HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 248-05Palo Alto's has three projects on the VTA Countywide Bicycle Expenditure Plan (BEP) list that
would be eligible for funding from the $541,903 funds reserved for BEP projects: (1) the fully
funded and completed Homer Undercrossing Project, (2) the California Avenue
PedestrianlBicyc1e Underpass Replacement (currently in the feasibility study stage), and (3) and
the Bicycle Boulevard/BiKe Lanes projects identified in the top priority projects list in the
adopted Palo Alto Bicycle Transportation Plan.
The VTA BEP includes $4,000,000 for the Bicycle BoulevardslBike Lanes Project, which
includes implementation of the entire list of the high priority bicycle boulevards (Class III
bikeways) and bike lane (Class II bikeways) projects included in the Palo Alto Bicycle
Transportation Plan. Staff has submitted a request to the VTA for $75,000 in TDA BEP funds
for the implementation of the MaybelllDonald bicycle boulevard project. The MaybelllDonald
corridor was identified as the top bicycle boulevard priority in the adopted 2003/2005 CIP
Project PL-0401O (Bicycle Boulevards Implementation) because of its importance as a
designated school commute corridor and primary commute route to Terman Middle School,
Gunn High School and IuanaBriones Elementary School.
During the past year, staff has worked with neighborhood residents, the Palo Alto Bicycle
Advisory Committee, and PTA representatives to develop a plan for the MaybelllDonald
corridor. In March 2005, the Planning and Transportation Commission recommended approval
to the Director of Planning and Community Environment of an 8-month trial of the improvement
plan which consists of a series of 5 speed tables and 4 median refuge islands along the .75 mile
long corridor from EI Camino Real to Arastradero Road as depicted in the attached map. No
other permits or right-of-way clearances are needed to implement this project. Staff is preparing
to go out to bid for the installation of the improvements in the late summer/early fall.
The TDA grant funds are allocated on a three-year basis. The funds are claimed by the City on a
reimbursement basis. Staff will proceed with the trial and will return to Council for approval of
the final plan next spring. Staff would not request reimbursement for project costs for the traffic
calming until after the project is approved by the City Council for permanent installation.
Since 2002, the MTC has attached findings to the resolution authorizing submittal of the TDA
grant application. Staff has provided sufficient information in this staff report to support the
required findings and is not aware of any issues that would preclude the Council from adopting
the findings for this grant request. By adopting the attached resolution and its findings, Council
would be reconfirming its prior actions directing staff to proceed with the project. .
Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory Committee Review
As required by the MTC grant application policies, the MaybelllDonald bicycle boulevard
project was reviewed by PABAC on several occasions and the committee supports the project
and funding for its implementation.
RESOURCE IMPACT
No local match is required for TDA funds. The City Council has already approved funding of
$100,000 in the Bicycle Boulevards CIP project (PL-04010). These grant funds would be used
to offset City funds. However, because TDA funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis: if
the City receives TDA funds it will have to spend the budgeted funds and then apply for
reimbursement. The capital funding and the staff resources in the Transportation Division are
CMR:248:05 Page 2 of3
NOT YET APPROVED
SECTION 4. The Council agrees that the City shall
maintain, or provide for the maintenance of, the proj ects and
facilities described in Attachment B for the benefit of, and use
by the public.
SECTION 5. The Council directs that a certified copy of
this resolution and its attachments, and any accompanying
supporting materials shall be forwarded to the congestion
management agency, countywide transportation planning agency, or
county association of governments, as the case may be, of Santa
Clara County for submission to MTC as part of the countywide
coordinated TDA Article 3 claim.
SECTION 6. The Council finds the proj ect described in
Attachment B is part of the Bicycle Transportation Plan (BTP)
which was analyzed pursuant to CEQA by the Comprehensive Plan
Update Final Environmental Impact Report ("EIR") and Addendum to
the EIR which were certified by the City Council as the
environmental document for the BTP on November 24, 2003 in
Council Resolution No. 8372 and that (i) no new information of
substantial importance to the BTP which was not known and could
not have b~en know when Resolution No. 8372 was adopted has been
presented, (ii) no substantial change has occurred in the
circumstances under which the BTP is to be undertaken, and (iii)
no substantial changes in the BTP have been made which would
consti tute maj or revisions in the BTP. In addition a proj ect
specific mitigated negative declaration was adopted by the
Director of Planning and Community Environment on May 5, 2005
for the project described in Attachment B.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sr. Assistant City Attorney
050509 sm 0100361
Mayor
APPROVED:
City Manager
Director of Planning and Transp.
Director of Administrative
Services
2
NOT YET APPROVED
outlined in Section 2377 of the California Bikeways Act,
Streets and Highways Code section 2370 et seq.)
9. Any project described in Attachment B that is a "Class I
Bikeway, II meets the mandatory minimum safety design
criteria published in Chapter 1000 of the California
Highway Design Manual.
10. The projects described
commence implementation
requested allocation.
in Attachment B
during the fiscal
are ready to
year of. the
11. The City of Palo Alto agrees to maintain, or provide for
the maintenance of, the proj ects and facilities described
in Attachment B, for the benefit of and use by the public.
050509 sm 0100361 4
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580
Proposed Maybell-Donald
Bicycle Boulevard
Attachment C
This map is a product of the
City of Palo Alto GIS
-.
0' 400'
This document Is a graphic representation only of besl avaHable sources.
The ClIy of Palo Alto assumes no responsibintyfor any errors.@1989to2004 City of Pelo A110