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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0378.094-i_: " ... G). • • ',' .' ...• f ," .> •• July 14 t 1994 HOllORl\f'LE CITV COUNCIL Pl\lo Alto, California 3 RE.s.QLlrumi ESTABLIStlltN MID-BLOCK CR..O_~..s..J\LONG WELCH ROAD t(O'lllbo['s of the col,tnci I: RBPORT III 8RlBF In response to a request from Stanford University, City staff has be&n 'Working 'With St.anford staff to evaluate alternatives for il')provin<J access into the. Packard Hospital site and safety for pedcslriant;: crossing Helch Road. From that \IIO.1'}<, 8qreement has baen r~ached on a proposal to install (a) a left-turn lane at the PacKard Hospital driveway and (b) three pedestrian cJ;"osswal}(s as illustrated in Exhibit 1. The PUt:p09C of this staff report is to recommend Council approval of a rosolution ,Attachment 1), as required by California Vehicle Codo Section 21106, establishing three pedestrian crosswalks along Wolch Ro.ftd. stanford has. ngreEXI to ad<llinister and pay for the implementation of this project. Upon completion and acceptance by the city. Palo Alto will bo responsible for enforcement and maintenance. eAC KO ROUND Poriodically, over the past several years, there hav2 been .oxpressions of concern, primarily from representatives of Packard Hospital, regarding accoss to and from the hospital's driv~way and pedestrian safety crossing Welch Road. Staff has also periodically received complaints regarding-access and pedestrian safety from the stanford Blood Bank representatives as well as other individuals who traverse the area. Over a period of time, City staff and Stanford staff have jointly identified and ~valuated various measures that could possibly be us~d to address the concerns of access and pedestrian safety. One such measure would be the installation of a traffic signal at the entry driveway to the Packard Hospital. In an informational meeting that stanford held with representatives of businesses along Welch Road, there was general opposition to a ne'N traffic signal, except trom representatives of Packard Hospital ..,}ho supported the installati<m of a new traffic signal. CKR,378:94 L ..... -.. \ .... \ \: .\ ",,\, . , . ", ... : '.' ''', ." ',' .. " ". Another measure that was considered was ro-~arking tho pavcrnont to include a continuous center ~urn lane that could also be used (or pedestrian refuge areas :mid\ola~' across the street. With tho numerous dr.iveways along Welch Road, tho operational features of this approach were 'judged to be unsatisfactory. 'l'he measures that have been agreed upon are the: inata llation of (a) a left-turn lane at the Packard Hospital driveway nnd (b) three pedestrian crosswalks along the soction of Welch Road betweAn Quarry Road and a p~int west of the Packard Hospital driveway, aa discussed in subsequent sections of this staff (aport. PROPOSED PROJEC~ The proposed project, as illustrated 111 Exhibit 1, includos (ilj a left-turn lane at th.e Packard Hosp1tal drive .... ay and {b) threE'! pedestrian crosswalks~ In order to accornnooato tho left-turn lano and still maintain acceptable widths for "'hlrked bike lanes, tha existing three foot wide: curb and gutter will be rc~ovcd and replaced with a two foot wide curb and ~utter. for a distanco of approximately 300 feet. The three pedestrian crosswalks will be marked <'Ind signl.'?d and wit 1 also include a cellter refuge area de11larcatcd by small concrete islands (6 inches high and 5 foot diameter) which wlll help emphasize the crosswalks and provide a lileasure of rG[uge and protection~ This type of installation will be si~i lar to thnt which now exists at one location on Fabian Way in Palo Alto, vhore there is ~ignificant pedestrian activity bot'W'oen ·two office buildings, . The number and general location of the three pedes~rian crosswalks is based upon a detailed count of pedestrian activity by location: coupled with the knowledge, based upon experience, th ... t ped('stril'lns will not use a marked crosswalk, unless it is cl~se ~nd cQnVeni9nt to where they are already crossing the street. The thrca proposed locations seem to address most of the existing cl"ossing ~Qven;entfl~ The specific locations are also influenced by drive~ay locations" trees and other plantings, and paths to and tro~ private properties. Attachment 2 presents a summary of pedestrian count data along Welch Road, which illustrates the higher vohlme of pedestrian activity that exists along this portion of Welch Road l ~s coepared to the othel" segments of Welch Road. If this approach is shown to be beneficia,l in terms of improved pedestrian safety, a simil;u.­ installation at locations along other segments of We:lch Road may be considered. CHR:378:94 7/14/94 Page 2 " i I J I , ','I 'This project does not involve. any t'oadway 'widening or any additional right-of-way. It does include moving one moderate sized tree on the east side of Welch Road a silort distance of sevecal feet, in or-del' to make room for a handicapped ramp for the middle crosswalk. All three crosswalks will conform to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. On June 29th l Stanford hosted an informational meeting for representatives of the businesses located on the affected segment of weloh Road. Seven representatives from various businesses attended the meeting. Following a description of the proposed changes and a question and answer period, the representatives expressed their support for the proposed projsct. correspondence from one of the representatives is included as Attachment 3. stanford University will pay for all .:::osts associated with the design and construction of this project. Thereafter, the City of Palo Alto will be responsible fol' enforcement and ongoing maintenance. The Police Department has indicated that it 'Will be able to provide enforcement when necessary. The Public Works OCi:lpartment has indicated that ongoing Flaint.enance will incl."ease its work load without any increase in available resources. USE OF MtD-BLOCK CROSBWALRS City staff has previously opposed the installation of new mid-block pedestrian crosswalks, and that position, in general, will continue. This position is based upon professional literature Which indicates that mid-block crosswalks create a false sense of security for pedestrians. A pedestrian is more likely to exercise due: diligence and care 'When crossing a street without a marked crosswalk, than with a marked crosswalk. ~hile California law establishes that a pedestrian within a ~arked crosswalk has the legal riqht-of-way and Vehicles have the legal responsibility to stop for a pedestrian who is within a marked cros-swalk, the severity of the consequences for failure to conform to this requirement are potentially very serious. Therefore, staff's position has been , and will continue to bel not to establish any new marked mid-block crosswalks in order to avoid creating a false sense of security. While the~e are a number of eXisting mid-block crosswalks in Palo Alto, the only new one that has been inatalled l during a period of over ten years, is in front of the Whole·Poods M~rket on Homer Avenue. That position notwithstandinq, staff supports the establishment of the three subject pedestr,ian crosswalks along welch Road l based in part on the number of pedestrians crossing Welch Road and the manner in which pedestrian crossings occur in there. rnstallation of the threE". crosswalks is intended to lend some organization to pedestrian crossings and l thereby, reduce the number of conflict CMR: 378 :94 , , 7/14/94 Page 3 \ ',' ;; pointe. 'In addition, the crosswalks to be installed will be well marked, wall signed, and will have a center refuge area. Finally, the proposed crosswalks respond to strong interest and concern expressed by re.presentativE'ls of stanford Univer~ity and Packard Hospit~l, as well as concerns and complaints from ,individuals crossing Welch Road, regarding pedestrian safety in this area. If these crosswalks do not improve pedestrian safety, they can be removed relatively easily and inexpensively~ NBSOLO~ION 29TABLIBHING CROSBWALRS . The California vehicle Code Section 21106 provides that local authorities, by ordinance or resolution, may establish crosswalks between 1IlterS~(ltions~ Therefore, the attached resolution (Attachment 1) establishing three crosswalks along Welch Road l has be-::tn prepared fOr Council consideration and action. BNVIRONMENTAI, ASSESSHENT Insta llation of crosswalks and related signing is considered a :ninor operational irnpl~ovement and is categorically exempt under the california Environmental Quality Act. 'l'herefore, no environmental assessment is req~ired. RBCOIIHBlIDl\'I'ION staff recommends that Council approve the attached resolution (Attachment 1) establishing mid-block pedestrian crosswalks at three locations along Welch Road. Respectfully submittcQ, '!%,wa'A';e J~;:u/0 ? HARYIN L. OYBRWAY Chief Trannportation Official KRIlNETH R. SCHREIBER Director of Planning ~.~;R~~ and Community Environment Assistant City Manager AttachMents: 1. Resolution establishing cl'osswalks 2. Pedestrian count survey results 3. COl"respondence tt'om 'I'he stanford Barn cc: Stanford University (R. Michael Kuntz', Charles carter, Leonie Batkin, Andy Cole) Pac~ard Hospital (Gary Rotzin) Dave Richwood Bruco Ricks, The stanford Barn CH~:37a,94 7/14/94 Page -4 .. L .-'; ,-,. \ A'ITACIIMEN1' 1 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OP TlIS COUNCIL OF THil CITY OF PALO ALTO ESTABLISHING THRKB CROSSWAI,KS BBTi"lBRN INTERSECTIONS ON WELCK ROAD HH8R8AS~ pursuant to vehicle Code section 21106, the le9181~tlve body of a city or count.y. by ordinance or resolution, may ..=.stoblish croS8walko bet'Ween intet'sections; and W1:IHRRAS. the Council desires to approve the establishment of pedestrian' cr,oBtlwalks In threQ locations alollg Welch Road~ between the Quarry R~~d and Pasteur Drive intersectiona, as shown on Exhibit 1. att(lched hereto and incot:llorated herein by reference. NOH, TUBRB'P'ORB. the COl1l1Cil \')t the City of Palo Alto does RRSOrNB' as fOllows: ~fi(j·IQ!L_~_. The Council hCl-eby estab.l.ishes pedestrian crosswalks in three locations along Welch Road, between the Quarry Road and Pasteur Driv"," intersections, as morc specifically shown on "-"lIthit 1. ~IlQ1L2. The Council fi!lda that this project consti.tutes a millor alteration to lalld and a:;; such is categorically exempt from thlJ provisions of the CalitOl:.-nta H'Jlvir.onmental Quality Act ("'CEQA·)~ pUl-auant Section 15)04 of the CBQA Guidelines. INTRODUCBD AND PASSED: AYKS: NOBS: ABSENT: ABSTENTION!): A'f'l'EST: ""'--,""~ .. --_._---City Clerk APPROVBD AS TO FORM: APPROVED: DIrector ofPT~inn-in9-and--­ Community Environment """'!'" !i-'" I I I I .. I I I ~ 1 r~il 'I) /-' I, ./ I. i! ~ ;; I a " r ... ~ ~. \ EXln81T 1 \J o ROAQ. "ooY , . \ ATIACIlMENT 2 " " -, ~,~r..t --_, ......... I;;.;:U' ........ .. ~"', ... ---- ,-,-.. . , ".,O'V-' i . . '. ," . . /-' .1. '-." .:' .. \, ( .. n BuJCe Ricks, Ph.D. Cfl~ txecut1ve OfflCEt Capital Solutions 700 Welch Road. Suile 115 Palo Alto. CA 94304·1502 tel 415 322 0555 lax 415 322 0557 RBRi~s@aol, com City Council City of Palo Alto ?SO Hamilton Avenue Palo Alto. CA 94301 Re: Welch Road Traffic Improvements July 6, 1994 ATI'ACHMENT 3 I am managing partner of the partnership which leases from Stanford University the entire 4 acres and improvements at the corner of Welch and Quarry Roads known as The Stanford 8am. Its Welch Road addres~ is 700. I have been present and active at two discussion meetings arranged by Stanford University and one which requested at City Hall with Mr. Ashok Aggarwal and ML Marvin Overway. I fully support the staff's recommendation which will make significant improvement and the proper kind of improvement to wllat is presently a hazardous condition. The crosswalks will help pedestrians do safely what they are now doing dangerously. According to midweek pedestrian counts, LDQL'i' l.han 1.000 people were jaywalking in a single day in the areas of the proposed crosswalk nearest to Welch and Quarry Roads alone. Much of this is to utilize The Stanford Barn. We welcome those customers and recognized them as very important to the retail viability of The Stanford Barn -and its ability to pay City sales taxes. We want customers to have. a safe trip. The staff's proposal is very well thought out and well alignp.d to accommodate normal traffic patterns. I encourage your approval on the consent calendar. The merchants at the. Stanford Barn have communicated to me their pleasure. with the proposal. I have heard absolutely no opposition. In closing, I wish to commend the City for the participation of Mr. Ashok Aggarwal and Mr. Marvin Overway at meetings and their willingness to receive new facts and suggestions. I salute the Land Management Office of Stanford University for funding data collection which identified the problems so that proper solutions co uld be designed. Sincerely, f.'\ 4 7<7$. . , .~ i1~ R. Bruce Ricks '. ~ .. -. ',,", " ... : .... '-'.: ! "