TO: CITY COUNCIL DATE: AUGUST 31, 2010 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (TAC)

Transcription

1 TO: CITY COUNCIL DATE: AUGUST 31, 2010 FROM: SUBJECT: TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (TAC) ANNUAL REPORT JULY 2009 THROUGH JUNE 2010, and WORK PLAN JULY 2010 THROUGH JUNE 2011 RECOMMENDATION: This Annual Report is submitted for information purposes only. Attached is the following: Mission Statement Year End Report of Accomplishments for July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 Work Plan for July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 Roster of Committees for Report of Commission Attendance for July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 The Commission first discussed the Annual Report at its regularly scheduled meeting of June 10, On July 29, 2010, at its Annual Meeting, the Commission reviewed its accomplishments during the past year, and formulated its Work Plan items for the coming year. Respectfully submitted, Julianna Delgado, Chair Jennifer Higginbotham, Vice-Chair

2 City of Pasadena TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MISSION STATEMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 7/1/009-6/30/10 WORK PLAN: 7/1/10-6/30/11 MISSION: As set forth in Section of the Municipal Code, the primary purpose of the Commission is to advise the City Council concerning policies affecting the City s transportation system. The Commission studies and holds public hearings assessing the economic, environmental, and social adequacy of the City s transportation system and recommends short and long-range measures for its improvement. The Commission also advises the City Council on matters aimed at implementing the objectives and policies contained in the 2004 General Plan Mobility Element, along with any future updates to the City s Mobility Element. Consistent with Section and the Commission s Rules and Regulations, the Commission studies and makes policy recommendations to the City Council on issues including, but not limited to, the following: Improvements to increase walkability and bicycle use, including provision of pedestrian-only areas and revisions to the Pedestrian Plan and to the Bicycle Master Plan. Measures affecting vehicle traffic circulation and transportation in Pasadena. Protection of residential neighborhoods from negative transportation system impacts. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs and measures designed to manage or reduce traffic congestion, including ridesharing, vanpooling, alternative work-hours strategies, application of new technologies, and encouragement of existing and alternative modes of transit. Annual capital programs and the five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) of the City affecting streets and transportation. Annual and long-range allocation of Proposition A and C funds. Federal, state and regional actions affecting the transportation network serving Pasadena, including existing and proposed freeways. Inclusion of Pasadena in Southern California s Light Rail Transit network. Assistance for other City Commissions, Committees and Task Forces regarding transportation-related issues, including review of and comment on various Specific Plans, Master Plans, development projects, and associated traffic studies and environmental impact reports. 2

3 Leadership of and participation in local and regional studies and committees or task forces dealing with transportation issues. Provision for a public transit system, including streetcar/trolley and shuttle bus systems. Provision for service to those persons with limited access to transportation. Promotion of energy conservation aspects of transportation and review of and recommendations on the City s Green Action Plan. Such other matters as shall be referred from time to time to the Commission by the City Council. YEAR-END REPORT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The composition of the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) changed dramatically during Fiscal Year 2010, following the resignation and term expirations for five of its nine members and appointment of five new commissioners (Acker, Booker, Burner, Salzer, and Yonashiro). The most experienced commissioner, with many years of institutional memory, resigned (Farhat). Thus, a majority of the commissioners this year were new to TAC and transportation planning. Regardless of this dramatic change, the Commission continued to be active. The slowdown in the economy and the construction industry and its impact on new development in Pasadena accounted for a continued lack of project-specific items agendized for review. The Commission was dark in August (traditional), and cancelled meetings in October 2009, and January (due to lack of quorum) and February To increase efficient use of staff time, the regular meeting date for the Commission was changed from an alternating first Thursday evening/first Friday morning schedule to the second Thursday morning of each month. The following are highlights of the Commission s activities and accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2010: The Commission continued to monitor progress on staff s proposal to raise speed limits on various residential streets and State Assembly member Portantino s efforts in response (including State Assembly Bill 564) to amend Section of the California Vehicle Code, relating to speed traps and roadway classifications in residential areas within Pasadena. In October 2009, the Commission heard a summary of the speed limit discussion held at the joint Senate Transportation and Housing Committee and Assembly Transportation Committee meeting. TAC also continued to monitor the outcome of the Playhouse District s Walkabout project held in early 2008, to improve the pedestrian experience in the Central District. In Fiscal Year 2009, the Commission reviewed the Downtown Pasadena Walkabout Report, detailing the project s outcomes and recommended approval of the Playhouse District Action Plan and Downtown Pasadena Agenda for Action, which were based on the results of 3

