Title
Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2022.04 seeking to improve traffic circulation due to increase in traffic in the Boronda area. (ADDED VIA ADDENDA)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2022.04 and:
b. Direct that staff proceed with completion of referral based on description in this report; or,
c. Direct that staff:
i. Proceed with completion of referral based on modifications by the Board; or,
ii. Return to Board with a more comprehensive analysis of referral and anticipated effort for completion; or,
iii. Rescind referral.
d. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
Referral Summary & Background:
On February 1, 2022, the Board added Supervisor Phillips’ and Lopez’s Referral No. 2022.04 to the County Board of Supervisors’ referral matrix. The referral is seeking to alleviate traffic congestion and improve traffic circulation in the Boronda area as a result of the population and business growth and the relocation of the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority (SVSWA) transfer station and Republic Services’ yard.
Proposed Project Description:
Based on the City of Salinas General Plan Circulation Element, several planned road improvements will affect access opportunities to the Boronda Community Area and/or traffic circulation patterns in the area. These improvements include the Rossi Street Extension and the Western Bypass.
The Western Bypass is proposed in the 2002 City of Salinas General Plan as a north/south expressway on the western edge of the City. The Western Bypass would begin at the Boronda Road/US 101 interchange and continue southwesterly to West Market Street (State Route 183). From West Market Street, it continues on to the south terminating at Blanco Road. The exact alignment of the Western Bypass has not been determined at this point. The 2002 General Plan identifies the Western Bypass as a four-lane roadway with right-of-way (ROW) for six lanes. Segments of Davis Road near Boronda Road on the north and Blanco Road on the south would be the northern and southern terminus of the Western Bypass, respectively. Rossi Street is an east to west major arterial beginning at Davis Road and ending at Sherwood Drive. The 2002 General Plan also indicates that Rossi Street would extend west to the planned Western Bypass.
The Rossi Street extension will not only provide access to the South Boronda Subarea, it will provide a new access route between the Boronda Community and N. Davis Road. The Rossi Street Extension is a planned four-lane roadway with a total ROW of 106 feet.
The Harvest Moon Agricultural Employee Housing Project recently constructed has been designed to accommodate the planned four-lane Rossi Street Extension. As constructed, the project design allows for accommodation of the possible four-lane road with a total ROW of 106 feet being developed through the site. Mitigation Measure T-2 of the project requires an irrevocable offer of this 106-foot ROW dedication to ensure no future conflicts.
In addition to the Harvest Moon project, there are several other contemplated projects in the Boronda area that would potentially contribute to congestions and circulation concerns. It is unknown at this time the number or scope of potential projects. As such, County staff suggests that the Board direct staff to return to the Board with a more comprehensive analysis that would include coordination with key stakeholders including property owners, leaseholders and the City of Salinas.
Estimated Project Cost:
The City of Salinas 2010 Traffic Improvement Program estimated the cost of the project to be approximately $2.5 Million. The County prepared a draft Boronda Community Plan in 2004, and the estimated cost of the project was approximately $4 Million (in 2003 dollars). The County’s costs are not fully determined at this time, but will consist primarily of staff time. Time impacts associated with this request may include staff time from Public Works, Facilities and Parks Department (PWFP), Housing and Community Development (HCD), County Counsel, City of Salinas (City), SVSWA, Republic, and TAMC.
Staffing Level Estimate:
Staffing level estimates are undetermined at this time, but anticipated to take many staff hours over the course of several months. Time impacts associated with this request may include staff time from HCD, PWFP, County Counsel, City of Salinas, SVSWA, Republic, and TAMC.
Departmental Challenges:
Coordination with stakeholders presents complexities including defining the appropriate agency to act as the lead agency (e.g., County, City or TAMC).
Proposed Response Date:
Staff proposes to return to the Board prior to June 30, 2022.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action supports the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Initiatives for Infrastructure and Public Safety. Having another egress/ingress road into and out of the Boronda community is consistent with the goals of efficient evacuation capability from fire response agencies, and the Board of Forestry’s draft Fire Safe Regulations.
__Economic Development
__Administration
__Health & Human Services
_X_Infrastructure
_X_Public Safety
Prepared by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Board Referral No. #2022.04