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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/27/1993, 1 - A. CONTINUED CONSIDERATION OF THE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN B. CONSIDERATION OF THE LONG-TERM STATUS OF THE BICYCLE COMMITTEE IIINIIGVII�IIIIIII��jI�II� f MEETING DATE: NIG Ip�u►I c� o san LaIs ogispo 10-27-93 MoZe COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER: FROM: Michael McCluskey, Public Works Director PREPARED BY: Terry Sanville, Principal Transportation Planner SUBJECT: A. Continued consideration of the Bicycle Transportation Plan B. Consideration of the Long-term Status of the Bicycle Committee CAO RECOMMENDATION: A. The City Council should adopt a resolution: (1) Adopting the Bicycle Committee's recommended Bicycle Transportation Plan with additional amendments suggested by Staff. (2) Approving the Negative Declaration for the Bicycle Transportation Plan including mitigation. B. Disband the Bicycle Committee. Reaffirm Public Works Department responsibility for implementing the Bicycle Transportation Plan. Direct Staff to prepare a letter from the Mayor's signature thanking each Bicycle Committee member for their help with preparing the Bicycle Transportation Plan. I. BACKGROUND At its September 21, 1993 meeting, the City Council scheduled further consideration of the Bicycle Plan for October 27, 1993. Staff recommends that the Council consider the following: A. Marsh Street Bike Lane Design: staff will report on the width of Marsh Street and will proceed to work with the BIA parking committee on the Council-recommended two-lane street design. B. Chorro Street Bicycle Lane Policy Issue: consider the option of reducing motor vehicle speeds on two-lane arterial streets in residential areas to allow for the mixing of bicycles and motor vehicles and provide specific direction for north Chorro Street and Broad Street. C. Bicycle Lanes on All Arterial Streets as a Long-Term Goal: consider the staff- recommended policy and the Bicycle Committee's alternative recommendation to delete the policy. 1 — �����i►►�IIIIII�III►���I��UIII city of San lois OBISp0 we COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT D. Other Council Identified Amendments to the Bike Plan: following action on the four items noted above, Council should take action to approve a resolution approving the Negative Declaration and adopting the Bicycle Transportation Plan as amended. Since the City Council eliminated the proposal to establish a bicycle boulevard on north Broad Street and retain through traffic movement, the Negative Declaration does not include mitigation measure for traffic diversion impacts. E. Long-Term Status of the Bicycle Committee: refer to the Council Agenda Report of August 31, 1993 for staff evaluation and recommendations for this item. The staff recommends that the Bicycle Committee be disbanded and that the Council reaffirm Public Works Department responsibility for implementing the Bicycle Plan. If the Council feels that maintaining a committee is appropriate, staff recommends that: 1. The existing committee be maintained (with its current structure and membership) for one year (until August 31, 1993). 2. The Committee meet quarterly to keep abreast of implementation activities, provide support and insure a strong start to the bike plan. H. EVALUATION ' ><;lti�iasli etre 'Bt'Tc�> e:.::,'..,..:.:..>,..:. At the September 10, 1993 Council meeting, Council gave direction to staff to implement either: (1) a single lane project in combination with three travel lanes and two parking lanes if the street was 52 feet wide; or (b) a two bike lane project with two travel lanes; two parking lanes if the street width was 50 feet in width. The latter project was to be accomplished by coordinating with the BIA parking committee to eliminate as few parking stalls as possible. Subsequent to that meeting, Staff measured the street at 50 feet in width. In the intervening time period, the suggestion has been made to further reduce travel lanes width to 9.3 feet to accomplish the single bike lane project. Roadway traffic capacity is significantly reduced (-11%) with lanes of this width and elsewhere in the City where they are in use, sideswipe accidents are common. Thus from both a capacity and traffic safety standpoint, staff would recommend against this latest suggestion. » : :.:.::............................ ;Cltp t e a licy�Ie;L ;Pt�)E�.:: : me ..................................:.:......:.....:.......:..:.....:.................:.:::. `...........>:.;::.. Mayor Pinard has suggested that the Council consider the issue of how to satisfy the needs of cyclists, motorists, pedestrians and resident motorist parking in residential areas where there is insufficient roadway to provide facilities for all activities. A significant part of the policy question from a bicycling perspective seems to be: �oH���H►�IIIII�IIpn ���U MY O� San _.FIs OBISPO Oftim COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Will reducing vehicle speeds compensate for the lack of bicycle lanes, allow for safer mixing of bikes and vehicles, and make residential streets attractive for both experienced and novice cyclists? This issue primarily affects two street corridors: (1) Broad Street between High and Buchon Streets; and (2) Chorro Street between Lincoln and Rougeot Place. These two corridors involve two lane arterial streets that pass through residential areas. Elimination of travel lanes or other design options are not applicable; only parking removal will enable the installation of bicycle lanes along these particular streets segments. Staff believes that reducing traffic speeds below 25 mph can enable experienced cyclists to better mix with vehicle traffic. An experienced cyclists can sustain speeds between 12 and 20 mph on flat terrain. Higuera Street in the downtown is a street where experienced cyclists can occupy the travel lanes because of the very slow moving traffic. In contrast, novice or ageing cyclists will not consider speed reduction as sufficient for meeting their circulation needs. Non-cyclists will not be encouraged to try bicycling if it means using streets with congested traffic and no reserved space for bicycling. Reserving a part of the roadway for bicyclist use more directly addresses the needs of both experienced and novice cyclists. Providing bike lanes was the favored strategy of the Bicycle Committee because it address the needs of cyclists with varying degrees of cycling experience. Also, the Committee did not recommend projects that would profoundly impact the traffic characteristics of City streets to avoid criticism that it was deliberately creating "congestion" as a strategy for promoting alternative transportation. There may be other objectives for reducing speeds in residential areas. For example, reducing traffic speeds can change the character of an area and may improve the perceived safety of pedestrians. Slowing traffic speeds can increase trip times and discourage vehicle use if a more convenient alternative route or mode of travel is available. There are a variety of ways to reduce traffic speeds: Install stop signs at close intervals; Install road humps; Narrow travel lanes and constructing bulb outs at intersections; Install a "slow street" design; or a combination of these techniques. Most of these options could be considered in combination with the installation of bike lanes. However, installing multiple stop signs and narrowing travel lanes or constructing bulbouts could decrease cycling safety. At a policy level, the City Council should further consider this issue as part of its evaluation of the draft Circulation Element. The Element calls for the preparation of "Neighborhood Traffic Management Plans" for five residential areas. These plans would directly address the problems of traffic intrusion and excessive vehicle speed. ` -2 '111i1H►IUIIiII 111MII11 city of San WIS OBISpo , Oil COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Recommendation: In sum, staff believes that the installation of bicycle lanes on Broad Street (as recommended by the Bicycle Committee) and Chorro Street is the best option for meeting cyclist needs at this time. Installing bicycle lanes does not preclude the City from taking future actions to address neighborhood traffic management issues. However, if the Council feels that slowing traffic should be accomplished at the same time that bike lanes are installed, then staff will need to evaluate "slow street" design options and return to the Council with specific design recommendations. These types of options will require considerable design effort and will be significantly more expensive to implement, necessitating the use of street reconstruction funds. If