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Home My WebLink AboutPW Merrydale Road Multi-Use Path Connection Alternatives____________________________________________________________________________________ FOR CITY CLERK ONLY Council Meeting: April 18, 2022 Disposition: Accepted report Agenda Item No: 7.b Meeting Date: April 18, 2022 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: Public Works Prepared by: Bill Guerin, Director of Public Works City Manager Approval: ______________ TOPIC: MERRYDALE ROAD MULTI-USE PATH CONNECTION ALTERNATIVES SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON MULTI-USE PATH CONNECTION ALTERNATIVES FROM LAS GALLINAS AVENUE TO THE CIVIC CENTER SMART STATION VIA MERRYDALE ROAD RECOMMENDATION: Accept the report and provide direction to staff. BACKGROUND: The Terra Linda community has long advocated for a multimodal connection between the Northgate mall multi-use path and the SMART Civic Center SMART station using the existing Merrydale Road right-of-way. Connecting the Terra Linda residential and retail land uses to the heavy rail SMART station is also included in the 2040 General Plan and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan. An informal advisory committee made up of area residents and various interest groups and City staff led the way to the development of alternatives to connect the area to the SMART Station. The committee developed several options to connect Northgate to the SMART station via a 12-foot multi- use path. The options vary based on the amount of parking spaces provided on Merrydale Avenue in each. Funds have not been available to date to pursue the design and construction of this path but, with the upcoming development of the Northgate Mall and the potential for Federal and State stimulus funding, staff recommends that the design of the pathway be advanced to create a more “shovel-ready” project and improve the City’s chances to procure grant funding. In order to advance the design, staff is seeking input from the Council on the pathway design and the amount of parking that should be included. ANALYSIS: The 2018 Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan identified the need for a (Class I) bicycle and pedestrian facility to connect the promenade on Las Gallinas Avenue to the SMART Civic Center Station via Merrydale Road. The community represented by a committee worked with City staff to develop four different alternatives for the southern section of the road between the landing of Merrydale Road Bridge and the Civic Center SMART Station. The section of the road between Las Gallinas SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2 Avenue and the bend in the road can accommodate a Class I facility on the northside for two-way bicycle and pedestrian traffic, two travel lanes for both directions, and a separated Class I bike lane on the south side of the road. Four alternatives were developed for the section between the bend in the road and the entrance to the Civic Center Station. All alternatives provide a 12-foot promenade for pedestrian and bicycle traffic and maintain one lane for each direction for vehicular traffic. All alternatives provide drainage solutions towards the end of the road and a crosswalk at the end of the road with proper turnaround for emergency vehicles and one ADA parking space adjacent to the SMART station. The options vary in the location and the number of on-street parallel parking spaces. OPTION A – Partial Parking: This option includes eight parallel on-street parking spaces on the east side of Merrydale and one disabled parking space OPTION B – Partial Parking: This option includes eight parallel on-street parking spaces on the west side of Merrydale and one disabled parking space OPTION C – Full Parking Option: This option provides 15 parallel on-street parking spaces on both sides of Merrydale and one disabled parking space. OPTION D – No Parking Option: This option provides no on-street parking. PUBLIC OUTREACH: Staff has met with the informal advisory committee multiple times while developing the four options. The ideas have been shared with the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) at two separate meetings, including on April 6, 2022. The BPAC Master Plan includes the path and it was discussed and included in the General Plan 2040. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with accepting the report. OPTIONS: • Accept the report. • Do not accept the report. