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 102 f) Conflict with adopted polices, plans, or programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities, or otherwise decrease the performance or safety of such facilities? (Less- Than-Significant Impact) The following includes a discussion of potential impacts to bicycle, pedestrian, and transit systems within the project area. The project would have a significant impact related to adopted programs, plans, or policies regarding these facilities if it generated pedestrian, bicycle, or transit travel demand that could not be accommodated by existing facilities, or those proposed by the project. As discussed, these impacts would be less than significant. Minor modifications are however recommended to further ensure that the proposed project would enhance access for alternative modes of transportation to the project site. Parking is also discussed in this section for informational purposes only. Bicycle Facilities. Charter Street is designated as a Class III bike route between Broadway and Bay Road and between Spring Street and Middlefield Road. There are no bicycle lanes in the immediate vicinity of the project site. Bicycle counts conducted as part of the Traffic Study demonstrate that during the AM and PM peak periods, bicycle volumes are currently relatively low (less than 20 bicycles) at the intersections of Spring Street and Charter Street, and at Bay Road and Douglas Avenue. Although not designated by the City as bicycle facilities, local roads like Spring Street, Douglas Street, and Kaynyne Street/Flynn Avenue carry low traffic volumes and are conducive to bicyclists. The Redwood City General Plan identifies Bay Road, Broadway, and Second and Fifth Avenues as locations where the community has expressed a desire for future bike routes. However, these improvements are not yet planned, as further study is needed to assess the feasibility of routes, safety, and adequate rights-of‐way. Likewise, bicycle improvements on Second or Fifth Avenues are not warranted by this project since the number of bicycle trips on these streets generated by the proposed project would be quite small given their distance from the project site. The TDM Program (see Appendix F), which is proposed by the project sponsor and required by C/CAG (see Section XVI.b), would further encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation including bicycling and provide several bike racks onsite for use by future students and staff. The existing site plan shows parking for 28 bicycles, which would accommodate about 6 percent of the total students and staff at the project site. Implementation of the TDM Program would further enhance bicycle access and facilities on and in the immediate vicinity of the project site. Even with the additional number of bicyclists using local roads to access the project site as a result of the project, there would be sufficient capacity on the various classes of bike facilities as well as bike storage to accommodate the increase. Therefore, the proposed project would not conflict with adopted plans and policies regarding bicycle facilities. Pedestrian Facilities. Roadways providing pedestrian access to the proposed project site include Spring Street, Charter Street, Bay Road, and Douglas Avenue. Sidewalks are provided on both sides of all streets. The Traffic Study includes an analysis of pedestrian counts on Bay Road at the intersections with Charter Street and Kaynyne Street, on Spring Street at the intersections with Charter Street and Kaynyne Street, and at the intersection of Bay Road and Douglas Avenue. During both the AM and PM peak periods, pedestrians at the intersection at Spring Street and Charter Street were relatively high, with 80 and 73 pedestrians, respectively. This intersection is traversed by elementary school children, as it is located near Hoover Elementary School. At all other intersections, ATTY/RESO.0032/PC RESO APPROVING CEQA - 860 CHARTER ST. EXHIBIT A REV: 06-15-17 PR Page 110 of 124