HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-19 City Council (10)TO:
FROM:
City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: .PLANNING 3
DATE:March 19, 2001 CMR:166:01
SUBJECT:ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL
OF AN APPLICATION TO THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FOR FUNDSFROM THE
TRANSPORTATION FUND FOR CLEAN AIR (TFCA) FOR THE
HOMER AVENUE CALTRAIN PEDESTRIAN BICYCLE
UNDERCROSSING PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached resolution (Attachment A) authorizing the
submittal of an application to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), for a
grant of $150,000 in funds from the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) Program
Manager Fund, for the Homer Avenue Caltrain Pedestrian/Bicycle Undercrossing Project
(CIP 10121).
BACKGROUND
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District), in conjunction with the
Department of Motor Vehicles, imposes a surcharge on motor vehicle registrations, which
provides funding for the Air District’s Transportation Fund for Clean Air. The Fund is used
to implement strategies to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles. Forty percent of the
funds are returned to the counties in which they are generated, via the Program Manager
Fund, and are allocated according to county priorities. In Santa Clara County, the call for
projects is issued by the VTA Congestion Management Program staff.
In December 2000, the City Council approved the creation of Capital Improvement Program
Project (CIP) 10121 for the Homer Avenue Undercrossing and directed staff to move
forward with the project and return to the Council at the 15 percent design stage-with tel’reed
cost estimates (refer to CMR:441:00). At that time, Council will provide further direction to
staff regarding proceeding with the project.
The project consists of design and construction of a new pedestrian/bicycle grade-separated
crossing oft he Caltrain tracks approximately 800 feet south of the Palo Alto Caltrain station
platform between the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) and the
CMR:166:01 Page 1 of 3
Homer/Alma intersection. The project will provide access from the South of Forest Area
(SOFA) residential and commercial areas ~to the new PAMF campus and to the Caltrain
st~ition via the ’new Urban Lane b’ike patti constructed by PAMF. ¯
DISCUSSION
A total of $2,649,310 is already committed to the Homer Avenue Undercrossing project
from the following sources: $2,035,500 from a FederalSurface Transportation
Program/Congestion Mitigation. and Air Quality Improvement Program grant, $263,810
from State Surface Transportation Improvement Program matching funds, and $350,000 in
local development mitigation fees. The total project cost estimate, as updated by staff of the
Public Works Department earlier this year, is between $3.2 and $3.8 million, including
design, construction, project and construction management, and contingency and inflation
costs.
Staff expects that the 15 percent design work would result in a very basic, (safe and
functional) project as close as possible to the available $2.6 million in funding already
secured for this project. The basic project may not include project add-ons and design
enhancements desired by the community. In order to preserve the option to include such
enhancements, staff is continuing to seek additional funds for this project. The cost of any
such enhancements to the project would also be estimated during the 15 percent design
work. Council will have the discretion to select which, if any, enhancements beyond the
basics are included in the project.
This grant application for $150,000 from the TFCA Program Manager Fund would offset a
portion of the projected $550,000 to $1,250,000 shortfall in funding. In July 2000,-staff
submitted this same grant request directly to the Air District for funding from the TFCA
Regional Fund, but the application was rejected because the project was not ready to
Construct in 2001. The VTA .guidelines for fimding from the Program Manager Fund only
require that the funds be committed by September 2002, which is the same timeline as
required for the other grant funds awarded to this project.
In addition to this grant request, staff recently submitted a grant application to the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) for $1,264,000 from the Transportation and Community
and System Preservation Pilot Program (TCSP). The FHWA has notified applicants that
TCSP projects will not be awarded until sometime after October 1, 2001.
Application Process
The deadline for submittal of applications to the VTA was February 12, 2001. Staff
submitted the application by this deadline, and in doing so advised the VTA staff that this
item would be brought to .the City Council in March. If the City Council decides not to
pursue the grant, staff will advise the VTA staff to withdraw the City’s application from
consideration.
CMR: 166:01 Page 2 of 3
RESOURCE IMPACT
The TFCA grant fimds are disbursed ona reimbursement.basis, City funds will need to be
appropriated for these expenditures and then reimbursed by. the grant funds. Staff will
notify Council when the grant is formally approved.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This recommendation is consistent with existing City policies, including the Comprehensive
Plan and South of Forest Area (SOFA) Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
An application for fimds is not considered an action subject to the California Environmental
Quality act (CEQA); therefore no environmental assessment is needed at this time. The
Environmental review for the Homer Avenue undercrossing will be conducted prior to
obligating the grant funds for this project.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Resolution authorizing the submittal of TFCA grant application
B. TFCA grant application
Note: (Distribution of applications limited to Council Members; copies available in
Transportation Division Office)
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
Gayle Likens, Senior Planner ’
/
G. EDWARD
Director of Plan~ing and
Community Environment
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
EMILY HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
cc:Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory Committee
CMR: 166:01 Page 3 of 3
ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN~APPLICATION TO SANTA
CLARA COUNTY VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FOR FUNDS
FROM THE TRANSPORTATION FUND FOR CLEAN AIR 40% PROGRAM
MANAGER FUND FOR THE HOMER AVENUE CALTRAIN
UNDERCROSSING PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)
is authorized to impose a surcharge on motor vehicle registration fees
with its jurisdiction, and
WHEREAS, the surcharge provides funding for the Transportation
Fund for Clean Air (TFCA), which is used to implement strategies to
reduce air pollution from motor vehicles, and
WHEREAS, the Valley Transportation Authority is the Program
Manager for TFCA 40% Fund in Santa Clara County, and
WHEREAS, the City of palo. Alto is a supporter of clean air and
wishes to take action to enhance air quality within the San Francisco Bay
Area, and ~
WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto intends to submit an application
to the Valley Transportation Authority for TFCA 40% Funds for the
implementation of a pedestrian/bicycle undercrossing of the Caltrain
right-of-way between in the vicinity of Homer Avenue and the Palo Alto
Medical Foundation campus,
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of PaloAlto hereby
resolve as follows:
SECTION I. The Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to
file an application with the Valley Transportation Authority for funding
from the Transportation Fund for Clean Air 40% Program Manager Fund Homer
Avenue Caltrain Pedestrian/Bicycle Undercrossing Project
SECTION 2. The Council further specifies the Mayor to execute
funding agreements with the Valley Transportation Authority for said
projects if said applications are approved for funding.
