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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-13 - Agenda Packet - Trails Advisory THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA MAY 13, 2015 - 6:00 PM L;CHON Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center Rains Room 10500 Civic Center Drive Rancho Cucamonga, California I. CALL TO ORDER Roll Call Rich Fletcher Frances Howdyshell Lou Munoz(Alternate) Janet Ryerson_ Mike Smith_ Victoria Jones Jim Hansen (Alternate) Carol Douglass (Equestrian) Tom Tisler(Bicycle) II. DIRECTOR'S REPORTS A. CONSIDERATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE CIRCULATION MASTER PLAN (CMP) FOR BICYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS III. PUBLIC COMMENTS This is the time and place for the general public to address the committee. items tlbe discussed here are those that do not already appear on this agenda. IV. ADJOURNMENT 1, Lois J. Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, or my designee, hereby certify that a true, accurate copy of the foregoing agenda was posted on May 6, 2015, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting per Government Code Section 54964.2 at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. 1 of 1 STAFF REPORT PLANNING DEPARTMENT 1 RANCHO Date: May 13, 2015 CUCAMONGA To: Trails Advisory Committee From: Candyce Burnett, Planning Director By: Mayuko Nakajima,Assistant Planner Subject: Consideration and Discussion of the Circulation Master Plan for Bicyclists and Pedestrians (CMP) RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1. Receive staff and consultant's presentation; and, 2. Receive and File the Circulation Master Plan for Bicyclists and Pedestrians (CMP). BACKGROUND: In 2008, the City Council established Healthy RC, which is a community-led effort committed to long-term community health improvement through the development of programs, policies and partnerships. Led by the City Manager's Office, the Healthy RC collaborative consists of City departments, local residents, and over 50 community stakeholders with diverse expertise to address complex community health issues and explore strategies and opportunities to improve health and wellness. In May 2010, the City Council adopted the 2010 General Plan. The new General Plan was amended to incorporate Healthy Mind, Body, and Earth principles throughout the document. Within the General Plan Update, many policies were created to support the Healthy RC initiative such as improving access to public transportation, community walkability, and bicycling opportunities. Additionally, several policies were added to encourage pedestrian/bike connectivity and easier access to transit facilities. To assist in the implementation of healthy community principles, the City applied for and received a grant from the California Endowment to improve health through active transportation planning. A portion of this grant is funding the development of the CMP. This plan is intended to be a comprehensive update to the documents and data which already exist, such as the Trail Implementation Plan, the City's 2002 Bicycle Transportation Plan, and San Bernardino County's Non-Motorized Transportation Plan. In January 2015, Alta Planning + Design was selected as the City's consultant to prepare the CMP. Staff from the Planning Department, City Manager's Office, and the Engineering Department are part of the project team that worked with the consultant on this plan. FINAL CMP: The link to the final CMP is referenced as Exhibit A. The CMP is a critical element of the City's overall multi-modal transportation strategy and shares the same health-minded vision as stated in the Healthy RC chapter of the Rancho Cucamonga General Plan: Healthy RC inspires a lifestyle that embraces a'Healthy Mind, Body and Earth, through lifelong learning and enrichment, active and healthy living, and environmental sustainability. Itam A_1 TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE STAFF REPORT- CMP May 13, 2015 Page 2 This statement serves as the foundation for the Plan's goals, objectives and recommendations; it is what inspires the City's commitment to a healthy community. The benefits of bicycling and walking are not just healthy options, but also make for a livable and sustainable City. Chapters 1 through 3 of the CMP outline the basic foundation of the document with an executive summary, introduction, and review of existing plans and policies. Chapter 4 analyzes existing conditions such as roadways, infrastructure, and existing programs. From analysis of these existing conditions, Chapter 5 includes a Needs Analysis based on types of users and community-identified needs. The last part of the CMP includes recommendations for infrastructure improvements, program recommendations and implementation and funding mechanisms. Finally, the CMP includes a customized project prioritization for Rancho Cucamonga to consider for future projects. PUBLIC OUTREACH: Staff worked with community groups and the consultant to obtain community input on biking and walking in the City. A public survey was created using SurveyMonkey. Outreach events and in-person interviews using the survey at public parks and schools aimed to educate community members about the purpose of the CMP and to gather responses for the survey. The survey was well received and many community members were enthusiastic to take the survey and support the City's efforts to develop this Plan. A total of 848 survey responses were collected as a result of the outreach process. Community members expressed interest and support for biking and walking infrastructure in the City. It is interesting to note that Southwest Rancho Cucamonga (SWRC) survey respondents exhibited some notable differences in survey responses from the overall survey results such as poor walking conditions, they are more likely to take walking trips that traveled outside Rancho Cucamonga, and are more likely to be "nervous" or"not comfortable"while walking. CITY COUNCUPLANNING COMMISSION JOINT WORKSHOP: On April 1, 2015, staff held a joint workshop to gather early input from the City Council and Planning Commission on the development of the CMP. The consultant presented principles of active transportation as well as preliminary findings regarding community needs and opportunities. The second part of the workshop gave an opportunity for the City Council and Planning Commission to ask questions and provide comments. Overall, there was general agreement that more could be done to encourage alternative transit uses as well as ensure safety within the City for the next generation of residents who want transit options and a healthy community. In general, there was support for realistic implementation of bicycle and pedestrian-related infrastructure, as funding permitted. The need for a safe and comfortable environment with amenities that encourage walking and biking -was discussed, such as providing shade, marked facilities, and wayfinding signage. The need to make sure that facilities are visible to create awareness amongst the community to "share the road" was also discussed. A call for public education was prominent throughout the workshop. Council and Commission members saw public education as a way to encourage and increase active transportation. An investment in active transportation options and public education can help address equity issues and create a well-rounded and healthy Rancho Cucamonga. All of these ideas have been incorporated into the plan. NEXT STEPS: Staff recommends that the Planning Commission receive and file the plan. This document will help staff in the future to amend the General Plan, Trail Implementation Plan, the City's 2002 Bicycle Transportation Plan, Development Code, among other regulatory documents that assist City staff in implementing bicycle and pedestrian related infrastructure. This document will also be helpful when applying for grant funding, especially where prioritization ranks a high Item A-2 TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE STAFF REPORT- CMP May 13, 2015 Page 3 need for improvements. It should be noted and recognized that an amendment to the General Plan will necessitate environmental assessment for any potential impacts such as traffic. Respectfully submitted, CCand4yvcrrneft Planning Director CB:MN/Is Exhibit A: The website link for the Circulation Master Plan for Bicyclists and Pedestrians (CMP) is www.tinvud.com/RCbikeoeds Itcm A_1