REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Adopt a Resolution Amending Parking Regulations on Lafayette Street related to possible parking removal for the Lafayette Street Class IV Bikeway Project and Direction on Use of Roadway on Lafayette for Bicycle Paths
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
On July 13, 2021, the Council approved a grant funding agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and related budget amendment for the Lafayette Street Class IV Bikeway Project (Project). The goal of this Project is to implement a Class IV bikeway (i.e. protected and buffered striped bicycle lanes) on Lafayette Street between Laurelwood Road and Reed Street, which is a high priority recommendation in the City’s Bicycle Plan Update 2018.
This portion of Lafayette Street (between Laurelwood Road and Reed Street) currently has four travel lanes (two in each direction), a 35 miles per hour speed limit, and minimal on-street parking for two blocks between Memorex Drive and Parker Court on the west side only. During the review and analysis of this corridor, staff determined that Lafayette Street has a constrained roadway width that cannot accommodate a Class IV bikeway without the removal of on-street parking.
The potential parking removal along Lafayette Street is estimated to be 700 feet (22 parking spaces) of the total 7,500-foot length of the Project (Attachment 1). This distance exceeds the authority of the City Manager or designee specified in the City Code related to parking removals (maximum of 349 feet), and therefore requires Council approval.
DISCUSSION
Staff completed a parking analysis for Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Parker Court which consisted of inventorying the number of parking spaces, collecting parking count data, and evaluating the collected data. The parking analysis area included adjacent streets in the area such as Avila Avenue, Di Giulio Avenue, Memorex Drive, Parker Court, Ronald Street, and Shulman Avenue. Parking counts were collected for this area in January 2022 during the daytime (9 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and late-night period (11 p.m. - 1 a.m.) on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Currently, there are approximately 233 on-street parking spaces within the public right-of-way in the parking study area. The parking analysis results shown below in Table 1 found the morning period (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.) had the peak demand and that 9 percent of on-street parking spaces were available (i.e. open). A map showing the study area and parking availability during the peak demand period (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.) is included as Attachment 2. In addition, a map showing parking availability in the overnight hours (11 p.m. - 1 a.m.) is included as Attachment 3.
Table 1: Lafayette Street Parking Analysis Results
(Average Weekday, Memorex Drive to Parker Court)
|
Street Name |
Segment |
Parking Spaces |
Average Weekday Percent of Parking Available* |
|
|
|
|
9AM-12PM |
11PM-1AM |
|
Lafayette St |
Memorex Dr to Di Giulio Ave, west side |
8 |
9% |
40% |
|
Lafayette St |
Di Giulio Ave to Parker Court, west side |
14 |
16% |
34% |
|
Shulman Ave |
Memorex Dr to Lafayette St, north side |
27 |
14% |
61% |
|
Shulman Ave |
Memorex Dr to Lafayette St, south side |
11 |
0% |
55% |
|
Memorex Dr |
Ronald St to Avila Ave, north side |
16 |
0% |
96% |
|
Memorex Dr |
Ronald St to Avila Ave, south side |
18 |
29% |
73% |
|
Memorex Dr |
Avila Ave to Lafayette St, north side |
8 |
0% |
10% |
|
Memorex Dr |
Avila Ave to Lafayette St, south side |
8 |
9% |
13% |
|
Ronald St |
Memorex Dr to Di Giulio Ave, east side |
10 |
2% |
93% |
|
Ronald St |
Memorex Dr to Di Giulio Ave, west side |
7 |
43% |
90% |
|
Avila Ave |
Memorex Dr to Di Giulio Ave, east side |
12 |
6% |
2% |
|
Avila Ave |
Memorex Dr to Di Giulio Ave, west side |
14 |
12% |
11% |
|
Di Giulio Ave |
Ronald St to Avila Ave, north side |
14 |
0% |
25% |
|
Di Giulio Ave |
Ronald St to Avila Ave, south side |
20 |
8% |
68% |
|
Di Giulio Ave |
Avila Ave to Lafayette St, north side |
9 |
8% |
8% |
|
Di Giulio Ave |
Avila Ave to Lafayette St, south side |
12 |
6% |
6% |
|
Parker Court |
west of Lafayette St, north side |
13 |
3% |
8% |
|
Parker Court |
west of Lafayette, south side |
12 |
9% |
19% |
|
|
Total |
233 |
9% |
43% |
* Average Weekday Percent of Parking Available is an average of parking counts for three weekdays (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).
The parking analysis found only 2 of 18 street segments had parking availability of 20 percent or greater during the morning period. Staff further analyzed the impacts of removing on-street parking on Lafayette Street and determined that if parking is removed on the west side between Memorex Drive and Parker Court, it is anticipated that those vehicles that would typically park on Lafayette Street (during the morning period, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.) may have to park in the neighboring streets. Based on that shift, it is anticipated that the neighboring streets would not have any remaining parking availability (i.e. 0 percent availability during the morning period (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.). During the late-night period (11 p.m. - 1 a.m.), parking is available in the neighboring streets, but it is expected that those that previously parked on Lafayette Street would need to park up to 600 feet away (i.e. along Avila Avenue and Ronald Street).
