City Hall, Garden Conference Room

Meeting Minutes

January 15, 2004

A meeting of the Sunnyvale Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) was held on January 15, 2004 in the Garden Conference Room, City Hall, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale. Committee Chair Mayer called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

I. General Business/Public Hearings 

Cogill introduced Tanya Higgins, new staff member to replace Dieckmann Cogill while she is out on maternity leave.

1. Pedestrian Circulation Plan for Futures Area 7

Cogill presented the draft Pedestrian Circulation and Enhancements Plan for Futures Site 7. This plan introduces guidelines for pedestrian circulation for future development within the Industrial to Residential Futures Site 7, bounded by SR 237, the East Channel, US 101, and Morse Avenue. This area is planned for high-density residential development near important transit centers; City Council directed staff to develop this plan in order to improve pedestrian access throughout the site and encourage increased transit use.

Jackson requested that item #3 under the "Intersections" section on pages 7-8 be revised to not emphasize curb bulb-outs. Although these features are pedestrian-friendly, they often create a hazard for cyclists.

Granvold asked if staff accounted for sight lines at driveways. Cogill responded that individual guidelines were not outlined, but the plan can include a statement regarding visibility at driveways.

Granvold asked about future retail development within this study area. Cogill responded that there are no sites designated for retail at this time, but the plan should remain flexible for such development. Ginger Wolnik requested that the City encourage mixed-use development within this site.

Wolnik asked staff how pedestrian connections to the mobile home parks would deal with the limited entry and exit points and high walls along the park boundaries. Cogill responded that park owner cooperation would be required; staff will include a statement regarding coordination with future portholes to the mobile home park sites.

Gras asked what percentage of the streets within this plan are planned for sidewalks. Cogill responded that the majority of the streets will include sidewalks. However, there are some areas where sidewalks are not feasible, such as along the walls of the mobile home parks where there is not sufficient space between the wall and the curb for a sidewalk.

Gras asked why staff does not recommend that all crossings be striped for crosswalks in item #1 under the "Intersections" section on page 7. Cogill responded that the written guideline is consistent with City policy.

Cotton asked about the status of the JWC Greenbelt. Cogill responded that there are still some areas of the JWC Greenbelt in need of improvement; this will be included in the plan.

Mayer requested that sidewalk widths be determined based on the traffic volume and speed of the road, mentioning Fair Oaks in particular.

Mayer requested that the goals outlined on page 3 include a reference to improved pedestrian access to schools. He also requested that these goals refer to improved bicycle access, not just pedestrian access.

Jackson discussed the hazards of parked vehicles to pedestrians and requested that street parking be allowed only when the developer can demonstrate cause. Cogill responded that although parked vehicles at intersections can be a hazard for pedestrians, they can also serve as a buffer between the pedestrians and moving vehicles.

Granvold requested that special attention be given to the Fair Oaks/Tasman intersection due to the significant issues surrounding pedestrian safety at this location.

Gregory requested that consideration for site lines at crosswalks be given, and that the 40' vision triangle be expanded where there is no buffer between the lane traffic and the curb.

Wolnik requested that all right-turn lanes be sharp in order to improve pedestrian safety at these intersections. She also requested that pedestrian crossing signals be timed appropriately in order to avoid long periods of waiting for the pedestrian walk signal.

Mayer requested cross section details on the plan. Mayer requested that no street parking be allowed within the plan area unless bike lanes are in place. He also requested that the plan include access to schools and parks outside of this plan's boundary, mentioning the US 101 Borregas overcrossing as a feature to include in the plan.

Art Schwartz, a member of the public, requested that the plan ensure that hydrants and signage poles do not block the sidewalk. Schwartz also requested that the plan include provisions for connecting sidewalks as piecemeal development occurs by using temporary asphalt to connect sidewalks prior to the redevelopment of individual sites.

Mayer requested that the City identify retail sites within this plan prior to finalization.

II. Approval of Meeting Minutes from December 18, 2003 

Jackson and Mayer requested a number of corrections to the minutes.

Motion to approve minutes with corrections

Gregory/Granvold, Unanimous

III. Public Announcements 

None 

IV. Citizens to be Heard 

Art Schwartz discussed a two-story single-family residence construction project on Crawford Street. He heard a recent complaint that the construction fencing and parked vehicles are encroaching into the public right-of-way and blocking traffic. He has walked by this site numerous times and not observed these issues. He requested that staff verify that the chain link fencing is not encroaching into the public right-of-way.

V. Non-Agenda Items and Comments 

Jackson requested the status of his request from the last meeting for staff to contact County Roads regarding pedestrians on the expressway. Staff has not yet contacted County Roads about this issue.

Jackson requested the status of the Wolfe Road bike lane project. Cogill stated that the construction documents are being finalized and will go to the City Council for the award of bid.

Granvold asked staff if there will be sidewalks along the condominium development on Fair Oaks and Evelyn, and Cogill responded that there will be sidewalks along this development.

Granvold asked staff if anything can be done to make the numerous street cuts on Evelyn smoother. Cogill responded that because they are patches, it is difficult to make them completely smooth, and they often become rough long after the project is complete. However, the cuts will be constructed according to City standards.

Granvold pointed out problems with construction signage for the sidewalk closure at the Mary and Washington Avenue construction site. Staff will review the plans.

Gregory requested the status of the school signage project. Cogill responded that the City is installing signage at all middle and elementary schools. Staff will also be preparing for the Safe Routes to Schools program.

Gras asked staff about the congestion problems along Wolfe Road. Cogill responded that the County adopted a deficiency plan, which identifies the problems on Wolfe Road. This plan discusses other traffic congestion management activities in the area that will help to address the congestion on Wolfe, recognizing that there are no funds available for major improvements at this time. Mayer requested that staff provide a copy of the deficiency plan for the committee members; staff will look into this possibility.

Mayer thanked staff for the bike lane on Sunnyvale Avenue.

Mayer requested that John Howe be put first on the agenda for next month's BPAC meeting, as per Howe's request.

Mayer requested page numbers on the committee packets.

Mayer requested that the items on the Active Items Report with a date of "0" be changed to an approximate date.

Cogill discussed the City Council's actions on the study issues for 2004. The bike map revision funding is not available now, but will be reviewed again in July. The Council funded the Pedestrian Opportunities Plan; this has been added to the BPAC Calendar. Staff expects to discuss the scope of work in June or July and again in September or October. The other two study issues were cut.

VI. Information Only Items 

Approved November 20, 2003 Minutes - Accepted as Submitted 

Jackson requested that item numbers be included in the Active Items Report. Jackson also requested that the new staff be fully briefed on the Tier 1 projects.

BPAC Active Items Report - Accepted with changes

BPAC Email - Accepted as Submitted 

BPAC Calendar - Accepted as Submitted

Mayer asked about new BPAC member initiation timing, which will occur in July. Gregory and Wolnik will be completing their terms at that time.

Mayer also expressed concern over the Functions and Responsibilities study issue. He requested this study issue only to make the language consistent with the Committee's current functions. Cogill referred to the attached memo from the Office of the City Attorney.

VII. Adjournment 

Motion to adjourn, Gregory/Wolnik, unanimous. Meeting adjourned, 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted, 

________________

Tanya Higgins

Casual Professional