HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-02-27; City Council; 16086; Circulation Element Roadways Into City Road SystemCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENM BILL
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DEPT. CA
TITLE-
iib&lON OF A COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
REGARDING ACCEPTANCE OF CIRCULATION ELEMENT
ROADWAYS INTO THE CITY ROAD SYSTEM
DEPT. HD.
CITY ATTY.
CITY MGR. %
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt Council Policy Statement No. 63 announcing the Council’s policy for acceptance
of Circulation Element roadways into the City road system.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
The Council has established a Council Policy Manual which contains the written policies
indicating how the Council intends to rule in the future on particular items of a recurring
nature and which are subject to its discretion. (CMC §1.20.580). Policies become effective
after receiving at least four affirmative votes. (Council Policy Statement No.1).
Circulation Element roadways are shown in the Circulation Element of the General Plan.
Such roadways are generally constructed in segments resulting from conditions in approved
subdivisions. The ultimate acceptance and opening of these road segments is a two-step
process. First, the roadway must be constructed according to City standards and the
physical improvements accepted in accordance with a Subdivision Improvement Agreement.
Second, the roadway must be accepted into the roadway system by resolution of the City
Council. (Sts. & High. Code $1806).
The attached Council Policy Statement recognizes this process and permits the Council to
decide whether and when it is appropriate to open a Circulation Element roadway to through
traffic.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The adoption of a Council Policy Statement is not a project within the meaning of the
California Environmental Quality Act under Public Resources Code section 21080. The EIR
for the General Plan including the Circulation Element for the General Plan was certified by
the City Council on September 6, 1994. Each development project containing a portion or
link of a Circulation Element is processed under the appropriate CEQA process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Other than minor expenditures of staff time, the adoption of this policy will not have a
significant fiscal impact. The timing of the opening and acceptance of segments of
circulation roadways into the City road system may have a fiscal impact on liabilities and
maintenance and operations of an unknown amount.
EXHIBITS:
I. Council Policy Statement No. 63
2. Letter from Mayor Lewis appearing in the North County Times on February 16, 2001,
illustrating how the various City policies may affect a given road.
CITY OF CARLSBAD
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
General Subject: ACCEPTANCE OF ROADS
Policy No. 63
Date Issued 2&‘-a/
Effective Date a ‘X7-01
Cancellation Date
Supersedes No.
Specific Subject: PROCEDURE FOR ACCEPTANCE OR CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF
CIRCULATION ELEMENT ROADWAYS OR PORTIONS OF SUCH ROADWAYS INTO THE
CITY STREET SYSTEM
Copies to: City COUnCil, City Manager, City Attorney, Department and Division Heads,
Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File
PURPOSE:
To establish a policy on the acceptance or conditional acceptance of Circulation Element
roadways or portions of such roadways into the City street system.
The City of Carlsbad is strategically situated in North San Diego County such that its location
requires facilities to accommodate local and regional traffic. In recognition of this requirement,
the City Council has adopted the Circulation Element of the General Plan as a way to ensure a
comprehensive manner and method for the circulation of people, goods, energy, water,
sewage, storm waters, communications and services. The primary focus of that element is to
provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods within the City of Carlsbad
and to provide for public access to all existing and future land uses identified in the General
Plan. It also identifies how transportation systems will link with surrounding jurisdictions and be
coordinated with regional transportation plans.
That element ensures that circulation facilities are provided concurrent with their need under
the Growth Management Program and the numerous policies, programs and ordinances
related thereto. The Circulation Plan was developed utilizing computerized traffic modeling
and analysis of projected land uses contained in the General Plan as well as the land use
plans of surrounding communities. It has been developed using computerized modeling
techniques conducted by the San Diego Association of Governments. This element is
designed to address the various components of the circulation system and to provide the basic
policies and guidelines for the development of a safe, efficient and aesthetically pleasing
transportation network.
The Circulation Element recognizes that the Growth Management Program establishes
minimum performance standards for the provision of basic public infrastructure and that, for the
most part, roads and their related public utilities will be constructed as a condition of
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development activity guided by the policies in the General Plan and the standards of the
Growth Management Plan. The timing of construction of missing Circulation Element
roadways or links is, for the most part, a function of development activity and, financed by
facility impact fees or other funding sources, subject to the City’s Capital Improvement
Program. The Capital Improvement Program must balance the availability of revenues with the
various competing needs for public facility construction. The Council by means of these
policies and standards ensures that the Circulation Elements will be timely completed and
opened as needed by the residents of Carlsbad and surrounding communities.
