Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Thursday, September 16, 2021 6:30 PM Telepresence Meeting: City Web Stream CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to Section 3 of Executive Order N-29-20 (March 17, 2020) and Section 42 of Executive Order N-08-21 (June 11, 2021) issued by Governor Newsom, the meeting was conducted telephonically. Chair Mehlinger called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. via teleconference. ROLL CALL Present 7 - Chair Richard Mehlinger Vice Chair Leia Mehlman Commissioner Alex Bonne Commissioner Arwen Davé Commissioner Dan Hafeman Commissioner Timothy Oey Commissioner Mihir Paradkar Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer and Nabilah Deen, Transportation Engineer attended via teleconference. Council Liaison Klein (present). ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Viva Calle SJ - September 19, great opportunity to experience open streets and a run - Silicon Valley Bikes (Fundraiser for the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition) - September 19 - VTA will be having a Central Bikeway demonstration at Viva Calle SJ which is an example of a Bicycle Super Highway City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 16, 2021 Commission Commissioner Bonne introduced himself to the BPAC as a new BPAC Commissioner Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment Ralph Durham, member of the public, commented on the following: - Sharrows should not be used to keep residents safe while bicycling - Sunnyvale needs to make the streets safer for bicyclists so they will want to ride Ari Feinsmith, member of the public, commented on the following: - Future meetings should take into consideration holidays Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment CONSENT CALENDAR 1.A 21-0898 Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of August 19, 2021. Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of August 19, 2021 as submitted. Commissioner Hafeman moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to approve item 1.A. The motion carried the following vote: Yes 6 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Paradkar No 0 Abstain 1 - Commissioner Bonne City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 16, 2021 Commission PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2 21-0765 Recommend to City Council the Removal of On-Street Parking on the East Side of Sunnyvale Avenue Between Maude Avenue and Arques Avenue and Both Sides of Sunnyvale Avenue Between Arques Avenue and Hendy Avenue to Install Buffered Bicycle Lanes on Both Sides of Sunnyvale Avenue Per the Active Transportation Plan Alternative 1: Recommend to City Council the Removal of On-Street Parking on the East Side of Sunnyvale Avenue Between Maude Avenue and Arques Avenue and on Both Sides of Sunnyvale Avenue Between Arques Avenue and Hendy Avenue, and to Install Buffered Bicycle Lanes on Both Sides of Sunnyvale Avenue Per the Active Transportation Plan Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Planner gave a presentation on Sunnyvale Safe Routes to School Improvements on Sunnyvale Avenue. Highlighting the following: - Project Overview and Needs - Project Limits - Sunnyvale Avenue between Maude and Hendy Avenues - Existing Bicycle Network - Bicycle Activity on Sunnyvale Avenue - Sunnyvale Active Transportation Plan (ATP) - On-Street Parking Study - Sunnyvale Avenue On-Street Parking Study Area - Sunnyvale Avenue On-Street Parking Study Summary - Proposed Bicycle Improvements - Public Outreach - Public Outreach Meeting Notification Area - Virtual Public Outreach Meeting - Online Survey - Staff Interpretation of Data, Outreach and Policy - Benefits and Concerns - Recommendation to City Council - Next Steps Commissioner Oey asked about the following: - Why isn't the lane on Sunnyvale Avenue 10 1/2 feet wide the whole way? Ms. City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 16, 2021 Commission Tsang stated there is a VTA bus which travels along this corridor, and the travel lane needs to have a minimum of 11 feet to accommodate a bus. Commissioner Bonne asked about the following: - Was the count on bicyclists total during the day or was the count per hour? Ms. Tsang stated the count was done during peak hour. Was there data counted for total riders during the course of one day? Ms. Tsang stated data was not collected. Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following: - Were the parking studies done on a weekend day? Ms. Tsang stated there were not studies done on a weekend day. Chair Mehlinger asked about the following: - Were Class IV protected bike lanes considered for part or all this stretch? Ms. Tsang stated this corridor has frequent driveways so it would not be ideal for a Class IV facility. - Is there anyway to maintain street parking on this stretch of street while also adding all ages and abilities bicycle facilities? Ms. Tsang stated because of the width of the roadway it is quite limited. Limitation is the curb to curb space. - Was there someone on the street counting cyclists? Mr. Dankberg, Kimley Horn consultant stated they performed traffic counts and bicycle counts at those intersections in 2019. - Is there any data on violent crime in this neighborhood or surrounding areas? Ms. Tsang stated on the Sunnyvale website there is a neighborhood crime map where residents can view specific areas of the City. Vice Chair Mehlman asked about the following: - How will residents be able to put out their trash containers without obstructing the bike lane? Ms. Tsang stated that on trash day residents have been advised to place their bins as close to the curb as possible and bicyclists will have to be careful of those bins. Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following: - Is it true that if there is no parking in front of your house, an Uber/Lyft or paratransit cannot pick up a passenger? Ms. Tsang stated that if there is a "No Parking" sign they could still pick up or drop off. Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 16, 2021 Commission Lauren Ledbetter, member of the public, commented on the following: - Good project - Most important N-S bicycle corridor in Sunnyvale - Over 200 bike trips on this section of Sunnyvale Avenue each weekday - Families ride it on weekends - Best option for Lowlanders and SNAIL neighborhoods to cross Central Expressway and Caltrain tracks - Vital connection to retail, restaurants, farmers market, transit in downtown Sunnyvale - Only gap in the Sunnyvale Avenue/Borregas Avenue Corridor - Need to improve safety - Bike lanes can reduce crashes by 35% Ralph Durham, member of the public, commented on the following: - Recommends the project - There needs to be space for people to get to and from where they are going in a safe and convenient manner Margaret Henson, member of the public, commented on the following: - Should use bikeways that are already in existence including Bayview which borders Bishop School and Morse Avenue which borders Columbia Middle School rather than disrupting entire neighborhoods when there are safer alternatives that are in existence Isabell Shockley, member of the public, commented on the following: - Would like City staff to re-think the project - Feels family will be at risk if removal of street parking were to happen Jeffrey Henson, member of the public, commented on the following: - Does not approve of adding a new bike lane on North Sunnyvale Avenue and eliminating parking - Project will be bad for senior citizens Valerie Suares, member of the public, commented on the following: - Asked staff to reconsider removing parking for the residents on Sunnyvale Avenue - Very busy and dangerous street - There are alternative routes for students Mr. Bernhardt, member of the public, commented on the following: City of Sunnyvale Page 5 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 16, 2021 Commission - In favor of bike lanes - May improve business from bicyclists along the corridor Kathleen Martin, member of the public, commented on the following: - Uber/Lyft or paratransit will not stop in front of her home if there is a bike lane - Homeowners who live between Arques/Taylor are against the removal of on-street parking but not against the bike lane - Handicap residents will have major issues if there is removal of on-street parking along the corridor Daniel Howard, member of the public, commented on the following: - In favor of removal on on-street parking and adding a bike lane Cristian Bayer, member of the public, commented on the following: - Schroeder Avenue parking concerns - Study to see if the sidewalk could be wider rather than removing on-street parking Agnes Nika, member of the public, commented on the following: - Installing a Class III Bike Route along corridor - Safety concerns of removal of on-street parking Laurie, member of the public, commented on the following: - In favor of safe bike lanes along Sunnyvale Avenue Ari Feinsmith, member of the public, commented on the following: - In favor of the project to remove on-street parking and add bike lanes to protect cyclists on this very dangerous street Chair Melinger closed for Public Comment Chair Mehlinger asked about the following: - Can the remaining parking spots be marked to prevent double parking? Ms. Tsang stated it is not something City currently implement, and there will be additional maintenance costs associated to it. - How much advance notice would residents get if the removal of on-street parking were adopted by City Council? Ms. Tsang stated construction will not begin until approximately a year later and notice will be sent out to residents in advance. - Request to put Ms. Ledbetter's recommendations on the TDA wish list - Would Class III Bike Route/sharrows constitute all ages and ability bicycle facility City of Sunnyvale Page 6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 16, 2021 Commission given the context of Sunnyvale Avenue? Ms. Tsang stated Class III on Sunnyvale Avenue will not be considered all ages and ability facilities. - What would it cost to change the width of the sidewalk on Sunnyvale Avenue? Ms. Tsang stated it would be very costly. Commissioner Bonne asked about the following: - Does Sunnyvale Avenue have the right amount of street lights? Ms. Tsang stated she will check with the street department to confirm. - Is there an option for cars to park half on street and half on the sidewalk? Is there enough room to make it a feasible option? Ms. Tsang stated it depends on the type of curb and that it would reduce the sidewalk width for pedestrians. Chair Mehlinger called for a recess at 7:55 p.m. Chair Mehlinger reconvened the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Commissioner Davé asked if there could be a marking for cars to temporarily pull over to pick up a resident? Ms. Tsang stated there is no signage for that situation. Commissioner Oey moved and Vice Chair Mehlman seconded Alternative 1: Recommend to City Council the Removal of On-Street Parking on the East Side of Sunnyvale Avenue Between Maude Avenue and Arques Avenue and on Both Sides of Sunnyvale Avenue Between Arques Avenue and Hendy Avenue, and to Install Buffered Bicycle Lanes on Both Sides of Sunnyvale Avenue Per the Active Transportation Plan. Adding that staff to try to accommodate as many pedestrian improvements as they can at California Avenue, the bridge and Hazelton Avenue. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - It is very important to make Sunnyvale Avenue safer for bicyclist - Having safer streets will motivate more bicyclists - Plenty of nearby street parking for those displaced from the removal of on-street parking - North Sunnyvale Avenue is a gap in the network that needs to be closed - Staff recommendation for Sunnyvale Avenue is fundamentally sound and solidly in line with all Sunnyvale policies and plans - Applauds staff for their very thorough job of their report Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Thanked staff for a great job - This route passes one school and adjacent to another which makes it critical for City of Sunnyvale Page 7 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 16, 2021 Commission Safe Routes to School network Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - In favor of motion due to supporting Safe Routes to School - Good route to work Commissioner Bonne commented on the following: - Supports motion due to having more bikes on the streets - Lower speed limits at same time FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Chair Mehlinger amends the motion to direct staff to examine adding parking space markers (cross-marks) to Sunnyvale Avenue and some distance along surrounding side streets, if feasible. Commissioner Oey and Commissioner Mehlman accept the amendment. Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Supports the motion because there are many policies within the City that demand this step - Only suitable North/South bicycle pedestrian corridor that crosses the tracks for over a mile - Currently Sunnyvale Avenue is not safe for bicyclists - Children need safe bicycle facilities - There is no other way to add an all ages and abilities bicycle facility to Sunnyvale Avenue without removing on-street parking Commissioner Oey moved and Vice Chair Mehlman seconded Alternative 1 with Modification: Recommend to City Council the Removal of On-Street Parking on the East Side of Sunnyvale Avenue Between Maude Avenue and Arques Avenue and Both Sides of Sunnyvale Avenue Between Arques Avenue and Hendy Avenue and Install Buffered Bicycle Lanes on Both Sides of Sunnyvale Avenue Per the Active Transportation Plan, Incorporate Pedestrian Safety Improvements on Sunnyvale Avenue at California Avenue, on the bridge over Central Expressway, and at Hazelton Avenue, and Examine Adding Parking Space Markings on Sunnyvale Avenue and Some Distance along Nearby Side Streets, if Feasible. The Amendment carried the following vote: City of Sunnyvale Page 8 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 16, 2021 Commission Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Paradkar No 0 3 21-0643 Discussion on VTA Measure B Education and Encouragement Program FY21-22 Potential Projects Nabilah Deen, Transportation Engineer, gave a presentation on VTA Measure B Bicycle and Pedestrian Education & Encouragement Program. Highlighting the following: - Background on Measure B Bicycle and Pedestrian Education & Encouragement Program - Update on FY 20/21 Projects - Discussion of Proposed FY 21/22 Projects Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - In favor of the FY 21/22 Proposed Projects - Use quality products for incentives/giveaways - Have a Traffic Garden Commissioner Bonne commented on the following: - Use quality and durable products for incentives/giveaways - Volunteers to help students and residents bike from origins to destinations Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Suggested giveaways/incentives - Bike build projects for low income families Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Use of Bike lights - Talk with Environmental Services Department about giveaways/incentives Commissioner Paradkar commented on the following: City of Sunnyvale Page 9 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 16, 2021 Commission - Suggested giveaways/incentives Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Make sure giveaways/incentives are not adding to excessive waste and durable/quality Commissioner Davé commented on the following: - List places or events in Sunnyvale where free bike accessories are available Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Have more bike repair events - Sunnyvale should have a bike fest - Open streets event Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES 4 21-0475 BPAC 2022 Study Issue Sponsorship (Scenario 1) Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, explained the Study Issue process. Highlighting the following: - Designed to assist City Council with setting priorities for the upcoming calendar year - Board and Commission members have 2 roles in the process: - Advise Council regarding identification of policy issues to study - Advise Council on those issues Council has decided to study - BPAC has proposed 4 potential Study Issues to review which need