FINAL
SUNNYVALE bICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes – September 18, 2008
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission met at 6:35 p.m. on September 18, 2008 with Commission Chair Kevin Jackson presiding. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale.
ROLL CALL/CONSIDERATION OF ABSENCES
Members Present: Kevin Jackson
Andrea Stawitcke
Michael Reece
Richard Warner
James Manitakos
Ralph Durham
Members Absent: Patrick Walz
Staff Present: Jack Witthaus, Transportation and Traffic Manager
Heba El-Guendy, Senior Transportation Planner
Christina Uribe, Administrative Aide (Recorder)
Mark Rogge, Assistant Director of Public Work
Commissioner Walz reported by e-mail to the Commission Chair and staff liaison that he would be on a business trip and would not be able to attend the September BPAC meeting. There was no objection to the member’s absence, and his absence was excused.
Visitors: David Whittum, City Council member
Donna Mirenda, member of the public
Henry (last name unknown), member of the public
Todd Meyers, member of the public
Arthur Schwartz, member of the public
Eleanor Hanson, member of the public
SCHEDULED PRESENTATION
No scheduled presentations given. Ms. El-Guendy, staff liaison, noted that Lieutenant Donald Discher could not attend the meeting due to his presence in Pasadena to attend the CTCDC (California Traffic Control Devices Committee) meeting.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Jackson acknowledged that today is the one year anniversary of the Borregas Bridge being approved by Council and commended staff for doing a good job. He looks forward to the opening of the bridge in seven to eight months.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A) Approval of Draft Minutes of the August 21st BPAC Meeting
1.B) Approval of the September 18th Meeting Agenda
1.C) Approval of the 2008 BPAC Calendar Update
Consent calendar items 1.B and 1.C were approved 6-0.
Item 1A: Approval of Draft Minutes of the August 21st BPAC Meeting
Chair Jackson stated that Mather Smith was also in attendance at the August meeting. Also, on page 10 of the minutes, third paragraph from the bottom, where it states “Chair Jackson – Noted that the City should follow the VTA Bicycle Technical Guidelines which recommends a six-foot bike lane …” Chair Jackson noted that actually it’s also a five-foot bike lane, same as Caltrans but it says four feet of pavement instead of three feet. If you have a two foot gutter pan, then it would have to be six-feet.
Commissioner Reece pointed out that on page 2 of 12, the first paragraph describing Lieutenant Discher’s comment “…a total of 144 cell phone related tickets were issued… in Sunnyvale alone, This exceeds the number of violation tickets that have been issued in neighboring cities and resulted in the current high compliance rate within Sunnyvale” seems to be conflicting. In addition, requested revising the second paragraph on page 12 of the minutes to reflect the fact that he also mentioned a heavily used park when describing North Fair Oaks Avenue to the north of the Fair Oaks-Wolfe split. The Commissioner’s concern is that there are six lanes of traffic now and that he would like that to be a study to perhaps reduce that to a five lane road and adding bike lanes which can also act as a buffer zone between vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Having this information on the record may help build support to encourage the study for these changes.
Ms. El-Guendy clarified that Lieutenant Discher’s comment was intended to indicate that the high enforcement level helped increase compliance rate, and added that this observation may have been made in light of a declining number of tickets over time. Also pointed out that North Fair Oaks Avenue to the north of the Fair Oaks-Wolfe split is not scheduled for resurfacing for the next five years.
Consent calendar item 1.A was approved 6-0 as amended.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No comments
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2. ACTION: Mary Avenue Extension Project Final EIR – Draft RTC
Chair Jackson - Provided information to the public on the process for addressing a Public Hearing item, including the need to complete a speaker card.
Jack Witthaus - Gave the staff presentation. Informed the BPAC that Council consideration is scheduled for October 28, 2008. Staff recommendation, tonight is that the BPAC recommend the City Council certify the EIR and that the Council approve the Mary Avenue Extension Project. .
Commissioners Comments/Questions:
Chair Jackson - Commented on staff’s diligence in addressing issues and that this is far beyond what the BPAC is used to addressing.
