Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing a Request to the California Department of Transportation to Establish Parking Restrictions on Various Portions of Central and Encinal Avenues on State Route 61. (Planning, Building and Transportation 20962700)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
State law requires the City of Alameda (City) City Council to adopt a resolution authorizing a request to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to establish parking restrictions on portions of City streets that are on the State Highway System. The resolution allows for implementation of changes to on-street parking regulations on the portions of Central Avenue and Encinal Avenue that are on State Route 61 consistent with the citywide daylighting policy and the Central Avenue Safety Improvement Project design.
BACKGROUND
In 2018, the City Council adopted the Transportation Choices Plan, which includes the Central Avenue Safety Improvement Project (www.alamedaca.gov/Central), and sets as primary objectives to address the climate crisis and to increase the safety of all road users.
In 2019, the City Council amended the Alameda Municipal Code to improve safety of all users of the road through visibility improvements (daylighting) at intersections. In 2021, the City Council approved the Vision Zero Action Plan, which prioritizes the reduction of fatal and severe injury crashes to zero and includes daylighting as a key vision zero safety measure and approved a resolution to make significant safety improvements to Alameda streets to end fatalities and serious injuries, with daylighting on high injury corridors, which includes State Route 61 on portions of Central Avenue and Encinal Avenue.
As part of the outreach for the Central Avenue final concept, all adjacent property owners were mailed a postcard notifying them of virtual open houses. These open houses were held in the fall of 2020 and again in February 2021. The information on the Central Avenue final concept has been viewed over 6,000 times and is available at <https://gather.cdmsmith.com/v/y2qm2KdR1wO> .
Following public outreach and numerous public hearings since 2015, in 2021, the City Council approved the final design for the Central Avenue Safety Improvement Project. Public outreach regarding the design and the City Council’s 2021 staff report and exhibits included an extensive discussion of how the street would be restriped and the number of parking spaces that would need to be eliminated or relocated to accommodate the pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements and/or bus stop improvements. Exhibit 1 is an excerpt from the 2021 Central Avenue Safety Improvement Traffic Operations Analysis Report, which shows exactly how many on-street parking spaces would be removed on each block.
DISCUSSION
California Vehicle Code section 22506 provides that the City may by resolution prohibit or restrict the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles on a state highway in its jurisdiction if the resolution is first submitted to and approved in writing by Caltrans.
On Central Avenue, the resolution authorizes Caltrans to establish parking restrictions on the State Route 61 portions of Central Avenue between Webster Street and Sherman Street/Encinal Avenue consistent with the City Council’s April 2021 approval of the Central Avenue Safety Improvement Project. Exhibit 2 depicts the City Council’s 2021 approval for the State Route portion of Central Avenue.
On Encinal Avenue, the resolution authorizes daylighting on Encinal Avenue at the intersection of Oak Street and at the intersection of Park Street. As shown on Exhibit 3, the daylighting will result in the removal of two on-street parking spaces on Encinal Avenue at Oak Street and one space on Encinal Avenue at the Park Street intersection.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council may consider a range of alternatives, including:
• Adopt the resolution as recommended,
• Adopt the resolution with revisions determined necessary by the City Council. It should be noted that the final design was approved in 2021, and any changes to the Central Avenue plan will result in changes to the project design, which will jeopardize the City’s ability to secure Federal funding for the safety project. Revisions to maintain the existing parking regulations on Encinal Avenue would be in conflict with the City Council’s adopted daylighting policy and municipal code requirements.
• Take no action on the resolution and direct staff to proceed with another approach. Similar to option 2, this option would jeopardize the funding for the Central Avenue Safety Project and conflict with the City Council’s adopted daylighting policy and Alameda Municipal Code requirements.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Authorizing a request to Caltrans to establish parking restrictions on various portions of State Route 61 does not have a fiscal impact. If the resolution is not approved, Federal funding for the Central Avenue Safety Project would be jeopardized.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code and the City's Mobility Element of the General Plan with the four main goals of equity, safety, choices and sustainability.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Adoption of a resolution is statutorily exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to actions that have the potential to cause a significant impact on the environment.
CLIMATE IMPACT
Since vehicle miles traveled in Alameda is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Alameda, safety improvements in support of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit will have a positive climate impact.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing a request to Caltrans to establish parking restrictions on various portions of State Route 61.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Thomas, Director of Planning, Building and Transportation
By,
Gail Payne, Senior Transportation Coordinator
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret L. O'Brien, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Excerpt from the 2021 Central Avenue Safety Improvement Traffic Operations Analysis Report
2. Project Layout for Central Avenue/State Route 61
3. Project Layout for Daylighting on Encinal Avenue/State Route 61
cc: Nancy Bronstein, Interim City Manager
Erin Smith, Public Works Director