Loading...
2010100405 Countywide Bicycle Planto ~ ~ of MEETING DATE: 10/04/10 ITEM NO: ~~~~~~..~ ~ 5 Og.'CA`0 S°'~° s COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2010 TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL Ov FROM: GREG CARSON, TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: SANTA CLARA COUNTYWIDE BICYCLE PLAN A. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SANTA CLARA COUNTYWIDE BICYCLE PLAN AS A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY DOCUMENT GUIDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL BIKEWAY SYSTEMS. B. AUTHORIZE APPLICATION OF GRANT FUNDS FOR PROJECTS IN THE COUNTYWIDE BICYCLE PLAN IN THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a Resolution approving the Santa Clara Countywide Bicycle Plan as a comprehensive policy document guiding the development of local bikeway system. 2. Authorize application of grant funds for projects in the Santa Clara Countywide Bicycle Plan in the Town of Los Gatos. BACKGROUND: In August 2008, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors adopted the Santa Clara Countywide Bicycle Plan (CBP). The complete Santa Clara Countywide Bicycle Plan dated August 2008 is available for review on the VTA website as well as in the Town Clerk's Office. The CBP functions as a regional framework for local plans, and identifies possibilities to collaborate with the local bicycle plans. The CBP guides the development of major bicycling facilities by identifying projects of countywide or intercity significance, including potential projects in the Town of Los Gatos. Projects included in the CBP are better positioned to receive state or outside funding sources. Certain funding opportunities require that a local bicycle transportation plan be prepared wlrich satisfies certain criteria and is approved by the Town Council. One example of funding availability with such requirements is the State's Bicycle~Transportation Account (BTA). ~~-~n ~` ~~"~~J PREPARED BY: TODD CAPURSO Director of Parks and Public Reviewed by: ~~_.Assistant Town Manager Clerk Administrator Attorney Community Development N:1t'Pw\MANAGEMENT\COUNCILICOUNCIL REPORTS\2010 Reports\October 4\VTABikePlanAdoption2010.docx PAGE2 SEPTEMBER 20, 2010 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: SANTA CLARA COUNTYWIDE BICYCLE PLAN BACKGROUND (confd): To be eligible for BTA funds, the Town must prepare and adopt a Bicycle Transportation Plan (BTP) in accordance with the Streets and Highways Code Section 891.2. An alternative to adopting a BTP is to adopt the CBP in order to meet the submittal requirements for BTA funds. DISCUSSION: There are a number of bicycle corridors with countywide or intercity significance within the Town of Los Gatos which are identified in the CBP:. • Winchester Boulevard from north Town limits to Blossom Hill Road. • Blossom Hill Road from Winchester Boulevard (North Santa Cruz Avenue) to Vasona Park/Los Gatos Creek Trail. • Pollard Road from Quito Road to Knowles Drive. • Knowles Drive from Pollard Road to Dell Avenue (continuing on to Los Gatos Creek Trail via Dell Avenue). • Bascom Avenue/Los Gatos Boulevard from Mozart Avenue to Samaritan Drive. • Samaritan Drive from Bascom Avenue/Los Gatos Boulevard to National Avenue. • National Avenue from Samaritan Drive to Los Gatos Almaden Road. • Los Gatos Almaden Road from National Avenue to Harwood Road. • Hartivood Road from Los Gatos Almaden Road to Blossom Hill Road. • Blossom Hill Road from Harwood Road to east Town limits. • Los Gatos Saratoga Road (SR 9) from west Town limits to Los Gatos Boulevard. Additionally, there are a number of across barrier comiections (such as freeways and creeks) within the Town of Las Gatos listed in the CBP in the Town of Los Gatos: • SR 85 at Oka Road. • SR 85 between Pollard Road and Winchester Boulevard. • SR 17 (Los Gatos Creek Trail) between Lark Avenue and Blossom Hill Road. Lastly, two Capital Improvement Projects for the Town of Los Gatos are included in the CBP: Highway 9 to Los Gatos Creek Trail Comlector - Construct a pedestrian and bicycle trail connecting the sidewalk and bicycle lanes on Highway 9 to the creek trail. This project would provide pedeshians and bicyclists a convenient access to the Los Gatos Creek Trail from Highway 9. It would encourage and promote walking and bicycling and compliment the recent completion of bicycle lanes on Highway 9. PAGE 3 SEPTEMBER 20, 2010 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: SANTA CLARA COUNTYWIDE BICYCLE PLAN DISCUSSION (confd): • Blossom Hill Road Sidewalk and Bicycle Lane Project -Construct sidewalk and bicycle lanes on Blossom Hill Road from the Blossom Hill School east toward Camino Del Cerro. This project would provide a safe walking and bicycling opportunity for students coming from east on Blossom Hill Road and also provide a connection to the residential neighbourhoods east of Camino Del Cerro. The projects contained in the CBP are consistent with the Town's trail and bikeway plans. Staff intends to apply for grant funds for construction of the identified bicycle projects. The adoption of the CBP will be of benefit to the Town for the application process. The Transportation and Parking Commission's Bicycle Sub-Committee of the Transportation and Parking Commission convened on July 28, 2010 to review the CBP. The Sub-Committee voted unanimously to recommend the adoption of the Santa Clara Countywide Bicycle Plan by the Town Council. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that the Town Council adapt a resolution (Attachment 1) approving the Santa Clara Countywide Bicycle Plan as a comprehensive policy document guiding the development of local bikeway systems and authorize application of grant funds for projects in the CBP in the Town of Los Gatos. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: Council approval of the attached resolution is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required. FISCAL IMPACT: There are no direct fiscal impacts as a result of approval of the CBP. The adoption of this Resolution will allow the Town to apply for grants. If the Town is successful in securing grants, funding details of the project funding will be incorporated in the Town's Capital hnprovement program for approval by the Town Council. Attaclunents: Resolution (Attachment 1) approving the Santa Clara Countywide Bicycle Plan as a comprehensive policy document guiding the development of local bikeway systems and authorize application of grant funds for projects in the Countywide Bicycle Plan in the Town of Los Gatos. THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Attachment 1 RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS APPROVING THE SANTA CLARA COUNTYWIDE BICYCLE PLAN (ADOPTED AUGUST 2008) AS A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY DOCUMENT GUIDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL BIKEWAY SYSTEM AND AUTHORIZE APPLICATION OF GRANT FUNDS FOR PROJECTS IN THE COUNTYWIDE BICYCLE PLAN WITHIN THE TOWN OF LO5 GATOS WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos desires to submit an application for grant funds for bicycle facility projects; and WHEREAS, the projects in the Countywide Bicycle Plan within the Town of Los Gatos are consistent with the Town's trail and bicycle plan; and WHEREAS, the projects in the Countywide Bicycle Plan are better positioned for state or outside funding sources; and WHEREAS, it is necessary for the Council to adopt a resolution approving the Santa Clara Countywide Bicycle Plan as a comprehensive policy document guiding the development of local bikeway systems prior to submitting an application for grant funds for projects in the Countywide Bicycle Plan within the Town of Los Gatos. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos hereby approves the Santa Clara Countywide Bicycle Plan (adopted August 2008) as a comprehensive policy document guiding the development of local bikeway systems. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Manager is hereby authorized and directed to apply for grant funds for projects in the Countywide Bicycle Plan within the Town of Los Gatos. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos held on the 4`h day of October, 2010, by the following vote: COUNCIL MEMBERS: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: SIGNED: MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA ATTEST: CLERK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK