This report recommends Council adopt Budget Modification Number 21 to appropriate funds received from a developer into a new special project entitled Blair Avenue Traffic Calming Study.

In February 1997 the City Council adopted a traffic calming policy to address residential neighborhood traffic concerns and complaints. The policy outlines the process under which circumstance staff is to conduct Traffic Calming Studies. It also delineates thresholds of significance with regard to a "real" verses perceived traffic problems, and sets forth a variety of acceptable Stage I and Stage II traffic calming methods. Stage I methods are generally comprised of studies, observations, education, public involvement, enforcement efforts, and changes in signing and pavement markings in an attempt to reduce the problem and improve the situation. They do not include the use of physical controls or impediments on the roadway system. Stage II methods are generally projects which physically alter the nature or configuration of a neighborhood street such as speed humps, traffic circles, diverters, chokers, or cul-de-sacs. The City's policy outlines an extensive community outreach and participation process for Stage II actions. The administrative process for doing studies is on a first come first served basis. Staff currently has a backlog of studies, with three studies in progress.

The Blair Avenue Area traffic calming study is being initiated to address concerns of Blair and Grape Avenue residents with regard to excessive vehicular speeds, cut-through movements, and spill-over parking generated by the traffic associated with commercial developments in the area, specifically automobile dealerships. The item was escalated with the approval of a 118 room motel development at 606 South Bernardo Avenue on the northeast corner of Bernardo Avenue and Blair Avenue. The Green Valley Corporation, the motel developers, have contributed the funding for this traffic calming study in order to expedite completion of the study through hiring of outside resources. The $20,000 Green Valley Corporation contribution is based on cost estimates that staff has secured from consultants to assure that the amount will be adequate to complete the study. Any related staff time costs will be covered by the Traffic Engineering operating budget for neighborhood studies. Should the study be completed for less than the estimated amount, any excess funds would be returned to the developer.

The following documents contain policy direction on this issue:

Land Use and Transportation Element C3: Attain a transportation system that is effective, safe, pleasant, and convenient.

Land Use and Transportation Element N1.5: Support a roadway system that protects internal residential areas from City-wide and regional traffic.

Land Use and Transportation Element N1.5.2: Utilize the City's residential neighborhood "Traffic Calming" techniques to address specific neighborhood traffic concerns.

Land Use and Transportation Element N1.5.3: Discourage non-neighborhood traffic from using residential neighborhood streets by accommodating traffic demand on city-wide and regional streets.

Blair Avenue and Grape Avenue have been recognized as potential candidates for a traffic calming study because of complaints received with regard to excessive vehicular speeds, cut-through movements, and spill-over parking generated by the traffic associated with commercial developments in the area, specifically automobile dealerships. Actions to date to address the issue include traffic enforcement and improved roadway signs and striping (stage 1 traffic calming).

The City Council approved the development of a 118 room extended stay motel at the corner of Bernardo Avenue and Blair Avenue on August 28, 2001. A Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) prepared for the Green Valley Motel project found that motel traffic would not create a significant traffic impact. However, data from this study provided an initial indication that stage II traffic calming may be warranted. Stage II actions can include installation of "hard improvements such as speed humps, diverters, or traffic circles, chokers, cul-de-sacs, etc.

The developer has volunteered to contribute to a traffic calming study in the vicinity. This budget modification would recognize the financial contribution of the Green Valley Corporation and would help to expedite consideration of a longstanding citizen generated traffic issue by allowing the city to retain a traffic consultant to complete the work. Traffic Engineering staff are currently actively working on three traffic calming studies and would not be able to initiate a Blair Avenue Area Study for at least six months.

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City's web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk's Office.

2. Do not take action at this time and forfeit the additional funds provided by the developer for the Traffic Calming Study. This will delay consideration of the Blair Avenue issue a minimum of six months.

Staff recommends Alternative #1.

Prepared by:
Dieckmann Wolfe
Transportation Planner 

Reviewed by:
Jack Witthaus
Transportation and Traffic Manager

Marvin A. Rose
Director of Public Works

Mary J. Bradley
Director of Finance

Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager