REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Receive Presentation and Provide Input on the Creek Trail Network Expansion Master Plan Project
Report
BACKGROUND
The City is currently in the process of developing a Creek Trail Network Expansion Master Plan (Master Plan). The Master Plan includes the following three corridors (Attachment 1):
• Calabazas Creek: Benton Street to the Bay Trail just north of Highway 237
The Calabazas Creek corridor extends through Earl R. Carmichael Park.
• Hetch Hetchy: Calabazas Creek to the Guadalupe River
The Hetch Hetchy corridor extends through Lick Mill Park and the Ulistac Natural Area.
• Saratoga Creek: Forbes Avenue to Monroe Street
The Saratoga Creek corridor extends through Bowers Park, Central Park, Bill Wilson Jr. Park and Homeridge Park.
The Master Plan will be completed based on the findings resulting from the 2013 Creek Trail Network Expansion Feasibility Study, engineering analysis, and input from stakeholders, including members of the public.
• Engineering Drawings - including trail segments and crossings
• Architectural Drawings - project location maps including typical trail cross sections with habitat preservation and integration
• Trail Design Standards and Guidelines - including typical trail widths, signage, and cross slopes
• Cost Estimates - including probable costs based on conceptual plans
• Final Report - summarizing project findings, concepts, constraints, design guidance, and recommendations on trail implementation and phasing
DISCUSSION
As noted in the FY 2024/25 and 2025/26 Adopted Biennial Capital Improvement Program Budget, “Santa Clara has…placed a priority on enhancing multi-modal transportation for residents and businesses by providing additional bicycle facilities throughout the City based on the Bicycle Master Plan, adopting a Pedestrian Master Plan, creating a Shared Mobility Permit Program (bicycle and scooter share), and is in the process of completing a Creek Trail Network Expansion Master Plan for future expansion of trail facilities to complement the existing San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail.” Santa Clara hopes to build upon the success of the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail (STACT), which is the most used pedestrian and bicyclist facility in the city according to data presented in the Bicycle Master Plan Update 2018 and the Pedestrian Master Plan.
In the fall of 2017 Santa Clara initiated the Creek Trail Network Expansion Master Plan (Master Plan). The Master Plan builds upon the City’s 2013 Creek Trail Network Expansion Feasibility Study, which provides an overview of three corridors under investigation and serves as background to the Master Plan. The study can be accessed on the City’s website at: <https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-g-z/public-works/engineering/traffic-engineering/santa-clara-creek-trail-master-plan>
The purpose of the Master Plan is to more fully assess the feasibility and functionality of the trail corridors to support off-street, grade-separated trail routes. The feasibility of the trail corridors has changed with new policies adopted by partner agencies and an eye toward the impacts of climate change on the two creeks under evaluation. The functionality of the trail corridors to provide a different type of pedestrian and bicyclist experience located off busy city streets, and the utility of the routes to access important venues and seamlessly connect with the on-street bicycle and pedestrian network is explored.
The Master Plan project kicked off with the project consultant, Jana Sokale, completing a review of relevant City documents including the 2013 Creek Trail Network Expansion Feasibility Study, Bicycle Master Plan, and other planning documents to help guide the initial development of the trail concept plans. In addition, the project team began data collection and analysis tasks which included a review of topographic surveys, right-of-way maps, utility maps, field observation visits, and creek conditions. The project team also prepared a draft traffic analysis to evaluate at-grade roadway trail crossings. Upon completion of these tasks, trail alignments and concepts for the three corridors were prepared for initial review by stakeholders and City Departments.
The ability of Santa Clara to deliver new trail projects relies upon partnerships and agreements with landowners and agencies with jurisdiction over the three corridors. These potential trail corridors are located on lands partially owned by City of Santa Clara, Valley Water, City and County of San Francisco (Hetch Hetchy), Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), Caltrans, County of Santa Clara and various other private landowners. Over the past several years, the consultant team has reviewed background materials, conducted fieldwork, undertaken survey work, prepared base maps, identified preliminary trail alignments and developed conceptual engineering solutions for trail underpasses, overcrossings, bridges and at-grade crossings and explored avenues for mitigating trail impacts on the environment. These preliminary designs have been further refined through hydraulic studies and traffic analyses. The preliminary trail alignments and engineering designs have been presented and reviewed by many of the landowners and agencies.
The project team met with the following stakeholders to discuss the initial trail alignments and to gather feedback and comments on the proposed trails:
• City Departments
• Valley Water (formerly Santa Clara Valley Water District)
• San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) for Hetch Hetchy
• Caltrans, District 4
• Caltrain/Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (JPB)
• High-Speed Rail Authority
• Santa Clara County Roads and Airports Department
• Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department
• City of Sunnyvale
• Mission College
• Ulistac Natural Area Restoration and Education Project
• Private Landowners Proposing Development Projects along the three corridors
Comments received by the City project team on the initial trail alignments indicated several concerns from the stakeholders including safety, infrastructure access, emergency access, site and parking impacts, environmental deterioration, noise impacts from trail users, railroad clearances, roadway impacts, and access easement agreements. Based on this input, the project team modified the initial trail alignments to address stakeholder comments and resolve any issues identified. Consequently, the stakeholder input helped guide the project team to identify roadway and rail crossing options.
In addition to stakeholder coordination, City staff has requested input on specific plans, park master plans and development proposals that have the potential to impact the three trail corridors. This coordination has been intended to preserve land for trails, acquire land or easements along the three corridors and secure funding through development agreements when an appropriate nexus exists between development projects and pedestrian and bicycle circulation.
Since the completion of the 2013 Creek Trail Network Expansion Feasibility Study much has changed in regard to trail planning in the region. In December 2021 Valley Water adopted “Public Trails on Valley Water Lands: Policy Criteria and Guidance.” In 2015 San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) adopted “SFPUC Interim Water Pipeline Right of Way Use Policy for San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Alameda Counties.” These policies have implications for trail development along the three potential trail corridors. The consultant team has evaluated this new guidance.
The project team is currently working with stakeholders to address any outstanding issues with the redesigned trail alignments. Once the trail concept designs are considered feasible by the project team, they will be presented to the public for comment. It is anticipated that the first round of public outreach events will be scheduled for spring/summer 2025 and the public release of the draft report will be in late 2025. The final report and project completion are anticipated following a public review of the draft report.
Measure R Compliance
The Creek Trail Network Expansion Master Plan Project, when finalized and approved, may be subject to Measure R. In November 2016, voters passed Measure R, which added Section 714.1 Protection of Parkland and Public Open Space to the City Charter. Measure R prohibits selling, leasing, or otherwise disposing of parkland for a period of one hundred eighty days (180) days or more, and prohibits its use be changed, abandoned or discontinued without such sale, lease, disposal or changed use having first been authorized by a two-thirds majority of the electorate. In addition, Measure R requires substantial building, construction, reconstruction or development be authorized by ordinance subject to referendum. The referendum process is set forth in the Elections Code. The Master Plan, if approved, will include changes to existing parks that may be considered as “substantial building, construction, reconstruction, or development”.
At this time, staff would like to introduce the project to the Commission and highlight upcoming opportunities for community engagement over the coming months.
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 a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission 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
Provide input on Creek Trail Network Expansion Master Plan Project.
Staff
Prepared by: Ralph Garcia, Senior Civil Engineer, Public Works and Consultant Jana Sokale
Reviewed by: Dale Seale, Deputy Parks & Recreation Director
Approved by: Damon Sparacino, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Creek Trail Master Plan Corridor Map
2. Presentation - Creek Trail Network Expansion Master Plan