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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-05-24 - AGENDA REPORTS - CHUCK PONTIUS COMMUTER RAILAGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval Item to be presented by: Kit Nell NEW BUSINESS DATE: May 24, 1994 SUBJECT: Chuck Pontius Commuter Rail Trail - Alignment and Features DEPARTMENT:. Parks, Recreation, and Community Services BACKGROUND One of the goals of the City's General Plan is to promote safe and effective alternatives to the personal automobile that will meet the needs of all planning area residents. With respect to this objective, studies by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) indicate that bicycle -related transportation control measures are among the most cost-effective which can be implemented, resulting in savings relative to drive -alone automobile transport. An arterial bikeway system consisting of major, secondary, and local bikeways is envisioned to assist in accomplishing the General Plan goal. And with the construction of the City's Metrolink Transit Center and the identification of Soledad Canyon as an intermodal transportation corridor, staff has identified a current need for a commuter bikeway along the Soledad corridor. Based on this, staff pursued and was successful in securing Proposition C discretionary grant funds for right-of- way acquisition, design, and construction of a Class I (off -road) pedestrian and bicycle commuter trail between the Santa Clarita Metrolink Station and the Soledad bridge west of Camp Plenty Road. This project was subsequently identified as a proposed project in the City's 1993 5-Year Capital Improvement Program, which was found by the Planning Commission to be in conformance with the City's General Plan. It should be pointed out that the Chuck Pontius Commuter Rail Trail will provide access for pedestrians and bicyclists to residential, commercial, and transit facilities within the transportation corridor, and will therefore complement the City's alternative transportation system. It is not designed to be redundant to, or to replace the Santa Clara River Trail, The City's Santa Clara River Trail is a State and Regional multi -use trail planned for the north side of the Santa Clara River, and will not provide convenient access along the Soledad transportation corridor. Council has previously approved the necessary funding agreement document with the MTA and recently approved securing design services for the Chuck Pontius Commuter Rail Trail through Sikand Engineering. Trail alignment studies are now complete and public participation meetings have been held, the results of which are attached to this agenda report. Furthermore, the Parks and Recreation Commission has received a detailed briefing of the progress on this project, and endorses the recommendations set forth below. At this time, staff is requesting Council approval of the proposed trail alignment and trail features RECOMMENDATION Approve a trail alignment running adjacent to the south side of Soledad Canyon Road between the Soledad bridge (west of Camp Plenty Road) and Golden Oak Road; and adjacent to the north side of Soledad Canyon Road between Golden Oak Road and the Metrolink Station. e rJ� Chuck Pontius Commuter Rail Trail - Alignment and Features Page 2 2. Due to limited funds, approve a "reduced section" trail concept limited to an 8-foot wide asphalt concrete bikeway and chain -link fencing as described in the attached Cost Summary and Options. Direct staff to design for "add options" should lower than expected bids be experienced or additional funds become available. I Direct staff to proceed with necessary Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) approvals, including relocation of the "Far West Rent-A-Car" facility. 4. Direct staff to pursue, as separate projects or through developer agreements, a bikeway along the south side of Soledad Canyon Road between Golden Oak Road and the Metrolink Station; and a bikeway along the north side of Soledad Canyon Road between the Metrolink Station and Bouquet Canyon Road. 5. Direct staff to explore, as a separate project, removal of billboards which may be in violation of the Unified Development Code, i.e., billboards located in an Open Space (OS) zone. ATTACHMENTS Public Participation Summary Cost Summary and Options counci!