HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/11/1992, 1 - COUNCIL REVIEW OF THE FINAL ADMINISTRATIVE DRAFT OF THE CIRCULATION ELEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF INITIATING ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW. Original agenda r `ort from the 4/28/92 meeting. — —
MEETING DA
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
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FROM: Arnold Jonas, Community Development Director �9
PREPARED BY: Terry Sanville, Principal PlannerE�)
SUBJECT: Council Review of the Final Administrative Draft of the
Circulation Element for purposes of initiating environmental
review.
CAO
RECOMMENDATIONS: Review the final administrative draft, make amendments as
appropriate, and accept the draft Circulation Element for the
purpose of initiating environmental review.
BACKGROUND
On March 9, 1992 the City Council concluded its discussion of 16 issues related to the
Planning Commission's draft of the Circulation Element. Staff has amended the draft
element to incorporate City Council consensus (see attached). Additions to the draft
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element are �i:�g�i ?�;Na>�:� nl � while features that were deleted have
been fined out.
On Table #4 which lists the potential street projects (after page 18), staff has also indicated
where the Council has requested additional study as part of the EIR process. Also included
at the end of the document for the first time, is a summary listing of projects and programs
for easy reference. A total of 42 actions are identified; 27 are new programs, 5 are
expansions of existing programs, and 10 are existing programs.
For Council information, staff has attached an outline of the additional transportation and
environmental work that will be needed to address Council concerns raised during the
February 24 and March 9 study sessions. The work is divided between city staff and
consultants and may require adjustments to the consultant's contracts.
REQUESTED ACTION
The staff has distributed the draft Circulation Element in advance of the April 28th Council
Study Session to allow sufficient time for Council review. The April 28th study session is
an opportunity for the Council to include additional policies or programs or to delete
unacceptable policies or programs.
The staff is requesting the Council accept the content of the draft Circulation Element for
purposes if initiating environmental review. Public Hearings will be scheduled after the
EIR is complete to allow the public, the Planning Commission and the City Council further
opportunities to refine the proposed policies and program statements.
Attachment
Final Administrative Draft of the Circulation Element (March 1992)-previously
Scope of Work: Supplementary Circulation Analysis distributed
Meeting Notes: March 9, 1992 (Daniel Iacofano)
��/
SCOPE OF WORK
SUPPLEMENTARY CIRCULATION ANALYSIS
LAND USE AND CIRCULATION ELEMENT EIR
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
Background
On February 24, 1992 and again on March 9, 1992 the City Council discussed 16 issues that
were related to the draft Circulation Element. The Council's resolution of some of these
issues will require that additional work to be done by staff and transportation consultants
and by the consultant charged with preparing a draft and final Environmental Impact
Report.
The following describes the work to be done and who is to do it.
1. SANTA ROSA STREET/ROUTE 1 TRAFFIC STUDIES
A. Introduction
The City Council was not willing to select either the Highway 1 reliever route or the Santa
Rosa Street widening project as a method of addressing traffic growth and resultant
congestion on the Highway 1 corridor. Council members requested that a systematic
evaluation of alternatives be done to determine their advantages and disadvantages.
Five alternatives to.be evaluated and factors to evaluate are shown in the table on the
following page. In addition to these alternatives, the combination of alternative #2
(Alternative Modes) and alternative #3 (Operational Changes) should be evaluated.
B. Definition of Alternatives
DKS associates will be responsible for describing Alternatives two through five. Each
alternative should be developed to sufficient detail to allow a"program level" evaluation of
their benefits and deficits (impacts) and their inclusion in the Circulation Element if
deemed appropriate by the City Council. City staff (engineering and planning) will be
available to provide input into the description of alternatives.
C. Analysis of Alternatives
DKS Associates, in cooperation with the City, will be responsible for documenting the
overall traffic impacts of Alternative #2 through Alternative #5 and a combination of
Alternatives #2 and #3. The City will be responsible for conducting computer traffic
model analysis where appropriate to document the circulation effects of Alternative #1
through#5. This work will include a comparative analysis of LOS changes on key segments
of the street network for Alternatives #4 and #5.
DKS will be responsible for estimating the total cost of each alternative package as well as
the fiscal impact to the City of implementing Alternatives #2 through #5, based on the
following assumptions:
Hiehwav 1 Transportation and Environmental Analysis
ALTERNATIVE PROJECTS
1. No Project: no changes are made to Santa Rosa Street and the Highway 1 reliever route is not constructed.
2.Alternative Modes.Specific programs are established to reduce traffic on Highway 1 including trip reduction
programs for.
(a) Cuesta College (staff/faculty/and students)
(b) Cal Poly (north coast traffic segment)
(c) California Men's colony (staff and visitors).
(d) Hearst Castle (staff and visitors)
(e) Commute traffic from the north coast (eg. APCD TR program).
3.Operational Changes:make changes within the existing ROW that have limited land use impacts but improve
traffic flow including:
(a) Install right turn pocket on Foothill eastbound at Santa Rosa.
(b) Install two lane free flow underpass for Foothill Boulevard,thereby increasing green time for Santa Rosa
Street.
(c) Add second left turn pocket for southbound Highway 1 traffic turning left onto Foothill.
(d) Prevent left hand turns off of Santa Rosa Street and except at intersections; eliminate driveway access
where cross street access is available; install a continuous median.
(e) Eliminate access onto Santa Rosa from Murray and increase green time for Santa Rosa Street traffic
(f) Install right-hand turn pocket at Olive Street for north-bound traffic sign it as primary access to Highway
101 rather than a left turn on Olive Street .
(g) Sign that encourages southbound traffic on Santa Rosa to turn right on Olive Street rather than left to
access Highway 101.
(h) Extend the right-hand turn pocket on Santa Rosa at Olive Street.
4.Widen Santa Rosa Street: widen the street to 6 lanes between Highland and 101 and with limited interchange
improvements.
S. Highway 1 Reliever,two alignments: Cuesta College to Marsh Street; Cuesta
College to Los Osos Valley Road.
EVALUATION FACTORS
L Environmental Impacts
2- Cost (total and Cost to City)
3. Downtown Business Impacts
4. Neighborhood Quality
5. Ease of Implementation
6. Overall Circulation Impacts'
Alternative #2 (Alternative Modes): 100% of the administrative cost would be paid
by the Air Pollution Control District and affected agencies.
Alternative #3 (Operational Changes): The City would pay 100% of the cost of
these changes.
Alternative #4 (Santa Rosa Street Widening): The City would pay 25% of the
capital cost of this project plus the cost of relocating any City facilities (eg. the
Police Station).
Alternative #5 (The Highway 1 Bypass Route): The City would pay 5% of the
capital cost of this project, with the State paying for the rest as a route of regional
significance).
Fugro-McClelland would be responsible for determining the environmental impacts,
neighborhood quality effects, and ease of implementation of Alternatives #1 through 5 and
incorporating a synopsis of all analysis produced by staff, DKS and Fugro-McClelland in the
draft EIR.
D. Materials Available
The following information is available to DKS Associates and Fugro-McClelland that can
assist with the definition of alternative programs:
Alternative #2 (Alternative Modes):
Employer Trip Reduction Programs, Appendix D 1992 Clean Air Plan
School Trip Reduction Programs, Appendix D, 1992 Clean Air Plan
Distribution of Cal Poly student population by zip code
Distribution of Cuesta College student population by zip code
Alternative #3 (Operational Changes):
Counter book pages (Scale 1" = 100') showing land use along Santa Rosa Street
Traffic counts for segments of Santa Rosa Street, pertinent cross streets, and
interchange ramps.
Alternative #5 (Santa Rosa Street Widening):
Route 1 Corridor Study (Available from Area Coordinating Council Office, contact
Mike Harmon at 549-5729)
Route 1 Concept Report (Caltrans, 1986)
Counter Book Pages showing adjoining land use
Alternative #6 (Highway 1 Reliever Route)
SLO Regional Transportation Study, Phase III Technical Report,JHK/EDAW Inc.,
November, 1974 (contact Mike Harmon, Area Coordinating Council, at 549-5729)
Aerial Photographs(1984, 1"=200'for area between Highway 101 and Foothill Blvd.)
1'0—�
2. PRADO ROAD STUDIES
A. Introduction
The City Council was concerned about the widening of Broad Street to six lanes between
Tank Farm Road and the proposed intersection of Prado Road at Industrial Way. The
widening would be needed to handle the volumes of traffic and turning movements caused
by airport area development. As an alternative to a new intersection at Prado and
Industrial Way, some council members felt that Prado Road might be linked to Tank Farm
Road west of Broad Street which might alleviate the need to widen Broad Street.
The staff indicated that an alternative alignment would be studied and be part of the EIR
evaluation.
B. Definition of Alternatives
City staff (planning and engineering) will take the lead in identifying an alternative
alignment for Prado Road. DKS Associates will review City staff work and provide
feedback as appropriate. Three circulation options will be evaluated (see attached map):
1. Prado/Industrial Way Connection: the project described in the draft Circulation
Element.
2. New Prado Road Alignment: extend Prado Road eastward, then south through the
Union Oil property west of Acacia Creek to link with Tank Farm Road.
3. Tank Farm/Prado Connector: extend Prado Road eastward as described in
Alternative #1; establish a arterial street west of Acacia Creek that would connect
Tank Farm Road and Prado Road.
C. Analysis of Alternatives
City staff will be responsible for completing computer model evaluation of the alternatives
and for evaluating the overall circulation effects of the alternative configurations. DKS
associates will be available to review results of the computer modeling and staff analysis
and provide feedback. The analysis must address whether alternative alignments for Prado
Road will alleviate the need for widening Broad Street to six lanes from Tank Farm Road
to Industrial Way.
Fugro-McClelland will be responsible for including a synopsis of the circulation analysis in
the draft EIR and for evaluating the environmental effects of the alternatives described
above.
3. SOUTH STREET EXTENSION CIRCULATION ANALYSIS
A. Definition of Alternatives
The City Council has included a project to extend South Street eastward to connect with
Bishop Street and Johnson Avenue. A railroad crossing (an overpass or an underpass) is
needed to make the connection. To better document the circulation effects of this project,
the City staff will evaluate including and excluding this project as part of the City's street
network.
B. Analysis of Alternatives
The staff will evaluate the effects of the South Street extension project on area wide
circulation by using the computer model to determine the effects of including or excluding
the project. The extension of South Street will be modeled as both a two lane and a four
lane residential arterial street
Fugro McClelland will include a synopsis of the circulation analysis in the draft EIR.
4. BROAD AND OSOS STREET FREEWAY RAMP CLOSURES
A. Introduction
The Planning Commission had recommended that Osos and Broad Street freeway ramps
be closed if improvements were made to the Santa Rosa Street interchange. The City
Council did support the ramp closures. However, the Council suggested that further
analysis is needed.
B. Analysis of Alternatives
The City staff will-evaluate the following alternatives using the computer model:
1. Maintaining the existing freeway ramps at Osos and Broad (both sides of freeway).
2. Closing all freeway ramps at Osos and Broad Streets.
3. Closing only the Broad Street ramps (both side of the freeway)
City staff will be responsible for describing the overall circulation impacts of these
alternatives. DKS will review staff work and provide feedback and support. Fugro-
McClelland will provide a synopsis of this evaluation in the draft EIR and evaluate the
relative neighborhood impacts of the alternatives.
SENT BYM I. 0. '- 5-82 ; 8:45AN ; 5108459050-* 805 781 7173;# 2
MEETING AGENDA
Memorandum RECEIVED DATE3-9-97-OMM
MAR 5 1992
March 411992
C CLERK CORIESTO:
SAN Luis osisao.CA 0 0 Da„tn n� ❑ �
G Camd /CDDML
TO: Arnold Jonas,Planning Director o ❑ FIN.MX
City of San Luis Obispo ❑ FM a w
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L�K/cza ❑ Powa ai
❑ MCMf.TE-M ❑ P.DC.DUL
❑ C DFILE ❑ LL
FROM: Daniel Iarofano,MG - � � � �
• CRY F.Nq.
SUBJECT: Summary of February 24,1992,City Council General Plan Workshop
The following is a brief summary of.the main pointe of discussion and agreement
Identified during the City Council General Plan workshop of February 24,1992.
The workshopdiscussion centered on two areas, (i)overall circulation element.
policy;and(1ispecific policy and program issues(previously identified by City
Council and outlined in the workshop briefing materials).
Overall Circulation Element Policy
The City Council workshop discussion began with each City Councilmember
providing ideas and directions to staff regarding overall policy for the Circulation
Element. All Councilmembers supported the poddicy of shifting the emphasis away
from automobile-oriented(single occupant v )to alternative transportation
programs and protects. Other policy directions for which there was not unanimous
support included the followingi
• Adopt a more aggressive approach to the implementation of alternative transpor-
tation programs (alternative transportation signifies programs other than single
occupant vehicles).
Place more emphasis on the use of positive incentives to encourage people to
utilize alternative transportation.
• Do not use the circulation element as it tool for growth management, other
elements and policies should be developed to address the idea of growth manage.
ment directly.
O-7
SENT BY:N, I, 0. ' _...5-62 1 8:46AN i 510545' 805 781 7173;ti 3
- Spend the largest amount of money on transit-oriented as opposed to highway-
oriented programa.
Specific Policy and Program Issues
City Council continued their discussion on each of the sixteen areas of concern listed
in the City Council briefing materials. The Maw-Ing is a summation of the policy
direction which emerged in each of these topic arm&-
#1s Promoting Alternative Transportation
J'
Provide incentives and infrastructure for alternative transportation(non single oc-
cupant
o-cupant automobile)and be selective about implementing projects that accommodate
vehicles(single occupant vehicles);retain an emphasis on alternative transportation.
01 Transit-Oriented Development
Design the transit network to serve existing development; orient new development
along transit routes according to the standard which is identified in the workshop
briefing materials(item 28); design new development to accommodate transit(e.g.,
through site planning and layout,bus pull-outs,pedestrian and bicycle ways,etc.).
-fiat Level of program Desaription
City Council members favored either policy options 3B or 3C.
Q Policies and Programs
City Council members agreed to return to this discussion issue at the next
workshop. City Council members also want to discuss table#4 of the circulation ele-
went at afuture workshop.
SENT BY:K L Of. 5-62 8:47AM 51084 _Oy 805 781. 71734 4
Iltss Narrowing Streets
City Coundl members agreed to re-label this issue area as"re-designing Meets.."to
draw attention to the possibility of more options for innovative street design and im-
provement. The overall policy direction is to: make more livable streetsl
Seek opportunities to impp.roye the Iiyibil (ty of. existing arterra.l streets
through redesign of corridors.
061 Widening Streets
City Council members agreed to relabel this issue.area as"preserving-right-of-way,"
to maintain flexibili for potential circulation iatprovements(which might indude
widening,but also
not just street alternative transportation systems). The policy
direction is to: (D use the plan line process.to preserve right-of-ways in areas of ex-
isting development;and(ii)use the plan line process as well as other legal
mechanisms to preserve right-of-ways in new development areas.
W.- Aesthetic Impacts of Wide Streets
City Council members agreed with policy option 7A
. I
11116: Santa Rosa Street AltnUtives ,
City Council members agreed that a systematic alternatives analysis should be con-
ducted to determine the advantages and disadvantages of potential traffic conges-
tion reduction alternatives. Alternatives for oansiderationInclude: W no project(as
rd under CBCW;(d)widening of Santa Rosa Street(with design options
from four to six lanes);Wu constructing a reliever route(with d options
showing different connections to the existing City street grid);(iv) providing altema-
tive transportation(with detailed progi'ams for Cuesta College,Hearst Cads,the
'beaches,commuters,and CMC);and(v)utilizing transportation system manage-
ment ..ties such as signalization,etc. Impact evaluation categories include: en-
virm=gnt;cost;downtown business;neighborhoods;feasibM for
implementation;and potential overall cht dation system benefits.
