HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/00/1989, 1 - MAY 9, 1989 STUDY SESSION: CONTINUED REVIEW OF PRELIMINARY TRANSPORTATION GOALS, POLICIES AND PROGR ��
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990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 " San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8100
May 2, 1989
TO: City Council
VIA: John Dunn, City Administrative Officer
Michael Multari, Community Development Director
FROM: Terry Sanville, Supervising Principal Planner Lr s r
SUBJECT: May 9, 1989 Study Session: Continued Review of Preliminary Transportation
Goals, Policies and Programs.
At its April 11, 1989 meeting, the City Council began to review the preliminary
transportation goals and policies contained in Section VI of the Phase I report. The
council completed its initial review of pages VI-1, VI-2 and the first half of VI-3 (see
attached materials). Staff suggests that the council continue its review of the
preliminary goals and policy statements -- beginning with "Neighborhood Traffic" on page
VI-3.
The council's comments and insights will be helpful in directing city staff and
consultant work on Phase II of the circulation study.
TS..ts
Attachment
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VI. PRELIMINARY TRANSPORTATION GOALS, POLICIES
AND PROGRAMS
' The following preliminary goals, policies and programs are based on information obtained
during Phase I of this study. Data collection,interviews with city administrators, and public
meetings served as the foundation for the list- A composite summary of issues and problem
areas as identified by the City Council, Planning Commission and city staff members can be
found in the appendix to this report. Revisions to the circulation element of the general
plan(Phase II)should represent a consensus position on basic community values,ideals and
direction for improvements to the transportation system.
Goals are the realistic vision for the city's future. They outline the direction the city wishes
' to take, and in some cases identify the location where goals will be achieved. The purpose
of the following goals is to guide choices. Each goal has corresponding policies and
programs that link the goal to the physical choices that shape the city. The ability of a
policy or program to serve multiple purposes means that an overview of the circulation
element is very important to the decision-making process. A goal and its related policies
and programs can be viewed as a goal set.
The goals of the circulation element are listed below, along with the preliminary
identification of policies and programs. These goal sets will establish the long-term (20-30
year) horizon for development in San Luis Obispo.
ISSUE VEHICULAR CIRCULATION
Goal: Maintain a system of major streets that (1) allows safe and convenient travel
I throughout the city, (2) bounds but does not penetrate residential areas, and (3)
connects with regional roads, highways, and the freeway (Highway 101).
r Policies:
` 1. The city supports the effective use of existing major streets, thereby limiting the
need for street widening projects or new major streets.
2. The city discourages through traffic (traffic not originating in an area) from using
local or collector streets.
3. The city will ensure that circulation projects incorporate the mitigation of adverse
impacts on residential neighborhoods.
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4. The city will ensure the safe and efficient movement of emergency response
vehicles.
5. The city will provide opportunities for public participation in the programming and
implementation of circulation projects through expanded notification procedures.
6. The city supports the efforts of Caltrans and the County to improve the regional
road system serving San Luis Obispo.
7. When improving major streets or building new ones, the city will coordinate its
work with Caltrans and the County.
8. Developers should improve streets and install or contribute to the installation of
other circulation facilities needed to mitigate the impacts of their projects.
9. The city shall adopt "levels of service" standards for all types of city streets and I
major street intersections.
10. The city encourages ride sharing, vanpools and other alternatives to single-
occupant vehicles.
11. The city will institute traffic management programs that help minimize peak-hour
automobile traffic.
12. City street standards will include specifications for the design and installation of I
travel and turn lanes, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, bikeways, street tree planters,
parkways, utility easements and medians. I
Program Development-
A-
evelopmentA. The city will identify and eliminate traffic bottlenecks at key intersections or major I
road segments.
B. The city will adopt Level of Service "C" as the operating standard for all major I
intersections and will establish a prioritized list of improvements needed to achieve
this standard. I
C. The city will establish official building setback lines for arterial streets to preserve
options for changing roadways and for traffic impact mitigation. '
D. Pullouts for transit vehicles will be installed along bus routes (excluding the Central
Business District). '
i
VI-2 '
E. The city will enforce its truck route system to protect residential areas from through
truck traffic.