/crtupdt.kn Chuck Pontius Commuter Rail Trail Public Participation Summary Staff advised that the proposed trail is intended to serve commercial and residential properties along Soledad Canyon Road as well as the City's transit center (Metrolink Station); That the proposed trail would be a "subregional" trail, consistent with the Department's overall objective to develop a regional/subregional/local trail network throughout the City; That the proposed trail is intended to support the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's goal of developing reliable and efficient transportation control measures with respect to single -occupancy vehicle transport; and That the proposed trail is intended to be consistent with the City's goal of maximizing quality of life by providing an additional recreational opportunity and by improving aesthetics along an existing open space corridor. Summary of Public Participation Input: Agreement and support of the above. In addition, it was strongly suggested that access from the Metrolink Station westward be pursued and expedited as a separate project, even if temporary in nature. Alin Based on input received, the following was considered important trail alignment criteria by the community: • Make trail accessible to both residential and commercial properties. • Minimize project cost. • Incorporate features from other projects (specifically, street lighting). • Make trail visible (to encourage use). • Make trail accessible to and by law enforcement, fire, and ambulance. • Make trail accessible to other transit systems and facilities. • Provide as direct a route to the Metrolink Station as possible. • Enhance recreational opportunities. • Improve aesthetics of the existing Soledad corridor. • Minimize trail "interruptions" -- i.e., stopping or having to walk bicycles. • Running a portion of the trail on Golden Triangle Road (as a Class II trail) could be considered; however, a concern at the Golden Triangle/Rainbow Glen intersection was expressed. Summary of Public Participation Input: That the trail run as close to Soledad Canyon Road as possible. Features: The following trail features were considered important by the community: Low -profile trail lighting should be very high priority (spill -over street lighting is acceptable). A jogging path to separate pedestrian travel from bicycle travel is desirable. The use of mountain bikes on the jogging path should be discouraged. Public Participation Summary (Continued) Chain -link fencing may be acceptable provided that color -coated wire is used, the fence is relatively short in height, and the fence can be shielded in some manner by landscaping. (It should be noted that the Canyon Country Chamber of Commerce expressed displeasure with the use of chain -link fencing.) • Landscaping is very desirable -- avoid large bushes in landscaping schemes. Six-foot wide bike lanes are preferred over 4-foot lanes due to the difference in user abilities. A strong sentiment was expressed toward pursuing removal of the 28 billboards along the 1.8-mile stretch of Soledad Canyon Road. Drinking fountains every 6 to 8 miles of trail are desirable The installation of 'bike route" signs at points along Soledad Canyon Road were requested, as some experienced recreational users will continue to use Soledad Canyon Road for bicycle travel. The "merging" or omission of landscaping, jogging path, and other features at specific locations (such as street crossings) is acceptable. The undergrounding of overhead utilities, although desirable, was not considered a major issue. A "soft path" pedestrian way, as opposed to a 'bard path" concrete surface could be considered. Summary of Public Participation Input: Trail lighting is of primary importance. Landscaping should carry a high priority, especially if chain -link fencing is pursued. Removal of billboards currently in violation of the Unified Development Code should be investigated, even if as a separate project. A "reduced -width" trail section (and extended trail length) is preferred over a "full -width" trail section (and shorter trail length). Chuck Pontius Commuter Rail Trail Cost Summary and Options Grant Funding Agreement: $ 300K `Right -of -Way 450K Construction $ 750K Total Grant The Funding Agreement originally called for $600K right-of-way. This was verbally reduced to $300K due to the rail line acquisition by MTA. Projected Costs: $ 335K `Right -of -Way 450K "Construction ('Reduced Tail Section") $ 785K Total Cost Assumes additional $35K for right-of-way will be approved through MTA. Trail features for the "reduced trail section" are limited to chain -link fencing in the MTA right-of-way and an 8-foot wide asphalt