REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Update on a Written Petition to Consider Traffic Calming Measures on Cabrillo Avenue
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
The City Clerk’s Office received a Written Petition on June 17, 2022 from Cecilia Aguiar, (Attachment 1) requesting to place an agenda item on a future council meeting to consider the following as stated in the request: “Cul-Del-sac (Dead End), Speed humps or similar traffic calming measures need to be instituted at the Cabrillo Ave and Lawrence Expressway along the 3583-3445 blocks of Cabrillo Avenue (between Lawrence Expressway and Nobili Avenue).”
On July 12, 2022, the City Council discussed the written petition as item 13 on the agenda. In conformance with Council Policy and Procedure 30 - Adding an Item on the
Agenda, City Council voted to place this item on a future Council meeting date for further discussion. The purpose of this report is to provide an update to Council on staff’s review of the traffic calming request, including background information about the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (Overview, Procedures, Level 2/Level 3 Criteria, and Additional Criteria for Speed Humps).
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Overview: On April 27, 1999, City Council approved the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (NTCP). The NTCP was established to address and resolve local neighborhood traffic concerns in a systematic manner. The NTCP guidelines (Attachment 2) are utilized by staff when analyzing traffic calming requests submitted by residents. Traffic calming requests and concerns can vary significantly and the NTCP offers three levels of traffic calming measures (i.e. improvements), which are dependent on the results of studies, data collection and analysis.
• Level 1: Education, public involvement, enforcement efforts, signing, striping, parking controls, and use of the City’s speed radar trailer.
• Level 2: Alterations of the neighborhood street which can include chokers, chicanes, gateways, and rumble strips to deter or prohibit a specific action.
• Level 3: Measures similar to Level 2 that may alter neighborhood streets, but these measures may also affect overall neighborhood access and require coordination for emergency response. Examples of Level 3 measures include speed humps, traffic circles, median barriers, forced turn channelization, and diagonal diverters.
NTCP Procedures: The NTCP provides specific procedures by which traffic calming requests should be addressed by staff. These steps are designed to ensure that staff is able to coordinate with residents to fully understand the issues prior to bringing recommendations forth for Council action. Additionally, the process requires that community support is obtained for any proposed traffic calming measures so residents have the opportunity to voice any concerns they might have. The required steps for the NTCP are provided as Attachment 3 and below is a high-level summary:
• Residents submit a written request to staff for traffic calming in Santa Clara.
• Staff and residents consider the implementation of Level 1 treatments.
• If unsatisfactory in resolving concerns, Level 2 and Level 3 treatments may be considered if certain criteria are met.
• Neighborhood meetings will be scheduled, and a neighborhood representative will be selected.
• Level 2 or 3 measures require all residents of the affected neighborhood to be contacted and a petition must contain the signatures of property owners representing at least 70 percent of the properties that directly face the block under consideration. There must also be 100 percent concurrence from residents within 100 feet of the proposed Level 2 or Level 3 device.
• If neighborhood concurrence cannot be obtained, Level 2 and Level 3 devices will not be used, and staff will continue to investigate the use of Level 1 treatments in mitigating the traffic concern.
• If the street is eligible for a Level 2 or Level 3 device, the topic will be scheduled for an upcoming City Council meeting. All residents will be notified of the proposal and will be given the opportunity to address Council. If the recommendation is denied, the Level 2 or Level 3 device will not be used, and the City will continue to investigate the use of Level 1 treatments in mitigating the traffic concern. If the recommendation is approved, the Level 2 or Level 3 device will be scheduled for installation.
• If it is determined that the street is not eligible for the requested Level 2 or Level 3 device, the representative will be notified in writing the reason why the street is not eligible. The designated neighborhood representative will be given 15 days to appeal the decision in writing to the City. Only then will the appeal be scheduled to be heard before the City Council.
• If the appeal is denied, the Level 2 or Level 3 device will not be used, and the City will continue to investigate the use of Level 1 treatments in mitigating the traffic concern. If the appeal is approved, the device will be scheduled for installation.
NTCP Level 2/Level 3 Criteria: In addition to NTCP procedures, there are other specific criteria for installation of Level 2 and 3 measures or devices. The full list is provided as Attachment 4 and below is a summary of key criteria:
• The street shall be a two-lane local residential street where the primary function is to provide access to abutting residences. At least 75 percent of street section must be developed residentially, where schools and parks qualify as residential units.
• The speed limit shall be 25 miles per hour or less.
• Traffic volumes shall be greater than 1,000 and less than 3,500 vehicles per day.
• 85 percent of vehicles measured during the data gathering period are traveling greater than 33 miles per hour.
• Installation on a primary emergency response route and/or transit route will NOT be permitted.
• Installation will NOT be permitted where substantial diversions of traffic to other local streets may occur, i.e. move the displaced traffic onto adjacent residential streets.
NTCP Additional Criteria for Speed Humps: Additionally, there are further criteria regarding the installation of speed humps. These are included as Attachment 5 and key criteria are listed below:
• The effected street segment should be at least 600 feet in length minimum.
• Speed humps should be located approximately 200 feet from an intersection or a stop sign.
• Spacing between speed humps should be as even as possible in order to produce a relatively uniform speed along the entire street. Speed humps within a series should be placed from 200 to 600 feet apart.
• Emergency response routes, for the most part, are not eligible for installation of speed humps.
DISCUSSION
Staff has initiated a traffic engineering study of Cabrillo Avenue and this study includes data collection, analysis, and recommendations. The data will include (1) the number and speed of the vehicles using Cabrillo Avenue (Lawrence Expressway and Nobili Avenue) and using Briarwood Drive (Berry Way to Santa Barbara Avenue), (2) existing conditions of Cabrillo Avenue and Briarwood Drive such as number of travel lanes, posted speed limit, and existing land uses, and (3) existing emergency vehicle response and transit routes. The data collection phase is anticipated to be completed in October 2022.
The data will be analyzed and evaluated using the criteria for traffic calming and stop signs. The analysis will be used to identify any issues and develop potential recommendations to address such issues. Staff anticipates completion of the study by early 2023 and will coordinate results with the community. If the community provides feedback that they would like improvements other than what is supported by the study results and the Council approved NTCP, then staff anticipates returning to Council for further review, discussion, and direction.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with considering the request to be placed on a future agenda except for staff time.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Fire Department, Police Department, and City Attorney’s Office.
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> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and File the Update on a Written Petition to Consider Traffic Calming Measures on Cabrillo Avenue.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Rajeev Batra, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Written Petition submitted by Cecilia Aguiar
2. Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Guidelines
3. Procedure for the Evaluation of Requests
4. Criteria for Installation of Level 2 and 3 Devices
5. Additional Criteria - Installation of Speed Humps