Memorandum
March 26,IM
TO: Arnold Jonas,Planning Director
City of San Luis Obispo
FROM: Daniel Iacofeno,MIG
SUBJECT: Summary of March 9,1992,City Council General Plan Workshop
The following is a brief summary of the main points of discussion and agreement
identified during the City Council General.Plan workshop of March 9,1992. The
workshop continued the discussion from the meeting on February 24 an specific cir-
culation policy and program issues.
Specific Policy and Program Issues
The following is a summation of the policy direction which emerged for topic areas
09 through 016. Topic Area#4 and Circulation Element Table#4,held over from the
workshop of February 24,was also discussed and is summarized here.
#9: Prado Road
City Council members favored policy option 9AV and stated the following additional
considerations:
Ensure that the sequence of improvements are made in accordance with transporta-
tion demand; study the environmental impacts thoroughly by use of the Caltrans
Project Study Report(PSIS; ensure that the City's overall circulation system is in
place(e.g.,access roads,shuttles,etc.);watch out for shifting traffic bottlenecks from
ane location to another!
#10: 101-Not City Streets
Overall policy direction stated by City Council members included the following:
Ix_io
• Pursue the ultimate vision of actually reducing traffic congestion, rather than
accepting what appears to be the inevitable"worsening"of conditions.
• Study [model] the patterns and distribution of traffic with all the designated
transportation improvement projects in place, including highway and transit
projects.
• Make the first consideration of dreulation system planning the question of how
to get people from point A to point B.opening up the possibilities for more creative,
non-highway oriented trasnportation improvement projects(in other words,place
the emphasis on the concept of"access"as opposed to"roadways').
City Council members presented their opinions on each of the potential projects
listed in the following table. The shading indicates a majority of 4 or more or con-
sensus(all agree).
Yes No Comments
Prado tilize the Caltrans PSR(see c area#3)
Santa Rosa The projected traffic levels must be addressed;a
viable alternative to the Santa Rosa reliever
route must be found (e.g.,transit or TSM). Con-
sider implementation of better signage to re-
direct traffic.
Los Osos Provide more detail on how this will be ac-
loomplished.
101 Widening 2 2 The )res-es"were contingent on the availability
of additional right-of--way. Several requests.
were made for additional information on im.
acts and alternatives.
SR Reliever Route 1 2 The projected traffic levels must be addressed;a
viable alternative to the Santa Rosa reliever
route must be found (e.g.,transit or TSM). The
single "yes"was in consideration of no widening
of Santa Rosa. Several requests were made for
additional information on impacts and alterna-
tives.
Frontage More detail on how this project would be imple-
mented is needed. Consider this project in light
of future planning for the entire area.
South Higuera 1 More detail on how-this project would be imple.
mented is needed Consider implementation of
better signiage to re-direct traffic.
IRamp Cl 2 3
Other Coundlmember comments and considerations included:
• The downtown inner loop system does not seem feasible or desirable. Given the
configuration of the City's existing street system, it would just shift traffic from
one neighborhood area to another.
• Work with Caltrans to determine if the weaving lanes on Highway 101 can be used
more effectively.
On. 101 Merging
Improving or closing the Osos and Broad Street interchanges with Highway 101
may or may not produce a net benefit to the surrounding neighborhoods. A
thorough study of the impacts is needed,including an origin-destination study,
modeling and testing of improvement options,etc. Marsh (c1)and Los Osos Valley
W) are potential problem areas.
#12: Traffic In/Out
Identify key access routes as in the draft Circulation Element(e.g.,see Pismo Street),
recognize the link between traffic and the quality of residential areas(Le.,the"Liv-
able Streets"concept).
#13: Refinements
City Council members agreed that further discussion and consideration of the Calle
Joaquin and Margarita extension projects should be taken up at the specific plan
level,addressing the need for the frontage road in the specific plan or project study
report as well.
#14: Altemative Peels
City Council members agreed with policy option 14A. They also thought that the
issue of alternative fuels utilization should also be addressed on the regional levet,
and that perhaps the City could take a leadership position on this issue with other
public agencies and jurisdictions.
��-ice
JAI\I 171 'P.. . r. • .. .. . ... . ...-. . ..
Air& Suggestions By Rowntree
City Council members recognized that the"shortcut"problem exists throughout the
City,not just in Mr.Rowntree's neighborhood;it is a generic}problem. Using the
1989 DKS traffic study as a foundation,identify a package of"fines"that would im-
prove the overall quality of residential neighborhoods by improved traffic manage-
ment methods and techniques. A combination of physical and behavioral changes
will be necessary. Neighborhood Traffic Management Areas OCMA's)could be
identified throughout the City where such fixes might be applied. Some further con-
siderations suggested by Councilmembers included the following:
• Make more use of"choke points"or"bulb-outs".
• Improve stop sign and signalization to control traffic.
• Implement improved signage programs,and maybe even use special signs to mark
the occurrance of residential traffic management areas to alert drivers and solicit
their voluntary cooperation to slow down and/or use an alternative route.
• Designate more alternative routes (using signs) to re-direct traffic away from
neighborhoods.
• Reduce speeds.
• Avoid the use of one-way streets in residential areas; experience has shown that
these may accelerate traffic.
• Develop an educational program informing citizens about the benefits of reducing
neighborhood traffic, solicit everyone's support and cooperation.
#16: Protecting Scenic Approaches
City Council members agreed with policy option 16A. City Council members also
offered the following additional considerations:
• Modify the language of the Circulation Element to reflect the desire of the City to
adopt a more cooperative stance with the County and other public agencies in
order to protect the scenic value of entryways to the City.
IX- 15
• Recognize that visual quality concerns apply to everywhere in the City,especially
in neighborhoods, and the City should look for opportunities to improve upon
visual quality where possible.
• Consider greater use of lighting to improve bicycle safety.
#4: Programs/Policies Eliminated
City Council members agreed that the following items should be re-instated in the
Circulation Element draft:
2.12 State that the program should continue.
25: Keep this in the transit section.
35: Cross-reference this item to the bicycle plan.
3.7: Cross-reference this item to the bicycle plan.
75: Retain the first sentence only.
Circulation Element Table#4
City Council members discussed and agreed to the following changes to the table:
AA Extend Sacramento Drive into the vacant land area and direct access onto
Sacramento,prevent access from Orcutt Road.
A9: Evaluate the impacts more carefully,especially the Santa Barbara Road connec-
tion
onneo-tion and the connection south to Bishop Road.
B.2: Preserve the right-of-way to maintain flexibility for potential circulation im-
provements in the future,which might include not just street widening,but also al-
ternative transportation systems (Council decision:3 in favor/1 opposed).
B5: Study more options since Prado project is not yet defined. Connect Prado to
Broad;provide improved turn lane.
D.1: Council decision:3 in favor/1.opposed.
D:2: Council decision:3 in favor/.1 opposed(ye s-ee apply if the:project is adopted
aspart of the Downtown Plan).
D.3: Council decision:3 in.favor/1 opposed.(yes-es apply if the project is adopted
as part of.the Downtown Plan).
MEETING, AGS
� g , 25
NMI;; IGEN#�
Circulation Element Update Final Administrative Draft (4/92)
CITY COUNCIL
Ron Dunin Mayor
Jerry Reiss
Penny Rappa
William Roalman
Peg Pinard
PLANNING COMMISSION
Gilbert Hoffman, Chairperson
Dodie Williams Keith Gurnee
Brett Cross Allen Settle
Barry Karleskint Fred Peterson
ADMINISTRATION
John Dunn, City Administrative.Officer
Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Arnold Jonas; Director
Terry Sanville, Principal Planner (Program Manager)
Allen Hopkins, Rick Hocker, Paul Barker, Technical Support
CONSULTANTS
Michael Kennedy, Principal
David Marshall, Associate.
DKS.Associates, Oakland, California
RECEIVED
MAY 1 1 1992
OPPV gpEnK
SAN LU15 015103.CA