Section Two: Stanford Perimeter Trail

Transcription

1 IMAGE SOURCE: JONAS FLAKEN, FLICKR (CREATIVE COMMONS) IMAGE SOURCE: DONJD2, FLICKR (CREATIVE COMMONS) Section Two: Stanford Perimeter Trail

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3 2 Sta nford Perimeter Trail 2.1 Project Description The core of the Stanford University campus is bounded by Sand Hill Road to the north, El Camino Real on the east, Stanford Avenue to the south and Junipero Serra Boulevard forming the western edge. In several locations these streets are the interface between the campus and surrounding communities including Menlo Park and Palo Alto, and are within several blocks of Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and Portola Valley. The Stanford Perimeter Trail (SPT) will provide both an easily-accessible recreational amenity that will directly serve Stanford campus residents and facility users, and an important connection to local parks and schools, and regional recreational destinations. This linkage will provide several important connections along three of the four 1 major streets surrounding the Stanford University campus core, including: Junipero Serra Boulevard from Page Mill Road to Stanford Avenue (A) Stanford Avenue from Junipero Serra Boulevard to El Camino Real (B) El Camino Real from Stanford Avenue to Quarry Road (C) The linkage also includes trail-related improvements to several associated intersections. Intersections will be improved to better support the multi-use trail system and will include, but are not limited to: Wide curb ramps to improve accessibility Detectable warning surfaces to comply with ADA Pedestrian signals for protected street crossings Island modifications to provide safe refuge for users Target design guidelines are shown in Exhibit E. 2.2 Project Purpose The SPT will provide connectivity, Stanford University campus access, recreational use, amenities, regional network build out, and improved safety along 3.4 miles of multi-use trails. Recreational Opportunities The SPT will provide a recreational resource for Stanford students, faculty, and staff as well as the residents and visitors of the adjacent communities who use campus recreational facilities. The trail will offer: Walking, running, and bicycling opportunities for individuals and groups. Opportunities for social interaction along the trail. 1 Stanford studied a potential trail that would encircle the perimeter of the core campus. However, substantial feasibility issues were identified on Junipero Serra Boulevard from Stanford Avenue to Sand Hill Road, and on Sand Hill Road. Accordingly, the Stanford University portion of this grant application is limited to the three segments identified above, and no other perimeter trail improvements are proposed. The SPT will Supplement the regional trail network in Santa Clara County. Enhance the Bay-To-Ridge Trail (Program T25) connection via Stanford Avenue and the Junipero Serra Boulevard link to Page Mill Road. Complete a part of the Santa Clara County County-Wide Trails Master Plan along Junipero Serra Boulevard and Stanford Avenue. Connectivity New connections will be made between communities and trails, and between major destinations: The SPT will link neighborhoods together and also link the Dish Route and S1 Trail, as well as the future C2 Trail to Arastradero Preserve. Neighborhood children and teens will have the ability to easily access Nixon Elementary School, Escondido School, and Palo Alto High School by foot or on a bicycle. The SPT will provide connections to Stanford Stadium, Town and Country Village, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, and Stanford Shopping Center. Route Dish A Junipero Serra Old Page Mill Rd to S1 Trail Junipero Serra Blvd Peter Coutts Rd d B C Page Mill Rd Serra St Serra St Quarry Rd Palm Dr El Camino Real Stanford Avenue }þ 82 to Linkage 2 ~ 23 ~