4 the Walkabout. The Commission found that the strategies listed in the Playhouse District s nine point Action Plan were generally consistent with TACs four February 2008 recommendations to the Council for improving walkability. TAC recommendations had been based on the 2007 Pedestrian Mobility Study completed by Urban and Regional planning students at Cal Poly Pomona. The Commission had recommended holding a joint meeting with the City Council to review the findings of all the walkability efforts and studies. Subsequently, TAC s Chair and Vice Chair met with the Mayor on this issue, but a joint meeting was not scheduled since TAC s recommendations were being addressed by City staff. As a result, the City had also begun working on a Streetcar Feasibility Study, which TAC continued to monitor. At its June 2009 meeting as part of its ongoing efforts to monitor traffic reduction strategies, the Commission reviewed and commented on a report prepared by the Chamber of Commerce, The Case for Commercial Real Estate: Office, Building a Strong Economic Future for Pasadena, which details the Chamber s concerns about traffic reduction strategies and their potential impact on the business community, coupled with the need for more parking for office and commercial uses. Review was carried over to the Commission s July 2009 meeting and, as requested, the Commission prepared written comments that were submitted to the Council s Economic Development and Technology Committee. TAC recommended that parking requirements for office uses include shared parking, that parking requirements in Transit Oriented Districts (TOD) be reviewed as part of the Mobility Element update, and that any future revision be based on empirical research on the effectiveness of TOD parking caps. In December 2009, the Commission reiterated its recommendations to the City Council in a response to a request from the Mayor regarding the 16 E. California Project and the need for more study of the South Fair Oaks Boulevard Specific Plan corridor. In Fiscal Year 2009, the Commission formed an ad hoc Subcommittee to increase citizen input on revisions to the City s Bicycle Master Plan,. In Fiscal Year 2010, the Commission continued to monitor progress on the Plan, including participating in public meetings and those of the Bicycle Master Plan Advisory Committee. In May 2010, TAC heard an overview of the proposed Plan, including the new bike map, by the City s consultant Ryan Snyder. The Commission continued to support Bike Week and Bike to Work Day, held on May 27, In Fiscal Year 2010, the ad hoc Scooter and Motorcycle Parking Subcommittee, which concluded its review and recommendations on the Old Pasadena Motorcycle Parking Pilot Program, was disbanded after the two members of the Subcommittee left the Commission. 4

5 In Fiscal Year 2010, the Commission continued to review and comment on the Pasadena ARTS Bus System Short-Range Transit Plan, as well as its Budget for FY2011. The Commission also continued to work with staff on the safe and efficient operation of the ARTS Bus System during difficult economic times. This included reviewing and recommending to the Council cancellation of Route 70 and reduced weekend service. Throughout Fiscal Year 2010, the Commission continued to monitor implementation of the City s Trip Reduction Ordinance, the SR-710 Tunnel Feasibility Assessment Study, the Phase II eastward expansion of the Metro Gold Line, and efforts to reduce traffic delays in Pasadena at the three atgrade Gold Line crossings at Glenarm Street, California Boulevard and Del Mar Boulevard. New in Fiscal Year , the Commission also monitored progress on the Rose Bowl Loop Study, reviewed and continued to monitor parking restrictions for Red Flag conditions and on narrow streets, and recommended to the Council adoption of staff s recommendation for changes to the City s Truck Route Ordinance. For Fiscal Year 2010, TAC s representative on the Design Commission (Delgado) was re-elected as Chair of the Commission and regularly reported to TAC on its activities. During Fiscal Year 2010, Commissioner Delgado, appointed by the City Council as the primary member of the General Plan Update Committee (GPUAC) representing District 5, reported regularly on the GPUAC s progress. TACs General Plan Subcommittee also continued to meet and monitor GPUAC meetings and events. TAC resubmitted its list of over twenty-five items for the City to address in revising the Mobility Element, which was included in the Attachment s to the GPUAC s General Plan Update Outreach Summary Report (May 2010). The Commission as a whole heard the following related to the Update: an overview in July 2009 of Phase I presented by the Planning Department; a presentation in March 2010 by the City s consultant Ellen Greenberg, AICP, on proposed Transportation Performance Measures; and a presentation in April 2010 by DOT Director Fred Dock on Making Streets Work Better for Pasadena, regarding context sensitive street types. With respect to TACs review of plans and development proposals, in September 2009, the Commission reviewed and commented on the Hahamongna Watershed Park Master Plan Addendum for Hahamongna Annex C. TAC reviewed the Addendum as it included changes to trailways and vehicle routes. No development projects were brought to the Commission for review. 5

