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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBicycle Lanes On Pacific Coast Highway - 1992 3 7/� /-Se.nOv✓4 REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION March 16, 1992 Date Submitted to: Honorable Mayor and City Council Submitted by: Michael T. Uberuaga, City Administrator z Prepared by: 9touis F. Sandoval, Director of Public Works -- x Subject: BICYCLE LANES ON PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY �;m �d7tJ✓ �� 'o"I m Consistent with Council Policy? ] Yes [ ] New Policy or Exception c N Statement of Issue, Recommendation,Analysis, Funding Source,Alternative Actions, Attachments: STATEMENT OE ISSUE: ZZ =4�mff,, CC& • Tea"') a' e��' C��"�'�'�"`� � add~ The Council has requested a staff analysis of all suela�tinfg to widening of Pacific Coast Highway and requests to cancel the plan for additional lanes between Golden West Street and Beach Boulevard, in order to create bicycle lanes for commuters. RECOMMEND TION- Discussion Item. ANALYSIS: I. HISTORY Pacific Coast Highway, State Highway 1, is not a City street, and is under the authority of Caltrans. Any decision to widen, add driving lanes, add bicycle lanes, etc., are ultimately the decision of the Caltrans. Over the years, however, requests by adjoining cities to modify State highways have had some effect on the State's decisions. As early as 1965, the State Division of Highways, now Caltrans, and the Cities of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach recognized a traffic congestion problem on PCH and began working together on plans to widen between MacArthur Boulevard in Newport Beach and Warner Avenue in Huntington Beach. The culmination of this joint planning effort was the certification of a final Environmental Impact Statement and approval by the California Coastal Commission in late 1986. All phases of the widening in Newport Beach are now complete. Last fall, Huntington Beach completed the phase between Golden West Street and Beach Boulevard, narrowing the medians sufficiently to barely accommodate two additional driving lanes. No widening took place due to prohibitive right-of-way costs. Caltrans will advertise the next phase, Beach to Brookhurst, this Spring. II. TRAFFIC CONGESTION The need to widen PCH was reconfirmed in 1982 by the PBQ&D Computer Traffic Model and again recently by the City's new HOCTAM Model. Recent developments along PCH, such as the Waterfront Hilton, Pierside Pavilion, the future PI0 Was Bicycle Lanes on PCH - RC.__ March 16, 1992 Page 2 Abdelmuti and Coultrup developments, and the reopening of the pier, tend to reinforce the need. So, from a traffic engineering standpoint (the concern to merely transport cars from point A to point B smoothly and efficiently) additional lanes on PCH between Golden West and Beach are needed and have been needed for twenty-five years. Public safety response during the Summer season should also be considered. There are, of course, other concerns of which to be cognizant. People might reason that, since PCH has only four lanes in cities such as Laguna Beach with similar traffic volumes, why is widening necessary in Huntington Beach? Merchants might conclude that, the slower the traffic in front of their door, the more likely the driver is to stop and shop. It might be noted that Huntington Beach has fewer businesses fronting directly onto PCH than Laguna Beach. A second opinion might be to widen and improve flow along the highway, create easily accessible parking and attract even more people to a beautiful beach area that doesn't have traffic jams. There is no right answer as to which theory is correct. III. BICYCLE LANES Research indicates that PCH has never had dedicated or striped bicycle lanes. The State's position is that bicyclists may use State highways, but they won't stripe bike lanes because of potential liability. The issue of bicycle lanes/trails was dealt with in detail during the environmental phase and public hearings for the project. All bicycle organization representatives, including Dr. Harvey, were notified of the hearings. It was concluded that the existing bicycle trail that.runs from Seal Beach to Newport Peninsula along the beach adjacent to PCH, was the safest way to handle bicycle traffic. Considering high traffic speeds and potential conflicts with parking cars and heavy pedestrian traffic, bicycle travel along the highway should be discouraged. Last September, the project between Golden West and Beach was completed. Parking stalls and only two driving lanes were re-striped at that time. The Coastal Commission would not allow the removal of the parking stalls until replacement parking stalls are created nearby. During the interim, extra space along the highway in the lanes closest to the curb has resulted. This has created a "window of opportunity" of which some bicyclists have taken advantage. During this interim period, representatives of a bicycle group have spoken at City Council meetings on numerous occasions. Dr. Harvey, representing