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept the informational report and provide direction to staff. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Partial Parking Option A Plan Sheet 2. Partial Parking Option B Plan Sheet 3. Full Parking Option C Plan Sheet 4. No Parking Option D Plan Sheet 5. North Improvements Plan Sheet 6. Public Comment Attachments 1 - 5 Attachment 1 - Partial Parking Option A Plan Sheet https://storage.googleapis.com/proudcity/sanrafaelca/uploads /2022/04/Concept-Plan_Partial-A.pdf Attachment 2 - Partial Parking Option B Plan Sheet https://storage.googleapis.com/proudcity/sanrafaelca/uploads /2022/04/Concept-Plan_Partial-B.pdf Attachment 3 - Full Parking Option C Plan Sheet https://storage.googleapis.com/proudcity/sanrafaelca/uploads /2022/04/Concept-Plan_Full.pdf Attachment 4 - No Parking Option D Plan Sheet https://storage.googleapis.com/proudcity/sanrafaelca/uploads /2022/04/Concept-Plan_NoParking.pdf Attachment 5 - North Improvements Plan Sheet https://storage.googleapis.com/proudcity/sanrafaelca/uploads /2022/04/Concept-Plan_North.pdf The Merrydale Segment of the North San Rafael Promenade Prepared by the Merrydale Promenade Citizens Advisory Group and WTB-TAM April 12, 2022 Attachment 6 Table of Contents 1. Cover Letter 2. Appendix Exhibit A: History of the Merrydale Promenade Segment Exhibit B: Project Map (Circulation Diagram) Exhibit C: Regional Connections Map Exhibit D: Northgate Path Dimensions Exhibit E: Civic Center Path Dimensions Exhibit F: Alternatives Drawings Exhibit G: Cross Sections Exhibit H: Area Parking Inventory Attachment 6 April 12, 2022 San Rafael City Council 1400 Fifth Avenue San Rafael, California 94901 RE: Merrydale Road segment of the North San Rafael Promenade Dear San Rafael Councilmember, Thank you for taking time to focus on the Merrydale segment of the North San Rafael Promenade, one of the most important unbuilt projects in San Rafael and Marin County. This project is part of a larger system of pathways intended to connect the two halves of North San Rafael that are divided by US 101. It was first conceived in 1997 (see Appendix Exhibit A) and has been in planning for over two decades. The segments immediately to the north (Northgate) and south (Civic Center Drive) of the Merrydale Promenade segment are already complete. The Merrydale Road segment is the key gap remaining to be closed (see Appendix Exhibit B). Not only will this segment connect future Northgate Town Square residents to SMART and the Civic Center, but it will also connect the neighborhoods, schools, and civic and recreational facilities east and west of US 101 to each other, to the rest of San Rafael, and to all of Marin and Sonoma Counties via SMART and the regional pathway network. The Merrydale Promenade segment is at the heart of Marin’s Multi-Modal Sustainability Grid, and connects three different regional pathways: the North - South Greenway, the North - South Bikeway, and the Bay Trail (see Appendix Exhibit C). From the very beginning, the Promenade was conceived as more than just a utilitarian path. It was envisioned as a conduit for social connectivity and for connectivity between humans and nature. We continue to strive for that vision, and for a pathway that people will actually enjoy using because it’s attractive and fits in with the surrounding terrain, vegetation, and creeks both tidal and ephemeral. With this commitment to environmental stewardship in mind, we ask that the project avoid the removal of any of the native California oak trees or redwood trees that grow along the western shoulder of Merrydale Road. Merrydale Road is unnecessarily wide (as much as 48 feet in places) given its function, causing excessive run-off during rain events. Here lies an opportunity to reduce overall impermeable surface area and redirect water into more ecologically beneficial bioswales which manage storm water, mitigate flooding, and filter runoff before it reaches Gallinas Creek. Best practices for multi-use pathway design call for spatial separation of modes and sufficient space for cyclists and pedestrians to safely share the pathway despite their traveling at disparate speeds. The completed pathway segments immediately to the north and the south of the Merrydale segment follow best practices, with striping and different colored pavement demarcating separate zones for cyclists and pedestrians. The pathway to the north (around the perimeter of Northgate) includes an 8-foot bikeway alongside