Agenda packet, first session — Palmdale City Council, August 17, 2022 (part 1 of 2)

The Council Chamber is open for in-person public comment and seating. The Mayor and/or one or more members of the City Council may participate virtually in this meeting.

How to observe the meeting virtually:

1. Spectrum local access Channel 27

2. Online live webcast at www.cityofpalmdale.org.

How to Submit Public Comments:

VERBAL PUBLIC COMMENT DURING THE MEETING – ZOOM Number: US: +1 669 444 9171 Webinar ID: 846 5608 9590 Passcode: 507411
Webinar attendee link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84656089590? pwd=b3ZCNzVDalIrUWhnZ1lUdURHWVVvdz09
Verbal comments must be limited to three (3) minutes. Public comments submitted will become part of the official meeting record.

The safety and well-being of employees and the public remains the City's top priority. The City of Palmdale appreciates your patience and understanding during these challenging times.

The City Council is making every effort to follow the spirit and intent of the Brown Act and

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
38300 SIERRA HIGHWAY

SUITE B
PALMDALE, CA 93550
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022
5:00 PM
7:00 PM
www.cityofpalmdale.org

WELCOME
City Council
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
other applicable laws regulating the conduct of public meetings in order to maximize transparency and public access.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if you require a disability- related modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (661) 267-5151 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.

If you require oral Spanish translation, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (661) 267- 5151 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.

Your courtesy is requested to help our meetings run smoothly. If you’ll be kind enough to follow these simple rules, we can make the best possible use of your time and ours:

Please refrain from public displays or outbursts, such as unsolicited applause, comments, cheering, foul language or obscenities.

Any disruptive activities that substantially interfere with the ability of the City Council to carry out its meeting will not be permitted and offenders will be asked to leave the meeting.

Please turn off/mute your cell phones and mobile devices.

5:00 P.M.

1. MAYOR TO CALL MEETINGS TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL

MAYOR HOFBAUER, MAYOR PRO TEM LOA,

COUNCILMEMBERS CARRILLO, BISHOP, BETTENCOURT

3. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
The public is invited to comment on any closed session item listed below. Please submit a Speaker's Form to the City Clerk
BEFORE
this portion of the meeting begins. Each
person addressing the Council is customarily given up to three minutes to speak (with double the time allotted to non-English speakers using a translator). The amount of time authorized may be adjusted by the chair. If you wish to provide information to the Council, please present the City Clerk with 7 copies. Otherwise, your materials will simply be added to the administrative record. If you are attending the meeting by phone, please press *9 to "raise your hand." If attending by personal computer, please click the "raise your hand" button. Press *6 to un-mute yourself, state your name and begin speaking.

City Council
Wednesday, August 17, 2022

4. PRESENTATION BY CITY ATTORNEY

4.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1).

Name of case: John J. Murphy v. City of Palmdale;
Los Angeles County Superior Court Case Number: 22STCV22544 Related City Claim Number: 2022-007

4.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Shanae Smith, Patricia Nevarez and Michael "Mike" Behen vs. City of Palmdale, et al.

Los Angeles County Superior Court
Case No. 22STCV18219
This closed session is being held pursuant to the authority of California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1).

4.3 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
Ricci v. City of Palmdale, et al.

Los Angeles County Superior Court
Case No. 22STCV01269
This closed session is being held pursuant to the authority of California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1).

4.4 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Leona Valley Town Council vs. City of Palmdale, et al.

Los Angeles County Superior Court
Case No. 22STCP01932
This closed session is being held pursuant to the authority of California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)

5. ANNOUNCEMENT BY CITY ATTORNEY

6. ADJOURN CLOSED SESSION MEETING

7:00 P.M.

7. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF OUR TROOPS

8. PRESENTATION

8.1 Presentation by Mayor and Council of Certificates of Recognition to the District 51 City Council
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Palmdale Little League, District Champions.

9. WAIVER OF FULL READING OF RESOLUTION(S) and ORDINANCE(S) Staff Recommendation: Move to waive full reading of the Resolution (s) and/or Ordinance(s) to be considered and voted on at this meeting. (Voice Vote - Requires a majority to waive.)

10. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON LISTED AGENDA ITEMS (EXCLUDING PUBLIC

HEARINGS)
You may address the Council once per meeting during Public Comments. This portion of the public comment is on any item listed on the agenda, excluding public hearings (if any). Public comment on public hearing items (if any) will be heard when that matter is considered. To address the Council regarding an item on the agenda, please fill out a Speaker's Form and submit it to the City Clerk
BEFORE
the Mayor announces the item.

Each person addressing the Council is customarily given up to three mi nutes to speak
(with double the time allotted to non-English speakers using a translator). The amount of time authorized may be adjusted by the chair. If you wish to provide information to the Council, please present the City Clerk with 7 copies. Otherwise, your materials will simply be added to the administrative record. If you are attending the meeting by phone, please press *9 to "raise your hand." If attending by personal computer, please click the "raise your hand" button. Press *6 to un-mute yourself, state your name and begin speaking.

11. CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar will be enacted by one motion unless an item(s) is pulled by Council, in which case the item(s) will be removed from the Calendar and will be considered separately following this portion of the Agenda.

11.1 Approve agreement with Parsons Transportation Group for environmental and design services for PN 852, Avenue P (Rancho Vista Boulevard) @ Sierra Highway Railroad Crossing Improvement Project, in the amount of $540,170. (Staff Reference: Director of Public Works Heffernan - Presented by Deputy Director of Public Works Glidden)

Staff_Report_A-7992_Parsons_Agreement.docx

Parsons Transportation Group - Agreement 7992.pdf

11.2 Adopt Resolution No. CC 2022-088, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale Making Legally Required Findings for Extending Remote Teleconference Participation for Meetings of the City Council and its Related and/or Subordinate Legislative Bodies. (Staff Reference: Acting City Attorney Porter)

SR_-_RESO_Authorizing_Remote_Meetings_081722.docx

RESO_-088Continuing_Remote_Meeting_authorization_-_For_Aug_17_2022.docx

City Council
Wednesday, August 17, 2022

12. PUBLIC HEARING

12.1 Public Hearing and Review of Proposed Resolution No. CC 2022-086, Regarding the Palmdale East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study. (Director of Economic and Community Development Garibay - Presented by Associate Planner Alvarado)

ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2022-086, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE APPROVING THE PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS STUDY.