the Council does not feel that bicycle lanes are appropriate for Broad or Chorro Streets, staff recommends that they be designated as Class III bicycle routes and signed accordingly. &:: Y :Yd .:: : IYR;;:Go NX The Bicycle Committee has recommended that the following policy be deleted from the Bicycle Transportation Plan: D.2 In the long term, all City arterial streets should safely accommodate bicyclists through the installation of bicycle lanes. The Committee felt that policy D.2 was internally inconsistent with the Plan since the Plan map does not show Class II bike lanes on all arterial streets. Staff recommends that policy D.2, as a long-range goal, be retained. Within a 30-50 year period (build out of the General Plan), bicycle lanes will be warranted along all arterial streets. New streets can be built to include bike lanes and existing streets, if modified, also can accommodate the needs of cyclists. ATTACEMIENTS: Draft Council Resolution approving a Negative Declaration and adopting the Bicycle Transportation Plan. AL a RESOLUTION NO. (1993 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO APPROVING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND ADOPTING A BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN WIEREAS, the City Council established the Bicycle Committee in August, 1991 and directed the Committee to update the 1985 Bicycle Facilities Plan; and WHEREAS, the Bicycle Committee held public meetings between July 1992 and March 1993 to provide Staff with input to the preparation of a draft Bicycle Transportation Plan; and WHEREAS, on June 4, 1993, the Public Works Department published a draft Bicycle Transportation Plan and the plan was reviewed at five public hearings held by the Bicycle Committee between June 21 and July 26, 1993; and WHEREAS, the Bicycle Committee has forwarded recommendations to the City Council for adoption of the Plan and action on the Plan's Negative Declaration; and WHEREAS, the Community Development Department has published a negative declaration for the Bicycle Transportation Plan; and WIEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the Negative Declaration and has identified specific mitigation measures identified in the following sections of this Resolution; and WHEREAS, at public hearings on August 31, September 10, and October 27, 1993, the Council considered Bidycle Committee recommendations, staff recommendations, and public testimony concerning the content of the Bicycle Transportation Plan; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the draft Bicycle Transportation Plan supports its Circulation Elements goals and policies that call for the ".... the per capita reduction of automobile use in the City and.the use of alternative forms of transportation such as bicycles..." (Reference Resolution 4755, 1982 Series). NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: Section 1: Thee Bicycle Transportation Plan of the City of San Luis Obispo is hereby adopted. The text of the adopted Plan is attached as Exhibit A; Section 2: The City Council hereby approves a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impacts associated with implementation of the Bicycle Transportation Plan with the following mitigation measures: 4 Page 2 — Resolution No. A. Impact: Proposed bicycle parking provisions inconsistent with current zoning regulations. Mitigation: Initiate amendments to the Zoning Regulations and other City land use and development regulations to implement the Bicycle Transportation Plan. Section 3: The Bicycle Facilities Plan adopted by Council Resolution Number 5672 (1985 Series) is hereby rescinded; Section 4: The Public Works Department shall publish and make available to the public the adopted Bicycle Transportation Plan and shall distribute copies to appropriate members of City government, to the California Department of Transportation, and other appropriate agencies and local libraries. On motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of , 1993. Mayor Peg Pinard ATTEST: City Clerk Diane Gladwell APPROVED: sP�rt 4A e e Jorgensen 1 �� MEEPA AGENDA. Bike pati DATE, ITEM# :.