HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-032 Bikeways Master Plan (Legislative Action)
AGENDA STATEMENT
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING bATE: June 26, 2007
SUBJECT:
ATTACHMENTS:
RECOMMENDATION:
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Public Hearing - P A 06-032 (Legislative Action) Bikeways Master Plan:
Certification of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and making a
determination of General Plan conformity for the Bikeways Master Plan,
including Amendments to the General Plan, Eastern Dublin Specific Plan,
West Dublin BART Specific Plan and the Village Parkway Specific Plan to
incorporate changes related to bicycle circulation.
Report Prepared by: Jeff Baker, Senior Planner; and Ferd Del Rosario,
Senior Civil Engineer
1) Resolution recommending City Council approval of a General
Plan Amendment, Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment,
West Dublin BART Specific Plan Amendment, and Village
Parkway Specific Plan Amendment to incorporate changes
related to bicycle circulation and making a Determination of
General Plan Conformity for the Proposed Bikeways Master
Plan.
2) Resolution recommending City Council adoption of a Mitigated
Negative Declaration for the Bikeways Master Plan.
3) Proposed Bikeways Master Plan.
4) Bikeways Master Plan revision since the 3rd Public Meeting.
1) Receive Staff presentation;
2) Open the public hearing;
3) Take testimony from the public;
4) Close the public hearing and deliberate;
5) Adopt Resolution (Attachment 1) recommending City Council
certification of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the
Bikeways Master Plan; and
6) Adopt Resolution (Attachment 2) recommending City Council
approval of a General Plan Amendment, Eastern Dublin Specific
Plan Amendment, West Dublin BART Specific Plan
Amendment, and Village Parkway Specific Plan Amendment to
incorporate text and map changes related to bicycle circulation
and making a Determination of General Plan Conformity for the
Proposed Bikeways Master Plan.
Background
In Fiscal Year 2005-2006, the City Council approved a City Council High Priority Goal to develop a
City-wide Bikeways Master Plan. In response to this goal, the Public Works Department initiated a
Capital Improvement Program project that would develop the Plan and evaluate existing bicycle
COPIES TO: File (P A 06-032)
ITEM NO. <6. 2
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conditions and access to parks and open space areas. It is anticipated that the Master Plan will be used to
prioritize future bicycle projects.
Staff hired the firm ofFehr and Peers in December 2005 to develop the Bikeways Master Plan. In order
to maximize public input in developing the Plan, the City held three public meetings and invited city
residents, public agencies, businesses and other stakeholders that showed interest in having a Bikeways
Master Plan. A member of the Planning Commission (Commissioner Doreen Wehrenberg) and a
member of the Parks and Community Services Commission (Commissioner Richard Guarienti) attended
all three public meetings. The first meeting focused on the scope of the project and at the meeting the
consultant gathered comments from the participants.
At the second meeting, a draft of the Plan was presented to the participants. Some of the comments
received were the inclusion of a Vision Statement created by the public meeting participants; addition of
language about the health and economic benefits of bicycling; and support for the implementation of the
following capital projects: 1) Alamo Canal Trail under 1-580, 2) bicycle facilities on San Ramon Road
and Tassajara Road across 1-580; and 3) Dublin Boulevard bicycle lanes. Based on the comments
received, a draft of the Plan was presented at the third public meeting. During this third public meeting a
suggestion was made to establish a Bikeways Advisory Committee to advise City Staff on the
prioritization and scope of bikeways capital projects.
Following the three public meetings, Staff further reviewed the draft Bikeways Master Plan to make
certain that the proposed policy recommendations and proposed capital projects contained in the Plan
were achievable. Based on this review, further revisions were made to the Plan to clarify the policies and
capital projects included in the Plan. Please refer to Attachment 4 of this Staff Report for a list of the
modifications to the Bikeways Master Plan since the public meetings: These revisions are included in the
draft Bikeways Master Plan which is included as Attachment 3 of this Staff Report.
Staff evaluated the suggestion to create a Bikeways Advisory Committee and is instead proposing to
present bikeway capital projects to the Parks and Community Services Commission. Bikeway capital
projects are included in the City's 5- Y ear Capital Improvement Program. Therefore, Staff recommends
presenting proposed bikeway capital projects to the Parks and Community Services Commission once a
year for review and comment prior to their inclusion in the City's 5-Year Capital Improvement Program.
This presentation would be made to the Parks and Community Services Commission each spring and
would be open to the public. Any interested party could provide input through this public process. The
Bikeways Master Plan also includes a recommendation to update the Plan every five years. The status of
these Plan updates would be presented to the Parks and Community Services Commission for input as
well.
Additionally, every year, as a part of the budget adoption process, the Capital Improvement Program is
reviewed to ensure that the Program is in conformance with the General Plan by the Planning
Commission.
Parks and Community Services Commission
The Parks and Community Services Commission reviewed the proposed Bikeways Master Plan at their
meeting on June 18, 2007. The Parks and Community Services Commission unanimously voted to
recommend approval of the Bikeways Master Plan to the City Council.
Summary of the Bikeways Master Plan
The Bikeways Master Plan contains goals and policies for developing and implementing a bikeway
system that can be broken down into three general categories:
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. Provide a viable transportation alternative to the automobile and thus improve transportation
choices for Dublin residents;
. Improve safety for bicyclists; and
. Provide residents with access to open space, trails, and other recreational amenities
Also embraced in the Plan is a Vision Statement created by the Bikeway Master Plan Public Meeting
Participants envisioning the City as a place with many safe and pleasant bikeway facilities, and a City that
encourages bicycling as a healthful and enjoyable activity.
The City of Dublin's General Plan sets forth a blueprint for a system of bikeways in Dublin. The
Bikeways Master Plan builds on that blueprint by creating a comprehensive plan that includes an
evaluation of existing conditions, a prioritized list of recommended improvements for both on- and off-
street facilities, and recommendations pertaining to bicycle parking, safety, education, and enforcement.
In addition, the Plan incorporates policies from a number of documents pertaining to bicycling in Dublin,
including the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the Downtown Core Specific Plan, the West Dublin
BART Specific Plan, the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan, and the Municipal Code.
The Plan is consistent with Alameda County's Regional Bicycle Plan, Bike Plans and maps from the
cities of San Ramon, Pleasanton, and Livermore, and the East Bay Regional Park District's Trails Master
Plan. The Plan is anticipated to be updated every five years to reflect its status and maintain City
eligibility for certain state funding sources.
Goals for the plan include developing a comprehensive bikeway system for both commuting and
recreation, creating links to existing trails, parks, and open space, improving bicycle connections to
transit, improving safety, developing programs to encourage bicycling, and maximizing the amount of
state and federal funding for which Dublin is eligible. The plan complies with the California Streets and
Highways Code, which is a requirement to compete for funds in the State Bicycle Transportation
Account.
Dublin residents currently enjoy a system of pedestrian-bicycle trails along creeks, channels, and some
major roadways. Many of the new roads under development include either bicycle lanes or adjacent
paths. The City has installed bicycle parking at key locations, including City Hall and the Dublin Library.
Additionally, the Police Department organizes bicycle safety rodeos at several elementary schools each
year, and plans to expand this program in the future.
The document is intended as a conceptual guide for City staff and members of the public. Individual
projects may differ from the Plan's recommendations, but the main project alignments and policy
recommendations should be implemented to the greatest degree possible.
Highlights of the recommendations include:
. Continued development of successful trail corridors such as the Tassajara Creek Trail and
improved access to the Iron Horse Trail and other trails;
. Improved bicycle access to parks and open space including Martin Canyon Creek trailhead,
Stagecoach Park, Alamo Creek Park, and Emerald Glen Park;
. Bicycle lanes and/or routes on several key cross-city corridors, including Dublin Boulevard,
San Ramon Road, Dougherty Road, Tassajara Road, and Fallon Road;
. Bikeways on key freeway crossings, including 1-580 at San Ramon Road and Tassajara Road,
and the Alamo Canal Trail Undercrossing; and
. Development of education and enforcement programs
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The City of Dublin can implement portions of the Bikeways Master Plan in public and private
development, implementation of City programs, development of new roadway and transit facilities, and
scheduled roadway maintenance. For instance, providing bicycle parking as part of the permit process for
development projects will accomplish one of the goals to increase support facilities for bicyclists within
our community.
The key policy recommendations contained in the Plan include the following:
Suvvort Facilities
. Evaluate the needs of the community for bicycle parking on a project by project basis considering
the type of non-residential development, proximity to transit, etc.
. Create a list oflocations of bike racks and bike lockers available to the public.
. Encourage the School District to provide safe and secure bike parking at all schools.
Safetv and Education
. Expand the bicycle rodeo program to serve all of Dublin's elementary schools, as well as middle
schools and community centers to reach older children.
. Work with the Parks and Community Services Department to identify ways to promote the health
benefits of recreational cycling. Consider displaying promotional materials and advertising
recreational rides.
. Combine the successful Flat Repair Clinics with bicycle rodeos and bicycle safety education for
adults, or establish an adult bicycle education program.
. Establish a bicycle helmet program through various statewide helmet programs that provides low-
cost helmets to youth.
. Consider working with Safe Moves, a statewide non-profit organization that has a bicycle and
pedestrian safety education program for school children and senior adults.
. Educate drivers about the rights of bicyclists by making bicycle safety a part of traffic school
curriculum, producing a brochure on bicycle safety and rights for public distribution, providing
signs at strategic locations, and other measures.
. Collect and analyze bicycle collisions on an annual basis to determine high-collision locations,
primary collision factors, helmet use, and other trends, and use this data to develop safety and
education programs.
Funding and Imvlementation
. Prepare joint applications with other local and regional agencies.
. Use existing funding sources (i.e. Measure B Bike and TDA Article 3 funds) as matching funds
for State and Federal funding.
. Require construction of bicycle facilities as part of new development review.
. Continue to include proposed bikeways as part of roadway projects involving widening, overlays,
or other improvements.
Monitoring
. Review roadway improvement plans to ensure that bikeway segments and related improvements
are implemented, developer impact fees are identified (if applicable), and design standards are
met.
. Provide interested residents with materials, information, and other support as the system is being
implemented. Plan and manage bicycle promotional and educational events, such as Bike to Work
Day and Bike to School Day.
. Keep track of long term path maintenance, schedule repairs, and respond to calls from the public
or staff regarding maintenance needs.
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. Work closely with various funding agencies such as the Alameda County Transportation
Improvement Authority (ACTIA), Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Caltrans
to keep abreast of funding opportunities and to follow up on applications to ensure maximum
success.
. Provide enforcement along bike paths. (Note: Dublin Police Services provides enforcement of
City-operated bikeways)
. Maintain surface conditions through periodic street sweeping.
. Include in the City's Volunteer Program the maintenance of bikeways.
The policy recommendations contained in the Bikeways Master Plan were created in conjunction with the
existing bikeway system policies. The City of Dublin General Plan, Specific Plans, and bikeways
policies of Alameda County and surrounding jurisdictions helped provide a framework for the detailed
policies and recommendations that are contained in the proposed Bikeways Master Plan.
General Plan and Specific Plans
The City of Dublin General Plan and Specific Plans contain policies regarding bikeways within the City.
The Bikeways Section of the General Plan (Section 5.4) contains Guiding Policies and Implementing
Policies regarding bikeways. The General Plan also includes Bicycle Circulation System maps (Figures
5-3a & 5-3b) which identify the location of proposed bicycle routes within the City of Dublin. Various
Specific Plans also provide policies and maps showing the location of bikeways and facilities with those
specific plan areas. The proposed Bikeways Master Plan provides more detailed policies as well as
revised bicycle circulation routes and bicycle support facilities than currently existing in the General Plan
and Specific Plans.
The policies contained in the General Plan and Specific Plans are required to be consistent with the
proposed Bikeways Master Plan. Therefore, a General Plan Amendment (GPA) and Specific Plan
Amendments (SPA) to the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan, West Dublin BART Specific Plan, and Village
Parkway Specific Plan are proposed, as discussed below, in order to ensure consistency between the
General Plan, the Specific Plans, and the proposed Bikeways Master Plan.
