Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Thursday, March 16, 2023 6:30 PM Online and Conference Room, Washington Community Swim Center, 255 S. Pastoria Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 CALL TO ORDER Chair Mehlman called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chair Mehlman led the salute to the flag. ROLL CALL Present 5 - Chair Leia Mehlman Vice Chair Bryce Beagle Commissioner Alex Bonne Commissioner Dan Hafeman Commissioner Timothy Oey Absent 1 - Commissioner Arwen Davé Commisisoner Davé (excused absence) Council Liaison Cisneros (absent) ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Public Comment opened at 6:37 p.m. No speakers. Public Comment closed at 6:37 p.m. CONSENT CALENDAR Public Comment opened at 6:38 p.m. No speakers. Public Comment closed at 6:38 p.m. 1.A 23-0451 Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission Minutes of February 16, 2023. Approve the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting Minutes of February 16, 2023 as submitted. Commissioner Hafeman moved and Commissioner Oey seconded the motion to approve item 1.A. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes 5 - Chair Mehlman Vice Chair Beagle Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey No 0 Absent 1 - Commissioner Davé PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2 23-0030 Recommend to the City Council the Selection of a Preferred Alignment for the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing Project Alternative 1: Recommend to City Council the Selection of the Eastern Alignment as the Preferred Alignment of the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing Project. Angela Obeso, Principal Transportation Engineer and Dave Dickinson, WMH Engineering, gave a presentation on the status of the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing Project and asked BPAC to make a recommendation to City Council. Highlighting the following: - Project Purpose and Limits - Existing Access - Evelyn Avenue Intersection - Existing Access - Central Expressway Intersection - Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Routes - Project Description and Partners - Work Performed to Date - - Sunnyvale and Mountain View agreement - Measure B funding - Developed conceptual options - Joint Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission/Committee (BPAC) City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission Presentation - Caltrain/Joint Powers Board approved Use Variance - On-going agency coordination - Alternative refinements from feedback - Community Outreach meeting - Mountain View Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee - Project Alternatives - Western Alternative, Western Alternative with Intermediate Bike Ramp, Eastern Alternative, Eastern Alternative with Intermediate Bike Ramp, Undercrossing Cross-Section Options - Design Features to Enhance User Experience - Comfort, Accessibility, Lighting, etc. - Community Meeting Feedback, Feb. 2, 2023 - Mountain View BPAC Meeting, Feb. 22, 2023 - Objective - BPAC's alternative recommendation to City Council - Need recommendation to obtain environmental clearance - Staff Recommendation - Recommend to City Council the Selection of the Eastern Alignment as the Preferred Alignment of the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing Project Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following: - Anything physically preventing vehicles from jumping a curve and hitting the skylight? - Would it be feasible and cheaper to get Caltrain to shift their poles before they electrify their wires? - Will the intersection need to be completely redone for both alternatives? - If adjustments were to be made at the intersection, has staff look into making it a protected intersection? Ms. Obeso and Mr. Dickinson addressed the questions. Commissioner Bonne commented and asked about the following: - Estimate for standard and worst case impact on Caltrain as you tunnel under the tracks and is it based on previous experience with tunneling under Caltrain who actively use train tracks? - What are the underground utilities you may have to move? Would there be neighborhood interruptions? - Can you abate the water that will go down the tunnel? Will the tunnel be usable? - Look at the friction of the surface when wet and at turns for safety for bicyclists and pedestrians City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission - What are the impacts you can have to reduce the speed of traffic on Evelyn Avenue? Ms. Obeso and Mr. Dickinson addressed the questions. Commissioner Hafeman commented and asked about the following: - One reason the Eastern Alignment Alternative is preferred is because of the speed of construction and they can store construction equipment without closing lanes - Concerned with the safety of the turns for bicyclists - Can the tunnel on the inside be wider and merge it back down to 20 feet so there is more leeway? Ms. Obeso and Mr. Dickinson addressed the questions. Commissioner Oey asked about the following: - Is art included as part of the project? - Would the u-turn stay on East Evelyn Avenue? - Will there be flat areas for ADA on the tunnel descent? Ms. Obeso and Mr. Dickinson addressed the questions. Chair Mehlman commented and asked about the following: - Worried about ramps becoming streams - Why are there acute right angle turns into the undercossings? - Concerned about raised bumps being slippery. High reflective paint is slippery too - Suggested a public art space and liaising with City's Art Program Ms. Obeso addressed the question. Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following: - Did staff look into making the road on the east side of Evelyn Avenue more narrow and have 11 foot lanes? - How is it expected to operate with Evelyn Avenue Trail? Chair Mehlman asked about the following: - When the slip right turn lane is eliminated, is Mountain View planning on redesigning that section of the bike lane? Ms. Obeso and Mr. Dickinson addressed the question. City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission Public comment opened at 7:38 p.m. Jim van Pernis, member of the public, commented on the following: - Sent Commissioner Oey an image of a bike tunnel from the Netherlands that goes under train tracks as an example - In favor of the Eastern Alignment Alternative - Concerned with the openings of the tunnel and if bikes, other devices, cargo bikes and extra large bikes would be able to maneuver around Jonathan Blum, member of Bike Sunnyvale, commented on the following: - Thanked staff for their diligence and clarity of their presentation, particularly appreciated the proposed changes at the North Bernardo intersection to make it safer for pedestrians - Bike Sunnyvale prefers the Eastern Alignment Alternative because it would be aesthetically nicer due to the tunnel design, the 189 Bernardo building on the northeast corner plans to provide some amenities, including seating, water and restrooms and this alignment is intrinsically less likely to have an accidental car intrusion because of the way the ramps line up against the direction of the nearest traffic, it may cost less and finally there is potential to make the ramps less steep - Main concerns are safe crossing for cyclists wishing to connect between eastbound Central Expressway and Bernardo Avenue and how to minimize the risk of collisions at those 90 degree turns Mark, member of the public, commented on the following: - Likes the changes made since last time - If using Eastern Alignment Alternative then Evelyn Avenue on the west side of the intersection is not affected so the u-turn would work - The u-turn will be essential for traffic coming out of the new housing on that street if they want to go to downtown Mountain View Public Comment closed at 7:47 p.m. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - In support of the Eastern Alignment Alternative especially interested in avoiding bollards - Happy that the tunnel is wide and high - Does not like the Homer Avenue Undercrossing which creates an extra obstacle - In favor of art being added to avoid graffiti and makes it more entertaining to go City of Sunnyvale Page 5 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission through a tunnel - Flat spots will help reduce speed for bicycles going down and will help wheelchair users and other disabled people - Yellow bumps are a useful signal to cars, but a hazard for wheeled modes, slippery when wet Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Suggest having a visual or psychological queue to separate pedestrian traffic from cycling traffic - Likes that there is a lot of light and space - In favor of the Eastern Alignment Alternative - Would like to have access for Central Expressway Vice Chair Beagle commented on the following: - Likes the Homer Avenue Undercrossing because of the visuals that show what is a bike lane and is not a bike lane - Really likes the art at the California Avenue Undercrossing because it is fun and novel and on the walls and ceiling - Glad to see that the pork chop slip lanes are going away - You should not have to stop at the stoplight when traveling on the westbound bike lane on Evelyn Avenue Commissioner Bonne commented on the following: - Suggest looking at what highways and aircraft runways have done with grooved concrete. Good for getting water away from the tire and shoe surfaces so that hydroplaning is less of a possibility - Adding aesthetically appealing art - The ceiling is a great place for texture and lights of a non repeating pattern Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - This will be primarily a commute route so needs to be as efficient as possible to get through the process with no more delays - You can still get to Central Expressway in both directions on and off this trail - Need wayfinding signs Commissioner Beagle commented on the following: - Is there any investigations into reopening or extending the undercrossing nearby, Whisman? City of Sunnyvale Page 6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Would like to have a crossing light set up to get across Central Expressway - Surface treatment instead of curbs could state where to walk and where to bike - Likes having the gentle ramp down and turn and then come back up instead of switchbacks MOTION: Commissioner Hafeman moved and Commissioner Oey seconded to Recommend to City Council the Selection of the Eastern Alignment as the Preferred Alignment of the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing Project. The motion carried with the following vote: Yes 5 - Chair Mehlman Vice Chair Beagle Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey No 0 Absent 1 - Commissioner Davé 3 23-0407 