6 In March 2010, the Commission reviewed with City staff recommendations for the Streets, Streetscapes, and Transportation and Parking Facilities sections of the FY Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Upon recommendation of TACs Capital Improvement Plan Subcommittee, which monitored the CIP during Fiscal Year 2010, the Commission recommended adoption of staff s recommendations. In March 2010, the Commission also appointed Commissioner Salzer as its representative to the La Loma Bridge Advisory Group (LLBAG) to advise staff and consultants on the design and reconstruction of the bridge project. In May 2010, the Commission established a new Ad Hoc Rules and Regulations Subcommittee to work with staff and the City Attorney to review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding amendments to the existing Rules and Regulations (Commission by-laws) that were adopted by the TAC on October 2, 1992 and approved by the Council in December In June 2010, as part of the Mobility Element Implementation Plan (MEIP), the Commission reviewed the annual Transportation Report Card, which was implemented in 2006 to support the 2004 General Plan Mobility Element by measuring performance of key elements of the City s road and transit system, as well as the effectiveness of traffic mitigation measures and the Trip Reduction Ordinance. None of the Commission s accomplishments would have been possible without the support and assistance of Department of Transportation (DOT) staff. The Commission thanks DOT staff for their continued support and cooperation in Fiscal Year

7 WORK PLAN: July 1, 2010 June 30, 2011 As required by Section of the Municipal Code, the Commission has developed the following Work Plan representing a partial list of the most important issues to be reviewed or studied by the Commission for Fiscal Year Pedestrian Improvement Measures During Fiscal Year , the Commission will continue its efforts to increase walkability, especially in the City s Central District. The Commission will also continue to monitor and support efforts to increase development of multi-use, non-vehicular trailways and pedestrian-only areas of the City. General Plan Update and Transit Plan The Commission will continue to participate in the City s General Plan update process, which it expects to be a major work effort for the coming year. The Commission will review and comment on proposed changes to the General Plan Mobility Element, Land Use Element, Zoning Code, and Design Guidelines. The Commission will also continue to assist staff in the development of the ARTS Short-Range Transit Plan. Traffic Reduction Strategies As part of the General Plan Update process, the Commission will monitor the progress of the traffic reduction strategies, including the Commission s recommendations that were incorporated by the City Council on February 26, Where necessary, the Commission will review and comment on the scope, study, timing and implementation of the traffic reduction strategies. Gold Line Traffic The Commission will actively continue to monitor efforts by DOT and MTA to reduce traffic delays at the three at-grade Gold Line crossings of Glenarm Street, California Boulevard and Del Mar Boulevard. Bicycle Master Plan The Commission will monitor the implementation of Pasadena s Bicycle Master Plan once it is approved. The Commission will also continue to advocate for the development and implementation of the proposed Old Pasadena bicycle station, as well as other bicycle-related activities and events. Annual Report Card The Commission will assist City staff in the publication of the annual Report Card. Project Review The Commission will continue to review and comment on environmental impact reports for projects that meet the established criteria for review and/or community-wide significance. The Commission also anticipates participating in EIR scoping for projects that meet the established criteria for review and/or communitywide significance. In addition, the Commission will continue to review developments exceeding 50,000 square feet that require one discretionary action and developments containing 50 or more housing units, as required under the City s Predevelopment Application Conference (PAC) Administrative Guidelines. 7