a 5.5-foot walkway for a total width of 13.5 feet (see Appendix Exhibit D). The pathway segment to the south (parallel to Civic Center Drive) includes a 10-foot bikeway alongside a 7-foot walkway for a total width of 17 feet (see Appendix Exhibit E). To Attachment 6 ensure continuity between these three Promenade segments, we recommend that the Merrydale segment likewise provide clearly signed and demarcated zones for bikes and pedestrians as well as strive for dimensions as close as possible to those on the Civic Center Drive segment. Of the four alternatives that the City’s consultants designed, we recommend advancing the No Parking alternative as the preferred alternative (see Appendix Exhibit F). In the other three alternatives, on-street parking would take up valuable space that could otherwise be used to widen the pathway to Civic Center Drive standards (17 feet) and to reduce the overall impermeable surface area and create new bioswales or areas for planting trees for summer shade (see Appendix Exhibit G). Recycled water is available along Merrydale Road. Two of the with-parking alternatives would require encroachment of new asphalt into the existing bioswale on the western side of Merrydale Road, as well as the removal of two native California oaks. Removing these trees is unnecessary and conflicts with the tree protection language found in San Rafael’s General Plan and Community Climate Action Plan. In the future, the Merrydale Promenade segment will play an increasingly prominent role as a hub of activity and movement in North San Rafael. It is the key connection linking Marin County’s most significant new housing development to the County’s regional multi-modal sustainability grid. The Promenade will plug future Northgate Town Square residents (as well as all of Terra Linda’s existing residents) directly into SMART, the Bay Trail, and the regional active transportation network. Fewer trips originating and ending at Northgate, Civic Center, and other Terra Linda destinations will require cars. More residents, consumers, and visitors of all ages and abilities will be able to walk or ride bikes safely and conveniently to their destinations or to buses, trains, and ferries that will bring them to their destinations. We envision the Merrydale Promenade segment as the future gateway to a North San Rafael increasingly oriented around people, community, and the environment rather than cars, highways, and parking. The Promenade is the City’s welcome mat for those arriving by SMART train or North - South Greenway. This walkability and bicycle-friendliness will improve the vitality and health of North San Rafael’s millennials, families, and retirees. We envision low vehicular volumes on this dead-end segment of Merrydale Road, mainly consisting of visitors to the storage and Guide Dogs properties, and shuttle bus and ADA access to the SMART station. If the project must include on-street parking, we recommend that parking spaces “bump out” around the two oak trees marked for “removal” in the alternatives drawings, and that parking be time-limited. Parking and passenger drop-off for regular (non-ADA) SMART riders should occur on the east side of the station on Civic Center Drive, McInnis Parkway, and in existing parking lots. There is ample parking within a short walk of Merrydale Road for all other parking needs (see Appendix Exhibit H). Insisting on parking in this area conflicts with the City’s Climate Change goals and does not serve the community. This area is the premier opportunity to demonstrate real change in how things can be done in San Rafael by emphasizing safe, lovely, livable pedestrian walkways and bikeways. Attachment 6 By providing a safe, direct connection between where people live and where they want to go, the Merrydale Promenade segment will generate new multi-modal trips both locally and regionally, taking cars off the roads and reducing congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. When this project is complete, it will be a Safe Route to Schools, a Safe Route to Transit, a Safe Route to the Civic Center, Farmer’s Market, and Fairgrounds, and for future residents of Northgate Town Square, a Safe Route Home. We urge the City Council to direct staff to give high priority to pathway continuity, user safety, user experience, and minimizing environmental impacts (including preserving native trees, reducing overall permeable surface area, and preserving and enhancing bioswales). We urge Council