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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPW SMART Tamalpais Closure - Cancelledo,Tr oF� Agenda Item No: 3. i Meeting Date: October 20, 2014 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: Public Works Prepared by: /��� �� �%' / ,-T City Manager Approval -4#-e-,44 Director of Public Works File No.: EP14-487 SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL AUTHORIZING THE PARTIAL PERMANENT CLOSURE OF TAMALPAIS AVENUE FROM MISSION AVENUE TO APPROXIMATELY 90 FEET NORTH OF MISSION AVENUE TO ACCOMMODATE SONOMA-MARIN AREA RAIL TRANSIT (SMART) OPERATIONS. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the resolution authorizing the partial permanent closure of 90 feet of Tamalpais Avenue north of Mission Avenue to accommodate SMART operational equipment. BACKGROUND: The Sonoma -Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) system will begin operations in 2016. Obsolete crossing arms and equipment must be replaced with current equipment prior to that date. Most of San Rafael's downtown crossing equipment will be replaced with new quad -gates and related improvements, which are bigger than the existing obsolete components. SMART's current right of way can accommodate this equipment in most instances. The exception is SMART's narrow right of way at the north side of Mission. In early 2013, SMART approached the City requesting the use of a section of Tamalpais Avenue. SMART is proposing that the City close approximately 90 feet of Tamalpais Avenue north of Mission Avenue. This section of Tamalpais Avenue is a one-way road which allows access onto Mission Avenue. Even with the proposed closure, access is maintained for property owners via Laurel Place (see Exhibit `Al). The Federal Rail Administration (FRA) requires SMART to provide a specified safe distance from the tracks along the rail corridor. Based on FRA requirements, the right of way for Tamalpais Avenue and SMART's right of way are too narrow to accommodate the required safety equipment. SMART's attempts to acquire additional right of way from adjacent property owners have been unsuccessful. SMART is proposing to install four gates at the corner of Mission and Tamalpais Avenues. The foundation for one of the gates targeted for this section of Tamalpais Avenue just north of Mission Avenue would preclude future vehicle access. At our request, SMART hired GHD Consultants to prepare a technical memorandum regarding traffic and parking impacts. The study noted the exceptionally low volume of vehicles utilizing this section of roadway. FOR CITY CLERK ONLY File No.: 2 4- S Council Meeting: teC/" Cance-11e� Disposition: �ES'c; a L ; r O/V SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Paye: 2 A Revocable License Agreement will allow SMART to utilize this section of the roadway. In compliance with Section 11.04.050.020 of the Municipal Code, the Department of Public Works notified property owners in the area of the proposed closure of this section of Tamalpais Avenue on September 9, 2014. We have not received any correspondence regarding this closure at this time. On October 6, 2014, the San Rafael City Council reviewed a presentation on this subject by the Department of Public Works and requested that this item be brought back to the Council at a later date. SMART is continuing to move forward with the installation of the rail and infrastructure for the project. Allowing SMART to install the signal crossing foundations at the corner of Tamalpais and Mission Avenues allows them to perform the work in this area at one time, which minimizes the impact to the public with traffic control measures during construction. Not allowing this action would postpone the installation of the crossing foundation, which would require additional traffic control measures if it is installed at a later time. ANALYSIS: Staff has reviewed SMART's application in coordination with the Fire Department and the Community Development Department. A Revocable License Agreement, the recommended mechanism to allow this work to occur, enables the City to maintain control of the site and to make future modifications as needed. Upon Council approval to close approximately 90 feet of this section of roadway, Public Works will issue the Revocable License Agreement to SMART. The Department of Public Works has examined this section of Tamalpais. Currently three properties take access from this section of Tamalpais. Roadway width in this area is sufficient to allow two vehicles to pass each other. The property at 704 Mission has driveway access to Mission Avenue and therefore does not require additional access to this section of Tamalpais. General Plan 2020 defines this section of Tamalpais as a local street. The closure will include a small turnaround area should emergency equipment need to access the area via Laurel Place. This section of Tamalpais shall continue to be open to pedestrians but cannot accommodate vehicle access from Mission Avenue. SMART will be required to remove all graffiti in this area. Additionally, as proposed and recommended, the partial road closure and