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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-02-06; Traffic Safety Commission; ; Revise a portion of the Pedestrian Section of the Circulation Element of the General PlanCITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION COMMISSION REPORT OF: February 6, 1989 ITEM N0.__§_8_ LOCATION: Citywide INITIATED BY: Traffic Engineering Division REQUESTED ACTION: Revise a portion of the Pedestrian Section of the Circulation Element of the General Plan BACKGROUND: DATA: Key Element No. 1 of the Pedestrian Action Pl an states: "Expand Pedestrian Section of the Circulation Element at the time revisions to the General Plan take place. Insert a policy statement(s) that relates to pedestrian needs and objectives." An overall review and revision of the Circulation Element of the General Plan is not taking place at this time. However, the Planning Director is working with the General Plan Subcommittee and this Subcommittee, composed of three Planning Cammi ssi oners, may recommend some changes to the General Pl an. The Pedestrian Section of the Circulation Element is recommended for minor .revisions at this time. Attached is Section D.6 of the existing City of Carlsbad Circulation Element that discusses pedestrians. A General Plan for each city in California is required by State Planning and Zoning Law. In very broad terms, the General Pl an represents a planning effort to identify the issues and dynamics of City growth so that growth and development can be oriented in a direction and in accordance with the goals and desires of the Community. The General Pl an represents a public document that appraises where a City is, the direction the City wishes to proceed in and establishes a program for attaining the desired end result. State law requires that the General Plan consist of various elements, one of which is the Circulation Element. A Circulation Element consists of the general location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, and other local public utilities and facilities, all of which must be coordinated with the Land Use Element of the General Plan. TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION COMMISSION REPORT OF: February 6, 1989 ITEM NO. 6A (Continued) Alt hough once adopted by the City Council , amendments can st i 11 occ ur to the General Plan. State law provides for the amendment of the General Plan, but not more than three times during any calendar year. Affirmative votes by both the Planning Commission and City Council is necessary, after each body has conducted at least one public hearing. The Pedestrian Section of the Circulation Element is but one component of the overall Circulation Element. One purpose of the various aspects contained in the Circulation Element is to establish a meaningful interrelationship and basis for the resolution of conflicts. Minimizing conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles is always being attempted. Walking is one form of transportation that must be provided for and encouraged through suitable means. Pedestrian networks should be constructed to include the convenient movement of people, goods, and services, thereby promoting walking as a viable transportation alternative. The design and location of land uses to encourage access by non-automotive means is one such way to promote pedestrian movement. By creating environments conducive to walking and designing developments to a human scale, the above pedestrian issues can be achieved. In comparison to Circulation Elements of other cities throughout southern California and the level to which pedestrian issues are · addressed, the Pedestrian Section in the City of Carlsbad Circulation Element contains as much or more descriptive narrative. As such, Carlsbad's Pedestrian Section appears to have been developed in the spirit of intent of a General Plan, and overall, is quite detailed. A few minor revisions could be recommended and are incorporated in Exhibit A which indicates the existing and proposed wording for the Pedestrian Section of the Circulation Element. RECOMMENDATION: The Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends that the modifications as indicated on Exhibit A be incorporated into the Pedestrian Section of the Circulation Element. NECESSARY CITY COUNCIL ACTION: The proposed modifications must be approved by the City Council after con sideration and approval by the Planning Commission. EXHIBIT A -PEDESTRIAN SECTION Proposed Modifications D.6 Pedestrian: Sidewalks and other pedestrian areas can be made safer and more pleasant by separating them, wherever possible, from vehicular traffic. Pedestrian movement and safety should be facilitated and encouraged by creating environments conducive to walking. Policies D.6.1 Additional strategic parking, increased sidewalk widths, and landscaping and street furniture should be provided in commercial areas to help separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic. D.6.2 Sidewalks should be provided in: 1) residential areas; 2) around schools; 3) at parks and 4) at entrances to public buildings. D.6.3 New construction and redevelopment should consider the design of pedestrian spaces in relation to land uses and available parking. Policies D.4.1. D.4.2. A representative of the City of Carlsbad shall serve on the Board of Directors of the North County Transit District, participating in the development and imple- mentation of policies, plan proposals and standards affecting Carlsbad. Park-and-Ride facilities shall be planned and coordi- nated with CALTRANS, NCTD and SANDAG. D.S. Air Travel: McClellan-Palomar Airport is currently operating as a general aviation airport within the City of Carlsbad. The airport is operated by the County of San Diego. Authorization by voters in the City is required for airport expansion. Policies D.5.1 D.5.2 The McClellan-Palomar Airport will continue to be designated and operated as a general aviation airport. The City of Carlsbad opposes any proposed expansion of the airport without the approval of a majority of the City's qualified electors at an . election held for such a purpose. D.6. Pedestrian: Sidewalks and other pedestrian areas can be made safer and more pleasant by separating them, wherever possible, from vehicular traffic. D.6.1. D.6.2. Additional strategic parking, increased sidewalk widths, and landscaping and street furniture should be provided in commercial areas to help separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Sidewalks should be provided in all residential areas. 7 D.6.3. New construction and redevelopment should consider the design of pedestrian spaces in relation to land uses and available parking. D.7. Bicycle Routes: The bicycle routes shown on the Bicycle Routes map in this Circulation Element represent general locations for these facilities rather than specific plans. The bicycle routes for the City include those depicted in San Diego County's "1990 General Plan -Circulation Element - Bicycle Network." The roads Carlsbad Boulevard, El Camho Real, Palomar Airport Road, and Rancho Santa Fe Road. Policies: D.7 .1. D.7.2.. D. 7 .3. D.7 .4. The development of bike routes should be coordinated with the Parks & Recreation Element of the General Plan. Existing and proposed cultural and educational facilities should be served by bicycle routes. Bicycle routes should be located along designated scenic highways (Scenic Highways Element), wherever possible. All bicycle routes shall be designed in accordance with the "Bike Route Standards," Section 7-1000 of the State of California Highway Design Manual. D.8. Parking: The City of Carlsbad has adopted standards in the zoning ordinance for off-street parking for land uses within the City. Policies D.8.1. Safe, adequate, and attractively landscaped off-stree t parking facilities should be provided with all new development. 8