CITY OF MERCED Planning & Permitting Division STAFF REPORT: #13-12 AGENDA ITEM: 4.3 FROM: Kim Espinosa, PLANNING COMMISSION Planning Manager MEETING DATE: August 21, 2013 PREPARED BY: Bill King, Principal Planner SUBJECT: City of Merced 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan concerning General Plan Amendment #13-01, initiated by the City of Merced. This application involves the review and recommendation to the City Council concerning adoption of the City of Merced 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan, and a request to amend the Circulation Chapter of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan to reflect the Plan. *PUBLIC HEARING* ACTION: PLANNING COMMISSION: Recommendation to City Council 1) Environmental Review #13-13 (Statutory Exemption) 2) General Plan Amendment #13-01 3) Adoption of the City of Merced 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan CITY COUNCIL: Approve/Disapprove/Modify 1) Environmental Review #13-13 (Statutory Exemption) 2) General Plan Amendment #13-01 3) Adoption of the City of Merced 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan SUMMARY The Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) must certify the City s Bicycle Transportation Plan (BTP) every five years to ensure the City s eligibility to apply for Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) funds from Caltrans. City Staff, in coordination with MCAG and community members, have prepared a draft City of Merced 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan (2013 BTP), which will replace the City s 2008 BTP, and which meets the requirements of Caltrans. The BTP update requires changes to the City s General Plan as well. This report presents an overview of the 2013 BTP and related changes to the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan. Planning Staff seeks a recommendation on the 2013 BTP and the related general plan amendment.
Planning Commission Staff Report #13-12 Page 2 August 21, 2013 RECOMMENDATION Based on the findings contained in the staff report, staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City Council of the following (including adoption of the Resolution at Attachment E): (A) CEQA 1262 Statutory Exemptions/Feasibility and Planning Studies (Attachment D); (B) General Plan Amendment #13-01; and, (C) City of Merced 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan (Enclosure). PROJECT DESCRIPTION In order to be eligible to compete for Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) funds, the BTP must contain minimum content requirements as specified in the Streets and Highways Code Section 891.2, which is presented in the Introduction Chapter of the 2013 BTP. The plan s major topics (listed below), align with these state requirements. Policy Element Bike-Related Standards The City s Existing Bike System Proposed Bike System Funding Element Plan Benefits Community Participation FINDINGS/CONSIDERATIONS Key Changes of the Bicycle Transportation Plan A) Significant upgrades to the 2008 Bicycle Transportation Plan were made in this latest plan, and were the result of field assessments, extensive public workshops, and coordination between various City Departments, and include: Removal of Bike Route (Class III) designations along high-traffic and highspeed areas along R Street and M Street near Bear Creek; and, Addition of two new bikeway types (Sharrows and Bike Boulevards); and, Removal of proposed bike lanes on 16 th Street and Olive Avenue (these are now options to be considered as part of future studies see project 3A, Appendix E); and, Identification and prioritization of projects based on key objectives, notably project readiness and enhancement of the existing bicycle transportation system; and, Inclusion of extensive public comments (Appendix H);and, Assessment of north-south oriented bikeways; and, Expanded plan chapters and related appendices
Planning Commission Staff Report #13-12 Page 3 August 21, 2013 Highlights of the City of Merced 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan B) The 2013 BTP is the first to be developed in conjunction with the City of Merced Bicycle Advisory Commission. Plan highlights include: field surveys to determine facility presence and quality, extensive public outreach, a user-friendly design, a list of 106 recommended projects, additional bikeway classifications, a quantitative prioritization methodology, and a detailed project cost assessment. This work would not have been possible without the dedicated involvement of a community of members, other public agency partners, and Planning Department interns. Project Types Number of Projects Top 10 Priority Projects 34 Remaining Pool of Prioritized Projects 24 Project Sites Currently in Merced County 12 Projects by Future Development 16 Projects Currently In-Process 20 Adjustment of the Prioritization Results C) The projects in the first two Project Types (above) were ranked by City Staff with guidance from the BAC through a quantitative process (see Appendices F and I of the 2013 BTP). Subsequent to that effort, the BAC formed a subcommittee to qualitatively assess the quantified prioritization results prepared by staff. The subcommittee recommended several changes (see Comprehensive List of Projects, Appendix E of the 2013 BTP). Based on their work, the recommended top ten projects include: Group many ready-to-go on-street bike lane projects as the highest priority projects. Emphasize the need to study bicycle transportation options in three key sites (16 th Street Corridor, Olive Avenue Corridor, and access to Golden Valley High School), and to implement the recommended projects. Develop a Bicycle Boulevard connecting North and South Merced to Downtown. Provide ramps between the streets and many off-street pathways that currently connect to sidewalks. Study and develop a crossing of G Street along Cottonwood Creek. Examine and adjust Bike Lane Standards. Provide Education. Install Bike Parking and Rest Related Projects. Install Wayfinding Signs.
