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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 14066 (PW Andersen Dr SMART)RESOLUTION NO. 14066 RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL APPROVING THE ANDERSEN DRIVE/SONOMA MARIN AREA RAIL TRANSIT (SMART) RIGHT-OF-WAY AT -GRADE CROSSING ALTERNATIVE (ALTERNATIVE 6) AND DIRECTING STAFF TO PROCEED WITH FILING AN APPLICATION WITH THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (CPUC) The City Council of the City of San Rafael finds and determines that: WHEREAS, in 1997, the City extended Andersen Drive north from the intersection of Francisco Boulevard West to A Street in Downtown San Rafael. As part of this road extension, the City paved over the existing railroad track along the former Northwestern Pacific Railroad right-of-way (now SMART right-of-way). The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorized the construction of the road crossing, but ruled that this authorization would expire once regular train service was scheduled through Andersen Drive. The CPUC ruling directed that, once train service is scheduled through this crossing, the City must apply to CPUC for authorization to continue utilization of this road crossing; and WHEREAS, in the early 2000's, the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit Agency (SMART) was formed to plan for use of the former Northwestern Pacific Railroad right-of-way for commuter rail service from Cloverdale (Sonoma County) to Larkspur. In 2005, SMART prepared and certified the Sonoma Marin Rail Transit Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), which analyzed the environmental impacts of developing the commuter rail service from Cloverdale to Larkspur. While the FEIR analyzed roadway crossings along the rail line, it acknowledges that the Andersen Drive/SMART at -grade crossing (ref. Crossing MP 16.0) is not permitted by CPUC, and thus the FEIR did not analyze the current at -grade crossing condition for the establishment of rail service; and WHEREAS, in 2006, the Marin and Sonoma voters passed Measure Q, establishing a sales tax funding for the development of SMART. Phase 1 of SMART, the Initial Operating System (IOS) is under construction and is scheduled to be completed in 2016; and WHEREAS, in January 2015, the City of San Rafael's Department of Public Works prepared the City of San Rafael- Andersen Drive- Report on Analysis of Alternatives to Accommodate Rail Service, Final Report, which examined six initial crossing alternatives (Alternatives 1-6), and on October 9, 2015 prepared a Memorandum report on one additional alternative (Alternative 7); and WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael- Andersen Drive- Report on Analysis of Alternatives to Accommodate Rail Service, Final Report concludes and recommends that the City should pursue Alternative 6, At -Grade Crossing with Additional Storage Capacity, which will provide a safe, relatively low cost crossing, while providing minimal impact to the surrounding roadway network. The additional analysis of Alternative 7, which is presented in an October 9, 2015 memorandum from Leslie Bloomquist, Public Works Department, to Paul Jensen, Community Development Department (Report on Analysis of Alternatives to Accommodate Rail Services - Analysis of Alternative 7); and WHEREAS, the City is developing a detailed plan for the signal system and infrastructure at this intersection and is working closely with SMART on these details; and WHEREAS, on February 1, 2016, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to review and consider Andersen Drive/SMART crossing Alternative 6, considered all oral and written public testimony and the written report of the Public Works and Community Development Departments; and WHEREAS, the Alternative 6 at -grade crossing is defined as a "project" under the provisions of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15063 and is therefore subject to environmental review. An Initial Study was prepared supporting the adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration, which is accompanied by a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP). By separate resolution, the City Council adopted the Mitigated Negative Declaration and approved the MMRP; and WHEREAS, the custodian of documents which constitute the record of proceedings upon which this decision is based, is the City Clerk. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council approves the At - Grade crossing Alternative (Alternative 6) and directs staff to proceed with the filing of an application with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) based on the following findings: A broad ranee of crossing alternatives was identified and studied. In preparation for the extension of SMART from Downtown San Rafael to Larkspur, the City of San Rafael identified seven rail crossing alternatives with Andersen Drive to study and consider for action and submittal to the California Public Utilities Commission. A broad range of crossing alternatives was scoped by the City, including the additional alternative submitted by the public. The broad scope of alternatives include: 1) grade separation; 2) at grade crossing with Chicane; 3) full closure; 4) one way southbound bypass; 5) two-way bypass; 6) at grade crossing with additional storage capacity; and 7) two way bypass via Woodland with Andersen connector. 2. The studies conducted for the crossing alternatives find and recommend that the Alternative 6 at -grade crossing is the preferred alternative. The City's action to approve crossing Alternative 6 is supported by the findings and recommendations of the City of San Rafael- Andersen Drive- Report on Analysis of Alternatives to Accommodate Rail Service, Final Report (January 2015) together with the analysis of a seventh alternative presented in an October 9, 2015 memorandum from Leslie Bloomquist, Public Works Department, to Paul Jensen, Community Development Department (Report on Analysis of Alternatives to Accommodate Rail Services - Analysis of Alternative 7). The City finds that Alternative 6 will provide a safe, relatively low-cost crossing, while providing minimal impact to the surrounding roadway network. Consistent with the CEOA Guidelines, environmental review of Alternative 6 was completed finding that impacts associated with this proiect can be reduced to less - than -significant levels. An Initial Study was prepared supporting a Mitigated Negative Declaration. The Mitigated Negative Declaration includes recommended mitigation measures to reduce project impacts to less -than -significant levels. By separate resolution, the City Council adopted the Mitigated Negative Declaration and approved a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) finding that the environmental document adequately analyzes the impacts of the project and that suitable mitigation measures have been approved to address project impacts. The 2 Mitigation Measures presented in the MMRP can be incorporated into the construction and operational phases of the project. 4. Action to approve Alternative 6 would be consistent with the San Rafael General Plan 2020 in that: a. The project is critical in supporting the extension of SMART from Downtown San Rafael to Larkspur by encouraging efforts to connect commuter rail to ferry service in San Francisco. Therefore, this project and the SMART extension are consistent with Circulation Element Policy C-17 (Regional Transit Options — Commuter Rail). b. As designed and as demonstrated in the studies prepared for this project, the at -grade crossing would be safe for pedestrians and would have a minimal impact on the local roadway system, specifically Andersen Drive. Therefore, the project is consistent with Circulation Element Program C - 14a (SMART), which supports specific design features including: 1) a rail crossing that is safe for pedestrians and has minimal impacts on the roadway traffic; 2) an assessment of noise; and 3) provisions for a north/south bicycle/pedestrian path in the SMART right-of-way. C. SMART will provide an alternative transit mode for commuters, which will promote a decrease in miles traveled in single -occupancy vehicles. The crossing project would facilitate the extension of SMART to Larkspur Landing, which could further increase rail ridership and thus further decrease the potential miles traveled in single -occupant vehicles. Therefore, the project is consistent with Sustainability Element Policy SU -2 (Promote Alternative Transportation), which supports alternative transportation modes that would decrease miles traveled in single -occupant vehicles. d. A complete noise assessment was prepared for the SMART rail extension from Downtown San Rafael to Larkspur, which included the proposed Alternative 6 crossing. Consistent with the provisions of the CEQA Guidelines, the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration assessed worst case conditions for noise impacts by assuming that the train horn will sound through this area. The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration noise assessment section recommends the use of "wayside" horns to reduce projected noise levels that would be experienced by sensitive receptors in the area. Therefore, this noise assessment and its recommendations would be consistent with Noise Element Program N -8a (Future Transitway Mitigation Measures), which recommends a detailed noise assessment and appropriate mitigation measures. I, ESTHER BEIRNE, City Clerk of the City of San Rafael hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of said City held on Monday, February 1, 2016, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Colin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Gamblin ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk 3