PREPARED BY: Barbara hawkins DATE OF MEETING: 03/06/17
SUBJECT:
TITLE
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE WEST CONTRA COSTA HIGH-CAPACITY TRANSIT STUDY INITIAL DRAFT FINDINGS
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Receive presentation and provide feedback to City staff and WCCTAC staff
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2015-2017 Council Priority Workplan
High Capacity Transit Study, is an adopted policy item under the FY 2015-17 City Council Priority Workplan, effective October 1, 2016.
CEQA Compliance Statement
The study does not require CEQA compliance.
BACKGROUND
The West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC) has hired Parsons Brinckerhoff to prepare a transportation study. The study, known as the West County High Capacity Transit Study (HCTS), includes potential options for improving an array of transit services that are typically used for commuting. Possible short, middle and long-term transit alternatives have been identified in the study.
Currently, the General Plan, adopted in 2011, includes a major destination hub on San Pablo Avenue and Rumrill Boulevard. In March 2016 the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) funded the Targeted Industries Study & Infill Development Strategy, a document that called for formalizing new development around the San Pablo Avenue Priority Development Area (PDA) at Contra Costa Community College. In October, 2016 Council authorized implementation of Transit-Orientated Development (TOD) policies and strategies as part of its advance land use planning. These action support the construction of a 23rd Street BRT and BART along Rumrill, which would provide a direct connection to the College’s Transit Center and are identified as alternatives in the HCTS.
The HCTS is informational and seeks to provide guidance to WCCTAC on which, if any, alternatives it may wish to further pursue. WCCTAC staff and Parsons Brinckerhoff are giving presentations to the five West County City Councils and the El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council. The presentation will cover the study’s background, key findings, refined alternatives, and the evaluation of alternatives. WCCTAC staff are inviting policy makers from the five Councils to provide their input which they can then present to the WCCTAC Board.
Another element of the study’s outreach plan is the online survey, which will be available at www.WestCountyTransitStudy.org <http://www.WestCountyTransitStudy.org> from February 21-March 26, 2017. The survey is available in English, Spanish and Chinese. Poster boards describing the study and advising the public of their opportunity to provide input through the online survey are located outside Council Chambers, Maple Hall, Church Street Senior Center, San Pablo Community Center, EDC, and the Library.
WCCTAC provided the attached letter and factsheet, which provides further information about the study. Fact sheets are available to the public in English, Spanish, and Chinese at all poster locations.
FISCAL IMPACT
This presentation has no fiscal impact. The study contains preliminary schematic funding scenarios for implementing the alternatives under consideration. This presentation is informational only.