Commissioner Manitakos – inquired about planned land use and development in the Moffett Park area and the City. Inquired about of the thresholds of significance regarding inducing substantial population growth. Asked whether any of the existing approved projects, is their approval contingent upon construction of this extension. Asked about calibration and operation of the traffic model. Asked about traffic volumes and distribution forecasted for Mary Avenue. Asked about concrete trucks to build this bridge and analysis of construction period traffic. Asked about changes in roadway level of service in the Moffett Park area in the project condition.
Commissioner Reece – Indicated he was satisfied with the contents of the EIR. Inquired about the feasibility of an interchange at the overpass of 237 where Fair Oaks becomes Java. Asked about improvements to Highway 85. Encouraged consideration of identifying measures to address traffic concerns in the residential areas of Mary Avenue, regardless of the Mary Avenue Extension project.
Commissioner Stawitcke – Inquired whether the length of time taken to prepare the EIR affected the facts presented in the document. Asked about transportation impact fees and project funding. Asked about the timeline for project construction. Stated that taking the concerns of the citizens into consideration is really important t.
Commissioner Durham –Askded whether the study anticipates some of the traffic might come from Hwy 85 to get on to Mary. Inquired about bicycle and pedestrian access from the project to the Moffett Park light rail station. Asked whether the project would inclue bike lanes also run from Maude up towards El Camino. Urged consideration of bicycles and pedestrians in construction zones. Asked about a bike lane that becomes four feet wide and then a 12 foot lane to make the right turn onto 11th.,
Commissioner Warner – Stated that the project would have positive effects on the Mathilda/237 interchange, Echoed about making sure there is Light Rail access.
Chair Jackson – Supported additional improvements to Mary Avenue for bicycles, should this project move forward. Noted that the project may have an effect on mode choice if bicycle and pedestrian access if provided. Stated that the RTC calls only roadway capacity improvements, which is an auto centric view point. Requested that addition of a turn lane at Mary and Maude might make right turn conflicts between bicycles and motor vehicles increase. Stated that monitoring of traffic to assure that traffic volumes do not increase significantly due to the project is a potential means to address resident concerns. Stated that he would like companies to invest more in Transportation Demand Management (TDM) not to impact the street system. Requiring 10% and 20% trip reduction is not enough. He also indicated support for getting access to Ross Drive from the project.
Commissioner Stawitcke – Inquired when is the Planning Commission going to review the EIR?
Public Comments
Todd Meyers – Stated that the project solves the traffic issue for the Moffett Park businesses and worsens the situation for residents. Stated that this project is going to increase traffic on Mary Avenue, and results of the traffic model are questionable.
Art Schwartz Stated that there is a flaw on the premise on the CEQA related to cumulative impacts. Expressed concern regarding a four foot bike lane.
Eleanor Hanson – two questions, are paper copies available at City Hall. Second question about the Cupertino bike/pedestrian bridge.
Chair Jackson closed the public hearing.
Chair Jackson made a motion as follows: BPAC does not take a position regarding the concerns expressed by residents about increased traffic on Mary Avenue. For the purposes of Bike/pedestrian issues exclusively, we go along with staff recommendation 1a and 1 b, and add four recommendations:
Commissioner Reece seconded the motion.
The four recommendations:
1) Emphasize and increase to the extent possible the TDM program goals of companies within Moffett Park;
2) Strongly encourage a bike and pedestrian connection between the extension bridge and the light rail service;
3) Recommend Council direct staff to establish a monitoring and reporting program for traffic conditions in the residential areas on Mary Avenue to the south of Central Expressway; and,
4) Should the project be approved, provide BPAC with multiple chances to review and comment on the project.
Commissioner Reece – Asked for clarification on #3
Mr. Witthaus – Corrected a previous statement about TDM % for most businesses in the Moffett Park to 30% during the peak hours and 25% of overall daily project trips.
Commissioner Stawitcke – Asked for clarification on #2
Commissioner Durham – Inquired about TDM program that Stanford has?
Motion passes 6-0.
3. DISCUSSION: Study and Budget Issues Finalization
Chair Jackson – Inquired if it is possible to add study and budget issues. Indicated he wanted to add the Cyclovia as a study issue. This is where they close down the street for one day for example on a Sunday and limit it to bicycle and pedestrian traffic only.