//
//
//
//
010305 syn 0090805
1
SECTION 3. The Council finds that a request for funds’is not
considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA), and therefore, no environmental assessment is needed at this
time. The environmental review for the Homer Avenue Caltrain
Undercrossing Project will be conducted prior to obligating the grant
funds to this project.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk
APPROVEDAS TO FORM:
Senior Asst. City Attorney
Mayor
City Manager
Director of Planning & .Community
Environment
Director of Administrative
Services
010305 syn 0090805
2
City, of PaloAlto
Department of Planning and
Community Environment
ATTACHMENT B
February 12, 2001
Transpor~tion
Division
Sylvia. Star-Lack
Congestion Management Program
Valley Transportation Authority
3331 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95134-1906
Subject: TFCA 40% Program Manager Fund
Dear Sylvia:
Enclosed are eight copies of the application for 2001 TFCA Program
Manager funds for the Homer Avenue Caltrain Undercrossing Project.
The City Council is on record in support of this project. The Council
will act on the Resolution on March 12, the next available Council
meeting date.
If you need any further information, please contact Gayle Likens at
650-329-2136 or by e-mail (gayle_likens@city.palo-alto.ca.us).
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jose Kott
Chief Transportation Official
Enclosu res
250 Hamilton Avenue
P.O. Box 10250
Palo Alto, CA 94303
650.329.2520
650.617.3108 fax
TRIP REDUCTION, BICYCLE AND SHUTTLE PROJECTS
DATA WORKSHEET
General Project Information
Project Sponsor:city of Palo Alto
|Project Title:Homer Avenue Caltrain Undercrossing Project
|Project Sponsor Conta’ct:Gayle Likens, Senior Planner
| Project Sponsor Phone &Em 650-329-2136; gayle_llkens@city.palo-alto.ca.us
ITotal Project Cost:
TFCA’Cost 40%:
TFCA Cost 60%:
Total TFCA Cost:
Cost Effectivenesslnputs
$3,200,000
$150,000
0
$150,000
Emission Reduction Data,
Step 1 - Data For Calculation of Emissions for Eliminated Trips
B
# Trips/Day (1-way)Days/Yr
327 240
c
Trlp Length’(1-way)
Step 2 - Calculation of. Emissions for New Trips to Access Transit or Ridesharing (if any)
A B C
# TripslDay (1-way)Days/Yr Trip Length (l-way)
Step 3 - Calculation of Emissions for Shuttle or Vanpool Trips (if any)
Specify Vehicle Type: Van, Shuttle, Bus
Provide Gross Vehicle Weight (Lbs.):
Specify Vehicle Length:
Provide Fuel Type:
Specify Model Yr(s),:
Note: if more then one vehicte, use fleet average
A
# Trips/Day (l-way)
B
Days/Yr
C
Trip Length (l-way~
For bike projects, please provlde length of the bicycle facility: 1-2 miles (extended bike route)
Please explain methodology for estimating # trips reduced, & average trip length,
See attached page
Data Worksheets 0102.xls Revision Date: 12/27/00
Homer Avenue Undercrossing Project
Addendum to Data Worksheet
Bicycle Facility Length ¯ ¯
The actual length of the undercro.ssing of the Caltrain tracks is less that 100 feet long, however, the
undercrossing will fill a gap in a longer bicycle route that extends from the SOFA neighborhood to the
Urban Lane bike path that connects to the Caltrain station and then continues on to the city limit with
Menlo Pa(k. The path will be extended another .8 miles south to Churchill Avenue when the
Embarcadero Bridge bike path is completed by the City.
For the purposes of this analysis, we have used the BAAQMD parameter that the new facility will be
between.1 and 2 miles
Emissions Reduction Methodology
The Undercrossing will connect PAMF campus conveniently to the SOFA neighborhood. Without this
connection, people traveling to and from the PAMF site would need to take a circuitous route via
University Avenue and El Camino Real to reach the site. These would most likely all be vehicle trips.
With the construction of the undercrossing, tdps to the businesses (restaurants, coffee houses,
’Whole Foods market)’will be very accessible by bike.
The BAAQMD assumes that n~ bike project will reduce more than 240 vehicle trips per day, however
we believe this figure is inadequate for this project, and significantly understates the number of trips
reduced. However, our analysis based on usage projections prepared by Steven Grover and
Associates for the 1998 Homer Avenue Undercrossing Feasibility Study. The complete usage
analysis prepared by Grover and Associates is provided is attadhed to the project application form as
Attachment #3. In summary, Grover "concluded that the facility would accommodate at minimum 1050
bicycle trips. Of this total, we now estimate a minimum of these tdps would be new bicycle tdps.
12 Hour Bicycle Usage Projections
Trip Category Type
Total Estimated Bicycle Tdps
Estimated trips
Bike share of Latent Demand
Total New Trips
PAMF Commuters
Bike Share of Latent Demand
-- PAMF Errands, Lunch Trips
955
95
50
95
192
Bicycle Trips
1050
327
This number compares with the following standard BAAQMD calculation for this facility, which would
only generate a total of 156 eliminated trips:
Class Facility:
Length of Bike Corridor:
AD’I" on Parallel Street Corridor :
(University Avenue Underpass)
Factor:
Class I bike path
1-2 miles
34,7O0
.45%
Calculation: .45% x 34,700 = 156 trips eliminated
Attached are Emissions Calculation sheets for each of the two scenarios.
