REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Resolution to Modify Parking Regulations on El Camino Real
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
On September 24, 2019, the City Council approved the Santa Clara Bicycle Plan Update 2018 (Bicycle Plan). The Bicycle Plan established a long-term vision for improving bicycling as an active transportation option in Santa Clara. In addition to establishing a foundational vision, goals, objectives, and policies to aid in the expansion of the City’s existing bicycle network, the Bicycle Plan included a prioritized list of projects based on six evaluation criteria (safety/collision reduction, connectivity, gap closure, comfort, community identified need, and feasibility). The project that ranked number one is the implementation of a Class IV separated bikeway along El Camino Real.
Currently, there are no bicycle facilities on El Camino Real. Further study of this corridor for the implementation of bicycle facilities has been included in the planning process for the El Camino Real Specific Plan (Specific Plan).
Following a two plus-year community engagement process, the City developed a draft Specific Plan to implement the City’s General Plan goals and policies for the El Camino Real corridor. As a part of the process, roadway configuration alternatives were developed to improve the El Camino Real right-of-way for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders. The draft Specific Plan included interim and final recommended roadway configuration alternatives. The interim roadway configuration (Attachment 1) removes parking to accommodate a Class IV Separated Bikeway where separation protection can be provided by low-cost traffic delineators (i.e. bollards). The final roadway configuration (Attachment 2) also includes the removal of parking to accommodate a Class IV Separated Bikeway but also includes a hardscape median separation (i.e. concrete island) for the bikeway, wider sidewalks, and new bus-boarding islands. While the interim roadway configuration can be accomplished with the removal of parking on El Camino Real, the final configuration also requires redevelopment of adjacent properties. To accommodate new bicycle facilities on El Camino Real, on-street parking is required to be removed for both the interim and final roadway configurations.
Staff has taken the Specific Plan forward for Council approval on multiple occasions beginning on June 15, 2021 and the last item was taken to Council on November 9, 2021. The Specific Plan which included a draft resolution to allow the removal of on-street parking on El Camino Real has yet to be approved. Although the City Council has not approved these items there seems to be an interest in considering the recommended roadway configuration alternative to accommodate a Class IV separated bikeway.
DISCUSSION
Although the Specific Plan has not been approved there is an opportunity to consider the installation of bicycle facilities on El Camino Real ahead of its approval. There has been a significant amount of outreach on this effort that has included multiple community meetings to discuss the Specific Plan including parking removal on El Camino Real to accommodate bicycle lanes. Adding bicycle lanes on El Camino Real has received some community support including that of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition. Staff has reviewed the options for installing an interim bicycle lanes project on El Camino Real and there are possibilities however, parking removal is required. Staff would like to leverage the outreach completed to date for the Specific Plan and move forward with Council approval on removing parking along on El Camino Real so if approved, a bicycle lane project can move forward.
A parking analysis completed along the corridor determined that 31 percent of on-street parking spaces along El Camino Real are utilized, providing an opportunity to remove on-street parking to accommodate bicycle lanes. While most of El Camino Real has unused on-street parking capacity, certain properties along the corridor rely on street parking as their on-site parking is nonexistent or very limited. Those properties include the three properties on the northeast corner of El Camino Real and Main Street, Diver Dan’s on the north side of El Camino Real east of Los Padres Boulevard, and Grand Prix Powersports on the south side of El Camino Real east of San Tomas Expressway.
Based on community input and the results of the parking analysis, staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution (Attachment 3) to remove on-street parking on El Camino Real between Halford Avenue and Alviso Street except at the locations stated above that lack sufficient on-site parking. Staff will develop alternatives to address the remaining bikeway gaps which may include detours and possible Class III shared lane markings. The current budget does not include this project, so it is recommended that Council consider this project among the list of other proposed projects during the upcoming Biennial Capital Improvement Program budget prioritization process. As the project is not currently funded, the draft resolution includes a provision that only removes parking upon the City funding a project to construct bicycle facilities along the El Camino Real corridor.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301 “Existing Facilities” as the activity consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities mechanical equipment or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agencies determination.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of the design and construction of an interim Class IV Separated Bikeway is currently not budgeted. Appropriations are needed and staff is proposing that funding be considered as part of the Biennial 2022/23 and 2023/24 Capital Improvement Program budget process where prioritization can be assessed with other unfunded needs. Staff is proposing to fund the project using Streets and Highways Capital funds earmarked for bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
If funds are allocated to the project as part of the Biennial 2022/23 and 2023/24 Capital Improvement Program budget process, staff anticipates consultant selection would begin by Spring 2023.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the Community Development Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution to modify certain parking regulations on El Camino Real.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Interim Roadway Configuration
2. Final Roadway Configuration
3. Resolution