CC_SR_-_Ave_Q_Study.docx

Avenue_Q_Corridor_Study_CC_Resolution__1_.doc

Exhibit II - Palmdale Ave Q Complete Streets_Final April 2022.pdf

Exhibit II - Appendices_FINAL April 2022.pdf

Avenue Q Complete Streets Study_CC Presentation.pptx

12.2 Public Hearing and Review of Proposed Ordinance No. 1588, an ordinance levying special taxes within the City. (Staff Reference: Director of Public Works Heffernan)

ORDINANCE NO. 1588, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE

CITY OF PALMDALE LEVYING SPECIAL TAXES WITHIN CITY OF PALMDALE COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2022-1 (CITYWIDE MAINTENANCE

AND SERVICES)

Ord 1588 Public Hearing Staff Report_final.doc

Ordinance 1588 LevyingSpTx.docx

12.3 Public Hearing and Review of Proposed Ordinance No. 1594 for adoption. (Staff Reference: Director of Economic and Community Development Garibay - Presented by Senior Planner Magana)

ORDINANCE NO. 1594, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE APPROVING ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 21-006 AMENDING PALMDALE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 17.42 (MEDIUM RESIDENTIAL, R-2), 17.43 (MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL, R-3), 17.44 (HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL, R-4), and 17.73 (MIXED-USE OVERLAY, MX) TO

REQUIRE CONFORMANCE WITH THE DRAFT MULTI-FAMILY AND MIXED- USE DESIGN STANDARDS.

ZOA_21-006.docx

ZOA 21-006_CC Ordinance No. 1594.doc

City Council
Wednesday, August 17, 2022

12.4 Public Hearing and Review of Proposed Ordinance No. 1593 for Adoption. (Staff Reference: Interim City Manager Perez - Presented by City Council Chief of Staff Zayas).

ORDINANCE NO. 1593, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE ADDING CHAPTER 9 (UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROHIBITED) OF TITLE 10 (VEHICLES AND

TRAFFIC) OF THE PALMDALE MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING

REGULATIONS PROHIBITING THE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IN THE CITY.

SR_Catalytic_Converter_Ordinance_v2.docx

Catalytic Converter Ordinance.doc

12.5 Public Hearing and Review of Proposed Resolution CC 2022-091 for adoption. (Staff Reference: Interim City Manager Perez - Presented by City Council Chief of Staff Zayas).

RESOLUTION NO. CC 2022-091, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF

THE CITY OF PALMDALE APPROVING ADOPTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS: UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CATALYTIC CONVERTER

SR_Admin_Cites_Reso_CC_2022-091(1).docx

Reso_CC_2022-091(1).doc

13. NEW BUSINESS

13.1 Award Measure AV Grant Program Funding, totaling $1,306,810, to grantees in Exhibit A and authorize Interim City Manager to enter into agreements ranging from $2,000 to $250,000. (Staff Reference: Interim City Manager Perez, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Dombrowski and Management Analyst Kelley)

Staff Report-Award Measure AV Grant Funding 08172022 FINAL.docx

Final Awardee List 2022 - Exhibit A.pdf

14. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
This portion of the Agenda allows an individual the opportunity to address the Council on any subject within the City’s subject matter jurisdiction not on the Agenda. Under state legislation, in general, no action can be taken on items not specifically referenced on the Agenda, but may offer suggestions on how your concerns may best be resolved. To address the Council regarding a non-agenda item, please fill out a Speaker's Form and submit it to the City Clerk
BEFORE
the Mayor announces the item. Each person
addressing the Council is customarily given up to three minutes to speak (with double the time allotted to non-English speakers using a translator). The amount of time authorized may be adjusted by the chair. If you wish to provide information to the Council, please present the City Clerk with 7 copies. Otherwise, your materials will simply be added to the City Council
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
administrative record. If you are attending the meeting by phone, please press *9 to "raise your hand." If attending by personal computer, please click the "raise your hand" button.

Press *6 to un-mute yourself, state your name and begin speaking.

15. ADJOURN
City Council
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
City Council Staff Report
DATE: AUGUST 17, 2022
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM DIVISION
DISTRICT: 1
SUBJECT: APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH PARSON S TRANSPORATION

GROUP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND DESIGN SERVIC ES FOR PN
852, AVENUE P (RANCHO VISTA BOULEVARD) AT SIERRA

HIGHWAY, RAILROAD CROSSING IMPROVEMENT PROJECT , IN
THE AMOUNT OF $540,170
ISSUE
Approve Agreement with Parsons Transportation Group for Environmental and Design Services for PN 852, Avenue P (Rancho Vista Boulevard) at Sierra Highway, Railroad Crossing Improvement Project, in the amount of $540,170

RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:

1. Approve Agreement with Parsons Transportation Group for Environmental and Design Services for PN 852, Avenue P (Rancho Vista Boulevard) at Sierra Highway, Railroad Crossing Improvement Project, in the amount of $540,170.

2. Authorize the Interim City Manager or h er designee to execute Agreement No.

A-7992 with Parsons Transportation Group, including making minimal and/or non-substantive changes.

BACKGROUND
This project will provide for the upgrade of the existing railway system at the intersection of Rancho Vista Boulevard and Sierra Highway. The California Public Utilities Commissions (CPUC) Rail Crossings and Engineering Branch has proposed safety improvements to the existing railway system that will be funded under the Railroad - Highway Grade Crossing Program (RHGCP), Section 130 funds. The improvements will be contracted by both railroad agencies, Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA/Metrolink) along with the City of Palmdale and will be managed by the Caltrans Division of Local Assistance.

Report to Mayor and City Council
Approval of Agreement No. A-7992
August 17, 2022

Page 2 ends

DISCUSSION
The City released a Request for Qualifications and Proposal to provide for environmental and engineering design services for this project in accordance with the city’s municipal code and purchasing policies . Notification of this package was sent electronically to 52 registered vendors in the City’s PlanetBids vendor database.

Two (2) responses were received from Parsons Transportation Group and JMD. Staff evaluated the packages and determined that Parsons Transportation Group was the most responsive proposal based on the following criteria:

Category Maximum
Value
Parsons JMD
Project Understanding and Approach 35 33 30 Relevant Consultant Experience
Familiarity with State and Railroad
procedures
30 20
30 20
28 18
Quality of Consultant Staff 10 10 10
General Conformance to RFP 5 5 5
Total Earned Value 0-100 98 91
Parsons Transportation Group has extensive knowledge and background of Avenue P/Rancho Vista Boulevard and Sierra Highway. They have been under contract for design services for both the Rancho Vista Boulevard Grade Separation project and for the widening of Rancho Vista Blvd. from 3rd East to 8th East.

FISCAL IMPACT
This project is funded with California Public Utilities Commission Funds which have been allocated in Account No. S0075240-724525, with a current balance of $4,000,000.

SCOPE OF WORK COST
A-7992 Parsons Transportation Design $540,170
Account Number Starting Balance Remaining Balance
S0075240-724525 4,000,000 $3,459,830
Report to Mayor and City Council
Approval of Agreement No. A-7992
August 17, 2022

Page 3 ends

STRATEGIC PLAN
Goal III: Invest in infrastructure to improve community livability.

C. Plan and maintain safe and attractive neighborhoods, streets, facilities, and public spaces with exciting programming that promotes active fun for everyone.

Prepared by: Chuck Heffernan, P.E., Public Works Director Certified as to availability of Funds: Janelle Samson, Director of Finance Approved by: Ronda Perez, Interim City Manager
Approved as to form: Scott E. Porter, Acting City Attorney

ATTACHMENTS

1. Agreement No. A-7992

City Council Staff Report
DATE: AUGUST 17, 2022
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
DISTRICT: ALL
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2022-088, A RESOLUTION OF

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE MAKING

LEGALLY REQUIRED FINDINGS AND EXTENDING REMOTE

TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPATION FOR MEETINGS OF

THE CITY COUNCIL AND/OR ITS RELATED OR

SUBORDINATE LEGISLATIVE BODIES
ISSUE
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2022-088, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale authorizing remote teleconference participat ion for meetings of the City Council and/or its subordinate legislative bodies for an additional 30-day period.

RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:

1. Approve the resolution to thereby extend, for an additional 30-day period, the authority of the City Council, and all related and/or subordinate legislative bodies, to participate remotely in properly noticed meetings.

BACKGROUND
Since October 1, 2021 and through January 1, 2024, AB 361 has temporarily amended the Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government Code § 54950 et seq.) to provide more flexibility regarding participation in public meetings from a remote location. In layman’s terms AB 361 allows “zoom” meetings if specified requirements are met.

If the City Council authorizes remote meetings, such authorization must expire no later than 30 days from the initial authorization. The City Council is a uthorized to thereafter extend the authorization if it makes one of various specified findings.

AB 361 requires several procedural safeguards to protect public participation during a remote meeting, key ones of which are summarized as follows:

1. The public must have the ability to address the legislative body directly and must be given information on how to address the legislative body;

2. The public must be provided with either a call-in or internet-based service option;

3. The legislative body must stop the meeting if the call-in or internet-based option fails;
Report to Mayor and City Council
Re: Resolution No. CC 2022-088
August 17, 2022

Page 2 ends

4. The legislative body cannot require that public comments be submitted in advance (although this option can be provided);

5. Public speakers cannot be required to pre-register for public comment (except as required by an independent call-in or internet platform);

6. Members of the public must be given a reasonable time to register to provide public comment; and

7. Agencies that provide a timed public comment period shall not close the public comment period until that time period has expired.

DISCUSSION
The City Council adopted an initial AB 361 Resolution on June 15, 2022. This resolution has been extended multiple times. The most recent extension is set to expire on September 2, 2022. The question before the City Council is whether to extend this authority for an additional 30-day period. An extension of authority to remotely participate is allowed if (1) the state of emergency continues, and (2) a resolution with required findings has been adopted within the last 30 days.

The proposed resolution would be immediately effective and allow members of legislative bodies to continue to participate remotely for an additional thirty days if the agenda for the meeting has included the legally required participation noticing. The resolution would also allow the City Manager (or designee) to opt to not include such noticing, as there may be instances where it would be impractical, due to staffing considerations, to allow remote participation in meetings.

FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.

STRATEGIC PLAN
Goal II: Ensure long-term fiscal health of the City and maintain funding for services.

C. Involve and expand engagement to enhance public oversight and transparency.

Prepared by: Scott E. Porter, Acting City Attorney
Approved by: Ronda Perez, Interim City Manager
Approved as to form: Scott E. Porter, Acting City Attorney

ATTACHMENTS

1. Proposed Resolution No. CC 2022-088

CITY COUNCIL

CITY OF PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
RESOLUTION NO. CC 2022-088

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE

MAKING LEGALLY REQUIRED FINDINGS AND EXTENDING REMOTE

TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPATION FOR MEETINGS OF THE CITY

COUNCIL AND ITS RELATED AND/OR SUBORDINATE LEGISLATIVE
BODIES
WHEREAS, the City of Palmdale is committed to preserving and fostering public access and participation in meetings of the City Council and all its subordinate bodies, consistent with the Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government Code § 54950 et seq.); and
WHEREAS, Government Code § 54953(e) expressly allows cities to, during the existence of a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to Government Code § 8625, allow teleconference participation in city meetings; WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020, the Governor declared a state of emergency and such declaration continues to be in effect;
WHEREAS, state and local officials have imposed or recommended measures to promote social distancing, including requirements to not return to work within specified time frames for people who have tested positive for COVID-19; WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution No 2022-087 within the last thirty days, authorizing exemption from the requirements of Government Code section 54953(b)(3) from August 3, 2022 until September 2, 2022.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

PALMDALE DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, RESOLVE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The Recitals set forth above are correct and are incorporated by reference.

SECTION 2. The City Council finds that the state of emergency declared by the Governor remains in effect and state officials continue to impose or recommend measures to promote social distancing. Therefore, for agendas which include all the noticing required by Government Code § 54953(e), the City Council and its related and/or subordinate bodies, by this Resolution, shall continue to be exempt from the requirements of Government Code section 54953(b)(3) until the end of the day on Resolution No. CC 2022-088

Page 2 of 2 ends

September 16, 2022. The City Council may conduct its meetings in a manner which allows telephonic participation by the members of the legislative body, staff, and the public. Such meetings shall be conducted consistent all requirements applicable to telephonic meetings. The City Clerk is directed to notice all such meetings to allow telephonic participation by the members of such bodies and the public and staff, except as otherwise directed by the City Manager, or the City Manager’s designee.

SECTION 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption and shall remain effective until the end of the day on September 16, 2022, unless the term of this resolution is extended or prematurely terminated.

SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution.

PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 17th day of August, 2022. _________________________________
Steven D. Hofbauer, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
___________________________ _________________________________ Scott E. Porter Shanae S. Smith, City Clerk
Acting City Attorney
I, Shanae S. Smith, City Clerk of Palmdale, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Palmdale at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 17th day of August by the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES: ____________________________________________________________ ABSTAIN: ______________________ ABSENT: ___________________________ Date:

Shanae S. Smith, City Clerk
City Council Staff Report
DATE: AUGUST 17, 2022
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

PLANNING DIVISION
DISTRICT: DISTRICT 1
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2022 -086, A RESOLUTION OF THE

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE APPROVING THE

PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS STUDY
ISSUE
Adopt Resolution No. CC 2022 -086, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palmdale approving the Palmdale East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study located on a

1.4-mile segment of East Avenue Q (from Sierra Highway to 20th Street East).

RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council conduct a public hearing and:

1. Adopt Resolution No. CC 2022 -086 approving the Palmdale East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study; and,

2. Find that the study is exempt from environmental review.

BACKGROUND
The Palmdale East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study is a multimodal corridor plan that provides transportation guidelines for a 1.4 -mile segment of East Avenue Q (from Sierra Highway to 20 th Street East). The study aims to aid in the creation of a corridor that enhances safety and connectivity to future development and provides for multimodal access to the future high-speed rail station. Future development requirements within the corridor plan align with the City’s General Plan Update (Palmdale 2045) and are geared toward improving walking and biking conditions for people of all ages and abilities, while improving the comfort and safety of active transportation in the high desert weather. If the City Council adopts the study, City staff will use it as a guidepost for determining what development requirements and conditions of approval might apply to public and/or private projects.

On July 21, 2022, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. PC -2022-028, recommending City Council adoption of the East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study.

Report to Mayor and City Council
Re: Avenue Q Complete Streets Project
August 17, 2022

Page 2 ends

Adoption of the study w ill ensure adherence to the recommended configuration of this segment of East Avenue Q as build out or redevelopment of the corridor occurs over time.

FIGURE 1 – STUDY AREA

DISCUSSION
With consideration of design and safety to the residents of Palmdale in mind, the Palmdale East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study sets forth the following goals:
 Develop a multimodal corridor plan;
 Enhance pedestrian and bicycle activity and safety on East Avenue Q;  Develop planning -level recommendations to address shade and wind on East Avenue Q;
 Provide a framework for modifying roadway geometry and sidewalk improvements that will promote walking and biking as a viable form of safe and active transportation;
 Develop designs for continuous bike facilities and sidewalks along the entire stretch of the study area; and,
 Ensure the East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study is consistent with and complementary to the City’s General Plan Update (2045 General Plan).

Report to Mayor and City Council
Re: Avenue Q Complete Streets Project
August 17, 2022

Page 3 ends

Existing Conditions
East Avenue Q provides an opportunity to improve connectivity in Palmdale, as it connects to or is in close proximity to the Palmdale Transportation Center, schools, and the proposed location of the future multimodal high-speed rail station.

The study area includes 134 acres along a 1.4-mile segment of East Avenue Q, which is largely vacant (approximately 55 percent), with the remaining areas utilized as public, industrial, office, commercial, private institutions, multi-family and single-family residences, and warehouse uses. Although East Avenue Q is a major arterial, traffic counts collected at five intersections on March 4, 2021, had relatively low vehicular volumes; however, it is important to note that most volumes were lower than typical across the region due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The highest directional motor vehicle volumes remained under 500 vehicles per hour, and pedestrian and bicycle volumes were also very low, with less than five per hour.

Measured traffic operations show very little delay during AM and PM peak hours, and current on-street parking is underutilized. Currently there are no bicycle facilities and Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) Line 98 has six stops within the plan area.

Public Outreach
Public input contributed to defining a shared vision for the corridor and a better understanding of future transportation uses and needs. Virtual activities were supplemented with methods designed to reach people without internet or computer access. Engagement activities were promoted via print and digital notification (flyers, posters, mailed postcards, social media, press releases, online advertisements, newsletters and eblasts, electronic billboard advertisements, and Palmdale Minute Videos) and an extended outreach toolkit was provided to 83 stakeholders and technical working group members.

Outreach activities included:
 Plan survey (one, open from March to May 2021)
 Virtual workshops with Q&A sessions (two, held in May and August 2021)  In-person pop-up events (two, held in August of 2021)  Youth focus group (one, held in August 2021)
In conjunction with the public outreach, a Technical Working Group (TWG) consisting of 18 members representing local and regional organizations, Los Angeles County staff, and City of Palmdale staff met three times in 2021. The TWG was established to review and Report to Mayor and City Council
Re: Avenue Q Complete Streets Project
August 17, 2022

Page 4 ends

provide feedback on key findings and recommendations throughout the process of the study.

Community Feedback on the Plan and Design Alternatives
The community members who participated in study outreach activities provided broad and detailed information about needs and concerns for the corridor. The general feedback received is that the dangerous driver behavior and current lack of safe pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure on East Avenue Q creates an uncomfortable environment for people walking and biking along the corridor. In addition, feedback received in response to the design alternative included common priorities for safe crossing opportunities, new and wider sidewalks, and improved lighting and landscaping.

In addition, sidewalk-level bicycle lanes were preferred to on-street lanes. Additionally, support was received for traffic calming designs and a two-lane configuration, which would encourage slower vehicle speeds within the corridor.

Based on the input from City staff, the TWG, and public feedback, three potential design alternatives were developed. All three configurations included sidewalk-level protected bicycle facilities, ample sidewalks, and varying streetscape which includes landscaping, canopy trees, seating, lighting, and shade.

Plan Recommendations for Transportation and Streetscape Design alternatives were further refined with City staff and the TWG to develop the final design recommendation for East Avenue Q. This recommendation includes a varied configuration of travel lanes and right-of-way widths that maintain comfortable walking and biking facilities with the incorporation of streetscape. Key elements of the transportation and streetscape recommendation are included in Table 1 below.

Please note that there is no development proposed at this time, and with the adoption of the study, future development will be required to construct improvements along East Avenue Q to be consistent with the final design recommendation.

Report to Mayor and City Council
Re: Avenue Q Complete Streets Project
August 17, 2022

Page 5 ends

TABLE 1: FINAL RECOMMENDATION DESIGN DETAILS
Street Segment Design Recommendation
East Avenue Q
between
Sierra Highway and
9th Street East
• 114-foot public right-of-way
• Four vehicular lanes (two in each direction)
• Landscaped median
• Sidewalk-level bike facilities on both sides of the street • Sidewalks and landscaping on both sides of the street • Parking on both sides of the street
East Avenue Q
between 9th Street and
12th Street East
• 90-foot public right-of-way
• Four vehicular lanes (two in each direction)
• No median
• Sidewalk-level bike facilities on both sides of the street • Sidewalks on both sides of the street
• Landscaping on the south side of the street
• Parking on the north side of the street
East Avenue Q
between 12th Street
East and 20th Street
East
• 90-foot public right-of-way
• Two vehicular lanes (one in each direction)
• Landscaped/striped median
• Sidewalk level bike facilities on both sides of the street • Sidewalks and landscaping on both sides of the street • Parking on both sides of the street
Concept design including a plan-view and cross-section of two segments of East Avenue Q are included in Figures 2 and 3 below, which can be viewed in their full- size within the study, which is attached to this report.

Report to Mayor and City Council
Re: Avenue Q Complete Streets Project
August 17, 2022

Page 6 ends

FIGURE 2 – DESIGN RECOMMENDATION BETWEEN 10TH STREET EAST AND 11TH STREET EAST

Report to Mayor and City Council
Re: Avenue Q Complete Streets Project
August 17, 2022

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FIGURE 3 – DESIGN RECOMMENDATION BETWEEN 15TH STREET EAST AND 16TH STREET EAST

Report to Mayor and City Council
Re: Avenue Q Complete Streets Project
August 17, 2022

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Plan Recommendations for Land Use
The land use recommendations are consistent with the Palmdale 2045 General Plan.

The goals and policies of the plan are outlined below:

Goal 1: Create an active, ground floor pedestrian environment within the three nodes along the corridor: a mixed-use node at 10 th Street East, a residential node at 15th Street East, and an employment/retail node at 20th Street East.  Design the buildings facing East Avenue Q to reflect the vision of a new “main street” – active uses, street-oriented entrances, tall floor-to-ceiling heights, reduced setbacks (unless adjacent to a plaza or park).
 Implement urban design guidelines and features that encourage pedestrian activity and reduce automobile use.
 Encourage outdoor dining for patrons within the Mixed-Use General Plan land use designations along East Avenue Q and 10th Street East.
 Require corner treatments and special architectural features for buildings at the three major intersections on Avenue Q at 10 th Street East, 15 th Street East, and 20th Street East.
 Expand use of street furniture including lighting, benches, trash receptacles and landscaping to support a comfortable pedestrian environment within the three designated nodes at the intersections of East Avenue Q and 10 th Street East, 15th Street East, and 20th Street East.
 Allow for various job-producing uses within the Employment Flex and Neighborhood Commercial General Plan land use designations, as dictated by the Palmdale 2045 General Plan, in pedestrian-oriented building types along East Avenue Q and 20th Street East.

Goal 2: Increase housing opportunities along the corridor  Promote new multi-family development and urge varying unit size and type within the Mixed-Use and Residential General Plan land use designations along East Avenue Q.
 Encourage affordable units that are seamlessly integrated into the overall residential or mixed-use development, and that connect to and complement the planned bicycle and pedestrian improvements in the study area.

Goal 3: Increase local job opportunities along the corridor.  Support a diverse mix of light industrial, information, film, makerspace, boutique food/wine/beer processing, food, and technology uses to provide jobs and tax revenues for the community by allowing emerging economic uses and industries within the Mixed-Use and Employment General Plan land use designations.

Report to Mayor and City Council
Re: Avenue Q Complete Streets Project
August 17, 2022

Page 9 ends

Land use recommendations also include creating an active, ground floor pedestrian environment with three defined nodes.

FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact. The creation of the study was funded through a Southern California Association of Governments grant and future development and redevelopment would be required to adhere to the recommendation within the plan as part of the development process.

STRATEGIC PLAN
Goal III: Invest in infrastructure to improve community livability.

C. Plan and maintain safe and attractive neighborhoods, streets, facilities, and public spaces with exciting programming that promotes active fun for everyone.

Prepared by: Jasmine Alvarado, Associate Planner
Certified as to availability of Funds: Janelle Samson, Director of Finance Approved by: Ronda Perez, Interim City Manager
Approved as to form: Scott E. Porter, Acting City Attorney

ATTACHMENTS

1. Resolution No. CC 2022-086

2. East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study

CITY COUNCIL

CITY OF PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
RESOLUTION NO. CC 2022-086

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALMDALE

APPROVING THE PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS STUDY A. RECITALS
WHEREAS, the City of Palmdale has contracted with a private design firm to prepare the Palmdale East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study; WHEREAS, the Palmdale East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study area includes a 1.4-mile segment of East Avenue Q from Sierra Highway to 20th Street East, as shown on the map attached hereto as Exhibit I;
WHEREAS, on July 21, 2022, the Planning Commission of the City of Palmdale reviewed the Palmdale East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study and recommended approval of the study by the City Council; and,
WHEREAS, on August 17, 2022, the City Council of the City of Palmdale conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the study and concluded said hearing on that date. Evidence, both written and oral, was duly presented and considered by the City Council at the aforesaid public hearing, including but not limited to, the staff report dated August 17, 2022.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

PALMDALE DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, RESOLVE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:

B. RESOLUTION
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby specifically finds that all of the facts set forth in the Recitals, Part A of this Resolution, are true and correct.

SECTION 2. The City Council hereby finds as follows with respect to the environmental documentation for the study.
(a) Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City’s local CEQA Guidelines, adoption of the East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study is categorically exempt from CEQA because: (1) CEQA exempts minor alterations to public facilities, such as to streets, sidewalks, gutters, and pedestrian trails, including the addition of bike paths (See 14 CCR §§ 15301(c) and 15304(h)); (2) the common sense exemption of CEQA in in Section 15061(b)(3) applies, a section which provides, that where it can be seen with certainly that there is no Resolution No. CC 2022-086

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possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. The Palmdale East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study consists of guidelines intended for the creation of a corridor that enhances safety and connectivity to future development and provides for multimodal access to the proposed location of the future multimodal high-speed rail station, it does not result in a physical change that could cause an impact to the environment and therefore is not subject to CEQA. Any future development application will be reviewed for CEQA compliance under a separate permit and the appropriate environmental document will be prepared to address project- specific impacts.
(b) The custodian of records for the environmental document, and all other materials which constitute the records of proceedings upon which the City Council’s decision is based, is the Planning Manager of the City of Palmdale. Those documents are available for public review in the Planning Division of the City of Palmdale located at 38250 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, California 93550, telephone (661) 267-5200.

SECTION 3. Based upon substantial evidence presented to the City Council during the August 17, 2022, public hearing, including public testimony and written and oral staff reports, the City Council specifically finds as follows:
(a) The proposed guidelines conform with the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan.

The Palmdale East Avenue Q Complete Streets Study is a multimodal corridor plan that provides transportation guidelines for a 1.4-mile segment of East Avenue Q (from Sierra Highway to 20th Street East).

The proposed guidelines conform with the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan, because the study is consistent with General Plan Circulation Element Goal C3: Encourage use of non-vehicular transportation throughout the Planning Area. The study aims to aid in the creation of a corridor that enhances safety and connectivity to future development and provides for multimodal access to the future high-speed rail station. Further, the study is consistent with General Plan Circulation Element Objective C1.9: Plan for the development of arterial streetscapes which present an aesthetically pleasing appearance, promote ease of use for pedestrian, and non-motorized as well as vehicular traffic, and provide maximum public safety through design features. Future development requirements within the corridor plan align with the City’s General Plan Resolution No. CC 2022-086

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Update, as dictated by the Palmdale 2045 General Plan, and are geared toward improving walking and biking conditions for people of all ages and abilities, while improving the comfort and safety of active transportation in the high desert weather.

SECTION 4. Based on the findings and conclusions set forth in the above Sections, and based on all other evidence in the record, the City Council hereby approves the Palmdale East Avenue Q Complete Street Study as shown in Exhibit II and finds that the study is exempt from the requirements of CEQA.

SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution.

PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 17th day of August 2022. _________________________________
Approved as to form: Steven D. Hofbauer, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________ ________________________________ Scott E. Porter Shanae S. Smith, City Clerk
Acting City Attorney
I, Shanae S. Smith, City Clerk of Palmdale, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Palmdale at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 17 th day of August, 2022, by the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTAIN: ABSENT:

Date:

Shanae S. Smith, City Clerk

EXHIBIT I

AERIAL MAP FOR PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS STUDY

PALMDALE
EAST

AVENUE Q

COMPLETE

STREETS

PROJECT
FINAL | April 2022
ii

PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT
Acknowledgments
The City of Palmdale and Project Team thanks all those who helped shape and develop the Palmdale East Avenue Q Complete Streets Project.

City Staff
Megan Taggart
Ruben Hovanesian
Jay Nelson
Mike Behen
Kery German
Technical Working Group Members
Al Tsai, Palmdale School District
Amanda Parrell, Antelope Valley Union
High School District
Deputy James Murphy, Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department
Lovell Fleming, Antelope Valley Youthbuild
Maribel Briseno, Antelope Valley Cycling
Martin Tompkins, Antelope Valley Transit Authority
Michelle Fluke, Antelope Valley Partners for Health
Richard Marshalian, Los Angeles County
Department of Regional Planning
Rocio Castellanos, Los Angeles Care/Blue Shield
Community Resource Center
Sylvia Duarte, Antelope Valley Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce
Prepared by
Toole Design
Raimi and Associates
Arellano Associates
Funding Agency
Southern California Association of Governments
iii

PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT
Contents
Executive Summary ��vii Chapter 1� Introduction ��2 Project Background ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Project Goals .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Chapter 2� Existing Conditions ��6 Land Use on East Avenue Q .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Who uses East Avenue Q? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Connectivity ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Safety and Comfort on East Avenue Q ................................................................................................................................................................................ 18 Chapter 3� Engagement and Outreach ��24 Outreach and Engagement Strategies ................................................................................................................................................................................. 24 What We Heard ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 4� Recommendations ��34 Land Use and Zoning Recommendations .......................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Transportation Recommendations and Streetscape Standards ........................................................................................................................................ 44 iv

PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT
Figures
Figure 1: Project Area ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Figure 2: General Plan Land Use Designations ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 3: Study Intersection Turning Movement Volumes (AM Peak Hour) – Existing Conditions ................................................................................... 10 Figure 4: Study Intersection Turning Movement Volumes (PM Peak Hour) – Existing Conditions .................................................................................... 11 Figure 5: Parking from Sierra Highway to 10th Street East ............................................................................................................................................... 13 Figure 6: Parking from 10th Street East to 15th Street East ............................................................................................................................................. 14 Figure 7: Parking from 15th Street East to 20th Street East ............................................................................................................................................. 15 Figure 8: Project Area Transportation Network .................................................................................................................................................................. 17 Figure 9: Roadway Collisions (2015-2019) ......................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Figure 10: Bicycle Facilities Continuum Chart .................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Figure 11: Level of Traffic Stress – Existing Conditions ..................................................................................................................................................... 21 Figure 12: Instagram Post ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Figure 13: Facebook Post ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Figure 14: Postcard Mailer (back and front) ...................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Figure 15: Feedback from a TWG meeting captured in Miro (a virtual presentation/whiteboard tool) .......................................................................... 26 Figure 16: Survey results for desired improvements along East Avenue Q ...................................................................................................................... 27 Figure 17: Sample slide from Workshop #1 presentation ................................................................................................................................................. 28 Figure 18: Two “narrow” draft options presented in Workshop #2 in Miro ...................................................................................................................... 28 Figure 19: A “wider” draft option presented in Workshop #2 in Miro ............................................................................................................................... 29 Figure 20: Workshop #2 poll responses ............................................................................................................................................................................. 30 Figure 21: Land Use and Design Framework ....................................................................................................................................................................... 37 Figure 22: Draft General Plan 2045 Land Use** ................................................................................................................................................................. 38 Figure 23: PTASP Regulating Plan ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 42 Figure 24: Existing Right-of-Way on East Avenue Q between Sierra Highway and 10th Street East .............................................................................. 46 Figure 25: Existing Right-of-Way on East Avenue Q from 10th Street East to Orchid View Place ................................................................................... 46 v

PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT
Figure 26: Existing Right-of-Way on East Avenue Q from Orchid View Place to 16th Place East .................................................................................... 47 Figure 27: Existing Right-of-Way on East Avenue Q from 16th Place East to 20th Street East ....................................................................................... 47 Figure 28: “Narrow Option A” Alternative as presented for community feedback ........................................................................................................... 49 Figure 29: “Narrow Option B” Alternative as presented for community feedback ........................................................................................................... 50 Figure 30: “Wider Option” as presented for community feedback .................................................................................................................................... 50 Figure 31: East Avenue Q Recommended Alternative, 10th Street to 11th Street East (Four-Lane Configuration) ........................................................ 54 Figure 32: East Avenue Q Recommended Alternative, 15th Street to 16th Street East (Two-Lane Configuration) ......................................................... 56 Figure 33: Study Intersection Turning Movement Volumes (AM Peak Hour) - Recommended Alternative (2045) ......................................................... 60 Figure 34: Study Intersection Turning Movement Volumes (PM Peak Hour) - Recommended Alternative (2045) .......................................................... 61 Figure 35: Level of Traffic Stress – Recommended Alternative ........................................................................................................................................ 63 Tables
Table 1: Resident Age ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 Table 2: Vehicles Available (Workers 16 years and over in households) ............................................................................................................................ 9 Table 3: East Avenue Q Traffic Operations Summary: Existing Conditions ....................................................................................................................... 12 Table 4: Potential Areas of Conflict along East Avenue Q .................................................................................................................................................. 18 Table 5: Existing Marked Crosswalks along East Avenue Q ............................................................................................................................................... 18 Table 6: Promotion and Notification Materials and Distribution Methods ........................................................................................................................ 25 Table 7: Design Goals and Objectives ................................................................................................................................................................................. 44 Table 8: Basis of Design Criteria ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 48 Table 9: Alternatives Evaluation ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 51 Table 10: Final Recommendation Design Details ............................................................................................................................................................... 52 Table 11: Traffic Operations Summary - Year 2045 Conditions ......................................................................................................................................... 59 Table 12: Summary of Potential Funding Sources .............................................................................................................................................................. 64 vi
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PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT
Executive Summary
The Palmdale East Avenue Q Complete Streets Project is a multimodal corridor study that provides transportation and land use recommendations for a 1.4-mile segment of East Avenue Q. Recommendations are aligned with the City’s General Plan Update and are geared toward improving walking and biking conditions for people of all ages and abilities, as well as improving the comfort and safety of active transportation in high desert weather.