ATTACHIVHgNT C
Application for Funds 2001/2002
Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA)
Program Manager Funds (40%)
Santa Clara County
Please seepage 4 of the Call for Projects for application instructions. Applications should be no more
than 15pages, including attachments.
Section I - Identification:
Address:
Contact:
Phone:
City of Palo Alto
P.O. Box i0250, Palo Alto, CA 94303.
Gayle Likens, Senior Planner Title:
650-329-2136Fax: 650-6177-3108
Senior Planner
Email: gayle likens~city,p alo-alto.c a.us
Project Name: Homer Avenue Caltrain Underc~ssing Project
Section 2 - Funding Request:
Local matching funds are not required, but credit will be given for local matching funds
in the scoring prodess in the following ratios: 30%+ = 15 pts, 25% = 12.5, 20% = 10,
15% = 7..5, 10% = 5, <10% = 0.
Fund Source
TF.CA 40% Funds Requested ¯
Local Match
City of Palo Alto
Local Developer Fees
Other Match
(Source):
TOTAL
Amount
$!50,000
$400,000
$350,000
$2,300,000
$3,200,000
Section 3 - Cost Effectiveness
Please complete the appropriate attached Data Worksheet for your project type. Please
.note~. projects showing TFCA Cost Effectiveness scores .greater than $50,000/ton are
ineligib!e..
S~ction 4 - Proj ect Narrative:
On a separate sheet, please address the following questions as completely as possible:
Please provide an overview of the project. Describe project elements andprovide an
itemized project budget. State clearly what elements the grant.will fund, i.e.
construction, environmental, widening, operation, design, equipment, planning, etc.
Application for vta 40% Funds 2001.doc C-1
ATTACHMENT C
Provide a project schedule showing project stm’t date,, project milestones, project end
date, and date(s) of final report submittal(s).
The Homer Avenue Undercrossing project consists of the design and construction of a new
pedestrian/bicycle, undercrossing of the Caltrain ~ailroad right-of-way approximately 800 feet
south the Palo Alto Caltrain station platform. This project is a joint partnership between the City
of Palo Alto, a major local medical facility and the Caltrain Joint Powers Board that will enhance
the efficiency and connectivity of pedestrian and bicycle travel across the commuter rail hne by
creating a key link befween local medical facilities, residential neighborhoods, regional transit,
and the commercial and retail district near Palo Alto’s downtown core. Specifically, the project
will connect the South of Forest Area (SOFA) mixed use neighborhood to the campus of the Palo
Alto Medical Foundation, a major health care provider in Palo Alto, the Caltrain station and
points beyond, including the Stanford University campus. The project will increase opporttmities
f6~ local bicycle andpedestrian trips and commute trips, and fosters integration of bicycle and
.pedestrian trips with regional transit and rail. The project implements the transportation policies
for the area identified in the City’s Comprehensive Plan as well as the Coordinated Area Plan for
the SOFA neighborhood, which was .achieved through an extensive community consensus
building process. In the larger context, the project isdesigned to enhance the sub-regional bicycle
network, which is consistent with the goals of the Palo Alto and Santa Clara County bicycle
plans.
On the west side- of the Caltrain tracks, the undercrossing will connect directly with a bike path
that extends from the PAMF campus north al0ng Urban Lane to the Palo Alto Caltrain station.
Another segment of the path extends north beyond the train station along E1 Camino P,.cal to
Menlo Park. A third segment of tttis bike path, whichw0uld extertd .8 miles from PAMF south to
Churchill Avenue, has been designed and will be constructed with TEA-21 funding provided in
the current regional TIP program.
On the east side of the Caltrain tracks, the traffic signal at Alma Street and Homer Avenue will be
upgraded, to accommodate pedestrian signals and a new crosswalk on Alma Street (a major
arterial street that parallels the Caltrain. corridor). The new protected pedestrian crosswalk will
provide direct connection to the undercrossing entrance for pedestrians and’ bicyclists. A
connector bike route is planned along Homer Avenue between Alma and the Bryant Street
Bicycle Boulevard, approximately four blocks east of the proposed undererossing. Kefer to
Project Location Map (Attachment 1) and Photographs of Undererossing Model (Attachment 2).
The Palo Alto Medical Foundation relocated from the SOFA area to t~1 Camino l~eal and opened
in December 1999. This new campus was designed with an area reserved-for the landing of the
underpass and connection to the Urban Lane bike path adjacent to the railroad right-of-way.. The
mixed residential and commercial SOFA neighborhood, located immediately east of the project,
was the subject of a Coordinated Area Plan study, which was adopted by th~ City Council in
¯ March 2000. The proposed development regulations encourage land uses such as multiple family
housing, mixed-use development, and transportation systems that reduce the use. of the
automobile and Support transportation alternatives, including walking and bicycling.The
following is an overview of the policies in the Plan:
SOFA Com’dinated Area plan
The vision as identified in the Policy Framework of this Coordinated Area Plan for the S(~FA, is for a
wa&able and livable neighborhood that is compatible with the sun’ounding quieter residential
neighborhoods. The Plan also envisions a neighborhood that tal¢es advantage of the opportunities
Application for vta 40% Funds 2001.doc C-2
ATTACI-IMENTC
presetTted by its. proximity to "Downtown Palo Alto and the regional transit center at the University
Avenue/Downtown train station.
The livability and walkability of the neighborhood will be preserved and enhanced through the
7rovision of open space with a proposed neighborhood parl~ through the maintenance of pedestrian
scale urban design improvements, the cahning of traffic on area streets, and the creation of new
housing for a variety of household types. The area’s traditional ~’id street pattern, its historical
buildings, its mature tree canopy, and its mix of land uses will also be preserved.
