REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Consider and Potentially Approve an Option for Installation of Bicycle Lanes on Hollenbeck Avenue, Find that The Action is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) and Public Resources Code Section 21080.25(b)(1), and Direct Staff to Include the Approved Concept Plan as an Unfunded Project in the FY 2025/26 Budget Pending Future Identification of Funding (DPW 21-01)
Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission (BPAC) considered this item at their October 16, 2025 meeting. BPAC voted to recommend to City Council to approve Alternative 1, which is to implement Option 1 to remove on-street parking on both sides of the street on Hollenbeck Avenue between Danforth Drive and Alberta Avenue to implement Class IIB buffered bicycle lanes. The vote was 5-1, with one commissioner dissenting and one commissioner absent.
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 Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve Option 1 to Remove On-street Parking on Both Sides of Hollenbeck Avenue Between Danforth Drive and Alberta Avenue to Implement Class IIB Buffered Bicycle Lanes, Find that the Action is Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) and Public Resources Code Section 21080.25(b)(1), and Direct Staff to Include the Concept Plan as an Unfunded Project in the FY 2025/26 Budget Pending Future Identification of Funding.
2. Approve Option 2A to Remove On-street Parking from One Side of Hollenbeck Avenue Between Danforth Drive and Alberta Avenue, Alternating Between the East and West Sides, Implement Class II Bicycle Lanes, Find that the Action is Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) and Public Resources Code Section 21080.25(b)(1), and Direct Staff to Include the Concept Plan as an Unfunded Project in the FY 2025/26 Budget Pending Future Identification of Funding.
3. Approve Option 2B to Remove On-street Parking on the East Side of Hollenbeck Avenue Between Danforth Drive and The Dalles Avenue, Implement Class II Bicycle Lanes Between Danforth Drive and Alberta Avenue, Find that the Action is Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) and Public Resources Code Section 21080.25(b)(1), and Direct Staff to Include the Concept Plan as an Unfunded Project in the FY 2025/26 Budget Pending Future Identification of Funding.
4. Approve Option 3 to Maintain the Existing On-street Parking Conditions with No Addition of Bicycle Lanes, which is Consistent with the ATP.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 3: Approve Option 2B to Remove On-street Parking on the East Side of Hollenbeck Avenue Between Danforth Drive and The Dalles Avenue, Implement Class II Bicycle Lanes Between Danforth Drive and Alberta Avenue, Find that the Action is Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) and Public Resources Code Section 21080.25(b)(1), and Direct staff to Include the Concept Plan as an Unfunded Project in the FY 2025/26 Budget Pending Future Identification of Funding
JUSTIFICATION FOR RECOMMENDATION
This option would create a continuous Class II bicycle lane along Hollenbeck Avenue from El Camino Real to Homestead Road, improving bicycle connectivity between key destinations such as Downtown Sunnyvale and DeAnza College. By removing on-street parking only on the east side on Hollenbeck Avenue, most parking on the west side would remain available for residents, balancing the needs of both cyclists and local residents. This option is chosen above Option 2A because it consolidates parking to one side of the street, which removes the need for lateral shifts in the roadway.
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: Erik Trujillo, Transportation Planner
Reviewed by: Angela Obeso, Transportation and Traffic 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 Commission 25-0706, October 16, 2025 (without attachments)
2. Final Report
3. Conceptual Design of the Options
4. Petition in Support of Option 1
5. Petition in Support of Option 3
6. Letter of Support from Advocacy Groups
Additional Attachments for Report to Council
7. Excerpt of Draft Minutes of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission Meeting of October 16, 2025
8. Public Comment Letters