TOWN OF WOODSIDE€¦ · RECOMMENDATION. It is recommended that the Town Council review the...

TOWN OF WOODSIDE

Report to Town Council Agenda Item 7 From: Paul T. Nagengast, Deputy Town Manager May 13, 2014 Approved by: Kevin Bryant, Town Manager

SUBJECT: REPORT ON CIRCULATION COMMITTEE REVIEW OF SAFE ROUTES TO

SCHOOL PROJECT PLAN ON WOODSIDE ROAD FOR A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Town Council review the proposed safe route to school project on Woodside Road and direct staff to submit a grant application for the Active Transportation Program (ATP) for the proposed project with any amendments to the project.

DISCUSSION

Parisi Transportation Consulting (Parisi) presented an update to the Town Council on March 25 (Attachement 1) indicating several possibilities of providing a safe route to walk to Woodside Elementary School along Woodside Road. Each possible route along the north or south side of Woodside Road has its challenges to overcome. These challenges included, but are not limited to, obtaining easements on existing private properties, removing large significant oak trees, grading and providing retaining walls, separating paths for pedestrians and equestrians and providing accessiblility to comply with the American Disabilities Act. The Town Council directed staff to continue the discussion with the Circulation Committee of a ‘hybrid’ safe route to school project along the southerly portion of Woodside Road (eastbound) (Attachment 2 Minutes of March 25 TC Meeting). The hybrid designation for the project includes placement of a safe walking area at the existing trail location and moving portions of the trail adjacent to the traveled roadway from Woodside Road/Cañada Road/Mountain Home Road intersection to Woodside Elementary School. Attached for review and to be presented at the Council meeting by Parisiare conceptual plans approved by the Circulation Committee on April 24, 2014 (Attachment 3), and as amended by staff due to additional survey information. Councilmember Peter Mason attended the meetings and providedcomments during the plan discussions. Listed below are highlights of the plan that were part of discussions by the Committee as amended to reflect the new survey information:

______________________________________________________________________ Town Council Meeting May 13, 2014

• The Safe Routes to School project will provide a continuous and separated pathway along the south side of Woodside Road between a crosswalk proposed at Woody and Woodside Elementary School, providing a safer and more inviting route for school children.

• The pathway will be composed of a suitable surface compatible with Woodside’s rural environment. For example, any trail that will be shared with equestrians will be equestrian compatible.

• The pathway would provide a connection to other key routes, including Dry Creek trail near Woody to Cañada Road Trail; a planned future connection through the Woodside Fire Protection District property via Cedar Lane; connections from north and west of Woodside Elementary School (Albion Avenue, Miramontes Road, and Kings Mountain Road); and a future connection easterly to the intersection of Woodside Road/Cañada Road/Mountain Home Road.

• New school crosswalks would be provided at key locations along the route, including across busy driveways as well as across Woodside Road at Woody (this crosswalk would have pedestrian beacon lights).

• To minimize tree impacts, segments of the pathway would be relocated away from the trees with berms to vertically separate from Woodside Road.

Subsequent to the approval of the proposed project by the Circulation Committee, staff obtained survey information regarding the parcel at Woodside Road and Mountain Home Road. The survey indicated that some of the proposed improvements recommended by the Committee were located on private property. The direction by Town Council for the hybrid approach to provide a safe route was not to include any proposed work on private property requiring easements.

The preliminary estimated cost for this project is $855,000. The cost breakdown includes:

Design/Envir/Permitting $110,000

Construction $645,000

Construction Management/Testing $100,000

Staff sent a letter with the aforementioned bullet highlights and the Council meeting announcement with colored plan sheets to all the property owners and businesses fronting the proposed project on May 9,


2014. A copy of the letter is attached (Attachment 4) for your information.

Staff will be meeting with the Woodside Elementary School Board on May 13 to present the proposed project to the Board. Staff will report at the Council meeting a summary of the meeting.

Any submittals for an Active Transportation Program grant requires letters of support from stakeholders of the project. Since this project is located on Woodside Road, Caltrans will need to provide a letter of support. Staff anticipates a letter of support from Caltrans as well as from Woodside Circulation Committee, Woodside Elementary School, Woodside Fire Protection District, San Mateo CountySheriffs Department and San Mateo County Library.

The San Mateo City/County Association of Government’s (C/CAG) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) voted unanimously to support the project on April 24. The C/CAG Board of Directors are voting on a Resolution of support for the project at its May 8, 2014, Board meeting. Staff will provide a verbal update of the Board’s action at the Council meeting.