F. The city will adopt an ordinance that limits downtown truck deliveries to non-peak
traffic periods.
G. The city will take specific actions to direct through traffic away from residential
streets. Examples include traffic diverters, traffic circles, stop signs,speed bumps
and controls on the direction of traffic and turning movements.
H. The city will consider a wide range of actions that improve downtown traffic
circulation while preserving the area's historic character. Examples include signal
changes, turn pockets, improved turning radii at corners, one-way streets, and
employee ridesharing programs.
I. The city will continue to evaluate and seek to improve emergency response times,
and will consider installing signal preemption devices on all new signals and signal
upgrades.
i
ISSUE: NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC
Goal: Protect the quality of residential environments by reducing traffic noise and safety
® problems.
I� Policies:
1. Through traffic should be concentrated on designated residential-arterial and
arterial streets and should not use local or collector streets, especially in residential
® areas.
i� 2. The city, residents, and developers should contribute to solutions that reduce the
impact of traffic on residential properties fronting arterial streets.
3. The city should ensure that neighborhood traffic management projects do not shift
traffic problems from one residential area to another.
4. The city should ensure that neighborhood traffic management projects will not
create sub-standard response conditions for police, fire and emergency medical care
vehicles.
V1-3
Program Development:
A. The city will set standards for acceptable levels of traffic impacts on residential
streets. Standards should be set for traffic speed, volume, and noise.
B. The city will identify specific residential streets where impact standards are
exceeded and will evaluate alternative solutions to meet these standards..
C. The city will develop standards for the installation and maintenance of
neighborhood traffic control devices.
D. The city will limit changes to residential arterial streets to the removal of curb
parking or intersection improvements. Roadway widening will generally not be
allowed.
ISSUE: BICYCLES AND PEDESTRIANS
Goal: Promote and support bicycling and walking as alternatives to the automobile by
creating safe,convenient, and pleasant routes for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well
as supporting facilities.
Policies:
1. The city supports the use of bikes and walking as alternatives to the automobile and
encourages the use of existing bike and pedestrian paths.
2. The city should continue to develop a network of trails and bikeways that connect
neighborhoods with major activity centers and link up with bike routes in the
county, as well as supporting bicycle facilities.
Program Development:
A. As part of its Capital Improvement Program, the city will establish a list of priority
bike path and pedestrian projects and earmark annual funding for these projects.
B. The city will publish a bike route and pedestrian trail map to encourage the use
of these facilities. The map will identify safe routes to schools for each
neighborhood.
C. To promote safe cycling, the city will continue and expand educational and
enforcement programs.
VI-4 J I
1
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D. The city will improve the maintenance (e.g., street sweeping and pavement repair)
of major streets that are designated bike routes.
E. The city will distribute information about bicycle safety and bike routes to Cal Poly
and Cuesta students.
F. The citywill ask Cal Poly, the Business Improvement.Area, Chamber of Commerce
and major employers to provide incentives that encourage students and employees
to ride bikes and reduce their use of automobiles.
G. A network of bike routes will be included in the specific plans for each commercial
and residential expansion area of the city.
H. New developments along designated bike routes will be required to dedicate land,
as needed, and install improvements.
I. The city will continue to require bicycle parking in new development projects.
J. The city will adopt an urban trail plan which connects housing areas with major
activity centers. Creek and utility easements will be considered as part of the trail
network.
C _ K. The city will continue to repair and replace sidewalks. Top priority will be given
to fixing sidewalks in the downtown and along major streets which connect housing
areas with schools, neighborhood shopping centers and parks.
L. The city will identify and solve pedestrian safety problems in the downtown.
Examples include conflicts with turning cars at intersections, and lack of crosswalks
at signalized intersections.
M. The city will adopt standards for downtown sidewalks that provide for free-flowing
foot traffic, street trees and other landscaping, street furniture, and pedestrian-
scale lighting.
N. The city will adopt standards for downtown crosswalks and install alternative
pavement materials to emphasize key pedestrian crossings in the downtown.
ISSUES: PARKING
Goal: Assure an adequate supply of parking in all parts of the community.
VI-5
e
Policies:
1. The city will continue to refine and implement its Parking Management Plan.
2. The city shall develop strategies for reducing long-term and employee parking
demand in the downtown.
3. Additional downtown parking should be provided in centralized structures to serve
employees and visitors. Surface parking lots should be reused as building sites or
public open spaces.
4. Downtown business (perhaps through the BIA) should help fund downtown parking
and circulation improvements and help administer traffic management programs.
5. Residents should have priority use of curb parking in residential areas.
6. All new developments shall provide for adequate off-street parking.
Program Development-
A.
evelopmentA. The city, BIA and downtown employers should provide incentives for employees to
use parking garages or alternatives to their automobiles (such as bicycles, buses,_
ride sharing).
B. The city will determine the long-range demand for parking in the downtown and
program the construction of off-street facilities.
C. The city will evaluate the need for neighborhood parking permit programs in areas
near Cal Poly Campus.
ISSUE TRANSIT SERVICE
The City of San Luis Obispo has adequate transportation service. As the City grows,
however, it will need to plan for service expansion and route modifications to serve intra-
city travel and to coordinate with inter-city services. The actual number of new buses and
routes can only be determined through careful monitoring and evaluation of demand for
transit service.
Goal: To provide a convenient alternative to low occupancy autos for commute travel, and
improve transportation for transit-dependent individuals (such as children, disabled
or elderly persons, and low income residents) as well as for the general public.
J
VI-6
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Policies:
1. The City will seek to increase transit ridership through service level improvements,
additional area coverage and promotional activities.
2. The City will maintain and, where warranted, improve accessibility to transit service,
particularly for transit-dependant individuals.
3. The City will work with the County to improve the coordination between local and
intercity transit services.
4. The City will ensure continued funding support for transit services.
Program Development-
A.
evelopmentA. The City will continue to monitor transit ridership and travel patterns and to plan
for new services or service modifications to increase ridership.
B. The City will continue to support the regional dial-a-ride system.
C. The City will encourage and support efforts to consolidate regional transit services,
% administration and financing.
D. The City will encourage and support efforts of Cal Poly to promote transit usage.
including the continuation of the "No-Fare Program.'
E. The City, working with the BIA and downtown businesses, will seek opportunities
to increase transit ridership by downtown commuters through employer-based
promotions.
F. The City will evaluate alternative downtown transit terminal improvements.
ISSUE TRAVEL DEMAND MANAGEMENT
The term "travel demand management" (TDM) refers to measures designed to reduce peak
period auto travel. These measures include public transit (addressed in a separate goal).
alternative work hours, carpooling and vanpooling programs, and incentives to encourage use
' of these alternatives. ?DM has become increasingly important in maintaining acceptable
traffic service levels in urban areas where the costs of providing new highway infrastructures
can be prohibitive. Care must be taken to set realistic TDM goals in San Luis Obispo.
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VI-7
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Goal: Reduce the number of peak period auto trips for commute travel in San Luis
Obispo.
Policies:
1. The City will encourage major employers to implement on-site TDM programs to
reduce commute peak period trip generation.
2. The City will cooperate with regional agencies and other jurisdictions to promote
TDM.
3. The City will employ TDM to reduce traffic congestion rather than allowing
increased development intensity.
Program Development:
A. The City will establish an ambitious but realistic traffic reduction goal for commute
travel.
B. The City will establish a TDM program that encourages or requires large employers
to implement measures that reduce employee peak period trip generation consistent
with the TDM goals.
C. The City will encourage and support regional efforts to promote use of alternative
modes for commute travel.
VI-8