Transportation & Streetscape
Recommendations:

Create a public right-of-way along East Avenue Q that
includes the following:
• Continuous, protected sidewalk-level bicycle facilities along the length of the study corridor (Sierra Highway to 20th Street East).
• Continuous sidewalks and high-visibility crossings at intersections, with raised crossings at driveways.
• A center landscaped median for traffic calming where
possible, reducing points of conflict, and reducing the heat island effect, with gaps as needed for driveway and emergency access.
• Streetscape furniture to create a sense of place and
add amenities for people biking, walking, and shopping, including lighting, shade structures, benches, trash
receptacles, and bicycle racks.
• Landscaping and green infrastructure to reduce the heat island effect, capture stormwater, and provide shade for people walking and biking along the corridor.

Land Use Recommendations:
• Create an active, ground floor pedestrian environment within three defined nodes:
» A mixed-use node at 10th Street East that will be a
lively area with mixed use development on all four
corners and a “main street” character and feel.
» A residential node at 15th Street East, located at
the center of the project area, will offer differing
intensities of standalone residential uses on all four
corners.
» An employment/retail node at 20th Street East, which
is located at the east end of the project area, serves
as a commercial and employment node.
• Increase various types of housing opportunities
• Increase local job opportunities
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Introduction
1 2
PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION Chapter 1. Introduction
Project Background
The City of Palmdale is re-imagining East Avenue Q as
a safer multimodal corridor that encourages economic
development and is a direct connection to a multimodal
transportation hub that will provide High Speed Rail,
Metrolink, and local bus service to residents. The project area includes a 1.4-mile segment of the corridor from
Sierra Highway to 20th Street East.

The corridor serves an important function to the residents that live on or near the street, and those that are accessing existing retail, commercial, and institutional destinations, and it provides a connection to those traveling west to Sierra Highway for work or other purposes. East Avenue
Q is also anticipated to link major destinations and activity centers, which creates an unprecedented opportunity for the City to consider multiple modes of travel and create a model that could also apply in other locations throughout Palmdale. With the future Palmdale High-Speed Rail
station serving both Northern and Southern California,
and the High Desert Corridor to Victorville to the east, this segment of East Avenue Q must manage many future
needs. Additionally, given the high-desert climate of the city, thermal comfort for people walking and biking in high-heat and high-wind conditions is a key consideration.

Project Goals
The project goals as identified in the original project grant application are to:

Develop a multimodal preliminary corridor plan
to be merged into a Project Initiation Document
(PID)
Enhance pedestrian and bicycle activity and
safety on East Avenue Q
Develop planning-level recommendations to
address shade and wind on East Avenue Q
Provide a framework for modifying roadway
geometry and sidewalk improvements that will
promote walking and biking as a viable form of
safe and active transportation
Develop designs for continuous bike facilities
and sidewalks along the entire stretch of the
project area
Ensure the East Avenue Q complete streets
project is consistent with and complementary
to the City’s General Plan Update (2045 General
Plan)
What are Complete Streets?
Complete Streets is a transportation policy and design
approach for streets to be planned, designed, operated, and maintained to enable safe, convenient, and comfortable travel and access for people of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of transportation. There is no singular design prescription for Complete Streets; each one is unique
and responds to its community context A complete street may include sidewalks, bike lanes, dedicated bus lanes, comfortable and accessible public transportation stops, frequent and safe crossing opportunities, median islands, accessible pedestrian signals, curb extensions, narrower travel lanes, roundabouts, landscaping, and more.

3 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION Figure 1: Project Area
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5 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION Existing
Conditions
2 6
PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Chapter 2. Existing Conditions
The City of Palmdale is located in Antelope Valley in northern Los Angeles County, separated from the Los Angeles Basin by the San Gabriel Mountains. Palmdale is 106 square miles in size with a population of 169,450 as of 20201. 1 Source: US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/palmdalecitycalifornia 2 Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, (n.d.) Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Retrieved from: http://shq.lasdnews.net/pages/patrolstation.aspx?id=PLM Safe, sustainable, and convenient travel is essential for everyone who lives in, works in, and visits Palmdale. This chapter provides an overview of the existing conditions for people walking, biking, and taking transit, analyzing who uses the corridor, connectivity, safety, and comfort.

Additional analyses conducted as part of the existing
conditions review not included in the body of this report are available in Appendix A: Existing Conditions. The Project Team also reviewed the following plans, studies, and
reports relevant to the East Avenue Q Complete Streets
Project – this review is available in Appendix B: Document and Code Review:
• City of Palmdale General Plan (1993)
• Palmdale Transit Area Specific Plan (2020)
• Avenue Q Feasibility Study (2016)
• City of Palmdale Complete Streets Plan (2019)
• City of Palmdale Safe Routes to School Plan (2019)
• City of Palmdale Design Toolbox (2018 draft)
• City of Palmdale Municipal Code
Land Use on East
Avenue Q
The 1993 General Plan land use designations on East
Avenue Q are illustrated in Figure 2. The parcels on the north side of East Avenue Q are currently designated as Industrial, Business Park, and Commercial Manufacturing.

This area has a heavier jobs focus, and is home to large parcels, that today are largely unbuilt. Parcels on the south side of East Avenue Q are designated as residential between 9th Street East and 18th Street East with Single Family Residential 2, Multifamily Residential, and Medium High Density Residential uses. The west end of the Project Area includes Industrial, Business Park, and Public Facility designations, while the east end includes Neighborhood
Commercial and Commercial Manufacturing designations.

The Palmdale General Plan is undergoing a comprehensive update which is expected to conclude in 2022. This update will result in new land use designations and a new General Plan Land Use Map that is detailed in Chapter 4 of this report.

The project area is bound by two public facilities, the Palmdale Sheriff Station at the southeast corner of Sierra Highway and East Avenue Q to the west and the Palmdale
Water District (PWD) at the northeast corner of 20th Street East and East Avenue Q to the east. Other key land use types include:
• The Palmdale Sheriff Station–ran and operated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department—serves the City of
Palmdale and surrounding communities. The Palmdale
Sheriff’s Station is a state-of-the-art facility constructed in 2006 that includes a 47,000 square-foot main building, 7,800 square-foot jail, and 8,400 square-foot motor pool and storage building.2
7 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS • The PWD has provided water services in the Antelope
Valley since 1918. PWD serves the City of Palmdale and
approximately 187 square miles of land in northeastern
Los Angeles County, including several non-contiguous
areas of the Antelope Valley.3
Mixed residential uses within the project area include single family residences, and primarily two-story apartment
complexes ranging in size and density with surface parking lots that face East Avenue Q and its cross streets. There are approximately 77 single family residential units within the project area, many of which are clustered on a single parcel. These single-family units are characterized by
front-facing and front-loading garages at either the front of the building or in a detached structure at the back of the parcel. Single-family residential front setbacks range from approximately 25-60 feet on East Avenue Q. The project
area contains approximately 376 multifamily residential units. The orientation of buildings and parking lots across multifamily structures varies, with smaller multifamily structures oriented facing East Avenue Q with front-loading parking lots, while larger multifamily structures feature several buildings oriented around the perimeter of a parcel with parking lots at the center.

