REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Select the Preferred Concept Plans from the Sunnyvale Caltrain Station Pedestrian-Bicycle Access Study (DPW 20-02) with a Modification to Corridor 2 with Dashed Yellow Centerline on N. Frances Street Instead of Double Yellow Centerline; Direct Staff to Include the Concept Plans as an Unfunded Project(s) in the FY 2026/27 Budget Pending Future Identification of Funding; Recommend to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to Approve the Proposed Improvements for Corridor 1A in County’s Right-of-Way; and Find that the Action is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262
Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) considered this item on Nov. 20, 2025.
The BPAC voted to approve Alternative 1 with the following modifications:
• Traffic circles are insufficient to limit speeds at the specific intersections in this study and alternate methods be used;
• The proposed changes for Washington Avenue in Corridor 6 be removed; and
• Corridor 2 remains unstriped, without centerline or parking striping.
The vote was 6-0, with Commissioner Zhu absent.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The development and adoption of the Sunnyvale Caltrain Station Pedestrian-Bicycle Access Study is a planning and feasibility study that will guide future actions by the City Council and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 because it involves only feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions which have not been approved, adopted, or funded.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Ave. (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Select the preferred concept plans from the Sunnyvale Caltrain Station Pedestrian-Bicycle Access Study (DPW 20-02); direct staff to include the concept plans as an unfunded project(s) in the FY 2026/27 Budget pending future identification of funding; recommend to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to approve the proposed improvements for Corridor 1A in County’s right-of-way; and find that the action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262.
2. Select the preferred concept plans from the Sunnyvale Caltrain Station Pedestrian-Bicycle Access Study (DPW 20-02) with a modification to Corridor 2 with a dashed yellow centerline on N. Frances Street instead of a double yellow centerline; direct staff to include the concept plans as an unfunded project(s) in the FY 2026/27 Budget pending future identification of funding; recommend to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to approve the proposed improvements for Corridor 1A in County’s right-of-way; and find that the action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262.
3. Select the preferred concept plans from the Sunnyvale Caltrain Station Pedestrian-Bicycle Access Study (DPW 20-02) for select corridors; direct staff to include the concept plans as an unfunded project(s) in the FY 2026/27 Budget pending future identification of funding; recommend to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to approve the proposed improvements for Corridor 1A in County’s right-of-way; and find that the action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262.
4. Maintain the existing conditions.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 2: Approve the concept plans from the Sunnyvale Caltrain Station Pedestrian-Bicycle Access Study (DPW 20-02) with a modification to Corridor 2 with a dashed yellow centerline on N. Frances Street instead of a double yellow centerline; direct staff to include the concept plans as an unfunded project(s) in the FY 2026/27 Budget pending future identification of funding; recommend to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to approve the proposed improvements for Corridor 1A in County’s right-of-way; and find that the action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262.
JUSTIFICATION FOR RECOMMENDATION
Staff evaluated BPAC’s recommendation for selecting Alternative 1 with three modifications. BPAC’s first modification notes that traffic circles are insufficient to limit speeds at the proposed locations and that other elements should be used. In alignment with the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program, staff evaluated the potential measures and proposed feasible options catered to these specific roadways in the study. For example, since California Avenue is classified as a Residential Collector, vertical deflection measures like raised intersections or speed bumps are not recommended. Therefore, staff recommends traffic circles and curb extensions as these elements are horizontal deflection measures that can help facilitate appropriate vehicle speeds at neighborhood intersections.
BPAC’s second modification to remove the proposed concepts for Washington Avenue does not align with the Active Transportation Plan (ATP). The ATP recommends Class III Bicycle Route on Washington Avenue. Removing the concept from this project may delay its implementation and provide conflicting direction.
BPAC’s third modification is to remove the centerline and parking striping from Corridor 2. Since staff is proposing Class IIIB Bicycle Boulevards on N. Frances Street of Corridor 2, adding additional centerline and parking striping defines the travel lanes. After evaluating BPAC’s input on this corridor, staff is in alignment with BPAC concerns related to the centerline. After BPAC’s input, staff now recommends converting the proposed double yellow centerline into a dashed yellow centerline on N. Frances Street. This would allow for passing in either direction when there is a clear sight distance and it is safe to pass; however, staff recommends keeping the parking striping on Corridor 2 to visually narrow the roadway and encourage lower vehicle speeds. This modification from staff is included in Alternative 2 of this RTC.
In proposing Alternative 2, these improvements will enhance mobility options for Sunnyvale residents and regional transit users commuting to and from Sunnyvale. The enhancements will close pedestrian and bicycle network gaps and will improve the multimodal experience for all ages and abilities.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Angela Wong, Transportation Engineer
Reviewed by: Angela Obeso, Traffic and Transportation Manager
Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director of Public Works
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Report to Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission 25-0637, November 20, 2025 (without attachments)
2. Final Sunnyvale Caltrain Station Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Study Report
Additional Attachments for Report to Council
3. Excerpt of Minutes of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Meeting of November 20, 2025