Potential Options
Staff identified four options (Attachment 4) for Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Reed Street. Each option is summarized below:
• Option 1: This option removes all 22 on-street parking spaces and adds a Class IV (protected) bikeway on both sides of Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Reed Street
• Option 2: This option does not remove on-street parking and adds a Class II (striped) bicycle lane on the west side of Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Reed Street. No bicycle lane is added to the east side of Lafayette Street and bicyclists must share a travel lane (same as existing condition); however, new pavement marking sharrows and signage will be added.
• Option 3: This option does not remove on-street parking and adds a Class II (striped) bicycle lane on the east side of Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Reed Street. No bicycle lane is added to the west side of Lafayette Street and bicyclists must share a travel lane adjacent to on-street parking (same as existing condition); however, new pavement marking sharrows and signage will be added.
• Option 4: This option does not remove on-street parking and does not implement any bicycle improvements on Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Reed Street.
Staff presented information regarding the potential for parking removal and project options at three public meetings to obtain input from residents as described below.
Community Outreach and Feedback: The Project was communicated to the public by mailing over 1,300 notification letters and postcards, hosting three community meetings on May 4, 2022, July 28, 2022, and September 29, 2022, and posting information on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Nextdoor, and the City website. The purpose of the meetings was to provide the public an opportunity to learn about the project, see the results of the parking analysis, and provide feedback on options.
Community meeting attendees were asked to vote for a preferred option and those results are as follows:
1. Option 1 - Parking removal and add a Class IV bikeway (38% preferred, 9 votes)
2. Option 2 - No parking removal and add a Class II bicycle lane on the west side (13% preferred, 3 votes)
3. Option 3 - No parking removal and add a Class II bicycle lane on the east side (29% preferred, 7 votes)
4. Option 4 - No bicycle lane implementation (21% preferred, 5 votes)
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting and Feedback: The project was presented as an informational item at the January 23, 2023 BPAC meeting. The report to BPAC and meeting presentation included the history and background of the project, the roadway width constraints, on-street parking study and results, input from the three community meetings, and design options. The BPAC voted unanimously to support Option 1 to remove parking and install a Class IV separated bikeway.
Based on the parking analysis findings, community input, and BPAC recommendation, staff recommends Option 1 which removes 22 on-street parking spaces and adds a Class IV (protected) bikeway on both sides of Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Reed Street. However, because there were a few concerns expressed about parking removals in the adjacent neighborhood, there is also the possibility that the bicycle improvements on Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Reed Street could be designed and installed as temporary improvements as part of a pilot program to provide the City the opportunity to revisit the parking situation in a year after removal. Staff could complete an additional parking analysis to determine the effects of the proposed parking removal and return to City Council with an update. The cost for the additional analysis is approximately $10,000 and if a decision is made to restore parking in the pilot area and remove the bike lanes then it is estimated this would cost an additional $250,000.
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
Funding for design is budgeted in the FY 2023/24 Streets and Highways Capital Fund Lafayette Class IV Bike Lanes project. Budget actions to appropriate grant and local match funding for construction will be brought forward to Council after the completion of design.
If Council approves the removal of parking and directs staff to install temporary improvements as part of a pilot program, it is estimated that there is an additional cost of $10,000 for additional parking analysis after installation of the temporary improvements. If a decision is made to restore parking in the pilot area and remove the bike lanes, then it is estimated this would cost an additional $250,000. These costs are not currently budgeted. In order to implement, a future budget action would be required to shift available funds in the FY 2023/24 Streets and Highways Capital Fund Pedestrian and Bicycle Enhancement Facilities project (Project 1220) budget for the parking analysis and, if needed, to restore parking.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
In August, staff mailed notices to the neighborhood adjacent to the proposed parking removal area with information related to an September 12, 2023 City Council meeting regarding this report on proposed parking removals. 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.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Determine the proposed action is exempt under CEQA pursuant to Class 1 (Existing Facilities) of CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
2. Authorize staff to implement parking removal and a Class IV protected bikeway along Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Reed Street (Option 1)
a. Adopt a resolution amending parking regulations on Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Parker Court (Attachment 5).
3. Authorize staff to implement parking removal and a Class IV protected bikeway along Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Reed Street (Option 1) with temporary bicycle improvements on Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Parker Court through a pilot program.
a. Adopt a resolution amending parking regulations on Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Parker Court (Attachment 5).
4. Authorize staff to implement a Class II bicycle lane on the west side along Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Reed Street (Option 2).
5. Authorize staff to implement a Class II bicycle lane on the east side along Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Reed Street (Option 3).
6. Direct staff not to build any bike lanes on Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Reed Street (Option 4).
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1 and 2.
1. Determine the proposed action is exempt under CEQA pursuant to Class 1 (Existing Facilities) of CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
2. Authorize staff to implement parking removal and a Class IV protected bikeway along Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Reed Street (Option 1)
a. Adopt a resolution amending parking regulations on Lafayette Street between Memorex Drive and Parker Court (Attachment 5).
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Jōvan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map with Potential Parking Removal
2. Existing Parking Availability Map, Average Weekday (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
3. Existing Parking Availability Map, Average Weekday (11 p.m. - 1 a.m.)
4. Exhibit of Options
5. Resolution