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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.F 12/21/2009 CITY OF PETALUMA~ CALIFORNIA °~° ~ AGENDA ILI.~ ®ecernber 21, 2009 Agenda Title: Resolution- Supporting the Petaluma Pedestrian and Bicycle Meeting Date: Dec. 21, 2009 Advisory Committee's Comment Letter on the November 2009, Draft En==vironmental Impact Report Prepared by the-North Coast Rail Authority , Meeting Time: 7:00 P1VI Category: ^ Presentation ^ Appointments ®Consent ^ Public Hearing ^ Unfinished Business ^ New Business Department: Dire or: Contact Person.: Phone Number: ~ - Public Works Vinc ngo Curt Bates 778-4311 Total Cost of Proposal or Proiect: Naane of Fund: N/A Public Works staff time Account Number: N/A Amount Budi;eted: N/A Current Fund Balance: N/A Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council take the following action: Adopt a resolution supporting the Petaluma Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee's comment letter on the Draft Environmental Impact Report prepared by the North Coast'Rai'I Authority. 1. ^ First reading of Ordinance approved unanimously, or with unanimous vote to,allow posting prior to second reading 2. ^ FirstYeading of Ordinance approved without unanimous vote: Ordinance has been published/posted prior to second reading; see Attachment 3. ^ Other action requiring special notice: Notice has been given, see Attachment Summary Statement: At .its regular meeting, on December 9, 2009, the Petaluma Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PBAC) discussed and ;took public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for proposed freight rail expansion,. services by the North Coasi Rail Authority (NCRA). It was the determination of the PBAC that the DEIR did not adequately address public access and trails along rail rights of way within the City of Petaluma. The 'PBAC has prepared a written response to the NCRA, documenting its findings and recommendations related to public access and rail trails. The PBAC is requesting that. the City Council adopt a resolution in support of the PBAC's<finding, to include as public comment and forwardto the NRCA. The public comment period for the DEIR closes on December 31, 2009. Attachments to AtSenda Packet Item: 1. Resolution. 2. Comment letter.from the Petaluma Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Reviewed by Finance Director: Reviewed by City Attorney: A roved b Mana er: Date: Z - / -Date: ~ Date: ~Z .~ Rev. # qa _ ~/ Date`Lest RevlSed: Flle: s:\Traffic Division Folder\CC Agenda Reports\PBAC City Council ~ Agenda ltemsWCRA DEIR comment letter staff report.doc ATTACHMENT '~ RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PETALUMA PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S LETTER ON THE. NOVEMBER 2009, DRAFT ENVIORMENTAL IMPACT REPORT PREPARED BY THE NORTH COAST RAIL AUTHORITY WHEREAS, on its regular meeting of December 9, 2009, the Petaluma Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee (PBAC) reviewed and solicited public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) proposed freight rail expansion; and WHEREAS, the PBAC determined the need for the DEIR to more adequately address public access and trails within rail rights of way in the City of Petaluma; and WHEREAS, the PBAC has prepared a comment letter tating such comments; and WHEREAS, the PBAC has requested that the City Council adopt a resolution in support of the aforementioned comment letter. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Petaluma hereby: I. Supports the comment letter, dated December 15, 2009, prepared by the PBAC, and; 2. Directs the PBAC and staff to submit said comment letter to the NCRA to include as public comment for the DEIR. 2 C:1TraYfii Dig isi~n Folder~.C:C Agend~~ Rc}x>rts11'Bf~AC City Couneil ~l~~atcl ~ Items',NCRA DEIR r~mment letter st~tf rcpo~~t.doc A~TAC ENT 2 Committee: Abercrombie, Asselmeier**, Ferguson, Hatheway, Hauswald, Lofroos*, Renee, Webster, Vetter *Chair; **Vice Chair Staff: Curtis Bates, Public Works; Jennifer Williams, Staff Mitch Stogner, Executive Director North Coast Railroad Authority 419 Talmage Road, Suite M Ukiah, CA 95482 RE: SCN #2007072052 NCRA Russian River Division Freight Rail Project Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) Comments Dear Mr. Stogner, The Petaluma Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PBAC) reviewed the above referenced draft EIR. Due to concerns that arose earlier in the year when SCTA sent a letter regarcling'tlie bicycle path in NWP right of way, we have recommended action to submit comments to the NCRA DEIR. As avid bicyclists speaking on behalf of Petaluma, a tourist destination.for-the bicycle touring community, the Petaluma PBAC would encourage and support a contiguous and uninterrupted trail :along the 70-mile SMART line aS was voted by SMART district voters in November 2008 when approving a sales tax measure. PBAC appreciates your support in updating the trail guidelines to review projects on a case-by-case basis, and encourages NCRA to approve the trail. projects over which it has jurisdiction. Because the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists is of the utmost importance, the PBAC would also stress that maintaining a safe trail can be accomplished throughout the 70 miles of track when review standards are clear:, PBAC encourages the full effort ofNCRA to accommodate Rails and Trails programs when reviewing programs, in order to determine appropriate safety mitigations where setbacks are closer than typically accommodated along the track. This is vital to designing successful fixture program applications. As stated, Petaluma has seen a pleasant increase in bicycle tourism, with visitors staying. in local accommodations while en route to touring.Sonoma County and beyond. A contiguous and uninterrupted 70-mile trail would ensure both tourists, and residents alike would have an alternative safe, healthy means of (raveling the North Bay. Thank you, for your considerations. Sincerely, Kit Lofroos Chair, Petaluma Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee.