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Home My WebLink About2025-09-16 Rail Committee Agenda PacketRAIL COMMITTEE Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Community Meeting Room & Hybrid 2:30 PM Rail Committee meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media Center https://midpenmedia.org. VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/86388142528 ) Meeting ID: 863 8814 2528 Phone: 1(669)900-6833 PUBLIC COMMENTS General Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted in person for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. General public comment will be heard for 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda. Public comments for agendized items will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. Requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation or as determined by the Chair. Written public comments can be submitted in advance to city.council@PaloAlto.gov and will be provided to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your subject line. PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only by email to city.clerk@PaloAlto.gov at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not accepted. Signs and symbolic materials less than 2 feet by 3 feet are permitted provided that: (1) sticks, posts, poles or similar/other types of handle objects are strictly prohibited; (2) the items do not create a facility, fire, or safety hazard; and (3) persons with such items remain seated when displaying them and must not raise the items above shoulder level, obstruct the view or passage of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting. 1 September 16, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMENT Members of the public may speak in-person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda. VERBAL UPDATE ON INTERAGENCY ACTIVITIES A.Caltrain (Including Caltrain Updates, including an update on track safety and security by a Caltrain representative) B.VTA (Including an update on Palo Alto (University Avenue) Transit Center) C.City Staff ACTION ITEMS 1.Initial Review of Refined Conceptual Designs for the selection and development of alternatives to proceed with 15% design for the Grade Separations at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road. Supplemental Report Added 2.Quiet Zone Implementation Project at Existing At-Grade Crossings (Churchill Avenue, E. Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road); CEQA status – statutorily exempt per Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies). FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS Members of the public may not speak to the item(s) ADJOURNMENT 2 September 16, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone. 1.Written public comments may be submitted by email to city.council@PaloAlto.gov. 2.For in person public comments please complete a speaker request card located on the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers and deliver it to the Clerk prior to discussion of the item. 3.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a computer or smart phone will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully. ◦You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in- browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30 , Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7 . Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. Or download the Zoom application onto your smart phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter in the Meeting ID below. ◦You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak. ◦When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak. ◦When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments. 4.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted. CLICK HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 863-8814-2528 Phone: 1-669-900-6833 Americans with Disability Act (ADA) It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with disabilities who require materials in an appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary aids to access City meetings, programs, or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at (650) 329-2550 (voice) or by emailing ada@PaloAlto.gov. Requests for assistance or accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or service. 3 September 16, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. California Government Code §84308, commonly referred to as the "Levine Act," prohibits an elected official of a local government agency from participating in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use if the official received a campaign contribution exceeding $500 from a party or participant, including their agents, to the proceeding within the last 12 months. A “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” includes most land use and planning approvals and the approval of contracts that are not subject to lowest responsible bid procedures and have a value over $50,000. A “party” is a person who files an application for, or is the subject of, a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use. A “participant” is a person who actively supports or opposes a particular decision in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use, and has a financial interest in the decision. The Levine Act incorporates the definition of “financial interest” in the Political Reform Act, which encompasses interests in business entities, real property, sources of income, sources of gifts, and personal finances that may be affected by the Council’s actions. If you qualify as a “party” or “participant” to a proceeding, and you have made a campaign contribution to a Council Member exceeding $500 made within the last 12 months, you must disclose the campaign contribution before making your comments. 4 September 16, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. Rail Committee Staff Report From: City Manager Report Type: ACTION ITEMS Lead Department: Transportation Meeting Date: September 16, 2025 Report #:2506-4894 TITLE Initial Review of Refined Conceptual Designs for the selection and development of alternatives to proceed with 15% design for the Grade Separations at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road. RECOMMENDATION Staff is seeking initial review and feedback on the refined conceptual designs for the grade separations at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road for the selection and development of alternatives to proceed with 15% design. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In collaboration with City staff, Caltrain has refined the conceptual designs for the partial underpass alternative for Churchill Avenue, as well as hybrid and underpass alternatives for the Meadow Drive and Charleston Road grade separation projects. Caltrain has also developed initial concepts for Seale Avenue as part of Churchill Avenue grade separation. These revisions respond to City Council direction aimed at minimizing right-of-way impacts and enhancing mobility as part of the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Documentation phase of the City of Palo Alto’s Grade Separation Project. This staff report presents the updated concepts for the Rail Committee’s initial review and feedback before seeking community input and feedback. Staff plan to conduct community meetings on September 30 and October 1, 2025, to gather community input before returning to the Rail Committee for further review and recommendation to Council on Locally Preferred Alternatives to advance into the 15% design phase. BACKGROUND The City of Palo Alto’s rail corridor planning efforts commenced in 2010 with the Palo Alto Rail Corridor Study, which was adopted by Council on January 22, 2013 (Staff Report # Item 1 Item 1 Staff Report Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 5 of 62 34101). From November 4, 2013, the City developed preliminary grade separation alternatives as part of the Connecting Palo Alto project, which explored multiple options for the four at-grade rail crossing locations of Charleston Road, Meadow Drive, Churchill Avenue, and Palo Alto Avenue. This work resulted in a Rail Corridor Circulation Study and initial screening of ideas for various alternatives that was reviewed by the Council on May 29, 2018 (Staff Report # 92842). In April 2018, in-depth analysis of engineering options continued, with review by the Council Rail Committee and Rail Crossing Community Advisory Committee (XCAP). The XCAP process concluded deliberations in March 2021. The XCAP completed the review and presented its recommendation to the Council on March 23, 2021 (Staff Report 117973). Since 2022, staff have secured grants from the Federal Rail Administration (FRA), California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), and have continued to develop, evaluate and present grade separation alternatives for consideration. In consultation with the community, Rail Committee and Council, the City has refined project alternatives for rail crossings at Charleston Road, Meadow Drive, and Churchill Avenue, while the Palo Alto Avenue crossing was put on hold. On June 10, 2024 (Staff Report # 2402-29574) and June 18, 2024(Staff Report # 2406-31695), Council selected the following alternatives to advance into the Conceptual Development phase in preparation for Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Documentation: For Churchill Avenue, the Council selected the Partial Underpass as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) with vehicle crossing at Churchill Avenue and pedestrian/bicycle crossing at Seale Avenue / Peers Park. Additionally, the Council identified the Pedestrian/Bicycle Undercrossing at Churchill (aka Closure Alternative) as the backup alternative if needed in the future for this location. (As directed by Council, the backup alternative will not advance to preliminary engineering at this time.) For Meadow Drive and Charleston Road, the Council identified the 1 City Council , January 22, 2013; Item 7, Action Item, SR# 3410 https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/reports/city-manager-reports- cmrs/year-archive/2013/railcorridor1_22.pdf 2 City Council , May 29, 2018; Item 7, Action Item, SR# 9284 https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/reports/city-manager-reports- cmrs/year-archive/2018/9284.pdf 3 City Council , March 23, 2021; Item 1, Study Session Item, SR# 9284 https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=2236 4 City Council , June 10, 2024; Item 13, Action Item, SR# 2402-2957 https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=82879 5 City Council , June 18, 2024; Item AA3, Action Item, SR# 2406-3169 https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=82944 Item 1 Item 1 Staff Report Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 2 Packet Pg. 6 of 62 Hybrid Underpass and Underpass as the two alternatives to advance to Conceptual Design with refinements to minimize right-of-way impacts and improve mobility at each location. The preferred alternative for each location will advance to 35% Design. (Constructability concerns may require the City to implement grade separations in these two locations in a coordinated manner.) Caltrain is leading the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Documentation phase and the City collaborates with Caltrain for project design and acts as project sponsor. The City has successfully secured $6 million in Rail Crossing Elimination (RCE) program funds from the FRA towards completing the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Documentation phase for grade separations at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road. In addition, on December 9, 2024 (Staff Report # 2408-332211), the City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement with VTA for $14 million in Measure B Caltrain Grade Separation funding for this phase. ANALYSIS The Council has directed staff to refine the project concepts with a focus on minimizing property impacts and enhancing mobility. To facilitate durable decision-making and expedited refinement of the alternatives, the Project is divided into two steps: Preliminary Engineering Conceptual Refinement (15% Design), which is anticipated to progress through Summer-2026; and Preliminary Engineering (35% Design) and Environmental Documentation under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which is anticipated to conclude in Fall 2027. Conceptual Refinement will also include estimation of project costs and evaluation of constructability issues to support the selection of an LPA at each location, prior to development of 35% design plans and environmental documents. In consultation with City and Caltrain staff, the project team has refined the concepts for review by the rail committee. The following refined concepts have been developed to minimize private property impacts while maintaining and/or improving the traffic circulation and enhancing pedestrian and bicycle crossings: Churchill Avenue Partial Underpass Alternative, including the following elements that have been further developed since Council discussion on June 18, 2024]: o One northbound vehicular lane on the upper portion of Alma Street, which connects to Churchill Avenue north of Alma Street. This 11 City Council , December 9, 2024; Item 12, Consent Item, SR# 2408-3322 https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=83126&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto Item 1 Item 1 Staff Report Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 3 Packet Pg. 7 of 62 represents a reduction from the previously proposed 2-lane configuration. o One northbound combined lane (northbound through and northbound left turns) that is depressed approximately 22.5 to 29 feet below the current roadway depending upon construction methods and bridge design and connects with Churchill Avenue for motor vehicles. o Seale Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian crossing to provide active transportation access across the tracks 1,800-feet south of Churchill Avenue. This crossing has two variants: §Seale Option 1: Alma Street Ramp §Seale Option 2: Seale Avenue Ramp Meadow Drive and Charleston Road Crossings include the following elements: o Hybrid: Hybrid Underpass at Meadow Drive and Charleston Road, where the railway tracks are elevated by 17 -19 ft and the roadway is depressed 4-6 ft. o Underpass: Underpass at Meadow Drive and Charleston Road, where the tracks remain at their existing elevation. The Charleston Road Underpass is depressed 22.5 to 29 ft depending upon construction techniques and bridge design has two variants: §Charleston Option 1: 1-lane roundabout §Charleston Option 2: U-Turn o Combination: Hybrid Underpass at Meadow Drive and Underpass at Charleston Road Staff will conduct engagement through community meetings on September 30 and October 1, 2025, at Mitchell Park Community Center to gather community feedback on the refined concept alternatives. Additionally, community members will be able to provide feedback via an online comment’s submission. Staff will utilize social media and other channels to provide information to community members on the above engagement opportunities. FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT Funding for this concept design study is appropriated as part of the FY 2026 Adopted Capital Budget and future costs are programmed in the 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan in capital projects PL-24000 Meadow Drive and Charleston Road and PL-24001 Churchill Avenue Rail Grade Separation and Safety Improvements. This item is included in the scope of the two projects with no additional fiscal impact anticipated at this time. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT The Rail Committee meetings are open to the public and provide opportunities for community members to share comments with both the Committee and the City. Regular project updates are presented at these meetings. In addition, staff plans to host outreach meetings on Item 1 Item 1 Staff Report Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 4 Packet Pg. 8 of 62 September 30 and October 1, 2025, to gather community input and feedback. Additional comments can also be submitted through the project websites. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ATTACHMENTS APPROVED BY: Item 1 Item 1 Staff Report Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 5 Packet Pg. 9 of 62 Item 1 Item 1 Staff Report Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 6 Packet Pg. 10 of 62 Item 1Attachment A - Churchill Avenue,Partial Underpass without LandscapeStrip Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 7 Packet Pg. 11 of 62 CHURCHILL AVENUE, PARTIAL UNDERPASS WITH LANDSCAPE STRIP DRAFT Concept - Graphic being revised to improve legibility and make suitable for public viewing Item 1 Attachment B - Churchill Avenue, Partial Underpass with Landscape Strip Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 8 Packet Pg. 12 of 62 SEALE AVENUE: SEALE AVENUE RAMP DRAFT Concept - Graphic being revised to improve legibility and make suitable for public viewing Item 1 Attachment C - Seale Avenue - Seale Avenue Ramp Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 9 Packet Pg. 13 of 62 SEALE AVENUE: ALMA STREET RAMP DRAFT Concept - Graphic being revised to improve legibility and make suitable for public viewing Item 1 Attachment D - Seale Avenue - Alma Street Ramp Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 10 Packet Pg. 14 of 62