Therefore, in recognition of this background the City Council adopts this Policy.
STATEMENT OF POLICY:
1. Council recognizes that it has delegated authority to the City Manager the power to
accept streets and roads of a subdivision into the street system pursuant to Cadsbad
Municipal Code section 11.04.050. However, when those streets or roads are shown on
the Circulation Element of the General Plan, the City Manager shall refer them to the
City Council for acceptance or conditional acceptance.
2. The City Council shall formally accept the improvements and shall exercise its discretion
as to whether and when to accept such road or street into the City street system by
resolution as required under Streets and Highways Code section 1806. In exercising its
discretion, the City Council shall consider the policies of the General Plan, the standards
of the Growth Management Plan, the safety and needs of the traveling public including
the impacts on existing roadways and intersections and the anticipated level of service,
the anticipated traffic volumes, and the impacts on existing residential neighborhoods,
public facilities, commercial districts, pedestrian and other needs which in the opinion of
the City Council are necessary and appropriate for the orderly, safe and efficient
development of the circulation system . If the Council conditionally accepts a road into the City street system, it may specify the events or timing prior to the opening to through
traffic including, but not limited to, the construction of other links of the circulation
system and other mitigation measures.
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CITY OF CARLSBAD ClRCULATlON RAV
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lLo?&dti l2$p&ddw -w w&i BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON &w-o/
STREET DEVELOPMENT IN CARLSBAD
The development of streets in Carlsbad is guided by a number of
policies and documents. The major street system is laid out in the
Circulation Element of the General Plan. The Circulation Element
classifies streets by the amount of traffic they are designed to carry.
The streets are designed in accordance with standards that will
accommodate traffic generated from within the City, as well as
traffic generated outside the City that can be expected to travel into
and through the City. The Carlsbad General Plan has designated
major regional streets. Major streets in Carlsbad have been laid out
to coordinate with adjacent cities to provide a smooth linkage for
these regional streets that extend through more than one
jurisdiction. A plan has been in place for years and was
painstakingly developed in coordination with other agencies.
Carlsbad has always planned to do its share to participate in
developing the regional street network. La Costa Avenue, Palomar
Airport Road, El Camino Real and the construction of new
interchanges at I-5 and Poinsettia Lane, Palomar Airport Road and
La Costa Avenue are prime examples of Carlsbad commitment.
Carlsbad will continue to do its share in the future. The missing
links of College Avenue, Cannon Road, Faraday Avenue and
Poinsettia are actively being pushed forward for completion as soon
’ as possible. Extensive realignment and widening of Ranch0 Santa
Fe Road will soon begin.
Carlsbad wants to build out its circulation system in order to
provide adequate circulation for both local and regional users of
Carlsbad streets.
The days are long gone since the time you could merely grade a road
and throw down some pavement. Street construction takes years
and involves a number of discrete steps such as right-of-way
acquisition, environmental assessment, financing programs, design,
permitting by state and federal agencies, as well as the construction
time. This can be a time-consuming and frustrating process, but it is
important so as to not adversely affect the human and natural
environment. Built into this process are numerous opportunities for
public ,participation. All input from various stakeholders must be
carefully evaluated and considered.
Carlsbad has a duty to protect the health and safety of City
residents, as well as all members of the general public who work in
and visit the City. As the City develops, sequencing the development
and the opening of all public facilities, including streets, take into
account how the construction and operation of those facilities will
impact the neighborhood as well as the community at large.
The answers are not always easy and often there are trade-offs that
need to be made to serve the greatest public good. The old adage of
“first do no harm” is always a consideration. Careful study of issues
and full knowledge of the consequences of an action or decision must
be understood.
We all desire convenience and ease of movement and access when we
travel. Carlsbad is concerned that safety not be sacrificed for
convenience’s sake. Carlsbad will not trade-off safety for
convenience.
Often, mitigation measures can be taken to reduce risks to an
. acceptable level. However, until the City Council is convinced a
street can safely be opened, and measures have been taken to
mitigate unacceptable impacts on neighborhoods, the project will
not proceed.
As Carlsbad continues to develop, the timing of the construction of
various public improvements will become more difficult if the City is
to maintain a quality of life and high standards that the community
expects. After careful study, and based on good information and
public input, decisions will be made that serve the public well.
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