this group, reminded staff that there are more than one type of bicyclist including recreational and commuter. He contends that the beach trail should be used for only recreational biking, with PCH for commuter biking. On Monday, March 9, 1992, staff took morning (6:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M.) and evening (3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.) rush hour counts on PCH and the bike trail. It was somewhat difficult to distinguish between recreational and commuter bicyclist. A total of 437 bicyclists were counted. Of the 342 bicyclists on the trail, 19 were considered commuters. Of the 76 bicyclists on PCH, 8 were considered commuters. That would equate to 4 daily commuter round trips on PCH. The weather and the season, of course, would have an effect on totals. Bicycle Lanes on PCH - RC.-- March 16, 1992 Page 3 IV. PARKING MITIGATION The EIS and the Coastal Permit both require replacement parking. Chuck Sheid, a resident of Huntington Beach, contends that this replacement is a Caltrans' responsibility. It is Caltrans' position that this mitigation shall be paid for by the lead agency, Huntington Beach in this case. On one occasion several years ago, Charles Thompson, then City Administrator and Paul Cook, then Director of Public Works, traveled to Sacramento to negotiate with Caltrans over funding for parking mitigation, with no success. The Coastal Commission staff has agreed that the proposed 350 stall parking lot to be built below the bluffs in combination with a portion of the Main Promenade Parking Structure replaces the 526 stalls along PCH, between Golden West and Beach. Upon completion of the parking lot, the Commission staff will allow the City to immediately remove the parking and restripe the highway for three lanes in each direction. V. CONSEQUENCES The widening of PCH between Golden West and Beach was funded by OCTA (approximately $945,000) for the purpose of relieving traffic congestion. OCTA, in the attached letter, states that, if the new driving lanes are not opened, the City will likely be asked to return the $945,000 plus interest. Attached is a memo from the City Attorney identifying the City's contractual obligations. VI. OPTIONS 1.* Forego the addition of driving lanes; leave parking in place; and refund $945,000 plus interest to OCTA. 2.* Add the driving lanes; remove parking; and widen the highway 4 feet in order to create 2-5 foot striped bicycle lanes. The cost of right-of-way acquisition for this widening is estimated at $12 million. 3. Pursue State grants for widening the existing bluff/beach bicycle trail to create a better division between bicyclists and pedestrians and to provide passing lanes for the commuters. 4. Continue the project as planned. * These two options must be approved by Caltrans since PCH is a State highway. FUNDING SOURCE: Not Applicable ALTERNATIVE ACTION: Not Applicable ATTACHMENTS: Letter from OCTA. Memo from City Attorney MTU:LFS: 3192g/6-9 RECEIVED ORANGE COUNTY TRAFFIC ENGINEERING TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FEB - 7 1992 HUNTINGTON BEACHA,9. BOARD OF DIRECTORS February 3, 1992 Roger R.Stanton Chairman kv l let Jim Otterson Vice-Chairman Richard B.Edgar City Engineer Director City of Huntington Beach Gary L.Hausdorfer P.O. Box 190 Director Huntington Beach, CA 92648 William O.Mahoney Dirt°r Dear Mr. Otterson: Dana Reed Director We understand the Huntington Beach City Council is scheduled to discuss.the ThomasF.Riley recently completed improvement on Pacific Coast Highway between Golden West Director Street and Beach Boulevard. You requested information on what action the Director DonR Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) would take if the additional BobWahlstrom travel lanes were removed and on-street parking or bike lanes were installed. Director Name#M.Wader As you know, in August 1991 $945,000 was forwarded to the city of Huntington Director Beach for the Orange County Unified Transportation Trust funded widening Dan Young project. Since the Pacific Coast Highway project was ranked and selected for Qlr10r funding based on its merits as an essential transportation improvement. OCTA Russe110.Lightcap staff would recommend return of the funds with interest. Governors Ex-Offioio Member If we can be of any further assistance regarding this matter please do not hesitate to call me at 714/571-5837 or Tom Stal at 714/571-5801. AFFILIATED AGENCIES Sincerely, Orange Coun Transit District Local Transportation Authority Service Authority for is- Mil �ls rIrector Freeway Emergencies Pl ning and Development Consolidated Transportation Service Agency 'LM:ths Congestion Management Agency 1055 North Main Street,Suite 516/Santa Ana/California 92701/(714)541-7850/Fax(714)541-7843 w J� 4 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH INTER-DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION HUNTINGTON BEACH TO: HON. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: GAIL HUTTON, City Attorney DATE: February 6, 1992 SUBJECT: What consequences would result from City Council allowing parking or a bike lane in the Pacific Coast Highway widening project between Beach and Goldenwest. Both the California Department of Transportation (Cal Trans) and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) desire to widen Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to three lanes between Beach Boulevard and Goldenwest Street to alleviate traffic. As part of this project the parallel parking along PCH will be removed. The California Coastal Commission has approved this Cal Trans project with a condition that any parking removed will have to be replaced on a one for one basis . HISTORY OF PROJECT: July 9 , 1986 The California Coastal Commission approved the Cal Trans project to widen PCH with the condition that there be a one for one replacement of parking lost on PCH. August 19 , 1986 A tentative agreement was reached with the Orange County Transportation Commission (OCTC) whereby the Commission would fund the majority of the work to be performed by Huntington Beach in the plan to improve PCH between Beach Boulevard and Goldenwest Street. October 16, 1989 The City Council approved the plan to widen PCH, remove the on-street parking and build a parking lot to replace the parking lost on PCH. The funding source listed on the Request for Council Action is $870, 000 to be supplied by a grant from OCTC. October 23 , 1989 The City entered into a contract with the Cal Trans to widen PCH according to plans and specifications which included the removal of parking on PCH. June 25, 1991 A letter was received from OCTC increasing their participation in the project from $870, 000 to $945, 000 . Page Two Re: Bike Lane, Parking August, 1991 Check received from the OCTC for $945, 000 . February 3 . 1992 A letter was received from the OCTC stating that if on-street parking or bike lanes were installed, they would request the return of the $945,000 with interest. ANALYSIS: If the Council were to change the October 16, 1989 plan to allow either parking or a bicycle lane on Pacific Coast Highway the City would be required to renegotiate the contract with Cal Trans as it would be a change in the specifications agreed to in the contract. In addition to that, the City would have to return to OCTC, the sum of $945,000 plus interest from August, 1991. CONCLUSION: From the financial point of view, it appears to be infeasible to make any change to the plan adopted by the Council . If the City Council insists on bike lanes on PCH, OCTC will require a refund of the grant previously received. GAIL HUTTON City Attorney GCH:AJF:k cc: Mike Uberuaga Lou Sandoval REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION January 21, 1992 Date Submitted to: Honorable Mayor and City Council A PPLOVED BY CITY COUNCIL 19_J/ Submitted by: Michael T. Uberuaga, City Administ or Prepared by: gKouis F. Sandoval, Director of Public Works -5 CI Y CL,RK Subject: STATUS REPORT OF BICYCLE LANES ON PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY BETWEEN BEACH BOULEVARD AND GOLDEN WEST STREET Consistent with Council Policy? PC] Yes [ ] New Policy or Exception Statement of Issue, Recommendation,Analysis, Funding Source, Alternative Actions,Attachments: 6h- STATEMENT OF ISSUE: A bicyclist group is requesting Caltrans provide a bicycle lane on Pacific Coast Highway between Beach Boulevard and Golden West Street. RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file. ANALYSIS: It is anticipated that parking will be removed on PCH when the Beach Level Parking Lot is completed and opened to the public by mid—summer, 1992. At that time, PCH will be striped for three lanes in each direction. No room is available to accommodate three lanes and a bicycle lane. The previous widening of PCH was funded by OCTA. OCTA has informed the City and Caltrans that a revised plan with two lanes and a bicycle lane is unacceptable, as this is not a capacity improvement over the previous configuration. Meanwhile, Caltrans has rejected the bicyclists' request. Caltrans is under no obligation to install a bicycle lane on their highway, as the approved EIR/EIS discussed and approved this lack of bicycle lanes on PCH in this area. However, Caltrans is preparing to pave the gutter pans on PCH in this reach when parking is removed, thus allowing full use of the curb lane for vehicles and bicycles. On December 19, 1991, the bicyclist group met with State Senator Marian Burgeson and representatives from Caltrans, OCTA and the City. After hearing everyone's position, Senator Burgeson rejected the bicyclysts'request. FUNDING SOURCE: Not applicable. ALTERNATIVE ACTION: Direct staff to develop a probable cost estimate to acquire the right—of—way for an additional four feet on each side of PCH and relocate existing improvements. Rough cost estimates range between $8,000,000 and $12,000,000. ATTACHMENTS: PCH cross section, Beach Boulevard to Golden West Street MTU:LFS:JDO:dw 3158g/3 PIO 5/85 J Gomm sommo 4�Now 7Y �✓-1 cU�� P/,4/-7CE" W//>Tf/ Jeap*IEiVT I T7.ole.4,e seer/OW J �b