The application for a grant from the Active Transportation Program is due by May 21. Following is a schedule associated with the ATP grant funding.

• May 21, 3pm Applications due to Caltrans

• May 22, MTC releases regional call for ATP projects

• July 24, Regional ATP applications due to MTC

• August 8 Recommendations for projects in the statewide and rural/small urban areas

• August 20 Adoption of projects by the State for stewide and rural/small urban areas

• September 10&24PAC and MTC Commission adoption of Regional ATP

• December 10 Latest date for CTC approval of MTC’s Regional ATP

• December 31 MTC posts on its website the initial program of projects

CONCLUSION

Staff recommends that the Town Council review the proposed safe route

to school project on Woodside Road and direct staff to submit a grant application for the Active Transportation Program (ATP) for the proposed project with any amendments to the project.


ATTACHMENTS

1. Agenda Item 7 - Report on Circulation Committee Review of Safe Routes to School Priority Project Plans – March 25, 2014

2. Minutes of Agenda Item 7, March 25, 2014 TC Meeting 3. Woodside Road South Path Concept Plans (Draft 5-8-14) 4. Letter to Property Owners and Businesses


TOWN OF WOODSIDE

Report to Town Council Agenda Item 7 From: Kevin Bryant, Town Manager March 25, 2014 SUBJECT: REPORT ON CIRCULATION COMMITTEE REVIEW OF SAFE ROUTES TO

SCHOOL PRIORITY PROJECT PLANS BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION For reference, the Woodside Elementary School Walking & Bicycling Audit (“Safe Routes to School Audit”) completed in September 2013 is included as Attachment 1. In December 2013, the Circulation Committee prioritized the following five recommendations from the Audit for implementation:

1. Recommendation #10: Improve the path on the south side of Woodside Road from Woodside Elementary School to Robert’s Market.

2. Recommendation #17: Consider installing a marked crosswalk across Cañada Road at Glenwood Avenue.

3. Recommendation #9: Provide a raised and separated walkway on the north side of Woodside Road.

4. Recommendation #12: Add pedestrian warning signs and pavement marking in the vicinity of Mountain Home Road just south of Robert’s Market.

5. Recommendation #13: Explore the feasibility of providing a pathway between the south side of Woodside Road and Cedar Lane through the fire station.

At the March 20th Circulation Committee meeting, David Parisi of Parisi Transportation Consulting will be presenting draft plan lines for three of the five priorities (#1, #3, and #5 above) from the Woodside Elementary School Walking & Bicycling Audit that were recommended by the Circulation Committee. These three priorities are considered candidates for Safe Routes to School grant funding, for which a call for projects will be issued this spring. Mr. Parisi was hired by the Town at the recommendation of the Circulation Committee to help with the implementation of the Committee’s priorities. In addition to the three priorities that will be the subject of discussion at the Circulation Committee meeting, Mr. Parisi is also developing preliminary conceptual plans for the other two priorities (#2 and #4). Mr. Parisi will be at the March 25th Council meeting to review his draft plan lines and the feedback received at the March 20th Circulation Committee meeting. Attachment

___________________________________________________________________________ Town Council Meeting March 25, 2014 Page 1

Attachment 1

Woodside Elementary School Walking & Bicycling AuditWoodside Elementary School District

WOODSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT

WOODSIDE

SEPTEMBER 2013Attachment 1

WOODSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WALKING AND BICYCLING AUDIT: SEPTEMBER 2013 | 2

Woodside Elementary School Walking and Bicycling Audit

Morning and Afternoon Travel Mode Comparison

Source MTC Safe Routes to Schools Parent Survey, 2012

School Information

Woodside Elementary School is located at 3195 Woodside Road in central Woodside. The school has 26 classrooms serving kindergarten through eighth grades. In the 2012-2013 school year, when the walking and bicycling audit was conducted, 458 students were enrolled at the school.

Bell Schedule

Grade Morning Afternoon

Kindergarten 8:25 2:30

1 – 8 8:25 3:10

Safe Routes to School Survey

Student travel surveys were conducted in the fall of 2012 by the San Mateo Office of Education’s Safe Routes to School program. According the survey results, single student occupant vehicles accounted for the majority of student trips to and from school. During the morning drop-off, 80 percent of students were dropped off from a car in which there was only one student in the vehicle. Only two percent of students were in vehicles with more than one student, i.e., in a carpool. During afternoon pick-up, 70 percent of students were the only student picked up in a vehicle, while carpooling increased to 14 percent of all afternoon student trips.

During both the morning and afternoon school commutes, about six percent of students walked to and from school, while less than two percent rode bicycles. About six percent of students ride a bus to and from school.

In early 2013 the Towns Circulation Committee brainstormed about potential safety issues related to school access. Top priorities included routes that are winding and have poor visibility, difficult roadway crossings, discomfort walking and cycling along the north side of Woodside Road, and trails that are difficult to use due to their terrain, surface, and conditions in inclement weather.

In 2010 the school’s Parent-Teach Association (PTA) also identified potential safety issues. The PTA ranked the top issue as vehicle speeding along Woodside Road in proximity to the school. Other top issues included potential unsafe conditions at Roberts’ Corner, vehicles parked along the north side of Woodside Road blocking pedestrian and bicycle circulation to school, lack of crosswalks, and no separated pedestrian pathway on either side of Woodside Road.

WOODSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT

WOODSIDE

Attachment 1


Circulation Committee Identified Safety Issues

1. The routes out of the Glens are twisty, have poor visibility, and are scary to use. [21]

2. You can’t safely cross roads (Cañada, Woodside Road & Mt Home) to get to or follow the trails. [16]

3. The “no parking” paved shoulder on West-bound (North side) 84 feels exposed to cars rushing by and is scarily uncomfortable to walk or ride on. [14]

4. The trails are too rough for kids to roll their backpacks on and the packs are too heavy to carry. [10]

5. When it rains the trails get muddy and are unusable. [9]

6. No path on 84 west of Kings so road is unusable forcing long detour via Tripp / Kings / Manuela / Miramontes. Kings from Tripp to Manuella has no shoulder/bike lane. [7]

7. The intersection on 84 at Robert’s Market is complicated with many lanes and too distracting to drivers for kids to safely use the crosswalk. [7]

8. The Mt Home trail has gaps so you end up walking in the road – scary to use. [6]

9. Parking lot behind Robert’s Market is a poor visibility scary place for kids coming off Mt Home to get through. [6]

10. Getting across Jefferson to the top of Godetia is scary – poor visibility, fast cars. [5]

11. It is hard to control the front of the buses – kids want to run ahead. [1]

Number of votes are in “ [ ] “ after each line item.

March 21, 2013 Circulation Committee meeting.

Walking and Bicycling Audit

A walking and bicycling audit was held on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. Audit participants included the Town Engineer, two citizen volunteers with extensive background on school and traffic issues, and two Safe Routes to School professionals.

The audit participants observed the morning and afternoon school commute periods, including travel behaviors by motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists, and transportation infrastructure issues at the school site and along routes identified as key ways to and from school.

The following observations were made (photographs are provided on pages five and six):

Infrastructure ObservationsSCHOOL SITE:

, Separated pathways do not exist between Woodside Road and the school, requiring students and parents to walk through the school’s parking lots.

, There is a lack of curb ramps within the school’s parking lots, requiring children with rolling backpacks, parents with strollers, and mobility-impaired people to step over curbs.

, Sight lines between motorists and pedestrians are obstructed at crosswalks across the parking lot.

, Motorists double-park within the school’s parking lot, and also occasionally obstruct crosswalks.

, The Kindergarten lot crosswalk is controlled with a uniformed crossing guard.

, The Sellman drop-off/pick-up area is controlled with a uniformed crossing guard.

WOODSIDE ROAD:

, Two uncontrolled crosswalks (i.e., not controlled with stop signs or a traffic signal) cross Woodside Road near the school. Each crosswalk has faded pavement markings and obsolete school area signage. Flashing beacons exist in advance of each crosswalk.

, The western crosswalk is controlled with a uniformed crossing guard.

, Woodside Road has two vehicular travel lanes (one in each direction); the lanes 12 feet wide.

, The north side of Woodside Road consists of a Class II separated bicycle lane, but does not have a pedestrian walkway. Many students and parents were observed walking within the bike lane, adjacent to westbound vehicular traffic.

, The south side of Woodside Road consists of a discontinuous equestrian pathway that consists primarily of gravel and dirt. Many students and parents use part of the pathway, primarily to egress from or access parked vehicles.