Proposed Project: Forward Recommendation to the City Council: to approve the MOFFETT PARK SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENTS Location: Moffett Park Specific Plan Area (APN: Various) File #: 2022-7673 Zoning: Various Environmental Review: A Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) has been prepared to evaluate the proposed project in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Project Planner: Michelle King, (408) 730-7463, mking@sunnyvale.ca.gov Recommend to the City Council Alternative 1: Approve the Moffett Park Specific Plan as proposed. Chair Mehlman called for a recess at 8:04 p.m. Chair Mehlman reconvened the meeting at 8:13 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 7 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission Shaunn Mendrin, Planning Officer from Community Development, gave an update on the Moffett Park Specific Plan. Highlighting the following: - Moffett Park Specific Plan process - City Council and Planning Commission Direction - Summary of Specific Plan Process: - Existing conditions/technical studies/SWOT Analysis - Land Use Alternatives - Preferred Land Use Map + Development Intensity - Policy Development - Draft Specific Plan - 18 Public Meetings - Specific Plan Organization: - Chapter 1 - Vision and Guiding Principles - Chapter 2 - Planning Foundation - Chapter 3 - Major Strategies - Chapter 4 - Land Use - Chapter 5 - Development Standards - Chapter 6 - Open Space and Urban Ecology - Chapter 7 - Mobility - Chapter 8 - Transportation Demand Management and Parking - Chapter 9 - Infrastructure and Utilities - Chapter 10 - Implementation - Engagement on the Specific Plan - Comments on Specific Plan - Specific Comments on Mobility - What's Next in the Process Michelle King, Principal Planner, introduced Meghan Weir, Consultant with Nelson\Nygaard, Chris Sensenig, Senior Associate with Raimi + Associates, Kristy Weis and Amber Sharpe, consultant from David J. Powers & Associates. Ms. King emphasized that they need the BPAC to provide comments/recommendations for the City Council. Commissioner Oey asked about the following: - Has the Moffett Park Specific Plan come before the BPAC in the past? Ms. King addressed the question. Commissioner Bonne asked about the following: City of Sunnyvale Page 8 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission - What sea level rise is being contemplated and how did it affect the plan? - Rough idea of the percentage of the existing parking area that will be converted to either green or housing? - What is the expected cooperation with the current landowners that is going to be required to implement this plan? Ms. King and Mr. Sensenig addressed the questions. Chair Mehlman asked about the following: - How strongly will you be able to look at decoupling the parking requirements from the building requirements and how can you get the builders to go with the lower requirements? - What allowances are you making for the use of electrified alternative transit vehicles other than cars? Ms. King and Ms. Weir addressed the questions. Vice Chair Beagle asked about the following: - Not a single square footage of Moffett Park will be zoned as R1? - How was the density of the neighborhood streets versus laneways decided? Ms. King, Ms. Weir and Mr. Sensenig addressed the questions. Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following: - How does the Mary Avenue Overcrossing proposal factor into this plan and are you counting on there being a roadway or bicycle pathway on Mary Avenue? - What is being proposed for schools since existing Sunnyvale schools are far away? - Will there be a shuttle that will connect Moffett Park to downtown Sunnyvale? Ms. King and Ms. Weir addressed the questions. Public Comment opened at 9:21 p.m. Ray Hashimoto, member of the public, commented on the following: - Works as an engineer for Miramar Capital at 352 East Java Drive - There are other ways to deal with getting bicyclists and pedestrians through the site area - Recommend to eliminate the diagonal and look at other alternatives and City of Sunnyvale Page 9 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission treatments - Right of ways are getting larger. Diagonal plus 9 to 19 feet on Java means his company's site is getting smaller - Most cities are going on a road diet, not making right of ways bigger - 10 foot median in the curb to curb should be eliminated Ian Murphy, member of the public, commented on the following: - Concerned with the proposed diagonal location because it makes them fundamentally less developable for the typical multi-family project - Strongly recommend that the BPAC look for alternatives for locating such pathways within the City that make the surrounding parcels developable so that those pathways are fully activated in the way that the plan envisions in its finality Public Comment closed at 9:25 p.m. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Likes the overall design of the Moffett Park Specific Plan - Would like to see the multi-use path idea where you can have bicyclists and pedestrians mixing it up and closer together and separated from vehicle traffic - Not a fan of the protective bike lane because trash builds up - Would the bike lane be elevated above and have a curb separate from the cars - Does not like the back to back bike lanes where bicyclist can't ride side by side - In favor of the reduced parking - Recommend putting in bike lockers in a useable location - Make sure the bike parking is well thought out with charging and secured - Likes the diagonal piece where people can walk and bike quickly Vice Chair Beagle commented on the following: - Likes the project, the density and the open shared space - Loves the focus on the non private car transportation modes and the complete streets and the 15 minute City - Number of parcels that are bisected by the diagonal - Pedestrian walkable neighborhoods are key - Emergency vehicle accessibility - Need to have more laneways than these neighborhood streets than what is being proposed in the plan - Emphasize "cars are guests" in the language - Would like to see the proposal incorporate continuous sidewalks - Very happy to see the bicycle lanes at the sidewalk level instead of being on street City of Sunnyvale Page 10 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission gutters - Would like to see the light rail tracks covered in vegetation or grass - The plan should ensure that all crosswalks are automatic and not required the use of big buttons - Prioritize pedestrian traffic over car traffic - Have a car program for residents to be able to rent a car once in a while - Not a fan of the circular system that is being proposed - Plan should have a process for resolving complaints about vehicle traffic Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Big disconnect between VTA and Caltrain - No direct connection between the VTA light rail and Caltrain outside of Mountain View Commissioner Bonne commented on the following: - Consider how residents will get to one of the airports - San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco Commissioner Hafeman asked about the following: - Are the development fees going to be applied to building this infrastructure and is it going to make the ATP(Active Transportation Plan) be realized more quickly? Ms. King addressed the question. MOTION: Commissioner Oey moved and Vice Chair Beagle seconded to Recommend to the City Council Alternative 2: Approve the Moffett Park Specific Plan with modifications and/or suggestions provided by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission. The motion carried with the following vote: Yes 5 - Chair Mehlman Vice Chair Beagle Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey No 0 Absent 1 - Commissioner Davé City of Sunnyvale Page 11 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission 4 23-0460 Discussion on Design Concepts for 2023 Utility Bill Insert Thinh Le, Transportation Engineer, discussed the 2023 Utility Bill Insert. Mr. Le stated at the February 16, 2023 BPAC Meeting, the commission expressed interest of the following concepts: 1. How to Cross Safely 2. 3-Feet Safety Distance Public Comment opened at 9:54 p.m. No speakers. Public Comment closed at 9:54 p.m. Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Make the "ok" on the "How to Cross Safely" use yellow instead of orange - Communicate to the drivers that there are a lot of reasons why bicyclists need the full lane - Likes the graphics on the insert Vice Chair Beagle commented on the following: - Likes the "How to Cross Safely" insert which lets pedestrians know how they can cross a street safely - 3 feet front to back is misleading - "Drivers may pass a bicyclist by making a lane change" should say "If a driver is to pass a bicyclist, they should switch to another lane". Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - First picture on the "3-feet Safety Distance" insert needs to be altered to state that you should follow at a safe distance and get rid of the 3-feet indicator Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Second part of the 3 feet passing is important and should factor in the new law that if there is an additional lane you have to go into that lane - Don't want to emphasize 3 feet behind the bike, should have at least 10 feet behind - Need to work on distance between the bicycle and the cars behind Chair Mehlman suggested having on the 3-feet Safety Distance insert as the first picture a single lane road with a bike lane on the side and the car has to pass the cyclists with 3 feet on the bike lane. The second picture should have the bicyclist in City of Sunnyvale Page 12 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission the lane with a two lane road then the vehicle has to pass in the other lane. Commissioner Oey stated to get rid of the 3 feet minimum and cars should wait until it is safe to pass. Second picture is accurate but wording underneath needs improvement. Commissioner Bonne commented on the following: - Pedestrian graphic very confusing to the public - Need to state on the insert the new law "Pedestrians are now allowed to cross outside of crosswalks" - Make it clear that you can cross in the crosswalk and outside of the crosswalk when it is safe to do so - Get rid of horizontal crosswalks and keep the vertical ones - Make the street a reasonable length and pick up more horizontal if need be Commissioner Hafeman suggest wording at the top to say "Pedestrians are now allowed to cross a roadway at any point when it is safe". Chair Mehlman stated that the first part is to modify the text to specify that pedestrians may cross a street anywhere outside of the crosswalk when it is safe to do so. The image should be modified so that the horizontal crosswalks are eliminated and that you show a sidewalk contiguous on both sides with the street and two crosswalks showing that are vertical and color schema would be green, yellow and red. MOTION: Commissioner Oey moves and Vice Chair Beagle seconds to select the Mid Block Crossing Concept. The motion carried with the following vote: Yes 5 - Chair Mehlman Vice Chair Beagle Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey No 0 Absent 1 - Commissioner Davé City of Sunnyvale Page 13 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - 3-Feet Safety Distance insert - First phrase needs to be expanded for all the other conditions where bicycles to move in - Recommend moving the "drivers must stay 3 feet away from any bicyclist" below the orange section - Get rid of the arrow under 3ft. min. - Below the graphic change the wording from "Drivers must slow down and keep the minimum of 3-feet distance from the bicyclist" to "Drivers must slow down and wait to pass until it is safe to do so" - The bottom text should say "Drivers must stay 3 feet away from any bicyclists and drivers must pass a bicyclist by making a lane change when the lane is available while maintaining a minimum of 3 feet distance" - Have the 3 feet safety distance as the second panel MOTION: Commissioner Oey moved and Commissioner Hafeman seconded to approve Concept #2- 3-Feet Safety Distance. The motion carried with the following vote: Yes 5 - Chair Mehlman Vice Chair Beagle Commissioner Bonne Commissioner Hafeman Commissioner Oey No 0 Absent 1 - Commissioner Davé Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - First text in blue gets expanded - Orange text "Drivers must slow ...." shift down to be adjacent to the 3 feet minimum picture - Orange text next to the bicyclist in front of the car should say "Drivers must slow down and wait to pass until it is safe to do so" - Green text should say "Drivers must stay 3 feet away from any cyclist" Chair Mehlman commented on the following: - Get rid of the 3 feet arrow on the first picture - Likes the 3 feet safety distance as the top banner City of Sunnyvale Page 14 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission - 3 feet safety distance banner should be with the second picture - First picture should be "Bicyclist may use full lane" - First picture should illustrate cyclist can be in the lane in a single road and orange text should state "Drivers can pass them when it is safe to do so" Commissioner Hafeman commented on the following: - Likes bicyclist may use full lane - Take the 3 ft. min. out of first picture - Second bullet should say "Drivers must stay a safe distance behind in cyclist" Chair Mehlman stated the Commissioners would like to convey the following: - Cyclist can use the full lane and the first picture that drivers should stay far enough away from the cyclist to be safe - There should be no indication of the distance front to back - Cyclist has every right to be in the street for whatever reason 5 23-0461 Report and Discussion of Recent Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting Commissioner Bonne, VTA BPAC Sunnyvale Representative, gave the meeting summary report for March regarding the following topics: - $2 Million grant from Metropolitan Transportation Commission to replace 200 bicycle lockers with electronic version - Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Campaign will launch in the spring - Speeding is the top reason for crashes - focus of the campaign - FY 2022 Measure B Projects Overview - Safe Routes to School, Marketing & Incentives, Community Engagement and Special Events - Update on the Countywide ATP - March 18, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. - Cupertino bike path opening ceremony - City of Santa Clara starting their Complete Streets on Walsh Avenue, De La Cruz Avenue and a few other streets - Public comments encouraged for Countywide ATP at www.ActiveSantaClaraCounty.org Public Comment opened at 10:29 p.m. No speakers. Closed public comment at 10:29 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 15 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final March 16, 2023 Commission STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES None. NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Oey commented on the following: - Tuesday, April 11 and Wednesday, April 19 - VTA and SVBC Smart Cycling courses. More information at www.bikesiliconvalley.org/ed - Bike to wherever day - May 18,19 & 20 - Pledge to ride at www.bikesiliconevalley.org/events - Energizer station at www.bikesiliconvalley.org/energize -Staff Comments Thinh Le commented on the following: - City staff moving into the new City Hall on March 20, 2023 - BPAC April meeting will be held at the new City Hall INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS 23-0462 BPAC 2023 Annual Work Plan 23-0463 Active Items List March 2023 23-0464 2023 Deferred Study Issues 23-0465 2023 Council Ranking of Study Issues 23-0466 Potential Projects for Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Application Angela Wong commented on the following: - Typo under HAWK Beacon cost estimate, "$300,000" should say "$810,000" for the design and construction cost which includes inflation ADJOURNMENT Chair Mehlman adjourned the meeting at 10:35 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 16