ~ long way from those early
18 years because Embarcadero has become an alternate to get Downtown and an alternate to get
19 around Embarcadero. It has become a favorite run for trucks especially City trucks going out to
20 the Baylands Corporation Yard.
21
22 I think that the Channing A venue calming project has been a great success. I have noticed a
23, reduced reduction in the number of trucks on the street. I think that the safety and the greater
24 public good is what is extremely important here. Speeding is obviously down. I have noticed it.
25 This project has been a model of cooperation between neighborhood leaders, neighborhoods, the
26 City, which has listened to resident's concerns, has bended back and forth.
27
28 I would make the following comment though. I was on the Channing Avenue Task Force and
29 we chose our models for the traffic speed tables from those in Menlo Park on Willow Road past
30 Sunset and down Laurel A venue. In fact Menlo Park even offered and I think did give the
31 construction plans for these speed tables to Palo Alto and even offered to sell them the paint. I
32 do not believe that these tables were constructed to the same configuration as in Menlo Park ..
33 They don't look right and they don't feel right and they do not have the visual aesthetics that we
34 thought we were going to get. I think that especially a couple of them need to be lowered and
35 they also are not visually attractive and they are not bright enough in the rain. So we need to do
36 some fine tuning and tweaking here. We need to look at aesthetics but I think that those speed
37 tables were not constructed in the same specifications that we thought we were getting when we
38 went over and looked at them and whatever. So I would ask that ifthis is approved that you go
39 back and make sure that these bumps because I d.o believe that a couple of them are too high,
40 they have, a very hard approach. Thank you.
41
42 Chair Cassel: Thank you very much. Patricia Lacey to be followed by Marc Cohen. The timing
43 is a yellow light here and it will beep when your time is up.
44
45 Ms. Patricia Lacey, 938 Addison Avenue, Palo Alto: My daughter was the one that got hit by
46 the car on the corner of Addison and Channing.
47
48 Chair Cassel: I need your name and your address, please.
City of Palo Alia Page 8
1 your chart here and reported in the Staff Report occurred on top ofthe speed table. That is where
2 the monitoring devices were placed. That was confirmed tonight by the Staff.
3
4 Now flood impact as a result of the City actually raising the street level.
5
6 Chair Cassel: Just a second Mr. Cohen. Does anyone have a question of him?
7
8 Commissioner Bialson: I would like to hear a little more.
9
10 Chair Cassel: Go ahead.
11
12 Mr. Cohen: Thank you. Flood impact as a result of the City actually raising the street level in a
13 designated special flood hazard area, in an area that experienced some of the worst flooding in
14 the City in 1998 was also a concern. We saw no calculation of the effect of the speed table had it
15 been placed in 1998. Even drainage during st'orms is a concern since the storm drain is located
16 just downstream ofthe speed table and in this section of Channing the City uses trucks and
17 sweepers to clear large amounts of debris from the Sycamores lining the south side ofthe street.
18 . Shortly after installation of the speed table 22 residents in the vicinity signed a petition calling
19 for the removal of the speed table as soon as possible citing noise, road hazard, danger to
20 bicyclists, flood impact and hindrance to emergency response. The fact that this speed table was
21 installed in the first phice on a collector street with rolled curbs; heavy truck volume, in a flood
22 zone, between a stop sign at Alester and a traffic light at Newell is rooted in the City's
23 permissive traffic calming guidelines and less stringent resident approval requirements compared
24 to other cities. These are issues the City may want to look at. In addition it should be clear that.
25 not all speed tables are beneficial and therefore each traffic calming device must be evaluated in
26 its own context for appropriateness and impacts, which affect overall neighborhood livability. In
27 'conclusion, I would also like to emphasize the need to landscape the raised medians that have
28 been placed in the street. They are very unattractive right now. Thank you.
29
30 Chair Cassel: Thank you. Pauline Hayward to be followed by Karen White.,
31
32 Ms. Pauline Hayward, 1040 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto: If you might recall the pictures that
33 you showed the area where I live is a vel')' narrow part of Channing. When you get beyond
34 Newell Channing widens and so I am going to defer to wbat the gentleman just said because I
35 live across from St. Albert's and I have one of those raised slow traffic calming devices within
36 100 feet 'of my home. I am aware that brake lights go on. It is right there by the school. St.
37 Albert's is a school I think a lot of people don't remember that and don't take that into account
38 when they come by that area. I am aware that many bake light~ go on which says to me they
39 have picked up enough speed that they cannot go over that bump if they are exceeding the speed
40 limit which is 25 miles an hour. I for myself say they do not cause any noise. This is what
41 someone said, now everyone is going to be screeching their brakes and you are going to hear a
42 lot of noise. I don't hear that. The area is much narrower than 'up beyond Newell. I am aware
43 that buses slow down when they go by. The City truck, the garbage trucks slow down but when
44 they go by they continue on their speed. I am aware that we have asked for this. I knew that we
45 wanted something done on the street and this has been roughly 15 or 20 years that we have come
46 to the City Council for this. At that point they had done nothing. I am awareofwhat it has
47 done. I knew we would never take away the number of cars that came down the street. . That
48 wasn't our aim. Our aim waS that they would come down the street, a residential street, at the
City of Palo Alto PageJO
1 speed limit that is supposed to be. I appreciate the fact that it is there. I am hoping that you will
2 keep them there. My only concern is the one where the children cross which I believe is at
3 Addison and Channing .. I literally counted the cars that came down Lincoln. I guess it is Lincoln
4 and Channing. I counted the cars that came down there for an hour in the morning. This is the
5 time that the children are going to school between seven and eight o'clock and there are over 100
6 cars that come down Lincoln which means they are leaving University and coming down and
7 this is a shortcut they are using which is near the school crossing. So they do defer and come
8 down into our area so I appreciate anything you can do to keep the traffic calm in our area.
9 Thank you.
10
11 Chair Cassel: Thank you. Karen White to be followed by Penny Proctor.
12
13 Ms. Karen White, 146 Walter Hays Drive, Palo Alto: I am speaking as an individual. Chair
14 Cassel and Commissioners I urge you to approve the Staff recommendation for permanent
15 retention of the Channirig Traffic Calming Plan. This trial was the result of overwhelming and
16 sustained neighborhood and school support for measures to slow drives to a safe speed. The plan
17 that was chosen is· well moderated. Drivers slow to 25 miles per hour without experiencing the
18 jarring effect that speed bumps produce. Using speed tables, center medians with pedestrian
19 refuges and center median slow points in combination has been shown to be more effective than
20 using a series of the same kind of measure over and over again down a roadway. That speeds
21 have slowed is supported by the data shown on Table 3, the results of before and after traffic
22 studies. The 85 th percentile speeds range from no change to a 32% slower speeds and I am sure
23 they referred to Figure 1 on page ten showing the dramatic effect that slowing speeds can have
24 on saving lives. JUst as compelling though for me is that daily volumes dropped by a modest
25 amount without shifting these vehicles onto nearby streets. This is a beneficial byproduct
26 because Channing A venue is used by so many children going to and from school and to and from
27 after school activities. I do have one request of Staff. I would ask that at the time these
28 measures are installed as I understand that when asphalt is poured is the time when it can be
29 moved around and adjusted that whoever the appropriate Staff person would be would be sure to
30 be on hand at the time the asphalt is laid to be ensure that the engineering specs are met. lIeave
31 that with Mr. Kott. Sincere thanks to the Stafffor their fine work in meeting with our
32 neighborhood associations as a whole and also with smaller groups of residents who had
33 particularconcems. By carefully listening to all residents the plan was modified in ways that
34 brought a workable consensus. Channing is now safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers.
35 The survey shows strong support for keeping the plan and I urge that you permanently retain it.
36 Thank you.
37
38 Chair Cassel: Thank you. Penny Proctor to be followed by Ray Solari.
39
40 Ms. Penny Proctor, 758 Greer Road, Palo Alto: I drive from my home to the community garden
41 at Eleanor Park almost every day and for me the speed tables were extremely uncomfortable. I
42 have to slow down to 12 miles an hour or else they really hurt my back. The ones in Menlo Park
43 on Bay Road those are different. I can go 20 to 25 miles an hour, the speed limit there is 30 and
44 they are fine. So I really aggravate the traffic behind me when I go down to 12 miles an hour.
45 Also the shadow of the street tree is such that on that one right by Eleanor Park it is really hard to
46 see a lot of the time so a lot ofth'!les I forget and go at 20 miles an hour. So I wondered if you
47 might also consider like the speed bumps that are on Embarcadero when you come off the
48 freeway just before Saint Frances those are the little round ones. They make a noise when you
City of Palo Allo Page 11
1 drive over them but they don't bounce your car. So it would make me happy I would love it if it
2 was removed but either if it could be made like the Menlo Park ones or changed to little round
3 ones that would be great.
4
5 Chair Cassel: Thank you. Ray Solari to be followed by Lee Caswell.
6
7 Mr. Ray Solari, 20 Somerset Place, Palo Alto: Hello. I live just around the corner off of Lincoln
8 at the corner of Lincoln and Channing. I fully support the traffic calming measures. I think they
9 are a great goal, good implementation except for the bumps. I would ask that the Commission or
10 the engineering people be directed by the Commission to go reexamine that piece of the program
11 to see ifthere is a different way that could achieve the same object and yet minimize the problem
12 caused by the bumps. ,My own experience in my car is that I need to slow to ten miles an hour in
13 order to go over the bump and not feel like I am jerking myself around or risking damaging the
14 suspension of my car. I don't have any other scientific evidence on that but that is just myself
15 and my wife and some of my neighbors who have noticed the same thing. The speed limit on the
16 street is25 miles an hour, the goal is to get the speed to be 25 miles an hour, the goal is not to get
17 it down to ten miles an hour. Channing is first of all a street it is not a parking lot so you don't
18 want it to be slower than that. So I simply recommend that you ask that the engineering team use
19 a combination ofthe other things that I think are working very well the medians, the bright
20 crosswalks, the vertical signs coming up and any other creative measures they can come up with
21 to be able to take out the bumps and accotnplish the same purpose in another way. Thank you
22 very much.