The Plan will capitalize on SOFA’s location near the downtown and train station by allowing higher
density housing and other development in a vibrant mixed use area (closer to the more intensive Alma
Street Corridor and downtown areas) and within walking distance of the transit center at the train
station. This concentration of higher density housing will also be within walking distance of the social
opportunities and commercial se~. ices provided in the downtown.
The following specific SOFA Plan policies address the Homer Undercrossing project:
7eor.tcr T-14: Provide safe and efficient bicycle routes consistent wi’th the proposed bike/pedestrian
undercro.ssing of the ra. ilroad tracks. These routes should provtde for travel between the SOFA, Downtown,
.and nearby schools, shopping centet~s, transit centers and employm, ent centers.
7eo&rcr T-15: Support the construction of a railroad undercrossing at Homer Avenue and Alma Street.
Facilitate implementation of the recommendations of the Railroad Crossing Feasibility Study to improve
pedestrian access from SOFA to the PAME. campus and points west.
The need for the new pedestrian/bicycle ~rossing of the railroadtraeks was identified during the
public review of the plans for the new campus of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. The City
approved the PAMF. campu~ plan with an area designated for a future landing area for a
pedestdanfoicycle grade separation of the Caltrain tracks. Shortly thereafter, in conjunction with
the SOFA Coordiuated Area Plan study, aplanning and feasibility study for the undercrossing of
the Caltrain right-of-way was prepared. The feasibility study concluded that both bike and
pedestrian usage of the new undererossing would be high, since there is no other bicycle crossing
of the Caltrain tracks between the heavily traveled vehicular grade separations of the tracks at
Embarcadero P,.oad (.3 miles south) and University Avenue (.25 miles north), which currently
accommodate ove~ 2,200 pedestrian trips and 1,200 bicycle trips on a daily basis.
It is projected that this new facility would attract approximately 1,810 daily users (760 pedestrian
trips and 1050 bicycle trips). Of this total, 1158 trips would be by pedestrians and bicyclists who
would switch l~om the University Avenue and Embarcadero Road underpasses to the new
PAMF/SOFA urtdererossing. In addition, the project would generate, at minimum, 327 new bike
trips that would replace existing vehicle trips to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Caltrain
¯ station, adjacent businesses, Downtown Palo Alto, Stanford University, the SOFA neighborhood
and general vicinity.
Project Schedule
Start Design
Environmental Certification
Pdght-0f-way Certificat-[.on
Complete Design
P,S&E Certification
Advertise for Bids
Award construction contract
March 2001
S eptemb er 2001
March 2002
May 20O2
June 2002
July 2002
October 2002
Application for vta 40% Funds 2001.doc
ATTACH~NT C
Begin Construction
Complete Cons~tction
October 2002
October 2003
Where will the project be located/implemented?
The project is located at the C~ltrai~ right-of-way between the iutersection of Homer Avenue
and Alma Street and the campus of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Sec Project Location
map attached. The undercrossing will be acce.ssed via a signalized, crossing of Alma Street, a
4 lane arterial street with ADT of 2fi,000 vehicles, and a posted speed limit of 25 mph
(business district speed limit). ’
How and to what extent will the project reduce traffic congestion?
The purpose of the p.mject is to create a more convenient and safe sub-regional east/west
crossing of the railroad tracks for bicyclists and pedestrians traveling to the Caltraln station or
work or school at Stanford University, downtown Palo Alto, Palo Alto High School, E1
Camino Real businesses, and other local and sub-regional destinations. In the more
immediate vicinity, the project will provide direct pedestrian/bike access from the SOFA
mixed use residential and commercial area to the new Palo.Alto Medical Foundation campus
and the Palo Alto Caltrain stati6n. By improving access to this major multi-modal hub, the
project will encourage and facilitate multi-modal trips and transfers, and promote non-SOV
trips. ~
The new undercrossing will be a key node in a new Homer Avenue "bicycle boulevard" route
within Palo Alto’s bicycle route system. Homer Avenue has been identified as a preferred
route for an east/west "bicycle boulevard" which is a traffic-calmed street where bicycles
have priority over automobiles and conflicts with motor vehicles are minimized. The new
undercrossing will extend the bicycle botflevard route, across the Caltrain right-of-way
through to E1 Camino Real and to the Stanford University campus.
How and to what extent will the project reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled? Single Occupant
Vehicle (SOV) trips? Cold starts?
It is estimated that the average new bicycle trip would represent a shift from an average SOV
trip of 3 miles, which represents trips originating in the Palo Alto-Stanford area. The average
new pedestrian trip is estimated to be" 1 mile. The new tunnel will also reduce vehicle trips
that would have occurred if no convenient pedestrian undercrossing of the railroad tracks
were in place. A typical vehicle trip between the center of the SOFA neighborhood and the
new PAMF campus, via Downtown Palo Alto, University Avenue and E1 Carnino Real would
be one mile long.
In summary, .the armual decrease in. SOV miles resulting from this project would be as
follows: "
New Trips x Trip Length x Days =
New Bicycle Trips: 327 3 mi / 240
Decreased SOV Miles ¯
235,440 mi
Application for ~a 40% Funds 2001.doc C-4
ATTACHMENT C
These figures do not include the potential additional environmental benefits of these bicycle
trips being extended into longer multi-modal trips linked to regional rail .or. region.al bus-
services at the Palo Alto Caltrain Station. ¯
Does the project ad&’ess more than one eligible project category? How? (See-Call for
Projects pages 1-2 for digible project types.)
This proje’et meets the etiteria for the following project categories
¯Implementation of abicyele improvement project
¯Smart Growth project (this project supports the Palo Alto Medical Foundation project
and the South of Forest Area Coordinated Area Plan)
o Who wi.11 benefit from the project and how widespread do you expect the benefits to be?
