REPORT TO BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Sidewalk Improvement and Expansion (Garcia)
Report
BACKGROUND
In January 2026, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Member Duong requested a work plan topic discussion on sidewalk improvements and expansion (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION
The work plan topic includes several discussion topics related to pedestrian activity:
* Lack of a complete sidewalk network
* Discontinuous sidewalks
* Street segments without sidewalks
* Inaccessible sidewalks due to overgrown trees and construction
The recommendations in the topic request include:
* Improve and expand sidewalks to encourage more pedestrian trips
* Install more trees to provide shade
* Leveling uneven sidewalks
* Adding streetlighting
* Enforce parking near intersections and crosswalks
City Plans and Policies
Development of the City of Santa Clara first started over 150 years ago and the City's requirements for development have evolved over time. Currently, the land use designations in the City's General Plan (adopted in 2010) and Land Use Zoning Code (updated in 2025) include residential, commercial, mixed-use, office and industrial uses and special purpose zones. The General Plan has several policies relating to pedestrian activities:
General Plan Policies -
5.3.1-P10 - Provide opportunities for increased landscaping and trees in the community, including requirements for new development to provide street trees and a minimum 2:1 on- or off-site replacement for trees removed as part of the proposal to help increase the urban forest and minimize the heat island effect.
5.3.1-P12 - Encourage convenient pedestrian connections within new and existing developments.
5.3.1-P15 - Require new developments and major public infrastructure projects to include adequate rights- of-way to accommodate all modes of transportation.
5.3.1-P26 - Support a community-initiated planning process so that existing neighborhoods can participate in developing...
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