23
24 Chair Cassel: Thank you. Lee Caswell to be followed by Angelica Volterra.
25
26 'Mr. Lee Caswell, 1139 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto: I am theparent of two kids. I came to the
27 last meeting. Our kids walk to school every day and I would like to thank you for the success of
28 the program so far. Especially where we are it has made a huge difference in terms of not just
29 the speed overall but in terms of the egregious speeders as I call them. In fact I couldn't actually
30 disagree more with what was just stated about where it has been effective. The bumps actuaIly
31 do slow people down. It is inconvenient. I have talked to people who are using Channing to
32 commute, my partner for example is pissed because Embarcadero is too slow and I was taking
33 Channing and now I have to slow down. It is exactly that sort of thing that we were trying to
34 implement. Our kids feel safer. I feel safer. I lived on Channing for 14 years. For the first five
35 years before we had kids I actually'didn't even notice the speed to tell you the truth. We didn't
36 have kids it wasn't a big deal. Now we have kids and if it is too slow. take a different street.
37 Slowing it down even if you slow it down a little too much is not a problem for me and for the
38 people who have kids. This was about safety. There are other issues and there are issues with
39 implementation that people have talked to and it hasn't been all smooth. They are a little bit
40 difficult to see but kids are difficult to see too. So it is slowing it down and making it safer.
41 Thank you.
42
43 Chair Cassel: Thank you. Angelica Volterra to be followed by Marland Chanceller.
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45 Ms. Angelica Volterra, P.O. Box 1724, Palo Alto: Good evening. I am a re~ident of Channing
46 Avenue and I served on the Channing Avenue Traffic Calming Task Force. I would like the
47 record to reflect what were for me several iinportant issues relating to Channing Avenue traffic
48 calming. In 2003 representations were repeatedly made that the minutes from the June 29, 1999
City of Palo Alto Page 12
1 with the results. I can say something about the issue of noise. I would say for the first two or
2 three weeks there was considerable noise with people going over the speed bump that is there on
3 Channing at Harriet just in front ofSt. Albert's Church. I think as people who travel through that
4 area routinely have gotten used to the location of these tables and have learned the speeds at
5 which they can safely and comfortably travel over those tables that that issue of noise is really
6 not there anymore. I have most definitely noticed the effect on public utility vehicles, on buses
7 and the like. My family feels much, much safer. We plan to be in this area for hopefully the rest
8 of our lives and so anything that will help to make my children safer as they start going to school
9 and those children who are going to school safer is most definitely something that I would
10 support. As for the issue of the overall shape and design of the speed tables I can only echo what
11 has been said about the difference between what we have hereon Channing right now and what
12 we can see in Menlo Park. So I support the retention ofthe tables ifthere is something that can
13 be done in the alteration of design I would encourage that if that is really beyond the purview of
14 this committee or at this stage of the process then I still advocate retaining what we have. Thank
15 you.
16
17 Chair Cassel: Thank you very much. Joy Ogawa to be followed by Mary Schaefer. That is the
18 last card Ihave if anyone else wants to speak please fill out a card and give it to Zariah.
19
20 Ms. Joy Ogawa, Palo Alto: I live in College Terrace. I have been following the Channing
21 Avenue Traffic Calming closely because my neighborhood, College Terrace, is also in the
22 process of considering a neighborhood traffic calming plan and I wanted to understand the
23 process. Unfortunately Channing Avenue has painted a very troubling picture of the process.
24 What I have seen and what unfortunately is a scenario that is now being replayed in College
25 Terrace is how less than 20 people in a so-called working group can impose a plan of their
26 choice on a 1.3 mile section of a collector street, in this case Channing Avenue, because the
27 eastern end of that street had only three representatives in the working group even though two of
28 those·three persons from the eastern end voted against the working group's recommended plan.
29 So basically a handful of residents from half of the affected area impose a plan on the entire
30 affected area just by stacking the working group to achieve that outcome which I think is unfair
31 from the beginning. Then when the residents are surveyed about whether to proceed with a trial
32 plan they are given only two options the working group's plan or nothing at all. Not much of a
33 choice. Then Staff claimed that 52% ofthe returned survey postcards supported the proposed
34 trial however many postcards expressed disagreement with parts of the plan but they were still
35 counted as supporters because they checked tht'; box. Some postcards expressed disagreement
36 with either choice but they don't get counted because they didn't check either box. So basically
37 the way I see it the western half of Channing, the part with the political clout, ends up controlling
38 the plan that gets approved by the Planning Commission, a plan that also affects the eastern half
39 of Channing. The plan gets approved by Planning Commission despite the protests from the
40 residents of the eastern half. The residents from the eastern half of Channing are forced. to
41 scramble and negotiate with Staff resulting in three very different outcomes all decided at the
42 sole discretion of Staff. The 170011800 block gets raised center medians installed. The 1500
43 block gets a speed table installed against their wishes· but that speed table is later removed. The
44 1900 block gets nothing. This story is like a fable, three little pigs. Finally, the final survey of a
45 postcard that gives re·sidents only one oftwo choices either this or nothing.