How many county residents will b’enefit from the project7 What specific communities/groups
will benefit (i.e. business, employers, bicyclists, pedestrians, the elderly, commuters, etc.)?
This project will enhance access to a number of major local employment sites and transit’
facilities that link to the regional job and trade centers.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation - The new PAMF (355,000 square feet of medical clinic and
medical research offices; projected daily trip generation of approximately 13,000 trips).
Palo Alto Caltrain Station and Transit Center- is the major multi-modal transit hub in the
mid-peninsula. The Caltrain station is the second busiest along the entire Caltrain line,
second only to the San Francisco station. The station is served by 78 trains weekdays, with
approximately. 3500 daily passenger hoardings and alightings. In addition, the VTA transit
center accommodates 11 local and regional bus lines.of VTA, Samtrans, and (he Dumbarton
Express, making approximately 850 weekday arrivals and departures. All trains, VTA and
DB busses are equipped, to transport bicycles. Palo Alto opened the frost valet bicycle
parking facility ("oike station") along the Caltrain line at the Palo Alto Caltrain station in
March 1999.- The project was initially funded as a pilot project by the Bay Area Air Quality
Management District (BAAQMD) with Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) funds.
The facility has storage capacity for 150 bicycles and offers full service bicycle repair and
other amenities for bicycle commuters. The bike station will continue to be funded by the
City of Palo Alto beginning in F¥ 2001/02.
South of Forest Area neighborhood - (50 acres) is a mixed residential and commercial area
located immediately east of the project.
Town and Country Village Shopping Center- is a 175,000 square foot retail center
immediately south of the PAMF campus. ¯ The undercrossing and new bike path along the.
railroad right-of-way will provide dramatic new access for bicyclists and pedestrians from
east of Akna where the majority of Palo A_lto’s population lies.
Palo Alto High School- is located .3 miles south of project. A substantial percentage of
students bicycle and walk to campus. This facility will provide access to the school from the
residential neighborhoods in north Palo Alto.
Downtown Palo Alto - is located approximately .25 miles northeast of the project (with
approximately 10,000 employees arid thousands of customers). The ~mdercrossing will
provide an alternative bicycle and pedestrian route between the downtown district and
portions of Palo Alto and Stanford located west of the tracks.
Application for vta 40% Funds 2001.doc C-5
ATTACI-13V~NTC
Local Hotels (Sheraton and Wesfin, total of approximately 490 rooms and dining and banquct
facilities), located immediately north of th~ PAMF campus on HI Camino Real.
Has your agency implemented a project similar to the proposed project in the past? If so,
briefly describe your experience (did the project meet expectations, did it stay within budget,
etc.). .
Palo Alto has experience with the California Avenue pedestrianfoicycleundercrossing of the
railroad tracks which was constructed over 30 years ago. It is the. most used bicycle facility
in Palo Alto. Palo Alto, in cooperation with the Santa Clara Valley Water District, construct.
the first bicycle/pedestrianundercrossing of Highway 101 in the Adobe Creek channel over
10 years ago. In addition, Pal~ Alto has constructed 10 bridges over local creeks to link to
bike routes vrithin the City and 5. bike bridges .connecting to adjacent jurisdictions. These
facilities are the hallmark of the City’s bikeway system.
8.How and to wha~ extent doe~ the Foject encourage a shift away fi:o~.Single Occupant
Vehicles to shared-fide or non-motorized modes of transpm:tat.ion (including
telecommuting)?
See answers to Questions 3 "~nd 4 above
9.Will this project provide other benefits that are not covered by the questions above
(for ex.ample, reduces road water.runoff)? If so, please describe those benefits in
detail.’
No additional comments
Section 5 - Multi-Agency/Public-Private Partnerships
UI This project is being sponsored and implemented by a single agency.
Q.This project involves cooperation between public agencies. Please list below each
agency involved in the project and describe in ’detail the level of involvement
(financial, in-kind) of each agency.
This project inv.olves cooperation between public agencies and priyate entities.
Please list below each agency/entity involved in the p~oject and describe in detail the
level of involvement (financial, in-kind) of each.
The City of Palo Alto will act as lead agencyfor this project and will implement the project.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation-. is contributing $300,000 toward the project (as a condition
of approval for.i~s development project) .and as au in-kind contribution will provide the
landing area on its campus for the westerly entrance to the undercrossing. PAMF also
constructed a segment of bike path from its campus to the Caltrain platform on the west side
of the tracks to which this new undercrossing will connect. In addition, the Holiday Iun has
committed to a $50,000 contribution to the project.
Application for vta 40% Funds 2001.doc C-6
ATTACHIVIENTC
Peninsula Corridor ~Ioint Powers Board - operates the Caltrain commute service, which will
benefit directly from the project. The JPB is providing permission to build the undercrossing
within the YPB right-of-way.
Section 6 - Certification
I am authorized by my agency.to apply for these funds on its behalf. I understand that, if
the project is funded, my agency will enter into an agreement with the Program manager
(VTA) to implement the project within budget, on schedule, and to provide the necessary
record-keeping for monitoring and audit purposes.
Application for vta 40% Funds 2001.doc C-7
ATTACEVIENT 1
i
ATTAINT2
¯ SOUTH OF FOREST AREA
COORDINATED AREA PLAN PHASE !’
’City Council .App’roved
March, 2000
P~ase I - Adopted
~Detached 8~ngle Family
Housing on Small Lots .
(8-20 units/acre)
~Attr~ched Multiple-Family
Housing (30-50 units/acre)
~Mixed-Use Oveday on
top of Attached
Multiple-Family
Public FacitltJe-~
Alma St.
’ Phase 2-Draft
~Moderate Denslty Mixed Use
Combining District .