8 Specific Plans and Master Plans The Commission will continue to review and comment on transportation, circulation and traffic issues associated with all proposed specific plans and master plans, and/or proposed amendments and updates to existing specific plans and master plans. Capital Improvement Projects The Commission will continue to review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding annual capital programs and the fiveyear CIP Program. Project Monitoring The Commission will continue to monitor ongoing transportation projects, including, but not limited to, the following: SR-710 Tunnel Feasibility Assessment Study; SR-710 Design Advisory Group Projects; Streetcar Feasibility Study, La Loma Bridge Design; NTMP community meetings and projects; and Gold Line extension. In addition, the Commission will periodically review updates on the City s progress in implementing its Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). Commission Rules and Regulations The Commission will review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding amendments to the existing Rules and Regulations that was adopted by the Commission on October 2, 1992, and approved by the City Council in December Roster of Committees The roster for is attached as Exhibit A. In , the Commission disbanded the Ad Hoc Scooter and Motorcycle Parking Committee and created an Ad Hoc Rules and Regulations Committee. The Commission does not anticipate making any further changes to the list of standing and ad hoc committees for Attendance Record An attendance record for commissioners is attached hereto as Exhibit B. 8

9 EXHIBIT A Transportation Advisory Commission Standing and Ad Hoc Subcommittees (Updated July 29, 2010) Stephen Acker Myra Booker Chris Burner Julianna Delgado Jennifer Higginbotham Robin Salzer Floraline Stevens Diane Trout Sharon Yonashiro CIP Annual Report Card Public Transit (AH) Chair Chair PED (AH) Chair General Plan (AH) Chair Bicycle Master Plan (AH) Chair TAC Rules & Regulations (AH) Chair Chair CIP: Capital Improvement Program monitoring Annual Report Card: Annual Report Card monitoring Public Transit: Public Transit/ARTS (Ad Hoc Subcommittee) PED: Pedestrian Plan (Ad Hoc Subcommittee) General Plan: General Plan Mobility Element Update (Ad Hoc Subcommittee) Bicycle Master Plan: Bike Master Plan Update (Ad Hoc Subcommittee) TAC Rules and Regulations: Rules and Regs. Update (Ad Hoc Subcommittee) 9

10 EXHIBIT B Transportation Advisory Commission Attendance: July 1, 2009 June 30, /10/2009 Aug. 9/3/ /2/ /5/ /11/2009 Burner, Christopher** P No Mtg. P xx P P Delgado, Julianna P No Mtg. P xx P P Farhat, Vince** P No Mtg. P xx P N/A Higginbotham, Jennifer P No Mtg. P xx P P Stevens, Floraline P No Mtg. A xx P P Trout, Diane P No Mtg. P xx P E Yonashiro, Sharon** N/A No Mtg. P xx P P Acker, Stephen** N/A No Mtg. N/A N/A A P Salzer, Robin** N/A No Mtg. N/A N/A P P Booker, Myra Martin** N/A No Mtg. N/A N/A N/A N/A /8/2010 2/4/2010 3/5/2010 4/1/2010 5/13/2010 6/4/2010 Burner, Christopher** NQ XX E P P P Delgado, Julianna NQ XX P P P P Farhat, Vince** NQ XX N/A N/A N/A N/A Higginbotham, Jennifer NQ XX P P P P Stevens, Floraline NQ XX E P P A Trout, Diane NQ XX P P P E Yonashiro, Sharon** NQ XX P P P P Acker, Stephen** NQ XX P P P P Salzer, Robin** NQ XX P P A P Booker, Myra Martin** N/A XX N/A P P P P = Present E = Excused **Chris Burner's sworn in 7/21/09 - term ends 6/30/2012 A = Absent **Vince Farhat resigned December 2009 LOA = Leave of Absence **Sharon Yonashiro sworn in 8/19/09 - term ends 6/30/12 Shaded = No Meeting/ Not Applicable **Stephen Acker sworn in 10/12/09 - term ends 6/30/12 XX = Meeting Cancelled **Robin Salzer sworn in 10/12/09 - term ends 6/30/2013 [R] = Special Meeting Retreat **Myra Martin Booker sworn in 03/08/ term ends 6/30/13 [S] = Special Meeting NQ = No Quorum; so no meeting held R-N/A = Recused, so attendance is not applicable 10