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Home My WebLink About03/19/1996, 4 - AMENDMENT TO THE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN ' I��IUI��WII�IIIII�II Cityof San IDIS OBISPO MEETING DATE: ri,;lq 6 WOMEN iCOUNCIL AGENDA REPORT nM NUMBER:41 FROM: Michael D. McCluskey, Public Works Direct Prepared by: Reinie Gwin, Transportation Technician SUBJECT: Amendment to the Bicycle Transportation Plan CAO RECOMMENDATIONS: Adopt a resolution amending the 1993 Bicycle Transportation Plan (Figure #1) to show a Class I bicycle path between Santa Barbara Street at the Morro-Upham intersection and the south end of the Railroad Square parking lot. I. DISCUSSION: A. BACKGROUND In October, 1993, the City Council adopted the Bicycle Transportation Plan. Figure #1 in the Plan shows the existing and proposed locations of Class I, H and III bikeways. This proposal is to amend Figure #1 to include a new Class I link that extends from Santa Barbara Street at the Upham-Morro intersection to the south end of the Railroad Square parking lot (see attached Exhibits A and B). Approving this amendment is aprereguisite to designing the bike path and programming the construction. To date, no design for the project has been prepared. The main objective of this new connection is to provide improved access to the north end of town via Broad, Santa Barbara, and Santa Rosa Streets. Northbound bicyclists would be able to bypass the congested segments of Osos Street (from Upham to Buchon) by passing through the Railroad Square parking lot to connect with Santa Rosa Street. Santa Rosa Street between Railroad Square and Buchon Street has less traffic congestion than parallel segments of Osos Street. Also, Class II bike lanes are provided along Santa Rosa Street north of Pismo Street. The proposed Class I bike path would also connect with the Jennifer Street bicycle-pedestrian bridge that will be constructed in the Summer-Fall, 1996 and will provide non-vehicular access to adjoining neighborhoods east of the railroad. The new path would also enable bicyclists from the east side of the railroad to access the Downtown via Morro Street. However, additional changes would need to be made to Morro Street to make it a more attractive route for cyclists and providing for safe crossing of Santa Barbara Street must be addressed as part of this project's implementation. B. BICYCLE COM II'ME RECOMMENDATIONS The Bicycle Committee unanimously recommends the approval of this amendment to the Bicycle Transportation Plan. The Committee evaluated a wide variety of changes to bicycle access in the area in an attempt to improve access to the downtown via Osos Street, Morro Street or other routes. However, the committee felt that these other improvements should be considered as part °°� ��P �118111 city Of San SS OBISPO . Aoffiffil" COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT of an area-wide traffic management effort called for by the Circulation Element and that only this incremental change be pursued at this time. II. PROJECT IldPLEMEENTATION Implementing this particular project will be challenging. The path will have to cross a bank that is 6 to 8 feet high which will require the installation retaining walls. The design of any retaining walls will need to be complement the area's historic architecture and use of materials. The path will need to be flat enough to comply with access requirements for individuals with disabilities (ADA requirements). The entrance to the path on Santa Barbara Street will need to be appropriately aligned with other intersecting streets. Since there are no sidewalks along the east side of Santa Barbara Street south of Railroad Square and pedestrians will also use this path, the City may want to expand the scope of the project to include sidewalk installation. A method for providing safe crossing of Santa Barbara Street at the Upham-Morro intersection will also need to be developed. All of these issues and others will be addressed when an engineered design for the path is prepared. However, even with these challenges, the Staff and the Bicycle Committee feel that this is an important project to pursue — possibly during the same time frame that the Jennifer Street Bridge and Phase I of the Railroad Bicycle Path (Fall 1996) are slated for construction. III. FISCAL RAPACT There is no fiscal impact in amending the Bicycle Transportation Plan. Funding for design and construction of the new section of Class I bike path will come from existing budgeted funds or new sources. The adopted 1995-97 Financial Plan includes funding for the design and construction of bicycle facilities (Appendix B, Page 97) using Federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds and City Traffic Impact Fee revenues. No construction cost estimate has been prepared to date. Consistent with City policy, the City Council will review the design of the project and authorize its advertisement if the estimated construction cost exceeds $50,000. W., CONCURRENCES The Community Development Department has reviewed the amendment to the Bicycle Transportation Plan and has filed a negative declaration. ATTACHMENTS Exhibit A: Figure #1 of the Bicycle Transportation Plan Exhibit B: Aerial showing proposed amendment to the Bicycle Transportation Plan Exhibit C: Resolution approving amendment to the 1993 Bicycle Transportation Plan J/_Z NINE FEW Ink MW f ` CA LWR ♦�.: �. rt-■■.._. �rr� s N ' = • ' ' • ' • . 1. ,�� `.,�► � - _ � - AN -=A 4 : •` may/ a. . a S S i a,, 900 ' v Exhibit C: Resolution approving amendment to the 1993 Bicycle Transportation Plan RESOLUTION NO. (1996 Series) A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO APPROVING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN WHEREAS, the City Council adopted the 1993 Bicycle Transportation Plan which identifies access to and through the downtown from the south end of town as a future study item, and WHEREAS, on March 30, 1995 and again on June 22, 1995 the Bicycle Committee reviewed options for providing access through and into the downtown, and WHEREAS, the Community Development Department has determined that the proposed amendment will not have a significant effect on the environment and has granted a negative declaration. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: Section 1. Amend the 1993 Bicycle Transportation Plan (Figure #1) to show a Class I bicycle path between Santa Barbara Street at the Santa Barbara/Morro/Upham intersection and the south end of the Railroad Square parking, as shown on attached Exhibit A, incorporated by reference. Section 2. The City Council hereby approves a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impacts associated this amendment to the Bicycle Transportation Plan. Section 3. The Public Works Department shall make available to the public the amended 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. Upon motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: y s' AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of , 1996. Mayor Allen Settle ATTEST: Kim Condon, Acting City Clerk APPROVED: City Administrative Officer orn yG