to be officially voted on for sponsorship - Sponsorship means study issue is approved for ranking with a majority vote of the Board and Commission - BPAC can vote to drop or sponsor these Study Issues, there needs to be a motion, a second and a majority vote. For study issues that are voted on to be sponsored, staff will write a draft Study Issue Paper which will be provided in the October BPAC agenda packet for BPAC to make comments on. - Submit to City Manager first week of December - Sponsor Study Issues as well as any deferred Study Issues that were under the City of Sunnyvale Page 10 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 16, 2021 Commission BPAC's purview will be brought back to BPAC for ranking in January 2022 The 4 Study Issues that are to be considered are as follows: 1. Bicycle and Infrastructure Bond Measure 2. Parking Standards for Personal Electric Vehicles 3. Roll in or Fully Enclosed Bike Parking Ordinance 4. Simplify Sidewalk Riding Ordinance Chair Mehlinger opened for Public Comment Chair Mehlinger closed for Public Comment Commissioner Oey commented the following: - Roll in or Fully Enclosed Bike Parking Ordinance can be dropped - #1 choice should be Bicycle and Infrastructure Bond Measure for funding and Simplify Sidewalk Riding Ordinance as #2 choice Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - #1 should be Bicycle and Infrastructure Bond Measure due to funding - Look at secured charging stations not just secured spot to park in regards to "Parking Standards for Electric Vehicles" - Roll in ordinance low priority Commissioner Bonne commented and asked about the following: - Modify City ordinance to have a rolling stop for bicyclists at stop signs Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Roll in Ordinance can be dropped or deferred - Fire safety aspect and charging station aspect are very important in regards to "Parking Standards for Electric Vehicles" - Bond Measure not to be tied to the ATP instead just for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure MOTION: Chair Mehlinger moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to approve to sponsor the Bicycle and Infrastructure Bond Measure as a Study Issue with the modification that the proposed bond measure not to be constrained to the Active Transportation Plan (ATP). The bond measure should be for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in general rather than solely bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure City of Sunnyvale Page 11 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 16, 2021 Commission called out in the ATP. Vice Chair Mehlman is in favor of the amendment The motion carried the following vote: Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Paradkar No 0 MOTION: Commissioner Oey moved and Commissioner Hafeman seconded to sponsor Simplify Sidewalk Riding Ordinance. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Need to simplify current law - too confusing Commissioner Hafeman agreed with Commissioner Oey Chair Mehlinger supported the motion and stated City ordinance is to vague. The motion carried the following vote: Yes 7 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Davé Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey Commissioner Paradkar No 0 MOTION: Vice Chair Mehlman moved and Commissioner Davé seconded to City of Sunnyvale Page 12 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 16, 2021 Commission sponsor Parking Standards for Personal Electric Vehicles. Vice Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Having a charging station and storage for them would promote more people to use that type of transportation Commissioner Davé commented on the following: - Anything that helps to use Ebikes, Escooters etc., will help promote more bike riding - Great benefit to have a secure place and charging stations for them The motion carried the following vote: Yes 6 - Chair Mehlinger Vice Chair Mehlman Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Davé Commissioner Oey Commissioner Paradkar No 0 Abstain 1 - Commissioner Hafeman NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Asked Chair Mehlinger to give members of the public more time to comment if there are many members commenting in Public Hearing Commissioner Hafeman commented and asked about the following: - Would like staff to educate residents that parking spots on the street are public property Chair Mehlinger commented on the following: - Requests Commissioners to vote a "yes" or a "no" rather then to abstain - Encourages the City to be more thoughtful when scheduling public meetings on holidays Mayor Klein stated meeting are scheduled around national holidays which are City of Sunnyvale Page 13 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final September 16, 2021 Commission determined by the state from a federal standpoint. -Staff Comments Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer, commented on the following: - Signing, striping and concrete work is done for the Homestead improvements - Pedestrian scramble at Homestead Road/Mary Avenue will be activated in October or November - Telepresence meetings to continue as long as permissible INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS 21-0294 BPAC 2021 Annual Work Plan 21-0295 Active Items List September 2021 21-0465 2021 Deferred Study Issues ADJOURNMENT Chair Mehlinger adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 14