46
47 College Terrace residents have been told that at the end of our trial we will given a chance for
48 input to change the trial if we don't like it but I don't see that that has happened here at Channing
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where residents have been given an all or nothing choice. I am concerned that this is the kind of
process that I am going to see in my own neighborhood.
Chair Cassel: Thank you very much, Joy. Mary Schaefer to be followed by Kathy Durham. ,
Ms. Mary Schaefer, 742 DeSoto Drive, Palo Alto: There is some validity in a lot of the
statements made.· There was a committee that came together and worked very hard to do some
things but some ofthe people immediately adjacent to some of the different problem areas had
different solutions. It was very interesting that some neighbors really were listened to and I like
what happened. Some places have the speed tables, which have a different street because there
are curbs on that street. One side of Newell is a quite a different street than the other side of
Newell. I have some concerns and some plus and minuses of it. The speed bumps I think are
very good but they could be'better because of Menlo Park. But the paving of them has to be
better because there are a lot of shade trees that make them absolutely oblivious as you are
coming through the lighting is very bad just naturally. So I think the painting could have much
more clarity on the speed bumps. I think the islands are wonderful on the side of Channing that
go from Newell because this is where the .flood came down. I was out walking in the flooo six
years ago and some houses were so close to being flooded that if the street was adding any more
risk you shouldn't do it. Channing carried most of the water down at Newell from Newell on
down, took most of the water to the freeway. That was how it all flowed. So putting islands
there I think is wonderful that they paid attention. I do think .there should be another island
perhaps after talking to the neighbors in the 1900 block of the street because it is incomplete
perhaps there. I really would like the development of the painting and I really want to say that
Joe Kott did listen to some neighbors. I don't know how 1900 got because there is never a
perfect solution at the beginning of a process. There are some very specific things that
developed even after a committee has done something because some of the other people start
looking as I did about the flood. ,I said this is a problem here from Newell on. So I am just
trying to reinforce· some of the comments made.
Chair Cassel: Thank you very much. Kathy Durham and that is the last card I have.
Ms. Kathy Durham, 2039 Dartmouth Street, Palo Alto: Good evening. I am not going to .
address comments that were made about the process and our neighborhood and so on. I do want
to say a couple ofthings that I have noticed about this project. I am speaking from two
perspectives one is as a cyclist and pedestrian. There is a huge difference when you are on a
busy collector street ifthe cars that are passing you are going 30 miles an hour or above or if
they are going more like 25 to 27. The concept that we induce cars to go the speed limit on
collector streets where we have bike lanes, where we have schools, that we provide for safe
crossings at appropriate places. That traffic calming that is focused on slowing the cars and
making it safer for people to cross especially younger people and older people or those who are
mobility impaired, by reducing the outliers, by reducing the folks who blast down at 40 they
really don't have that option on Channing anymore. That was a common experience if you sat
and watched traffic you would see that particularly see that during the morning rush hour as kids
were on their way to school. .
Secondly, I want to offer a comment about I served on the City School Traffic Safety Committee
from 1989 to 2004 and Iremember at least three times when we had petitions from the folks on
Heather and the folks who needed to cross Channing to get to school. They wanted a stop sign.
City of Palo A Ito Page 15
1 They couldn't have a stop sign. It didn't meet the warrants for a stop sign. There was nothing
2 that could be done despite real concerns. When there was nothing that could be done alot of
3 those kids ended up being driven even though it was only a few blocks because of the parent's
4 concerns about the safety of the kids and the speed of the cars. You drive your kids to
5 elementary school they are less likely to bike to middle school and are going to want to be driven
6 , to high school too. If we are serious about reducing the number of car trips, if we are serious
7 about encouraging alternatives we need to make our collector streets more like Channing is now
8 where you don't have that whoosh when that-bus goes by because the bus is going slower and
9 you don't have those outliers going 40 miles an hour. Thank you.
10
11 Chair Cassel: Thank you very much. I want to bring this back to the Commission. Do we have
12 questions of Staff? Let me do this first. Do you have any comments that you want to make in
13 response to the comments that were made?
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15 Mr. Kott: There were a lot of comments. I think some of the answers may come out in our
16 questions and answer session. I would like to say a couple of things.
