HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions 2011-080 N.C.S. 05/16/2011Resolution No. 2011 -080 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
APPROVING LETTER TO CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION ON DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS FOR
PETALUMA BOULEVARD SOUTH INTERCHANGE
WHEREAS, Caltrans and the Sonoma County Transportation Authority have redesigned
the Petaluma Boulevard South highway interchange in conjunction with the Highway 101
widening project currently underway; and,
WHEREAS, the project, which is scheduled to begin construction in the summer of
2012, is located on county land and adds frontage roads, eliminates driveways and other unsafe
roads that lead directly onto the highway; and,
WHEREAS, community concerns have been raised on the impacts the design has on
traffic circulation with the additional stoplights and a ramp metering light; and,
WHEREAS, delaying the project would jeopardize $35 million in competitive state
funds that will expire in December 2012 if they are not dedicated to the project; and,
WHEREAS, Council has agreed to send a letter to Caltrans, asking them to consider if a
nonstandard design that is less disruptive to local traffic would be feasible, and also asking them
to consider softening the visual impact of the planned retaining wall with ivy or other vegetation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Petaluma City Council hereby
approves and authorizes the Mayor to sign the letter to Caltrans.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Vov as to
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 16` day of May, 2011
by the following vote:
City Attorney
AYES: Albertson, Barrett, Mayor Glass, Harris, Vice Mayor Healy, Kearney, Renee
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
City Clerk a
Resolution No. 2011 -080 N.C.S. Page 1
ATTACHMENT
May 17, 201 1
Mr. Bijan Sartipi, District Director
Department of Transportation
11 1 Grand Avenue
P.O. Box 23660
Oakland, CA 94623 -0660
RE: Petaluma Blvd. South Interchange
Marin Sonoma Narrows Project B -2
Dear Mr. Sartipi:
The Petaluma City Council has directed me to write to you with respect to the design of the
Petaluma Blvd. South interchange project, which as you know is fully funded and scheduled for
contract award in July 2012. We are also aware that this project has environmental clearance
because it was included in the EIR /S for the Marin- Sonoma Narrows HOV Widening Project,
which was certified in 2009.
Members of our community have only recently focused on the implications of this project for
local traffic circulation. Petaluma residents have grown accustomed to the convenient access
from town to southbound 101 afforded by the existing, non - standard interchange configuration.
Thus, southbound drivers now encounter no stop signs or traffic signals as they leave town and
merge onto the highway.
In contrast, with the approved interchange design, southbound drivers will encounter three
traffic signals getting through the interchange, plus a fourth new signal at Landing Way not
associated with the interchange, plus the required ramp metering light. Many of our citizens are
quite upset at the dramatic increase in difficulty to get onto the highway.
We recognize that your agency made all efforts to reach out to the public during the many
years the MSN project was being planned. Nevertheless, this important aspect of the project
has largely escaped notice until now.
We are very mindful of the complex funding package that has been assembled for this project,
as well as the tight timeframes associated with that funding, and we do not wish to do anything
that jeopardizes the timely delivery of this important project. With that caveat, however, we do
request that Caltrans consider expeditiously whether a nonstandard design that is less disruptive
of local traffic would meet the needs of Caltrans. In particular, we request consideration of a
non - standard undercrossing design similar to the existing configuration.
We also request consideration of one design issue not connected with local traffic circulation.
The large retaining wall planned along the eastern edge of the project, while directly adjoining
industrial properties, is highly visible from a city park directly across the Petaluma River. We
would ask if ivy or other vegetation could be considered to soften the visual impact of this wall.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of these matters.
Sincerely,
David Glass
Mayor of Petaluma
cc: Suzanne Smith, SCTA
Resolution No. 2011 -080 N.C.S. Page 2