Staff indicated that this has already been added by Council during their most recent meeting.
Staff described the process including the new regulation to drop any items that have been deferred by Council for two consecutive years. Any issues that fell below the line last year will automatically be added to this year’s study issue process.
Following a discussion of the different study and budget issues, the Commission members decided the following:
Retaining the following for the 2009 Study Issue Process:
Study Issues:
1. Evaluate and consider implementation of the Stevens Creek Trail extension currently proposed by the City of Los Altos.
2. Investigate how to encourage people to own fewer cars in order to avoid/minimize the negative impacts on non-motorists. Also review of such programs and experiences in other parts of the Country.
3. Coordinate between the newly approved policy on street space allocation with the implementation of the Bicycle Plan, capital improvement projects and road maintenance/resurfacing projects.
4. Evaluate the concept of developing multi-media DVDs and CDs containing educational and safety information which can be handed out at fairs and other events. Also assess the possibility of utilizing the City of Sunnyvale local channel to promote traffic safety. This study issue would later translate into a budget issue for implementation and production.
5. Conduct a Plan Line Study to increase bike space.
6. Update/Review of the Corner Vision Triangle Municipal Code Ordinance.
7. Review of the Homestead Road bike lane hours of operation.
7. Review suitable bicycle parking schemes for office and retail developments.
8. Evaluate impacts of traffic calming devices on bicyclists.
Budget Issues:
1. Construct pathways to connect the John Christian bicycle and pedestrian trail with the bicycle parking facilities at Lakewood and Fairwood Elementary Schools.
2. Create a task for Bike to Work Day budget at a yearly funding level of $5,000.
3. Provide of bike racks at major community events such as the Farmer’s Market and the 4th of July celebration.
4. Establish a traffic enforcement campaign of bicycle and pedestrian related violations such as cycling in the wrong way, jaywalking, and violation of the vehicular right-of-way.
Dropping the following study and budget issues:
Study Issues:
1. Review the feasibility of better spreading the potential replacement of BPAC members over the four-year term. BPAC currently has a potential replacement of three members after the first two-years, followed by a potential replacement of four members after the second two years of the four-year term, which could subject BPAC to losing the majority of its experienced members. The study issue is to consider a different arrangement such as possible replacement of two members per year for each of the first three years, followed by one member in the fourth year.
2. Improve signage in order to direct cyclists to transit stations and other key destinations. This also includes a review of similar experiences in other cities.
3. Review the resources needed for performing regular bicycle counts as part of the City’s yearly data collection program.
4. Review the feasibility of reducing the speed limit on the right-hand/curb-side lanes.
5. Review of design standards for bike lanes adjacent to on-street parking.
6. Revise intersection Level of Service (LOS) policy to incorporate bicycle and pedestrian safety.
7. Review Transportation Demand Management (TDM) opportunities for schools.
8. Consider addition of residential collector streets in the City’s Traffic Calming Policy for the purpose of speed control (vs. traffic volume control).
9. Establish an education campaign or a policy regarding safe construction zone and associated traffic control for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Budget Issues:
1. Improve the markings and operation of the bicycle detectors (cyclists have to be very close to trigger the detectors).
2. Create a task for bicycle locker maintenance at City facilities, and provide associated resources.
3. Develop a computerized system for on-line issuance of bicycle licenses, and for tracking of lost and recovered bicycles.
4. Develop a marketing campaign including preparation and distribution of promotional materials in order to encourage bicycling as an alternative form of transportation.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
· BPAC ORAL COMMENTS
Cupertino dedicating a plaque in honor of the two bicyclists killed.
Chair Jackson VTA wants bicycle counts for Borregas Bridges. Noted an event scheduled for next Wednesday for safe routes to school, Gunn High School is having a successful program with giving out prizes for bike to school.
· STAFF ORAL COMMENTS
None.
INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS
4. BPAC E-mail Messages
The e-mail messages were included as part of the meeting Agenda packet. Staff of the Transportation and Traffic Division, including the BPAC staff liaison, regularly follow-up on the phone and e-mail requests.
5. Active Items List
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted by:
Jack Witthaus |