, Parking is allowed on weekdays along the south side of Woodside Road in the vicinity of the school between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. and between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. During these times some vehicles block walking and bicycling routes, and cars parked near the school’s four driveways can obstruct sight distance for motorists entering or exiting the school, and between pedestrians using the crosswalks and approaching drivers.

, After school many students walk along the south side of the roadway and through a parking lot to access Roberts’ Market.

MOUNTAIN HOME ROAD:

, Students were observed crossing Mountain Home Road south of Roberts’ Market; however there are no designated pedestrian crossings and vehicular sight distance can be constrained due to the narrow roadway and its curves.

PATHWAY BETWEEN MOUNTAIN HOME ROAD AND WHISKEY HILL ROAD:

, The existing pathway is narrow, consists of dirt and gravel, and is steep in places. It is popular with students, except those with heavy or rolling backpacks and is difficult to use during wet weather.

CAÑADA ROAD:

, A paved pathway is located on the east side of Cañada Road. The pathway lacks curb ramps with the Woodside Road/Mountain Home Road intersection, as well as at Romero Road.

, The pathway’s crosswalk at Romero Road lacks high-visibility signage and markings, and a paved connection with the pathway to the southwest the ends at “Woody the Fish” (wooden fish structure).

, There is not a marked crosswalk across Cañada Rd at Glenwood Avenue.

PATHWAY BETWEEN CAÑADA ROAD AND WOODSIDE ROAD (WOODY):

, The existing informal pathway is narrow and consists of dirt and gravel. It provides a direct route to school for many students living to the north along the Cañada Road corridor.

Attachment 1


RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Prohibit parking on the south side of Woodside Road in proximity to the school’s four driveways and the crosswalks.

2. Construct separated pedestrian walkways between Woodside Road and the school, e.g., on the east side of the most eastern driveway (exit) and on the west side of the most western driveway (entrance).

3. Convert crosswalks through the school parking lot to high-visibility crosswalks or to raised crosswalks.

4. Add curb ramps between crosswalks and school access points.

5. Update the school area signing and pavement markings to comply with current State of California standards (see excerpts from the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices).

6. Install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at both uncontrolled crosswalks across Woodside Road.

7. Provide high-visibility school crosswalk pavement markings at both uncontrolled crosswalks across Woodside Road.

8. Narrow Woodside Road’s vehicular travel lanes from 12 feet wide to 11 feet wide, while retaining the southern (eastbound) edge line. This will shift the westbound bicycle lane two feet to the south, enabling a walkway to the north of the bicycle lane.

9. Provide a raised and separated walkway on the north side of Woodside Road.

10. Improve the pathway on the south side of Woodside Road by regrading the surface, widening where feasible, and providing a more compact surface. Remove poles placed sideways on the ground to reduce the potential for tripping. When possible, install underground utility lines and remove above ground poles.

11. Rearrange the existing vehicular parking west of Roberts’ Market and install a pedestrian and bicycle pathway within the existing paved area.

12. Add pedestrian warning signs and pavement markings in the vicinity of Mountain Home Road just south of Robert’s Market. Develop a longer term plan to traffic calm the intersection, enhance pedestrian and bicycle circulation, and improve sight lines.

13. Explore the feasibility of providing a pathway between the south side of Woodside Road and Cedar Lane through the fire station.

PTA Identified Safety Issues

1. Cars exceed the 25 mph speed limit on 84. [25]

2. Roberts’ Corner (Hwy 84/Cañada Rd) intersection is unsafe. [16]

3. Cars parking on westbound 84 just after Buck’s block ped/bike lane and force peds/bikes into traffic. [15]

4. No crosswalk across 84 by “Woody” (Fish at west end of Buck’s). [12]

5. No pedestrian path on Eastbound 84 from WES to Robert’s Corner. [ 11]

6. No pedestrian path on Eastbound 84 from WES to Kings Mt Rd. [8]

7. Cars pull into the bike lanes to pass on the right. [6]

8. No pedestrian path on Mt Home from Manzanita Rd to Roberts Corner. [4]

9. No crosswalk across 84 at Miramonte Rd. [4]

10. Cars don’t slow down for or honor the two existing WES cross walks. [4]

11. Peds/bikes passing slower pedestrians in the bike lanes on 84 veer out into traffic. [4]

12. No safe pedestrian egress or access to the Glenns – windy narrow road. [4]

13. Thru traffic Westbound cars accelerate across the crosswalks after being held back by cars turning left into the auditorium parking lot. [3]

14. The crosswalk across Cañada Rd at Romero is poorly marked. [3]

15. Path (Horse Trail) behind Roberts from Cañada Rd to 84 is steep and ungroomed. [2]

16. No crosswalk across Mt Home to Roberts Market. [2]

17. Cars parking on eastbound 84 just before Buck’s block ped/bike lane and force peds/bikes into traffic. [2]

18. No safe crossing of 84 directly to the library. [2]

19. Parking lot entrances/exits around Robert’s Corner are unsafe. [0]

Number of votes are in “ [ ] “ after each line item.

