HomeMy WebLinkAboutBicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee 2019-10-02 MinutesSan Rafael Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Meeting Notes – October 2, 2019
Attendees: DJ Allison (BPAC), Gerry Belletto (BPAC), Barry Bergman (BPAC), Jim Geraghty (BPAC), Marc
Solomon (BPAC), Kate Powers (BPAC), Kevin Hagerty (BPAC), Tyler Neilsen (youth resident), Lauren
Davini (City), Rafat Raie (City), Bob Grandy (consultant) Anne Coyne (resident), Lori Schiffrin (resident)
1) Call to Order
2) Public Comments for Items NOT on the Agenda
a) None
3) Approval of Meeting Minutes
a) April 3, 2019 regular meeting minutes – approved
b) June 5, 2019 regular meeting minutes – approved
4) Third Street Rehabilitation; Project Update – Update from City staff. Project has been divided into
two project in order to segregate work being funded from two sources. There is a $4M project from
Grand Avenue to Lindaro Street funded by the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), which
is administered by Caltrans. There is also a $12M project from Lindaro Street to Miracle Mile funded
by Measure A, which is administered by the Transportation Authority of Main (TAM). The City is
working closely with the developers of the BioMarin/Whistlestop project to incorporate streetscape
improvements where possible. City has performed outreach to utilities (Marin Sanitary, MMWD,
and PG&E) to coordinate any other work along the corridor. MMWD and Marin Sanitary are joining
the project and funding their own infrastructure work while the road is torn up. No response from
PG&E. Projects are both expected to take about 1 year to design. City expects putting them out to
bid in Spring 2021. City noted that a third project involving intersection improvements at 3rd Street
and Hetherton Street will be out to bid in January 2020.
5) Downtown Precise Plan - note that Items 5 and 6 on the agenda were switched to accommodate
scheduling constraints of meeting attendees that were presenting on items.
a) Bob Grandy from Fehr and Peers (part of Precise Plan consultant team) presented initial (draft)
plans for the downtown bike and pedestrian network under consideration for the Downtown
Precise Plan. Bob noted that 4th street is narrow and will not accommodate a separated bike
lane without major streetscape reconfiguration. Emphasis for bike connections were placed on
5th Street where parking would need to be removed. Many comments from the committee
expressed concern that the team was not finding solutions to the concerns over biking on 4th
street, which was a high-priority in the City’s Master Plan. The City recommended formation of
an ad-hoc committee to be able to address concerns about the plan outside the regular
meetings with the team. BPAC voted for DJ Allison, Marc Solomon, and Gerry Belletto to form
the ad-hoc committee.
6) Proposed Costco - note that Items 5 and 6 on the agenda were switched to accommodate
scheduling constraints of meeting attendees that were presenting on items.
a) City presented conceptual layouts for the proposed Costco Center at Northgate. These materials
were the same submitted to the City previously. The committee did not endorse or oppose the
project. Comments from the BPAC members to be provided to the City included:
• Can the Northgate Promenade be completed around the parcel?
• Is this project consistent with the General Plan 2020?
• Noted concerns about possible safety conflicts with the amount of traffic pulling in and out of
driveways, and at the adjacent intersection
• This location is not along a primary or important route for students traveling to Terra Linda High
School
• Will there be traffic impacts on Las Gallinas between Nova Albion and Northgate? Can traffic
mitigation funds be used to improve this area for bikes in particular?
• Can Costco implement project A-23 in the Master Plan if redoing Northgate Road?
• Should a bike repair station be installed?
• Will secure/covered bike parking be provided for employees or patrons?
• Are their opportunities to improve bike and pedestrian facilities on the Merrydale overcrossing?
• What about electric scooters. Should a parking area be designated in case a company deploys them
in San Rafael?
7) TAM Safe Pathway to Schools; Funding Update – City received funding to install rapid flashing
beacons at some uncontrolled crosswalks.
8) Downtown Bike Racks – Mark Solomon, Phil Mooney (BPAC) reviewed the bike parking guidelines
and provided recommendations to where racks were needed downtown. City is planning on 4 racks
for block (split between both sides of street). DPW’s intern is taking this on a project. BPAC
recommended outreach to local businesses fronting where racks will go.
9) Future Agenda Items
a) None requested