bikeway between the Soledad bridge (west of Camp Plenty Road) and Golden Oak Road. No asphalt bikeway between Golden Oak Road and the Metrolink Station. No landscaping or other trail features. "Add Options": $ 30K Increase bikeway width from 8 feet to 10 feet $ 40K 8-foot wide asphalt bikeway between Golden Oak Road and the Metrolink Station $ 60K Decomposed granite ("soft') pedestrian path $ 200K Concrete sidewalk for pedestrians $ 30K Decomposed granite ("soft') jogging path $ 55K Landscaping for chain -link fence $ 75K Alternate fencing other than chain -link $ 175K 5-foot wide landscaped border between bike trail and fence Recommendation: That the project be designed to the "reduced trail section"; however, that the design also include "add options" should lower than expected bids be experienced or additional funds become available. 'v SOLD 1.950913AWN MAR r SPA (g05) 29$_6152 .pril 22, 1994 l-r. Jose _. Inch Trails Ccordiator CITY OF SAYTA CLARNA 23920 Valencia Boulevard Santa Marital CA 91355 Dear _0. =nch: I sul~crl ycur �ork to inprove 'my city, with trails for .^.rcyc_4, horses, and pedestrians. Since I will :nct able e to attend the April 25 Cc�.LLraAUer Rail Trail :Iezing, advertfsad it the 31 AL, can I share itn ycp my views now? is 4-soartazely need `„-cycle 'er _n :- :uen Canyon Country (Santa Clarita. 91351) and zho razz cf Santa Cl_,ri ta. 'it`. reference to the Califcrnia Transpertaticr. Dev lw -nt Act of 1971, the City of Santa Clarita still suffers from "uncez transitneeds". Clean fuel buses stould be Drcvided to the Santa Clarita Transit :E _cy; _ they s_:cald „ride in the number 3 lanes of ,Soledad Canyon Road, at regular intervals. The ''teer - 3 lane shout be a B/3 Diamond Lane (DES/ nu...,, I E _1-.--= L:,..3) , in the east -west direction of Scleda'_ Canyon Road. Bowing to the status quo of those who will not take advantage of the free bus rides to Netrclink, the City of Santa Clarita erased the bicycle lanes on Soledad in favor of single occupant vehicle (SOV) lanes. Perhaps, it is too late to address this issue, but something , ust "le done now, to help bicycle-cornuters travel safely from Santa Clarita 0351, to the west. According to an April 21, PASADr"'A STAR-17.;S article, 705 of the 660,CC0 automobile drivers with suspended and revoked licenses, are driving motor vehicles with disreEard to the law. How many of these drivers are using Soledad Canyon '?cad'. Did the City of Santa Clarita spend 0224,000.00 to restripe Soledad Canyon Road, because a percentage of the single occupant vehicle drivers are driving with suspended and revoked licenses; and causing traffic congestion? AS rMSed 21pew Joe Inch/Laren Hesseltire SCL?DAD TRAIL 04/22/94 Fg: 2 Illegal drivers, %-inc, are possibly counted in the millions, rather than 660,000, are invading our roadways. On the other hand, bicycle=commuters are choosing to save gas, save the environment, get healthy, and keep traffic at bay. L•any bicycle - commuters own horses and automobiles, and pay tther share of tax and registration. `_'es, there need to be "Ciq-?C.;_D,r options for the east- -es- Soledad Canyon Road. According to the Los Angeles Countywide Bicycle Policy Document draft, January 1994, page 10, "It is the i=TA's priority to focus planning efforts on developing facilities for commuter and utilitarian users." The loss of the historic bicycle lanes along Soledad Canyon Road .was a drastic breach of the -.I's bicycle policy plan. Soledad Canyon Road serves as the main connection of east and ..lest travel, 4_.. the Santa Clarita Valley. This roa^ is also, the only .way to arrive at the rail staticn, -.;-ether ap-p-cacnJ.-S from, east or `Hest. Traffic s,?eeds along Soledad Canyon Road are olerposted. The of t .e third lanes for SCV3, has -:roven a n a--ard not only for bicycle riders, but auto:,obile '.'.rivers, too. Soledad is caar'ked by tiro skids. -f the ^:.mber 3 la==es of Soledad Ca you Road, i•lere :a^e into 3/B (3us;rise) Dia:and lanes, Santa Clari a --sit could develop a five to fifteen eiinute bus sc`edule. Clean fuel buses could be provided by the .T t1nrc•ush the California Transcortation Development Act of 1.71 (the 1,TA Board of Directors will be meeting to discuss "unmet needs" of article $, in June). Trained and supervised Santa Clarita Transit drivers could safely pass bicycle -commuters in the B/3 Diamond Lane. Autcr,cblle drivers who violate the B/3 Dia-1ond Lane, -.!o-a d be __red �271.00. This is not too strict, ;when 3tatistic3 show that Santa v_:2r ita, t.?e South Coast Air ivality .2.nagemaent District's Region 13, is One of the worst air pollution monitoring areas. ae can not afford to play around. If the electric car is to be integrated successfully into our high-speed traffic, we will have to slow down our speed limits. 