Survey conducted in 2010.

14. Improve the Dry Creek trail between Mountain Home Road and Whiskey Hill Road by providing a more compact surface, regrading where feasible, and stairs where practical.

15. Address the Woodside Road/Cañada Road/Mountain Home Road intersection (Caltrans) by considering traffic calming features, as well as pedestrian, equestrian and bicycle features including curb extensions, curb ramps, modern roundabout, and/or other measures.

16. Convert Romero Road’s crosswalk at Cañada Road to a high-visibilty crosswalk with warning signs, curb ramps, and and a paved connection to “Woody the Fish.”

17. Consider installing a marked crosswalk across Cañada Road at Glenwood Avenue. A crosswalk would require an ADA-accessible path of travel, however, which would likely require modifications to the Cañada Road pathway, as well as the Glenwood Avenue intersection. Pathway modifications could result in increased conflicts between pedestrians and bicyclists with equestrians.

18. Improve the Dry Creek trail between Cañada Road and “Woody the Fish” at Woodside Road by providing a more compact surface and regrading where feasible.

Suggested school access improvements are illustrated on page seven. These consist of:

Attachment 1


Student and parent walking through eastern parking lot; lack of separated sidewalk connecting Woodside Road and school.

Crosswalk across school parking lot; sight issues and lack of curb ramps.

Student and parking walking through western parking lot; lack of separated sidewalk connecting Woodside Road and school.

Crosswalk within school parking lot; parking violation and lack of curb ramp.

Western uncontrolled and marked crosswalk on Woodside Road; worn crosswalk, but uniformed and effective crossing guard.

Looking east towards western crosswalk on Woodside Road; obsolete school area signing.

Students and parent walking westerly along northern side of Woodside Road; lack of separated walkway.

Student cycling westerly along northern side of Woodside Road; bicycle lane is designated in westbound direction.

Looking west on Woodside Road towards school; bicycle lane and no separated walkway on north side of roadway.

Looking west on Woodside Road, east of school: trees, utility poles and ground slope constrain widening for walkway.

Signs on south side of Woodside Road adjacent to school; parking and stopping allowed during school commute hours.

Parking along south side of Woodside Road at western entrance; parked vehicle blocking walkway and limiting sight distance.

Observations

Attachment 1


Parking along south side of Woodside Rd. at western exit; parked vehicle limiting sight distance for motorists exiting driveway.

Parking along south side of Woodside Road near eastern crosswalk; parked vehicle limiting sight distance at crosswalk.

Vehicle egressing from eastern driveway exit; sight line obstructed by vehicle parked to east.

South side of Woodside Road adjacent to school; pedestrians use narrow and uneven dirt path.

South side of Woodside Road east of school; narrow path obstructed by trees and car doors.

South side of Woodside Road approaching Town Center: lack of separated walkway.

Looking north on Mountain Home Road towards Roberts Market and Woodside Road; no designated crossing markings.

Looking north on Mountain Home Road towards Cedar Lane; curved narrow roadway and obstructed sight lines.

Pathway between Mountain Home Road and Whiskey Hill Road; looking west towards Roberts Market.

Pathway between Mountain Home Road and Whiskey Hill Road; looking northwest.

Looking west on Woodside Road near Whiskey Hill Road; lack of separated pedestrian facilities and marked crosswalks.

Crosswalk across Cañada Road at Romero Road; standard crosswalk without signing, curb ramps, and connection to pathway on west side of roadway.