ANALYSIS:
General Plan Amendment (GPA)
Text Amendments
The proposed GPA would modify the text contained in the Bikeways Section (Section 5.4) of the General
Plan. Specifically, the Guiding Policies and Implementing Policies would be amended to ensure
consistency with the proposed Bikeways Master Plan. The proposed text amendments are as follows
(strike th.-u is text proposed to be removed, underlined text is text proposed to be added):
5.4 BIKEWAYS
The Citv has adooted a Bikewavs Master Plan that encomoasses the Primarv Planning Area. Western
Extended Planning Area. and the Eastern Extended Planning Area. The Bikewavs Master Plan
contains goals and oolicies for develooing and imolementing a bikewav svstem that will orovide a
viable transoortation alternative to the automobile. imorove safetv for bicvclists. and orovide residents
with access to oarks. ooen soace. trails. and other recreational oooortunities. This Plan identifies
existing and orooosed bicvcle routes and bicvcle suooort facilities throughout the olanning areas.
Readers should refer to this olan for additional information regarding existing and orooosed bicvcle
routes and suooort facilities.
Guiding Policy
A. Provide safe bikeways along arterials (See Figure 5-3a and 5 313). (Figure 5-3 is included as
Exhibit A of Attachment 2)
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B. Improve and maintain bicvcle routes and support facilities III conformance with the
recommendations of the Citv's Bikewavs Master Plan.
Implementing Policies
C. Complete the bikeway systems illustrated on Figure 5-3a and 5 3b.
D. Improve bicvcle routes and support facilities in accordance with the Bikewavs Master Plan in
coni unction with development oroposals.
E. Ensure on-going maintenance of bicycle routes and support facilities that are intended for public
use and located on private property in coni unction with development proposals.
Bicycle Circulation Map Amendment
The proposed GPA would also modify the existing Bicycle Circulation System maps (Figures 5-3a & 5-
3b) to be consistent with the proposed bikeways shown in the proposed Bikeways Master Plan (Bikeways
Master Plan Figure 4). The revised circulation map identifies bicycle routes throughout the City of
Dublin. The proposed bicycle routes have been consolidated onto one map of the entire City rather than
separate maps for the western Dublin and the eastern Dublin areas as currently shown in the General Plan.
The proposed circulation map is included as Exhibit A of Attachment 2 of this Staff Report.
These modifications to the General Plan are consistent with the Bikeways Master Plan.
Eastern Dublin Specific Plan (EDSP) Amendment
Text Amendments
The proposed EDSP Amendment would modify the text contained in the Bicycle Circulation Section
(Section 5.5) of the Specific Plan in order to ensure consistency with the proposed Bikeways Master Plan.
The proposed text amendments are as follows:
5.5 BICYCLE CIRCULATION
(Please note this paragraph is intended to be inserted after the 1 st paragraph)
The Citv has adopted a Bikewavs Master Plan that encompasses the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan
area. The Bikewavs Master Plan contains goals and policies for developing and implementing a
bikeway system that will provide a viable transportation alternative to the automobile. imorove safetv
for bicvclists. and orovide residents with access to parks. open space. trails. and other recreational
opportunities. This Plan identifies existing and proposed bicvcle routes and bicycle support facilities
throughout the Specific Plan area. Readers should refer to the Bikeways Master Plan for additional
information regarding existing and proposed bicvcle routes and support facilities.
Policy 5-17: Establish a bicycle circulation system which helps to serve the need for non-motorized
transportation and recreation in eastern Dublin that is consistent with the Bikeways Master Plan.
Program 5D: The City shall require development projects in eastern Dublin to include provisions for
bicycle circulation that are consistent with the Bikeways Master Plan. and as follows:
Bicycle Circulation Map Amendments
Figure 5-3 Pedestrian and Bicycle System
The bicycle circulation system in eastern Dublin has been revised several times since the Eastern Dublin
Specific Plan was adopted. A note was subsequently added to the bottom of Figure 5-3 which directs the
reader to figure 5-3b for the current bicycle circulation system. Therefore, the note at the bottom of
Figure 5-3 has been revised as follows to identify the current amendments. The proposed map is included
as Exhibit B of Attachment 2 of this Staff Report.
NOTE: Bicvcle Circulation Svstem has been amended. Please refer to Figure 5-3b for the current
bicvcle circulation system. Please refer to the Bikewavs Master Plan for additional information.
