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Title:
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Consideration of Citizen Petition Related to Street Infrastructure Improvements near 7th Street and Alta Vista Road
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Title
Consideration of Citizen Petition Related to Street Infrastructure Improvements near 7th Street and Alta Vista Road
Description
This report provides the Land Use and Livability Subcommittee with information in response to a citizen petition submitted by Mr. Lowell O'Grady and residents of the Heritage at Alta Vista Homeowner's Association at the April 15, 2020 Formal City Council Meeting regarding street infrastructure improvements near 7th Street and Alta Vista Road. (Attachment A).
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
The petition included the following requests:
Installation of a street light on the west side of 7th Street at Alta Vista Road.
Tree trimming on the east side of 7th Street south of Alta Vista Road to increase visibility of a pedestrian crossing sign.
Installation of lane striping to create a dedicated eastbound right-turn lane on Alta Vista Road west of 7th Street.
A comprehensive study of the 7th Street and Alta Vista Road intersection to determine if additional improvements are warranted.
Installation of sidewalks on the south side of Alta Vista Road between 4th and 7th Streets.
Staff from the Street Transportation Department (Streets) reached out to Mr. O'Grady to provide information about the programs and services available to assist with these requests. Mr. O'Grady had not contacted Streets prior to submitting the petition. Below is a summary of the information provided to Mr. O'Grady.
Street Light: Staff will conduct a lighting review at the intersection of 7th Street and Alta Vista Road to determine whether or not the location meets the City's lighting standards. If additional lighting is warranted, staff will provide Mr. O'Grady with a petition that requires 70 percent support from residents who live within 100 feet of where the new street light will be installed. The original petition that Mr. O'Grady submitted did not include signatures from residents on Alta Vista Road.
Tree Trimming: The trees referenced in the petition are located on private property. Staff reviewed the location and recommended that a cantilever be added to the sign post to increase visibility. A work order was created to complete this work.
Right-Turn Lane: The pavement width of Alta Vista Road west of 7th Street can accommodate a dedicated right-turn lane. A work order was created to complete this work.
Traffic Study: Since traffic volumes are currently abnormally low due to current stay-at-home orders, staff will conduct a study of the intersection of 7th Street and Alta Vista Road when traffic conditions return to normal to determine if additional improvements are warranted.
Sidewalk Installation: Staff shared with Mr. O'Grady information about the City's Sidewalk Modernization Program.
The program is used to construct sidewalks on local and collector streets in residential areas that have curb and gutter but lack sidewalks, and requires support from at least 70 percent of the adjacent property owners. Property owners must also be willing to donate easements to the City where there is insufficient right-of-way.
Staff further explained that to adhere to the program goals of creating safe and convenient connections for people walking, riding bicycles, or using personal assistive devices, the project boundaries would need to be extended west to Central Avenue. This would help to create valuable connections to an elementary school, a park, a community center, future light rail along Central Avenue, and an existing bus route on 7th Street.
Mr. O'Grady indicated that he had not included any of the residents who live adjacent to Alta Vista Road as part of the petition he submitted, but he said he is willing to circulate the City's official petition to these residents.
Staff also informed Mr. O'Grady that Sidewalk Modernization Program funding is not available until 2022 at the earliest, and there are other requests that will be considered for this funding using the department's established ranking system.
Mr. O'Grady expressed appreciation for the information.
Staff Recommendation
Staff requests the Land Use and Livability Subcommittee recommend that staff continue working with Mr. O'Grady and members of the community regarding the petition requests as summarized in this report.
Location
7th Street and Alta Vista Road
Council Districts: 7 and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Street Transportation Department.