4 The SPT will also link to recreational and transportation facilities at El Camino Park including the Palo Alto Transit Center and the possible new TheatreWorks. Function The Class I SPT will separate and buffer recreational users from vehicular traffic: Creating a much safer and more enjoyable experience. Correcting the serious safety problem that exists on Stanford Avenue near Junipero Serra Boulevard. Providing safer routes for children to ride their bicycles to Nixon Elementary School, Escondido School, and Palo Alto High School. In addition to the trail itself, the SPT will include improvements at key locations. These amenities will create a trail that is more functional and beautiful, providing value-added to all of the associated communities: 2.3 Linkage Components Junipero Serra Boulevard (Segment A) Page Mill Road to Stanford Avenue This is a new trail segment where none exists today. This segment of Junipero Serra Boulevard is very important as a link between the County S1 Trail and Stanford Avenue. This route is part of the City of Palo Alto Bay-to-Ridge Trail Network. This new segment of the SPT will be located on Stanford University property, adjacent to the Dish area on the west. The proposed trail will be built to the target 12 foot width, and the existing fence on Junipero Serra Boulevard will be relocated to provide the required space for the trail. Both existing Class II bike lanes will remain on the street. The intersection crossing on this side of Junipero Serra Boulevard at Page Mill Road will be improved to meet current ADA standards. Bike racks strategically located at key places where users enter/exit the trail. Landscape plantings to either repair a disturbed area or to supplement an area with trees and native plantings. Way-finding signage located along the entire trail to provide directions or to inform the users about destination points. ~ 24 ~ No continuous trail exists on Junipero Serra Boulevard between Stanford Avenue and Page Mill Road. The SPT will provide a Class I trail to connect the S1 Trail to the Dish Route and to Palo Alto via the Stanford Avenue Bay-To-Ridge Trail.

5 Foothill Expy Jun ipero Ser ~ 25 ~ The Stanford and Palo Alto Trails Program: Connecting the Bay to the Ridge Junipero Serra Blvd Page Mill Road Intersection access upgrades. Proposed trail connects directly to existing S-1 Trail, additional bicycling route (Old Page Mill Road) toward Arastradero Preserve Page Mill Rd Junipero Serra Serra Blvd Blvd Stanford Ave Stanford Avenue Connection to the Palo Alto Bay-to-Ridge Trail (Linkage 1, Segment B) Stanford Dish Recreational a Route Access to popular hiking ing network at Stanford Avenue e Existing Class II bicycle lanes will remain on both sides of roadway Class 1 Multi-Use Path Design Standard 12 wide accessible path with soft shoulders for joggers and hikers; adjacent landscaping S1 Trail I Feet Dish Route (hiking only) Stanford and Palo Alto Trails Program Linkage #1 - Stanford Perimeter Trail: Segment A. Junipero Serra Boulevard Proposed Linkage (Grant Application Project) Existing Class 1 Multi-Use Trail (except where noted) Existing Class II Bicycle Lane!

6 2.3.2 Stanford Avenue (Segment B) This segment of the SPT would provide a complete trail along Stanford Avenue from Junipero Serra Boulevard to El Camino Real. Currently, there is not a complete trail in this location. There is a substantial gap between Junipero Serra Boulevard and Raimundo Way and other areas are substandard. Sidewalk exists along portions of Stanford Avenue. The approach to this street segment is to supplement existing conditions, provide a continuous trail, and to provide Class II bike lanes. Stanford Avenue Intersection Improvements The Stanford Avenue intersection at Junipero Serra Boulevard is a particularly critical area because it is the location of the Stanford Dish Recreational Route Gate. Currently, trail users parallel park along both sides of Stanford Avenue from Raimundo Way to Junipero Serra Boulevard. This parking, coupled with the fact that no trail exists on the north side of Stanford Avenue, creates a safety problem where pedestrians must walk in the street. New ramps and a new pedestrian signal (in addition to the trail) will significantly change these two blocks and provide a safer and more convenient configuration for pedestrians and bicyclists. This segment of Stanford Avenue near Junipero Serra Boulevard is abutted by a drainage channel. Adequate space exists to improve this edge. A Class I multi-use trail and enhanced Class II bike lane will be added along this segment of Stanford Avenue. ~ 26 ~

7 Junipero Serra Blvd to Raimundo Way Intersection access improvements at Junipero Serra Blvd; installation of Class I trail adjacent to roadway, improved bike lane, and back-in angled parking on south side of Stanford Avenue Bowdoin Street Intersection access improvements Escondido School Work with Palo Alto Unified School District to widen sidewalk with a 5 decomposed granite path and additional Existing 10 wide concrete and decomposed granite path will remain, which well serves pedestrians, joggers, and slower speed bicyclists landscaping; replace existing sidewalk where necessary Escondido do Elementary School Stanford Ave Linkage 1C: El Camino Real to Linkage 2: Park Blvd Junipero Serra Blvd Linkage 1A: Junipero Serra Blvd Raimundo Way Nixon Elementary School Peter Coutts Rd Rd Amigos de Palo Alto (preschool) Bowdoin St St Werry Park Weissharr Park Hanover St St College Ave California Ave Cameron Park Mayfield Park College Terrace Library El Camino Real Raimundo Way to Bowdoin oin Street Improve existing walking path, widen with soft shoulders wherever possible. Consider new parking pull-outs and access improvements to Nixon School on Stanford Avenue Stanford and Palo Alto Trails Program Linkage #1 - Stanford Perimeter Trail: Segment B. Stanford Avenue Proposed Linkage (Grant Application Project) Existing Dish Recreational Route (hiking only) Existing Stanford University Pathway Existing Class II Bicycle Lane Existing Class III Shared Roadway! I Existing Park Amenities Feet Picnic Area Playground Tennis Court ~ 27 ~

8 Junipero Serra Boulevard to Raimundo Way A new Class I trail will be constructed on the north side of the street, and will connect the pedestrian crossing on Junipero Serra Boulevard to Raimundo Way. The existing on-street parallel parking will be removed from both sides of the street and will be replaced with back-in angled parking on the south side of the street. Currently, parking in this location is unmarked, disorganized, and unsafe. If this existing street segment were striped to meet current County standards, the street would accommodate a total of 55 striped, parallel parking spaces. The proposed parking configuration would have no parking on the north side and would provide a total of 40 striped, angled, back-in parking spaces on the south side. Raimundo Way to Bowdoin Street This street segment is adjacent to residential neighborhoods, along which a scenic creek runs in a channel several feet below the street grade. A six-foot-wide asphalt trail meanders along the creek, following the up and down grade between large trees, crossing the creek in several places. The creek is undergrounded near Peter Coutts Road, but the trail continues northward within a more open area, nearer to street grade. The existing six-foot-wide path will be realigned in limited locations, and a two-foot-wide shoulder will be added on at least one side. Shoulders may be placed on both sides, where possible, which will result in a trail that is eight to ten feet wide in the segment. A culvert with a bridge crossing exists south of the small, stone dam. The south end of the culvert was constructed above the creek flow line and at an angle to it. As a result, the existing path on top of the culvert rises in grade to cross the culvert and subsequently drops down on the opposite side, creating slopes that are not ADA compliant. Plan View of Stanford Avenue between Junipero Serra Boulevard and Raimundo Way (Proposed Linkage) Section of Stanford Avenue between Mears Court and Raimundo Way (Proposed) ~ 28 ~

9 The path alignment has a sharp turn, which also constricts an existing Redwood tree. Lowering the culvert and realigning it will achieve the following four objectives: 1. Improve ADA compliance, making the trail accessibe to more people 2. Remove a kink in the path alignment for improved bicycle/pedestrian safety Existing parallel parking pockets will be formalized along the north side of the street in areas between existing trees. There will be no net change to parking. Bowdoin Street to Escondido Road A five-foot concrete sidewalk exists along this segment, similar to the sidewalk between Escondido Road and El Camino Real. A five-foot-wide decomposed granite path will be added along the inside edge of the sidewalk and the parkway will be planted, so that it is continuous with the El Camino Real to Escondido Road block. If agreeable to the Palo Alto Unified School District, the Escondido School fence may be relocated to allow for ornamental plantings in front of the fence. A 5-foot-wide concrete sidewalk currently exists on Stanford Avenue between Escondido Road and Bowdoin Street. The existing 6-foot-wide asphalt trail near Bowdoin Street will be widened by adding a 2-foot wide shoulder to both sides to better accommodate runners. The existing 6-foot asphalt trail adjacent to Stanford Avenue near Bowdoin Street will be widened by adding a 2-foot shoulder, where feasible, to each side to better accommodate joggers. The existing sidewalk will be expanded to 10 feet wide, similar to the block to the north, which will accommodate pedestrians, runners and recreational bicyclists. ~ 29 ~

10 Escondido Road to El Camino Real As part of the new housing development, a ten-foot-wide trail was recently constructed in this segment approximately five feet from the back of curb, consisting of a five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk and a five-foot-wide decomposed granite path. Attractive plantings are located in the planting area behind the curb. No work is required in this segment. Stanford Avenue between Escondido Road and El Camino Real. This stretch of the Stanford Perimeter Trail was completed in 2011 as part of a new faculty housing project. The remainder of the trail will be expanded to match this 10-foot cross section. ~ 30 ~

