Reso PC17-07 0032 PC Reso Approving CEQA - 860 Charter St

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LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. SEPTEMBER 2016 ROCKETSHIP REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECT INITIAL STUDY/ MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION P:\RWC1401B Rocketship School\PRODUCTS\IS-MND\Public\Rocketship Public Review 09-29-16.docx (09/29/16) PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT 99 The proposed Bay Road driveway would be approximately 90 feet south of the crosswalk at Charter Street, which meets the City’s guidelines. Field observations indicate that southbound Bay Road traffic is relatively low volume with adequate gaps in traffic created by the all-way stop control at the Bay Road and Charter Street intersection. Right turns out of the outbound driveway onto Bay Road would be expected to experience minimal delays. The project would also provide a small parking lot along the western edge of the project site, primarily to be used by school staff. Access to this parking lot would be provided by a two-way full- access driveway on Charter Street at the northern end of the parking lot. Adjacent to the parking spaces, the drive aisle would be 20 feet wide. Between the trash enclosure and Charter Street, the driveway would be 28 feet wide and would provide an unobstructed approach for collection vehicles. This driveway would also provide access to a small parking area associated with an adjacent property. Field observations have indicated that Charter Street between Spring Street and Bay Road carries relatively low traffic volume. Vehicles accessing this parking lot would experience minimal delays. Therefore, the location of the site’s driveways would not result in any hazardous design issues. Sight Distance. The outbound driveway on Bay Road should be free and clear of any obstructions to optimize sight distance, thereby ensuring that exiting vehicles can see pedestrians on the sidewalk and other vehicles travelling on adjacent streets. Landscaping and parking should not conflict with a driver’s ability to locate a gap in traffic and see oncoming pedestrians and bicyclists. Sight distance generally should be provided in accordance with Caltrans standards. The minimum acceptable sight distance is often considered the Caltrans stopping sight distance. Sight distance requirements vary depending on the roadway speeds. The proposed project would require the posted speed limit on Bay Road to be reduced from 30 to 25 mph (miles per hour) when school children are present.114 The associated Caltrans stopping distance is 200 feet. Thus, a driver must be able to see 200 feet to the north on southbound Bay Road to locate sufficient gaps to turn right. There are no roadway curves or landscaping features shown on the site plan that would obstruct the vision of exiting drivers. It is recommended that the current prohibition of on-street parking along the project frontage on Bay Road be maintained to ensure adequate sight distance at the outbound project driveway. The existing speed limit on Charter Street is 25 mph. Thus, a driver must be able to see 200 feet down Charter Street to locate a sufficient gap to turn out of the western parking lot driveway. There are no roadway curves or landscaping features shown on the site plan that would obstruct the vision of exiting drivers. On-street parking is allowed along eastbound Charter Street immediately east of the driveway location. West of the driveway, on-street parking is prohibited for a distance of 12 feet due to a fire hydrant. In order to provide a stopping distance of 200 feet, on-street parking would need to be prohibited for a distance of 50 feet west of the driveway and 25 feet east of the driveway. However, it is noted that the loss of on-street parking at this location could affect adjacent businesses. Since this driveway is recommended for use by staff and not by parents dropping off or picking up students, the 114 Per the California Driver Handbook, when driving within 500 to 1,000 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street (regardless of whether or not they are present outside of normal school operating hours), the speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted. ATTY/RESO.0032/PC RESO APPROVING CEQA - 860 CHARTER ST. EXHIBIT A REV: 06-15-17 PR Page 107 of 124