to direct staff to place low priority on parking or to recommend the No-Parking alternative. Finally, we recommend Council to direct staff to devise a strategy to complete this vital project contemporaneously with the Northgate Town Square project and to seek funding for its construction as soon as possible. Respectfully submitted, Merrydale Promenade Citizens Advisory Group Shirley Fischer Judy Schriebman Cathy Manovi Heidi Howerton Margaret Johnston Patrick Seidler WTB-TAM Patrick Seidler Matthew Hartzell CC: Bill Guerin, Director of Public Works Rafat Raie, Deputy Director of Public Works Lindsay Lara, City Clerk Brenna Nurmi, Deputy City Clerk Attachment 6 Appendix Exhibit A History of the Merrydale Promenade Segment 1996 North San Rafael Vision: Community visioning process specifically identified desire to complete a bicycle and pedestrian pathway through the area and connecting major destinations. 2002 North San Rafael Vision Promenade Conceptual Plan: Adopted plan proposes improved bicycle and pedestrian connections between Terra Linda Recreation Center and Lagoon Park at the Marin Civic Center, and forming a connecting between the east and west sides of North San Rafael. The planning process included extensive public outreach and according to the City of San Rafael represented a community consensus. 2011 (and 2018 update) San Rafael Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan: In 2011, the Merrydale Promenade was identified as a mid-term project to be built within 1-10 years. The 2018 Master Plan update listed the Merrydale Promenade project as a Group A highest priority project. EXISTING I PROPOSED BIKEWAYS Multi-use Path (Class I) Bicycle lane (Class II) Bicycle Route (Class Ill) Protected Bikeway (C lass IV) San Rafael City l imits Attachment 6 Appendix Exhibit A 2012 San Rafael Civic Center Station Area Plan: “During the course of developing this Station Area Plan, this section of the Promenade became a key design concern. Merrydale Road North may experience some traffic increases from residents dropping off and picking up passengers at the SMART station on the west side. Similarly, this section of the Promenade will provide an important link to the station from the west, including the Northgate Shopping Center, for cyclists and pedestrians…[T]he new facility would be a shared bicycle/pedestrian path similar to portions of the Promenade already constructed…Although the Merrydale Road right-of-way appears adequate to accommodate this higher-quality connection, in some portions of the roadway it may require on-street parking prohibitions to achieve the benefit associated with separating bicycles and pedestrians from auto traffic.” (excerpt, page 20) 2016 San Rafael General Plan: Calls for implementation of the Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan and specifically calls for “an excellent network of bikeways and pedestrian paths.” General Plan also calls for adoption of design criteria “to support alternative transportation modes to better meet user needs and minimize conflicts between competing modes.” Attachment 6 Appendix Exhibit B Project Area Diagram Class I Multi-Use Path Class II Bike Lane Class Ill Shared Route Class IV Protected Bike Lane Attachment 6 Appendix Exhibit C Regional Connections Map North -South Greenway Bay Trail North -South Bikeway Other Pathways Attachment 6 Appendix Exhibit D Northgate Pathway Dimensions Northgate Promenade Runs along perimeter of Northgate Shopping Center, parallel to Las Gallinas Ave. Total pathway width: 13.5 feet Bikeway component: 8 feet (4 feet in each direction) Walkway component: 5.5 feet Attachment 6 Appendix Exhibit E Civic Center Drive Pathway Dimensions Promenade at Civic Center Drive/Avenue of the Flags Runs parallel to Civic Center Drive from the SMART station to the Lagoon Park roundabout. Total pathway width: 17 feet Bikeway component: 10 feet (5 feet in each direction) Walkway component: 7 feet Attachment 6 Appendix Exhibit F Alternatives Drawings CSW/Parisi, 2020 No Parking Alternative i1.:!'J!2.11 Q tffl'Of&IN 11.tl'IJ:l, ,u-~tMo, --, --, __ , ,_ '....._ l ••, •• ---' --'I-. APPROXlMATEMEAOF--' ............ ..._._ / LAS QAU.INAS VAL~EY SANITARY DISTRICT PROPOSE.D IMPROVEMENl$ (N) 010 OUT REPAIR • '-,. • • I.ANDS OF 1'0w.NCA"Tl<OI.W:: . ,1~~ OF $AN FRANCISCO rrtj11s.2SO-us ~· ,. ~ .• \, VE EIJC 'IREE .. -. "lg -,t,"11. ·.-..... i ;. MERRYDALE PROMENADE PROJECT -SOUTH NO PARKING OPTION @ ~~$Ql1'0n~ ~ •· .•. '1?,,,~~v.