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Figure 5-3b East Dublin Bicycle Circulation System
The proposed SPA to the EDSP would also modify the existing East Dublin Bicycle Circulation System
map (Figures 5-3b) to be consistent with the bikeways shown in the proposed Bikeways Master Plan
(Bikeways Master Plan Figure 4). The proposed circulation map is included as Exhibit C of Attachment 2
of this Staff Report.
These modifications to the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan are consistent with the Bikeways Master Plan.
Village Parkway Specific Plan Amendment
Text Amendment
The text of the Village Parkway Specific Plan (VPSP) incorrectly refers to Village Parkway as a
designated Class II bike path when in fact it is classified as a Class III bike path in the existing VPSP and
the proposed Bikeways Master Plan. The following text amendment would ensure consistency between
the VPSP and the proposed Bikeways Master Plan.
Modify Page 20, Paragraph 5, Sentence 2 as follows:
Village Parkway is designated as a Class III Bikeway Route, which provides for shared use of a
bikeway with either pedestrians on a sidewalk or motor vehicles on a street.
This modification to the VPSP is consistent with the Bikeways Master Plan.
West Dublin BART Specific Plan Amendment
Circulation System Map Amendment
Exhibit 7 West Dublin BART Specific Plan Circulation System
The proposed SPA would modify the existing West Dublin Bart Specific Plan (WDBSP) Circulation
System map (Exhibit 7) to be consistent with the proposed Bikeways Master Plan (Bikeways Master Plan
Figure 4). The revised circulation map identifies the existing and proposed bicycle routes with the
WDBSP area. The proposed Circulation System map is included as Exhibit D of Attachment 2 of this
Staff Report.
This modification to the WDBSP is consistent with the Bikeways Master Plan.
General Plan Conformity
Based on the aboye described amendments to the General Plan, Eastern Dublin Specific Plan, West
Dublin BART Specific Plan, and Village Parkway Specific Plan, the proposed Bikeways Master Plan is in
conformance with the General Plan.
CONCLUSION:
The City of Dublin General Plan and Specific Plans set forth a blueprint for a system of bikeways within
the City of Dublin. The proposed Bikeways Master Plan is intended for use as a planning tool to guide
the creation of a comprehensive bikeway system for both commuting and recreation within the City
Limits and Sphere of Influence. The Bikeways Master Plan establishes goals and policies for developing
and implementing this bikeway system. The Master Plan also evaluates existing on-street and off-street
facilities, includes a prioritized list of improvements for both on-street and off-street facilities, and
recommends bicycle support facilities, safety, education programs, and enforcement throughout the City.
The policies contained in the General Plan and Specific Plans are required to be consistent with the
proposed Bikeways Master Plan. The proposed amendments to the General Plan, EDSP, WDBSP, and
VPSP ensure consistency between the General Plan, Specific Plans and the proposed Bikeways Master
Plan. If the City Council adopts the Bikeways Master Plan, it would not become effective until such time
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as the Council adopts the proposed conforming changes to the General Plan and several Specific Plans, as
discussed above.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The project has been reviewed under the California Environmental Quality Act, (CEQA), State CEQA
Guidelines and the Dublin Environmental Guidelines. An Initial Study has been completed and it has
been determined that the project WILL NOT have a significant effect on the environment. A Mitigated
Negative Declaration has been prepared for this project. The public review period began on August 29,
2006, and ended on September 29, 2006. Comments were received by the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) requesting the City to obtain an Encroachment Permit for the possible Alamo
Creek Trail extension and provide Caltrans with a copy ofthe adopted Bikeways master Plan.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission: 1) Receive Staff presentation; 2) Open the public
hearing; 3) Take testimony from the public; 4) Close the public hearing and deliberate; 5) Adopt
Resolution (Attachment 1) recommending City Council certification of a Mitigated Negative Declaration
for the Bikeways Master Plan; and 6)Adopt Resolution (Attachment 2) recommending City Council
approval of a General Plan Amendment, Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment, West Dublin BART
Specific Plan Amendment, and Village Parkway Specific Plan Amendment to incorporate text and map
changes related to bicycle circulation and making a Determination of General Plan Conformity for the
Proposed Bikeways Master Plan.
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