~Htgh Density Mixed Use
Combining Dis~ct
Fig. I11-1 .a
March 200
within the Pla’n A~’ea, including affordabl~ or below marke~ housing
where tenants are eligible. Encourage affordable hou~ing’pre.ferences
¯ for teachers, police, fire and other public sector employees.
POLICY
Strongly e’neourage retention of existing housi.ng, particularly historic
h~using units, rental housing and othe’r housing that is rented at
affordable rates, where land and construction co~ts hav.e been largely
amortized.
See Comprehensive
Plan Program H’-14 and
H-16 in Appendix E
Integrate affordable housing into the .Plan ’ Area ’ and require h!gh
quality design, materials, detailing .and iands.caping which is
compatible with the. character of the area, including stepbacks and
buildin’g articulation" to reduce apparent bulk, mass and heigh.t.
"Projects including affordable housing are required .to meet the same
development standards and design guideiines as market rate housing projects,
except as Specifically authorized in this Plan, incorpor.ating design features to
ensure compatibility with the SOFA area~
D. Transportation
The ~OFA. area ~ffers an unusually varied se.t of transportation options. A
traditional grid street, pattern with a mixture’of uses and moderately dense,
pedestrian-oriented .residential and .cominercial development helps to support
alternativesto automobile use. Walking and bicycling within the area on flat
tree’lined streets¯ i.~ pleasant and convenient, The bicycle boulevard ’passes.
through th~~ Plan Area o~ Bryant, and part of the segment of Addison Avenue
that passe~, through the Plan Area ha~ a designated hike lane. Bus and train
service is within a fifteen minute walk .of the outer boundaries of the Plan
Area. This service provides .transpqrta.tion throughout the Peninsula, South
and East Bay.
A one~way .~re~"couptet including Homer and Channing Ave’hUe has
" facilitated heavy through-traffic across the Plan Area tO the.major sub-regional.
arteriais of Middlefield and.Alma, This roadway system has provided good
automobile access but has also resulted, in relatively higher volumes and
increased speed 6f traffic. Th6 neighborhood is also impacted, by the parkinl~
demands of PAMF facilities, downtown, commercial/retail uses and SOFA.
commercial uses.
The policies in this chapter addres~ six transportation issue.s in SOFA. These
include trip reduction, trans.it oriented dev.elopment, parki.ng management,
traffic patterns, transit service, bicycle circulation, and perle.sedan ’eir’eulation.
..Trip Reduction
Encouraging use’ of th~ ¯many alternatives to automobile access in the SOFA
.area is the single most effective way to reduce transportation impacts oh the
area white providing safe and convenient access. The area is blessed with
excellent transit, bicycle and pedestrian access, and proximity to a variety of retail,
employment, housing opportunities, and ~ommunity facilities. Keinforging th.is
mixed use pattern will increase the viability of transportation alternatiyes and
policy Framework:
Design Character,
Housing
SOFA Coordinated Area Plan
37
i
Policy Framework:
Transit & Bicycle
Accessibility
~olicies
44
raised pavement, signing to assur.e th..a.t crossings are.visible to passing
traffic and convenient and safe for pedestrihns for.the entire Plan area.
Study the following "specific mid-block crossings:. I) mid-block crossing
.opposite Whole Fo.ods on Hoiner Avenue between Emerson and High Street;
2) "mid-block crossing between Roth Building and Dunn Building on Homer
Avenue between Waverley and Bryant; and 3) possible future mid-block
crossing betw’een Scott Pork and PAME. Main Block betw~-en Waverley and
Bryant Streets. .. ¯
5, Trar~sit Service
Transit service withiia the Plan Area is fairly good by’Peninsula standards, with a
heavily used commuter rail station Within 3 to 12 blocks of any part ofttie Plan
Area,’a regional express bus to the East Bay, and t~o local services through the ¯
Plan Area, with several others through th~ nearby downtown area. More frequent
d .ally s~rviee and evening and’ weel~end service would hhlp the transit-dependant.
The Marguerite shuttle to Stahford eom’es within on~ block of Forest Avenue.
The 1998:20q 0 Comprehensive Plan also calls for the ~rovision of~ shuttle/jitney
type bus system to s~rve Palo Att0. The firs.t phase of this pro~rarn has received
Council approval and provides a Shuttle service that travels within close proximity
of SOFA along Webster.Street. Implementation of this program could reduce
traffic and parking’ demands in this area by providing an alternative to driving;
Kidership is generally low on all ~ransit except rail and East Bay I/us service,
suggesting most residents, ehaployees and Visitors have ears available and find fe~9
incentives to use public transportittion services, Studies show housing ~nd
. empl6yment near transit and. incentives such as fi’ee tramit’ passe~ can incrdase
transit use and discourage auto use; such’efforts’ are incorporated in’this plan;
Pordcv T-13: ¯
In coordination with Downtown efforts~ encottr’age transituse by SOFA
residents, .employees an’d visttors,"inereasing awareness of available
transit servii:e and schedules and working with Santa Clara Valley
Transportation Authority (SCVTA),.SamTrans, Stanford, a’nd other
ti-ansit providersto i.~prove service. "
6.Bicycle Circulation
Bicycling is a very pleasant and ~onvenient transportation method for resittent.s,
employees, and visitors to SOFA and those who travel through the area to nearby
destinations. Bryant Street is a bicycle .bouleVard and Addison Avenue is a
bicycle route between.Bryant and Guinda Street. The ’Alma Street sidewalk is
currently designated as a sidewalk and bicycle path, ~ut this designation, will be
removed in the future. Bicyclists can cross under Alma Street and the railroad
tracks using sidewall~ bicydle paths at University Avenue and Embarcaderogoad.
Access to both undercrossings is somewhat .inconvenient for study area residents.
and employees. In addition, the crossing oft.he railroad tracks and El Camino
Real at University Avenue is complex and fairly hazardous. A new
III
Graphic prepared by:.
AJison Kendall
Tanja/dial
S O,F AICoord~nated
Area Plan
Figure 111-4 "
PROPOSED BICYCLE ROUTES & IMPROVEMENTS
Proposed pedestdan/bic~icle underctossing, viewed frorh above
I
S 0 F.AICoordinated.
Area Plan
°:
View to the west fro,m Homer.Avenue toward the new PAMF ’
campus.
Figure 111-5
.PHOTOGRAPHS OF PROPOSED UNDERCR6SSING MODEL
47
*#aerorossing at H~mer Avenue mid Alma Street is proposed as part of this Plan;
~ . .,~’" ~o~cv T-14.... ..
Pro~,ide safe and efficient bicycle routes consistent witl~ me
’p~-oposed.l~ik~/pedestrian unddrcrossing of the railroad trac~ These
routes should provide for travel between the SOFA, Downtown~ and
’nearb schools~ shopping centers~ transit centers and emplbyment
centers. ..
2ROO~M T-7: ".
Revise bicycle routes in the Plan Area to provide a b icycle route between the.
Bryant Street "bike boulevard" and Alma Street using Homer And/or
Channing Avenue, or as otherwise recommended by PABAC, to connect
with proposed pedestrian bicycle undercrossing of th’e railroad tracks at
Homer Avenue and Alma Street. If Homer Avenue remains one-way.for
that portion between Alma and Ramona Streets to address the issues raised
by Whol~ Foods, further study of an alternate route is needed.
POLICY
S.upport. the construction of a railroad ’undercrossing .at Homer
Avenue and ,Alma Street. Facilitate implementation of the
recommendations of the. Railroad Crossing Feasibility Study to
improve I~edestrian access from SOFA.to the PAMF Campus and
points west.
PRo~P~u T-g:
Pursue all available fuhd.ing sources for the undercrossing includ!ng
grant~, PAMF contribution, contributiohs from Stanford. University; and
City funds; etc.
A thorough feasibilitystudy evaluating the need for arid most" effective design
of a railroad crossing between the plan area and the new Urban Lane’ PAMF
facility was completed as a part of the Coordinated Area Plan..The study
examined the potential level of use of a crossing by pedestrians and bicyclists,
alternative location for a cros’sing, and the comparative functional, cost, and ¯
~rban design issues of several alternatives. An at-grade crossing, a’ railroad
overerossing (including bridges options with and without elevators) and a
railroad undererossing were considered. The study reeommended’a railroad
undercrossing a.t Homei" Avenue with an estimated 1999 cost of 2.2 million
dollars. A model WAs preparedproviding a proposed design for the crossing. This
s~dy was prepared with the assumption that Homer Avenuewas to become a’two-
way street, and therefore, if conv.ersion of Homer Avenue is not selected as a
means of calming traffiC, a re-evaluation of this proposal may be necessary.
Pedestrian Cir’culation
Pedestrian access throughout the South of Forest Area is good, with a regular
pattern of small blocks. In the commercial are.as towards Alma Street, .the
attractiveness of the pedes~i.an experience is diminished by areas of narrow
See Figure 111-4
Policy Framework:
Access Across Caltrain
Tracks
See F.igure 111-5
See Appendix ~ for a
complete copy of the
study..
, See Figure lilt5 for
)hs of the
model
SOFA Coordinated Area Plan
4~
m
z
0
o
l-
6
0
"r
0
OMER AVENUE CR.OSSlNG DAILY (t2 HOUR) USAGE PROJECTIONS
Ma.y lgg7 Undertossing Counts (’?am-Tpm)
Soue: Geyte IJkens I COPA Plennlnq Department :otid Pad
Pedestrians Tdps
Eastbound, Westbound
University 1076 909 1987
Ernbarcadam " 1 2"/117
Total B~e ITotal Bikes + Pads
Bicycles. . Tdps Tdps
Eastbound Westbound
48t 396 579 285(
15"/20"/364 60!
[Homer Underomadn9 Projected Counts’
[Homer [ I 40g[ .-q42I" 7441 2191 20t[ 4141
¯ Tl~s estimate b based on the assumption thai t/3 of the currant =era of the Unlvemlty and Emb=c~dem under=ass
woul~ ~tch to using = Homer Avenue cm~lng.
11581 "
Stanford Commuters Uvfng in an Area that would be Served by a Homer Rail Crossing (Estimate)
Source: Charles Coder’! Btanford Unlvemlly Pl~nntnq Offlc~
Total Total Pad ¯Tola! Bike
Commuters Pedestrians (8%)Tdpa Bicycles 121%)Trips
Eastbound Westbounif Es=slbound Westbound
Faculty/Staff 4 O0
Students 250 .20 2(:40 62.~52.5 105
Total 65C 62 ,52:104 -13"/187i.273
Total Bikes + PadsTrips I :
¯
14:
,"
P~F Commuters (Estimate)
~,oun:e: PAMF EIR and David Jury~ =AMF
General Broil &
Doctors
Se~llor staff &"
m~lmt
Total Stall on Site
Total
Com~utere
200
’ Pedastflens (3=/=)
Eastbound" Westbound
Tetsl Pad
Tdps
Eastbound Westbound
|Total Bikes 4. Pads
Tripe
50 7(:durln~l day 500 " 10 "1(;20 2-~25
Total Stall 700
¯ This estimate assumes that 1% el Ihe total EIR prelected bicycle commutem would use mutes whlEh would not Indude a Homer Avenue C..sslng
Note that the EIR projects that eventually 50 employees will ommute by bl~le during ~. 24 hour pedod,
PAMR Lunch, E|;rands, Vl~lto’rs/Petlents end Mice, Purpose Users (Estimate)
Source: PAMFEIR and David Juw~ PAIV, F ,
Total Pad Total Bike
Pedestrians Tdps Tdps
Eastbound Westbound ’
BIc’ rotes
Eastbound Westbound
9641~ ¯ 48 96 96
’This estimate Is based on the lent that most doctors do ~ot take a full lunch hour,
and that moe) general aloft bdng their own lunches or eat In the P,AMF cafeteria, .,
°’This estimate Is based on the assumption that roughly equal numbem Will:1) Stay on the ~=AMF campus, 2) (30 to Town & Country Village, S) Get In their csm, 4) Use a Homer Avenue Underpass
’"This estimate Is base,d on PAMF EIR assumption that patient/visitor mode splits will be similar to PAMF staff mode splits
Tola] Bikes + Pads
Tdps
30
¯
192!281
~Totsts
General 8taft &.
