REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Consideration of a Resolution to Work Collaboratively with the VTA, County of Santa Clara and the Cities of Cupertino and San Jose Regarding a Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor Study
Report
BACKGROUND
On August 25, 2017, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) was asked by five members of the VTA’s Board of Directors (Liccardo, Jones, O’Neill, Vaidhyanathan and Yeager) to scope studies for transit options and complete street implementation on the Stevens Creek/West San Carlos Corridor from Highway 85 in Cupertino through Santa Clara to Diridon Station in San Jose. This corridor is a heavily utilized vehicular route and is expected to experience increased traffic demands due to planned development growth in San Jose as well as at the Apple Campus 2 in Cupertino. On September 12, 2017, at the end of a study session regarding the City of San Jose’s Urban Villages, the Santa Clara City Council approved outreach efforts for the formation of a Stevens Creek Urban Village Task Force with the mayors and councilmembers from the cities of Santa Clara, Cupertino, San Jose and Campbell. On January 18, 2018, the VTA responded to the August 25, 2017 request with a suggested scope of services to study transportation options for Stevens Creek Boulevard.
On August 28, 2018, staff provided Council with an Informational Report on the Stevens Creek/West San Carlos Corridor Study as well as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Transformative Projects Application that was submitted by the City of San Jose. The idea contained in the application centered around a potential transit line that would connect Diridon Station, along West San Carlos Street and Stevens Creek Boulevard, to Highway 85. The concept for the transit line would be either underground or aerial and would be designed with stops to serve major health, shopping, housing, education and employment nodes along the corridor. The City of Santa Clara was listed as a joint applicant on the proposal.
DISCUSSION
Public Work’s staff and Councilmember O’Neill attended a March 25, 2019, meeting at the VTA offices that included members of the VTA, the City of San Jose and the City of Cupertino. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss support for a multi-jurisdictional Stevens Creek Corridor group focused on developing a Complete Streets and Transit Study, including options of High Capacity Transit, for the Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor. VTA has offered to take a lead role in advancing the study and requested that the Cities show support for it through the adoption of a resolution. The Cities of San Jose, Cupertino and the County of Santa Clara have adopted similar resolutions to the one being considered by Council with this report. A portion of Stevens Creek Boulevard is in the City of Santa Clara’s boundaries and it is important for staff to participate in this study to make sure options being proposed fit within the City’s plans and policies and to provide Council an opportunity to provide input on the outcome of the study. Based on the projected growth and traffic along the corridor it is prudent to look at future transit options now and for the City of Santa Clara to be engaged in the effort.
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 organization or administrative activity that will not result in director of indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional cost to the City other than administrative staff time and expense. However, an initial estimate for the Stevens Creek/West San Carlos Corridor Study is approximately $2 million and it is anticipated that the costs will be shared amongst the participating agencies. Staff will return to Council with a budget request once the scope of work is finalized and a shared cost proposal is developed.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Community Development Department and the 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.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt a Resolution to Work Collaboratively with the VTA, County of Santa Clara and the Cities of Cupertino and San Jose Regarding a Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor Study that considers both Complete Streets and High Capacity Transit.
2. Do Not Adopt a Resolution.
3. That the City Manager or designee is authorized to assess resources needed to develop this study and report findings to the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternatives 1 and 3:
1. Adopt a Resolution to Work Collaboratively with the VTA, County of Santa Clara and the Cities of Cupertino and San Jose Regarding a Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor Study that considers both Complete Streets and High Capacity Transit; and
3. That the City Manager or designee is authorized to assess resources needed to develop this study and report findings to the City Council.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution