REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Acceptance of Google Inc.’s Donation of Voluntary Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Improvements (Phase 1 and Phase 2) on Manila Drive/West Moffett Park Drive with an Estimated Construction Cost of $2,575,800 and Finding of Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act
Report
BACKGROUND
Manila Drive/West Moffett Park Drive is a predominately east-west frontage roadway that runs parallel to the United States Route (US) 101/State Route (SR) 237 corridor and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail tracks. Manila Drive runs between Ellis Street in the City of Mountain View, through a portion of the County of Santa Clara, and ends in Sunnyvale at Enterprise Way. East of Enterprise Way, Manila Drive transitions into West Moffett Park Drive.
Manila Drive has a speed limit of 45 mph, consisting of one travel lane in each direction with dedicated left and right turn lanes at intermittent locations. There are continuous sidewalks on the north side of the road, and painted shoulders on both sides of the road. West Moffett Park Drive between Enterprise Way and Innovation Way has a speed limit of 40 mph, consisting of one travel lane in each direction with dedicated left and right turn lanes at intermittent locations. There is a Class II on-street bicycle lane on both sides of the street, but there is no sidewalk along this segment of West Moffett Park Drive. East of Innovation Way, VTA recently completed the construction of a new Class I shared-use path on the northside of Moffett Park Drive between Innovation Way and Bordeaux Drive as part of the Mathilda/101/237 interchange project
In 2018, Google Inc. (Google) approached the City with a request to install voluntary improvements consisting of an off-street Class I shared-use path, rail crossing safety modifications, traffic signal modification at the Enterprise Way traffic signal and minor street grading changes on Manila Drive west of Enterprise Way. The proposed improvements for this segment are included in Phase 1 of the project. In 2019, Google proposed Phase 2 of the project, which includes the extension of the proposed Class I shared-use path on West Moffett Park Drive from Enterprise Way to Innovation Way, with the intention of connecting to the new Class I shared-use path constructed by VTA. Phase 2 also includes rail crossing safety improvements, roadway realignments, as well as intersection crossing improvements and traffic signal modifications at the Innovation Way intersection. Google has retained the services of a professional engineering firm to prepare plans suitable for construction of the voluntary improvements.
EXISTING POLICY
In performing the analysis and developing the conclusions identified in this report, the following policies were referenced and considered:
General Plan Chapter 3 Land Use and Transportation:
• LT-1.4: Coordinate with adjacent cities on local land use and transportation planning.
• LT-1.7: Emphasize efforts to reduce regional vehicle miles traveled by supporting active modes of transportation including walking, biking, and public transit.
• LT-3.6: Promote modes of travel and actions that provide safe access to city streets and reduce single-occupant vehicle trips and trip lengths locally and regionally.
The order of consideration of transportation users shall be:
(1). Pedestrians
(2). Non-automotive (bikes, three wheeled bikes, scooters, etc.)
(3). Mass transit vehicles
(4). Single-occupant automobiles
• LT-3.22: Provide safe access to city streets for all modes of transportation. Safety considerations of all transport modes shall take priority over capacity considerations of any one transport mode.
• LT-3.30 Support regional and cross-regional transportation improvements and corridors while minimizing impacts to community form and intracity travel.
General Plan Chapter 6 - Safety and Noise
• SN-3.5: Facilitate the safe movement of pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles.
City Council Policy 7.1.5 Grants, Donations, Contributions and Sponsorships
3. For donations, contributions or sponsorships with values of $100,000 or more, as estimated by the donor, a Report to Council will be written outlining its purpose and the advantages and disadvantages prior to acceptance. Authority to accept any such donation, contribution or sponsorship shall rest with the City Council. For monetary donations, it will be stated in the Report to Council if the gift is a onetime contribution for a specific purpose or a contribution where the principal could be invested and the interest used to support all or part of a special project or program for a number of years.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (c) for existing streets, sidewalks, bicycle lanes and facilities involving negligible or no expansion and that does not create additional automobile lanes. The CEQA document for Phase 1 of the project will be filed by the County of Santa Clara at the County Recorder’s Office (as the County is the lead agency for Phase 1) prior to the start of construction activities. The CEQA document for Phase 2 of the project will be filed by the City of Sunnyvale at the County Recorder’s Office prior to the start of construction activities.
DISCUSSION
Google has voluntarily committed to implement bicycle and pedestrian facility improvements along Manila Drive and West Moffett Park Drive to provide better bicycle and pedestrian connectivity to the existing multi-modal network in the City of Sunnyvale, Santa Clara County, and the City of Mountain View. Google will donate the proposed improvements located within the City of Sunnyvale to the City of Sunnyvale for the benefit of the community. Similarly, Google will donate the proposed improvements located within the City of Mountain View, County of Santa Clara, VTA, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to each respective jurisdiction for the benefit of the community.
The Manila Drive/West Moffett Park Drive Improvement Project (Project) will implement a Class I shared-use path and related improvements across five jurisdictions: City of Sunnyvale, County of Santa Clara, VTA, NASA, and City of Mountain View. The project extends along Manila Drive from the intersection at Ellis Street in the City of Mountain View, to the intersection of West Moffett Park Drive/Innovation Way in the City of Sunnyvale. The segments between the cities’ limits are within the County of Santa Clara’s and VTA’s jurisdiction, with a minimal area on NASA property; however, all the improvements are intended to occur outside the existing NASA security/chain link fence. The Project’s proposed Class I shared-use path will connect to two existing VTA light rail stations (i.e., NASA/Bayshore Station and West Moffett Station).