- : e wheled`'::.:: out;;.M: Aso. Routes•will:have you.::: to pedali>igao I' of tawn.and'beyond.: . Country.News'Reportmr;IWi. t Acommitterof,bieyde=thosi- astsandplannaawilleamildNaila lCCIL D CDODIR Monday nigbt,of a.compah". ve ` FLEUW�rft A�� t7 Flcirprlaticm.plmi:for.:Wcydc;'pathsFl _ IEF .,tbmugb=Paso Robles`( r- {rs. Y P/Diff.TLeo®mittahasbaen . O POLICE CNF wadr1q. t .antheplan diligentiyforaboutone ❑ tAG:hfTEAr,T . ] RECOIR. baaodPasoRoblesPlauningCom- �D�C ��/pu.UT;LGia mission-Chairwoman:Patricia ;, u' = O ora Dsi .[ . jCoawfmd..bm it stepped upas et OCT.216.1 9 . . f uimthepastseveraLweeksafori.. 'itsvaslcaroedgrmCmooeywlll'be cinCOUNCIL availtble,fram:drelgsforbmld�::c- a.nN FLUS O&SPO,cn ing.biryde.patbs-1Le deedliocrn tapptyfortbmtuading.is.*Depcpi;:.. 4' Country News,Wednesday,Ocmber20,1993 her,Cm wfotdsaid:aodlhed4'nmds... an adopted plan to.spLmi4: . ' !]'BIKES ; .' „Federal and.State grant applitatioo :.:.-'H, Continued rmm page l funds are becomin "Nobody had intended to be on ; g ... this short of a timefliue;?!,4ald:' dors, with sale routes throughout available for. Crawford,who was joined"on the',� the countryside. [constructing] committee byfellowpbmningcom Priorities for the CalT}aos fund - mission Gary Nemeth as well as,;. ingwill likely include building a alternatives t0 Paso residents Iacy;Wa=,Mark.. link with the county bike system on highways."Patricia Plotkin..Dick Rabe;and:Nevin„ North River Road,extending that Crawford Musgrave.."But federal'and�swe . - path toCmsmnRoad,anddesigning a path along the section of South hwhi ebuiidingbicyclepathcaarm "in the eOunty,.We're Riva Road between Creston and both the Niblick and 13th Street ahead of everyone.l MU&roads that is currently con- brrdgmandalongRivasudeAvenue, aidered ley treacherous by tying into the county systems via took the plan to'show to bieyciism.16atsameroutewilleven- 24th Sum and Lake Nacimiento the county bike path many continue through Woodland Drive, adding paths along South committee and theyPlaza I and Woodland Plaza II, Vine Street to Highway 46 West, were stunned at how far 1 Crawford said, and travel along and installing paths along union Chemlais Road to Creston and out Road and the Airport arm along we am"Larry Of the city. Though the bike path contraiaee Werner Tho proposed plan calls fora air- will present a comprehensive plan dilation system that will include on:Monday, it is expected that . funds are 8-available for three classes of bicycle paths.Class changes may occur before the plan [cm mctbW altemadvea to high- I.paths am paved trails separated isCmalizsd Cmwfordsaidthe0do- ways,"Crawford said. from madwaya They may parallel .ber25weukshopwilialtow cayresi- a ass " fa petition to apply roads or nen independently along .dents to offer inputand suggestions ]t puts for grant s in a Werra added. city easements Claus:11 paths air for improving the plan before it is adjacent to the existing roadways,. 'couride edinfnalformbytheplan. •In toe county,were ahead of ev-.. andamm8[aoedwith.snipiog tosepa• ring commission on November S.: ayooe.ItocktheIpbntoshowtothe ratethemhomtheauumnobil travel :Itwill then,beconsidered bythe comtybileepatheammineeaodthey )am, Class III paths are simply city council on November 16,and were sued at how for along we ro ace." ads desigoetod as bicycle rouses...,will evenmaRy'be folded.into the Werner said the advantage of bo- with the appropriate.signs circulation element.,of We city's. ins fustistbatther3tywillbeableto : nBthaL. .:.: r General Plan ehoosethedptlmmbtcycierouta. AOwrdiogto.Wema.thc&*c n-:' : ."Wo'resendmglenastoseveral:. andthecounty'splanwmhavetotiE sieieantlonineioangthekue@tigasor. hand[WknownhieyCleenkhnei�cra imolt,ntherlhmlettittg bantodebicyclepathswas saaY.especially [agieo ng four' mmenm on October the County net the tie-in points for cbildiM;Mw circulation plana 25L"Crawford•said.."We want to Using grant MOW to C"uhlish seel°ncap°°ptmag°rp°°°yt°ftkavei . get Weu'°put" the city/county Was Path imersec- lodndmg'si0oole;"padm;shopping .:-Crawford said CalTkaw funding. a high priority, a p>�of employment,;!;will allow"the`city to start imple• tions will be Crawford said a high'wLh rev-and was designed with the c nsdta,'.mooting the plan as early as But the PasoROb` tion ofof cialsfiomthePasoRobles year.though it will Probably take as etal bicycles groups, Public Scl oola. long as a decade to see the entire lea balm path committee found that Highlights of the proposed plan vision built ouL local cyclists want a network that extends well beyond the city's bar- DPleesgMMIC2Spags,4,., . 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