REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Approving Installation of All-Way Stop Sign Control at Bernardo Avenue and Knickerbocker Drive, and Adopt a Finding that the Project is Exempt Under the California Environmental Quality Act
Report
BACKGROUND
Staff received requests to study the intersection of Bernardo Avenue at Knickerbocker Drive for the possible installation of all-way stop control signs. An all-way stop sign control warrant study was conducted for this location.
The intersection of Bernardo Avenue at Knickerbocker Drive is a four-legged intersection, which is currently controlled by the two-way stop that stops Knickerbocker Drive traffic for Bernardo Avenue traffic. The land use in the vicinity of the intersection is single-family residential. Cherry Chase Elementary is located approximately four blocks to the north of the intersection. There are also high visibility crosswalks at this intersection.
EXISTING POLICY
Sunnyvale Municipal Code Section 10.08.190 requires that City Council approve by resolution all installations of three or four-way (multi-way) stop sign controls.
General Plan Land Use and Transportation Element, Policy LT-5.4g. Conduct periodic analyses of roadway facilities and collision data in order to assure traffic safety.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), minor alteration of existing highways and streets involving negligible expansion of use beyond that at the time of determination.
DISCUSSION
Bernardo Avenue is classified as a residential collector street that runs north/south from Homestead Road to Evelyn Avenue. Knickerbocker Drive is also classified as a residential collector street and generally runs east/west from El Camino Real to Hollenbeck Avenue.
Staff has received several requests from neighborhood residents to study the intersection of Bernardo Avenue at Knickerbocker Drive for the possible installation of all-way stop sign controls. As a result of these requests, staff conducted an all-way stop analysis. Staff’s evaluation conforms to the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA-MUTCD) per the guidance of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code to utilize California Department of Transportation standards. The analysis takes into consideration land use, street classifications, collision history, traffic volume (including bicyclists and pedestrians), and any unusual conditions that may exist at the intersection.
Based on the engineering study the intersection met the following two warrants, and qualifies for the installation of an all-way stop control:
a) Collision History - From June 2015 to June 2016, there have been five or more reported collisions in a 12-month period at this intersection that are susceptible to correction by an all-way stop installation.
b) Traffic Volume - The vehicular volume entering the intersection from the major street approaches (total of both approaches) averages 609 vehicles per hour for any eight hours of an average day which exceeds the 300 vehicles per hour threshold established by the CA-MUTCD.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are sufficient funds in the operating budget to complete the project which includes installing the new stop signs, “all-way” plaques, warning signs, striping, and legends. In addition, the project would include removing the yield lines, signs and poles along Bernardo Avenue and removing cross traffic does not stop signs along Knickerbocker Drive. Installation of signs and striping for the intersection of Bernardo Avenue and Knickerbocker Drive is estimated to be approximately $5,000.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
In addition, notification of the proposed changes were mailed to all residents and property owners within 300 feet of the intersection of Bernardo Avenue and Knickerbocker Drive.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution (Attachment 1 to the report) to convert the intersections of Bernardo Avenue at Knickerbocker Drive from two-way stop sign control to all-way stop sign control and adopt a finding that this action is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act Exemption (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c).
Based on warrant analysis and engineering judgment, this intersection has met the necessary requirements for installation of all-way stop sign control.
Prepared by: Carol Shariat, Principal Transportation Engineer/Planner
Reviewed by: Shahid Abbas, Transportation and Traffic Manager
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Kent Steffens, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Four Way Stop Resolution