CITY OF LOS ALTOS STEVENS CREEK TRAIL FEASIBILITY STUDY Final Plan JULY 2008 Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study July 2008 Final Plan Prepared for: Larry Lind City of Los Altos One North San Antonio Road Los Altos, California 94022 Prepared by: Alta Planning + Design 2560 9th Street, Suite 212 Berkeley, CA 94710 (510) 540-5008 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................................................v 1. EXISTING CONDITIONS....................................................................................................................1-1 1.1. Project overview and Purpose ......................................................................................................................1-1 1.2. Project Setting and Study Area .....................................................................................................................1-1 1.3. Goals and Objectives......................................................................................................................................1-3 1.4. Summary of Relevant Plans & Policies........................................................................................................1-4 1.4.1. City of Los Altos............................................................................................................................1-4 1.4.2. Santa Clara County........................................................................................................................1-7 1.4.3. City of Cupertino...........................................................................................................................1-8 1.4.4. City of Mountain View .................................................................................................................1-9 1.4.5. Association of Bay Area Governments......................................................................................1-9 1.4.6. Other Relevant Agencies..............................................................................................................1-9 2. INFORMATION GATHERING ........................................................................................................2-1 2.1. Public Process..................................................................................................................................................2-1 2.1.1. Stevens Creek Trail Task Force...................................................................................................2-1 2.1.2. Public Workshop 1........................................................................................................................2-1 2.1.3. Public Workshop 2........................................................................................................................2-3 2.2. City Meetings ...................................................................................................................................................2-5 2.2.1. Mountain View...............................................................................................................................2-5 2.2.2. Sunnyvale ........................................................................................................................................2-5 2.2.3. Cupertino ........................................................................................................................................2-5 3. USER NEEDS.............................................................................................................................................3-1 3.1. User Groups ....................................................................................................................................................3-1 3.1.1. Commuter and Utility Trip Needs..............................................................................................3-1 3.1.2. Recreational needs.........................................................................................................................3-2 3.2. Surrounding land uses & destinations..........................................................................................................3-2 3.2.1. Residential Communities..............................................................................................................3-2 3.2.2. Commercial Centers......................................................................................................................3-3 3.2.3. Parks & Open Space .....................................................................................................................3-3 3.2.4. Other Transportation Modes.......................................................................................................3-3 3.2.5. Traffic Volumes.............................................................................................................................3-3 3.3. Collision Data..................................................................................................................................................3-4 3.4. Projected usage................................................................................................................................................3-4 4. ANALYSIS OF TRAIL ALTERNATIVES ..................................................................................4-1 4.1. Evaluation Criteria..........................................................................................................................................4-1 4.1.1. Safety to the Trail User.................................................................................................................4-1 4.1.2. Accessibility to Los Altos Residents...........................................................................................4-1 4.1.3. Environmental Impacts................................................................................................................4-1 4.1.4. Connections to Key Destinations ...............................................................................................4-2 i Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study 4.1.5. Traffic Impacts...............................................................................................................................4-2 4.1.6. Trail Environment.........................................................................................................................4-2 4.1.7. Neighborhood Impact ..................................................................................................................4-2 4.1.8. Homeowner Security.....................................................................................................................4-2 4.1.9. Opportunities for Multiple User Groups...................................................................................4-2 4.1.10. Directness of Route ....................................................................................................................4-3 4.1.11. Public Support .............................................................................................................................4-3 4.1.12. Timing ...........................................................................................................................................4-3 4.2. Stevens Creek Trail Alternatives...................................................................................................................4-3 4.2.1. Alternative 1 – Bryant Avenue Connector ................................................................................4-4 4.2.2. Alternative 2 – Truman Avenue/Oak Avenue Connector .....................................................4-4 4.2.3. Alternative 3 – Stevens Creek/Fremont Avenue Connector .................................................4-4 4.2.4. Alternative 4 – Split Bicycle/Pedestrian Option ......................................................................4-5 4.2.5. Alternative 5 – Fallen Leaf Connector.......................................................................................4-5 4.3. Evaluation of Alternatives .............................................................................................................................4-5 4.3.1. Safety to the Trail User.................................................................................................................4-6 4.3.2. Accessibility to Los Altos Residents - Evaluation ....................................................................4-6 4.3.3. Environmental Impacts - Evaluation .........................................................................................4-6 4.3.4. Connections to Key Destinations - Evaluation ........................................................................4-6 4.3.5. Traffic Impacts - Evaluation........................................................................................................4-6 4.3.6. Trail Environment - Evaluation..................................................................................................4-6 4.3.7. Neighborhood Impact - Evaluation ...........................................................................................4-7 4.3.8. Homeowner Security - Evaluation..............................................................................................4-7 4.3.9. Opportunities for Multiple User Groups - Evaluation............................................................4-7 4.3.10. Directness of Route