3A Public Hearing 2009 0302 - Laserfiche WebLink

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to provide Fire Department access to the San Leandro Crossings project. Therefore, the Master Plan design incorporates and redesigns the Martinez Street right-of--way as an important public street which provides both vehicular and pedestrian access for the project. Given its importance as pedestrian access and as the "front door" to Phase 1 of the Master Plan developments, the street has been redesigned to include extensive landscaping with street trees, grass covered bio swales, a 12 foot wide multi-use path for both pedestrians and bicyclists and parallel parking adjacent to the west side of the street. It will also include a new decorative fence adjacent to the Western Pacific Rail Line. The goal is to create a rich environment for pedestrians and bicyclists as well as serve the needs for automobile access. The multi-use path provides pedestrian and bicycle access around the BART station and in the future could connect to the proposed East Bay Greenway bike corridor along the BART line. The street configuration at West Estudillo Avenue will be similar to Martinez with the exception of the fence and adjacent bio-swales. Parrott Street will also see major improvements with the addition of a traffic signal at this location. The signal will help control traffic into the project site and also along San Leandro Boulevard. Traffic studies completed for this intersection note that without signalization this section of San Leandro Boulevard could have a diminution of Level of Service causing a potentially significant environmental impact. However, these studies have shown that this impact can be mitigated with the installation of the traffic signal. The application includes the provision of paying for the traffic signal through Prop 1C grant funds. The four lanes of traffic will be reduced to three lanes to the west of the existing BART parking lot driveways. This will allow for an expanded sidewalk and landscaping on the north side of Parrott Street between Martinez Street and BART's station access sidewalk. This expanded sidewalk will provide an attractive and safe connection between the new Replacement Parking Garage and the BART station. Included with this change will be a revision to the railroad crossing equipment. The intersection at Parrott Street and Martinez Street will also be reconfigured. With the addition of the Replacement Parking Garage entrance and dedication of Martinez Street to the south of Parrott, this intersection will now serve multiple purposes. The pedestrian movement across this intersection and between the Replacement Parking Garage and the BART station will be enhanced though the provision of an enhanced crosswalk on Martinez Street. A new pedestrian park /paseo will be created between Alvarado Street and Martinez Street on the North side of San Leandro Crossings project. The paseo has been located and designed to provide a safer, more direct and more pedestrian friendly access to the BART station from the project and surrounding properties to the west. If approved, the West Estudillo -Western Pacific pedestrian railroad crossing will be relocated to line up with the new paseo. Sidewalk bulb outs will also be added at Martinez Street to improve pedestrian safety at the street crossing. New street and pedestrian lights will be added to the area providing an appealing and safe nighttime environment. Utilities: The following utilities will be relocated and/or upgraded within the site area: The overhead utility lines that run along the entire Martinez Street frontage will be placed underground in conjunction with the development. The City is undertaking a study of sewer and storm lines in the TOD area. It is anticipated that several sewer lines will require upgrades to allow for additional capacity within the TOD Strategy area. The sewer line that runs duectly beneath the proposed San Leandro Crossings West project will be abandoned and relocated to an alternate location. An existing EBMUD water line that runs under Martinez Street may require upgrades or rerouting. Planning Commission Staff Report January 22, 2009 San Leandro Crossings Public Hearing Page 4 of 12