HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-27 City CouncilHONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
DATE:OCTOBER 27, 2003 CMR:377:03
SUBJECT: PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION ON THE PROPOSED SCHOOL COMMUTE
CORRIDORS NETWORK
RECOMMENDATION
The Planning and Transportation Commission and staff recommend that City Council
officially adopt the following:
1.The proposed Palo School Commute Corridors Network (Attachment A)
2.Principles of Designation (Attachment B)
3.Applications of Designation (Attachment B)
4.Criteria for Inclusion (Attachment B)
BACKGROUND
The School Commute Corridors Network designates a sub-set of Palo Alto’s street system
for special consideration in infrastructure improvement and travel safety enhancement. The
network comprises a comprehensive and continuous system of travel routes linking
residential neighborhoods to all public school sites in Palo Alto. It includes residential
collector and arterial streets, existing and proposed (in the draft Palo Alto Bicycle Master
Plan) bicycle boulevards, off-road paths, and such residential local streets as desirable to
ensure continuity of routes and direct access to each school site.
The purpose of the School Commute Corridors Network is to give priority for pedestrian
and bicycle facilities improvements, sidewalk replacement, street re-paving, and other
enhancements to travel safety for the most important school commute routes. It is important
to note that not all of the street segments on the proposed School Commute Corridors
Network are at present optimal for school commuting. Many have intersections, for
example, that are currently more challenging than may be desirable for some school age
commuters. Others have prevailing traffic speeds that are too high for comfortable cycling
or pedestrian crossing. Nevertheless, inclusion of such streets in a comprehensive school
commute network signifies the intent to create a future continuous, comprehensive network
CMR:377:03 Page I of 3
of school commute routes accessible to and comfortable for a broad spectrum of school
children and their parents and other caregivers.
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
On May 14, the Planning and Transportation Commission reviewed and unanimously
recommended to Council the proposed Palo School Commute Corridors Network, Principles
of Designation, Applications of Designation, and Criteria for Inclusion. The Commissioners
recommended a clarification that preference be given to segments of the School Commute
Corridors Network for consideration of undercrossings or overcrossings pertaining to
bicycle and pedestrian use only, rather than for motor vehicles.
RESOURCE IMPACTS
The School Commute Corridors Network would be implemented solely within existing
resources allocated for pedestrian and bikeway facilities maintenance and improvements,
augmented as appropriate and feasible by external funding from federal, state, and regional
transportation grant programs and prospective citywide traffic impact fee proceeds. Within
these resource constraints, funds will be allocated for both capital improvements and on-
going maintenance required of any transportation facility. It is very important to note that
the main resource implication of this proposal is in potential re-prioritization of such as
already on-going activities, including sidewalk replacement, street resurfacing and
crosswalk enhancement projects in the Infrastructure Management Plan. School commute
corridors would be given priority, where it is feasible to do so, for grant funding
applications, improvements to crosswalks, bicycle facilities, sidewalks, and street
resurfacing.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
These recommendations support and conform to Comprehensive Plan goal T-6: A High
Level of Safety for Motorists, Pedestrians, and Bicyclists on Palo Alto Streets" and Policies
T-40: Continue to prioritize the safety and comfort of school children in street modification
projects that affect school travel routes", and T-28: Make effective use of the traffic-
carrying ability of Palo Alto’s major street network without compromising the needs of
pedestrians and bicyclists also using this network." Council adoption the School Commute
Corridors Network comprises a statement of policy for the City of Palo Alto that principal
school commute routes be given priority for public investment purposes and be accorded
enhanced review as regards proposals for new commercial driveways and other street
changes.
CMR:377:03 Page 2 of 3
ATTACHMENTS
A.The proposed Palo School Commute Corridors Network
13.Principles and Applications of Designation, and Criteria for Inclusion
C.May 8, 2003 Planning and Transportation Commission Report
D.Minutes of May 8, 2003 Planning and Transportation Commission meeting
PREPARED BY:
JOSEPH KOTT
Chief Transportation Official
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
STEVE EMSLIE
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
EMILY HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
Planning and Transportation Commission
School Commute Corridors Advisory Panel
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