Doctors (6%)’,~00
Senior staff &
m~lmt !25"/o)" -200
Tptal Sial( an Sits
dudn~ da~’600
Total Stall 70C
VlsltorrdP.atlants
itS’,/,,)""150(
Homer Avenue Crossin~ Prelected Dally Use Summa~/
Total tdps switched (rum Embarcadero end University Underpascss
Total Tdp,s generated by PAMF laclllty
Subtotal
Percentage 81~(o~ generated usage (b~ed on sub)oral)
Percentage PAMF gdneratsd usage {b~sed on subtotal)
~tent Dem~d (10%)
Total.proJe=ed tdpa dudng M~y 7a~-7pm weekday’period
~pro~mate mode split:
Bicycles:. ,
Pedestdanm
955+1646 =
691~1646 =
1158
496
1646
23%
30%
16’5
1810
58%
42%
HOMER AVEHUE CROSSlHG HOURLY USAGE PROJECT|ONS ¯
May 2?. 1997 Undsmroadng Counts .Scums: Gay~s Likens, COPA Plennlnq DepedmenVBa?metdcs Tr~{l~c Resources
Total Pad
Unlverslty
-:mbamadsro ,
7.Sam
6.gar
9-9:308m
7.9:SOam
5:15.6:15pm
7-See
E-Earn
i~.9:3Oam
7-9:30am
Pedestrians
Eastbound. g 21 Westbound42. .
147 43
55 14
294
124
0
12
8
Tdps
9~
188
’41
14
184
190
69
262 "
44
2
59
22
I Total
BIc ~des
Eastbound Westbound
28 82
7~
85
4
81
Tdps
104
12
23
97
18
ITotal Bikes +
Pods Tdps
60=~194
67 257
49 118
176 589
1,88 400
16
63 107
24 ~’~
103 ¯16’
49 71
I~omerUndsmrosslng Pmle=ed.Counts" I
Diner ~8-gam 1 s°! 28t 76 10 88IR:IG.~:tRom I 44 51 95 89 23
’This estimate Is based on the assumption that 110, of the currant users el the Un varsity a, nd Emba.msdem underpasses
would switch to using a Homer Avenue cmas1~g,
May 1997 Stsnlord Entry Counts’
Source: Susan Law, Bran!old Tran~ ~,~atlon Depadmsnt
Pedestrians
Eastbound Westbound
~alm D~Ive 7-9:30~m 7
~Unlveralty}
7.g:30amQelvez
Tet-I Pad T,o~ql Bike
Tdps .Bloyctes Tdps
Eastbound Westbound
t95
’Numbers shown ere averegee o! our|ts taken on May t3, 14 & 15
.Note: A~per~nt dlaorepandes ~th shove =’easing cou~t~ rosy be explained by usem with ~ Mete Center odgln or des~natlon
entedng the undergo at i~ T.Interae~on. ~ ~versge of =ppm~mately 89 bikes get on to CatiOn,
, and 69 get ~ff at ~e P~o Alto Station dung a day, (Sours: Sudsy stst~tl= pmvl~e~ by John Nemeth, S~tmna.) "
4,8’12
62 15
[Totzd Bikes +
Pods Tdps
PAMF Commuters
~ource: PAMF SIR end Day|d" Jury! PAMF
Total
Commuters .’ Pedestdene
Eastbouhd Westbound
3enar=’l Staff &
Doctors 800
Senior e~l| &
mgmt 200
Total Pod
ITdps B1c,,/oles (5%)’
Eastbound. Westbound
Tstal Bike
Tdps
ITotel Bikes +
Pad~ Trips
5~71Totid Staff on Sits ~
dudnc, I day 50 (:10 1 ~20 2,~=~ 5
Total Stall I 70C " ’
’This estimate, assumes that 1% of ~e total EIR p~le~ed bicycle oommute~ ~uld use routes which would not Include ~ Homer Avenue C~osslng.
NoI~ that ~e EIR p~Jects that eventually 60 employees ~11 commut~ by blWda dudog a 24 hour pedod,
Homer Avenue Peak Hours Prelected Use Summary’
.’tom Unlv &’
Embarca~ers 8-9am
PAMF generated B-gem
Subtotal
Latent Derrm~d
Tolal 8-9~m
From Unlv &
Embamadero 5:15.6:15pm,,
P’AMF generated 5:J 5.6:15pro
Subtotal
Latent Demand (1~ %)
:Total 5:15-6:tSnm
Pedestrians ""
E~tbound Nestbound
50 28
10
S0
6
66
44
10
54
9
59
TotalPed
Tdps
78
10 20
88 98
4 10
421 108
5t 95
10 20
¯ 6t 115
6 11
67 126
,’This estimate does not Include non.commute-related PAMF generated use,
BIc rotes
Eastbound Waslbo0nd ¯
25 25
"’.. 85 58
38 64
25 25
64 48
6 5
70 53
TotalBike
Tdps
ITotal Bikes .~"
Peds Tdps
48 121
50 70
98 t91
9 19
t03 210
62 157
50 7C
112 22;
1~2~
124 25(