HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 01122010 - C.70RECOMMENDATION(S):
ADOPT Resolution No. 2010/4 (Exhibit A) approving and authorizing the Conservation and Development Director,
or designee, to submit a Transportation Planning Grant application to Caltrans for funds up to $300,000 for FY
2010/11 for the purpose of developing the Knightsen-Byron Area Transportation Study.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None to the General Fund. If awarded, the FY 2010/11 Caltrans Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant
would be the funding source for the Knightsen-Byron Area Transportation Study. The maximum grant amount is
$300,000 and the program requires 10% matching funds. Up to one-quarter of the matching funds can be in-kind
(staff hours). The remaining funds for the match will be provided from gas tax or Measure J revenue.
BACKGROUND:
The Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant (CBTPG) has $3 million available statewide to eligible
applicants, with a cap of $300,000 per grant. The purpose of the CBTPG Program is to fund coordinated
transportation and land use planning projects that promote public engagement,
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD
COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 01/12/2010 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYES 5 NOES ____
ABSENT ____ ABSTAIN ____
RECUSE ____
Contact: Jamar Stamps,
925-335-1220
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of
the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: January 12, 2010
David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: Katherine Sinclair, Deputy
cc: Patrick Roche, DCD, Mike Carlson, PWD
C. 70
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Catherine Kutsuris, Conservation & Development Director
Date:January 12, 2010
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Knightsen-Byron Area Transportation Study
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
livable communities, and a sustainable transportation system which includes mobility, access, and safety. Products
delivered under this Program are expected to be a documented study, plan, or concept that can be used by the
applicant to further smart growth and a community's sustainability. The County has submitted applications in the past
under this program to develop plans for streetscape improvements along Bailey Road and Willow Pass Road
pursuant to the Pittsburg-Bay Point BART Station Area Specific Plan. While Caltrans did not award a grant, this
project was recently funded under the Transportation for Livable Communities program administered by the Contra
Costa Transportation Authority.
Last year the County submitted an application for the Knightsen-Byron Area Transportation Study under the CBTPG
Program, but the project was not awarded funding. This study proposes to re-evaluate the Circulation Element of the
General Plan to improve its consistency with the Urban Limit Line and related policies that support preservation of
non-urban agricultural, open space and other areas identified outside this line. The study area includes portions of
land designated as Agricultural Core in the County General Plan. This area is also a Priority Conservation Area,
which is a designation developed by the Association of Bay Area Governments to describe areas that encompass
regionally significant conservation values and demonstrate community support and an urgent need for protection
within five years. This study would be conducted in cooperation with the Knightsen Municipal Advisory Council,
Byron Municipal Advisory Council, Discovery Bay Community Services District and the cities of Oakley and
Brentwood. Potential outcomes of the study include:
• Revisions to the Circulation Element and related General Plan policies for the study area;
• Revisions to the off-site fee program that funds transportation upgrades in the area; and
• Zoning revisions for ultimate road cross sections and frontage improvements.
After being notified last year that the project would not receive funding, County staff contacted Caltrans to find out
what areas of the application could be improved for future submittal. Caltrans indicated that the project justification is
strong and has key stakeholder support, that it still warrants consideration, and encouraged re-submittal during the
next grant cycle. Caltrans advised that the application needs to be stronger in the following areas:
• More information on how environmental clearance would be funded;
• Greater detail on public outreach and engagement and how will the County engage stakeholders; and
• Creation of more “innovative outreach techniques.”
Staff will provide more detail in how these elements will be delivered. The project description and scope of work will
be revised to reflect how CEQA clearance will be funded, and present detailed and specific public outreach and
stakeholder engagement techniques, and how they will be achieved through the plan development process.
Other potential projects considered by County staff for this grant program are listed below:
Pacheco Boulevard/Vine Hill Area Street Standards: Unincorporated land adjacent to Martinez is undergoing infill
development pressure. This project would develop design standards for future road improvements on Pacheco
Boulevard and local streets to ensure these roads develop consistent with the County's "Complete Streets" policies
and can support planned infill development. This project would be conducted in cooperation with the Municipal
Advisory Council and the City of Martinez. Deliverables would include design standards, zoning requirements and a
maintenance program.
San Pablo Dam Road/Appian Way Corridor Study: El Sobrante, an unincorporated community, is a Priority
Development Area, which is a designation developed by the Association of Bay Area Governments to describe
communities where additional development is planned and supported. In response to community concerns, the
County is in the process of amending the General Plan to limit future street widening while supporting mixed-use
development along San Pablo Dam Road and Appian Way. After the General Plan is amended, design standards will
be needed to define the ultimate upgrades to San Pablo Dam Road and Appian Way. These upgrades need to support
mixed-use development and the County's "Complete Streets" policies. This project would be conducted in
cooperation with the Municipal Advisory Council and cities of San Pablo, Richmond and Pinole. Deliverables would
include design standards, zoning requirements and a maintenance program.
Boulevard Way Streetscape Plan: Saranap is an unincorporated community which is served by Boulevard Way. This
road extends from Olympic Boulevard at Tice Valley Boulevard to Mount Diablo Boulevard at State Route 24. A
portion of Boulevard Way is located in Walnut Creek. Their general plan directs the city to work with the County to
study "narrowing Boulevard Way to improve the pedestrian character and to provide land for intensification of
development and pedestrian amenities," with a time frame to take such action by 2015. The County has a 1969
precise alignment adopted for Boulevard Way which is no longer consistent with the County General Plan. A joint
study would be conducted by the County and Walnut Creek to determine the ultimate configuration of this road, and
adjoining land uses. Deliverables would include design standards, zoning requirements and a maintenance program.
Exhibit B to this Board Order provides an evaluation matrix that was used to evaluate the County's potential projects
for the Caltrans grant program. These projects address transportation planning issues that are current priorities for the
County, and were evaluated using the transportation goals established by Caltrans for the grant program. The
Knightsen-Byron Area Transportation Study rated highest as potentially the most favorable project to be evaluated by
Caltrans. County staff will move forward on addressing the planning issues for the other project areas described in the
matrix as opportunities arise.
The Transportation Water and Infrastructure Committee reviewed this report at its December 14 meeting and support
this recommendation to the Board.
EXHIBIT B Page 1 of 2 EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS FOR CALTRANS TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM (MAXIMUM 3 POINTS AWARDED PER GOAL) Pacheco Blvd/Vine Hill Area Street Standards SPDam Road/Appian Way Corridor Study Boulevard Way Streetscape Plan Knightsen- Byron Area Transportation Study FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION GOALS 1. Support the economic viability of the metropolitan area, esp. by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency. (N.A.) Project addresses needs of an unincorporated community. (N.A.) Project addresses needs of an unincorporated community. (N.A.) Project addresses needs of an unincorporated community. (N.A.) Project addresses needs of an unincorporated community. 2. Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users. (3) Gaps in facilities for peds/bikes/transit. Project will apply the “complete streets” policy (3) Gaps in facilities for peds/bikes/transit. Project will apply the “complete streets” policy (3) Gaps in facilities for peds/bikes/transit. Project will apply the “complete streets” policy (3) Gaps in facilities for peds/bikes/transit. Project will apply the “complete streets” policy 3. Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users. (N.A.) Transportation security is not an issue. (N.A.) Transportation security is not an issue. (N.A.) Transportation security is not an issue. (N.A.) Transportation security is not an issue. 4. Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and freight. (1) Increases access and mobility for people. (1) Increases access and mobility for people. (1) Increases access and mobility for people. (3) Increases access and mobility for people and goods. 5. Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns. (2) This is not a Priority Development Area so does not improve consistency with the Regional FOCUS Program. (3) This is a Priority Development Area. (2) This is not a Priority Development Area so does not improve consistency with the Regional FOCUS Program. (3) This is a Priority Conservation Area. 6. Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight. (1) Enhances integration and connectivity between modes for people. (1) Enhances integration and connectivity between modes for people. (1) Enhances integration and connectivity between modes for people. (2) Enhances integration and connectivity between modes for people and goods. 7. Promote efficient system management and operation. N.A. N.A N.A N.A 8. Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system. N.A. N.A N.A N.A
EXHIBIT B Page 2 of 2 EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS FOR CALTRANS TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM (MAXIMUM 3 POINTS AWARDED PER GOAL) Pacheco Blvd/Vine Hill Area Street Standards SPDam Road/Appian Way Corridor Study Boulevard Way Streetscape Plan Knightsen- Byron Area Transportation Study CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION PLAN GOALS 1. Improve Mobility and Accessibility: Expanding the system and enhancing modal choices and connectivity to meet the State’s future transportation demands. (2) Does not expand the system. (2) Does not expand the system. (2) Does not expand the system. (3) Expands the system to accommodate commuter traffic. 2. Preserve the Transportation System: Maintaining, managing, and efficiently utilizing California’s existing transportation system. (2) Evaluates use of existing right of way and maintenance needs. (3) Evaluates use of existing right of way, maintenance needs and ability to reduce future road expansion. (3) Evaluates use of existing right of way, maintenance needs, and ability to reduce future road expansion. (3) Evaluates use of existing right of way, maintenance needs and ability to reduce future road expansion. 3. Support the Economy: Maintaining, managing, and enhancing the movement of goods and people to spur the economic development and growth, job creation, and trade. N.A. (2) Supports revitalizing downtown El Sobrante and additional housing for the region. N.A. (2) Supports agriculture and commuting to job centers. 4. Enhance Public Safety and Security: Ensuring the safety and security of people, goods, services, and information in all modes of transportation. (1) Gaps exist in facilities for peds and bikes. Project will apply the County’s “complete streets” policy. (1) Gaps exist in facilities for peds and bikes. Project will apply the County’s “complete streets” policy. (1) Gaps exist in facilities for peds and bikes. Project will apply the County’s “complete streets” policy. (1) Gaps exist in facilities for peds and bikes. Project will apply the County’s “complete streets” policy. 5. Reflect Community Values: Finding transportation solutions that balance and integrate community values with transportation safety and performance, and encourage public involvement in transportation decisions. (3) Project responds to community comments and will involve all stakeholders. (3) Project responds to community comments and will involve all stakeholders. (3) Project responds to community comments and will involve all stakeholders. (3) Project responds to community comments and will involve all stakeholders. 6. Enhance the Environment: Planning and providing transportation services while protecting our environment, wildlife, and historical and cultural assets. (1) Project will comply with CEQA. (1) Project will comply with CEQA. (1) Project will comply with CEQA. (2) Project will comply with CEQA and protect agriculture. TOTAL POINTS FOR GRANT GOALS (16) (20) (17) (25)