Planning Commission Staff Report #13-12 Page 4 August 21, 2013 Purpose/Benefits of the Plan D) The purpose of the City of Merced 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan (BTP) is to provide City Staff and the community with a comprehensive, long-range view for the development of bicycle facilities and programs within the City of Merced. A certified BTP also qualifies the City to apply annually for State of California Bicycle Transportation Account funds through Caltrans. Implementation of this plan will help to develop a comprehensive, continuous, and well-maintained bikeway network, maximizing bicycling benefits to the area s cycling and noncycling public. These benefits include: (1) increased bicycle commuters; (2) improved air quality; (3) enhanced public health; and, (4) reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Review Process E) In order for the City of Merced 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan to be recognized by Caltrans for purposes of acquiring grant funds, a series of actions from various review bodies are needed, culminating in certification by the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) board, and include review by: The City of Merced Bicycle Advisory Commission The City of Merced Recreation and Parks Commission The City of Merced Planning Commission The Merced City Council Plan Certified by MCAG The Recreation and Parks Commission and the Bicycle Advisory Commission reviewed and recommended approval of the draft 2013 BTP in June 2013. The BAC offered specific recommended changes to the draft (Attachment A); staff concurs with the changes. The recommendation of the Planning Commission will be forwarded to the City Council for their consideration to approve, deny or to modify the 2013 BTP. Community Participation F) Development of the 2013 BTP included the participation of stakeholders and the general public. Stakeholders have an interest in the outcome of the plan, and are bicycle riders and advocates; government entities that provide services to populations that utilize bicycle facilities; bicycle recreationalists; public health advocates; and transportation providers, and include: Merced Bicycle Coalition Building Healthy Communities Merced/Mariposa Asthma Coalition UC Merced Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS)
Planning Commission Staff Report #13-12 Page August 21, 2013 Merced County Public Health Department Merced City School District and Merced Union High School District Golden Valley Health Center In addition to the regularly scheduled meetings of the City of Merced Bicycle Advisory Commission, at which draft chapters of the draft 2013 City of Merced BTP were presented and discussed, three community workshops were held to afford greater opportunity for the public to participate in the crafting of the plan. Public comments received at these workshops are included in Appendix H of the 2013 City of Merced BTP. Additionally, on October 27, 2012, Golden Valley Health Centers and The Merced Bike Coalition co-hosted The South Merced Bike Summit at Tenaya Middle School. Consistency with Plan Development Requirements G) The Plan was developed in cooperation with community members and the Merced County Association of Goverments (MCAG), and includes all Caltrans required elements of the BTP for purposes of qualifying the City to compete for grant funds from the Bicycle Transporation Account, known as BTA Grants. Amendments to the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan H) This request for a General Plan Amendment involves a few changes to the Circulation Chapter of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan, including: 1) updating Figure 4.9 that depicts the City of Merced s Bikeway System of existing and proposed bikeways (Attachment B); and, 2) updating the text in Section 4.3.8 of the General Plan relating to the bicycle/trail system (Attachment C). Environmental Clearance I) Planning Staff conducted an environmental review and determined that the Bicycle Transportation Plan (BTP) is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Env. Rev. #13-13). Statutory Exemption 1262 applies to a project involving only feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions which the agency, board, or commission has not approved, adopted, or funded. The BTP is a type of Feasibility and Planning Study. Additionally, Section 1061 (b) (3), Review for Exemption, indicates that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. It is determined that preparation of this plan and General Plan Amendment does not constitute or involve a significant effect. Therefore, a Notice of Exemption has been prepared for this project (Attachment D). NOTE: Such exemption does not preclude subsequent specific project-level environmental review to occur, where appropriate.