The portion of the Project within the City of Sunnyvale’s jurisdiction extends from 250 feet west of the Manila Drive/Enterprise Way intersection to the West Moffett Park Drive/Innovation Way intersection. The Class I shared-use path along Manila Drive and Moffett Park Drive is contemplated in the recently adopted Active Transportation Plan adopted by City Council on August 25, 2020. The proposed improvements are within the existing public right-of-way, and it does not propose any changes to any existing easements. Google will construct these improvements in two phases:
Phase 1 (Manila Drive from Western City Limits to Enterprise Way)
Google will be responsible for implementing the following improvements under Phase 1 of the project: install 250 linear feet of Class I shared-use path on the north side of Manila Drive to the northwest quadrant of the intersection of Manila Drive/West Moffett Park Drive/Enterprise Way, install one bicycle ramp and two bicycle/pedestrian ramps, modify signal timing and traffic signal at the signalized intersection of Manila Drive/West Moffett Park Drive/Enterprise Way, slurry seal over the existing pavement, and install green bike lane markings where applicable. An encroachment permit would be issued to enable Google to perform these construction activities within the City of Sunnyvale. Currently, Google is also working with City of Mountain View, County of Santa Clara, VTA, and NASA to obtain permits to perform work in those jurisdictions.
The estimated value of these improvements based on the engineer’s probable construction cost estimate is $487,200. Pursuant to City Council Policy 7.1.5 - Grants, donations, Contributions and Sponsorships, authority to accept any contributions with values of more than $100,000 rests with the City Council.
If the City Council accepts this donation, then Google estimates that construction may start at the end of fall 2020.
Phase 2 (West Moffett Park Drive from Enterprise Way to Innovation Way)
Google will be responsible for implementing the following improvements under Phase 2 of the project: install approximately 1,850 linear feet of Class I shared-use path on the north side of West Moffett Park Drive between Enterprise Way and Innovation Way, 13 new streetlights, access connections to the West Moffett VTA light rail station, 3 bicycle/pedestrian curb ramps at the intersection of West Moffett Park Drive/Innovation Way, bicycle and pedestrian crossing and traffic signal modifications improvements at the intersection of West Moffett Park Drive/Innovation Way, and a fence separation between the Class I shared-use path and the West Moffett Park Drive roadway. At the Innovation Way intersection, there will also be rail crossing safety improvements as coordinated with VTA.
The existing Class II bicycle lanes along West Moffett Park Drive will be removed as the curb will be shifted south to install the Class I shared-use path, fence and streetlights. The shift of the existing curb is approximately 10 feet in front of the existing West Moffett VTA LRT Station, and up to 18 feet near Innovation Way where no sidewalk or pedestrian crossing currently exists. An encroachment permit would be issued to enable Google to construct these improvements. Google is also working with VTA to obtain permits to perform work in VTA jurisdiction.
The estimated value of the Phase 2 improvements based on the engineer’s probable construction cost estimate is $2,088,600. The estimated total value for the Phase 1 and Phase 2 improvements within the City of Sunnyvale city limits is approximately $2,575,800. Pursuant to City Council Policy 7.1.5 - Grants, donations, contributions and sponsorships, authority to accept any contributions with values of more than $100,000 rests with the City Council.
If the City Council accepts this donation, then Google estimates that construction may start as soon as the end of fall 2020, both Phase 1 and Phase 2 could be constructed concurrently.
If Phase 1 and 2 improvements are completed, there would be a continuous east-west Class I shared-use path on Manila Drive beginning in the City of Mountain View at Ellis Street, connecting the new VTA constructed Class I shared-use path on West Moffett Park Drive, ending in City of Sunnyvale at Bordeaux Drive. This will provide a multi-modal east-west access path between Mountain View and Moffett Park area in Sunnyvale.
FISCAL IMPACT
Installation of bicycle and pedestrian improvements on Manila Drive under Phase 1 and West Moffett Park Drive under Phase 2 of the project will be fully funded by Google Inc. Upon acceptance of improvements, the City will be responsible for maintenance. The additional bicycle and pedestrian improvements will be maintained under Department of Public Works Street Operations Program 120 - Pavement and Concrete Maintenance; the additional streetlights will be maintained under Department of Public Works Street Operations Program 121 - Streetlight, Signs and Debris.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, Sunnyvale Public Library and Department of Public Safety. In addition, the agenda and report are available at the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
Public outreach efforts also included the following:
• The project was presented to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) at the June 18 BPAC meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Accept Google Inc.’s donation of voluntary Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Improvements (Phase 1 and Phase 2) on Manila Drive/West Moffett Park Drive with an estimated construction cost of $2,575,800 and make a finding that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (c) existing streets, sidewalks, bicycle lanes and facilities involving negligible or no expansion and that does not create additional automobile lanes.
Staff believes by installing a Class 1 shared-use path, it will provide better bicycle and pedestrian connectivity between the existing businesses and residences and improve transportation network connection and functionality in the City of Sunnyvale and adjacent cities, as well as seamless access to and from the VTA Light Rail Stations within the project limits. Upon the completion of this project, Manila Drive between Ellis Street in Mountain View and Enterprise Way in Sunnyvale, and West Moffett Park Drive between Enterprise Way and Innovation Way will have a Class I shared-use path, which will provide a connection to the recent VTA constructed Class I shared-use path along West Moffett Park Drive between Innovation Way and Bordeaux Drive. The Class I shared-use path will provide a safe and secure facility separated from vehicular traffic, improve safety and connectively when traveling along this intercity east-west corridor.
Staff
Prepared by: Lillian Tsang, Principal Transportation Engineer
Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Jaqui Guzmán, Deputy City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Manila Drive/West Moffett Park Drive - Project Limits
2. Manila Drive/West Moffett Park Drive - Proposed Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
3. Preliminary Estimate Construction Costs
4. Excerpt from Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of June 18, 2020