· \//,,, ,\, ...,.,IJ,;'Ou."-• ~ I ~'II "u.s J --✓~, • '").:'. , ~ . .. l40t s,-\L~~.s OF<;_~ , -.._ . ~'1'9"1-0~ --, . LEGEND \ ... , -..... __ ...,_ EXISTING AC. PAVEMENT • MILUFlll OR SLURRY NEW A.C. PAVEMENT AREA NEW 12' PROMENADE· PERMEABLE CONCRETE OR PAVERS NEW LANDSCAPE ANOOR RAJNGAROEN AREA PROPOSEO EASEMENT FOR PATHWAY EXISTING ou=tECTION OF Fl.OW OR SlOPE t50.00SF t.9,000SF t2t,800$F ±4,650SF ± 1.820SF Attachment 6 Appendix Exhibit F Partial Parking Alternative A Parking on the eastern side of Merrydale Road, adjacent the planned pathway. :OXlMATE AREA Of DIG OUT REPAIR \ \, '\ \ '\ ------------__l_\ LASGA1,LINA$VA1,Lli'Y sANITARY DISTRICT ji ;j/j a.-111 -Q CU'¥ or SAN J\Af.Ut. -------------........_ .._ I , , PROPOSED 1MPROVEMENTS ( -........_ __ ------........__ l:ANOSOF ROM-'N CATHOLIC J.R'?'SISl:!OP OF SAN FRAIICISCO . · (If.II 17&-250-15 ------------------I -----"--------------MERRYDALE PROMENADE PROJECT -SOUTH PARTIAL PARKING OPTION A PARALLEL PARKING STALLS ADA PARKING STALL TOTAL 8 1 9 LEGEND @ . SMA'3r,w ·-; \ \ ~MOVE EUC TREE /ih.._-:,--:---ADA PARKING EXISTING A.C. PAVEMENT , MILUFILL OR SLURRY NEW A.C. PAVEMENT AREA .±50,00SF ±9.000SF ~:';::~~,,:.e:~e\·:ERMEASLE ,21,SO0SF ~~~~g~~~~NDIOR t 2.600 SF PROPOSED EASEMENT FOR PATHWAY i 1.820SF EXlSTING DIRECTION OF FLOW OR SLOPE Attachment 6 Appendix Exhibit F Partial Parking Alternative B Parking on the western side of Merrydale Road, on the opposite side of the street from the planned pathway. --------......... I ', -......_ , -APPROXIMATE AREA Of" (N) DIG OUT REPAIR --........_ __ ........__ "' I -......... _ -......... _ --....... __ ......... _ ------I.AS GAWNAS VAL~EY ' --~~~::oDl~~EME "------~ -REMOVE (2) CAI( -. , "-10$,QF iS FOR THE BI.JljD 7,;.25~3 r---'r-. -:, 'l---...__ @ ~So'Ale(,rite~ -~MO~E'.1,UC TREE ~ i ~ ANOS'~F C'RON ".--.__ • --~ N0~1 l-04.ss ____ -_-_,,_, __ ...., __ ...__ Q qTY Q~ $A .. Jl,Al'Ar:I, (lft'll'tJWltllf MERRYDALE PROMENADE PROJECT -SOUTH PARTIAL PARKING OPTION B PARALLEL PARKING STALLS ADA PARKING STALL TOTAL = 8 1 9 LEGEND C-EXISTING A.C. PAVEMENT • MILL./FILL OR SLUR.RY NEW A.C. PAVEMENT AREA NEW 12' PROMENADE • PERMEABLE CONCRETE OR PAVER$ NEW 1.ANDSCAPE AND/OR RAINGARDEN AREA PROPOSED EASEMENT FOR PATHWAY EXISTING DIRECTION OF FlOW OR SLOPE t 50,00Sf t9,000SF i:21,800 SF t:2,600SF t.1,820SF Attachment 6 Appendix Exhibit F Full Parking Alternative Parking on both sides of Merrydale Road ... > -------------..... __ --.....__ I -, -----..... ----..... __ ~ / . 7 -------.......... APPROXIW.TEAREA~-••--..._ \N) QIO OUT REPAIR • LANDS OF ,MAN CATHOLIC IOP OF SAN FRANCISCO ·-175-250-15 --..... __ "' .,/ ]',, "' -<. , __ / /'--REMOVE --..._, OAl<TREE ''-.. LAS GAU.INAS VALLl:Y SANITARY OIST'RICT PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS --,_ iiliat11 MERRYDALE PROMENADE PROJECT -SOUTH LEGEND @ Gdil)l,.,:$t.a~tlfl~) ~ ~ RJ!Ml)\18 euc TREE ADA PARKING tsWIDESIGlflilOIIPJ FU LL PAR Kl NG OPTION '1======.,,~""~w;;;;,s~mo,~~~~;;:-;:;"s~;;;;~~,..~~:..,IENMTT-=----.-5o-,OO-SF-Q CITY Of .:!AN lt.\rAtt, PARALLEL PARKING STALLS ADA PARKING STALL TOTAL = 15 1 16 NEW A.C. PAVEMENT AREA t 10,000 SF ~~d%:r:~e~is"ERMEABlE •2,_800 SF NEW LANDSCAPE ANOiO~ RAINGAROEN AAEA PROPOSED EASEMENT FOR PATHWAY EXISTING DIRECTION OF FLOW OR SLOPE t 2,650SF t 1,820SF Attachment 6 Appendix Exhibit G Cross Sections Based on CSW/Parisi plans (WTB-TAM, 2022) Cross Section Locations Cross Section 1 Pinch Point boundary (ROW = 46.6’) Cross Section 1 Pinch Point (ROW = 46' 6") • EXISTING CONDITIONS 8' natural area ALL ALTERNATIVES 8' natural area Cross Section 2 North of Guide OQg~Ceme,tery ~oundary (ROW = 65') 6' natura l area 4' 6" natura l area Attachment 6 Appendix Exhibit G Cross Section 2 North of Cemetery/Guide Dogs property boundary (ROW = 65’) EXISTING CONDITIONS 14' original natural area 14' original nat\Wal area 6' new natural are.a PARTIAL PARKING OPTION A 14' onginal natural area PARTIAL PARKING OPTION B ., t- 14' 1 ' : ong,nal natural area 12' original natural area 8' new natural area bi~ 5' new natu ra l area J t, t _ft 3' 3 ' 3' 3' Attachment 6 Appendix Exhibit H Area Parking Inventory Map shows existing (2022) parking in the vicinity of the Merrydale Promenade project. Even after some of the existing parking lots at Northgate are transformed into housing, there will still be ample parking in the area. -Completed Segments of the Northgate Promenade ---• Planned Segments of the Northgate Promenade Project Area On-Street Parking (p ublic) Attachment 6