55 miles per hour is just too fast for Soledad Canyon Road, by any :weans. But in order that we may attempt to clear up our air, by introducing electric vehicles (SVs) and promoting bicycle-coc;muting, traffic has to be slowed down. ,� necydedF40 Joe Inch/Laren Hesseltine SCLEDAD TRAIL 04/22/94 Pg: 3 hie will also need lighting along Soledad Canyon Road. Santa Clarita 91351, deserves help and attention from the city. The eastern region is not to be forgotten. There is a substantial tax base in Santa Clarita 91351, the area called Canyon Country that also includes Sand Canyon. We need pedestrian bridges over Soledad Canyon Road. In the fall of 1992, a twelve year old boy (Leonard Cortez) was struck down as he ran across Soledad Canyon Road. He was killed instantly. But Leonard Cortez wanted to catch a Santa Clarita Transit bus that was on an hourly bus schedule. The traffic along Soledad Canyon Road is tearing our community apart. Yes, we need bicycle, equestrian, and jogging paths. But we needs these facilities now. The Southfork Trail is unfinished. Bouquet Canyon Trail can not be agreed upon. 'uJhen will Soledad be :made a reality? If the city would listen to the planning sense of the i:ewhall Land and Farming Company, Santa Clarita would nave an east -west "corridor". Instead, citizen groups ha- ,e distorted the routing of an east -west road that 1;;oald take the congestion off of Soledad, perhaps. For ncw, 14e do not have a livable community, with 3oledad Canyon Road affecting our accessibility. How ,::any drivers on Soledad Canyon Road are trip- -;lanning? Ho., many drivers on Soledad are legally licensed? How many drivers are car pooling? +'hy did the City of Santa Clarita raise the speed limits to dangerous speeds? And „Thy did liayor Pederson liable himself,"`.:'e made it (removal of bicycle lanes) more danserous for them (bicycle -commuters)," in the :)—!'.' ° ;JS, :.arch 24? I support your work to make bike trails in ray community. Come to Santa Clarita 91351. hake every effort to give Santa Clarita 91351 the ultimate real estate asset. Canyon Country deserves the help from the city. ,,le need landscaping, we need lighting on Soledad, we need edestrian bridges. 'ae need a better envircnment. ,Ve need less smog! Be consistent with the glans of the '::1. Lake bicycle comm,ating and utilitarian practices your priority. Put a B/B Diamond Lane on Soledad Canyon Road. And let's get to ,cork on ur Sol dad Trail now. lSincerely, LA tnRecycled Paper - ,. -- ..- ..a... M� _. 1 / - / / /' // 3/ fir r / / r / ! ./' / / / / !i•t .� / i r / r Y%U64 vCIGI�lQ/ �,f�%/��_�O�CdCenpt � o4em, R' U" �` i�z4� VLSEBCicr April 24, 1994 City of Santa Clarita 23920 Valencia Blvd. Suite 300 Santa Clarita, CA 91355 Attn: Kit Nell Civil Engineer Dear Mr. Nell: The Canyon Village Homeowners Association representing two hundred twenty four homeowners in the Canyon Country area of the Santa Clarita Valley, would like to take this opportunity to express our support for the proposed bicycle/pedestrian trail from Sierra Hwy to the Santa Clarita Metrolink Station. It is our opinion that this trail will be an excellent transportation and recreational asset to our neighborhood. It will also serve the purpose of improving the appearance of a major portion of Soledad Canyon Road. It is our opinion the trail alignment should be along the South side of Soledad between the road and the railroad track. This alignment will take advantage of the new street lighting along Soledad allowing bicycle commuters safe travel to the station before dawn and late in the evening. We will also take advantage of the already existing street trees as part of the trail boundary landscaping. This alignment will require a minimum amount of grading and will result in considerable construction costs savings. The basic features of the trail should include a drip irrigation system for the street trees and other boundary landscaping,and a bicycle and pedestrian path with a fence to protect children from Train traffic. our vision also includes the eventual elimination of all Bill Boards and over -head utilities. Bus stops along the trail will have benches and trash cans to match those at the Via Princessa Metrolink Station. Very Truly, Stephen O'Neill Treasurer