17
18 I won't use my "I amjust a Midwesterner" gambit here. I am not that much ofa stickler on
19 process but I will note a process point here. In trials on collector streets my boss, the Director,
20 Steve Emslie, decides I plan, the Commission recommends, we also recommend various things.
21 We try to do the best we can coming to the Commission with what we think is a good solution
22 but we are not perfect and sometimes people advise us and it gets us to thinking. We did meet
23 subsequent to the Commission meeting with two groups of residents, at their request by the way,
24 and we did modify the plan as a result of those meetings. The first meeting was with the folks on
25 the 1700 block and my hat is off to Dave Flynn and Tim Cox who organized that meeting. At
26 one session we met for about two hours, Carl Stoffel and I and those folks, a lot of Dave and
27 Tim's neighbors were there. It was a big turnout. We worked out an alternate solution with the'
28 two raised center medians that were deployed there just to the west of Greer. It was literally a
29 consensus. In other words, everyone after quite a bit of discussion agreed to the solution. The
30 second meeting was convened with Ms. Volterra who spoke earlier today with a'pretty good
31 turnout and my hat is offto Ms. Volterra for organizing that meeting and being such a gracious
32 hostess. After quite a bit of discussion there was really no consensus. Some folks wanted to
33 block the street, other folks wanted traffic circles, other folks wanted speed tables, speed humps
34 and some wanted nothing. We really didn't feel like we had much ofa mandate there. We did
35 with the Dave Flynn meeting for sure. So our solution was we will consider this block of
36 Channing and the following block from St. Francis to West Bayshore as a phase two. There are
37 some technical reasons why that makes sense. As the Commission knows from the last session
38 we had on this the section between St. Francis 'and West Bayshore has a pretty sharp curve in it
39 and it is stop controlled bothat St. Francis a,nd at West Bayshore. So there are some reg'ulatory
40 and physical measures in place to moderate speeds. Even on the block between Greer and St.
41 Francis there is a c;urvature from a bend in Channing from Wildwood over to St. Francis and
42 there is a very good tree canopy. So those two things in combination do help a bit in moderating
43 speeds. We are convinced we need to do more but we didn't really have much ofa mandate to
44 do more at that point. We went to Steve with solutions that were outlined in our meeting with
45 Dave Flynn, Tim Cox and their neighbors and also our report that we really didn't have support
46 on the block between Greer and St. Francis for the speed table there. So we recommended that
47 be ~emoved and this speed table in the 1700 and 1800 block be replaced by two raised center
City of Palo Alto Page 16
1 medians. We felt at the time it was roughly equivalent to the effect of one speed table. We think
2 the data shows it is a close approximation. That is all I want to say for now.
3
4 Chair Cassel: Thank you. Questions? Let me start with Annette this time.
5
6 Commissioner Bialson: This is again directed to you, Joe. Many ofthe speakers and I also
7 personally feel like those speed tables are not the same as the ones in Menlo Park. Have you
8 looked at that? Have you had the contractor look at it and what have you found out with regard
9 to that?
10
11 Mr. Kott: Well,we did use as was indicated at the comment period we did use Menlo Park's
12 specifications. They gave them to us and we gave them to our contractor. They are specified for
13 a three-inch vertical rise from pavement bed. The speed tables that are constructed on Channing
14 are three inches at one side and they are a little bit more than three inches on the other. The
15 street does have a grade to it. The contractor did conform to the three inches on the one side but
16 not on the other and therefore the experience is a little bit rougher. I would have to agree as a
17 driver myself. This is an odd point though. Even though they seem rougher than Menlo Park's
18 we have consulted with Menlo Park and actually we have measured the Menlo Park tables. They
19 are roughly the same vertical rise as ours. It may very well be ours are less even and that may be
20 an effect the drivers feel. One thing we have learned with these speed tables is their tolerances
21· are very fragile and that a quarter of an inch seems to make a big difference.
22
23 Commissioner Bialson: A follow up to that. Can the tables that are now there be modified? Can
. 24 they be tinkered with, fine-tuned or somehow experimented with so that they perhaps have less
25 of an impact on those who travel over them at the speed limit or less?
26
27 Mr. Kat!: That is a very good question Commissioner Bialson. As I said in the preface to our
28 presentation a big part ofthe success of a traffic calming project is community acceptance nbt
29 just the achieveinent of whatever performance measures you set forth. We would be able to
30 modifY those tables. I am hoping· we will be able to grind them down some and then overlay
31 them again but we may have to grind them down all the way to pavement grade and build new
32 speed tables. We will be subject, and this is the way the world is, we will be subject to some
33 criticism for that for spending the extra money to do that. For what it is worth in my own view if
34 it makes the devices better for the community it is certainly worth the extra money. The reason
35 why we have trials is because it is nearly impossible to get everything right any lengthy section
36 of street. You might be able to do it on one block with devices you have used over and over
37 again but we have used some new devices here.
38
39 Chair Cassel: Lee.
40
41 Commissioner Lippert: With regard to making this trial permanent what you are proposing is
42 what is out there is physically what would remain or would they get rebuilt to more precise
43 standards? What I am specifically talking about is the roughness of some of this in terms of the
44 visual impacts.
45
46 Mr. Kott: Thank you Commissioner Lippert, good questions. We, I think, are pretty good
47 listeners. We have certainly gotten better over the years in Palo Alto. So we are keen to revise
48 the project as needed to make it more acceptable. From our point of view it meets its
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1 performance objectives and it slows cars down without diverting traffic. But ifthe ride is too
2 rough for a lot of members ofthe community and if making the humps more moderate would
3 improve acceptance and therefore sustainability ofthe measure we would be more than happy to
4 do that.
5
6 Two notes about aesthetics might be of some use. We did consider the paint that Menlo Park has
7 and we decided not to purchase their paint. We are extremely cautious and their paint has a toxic
8 label on it. We were afraid even to have anyone transport it and apply it and ifit has to be
9 broken into, as it does occasionally with utility work, we are afraid of any toxic affects of that.
10 So if we do paint these things we will find a paint that is not only durable that we don't have to
11 repaint continuously and is skid resistant and aesthetic, but is also safe. The second point on
12 aesthetics, some folks have brought up the question of signage and it is a very good point. Palo
13 Alto is unique, I think, in its sensitivity to aesthetics, certainly to visual aesthetics. We try to
14 minimize as we can the amount of sign pollution we cause. We must have some signage to warn
15 people of traffic control devices. We chose in this case to place "bumps ahead" signs at the
16 beginning and the end of the section of speed tables we deployed rather than putting "bumps
17 ahead" signs in advance of each speed table. Now we are more than happy to revisit that
18 decision arid go back and put in a sign in front of each speed table in response to the lady who
19 did say it is very difficult to see these tables in the evening or at dusk or whatever. That has an
20 aesthetic implication too and we would be adding signs and that is something at least to consider.
21
22 Commissioner Lippert: I have a follow up on that.
23
24 Chair Cassel: Well we were going to go around but go ahead.
25
26 Commissioner Lippert: With regard to the visibility and the aesthetic issue are there any
27 standards that ARB is reviewing in terms of making them so that there are consistent standards
28 that are used throughout the City?
29
30 Mr. Kott: I think we are a little bit constrained and I better tread carefully on this one because I
31 don't want to offend any aesthetic principles here. We have something called the Man'ual of
32 Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which really governs what we put on the streets. It is very
33 important to have a consistent approach to signs and striping because otherwise motorists just get
34 confused. So it really severelylimits the amount of innovation you might say or creativity in
35 signage. We have done some innovation though. We have these nice yellow-green signs that
36 might not be very aesthetic but they certainly are visible and improve safety at our school sites.
37 Commissioner Lippert it is a real limitation for us in innovating on sign faces and colors and so
38 forth.
39
40 Chair Cassel: Pat.
41
42 Commissioner Burt: Joe, from your comments about the effort to have a consensus on the 1900
43 block my understanding was that if that group of residents were able to arrive at a consensus
44 with measures that would meet standard traffic safety criteria Staff would be receptive to
45 implementation. Is that a correct understanding?
46
47 Mr. Kott: It certainly is true. Please do remember we did go to public hearing and had
48 Commission recommendation on a plan. So did not take revising it lightly, but when we had a
City of Palo AIIO Page 18
1 unanimous vote on Dave Flynn's block we were pretty comfortable about doing what we did.
2 We didn't have that on Angie's block, but we are more than happy to work with Angie and her
3 neighbors, quite pleased to, and craft something in a phase two that is workable for everyone.
4
5 Chair Cassel: Bonnie.
6
7 Vice Chair Packer: I would like to go back to the issue of smoothing out the speed tables~ How
8 costly approximately would that be and that is information I would think, we don't consider
9 financial issues too much here on this Commission but I would imagine Council would want to
10 have a feeling for that. Also, would these tables kind of wear down over time? I mean asphalt is
11 always breaking down and getting worn down. Does that ever happen and would that be another
12 way oflooking at the issue?
13
14 Mr. Kott: Thank you Commissioner Packer, more good questions and comments. We have had
15 speed humps in town much longer than we have had these speed tables. We have overlays on
16 streets with speed humps and when there is a repaving Publics Works comes around and
17 overlays the speed hump just like it does the rest of the street. As far as the cost we put it out to
18 bid so I don't know literally what it would cost but my guess would be to remove all or part of a
19 table and replace that removed part or all with another version would likely be in the range of
20 $6,000 to $8,000 ea'ch .location. Again, the caveat is we would put out the bid and the real price
21 would come back to us.
22
23 Chair Cassel: My question was at Heather and Channing where the school crossing is there. I
24 didn't see on these notes, maybe I just missed it, was that you are going to put a lighted
25 crosswalk there.
26
27 Mr. Kott: Yes, Chair Cassel, right.
28
29 Chair Cassel: And there is no stop sign on Channing there. When I drove down it kept wanting
30 to stop there were those pieces there and I kept wanting to stop. Of course there was rio one
31 there to stop for.
32
33 Mr. Kott: No, it is not stop controlled, no. We have promised the community and the Channing
34 environs we would install a lighted crosswalk. As the Commission knows we have three lighted
35 crosswalks now in Palo Alto. We are thinking about using a version that is wireless and it
36 activates automatically, so when the kids leave the curb and go onto the crosswalk it will be on
37 and they won't have to bother with pressing a button. We haven't done it yet but we will.