Revocable License Agreement would be consistent with the following goals, policies and programs of General Plan 2020: a. Circulation Element Policy C-4 (Safe Roadway Design) requires that the City design and maintain roadways that are safe and convenient for motor vehicles, transit, bicycles and pedestrians. As proposed, the partial closure of Tamalpais Avenue would eliminate a vehicle traffic connection to Mission Avenue, but this closure would promote a safer area for pedestrians and bicyclists using the local street network and accessing SMART. b. The partial closure would be consistent with Circulation Element Program C -4a (Street Pattern and Traffic Flow) in that it would improve traffic flow and turning movements by directing the limited local traffic north to Laurel Place where there are fewer traffic movement conflicts. c. Circulation Element Policy C-8 requires that access be maintained for emergency services. As proposed, the partial closure would not impair access for emergency services as the properties served by that portion of the street can be safely accessed and served from other City streets, such as Mission and Laurel Place. The cul-de-sac formed by the partial closure will also integrate a hammerhead design to facilitate turn -around movement. SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Paye: 3 d. As proposed, the partial closure would be consistent with Infrastructure Element 1-9 (Water Supplies), I-10 (Sewer Facilities) and I-11 (Improvements to Drainage Facilities) in that it would not affect existing utility infrastructure or the ability to access these facilities for maintenance and repair. Closing this section of Tamalpais will allow SMART to install necessary signal equipment on Mission Avenue. The quad gates at this location will allow this intersection to be Quiet Zone ready. FISCAL IMPACT: Staff does not anticipate any cost to the City as a result of this action. All improvements and maintenance costs will be borne by SMART. SMART will also indemnify the City of all liability associated with their work in this area. ACTION REQUIRED: Adopt the resolution authorizing the partial closure of Tamalpais Avenue from Mission Avenue to approximately 90 feet north of Mission Avenue to accommodate SMART operations. Enclosures: Resolution License Agreement RESOLUTION NO. 13829 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL AUTHORIZING THE PARTIAL PERMANENT CLOSURE OF TAMALPAIS AVENUE FROM MISSION AVENUE TO APPROXIMATELY 90 FEET NORTH OF MISSION AVENUE TO ACCOMMODATE SONOMA-MARIN AREA RAIL TRANSIT (SMART) OPERATIONS. WHEREAS, in early 2013, Sonoma -Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) approached the City requesting a possible easement to design and locate exit gates (crossing gates) and related equipment at the north end of the intersection of Mission Avenue and Tamalpais Avenue as part of its transit rail corridor improvements; and WHEREAS, one option is to close a portion of Tamalpais Avenue approximately 90 feet from the intersection and provide this public ROW to accommodate SMART's crossing facilities; and WHEREAS, another option is to keep this intersection open, thereby requiring SMART to acquire private property at the northwest corner and shift the alignment of Tamalpais Avenue westward; and WHEREAS, upon staff review, the most feasible and recommended option is to provide partial permanent closure of Tamalpais Avenue and to process a Revocable License Agreement, rather than granting an easement to SMART; and WHEREAS, as proposed and recommended, the partial road closure and Revocable License Agreement would be consistent with the goals, policies and programs of the City's General Plan 2020. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of San Rafael hereby approves and orders the partial closure of Tamalpais Avenue from Mission Avenue to approximately 90 feet north of Mission Avenue to accommodate SMART operations. 1, ESTHER C. BEIRNE, 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 Council of said City held on the 20th day of October, 2014, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Connolly, McCullough & Mayor Phillips NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ESTHER C. BEIRNE ,City Clerk CA.N.,.CIELLIED CITY OF SAN RAFAEL ROUTING SLIP / APPROVAL FORM INSTRUCTIONS: USE THIS FORM WITH EACH SUBMITTAL OF A CONTRACT, AGREEMENT, ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION BEFORE APPROVAL BY COUNCIL / AGENCY. SRCC AGENDA ITEM NO. 3, t DATE OF MEETING: October 20, 2014 FROM: Nader Mansourian DEPARTMENT: Public Works FILE NO.: EP14-487 DATE: October 13, 2014 TITLE OF DOCUMENT: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL AUTHORIZING THE PARTIAL PERMANENT CLOSURE OF TAMALPAIS AVENUE FROM MISSION AVENUE TO APPROXIMATELY 90 FEET NORTH OF MISSION AVENUE TO ACCOMMODATE SONOMA-MARIN AREA RAIL TRANSIT (SMART) OPERATIONS Department Head (signature) *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** (LOWER HALF OF FORM FOR APPROVALS ONLY) APPROVED AS COUNCIL/ AGENCY AGENDA ITEM: City Manager (signature) NOT APPROVED REMARKS: APPROVED AS TO FORM: City Attorney (signature)