AgdaPkt 2010-02-01 clsd and regular

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Saltworks Proposal- Transportation Group Summary Report (22 January 2010) 7A - ATTACHMENT NO.4 Page 27 CHAPTER 5 - SAL TWORKS TRANSIT PLAN 5.1 PERMANENT TRANSIT SYSTEM (STREET CAR OR CIRCULATOR) The Saltworks Application and Statement of Justification describe a broad, conceptual layout of a "Permanent Transit System" within the Saltworks site (see Figure 4). The system would serve to move residents and workers within the development as well as connect to other Redwood City neighborhoods and employment centers. While the Saltworks project could implement the system using either rail (streetcar) or rubber tire vehicles (buses), the desire would be a system that would be integrated into the City's new Draft General Plan vision to develop a community-serving transit system (streetcar) that would serve downtown, the Broadway corridor and connect between the Caltrain station and the future ferry terminal. The DMB team describes the system as one that has potential to make important connections with the Saltworks community to and from downtown jobs, businesses, shops, entertainment; Sequoia High School, Caltrain; Pacific Shores; the future ferry terminal; Stanford Medical Clinics & Midpoint Technology jobs; Friendly Acres; Kaiser Permanente and area business. The permanent transit system would be phased commensurate with development and run through the entire site along a transit boulevard. The streetcar transit mode described in the Statement of Justification, and shown to be located along a spine central to the major axis of the development, in concept makes sense from an urban planning and land use perspective on the Saltworks site. The Saltworks Land Use Plan indicates the highest residential densities and retail/community support uses would be located nearest transit stops, with a majority of the 8,000 to 12,000 new residential units located well within % mile of transit stops. The % mile distance is considered the optimum walking distance for transit access. DMB proposes that the Saltworks permanent transit system be evaluated as part of an integrated, community- scale transit system for Redwood City. DMB also indicated that it would fund and construct the portion of the system within their project to the adjacent boundary of the Pacific Shores complex; and fund and construct the first off-site segment, which is described as a new overcrossing of U.S. 101 to Broadway in the Midpoint Technology Park complex. DMB would also advocate for full funding of the whole system and structure its financial commitment as leverage to other funding (Federal, State, regional and other) to the benefit of Saltworks, the City, and larger community. The Saltworks onsite permanent transit system, including the first "offsite" segment, is roughly 4.0 miles of route, of which approximately 1.5 miles might replace a portion of the system envisioned in the City's new Draft General Plan. The City's conceptual layout of a streetcar system described in its new Draft General Plan shows approximately 6.5 miles of route, split across three alignments, not taking into consideration any of the Saltworks plans. If Saltworks were to be developed, it is plausible that the City's net routes would be reduced to approximately 5.0 miles; with the Saltworks' system adding approximately 4.0 miles of additional coverage. The following are best practices for the development of streetcars, streetcar networks and transit circulator systems: . Alignments & Connectivity - Alignments that connect to, augment and extend identical, similar or other transportation networks increase the effectiveness toward achieving goals of reducing VMT and dependence on the auto in a community. Alignments that are positioned to capture existing and future populations within safe and convenient walking distances also increase that effectiveness. Alignments that are well positioned are proven to capture new markets, catalyze urban growth and attract new employers, businesses and residential populations in urban growth zones. 20