Observations

Attachment 1


Improve pathway between Mountain Home Road and Whiskey Hill Road

Install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons and high-visability markings at both crosswalks

WOODSIDE ROAD

WOODSIDE ROAD

CAÑAD

A ROAD

Cañada Lane

Miramonte Road

Alb

ion Avenue

Fox Ho

llow Ro

ad

Add pedestrian warning signs, and markings if applicable

Realign parking, while retaining current number of spaces, to accomodate pedestrian pathway

Provide new pathway through fire station

Improve pathway between Cañada Road and Woodside Road

Add pedestrian crossing signage, install high visability crosswalk, and connect to pathway on west side

Narrow travel lanes to 11 feet; designate walkway along north side of Woodside Road

Improve pathway along south side of Woodside RoadAdd walkway near

school exit

Install new school area signage

Install raised crosswalk across school parking lot

Install curb rampsAdd walkway near

school entrance

Prohibit parkingin vicinity of crosswalks

Install new school area signage

Our Hill

Lane

Cedar Lane

Prospect Avenue

Dry Creek

Dry Creek

La Questa

Way

Add curb ramps; reduce crosswalk length through intersection reduction / traffic calming

WH

ISKE

Y H

ILL

ROA

D

MO

UTA

IN H

OM

E RO

AD

Consider marked crosswalk across Cañada Road and Glenwood Avenue

Suggested School Access Improvements

Attachment 1

WOODSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WALKING AND BICYCLING AUDIT: SEPTEMBER 2013 | 8 California MUTCD 2012 Edition (FHWA’s MUTCD 2009 Edition, as amended for use in California)

Chapter 7B – Signs January 13, 2012

Part 7 – Traffic Control for School Areas

Page 1279

California MUTCD 2012 Edition (FHWA’s MUTCD 2009 Edition, as amended for use in California)

Chapter 7B – Signs January 13, 2012

Part 7 – Traffic Control for School Areas

Page 1274

California MUTCD 2012 Edition

(FHWA’s MUTCD 2009 Edition, as amended for use in California)

Chapter 7B – Signs, page 1279. Figure 7B-104(CA). Part 7 – Traffic Control for School Areas . January 13, 2012

Example of Signing for School Crosswalk Warning Assembly

California MUTCD 2012 Edition

(FHWA’s MUTCD 2009 Edition, as amended for use in California)

Chapter 7B – Signs, page 1274. Figure 7B-5(CA). Part 7 – Traffic Control for School Areas . January 13, 2012

Example of Signing for School Zone with a School Speed Limit and a School Crossing

Attachment 1

Motion seconded by Councilmember Tanner and carried by roll call vote: AYES: Councilmember Kasten, Mason, Romines, Shanahan, Tanner, Mayor Burow NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmember Gordon

5. Town Manager’s Report. Councilmember Romines pointed out his attendance at the March 19th meeting with residents of the Glens regarding the loss of the large tree on Glenwood Avenue. Councilmember Romines moved approval of the Town Manager’s Report. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tanner and carried by roll call vote: AYES: Councilmember Kasten, Mason, Romines, Shanahan, Tanner, Mayor Burow NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmember Gordon Item 7 was heard out of order. NEW BUSINESS

7. Report on Circulation Committee Review of Safe Routes to School Priority

Project Plans. Mr. Bryant introduced David Parisi, Parisi Transportation Consulting, hired to implement the Safe Routes to School (SR2S) recommendations. He noted that Mr. Parisi would present the constraints and opportunities to address the priority items that the Circulation Committee has identified. Mr. Bryant continued that the due date to apply for grant funding is May 21st which provides a motivation to move through the process quickly. He noted that Mr. Parisi would be looking for direction on which of the scenarios to go into more detail with the Circulation Committee. David Parisi, Parisi Transportation Consulting, provided background information on his previous work facilitating a pedestrian and bicycle audit last fall. He continued that five of the recommendations were prioritized by the Circulation Committee and have been developed in more detail. He discussed the upcoming opportunity for projects to be submitted to the State and the MTC for funding. Mr. Parisi displayed plan lines and reviewed ideas, constraints and impacts for the five study areas, including Woodside Road (south side pathway), Woodside Road (north side walkway), Cedar Lane through the fire station pathway, Mountain Home Road near Roberts Market (short and long term pedestrian crossing improvement), and Cañada Road at the Glenwood Avenue crossing. Mr. Parisi pointed out that marked crosswalks would have to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. He pointed out easements existing and those that would need to be acquired on Woodside Road. He stated that the Circulation Committee agrees that the south side of Woodside Road would be more appealing from the standpoint of accessibility and directness. He opined that the south side path would be easier to construct, explaining that there were not as many constraints on the south side. Mr. Parisi stated that the current south side proposal retained the current parking on Woodside Road. He stated that the hybrid idea has little environmental impact and that it would not take many trees near the bridge and that if, down the line, the Town receives an easement, there could be a wider path. Mr. Parisi described how the curb path would come up to the roadway and methods and various scenarios to provide a buffer. He confirmed that a bicycle lane was not proposed for the eastbound direction. Mr. Parisi stated that the pathway could double for equestrian use. Millo Fenzi, Cañada Road, Chair of the Circulation Committee, stated that the only viable alternative is to put a curb or separation next to Woodside Road which makes a path without removing trees or acquiring easements. He continued that it is about the only thing to be done and suggested that perhaps a tree

Town Council Meeting Minutes March 25, 2014 Page 2

Attachment 2

could be identified that is egregiously constricting the safety but that generally the guidance of the Circulation Committee was not to remove trees. Mr. Fenzi stated that the Committee has asked the Woodside Elementary School (WES) Board to attend the next meeting to discuss parking and that a member of the Committee will work with WES to lay out the parking lot to create better circulation. Mr. Fenzi opined that staff has to work with the Fire Chief on a solution for the east side of the Fire Station because the Fire Chief likes the west side easement because emergency vehicles use the east side and he does not want kids next to the traffic. He continued that a number of parents expressed concern with the west side easement because they feel that it is hidden. The Council discussed pulling in the crosswalk at Cañada and Glenwood Avenues; that having the path on the south side would prevent any crossing for pedestrians approaching WES from the south and would have just one crossing for pedestrians approaching from the north; exploring potential right of way inside the tree line; that there might be some tradeoffs that property owners would be willing to consider if trees can be saved; whether parking could be eliminated on the south side of Woodside Road; how lack of an easement would affect the grant process; reluctance of the community to lose parking, grant an easement, or remove trees; that asking kids to walk single file is not a great imposition in order to continue with the rural character of Woodside; whether the project will take too long and involve more scope and should be backed off; that any significant loss of parking will slow things down dramatically; not relying on the easements for the short term; removal of large trees will not be well received; having kids walk on a path next to the lane of traffic is scary; reducing the parking at WES and reengineering the front of the school in terms of moving things back; reorganizing the parking and perhaps prohibiting the parking on the road; approaching the property owners on Cedar Lane to obtain an easement; starting discussions with the WFPD about creating an easement on the east side of the property; constructing a fence to separate the pathway from emergency vehicles; spending federal dollars in Woodside. Mr. Bryant confirmed that the Council would like to focus on the southern hybrid plan. Mr. Parisi stated that, in order to meet the grant application deadline, the southern option would have to be refined and cost estimated. He suggested that the crosswalk at Glenwood Avenue could be added to this application. Mr. Parisi added that, if the hybrid proposal was successful in receiving a grant, CalTrans will allow a change to the proposal if an easement is obtained subsequently. He noted that there would be a further call for projects from MTC and that projects that do not succeed at the state level will automatically go into the MTC pool. Mr. Bryant noted movement from CalTrans on the Town’s Highway Safety Improvement Project and pointed out that the modification to reduce the lanes to eleven feet has been pulled and put on a separate track so that the balance of the revisions could be permitted in a more timely fashion. Mr. Nagengast explained how the exception for eleven foot lanes could be folded into the project and that the Town will meet its deadline to start the project in June. The Council thanked Mr. Parisi for his work on the proposal. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6. Appeal of the Planning Commission’s Denial of a Tentative Map for a

Three-lot Land Division of a 21.71 Acre Parcel in the SCP-5 Zoning District (389 Moore Road – Leonard B. DeSomma).

Mr. Schaan acquainted the Council with the background of the project. He stated that the Planning Commission adopted the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND). He reviewed the Planning Commission’s findings that the proposed map was not consistent with the General Plan because it does not comply with Land Use Element Goal 1, Goal 2, Policies LU1.2, LU1.5, and Open Space Element

Town Council Meeting Minutes March 25, 2014 Page 3

Attachment 2

WOODSIDE ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL

CHURCH3204 3190 31##

IMPROVEMENTS UNDERWAY

(SEPARATE PROJECT)

PATH CONTINUES TO

THE WEST

PATH CONTINUES TO

THE NORTH

A

Match

line

Match

line

B

A

1

1

B

IMPROVED DRIVEWAY CROSSING

FIRE STATION3151 3105

LIBRARY 3130 31203100

FUTURE PATH TOCEDAR LANE

(SEPARATE STUDY)

