HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-19-2015 BAC minutes
MISSION:
The purpose of the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) is to provide oversight and policy
direction on matters related to bicycle transportation in San Luis Obispo and its relationship to
bicycling outside the City.
ROLL CALL:
Chair Deragon called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
Present: Peter Deragon (Chair), Jim Woolf (Vice Chair), Lea Brooks, Paula Huddleston,
Catherine Machado, Randol White, and Howard Weisenthal
Staff: Principal Transportation Planner Mandeville, Contract Planner Rickenbach, and
Recording Secretary Christian
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Eric Meyer congratulated the City and the Committee on achieving the Gold Bicycle Friendly
Community status from the League of American Bicyclists but also expressed concern that with
the passage of AB1193 (Class IV bike path designation) the City’s Bicycle Transportation Plan
is out of date.
Jonathan Roberts commented that the planned San Luis Ranch project has no bicycle access
to roadways that he feels are useable by children. He encouraged the BAC to “lead the charge”
for creating a Safe-Routes-to-School bike route over Hwy. 101 via Madonna Rd.
Ken Kienow suggested a two-way protected bike lane on Madonna Road between the Hwy. 101
south bound on/off ramp and Laguna Lake Park, instead of the current Bicycle Transportation
Plan project behind the hotels on the north side of Madonna.
Myron Amerine passed out an recent report titled “Global High Shift Cycling Scenario”
(https://www.itdp.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/A-Global-High-Shift-Cycling-Scenario_-Nov-
2015.pdf) and encouraged the City to adopt the report’s recommendations.
MINUTES: September 17, 2015
Action: CM Woolf moved to approve the minutes as submitted. CM Brooks seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Minutes
Bicycle Advisory Committee
Council Hearing Room, City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 6:30 pm (early start time)
Agenda Item # 1: Avila Ranch Bicycle Facilities
Contract Planner John Rickenbach presented the project and reviewed the bicycle facilities
required in both the Airport Area Specific Plan (AASP) and The Bicycle Transportation Plan
(BTP).
Applicant Steve Peck noted that the project Class I bike paths will be 12’ wide and the Class II
lanes on Buckley will be 8’ wide. He noted that the existing creek bridge on Buckley will not be
replaced by the project and the existing bridge is not wide enough to accommodate two travel
lanes and two bike lanes. Bicyclists will have the option of being diverted to a bike path section
or using the travel lane to cross the bridge. He also noted that the intersection of Vachell Lane
and Buckley would initially be controlled by stop signs and that space is being retained for future
installation of either a traffic signal or a traffic circle. He described the project phasing, noting
specifically that the Buckley roadway extension would be part of Phase 2, but the bikeway
extension could occur in Phase with total project build out estimated between 10-15 years for
Phase I.
The committee questioned the applicant on various items for clarification, including planned
widths of project interior roadways, Class II lanes widths on these roads, possible striping
changes for Suburban Road which is outside of the project area, the use of Class IV lanes
instead of Class II lanes, phasing, and build options for the Buckley Extension bikeway.
Public Comment:
James Park questioned why the project would take so long to build out.
Eric Meyer discussed the need to restripe Suburban Road, gave input that a Class IV on
Buckley from Hoover to Broad Street might be a more realistic solution than the planned Class I
and II lanes, and asked that the Committee push for early connectivity to S. Higuera St. in the
planned Buckley Rd. extension area.
Myron Amerine expressed agreement with Mr. Meyer concerning his suggestion along Buckley
Rd., stressing that a “complete streets” planning perspective should be pursued. He also
recommended that bike lanes be installed on Earthwood Lane.
Barry Rands stated that the intersection crossing design of Vachell Ln. should not require
bicyclists to dismount to cross safely citing an example solution recently implemented in Morro
Bay.
The public comment period was closed.
Action:
The Committee gave direction to staff and had consensus on the following:
Pursue the use of Class IV lanes where appropriate throughout the project, specifically
desiring them the entire length of Buckley Road and on Earthwood Lane.
Pursue a bikeway connection to S. Higuera St. in Phase 1 of the project
Place a high priority on bicycling connectivity and safe routes to school access when
prioritizing the development of bicycling facilities.
Agenda Item # 2: San Luis Ranch Bicycle Facilities
Contract Planner John Rickenbach presented the project, noting its overall compliance with the
Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE), the types of housing, the circulation system
including the proposed bicycling facilities, and connectivity to the Bob Jones Trail.
Applicant representative Marshall Ochylski noted that the project area is in the County and will
need to be annexed in to the City. He gave an overview of the project goals for housing needs,
agriculture, outdoor recreation, and multimodal transportation.
Public Comment:
Myron Amerine requested clarification on project adherence to City or County standards. The
applicant responded it was being built to City standards.
Jonathan Roberts stressed that an improved bicycle facility on Madonna Road should be a
priority as it provides connectivity to the area’s only Middle School.
James Park questioned the project’s connectivity to downtown.
Eric Meyer stressed that a bikeway connection (such as Class 4 buffered bike lanes) needs to
be made from the project area to Madonna Road, continuing along Madonna Road and crossing
Hwy. 101. He stated that the City’s LUCE policies may allow for the applicant to install off-site
bikeway facilities as project mitigation.
The public comment period was closed.
Action:
While the Committee will provide further input during the EIR process, it gave direction to staff
and had consensus on the following:
Some focus should be given to the Madonna Road / Oceanaire Drive intersection as the
project will impact this already challenging intersection for bicyclists.
The Committee prefers the development of a crossing of Hwy. 101 at Prado Road even
if it is bike only, for overall bicycling facility network connectivity.
The Committee supports the development of Class IV facilities on Madonna Road.
Agenda Item # 3: 2016 Paving Areas
CM Brooks presented a listing of suggestions submitted by the Bike SLO County advocacy
team.
The Committee discussed the paving area bicycling facilities and possible improvement
opportunities, asking staff to focus on the following locations:
Signal detection on Murray Street at Santa Rosa.
Class II lanes on California Blvd. crossing the bridge near San Luis Drive.
Improving the intersection of Marsh and California to make left turns from Marsh Street
on to California Blvd. easier.
Consideration of installing Class IV lanes anywhere there is room.
Additionally, the Committee asked that they be allowed to provide input on all future repaving
projects so they can provide input on roadway restriping.
Public Comment:
Myron Amerine stated that he is willing to bring in videos showing on-pavement problems in the
pavement areas being discussed.
Eric Meyer commented that he thought there should be some set threshold that formally brings
the BAC to the table when any roadway improvements are considered.
Agenda Item # 4: SLOCOG’s Highway 227 Operational Analysis
Jeff Brubaker of San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) presented both the near-
term and long-term needs and objectives for the project, stressing that a multimodal analysis is
being used. He stated that the analysis will include bicycling and pedestrian data collection, a
review of Safe Routes to School information, the Edna Price Canyon Trail Study, a review of
pedestrian crossing needs, and consideration of transit service and park-and-ride options. More
project information is available at the SLOCOG website:
http://slocog.org/studies-underway/227-operational-analysis-study
He also summarized the Edna Price Canyon Trail alignment options along with the proposed
phasing for buildout of the trail. He commented that the trail design guidelines are taking in to
account the City of SLO, County of SLO, City of Pismo Beach, and the ASHTO design
guidelines for bicycling and pedestrian facilities. More information on the trail is available at the
following web site:
http://slocog.org/slo-anza-trails
CM Brooks shared a list of discussion points from the Bike SLO County Advocacy Committee
and referred to a study by the National Center for Sustainable Transportation which concludes
that increasing highway capacity is unlikely to relieve traffic congestion.
Public Comment:
Myron Amerine stressed that buffered bike lanes should be included, and that there should be
pedestrian facilities including places to cross the roadway. He encouraged a focus on
multimodal transportation planning.
James Park suggested transit facilities at the airport and near the elementary school.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Agenda Item # 5: Committee Items
Adopt-a-Trail Sub-Committee Report:
CM Brooks commented that the goal is to have a pilot work party and that City staff
is ready to accommodate the first work party. She poled the Committee to identify
interest in participating in the pilot. The work party date is to be determined.
Newcomers Sub-Committee Report:
The report was continued to the next meeting.
Agenda Item # 6: Staff Items
SLOCOG’s Edna Price Trail Draft Plan:
Discussed with Item 4. No further presentation or discussion.
Bicycle Friendly Community Award:
The City was upgraded from Silver to Gold level by the League of American Bicyclists.
The City is one of four with this level in the State.
Railroad Safety Trail and Bob Jones Trail Updates:
- The City received a $3.2 million grant for the Railroad Safety Trail section from Taft
to Pepper Street.
Transportation Staffing Update:
- The new Transportation Planner/ Engineer I position has been hired and will begin
in January, 2016.
- Principal Transportation Planner Mandeville is retiring from the City at the end of
December.
ADJOURN:
The meeting at 9:42 p.m. to the next regular meeting of January 21, 2016.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Christian
Recording Secretary