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Page 1 of 4 CITY OF EL CERRITO Community Development Department – Planning Division 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 (510) 215-4330 – FAX (510) 233-5401 [EMAIL REDACTED] www.el-cerrito.org Date: June 18, 2015 To: Interested Parties, File From: Margaret Zoning Administrator Yvetteh Ortiz, City Engineer Melanie Mintz, Interim Community Development Director Subject: Completion of Condition #50, Creekside Walk Summary As part of a 2007 Condition of Approval for the Creekside Walk project (CC Res. 2007-09 #50), city staff working with the development group, Creekside Walk Ventures, LLC and indirectly with Regency Centers agreed to use the Traffic Circulation Study for the El Cerrito Plaza Shopping Center (TJKM, 2010) as a base document. Approximately five years have passed since the 2010 Study was completed, and while the underlying basis of the 2010 Study remains valid, a few of the recommendations have been modified for various reasons, as discussed below. Staff has authored this memorandum to communicate how each recommendation from the Study will be implemented. This memorandum, along with the 2010 Study completes and establishes the “Traffic and Circulation Study” required in Condition of Approval #50. The final design plans (Plans) that implement the improvements recommended as part of the “Traffic and Circulation Study” are currently being developed and were discussed at a community meeting on June 3, 2015. The Plans will be finalized to the satisfaction of the Interim Community Development Director and the City Engineer. The improvements included in the Plans will be implemented prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for Creekside Walk. Background Condition #50 of the entitlement application for the Creekside Walk Development Project reads as follows: The applicant and Regency Centers shall enter into agreement to prepare a comprehensive traffic and circulation study for both the proposed project and the entire El Cerrito Plaza that will provide improvement to the traffic circulation to the entire El Cerrito Plaza and from the project including a clearly delineated safe, effective and efficient path from the project and to San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito, analyze truck movements and conflicts with auto traffic in the area adjacent to the Albertson’s loading dock. The study shall be completed prior to the issuance of a building permit or approval of the CC&R’s and Parcel Map, whichever is earlier. The applicant and Regency Centers also agree to install and/or construct all improvements called for in the study, prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. The ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 4 scope of work for the study, the study, and construction of traffic improvement are to be to the satisfaction of the City Engineer and the Zoning Administrator. The City shall select the consultant that will prepare the study. The study shall also be completed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer and the Zoning Administrator. On September 16, 2010, TJKM prepared a report called “Traffic Circulation Study for the El Cerrito Plaza Shopping Center” (Study). City staff received and filed the report, however, it was never formally accepted, having not received final approval by the Community Development Director, City Engineer or by the Regency Centers, the property owner of the shopping center property surrounding the project site. In 2013, the development team submitted building permits for the project and began working to meet the conditions of approval. Numerous meetings have been held with the project’s development team and city staff to ensure clear communication of the city’s expectations. Traffic Circulation Study for the El Cerrito Plaza Shopping Center (TJKM, 2010) The 2010 Study identifies eight improvements to the shopping center. Each of those recommendations is listed below with a brief description. After each improvement, staff has provided a determination as to how it will be implemented and some narrative, as appropriate. 1. Intersection near Starbucks. 2010 Recommendation: To increase the queuing distance for incoming vehicles as well as added distance and visibility for pedestrians, it is recommended that the pedestrian crosswalk be moved from the current location to the south leg of the approach at approximately 50 feet to the south. (II) To prevent unnecessary congestion at the throat of the entrance to the parking lot, the access near the intersection should be closed. 2015 Staff Determination: Staff determined that moving the crosswalk would not enhance safety for pedestrian travel or improve traffic circulation. However, staff supports revising the traffic control for vehicular movements at the intersection to improve operations for all modes of travel. Since 2010, the Regency Centers installed Stop-control for southbound movements, making the intersection a three-way stop. The northbound movements remained uncontrolled creating right-of-way confusion. Therefore, staff recommends that the design include implementation of an all- way stop by installing Stop-control for northbound movements and also limiting access from the eastern drive path. A “Keep Clear” zone will also be added to prevent congestion from stopping traffic flow. 2. Create Sidewalk near Ross. 2010 Recommendation: To provide safe access, a set of steps and sidewalk should be added from the Greenway to the sidewalk near the Video Store. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 3 of 4 2015 Staff Determination: Although staff supports this recommendation, Regency Shopping Centers had significant concerns regarding formalizing pedestrian access and travel along this route and would not authorize its construction. Therefore, staff recommends the placement of convex mirrors to improve sight distance around the corner of the Ross building and the addition of warning signage to alert drivers of a speed limit and to the possibility of pedestrians in the area. 3. Modification near South Roadway. By adding centerline from Talbot Avenue to Kains Avenue, it will facilitate the ease of travel from the proposed project site to San Pablo Avenue. Add way finder signs at strategic locations. 2015 Staff Determination: Staff supports this concept. A yellow centerline shall be added along the southern side of the Regency Centers property. Wayfinding directional signage will also be added along the route and other locations within the Plaza area to support efficient traffic circulation. In addition, pursuant to Public Works Condition 38, an appropriate bicycle route meeting current standards shall be designed and installed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. 4. Install Stop Control on Kains Avenue behind Wells Fargo Remove the existing Stop sign and install it closer to the intersection formed by Kains Avenue and the exit from the parking lot to Trader Joe's. 2015 Staff Determination: Staff supports this recommendation. In addition, a yellow centerline shall be added adjacent to this stop sign to provide additional clarity. The additional centerline will help delineate a safe path for vehicular travel. This yellow centerline will be continued past the intersection along the travel way to provide further direction for the safe travel of vehicles. 5. Install Stop Control near Trader Joe's Parking Lot Install Stop control for the northbound approach. 2015 Staff Determination: Staff supports this recommendation. In addition, a yellow centerline shall be added adjacent to this stop sign to provide additional clarity for vehicles entering the Plaza. The additional centerline will help delineate a safe path for vehicular travel. 6. Evaluate the Split-Phase Signal Operations at Liberty Street Fairmount Avenue Due to physical constraints, the split phasing on the north-south approach could remain. However, TJKM also evaluated benefits to remove the north-south split phasing and analyzed two potential alternatives: Provide protected left-turn phasing on the north-south approach. With a protected north-south left turn phasing, the level of service will still remain at LOS D but it is estimated that there will be a slight reduction in delays but there will also be an increase in queuing (65 feet). ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 4 of 4 (II) Provide a permissive north-south phasing. The LOS will improve to LOS C and it is estimated that there will be a reduction in queuing of approximately 33 feet for the northbound left-turn during the p.m. peak hour. TJKM recommended a permissive phasing (Alternative II) for the north-south approach. 2015 Staff Determination: Staff believes that Alternative II would not result in enhanced safety or efficiency for pedestrian travel and, based on the Study, Alternative I would not clearly meet the goals of improving traffic circulation or safer or more efficient vehicular travel, so recommends neither alternative. 7. Changing the Traffic Circle to Roundabout. The internal traffic circle is Stop controlled at all three approaches. It would be more effective to convert the circle into a modern roundabout with Yield control on all approaches. Significant and clear changes to the existing signing and striping should be made to convert the two lane circle into a one lane modern roundabout. (II) The roadway striping should also be modified to clearly guide drivers (especially those new to the shopping center) through the circle. (III) As indicated on the proposed improvement, pedestrian crossings will be further enhanced with installation of a pedestrian crossing warning sign in the median. 2015 Staff Determination: Staff supports this series of recommendations. Final design that provides for convenient and safe automobile, bicycle and pedestrian travel and meets current standards shall be provided and installed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. In addition, yellow centerlines will be included back in every direction all the way back to the stop signs to provide additional clarity for vehicles. 8. Truck Traffic at Albertson's Loading Dock The narrowest section of the alley is approximately 25 feet and occurs in the boundary section between Ross and Lucky's. Generally the width of the segment averages in the 40-45 feet range. In order to better facilitate orderly flow of traffic, it is recommended that a centerline be striped. 2015 Staff Determination: Staff supports this recommendation. In addition, pursuant to two 2006 conditions of approval (CC Res: 2006-01 #38 and #51), the bicycle/pedestrian paths will be designed to safely transition bicycle/pedestrian traffic into and through the shopping center. Paths will be designed at both of the connections to the Ohlone Greenway. A clear demarcation between pedestrian and truck traffic will be designed. Final design that provides for convenient and safe truck, automobile, bicycle and pedestrian travel and meets current standards shall be provided and installed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. 2457007.1