HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-11-07 - AGENDA REPORTS - COMMUTER RAIL STATION (4)NEW BUSINESS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
a
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by:
November 7, 1990
COMMUTER RAIL STATION.
Public Works/ C44`
John E. Medina
BACKGROUND
Staff advised Council at the .meeting of October 30, 1990 .of the approval of a
commuter •rail system from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Clarita. • It is
essential that we move quickly 'to identify station sites. to assist LACTC'S
efforts. in applying for partial funding of the City's commuter rail stations.
The following are the minimum requirements fora basic station:
ip The property must be at least 3-5 acres in size.
-0'300 parking spaces is required with future expansion to 500 spaces
(there are approzimately'100-125 parking spaces per acre).
• 425 foot platform..
• Lighting and handicap accessible
LACTC; on'. behalfof the, City, has submitted an- :application. for State
Transportation Capital'Improvement'(TCI) funds .which, may be ;available for:Cities-
to construct. their.commuter- rail stations. The amount being requested for:, the "
City is $750,000 which: is approzimitely 25i of.the cost for two basic stations.
In order to increase theCity's-chances of 'receiving. these funds, LACTC has
requested that the City .submit - the following documents .to support the. TCI
application:.
• Commuter.Rail'Station site application . . due 11/30/90
• Council Resolution approving the site . . . due 12/11/90
• Schedule of,environmental clearances . . . . . . .due 11/30/90
The Public Works Department, with the assistance of Community Development, have
conducted a study.to evaluate potential sites for the City's proposed commuter
rail station. It -must be,.emphasized that applying for TCI funds does not commit
the City to these sites. The following is a•list of the prospective sites:
• BERMITE.AREA (owned; by the Whittaker Corp.)
•`SAUGUS SPEEDWAY (owned by the Rodeo Land Co.)
• DRAYTON STREET (various owners)
• CIRCLE J RANCH ROAD (owned by the Ridgedale Joint Venture)
• SAN FERNANDO ROAD 6 13TH STREET (owned by Glazer Guilford)
SAN FERNANDO ROAD S PINE STREET (owned by L.A. County S others) .,
Ages i��iu:
COMMUTER RAIL STATION
Page 2
A central location. is very desirable for providing a multi -modal station. Staff
has been in contact with -the Uniden Valencia Inc., potential developers of the
Bermite property who have expressed an interest in incorporating a rail station
as part of their development.
The following is a list of advantages ,and disadvantages that should be
considered in selecting a site:
I.. BERMITE AREA
Advantages
• Centrally located.
• Existing open space. .
• Property is large enough to accommodate a station :(approximately 23 -
acres).
• A joint development looks promising for this site.,
• Near the proposed Civic Center.
• Good access to Soledad Canyon Road..
Disadvantages'
• A signalized intersection would be required on Soledad Canyon Road.
II. DRAYTON STREET
Advantages
• Centrally located.
• Identified by the.General Plan.
• Near the proposed Civic Center.
-• Access to Magic. Mtn. Pkwy (SR 126).
Disadvantages
•. This site .is densely occupied with .industrial structures/ High
` acquisition cost.
• Limited open space.
• This site has several' ownerships.
III. CIRCLE J RANCH ROAD
Advantages
• Hear proposed Rio Vista Road.
Disadvantages
• Property is not large enough to accommodate a station.
• This site is being proposed for subdivision.
•
COMMUTER RAIL STATION
Page 3
IV. SAN FERNANDO ROAD & 13TH STREET
Advantages
• Centrally located.
• Good access to the proposed Rio Vista Road.
• Sufficient open space with no buildings on site.
• Property is large enough to accommodate a station (approximately 28
acres).
Disadvantages
• Access may be a problem to San Fernando Road.
• Street improvements will be required on 13th Street.
V. SAN FERNANDO ROAD AND PINE STREET
Advantages
• Good access to S.R. 14.
• Identified by LACTC'S study.
• Good access to San Fernando Road.
• The Old Saugus station could be used as a commuter rail station to
preserve Newhall's old western tradition.
Disadvantages
• Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society's approval would be required.
• The property on Pine Street, which would be needed for parking, is
densely occupied with industrial buildings.
• This site has several ownerships.
• High acquisition cost
Staff feels that the Bermite site has strong potential for the City's first
multi -modal transportation center and should be identified by LACTC.
Additionally, a second station will be needed in the future to serve the
Newhall/Valencia area. Various locations along San Fernando Road with
advantages and disadvantages have not been clearly defined at this time. At
first glance the Glazer property located at the northeast corner of San Fernando
Road and 13th Street has a strong possibility as a second station site. Staff
will continue to conduct further analysis and return to Council with
recommendations.
In summary, the Resolution that is -due to LACTC on December 11 is necessary to
apply for TCI funds. This Resolution does not, however, constitute a commitment
on the part of.the City regarding site selection.
COMMUTER RAIL STATION
Page A
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that:
1)
The Council
consider the
sites identified and select the Bermite
the primary
location for
the City's first commuter rail station.
2)
Direct staff
to continue
study for a site along San Fernando Road.
3)
The Council
direct staff
to prepare a Resolution for the Council
of November
13, 1990 for
submittal to LACTC, identifying a station.
Attachment I - LACTC'S commuter rail station site application.
Attachment II - LACTC'S sample resolution.
Attachment III - Map of proposed station sites.
/jcd
area as
meeting