11 2.3.3 El Camino Real (Segment C) This segment is a new, continuous trail from Stanford Avenue to Quarry Road. El Camino Real is a California State Highway under the jurisdiction of Caltrans. In addition to being a busy state thoroughfare, the multi-jurisdictional Grand Boulevard Initiative establishes clear designation for the corridor as a Transit Priority Street and, as a result, on-street bicycle lanes and routes are not prioritized for the area adjacent to Stanford campus. For pedestrians, currently there are only limited areas of public sidewalk and limited sections of paved trails along the El Camino real frontage. Where no such facilities exist, unpaved informal paths are visible where pedestrians have walked behind the existing Stanford fence. The new trail will provide a safe, continuous route for pedestrians and bicyclists. Stanford Avenue to Serra Street No trail or sidewalk exists in this segment. The Stanford fence is located approximately eight feet behind the curb and a lawn transitions into a drainage swale beyond the fence along Escondido Village. The fence will be relocated so that a new, wide paved pathway can be constructed along El Camino Real. Landscaping will be added, consistent with the Grand Boulevard Initiative recommendations. Serra Street to Galvez Street This street segment is adjacent to the Stanford Athletic Fields, where considerable open space exists. An eight- to ten-foot-wide asphalt trail follows behind the existing fence along this segment and there are no physical limitations to expanding the trail. Therefore, the trail will be expanded to meet the target 12 foot width. No paved sidewalk currently exists on El Camino Real at Escondido Village. Galvez Street to Palm Drive This segment is adjacent to the Stanford Stadium, located in an open area. A trail less than 12 feet wide exists behind the existing fence along the western part of the segment and there is no paved trail on the eastern portion of this section. A trail meeting the target 12 foot width will be constructed along this segment behind the fence and will weave through the existing trees as necessary to protect them. The Stanford Perimeter Trail will provide an 8-foot-wide paved path behind the street curb that can accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. ~ 31 ~

12 "b The Stanford and Palo Alto Trails Program: Connecting the Bay to the Ridge b"b "b Picnic Area Playground ~ 32 ~ City of Menlo Park El Camino Park Palo Alto Transit Center Town & Country Village Palo Alto High School Stanford Shopping Center * * * Peers Park Stanford Ave El Camino Park Connection from the Stanford Perimeter Trail to the Palo Alto Transit Center and the C1 Trail at Palo Alto/Menlo Park Palm Drive Reconstruct median islands and curb ramps to improve access; widen existing approach facilities to meet Class I multi-use trail target standard Galvez Street/ Embarcadero Road Intersection crossing and trail access improvements * Cameron Park Alma St Park Blvd Embarcadero Rd University Avenue Palo Alto Ave El Camino Real Stanford University Move existing fence back to provide a generous 12 paved path and 4 planting strip. Facility will accommodate pedestrians, joggers, and bicyclists and is consistent with Grand Boulevard Initiative recommendations for El Camino Real. Existing drainage to be protected. Palm Dr Quarry Road Existing Trail Gap Intersection access improvements; coordinated wayfinding with Stanford Medical Center expansion mitigation improvements Install new 12 Class I trail between Palo Alto Medical Foundation and Embarcadero Road/ Galvez Street Connection to existing Stanford recreational facilities Serra Street Intersection crossing and trail access improvements Proposed Linkage 2 Stanford Faculty Housing Proposed Linkage (Grant Application Project) Existing Class I Multi-Use Path / Barrier Crossing Existing Stanford University Pathway Existing Park Amenities Existing Class II Bicycle Lane Feet Stanford and Palo Alto Trails Program Linkage #1 - Stanford Perimeter Trail: Segment C. El Camino Real Stanford Child Care Facilities Public Restroom Soccer Field I Baseball/Softball Diamond Existing Class III Shared Roadway! Existing Bicycle Boulevard

13 Palm Drive to Quarry Road An existing trail is located in the Stanford Arboretum along this street segment, behind the existing fence. However, it does not meet the target trail width and it will therefore be improved to meet that standard. Because of the open nature of the area, expanding the trail to 12 foot width will not negatively impact the existing trees, as there is ample room to meander the trail as necessary. El Camino Real Intersection Improvements Intersections will be improved along El Camino Real to better support the trail system. Intersection improvements are proposed along El Camino Real at the following streets: Quarry Road new detectable warning surfaces and minor signal modifications Palm Drive new curb ramps and island modifications Galvez Street new curb ramps and minor signal modifications Serra Street new curb ramps and signal modifications Stanford Avenue no improvements required A Caltrans permit will be required for work at all intersections along El Camino Real. Standard Multi-Use Trail Section The areas along El Camino Real with no trail will be improved with a new Class I trail located behind the existing fence. ~ 33 ~

14 2.4 Cost Estimate & Timeline The Stanford Perimeter Trail is estimated to cost $4.5 million. The cost estimate includes over $2.75 million for trail improvements, $690,000 for intersection improvements, and $1 million in soft costs including engineering (20%) and contingencies (10%). 4Q 2012 Project Agreement Stanford Perimeter Trail Estimated Project Schedule Q 2Q 3Q Q Engineering CEQA - GUP Checklist Permitting Stanford anticipates that it can complete detailed design work for the SPT by October 1, The design work will include site surveys, siting of improvements to avoid trees and other sensitive resources wherever feasible, and creation of a set of construction-level plans and drawings for agency review. Once design work has proceeded to the level at which project-specific information about environmental conditions can be determined, Stanford will prepare the GUP Checklist that it submits for all projects on the Stanford campus within unincorporated Santa Clara County. The GUP Checklist includes documentation of any project-specific effects on protected trees, oak woodlands, wetland areas, and sensitive wildlife species as well as other environmental topics addressed by the Environmental Impact Report for the Stanford Community Plan and GUP. For most campus construction projects, the County relies upon the GUP EIR, and applies the GUP EIR s mitigation measures to avoid or substantially reduce the project s environmental effects. Stanford estimates that it will be prepared to submit applications for County and other agency approval by October, The permitting process likely will take approximately six months. Section 2.5, following, lists the permits that may be required for the SPT. If it has obtained the necessary permits by the end of March 2014, Stanford estimates that it will be able to construct the SPT by the close of This is a realistic schedule based upon Stanford s recent experience constructing trails projects in unincorporated Santa Clara County and Portola Valley. 2Q Construction 3Q Permits The regulatory permits for the Stanford Perimeter Trail likely would include the following: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Construction work to realign the culvert that is located along Stanford Avenue between Bowdoin Street and Raimundo Way likely would require a federal permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. It is anticipated that one or more of the Corps Nationwide Permits would be used to authorize the work and simplify the permit process. The requirement for a federal permit also would trigger the need for a Water Quality Certification from the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board. Given the limited nature of the work and the anticipated use of the Corps streamlined Nationwide Permit process, permitting is expected to take approximately six months. California Department of Fish & Game: The realignment of the culvert could trigger the requirement for a Streambed Alteration Agreement under Section 1602 of the California Fish & Game Code. Note that Section 1602 provides that DFG may determine that no Streambed Alteration Agreement is necessary upon a finding that the activity would not have a substantial adverse effect on any fish or wildlife resource. The DFG approval process under Section 1602 is expected to take up to six months. California Department of Transportation: An encroachment permit from Caltrans would be needed for work at the El Camino Real intersections and in any state-controlled right of way. The permit process is expected to take up to six months. State Water Resources Control Board, General Storm Water Construction Permit: Construction work would require compliance with the SWRCB s General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction and Land Disturbance Activities. Coverage under the General Permit would be obtained by filing a Notice of Intent, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, and other required documentation. City of Palo Alto: An encroachment permit/street opening permit would be required for work within City right-of-way on El Camino Real between Serra Street and Stanford Avenue, and possibly within the City s right-of-way for Stanford Avenue between Escondido Road and Bowdoin Street. Review of project elements within the City of Palo Alto will be performed by the City s Architectural Review Board and Planning & Transportation Commission to ensure conformance with local design and transportation policy. Project segments within the County of Santa Clara will be coordinated with the County. Depending on the final project design details, a grading permit also could be required. The City approval process is expected to take up to six months. Santa Clara County: An encroachment permit would be required for work within County rightof-way on Stanford Avenue and Junipero Serra Boulevard. Architectural & Site Approval also would be required for work within the County s jurisdictional boundary. Depending on the final project design details, a grading permit also could be required. ~ 34 ~