38
39 Chair Cassel: Annette.
40
41 MOTION
42
43 Commissioner Bialson: I am ready to make a motion. I would move that we proceed with
44 Staff's recommendation to recommend to the City Council approval of the following actions:
45' retain on a permanent basis the physical traffic calming devices implemented on Channing
46 Avenue with the modification of the speed tables to assure thatthe tables are engineered and
47 builtto allow most types of private vehicles to comfortably pass over the tables at the speed limit
48 and further that they are painted or otherwise treated to make the tables more visible. Number
City of Palo Allo Page 19
1 two, adopt the project's Environmental Negative Declaration that was attached to the Staff
2 Report.
3
4 SECOND
5
6 Commissioner Lippert: I will second that.
7
8 Chair Cassel: I have a motion made by Annette and seconded byLee. Would you like to speak
. 9 to your motion now? '
10
11 Commissioner Bialson: Yes. I think we have seen a process that we can always second guess
12 but I think it has been a good process and in general has achieved the results that were desired.
13 We heard from many members ofthe public and I have personally experienced the problems of
14 driving over these speed tables using two different cars. In one full size car I found that I could
15 go approximately 20 miles an hour. In my mid-size car I could not go over 15 miles an hour
16 without quite a bit of jarring. Two days ago I ended up having to pull over to allow the cars that
17 were backed up behind me to pass me at relatively high rate of speed because they were angry.
18 One car had a couple of school age children in it so I was a little surprised by a parent doing that.
19 I see that as very dangerous. I think that you end up having more upset drivers who then roar
20 off. So I think that while I was not able to experience the shading impact affecting the visibility I
21 could sort of get a sense that that would be an issue. I think that otherwise we are dealing with a
22. good project. I think dealing with the 1900 block will happen so long as people are clear as to
23 what is necessary to begin having Staffwork on the matter. .
24
25 Chair Cassel: Lee.
26
27 Commissioner Lippert: I am also in agreement with Commissioner Bialson's comments here. I
28 just want to add to that that it is a very difficult thing that people that are used to driving faster
29 than the speed limit will always do that. They will always try to push the upper limit of what
30 they can get away with. These are tools that are used to help put a lid on that and in certain areas
31 just basically say we don't condone driving faster than the speed limit. If everybody drove at the
32 normal posted speed limit we wouldn't be having to implement these measures. We can't put a
33 traffic cop on every comer to make sure that the scofflaws obey the rules here. I live in a
34 neighborhood that hascut-throughiraf:fic and I have to say that it is an aggravating thing to have
35 to live with. Personally I would rather have to live with driving at a little safer slower speed than
36 my inconvenience with not being able to drive down my street at what I am used to doing
37 through other parts of Palo Alto myself.
38
39 Lastly, what I would like to say is with regard to the inconsistency in the speed table I
40 understand what you are going through with regard to the material. Asphalt is not an easy
41 material to work with at all. It is not like concrete where you can sort of mold it, let it cure and it
42 retains a rigidity that is there almost an eternity. With asphalt it has a tendency, as we all know
43 to wear, it gets dislodged, it moves, it is plastic, in the summertime it gets hot and then it begins
44 to ooze a little bit. They are getting better with these road materials. A topping of some kind
45 whether it be toxic temporarily or not toxic I think will help in terms of you being able to get a
46 consistency on that that will cap that and will hold it in place. There is one other thing you want
47 to consider when looking at this is that you are right that the road has a crown and what One set
48 of specifications may be saying is three inches above the surface and because the road is
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crowning so is the median whereas in fact it might in fact be three inches above a certain place
on the road surface and that by making it level or near level achieves what you might be feeling
say on a different table. So these are th~ inconsistencies. I think we have to nail that down. I
notice throughout Palo Alto already where we have the speed tables there are inconsistencies.' . .
Chair Cassel: Thank you. Pat, would you like to make any comments?
Commissioner Burt: Yes. One is that first I think that the program overall has been a good
process and a good program. I think the principle of having a trial period and coming back and
tweaking it is exactly right and it makes for a better long-term program. I think we all need to
recognize that we will never have a program that wilI be viewed as perfect by alI parties. We
have different perspectives, different values, different priorities and what we should judge is
whether it overall achieves a good outcome not whether from our individual perspective it is
perfect.
Now having said that the tweaking that! would recommend is one of the speakers spoke about a
shading that occurs that kind of inhibits visibility especialIy in the evening. This is something
that we talked about in other areas of our pedestrian safety. We don't have much of a
coordination between tree trimming and a recognition of where the street lighting is and a lot of
our crosswalks are shaded crosswalks, shaded from the street lights that exist right nearby and
the light just can't penetrate. So I hope we will look at that aspect and look long term at a
coordination with Public Works on that. Second, just to lend my own observations to what many
speakers and Commissioners have said is that it may be a subtle difference but it is a significant
difference. There is something different be~een the Willow and Bay Road tables and what we
have and I suspect it is more than whatwe have yet determined. When you have this much
empirical observation of a significant differencethat is the difference between people being
tempted to do diversions or having to go over slow and everybody is saying these other work just
perfect we have to figure out what is the difference. I don't think we have quite found it. There
must be something else that explains it and I will leave it up to you to look under that stone a
little bit more.
I think it would be very helpful for the Council to have the information on the outliers because I
really think that is the most significant area 'that we want to address in any of these programs is
the true speeders. I think that data probably would be even more 'profound than what we have
before us.
Then in the overalI weighing 'of what is in the public 'interest and we have inconvenience that
occurs to some by having to slow and have their rate of travel reduced and that is a tradeoff that
we have to look at but in the end if we are talking about a school and park corridor and safety of
children versus a slight inconvenience it is just a no brainer to me. I think we have to all as a
community be willing to have a bit of inconvenience if it has a real safety impact.
Then finally I would just like to concur with what Kathy Durham had said that by making it safer
for pedestrians we address this citywide goal on traffic and the School Safety Program goal and
all ofthese other myriad of things that are beneficial by making this a more pedestrian friendly
community.
Chair Cassel: Thank you, Pat. Bonnie?
City of Palo Alia Page 21
1
2 Vice Chair Packer: Yes I will support the motion and I agree with everything my fellow _
3 Commissioners have said. I just want to point out that while we all have different perspectives
4 we also each have cars with different suspensions. I did a little unscientific test, the junk in the
5 trunk test. When I went over the speed tables on Chalming the junk in the trunk did not bounce
6 as compared to the speed tables on Ross Road, which there are many_of them and there they
7 bounce. Joe told me that they are similar but they are shorter. Anyway that is just a little
8 observation on that. I also want to point out that the center medians that were put in on the
9 eastern part of road originally we had looked at a plan that was going to have a speed table there.
10 Just aesthetically and the whole effect that it has on that part of Channing which is very different
11 from the part of Channing on the other side of Newell is really remarkable. Itreally takes an
12 overly wide suburban looking street and gives it a little bit more character and focuses the eye.
13 So In addition to slowing the traffic a little bit around those I think those 'are devices we may
14 want to look into some more on streets that have the characteristics of Channing and that area. I
15 also noticed there were some comments in the Staff Report, negative comments about it, about
16 the narrowing of the bike lane and I found that that was not a problem. I bike there and it was
17 just no different from any other kind of obstacle one finds when one bikes around this town with
18 bike lanes and utility trucks parked and all those sort of things. So I don't find that to be a
19 problem and again it enhances the visual character ofthe street as well. So I will support the
20 motion whole-heartedly.
21
22 Chair Cassel: I want to note that 1 felt that the Environmental Impact Report to support the
23 Negative Declaration met those requirements. I thought about this this afternoon in terms of
24 feelings and came up with a note that auto manufacturers brag about their wonderful suspension
25 systems their vehicles have and in many cases about the ability oftheir cars to have offroad
26 systems. I know that each of us are on the honor system to drive at a safely posted speed but our
27 cars are-built to drive and will handle with just a touch of the gas pedal will take us up to 30 -
28 miles an hour. We also have built our roads to be perfectly smooth and wide or else we will
29 complain and the result is that we need some kind of physical impediments to help ourselves
30 slow down. I have also noticed that in other parts oftown where we have had traffic calming
31 over a longer period of time we have indeed tweaked those here and there and the one I find the
32 most fun is at Park as you come offEI Camino when you are going down towardsthe railroad
33 tracks and you now have an actual turn and then you actually have a right or left turn there and it
34 is nicely landscaped. So over time these improve as we work along with these devices. I will
35 support the motion.
36
37 MOTION PASSED (5-0-0-2, Commissioners Griffin and Holman absent).
38
39 All those in favor say aye. (ayes) All those opposed? That motion carries five to nothing with
40 two Commissioners absent Do we need to restate that motion or do you believe you have that
41 clearly? Okay. Thank you very much that is the end of that. -
42
43 When does this go to City Council?
44
45 I need to have the place a little quiet because we have a few small pieces of business before we
46 leave.
47
48 COMMISSION MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, AND/OR ANNOUNCEMENTS.
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1
2 Chair Cassel: We have Commission representation through April. I need to have the room
3 quiet. I know it is exciting and fun to talk about. Let's have approval of the Minutes.
4
5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the regular meeting of October 27,2004.
6
7 Chair Cassel: Approval of minutes for the regular meeting of October 27.
8
9 MOTION
10
11 Commissioner Bialson: So moved.
12
13 Chair Cassel: Second?
14
15 SECOND
16
17 Vice Chair Packer: Second.
18
19 MOTION PASSED (5-0-0-2, Commissioners Griffin absent and Holman conflict of interest).
20
21 Chair Cassel: All those in favor say aye. (ayes) Opposed.
22
23 The next meeting is a Special Meeting on December 1,2004.
24
25 NEXTMEETING: Special Meeting of December 1,2004.
26
27 Chair Cassel: Any other comments anyone wants to make? Then I will call the meeting
28 adjourned. Thank you. .
29
30 ADJOURNED: 8:40 PM
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