Planning Commission Staff Report #13-12 Page 6 August 21, 2013 Attachments: Enclosure: A) Bicycle Advisory Commission Recommendations B) City of Merced 2013 Bikeway System Map (modified Figure 4.9) C) Changes in text (Section 4.3.8 of the City s General Plan) D) Environmental Review #13-13 (Notice of Exemption) E) Draft Planning Commission Resolution Draft City of Merced 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan The Draft document is available online at the following link: http://www.cityofmerced.org/depts/cityclerk/boards_n_commissions/bicycle_advisory_comm ission/merced_bike_plan.asp You may also request a copy for the price of reproduction by contacting the Planning Department at 209-38-4729. Ref: N/shared/planning/bike planning and design/2013/public Review of Final Plan/Planning Commission/130710 PC Staff Report
em Yo s ke La OLD LAKE R D Ä Æ GOLF RD 9 : ite FARMLAND AVE UC Merced BELLEVUE RD CI R M Existing and Proposed Bikeways ELMER MURCHIE PARK Legend YO SEMITE AVE Merced High CHILDS AVE DR AV E EN GL ST SA NTA Ä Æ 99 FE GERA R D AVE AV E Ä Æ 140 BAKER DR Golden Valley High CHILDS AVE FR DICKENSON FERRY RD C RE EK O N TA G DWIGHT AMEY PARK E R D MISSIO N AVE 9 VASSAR AVE ATTACHMENT B Ä Æ 99 E AV D A R LF E R FA P L AL O P D Ä Æ REILLY RD H B E AR HEALY RD E WEST AVE Merced Airport ST ST 21 TYLER RD ST V HARTLEY R D THO RNTO N RD WARDROBE AVE ST SO U T 0.12 0.2 Miles June, 2013 KIBBY RD TH 13 TH 16 Bear Cree k 0 140 Ä Æ Industrial BOB CARPENTER PARK Public Open Space Merc ed County As sociation of Governments 369 W 18th Street Merced, CA 9340 (209) 723-313 FAX (209) 723-0322 COFFEE ST Residential Proposed Bike Boulevard Option OLIVE AVE 9 Ä Æ Commercial Black Rascal Creek DR e PARSONS ST FE Land Use in City Proposed Class 1 (Pathway) Proposed Sharrow HENRY ST A C re M ST NT R ST YO SEMITE AVE SA od G ST Merced College Proposed Crossing School Proposed Class 2 (Lane) k Existing Class 3 (Route) n MCKEE RD RUDOLPH JOSEPH MERINO PARK Cotto nw o Existing Class 2 (Lane) GARDNER AVE h re Fa BELCHER AVE Existing Class 1 (Pathway) LAKE RD n s Creek THO RNTO N RD TAHOE ST CARDELLA RD City of Merced
CITY OF MERCED Planning Commission Resolution # WHEREAS, the Merced City Planning Commission at its regular meeting of August 21, 2013, held a public hearing and considered the City of Merced 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan concerning General Plan Amendment #13-01, initiated by the City of Merced. This application involves the review and recommendation to the City Council concerning adoption of the City of Merced 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan, and a request to amend the Circulation Chapter of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan to reflect the Plan; and, WHEREAS, the Merced City Planning Commission concurs with Findings A through I of Staff Report #13-12; and, NOW THEREFORE, after reviewing the City s Draft Environmental Determination, and discussing all the issues, the Merced City Planning Commission does resolve to hereby recommend to City Council adoption of a Statutory Exemption regarding Environmental Review #13-13, approval of General Plan Amendment #13-01, and Adoption of the City of Merced 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan. Upon motion by Commissioner, seconded by Commissioner, and carried by the following vote: AYES: NOES: Commissioner(s) Commissioner(s) ABSENT: Commissioner(s) ABSTAIN: Commissioner(s) ATTACHMENT E
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION # Page 2 August 21, 2013 Adopted this 21 st day of August 2013 ATTEST: Chairperson, Planning Commission of the City of Merced, California Secretary n:shared:planning:pc Resolutions:GPA#13-01 2013 Bike Transportation Plan