A

Match

line

Match

line

Match

line

Match

line

B

A B

B C

B C

RAISED PATHWAY SECTION

PARKING PROHIBITED AREA

TO PRESERVE TREES EXISTING EQUESTRIAN

TRAIL

2

2

3

3

PARKING PROHIBITED AREA

TO PRESERVE TREES

TOWN OF WOODSIDE SR2S: WOODSIDE ROAD SOUTH PATH CONCEPT (05/07/2014)

16’

ROBERTS MARKET

MOUNTAIN

HOME RD

CAÑADA ROAD

Dry Creek Trail

Canada Road Trail

NEW CROSSWALK WITH CROSSING

BEACONS

IMPROVED PATH BEHIND BRIDGE

GUARD RAIL

POTENTIAL FUTURE PATH CONNECTION

Match

line

Match

line

B C

B C

RAISED PATHWAY SECTION

EXISTING EQUESTRIAN

TRAIL

Dry Creek Trail

TOWN OF WOODSIDE SR2S: WOODSIDE ROAD SOUTH PATH CONCEPT (05/07/2014)

Image: ©2014 GoogleNTS

56’Right-of-Way

Section 1

P

Section 2

56’Right-of-Way

Section 3

56’Right-of-Way

P

NORTH SOUTH

NORTH SOUTH

NORTH SOUTH

5’Bike Lane

4’Shdr. Unpaved

Path

4’Shoul-

derShoulder

Wall

12’Lane

12’Lane

Fence

4’Bike Lane

4’Shdr. Unpaved

Path

5’Slope

7’ Slope

4’ Swale

12’Lane

12’Lane

FenceFence

5.5’Bike Lane

3.5’Shdr. Unpaved

Path

3.5’Shdr.Shoulder

Wall

12’Lane

12’Lane

Fence

TOWN OF WOODSIDE SR2S WOODSIDE ROAD SOUTH PATH CONCEPT (05/07/2014)

EXISTING CROSS SECTIONS(Looking East)

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

56’Right-of-Way

P

56’Right-of-Way

P

5-6’Path

NORTH SOUTH

NORTH SOUTH

NORTH SOUTH

4.5’Bike Lane

5’Shdr.

6’Path

6’Path

Shoulder

Wall

11’Lane

11’Lane

Fence

4.5’ Bike Lane Unpaved

Path

11’Lane

11’Lane

FenceFence

4.5’Bike Lane

3.5’Shdr.Shoulder

Wall

11’Lane

11’Lane

Fence

4’ Swale

7’ Slope

PROPOSED CROSS SECTIONS(Looking East)

TOWN OF WOODSIDE SR2SWOODSIDE ROAD SOUTH PATH CONCEPT (05/07/2014)

Attachment 4

May 9, 2014

The Town of Woodside would like to advise the community of the progress of the current Safe Routes to School design. Earlier this year, the Town Council directed Parisi Transportation Consulting to develop a conceptual plan utilizing the south side of Woodside Road for the safe route to school to be submitted to the Active Transportation Program for grant funding. Included in this letter is a diagram of the conceptual drawing and some itemized points on the primary changes that may be included as part of this project.

• The Safe Routes to School project will provide a continuous and separated pathway along the south side of Woodside Road between a crosswalk proposed at Woody and Woodside Elementary School, providing a safer and more inviting route for school children. • The pathway will be composed of a suitable surface compatible with Woodside’s rural environment. For example, any trail that will be shared with equestrians will be equestrian compatible. • The pathway would provide a connection to other key routes, including Dry Creek trail near Woody to Cañada Road Trail; a planned future connection through the Woodside Fire Protection District property via Cedar Lane; connections from north and west of Woodside Elementary School (Albion Avenue, Miramontes Road, and Kings Mountain Road); and a future connection easterly to the intersection of Woodside Road/Cañada Road/Mountain Home Road. • New school crosswalks would be provided at key locations along the route, including across busy driveways as well as across Woodside Road at Woody (this crosswalk would have pedestrian beacon lights). • To minimize tree impacts, segments of the pathway would be relocated away from the trees with berms to vertically separate from Woodside Road.

These plans are in the conceptual stage so any input would be appreciated and discussed. Please feel free to contact Dong Nguyen at 650-851-6790 or at [email protected] with any questions, suggestions, or concerns. Town Council will be discussing this project on Tuesday May 13, at 7:30PM in Independence Hall.

mailto:[email protected]

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