Agenda

Return

C.19

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Cmte
Date:	January 17, 2012

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Bay Point - Willow Pass Road Transportation Enhancement and Streetscape Plan

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 01/17/2012

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Jamar Stamps, 925-335-1220

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: January 17, 2012
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Resolution No. 2012/28 (Exhibit A) approving and authorizing the Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to submit a Transportation Planning Grant application to Caltrans, in substantially the form provided, for funds up to $300,000 for FY 2012/13 for the purpose of developing the Bay Point-Willow Pass Road Transportation Enhancement and Streetscape Plan, as recommended by the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None to the General Fund. If awarded, the FY 2012/13 Caltrans Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant would be the funding source for the Bay Point - Willow Pass Road Transportation Enhancement and Streetscape Plan. The maximum grant amount is $300,000 and the program requires 10% matching funds. Up to one-quarter of the matching funds can be in-kind (staff hours). The remaining funds for the match will be provided from gas tax or Measure J revenue.

BACKGROUND:

The Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant (CBTPG) has $3 million available statewide to eligible applicants, with a cap of $300,000 per grant. The purpose of the CBTPG Program is to fund coordinated transportation and land use planning projects that promote public engagement, livable communities, and a sustainable transportation system which includes mobility, access, and safety. Products delivered under this Program are expected to be a documented study, plan, or concept that can be used by the applicant to further smart growth and a community's sustainability. The County has submitted applications in the past under this program to develop plans for streetscape improvements along Bailey Road pursuant to the Pittsburg-Bay Point BART Station Area Specific Plan. The Bailey Road project was funded under the Transportation for Livable Communities program administered by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority.

The Bay Point - Willow Pass Road Transportation Enhancement and Streetscape Plan (Plan) will primarily improve the bicycle and pedestrian environment along Willow Pass Road. The Plan will provide recommendations and concepts that fulfill the community's desire for Willow Pass Road to be a safer bicycle, pedestrian, transit oriented and visually aesthetic corridor. The study section of Willow Pass Road starts at the intersection of Port Chicago Highway (just north of State Route 4), and extends east to the Pittsburg city limit in Bay Point.

Willow Pass Road served as State Route 4 prior to the construction of the freeway in the 1960s. Since the construction of State Route 4, Willow Pass Road now functions as Bay Point’s Main Street. However, the existing configuration and urban design do not serve this role well. The Plan will provide preliminary design to include infrastructure for pedestrian, bicycle, and transit while still meeting the needs of the auto traffic traveling through the corridor.

The Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station Area Specific Plan (2002) established policies and standards to achieve the goal of creating a land use pattern that recognizes the attractiveness of public transit utilization, the success of business in the area and the creation of a rich and fulfilling living environment for existing and future residents. A portion of Willow Pass Road is within the Specific Plan Area. The proposed project is identified as an implementation measure of the Specific Plan.

The section of Willow Pass Road between Port Chicago Highway and Manor Drive has been widened to a 100 foot right-of-way which allows four lanes plus a left-turn lane, parking on the south side, bike lanes and ten foot wide sidewalks. The section of Willow Pass Road between Manor Drive and Bailey Road is currently 76 feet wide in an 84 foot right-of-way. The remaining section of Willow Pass Road in the study area, between Bailey Road and the Pittsburg city limits, consists of two lanes (one in each direction), plus a center turn lane and bike lanes. The General Plan calls for this two-lane section to be widened to four lanes.

The Transportation, Water and Infrastructure (TWI) Committee received a report on the CBTPG Program and the proposed Plan. A copy of the report to the TWI Committee and a draft CBTPG application is attached. The TWI Committee supported the grant application and recommended coordination with the City of Concord in addition to the City of Pittsburg. The Bay Point Municipal Advisory Committee supports the grant application.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If proposed Resolution 2012/28 is not approved, the County will not be eligible to receive grant funds for this planning project. Without the grant funds, implementation of the recommendations of the Pittsburg-Bay Point BART Station Area Specific Plan will be further delayed.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The Bay Point - Willow Pass Road Transportation Enhancement and Streetscape Plan will ensure future improvements to Willow Pass Road are more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, and safer for children.