Who uses East
Avenue Q?
To better understand who is impacted by existing conditions along East Avenue Q, the Project Team analyzed the three project census tracts that compose the project area, focusing on demographics and the current environment for people
walking, biking, taking transit, and driving along the corridor.

Demographics: Age and Income
One of the tenets of a complete street is that the street should function for people of all ages and abilities. This demographic analysis focuses on age, as young people and older adults may be less likely to drive alone or may be transit dependent. Another focus demographic was income, as lower income residents may also rely on walking,
bicycling, and taking transit.
3 History of PWD, (n.d.) Palmdale Water District. Retrieved from: https://www.palmdalewater.org/about-pwd/pwd-history/ The project area’s population skews toward younger age
groups, especially in census tract 9101.1, where 40% of residents are 19 years or younger. Table 1 provides an age breakdown within the three groups to help analyze potential mobility barriers for younger children, young adults, and older adults. In all three census tracts reviewed, teenagers and young children constitute a significant share of the population.

Youth are likely to use East Avenue Q to travel in the area, as there are multiple schools nearby, including Tamarisk Elementary School, Sierra Paloma High School, Palmdale Prep Academy and R Rex Parris High School.

The Project Team collected median annual household
income data to analyze any potential mobility challenges that residents may experience due to income. Residents in the project area are lower-income when compared to the
City’s median annual household income – incomes in the
project area’s census tracts range from 29% to 69% of the City’s median income of $60,428.

Table 1: Resident Age
Census
Tract
Residents
19 years or
younger
Residents
20-64 years
Residents
65 and
older
9101.1 40% 55% 5%
9105.01 34% 59% 7%
9105.2 26% 69% 5%
Source: American Community Survey (2018)
Walking, Biking, and
Taking Transit
The Project Team led a citywide survey and received 551 responses about how residents use East Avenue Q. Of these respondents, 51% walk on East Avenue Q a few times a year or more, 21% bike around the corridor a few times a year or more, and 18% take transit around the project area a few times a year or more. Pedestrian and bicyclist count data collected on a weekday during Spring 2021 also found a low number of people walking and bicycling along the project area.
8 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Figure 2: General Plan Land Use Designations
9 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Future counts for the project area may help create a better understanding of who walks and bikes along East Avenue
Q, and how walking and bicycling trips can increase once improvements are made. There are few transit riders today and recent service cuts to Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) lines along East Avenue Q have discouraged people to regularly take the bus.

Most workers within the project area’s census tracts have access to at least one vehicle (see Table 2), indicating that many people impacted by the project may not be transit
dependent. Young people and older adults, however, may
be more dependent on non-automobile commuting and can
benefit from balancing modes and improved transit service along East Avenue Q.

Table 2: Vehicles Available (Workers 16 years and over in households) Census Tract No vehicles 1 vehicle 2 vehicles 3 vehicles 4 vehicles 5 or more vehicles
Tract 9101.01
(664 total) 2.3% (15) 11.9% (79) 33.6% (223) 41.1% (273) 1.1% (7) 10.1% (67) Tract 9105.01
(1467 total) 10.3% (151) 56.8% (833) 24.0% (352) 8.9% (131) 0.0% (0) 1.2% (17) Tract 9105.02
(1547 total) 4.3% (66) 14.5% (224) 50.9% (788) 13.6% (210) 14.8% (229) 3.3% (51) All tracts
(3678 total) 6.3% (232) 30.9% (1136) 37.1% (1363) 16.7% (614) 6.4% (236) 3.7% (135) Source: American Community Survey (2019)
Multimodal Volumes
Multimodal turning movement counts were collected at five East Avenue Q study intersections on March 4, 2021: Sierra Highway, 10th Street East, 12th Street East, 15th Street East, and 20th Street East. The counts included motor vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists and were completed during the AM and PM peak periods (7-9 AM, 4-6 PM). While East Avenue Q is a major arterial, volumes were relatively low, with the highest directional motor vehicle volumes never rising above 500 vehicles per hour. Pedestrian and bicycle volumes were also very low, with no intersection experiencing more than five total during a peak hour. Weather was also likely not a factor in walking and bicycling volumes as there was no precipitation that day with a high temperature of 67 degrees.

Count data is summarized in Figure 3 and Figure 4.
10 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Figure 3: Study Intersection Turning Movement Volumes (AM Peak Hour) – Existing Conditions 11 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Figure 4: Study Intersection Turning Movement Volumes (PM Peak Hour) – Existing Conditions 12 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Driving
Traffic Operations
A traffic operations analysis was conducted on East Avenue Q to document existing conditions through level of service (LOS)4, delay (measured in seconds), and volume-to-capacity ratio (v/c)5. The analysis, completed in Synchro 10 software, included five signalized and unsignalized intersections on East Avenue Q between Sierra Highway and 20th Street
East. Measured traffic operations conditions show very little delay during AM and PM peak hour conditions and suggest some current intersections are overbuilt and additional right- and left-turn lanes are not warranted. A summary of these findings is provided in Table 3.
4 LOS describes traffic conditions—the amount of traffic congestion—at an intersection or on a roadway. LOS ranges from A to F, with A indicating a condition of little or no congestion and F indicating a condition with severe congestion, unstable traffic flow, and stop-and-go conditions. For intersections, LOS is based on the average delay experienced by all traffic using the intersection during the busiest (peak) 15-minute period. LOS A through D are generally con- sidered acceptable.
5 Volume-to-capacity ratio (v/c) represents the sufficiency of an intersection to accommodate the vehicular demand. A v/c ratio less than 0.85 generally indicates that adequate capacity is available, and vehicles are not expected to experience significant queues and delays. As the v/c approaches 1.0, traffic becomes unstable, and delay and queuing conditions may occur. Once the demand exceeds the capacity (a v/c ratio greater than 1.0), traffic flow is unstable and excessive delay and queuing is expected.

Parking
Parking along the project area is primarily on-street,
except for residential apartments that have assigned
off-street parking and commercial locations with surface parking lots. Parking along East Avenue Q is illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and 7. On-street parking along East Avenue Q is underutilized, which is likely associated with the lack of developed parcels. As East Avenue Q develops with
more housing and commercial destinations, the demand
for parking will grow. Curbside parking is some of the
most valuable space and regulating curbside use can help balance space for people who choose not to drive. This can include more dedicated space for expanded sidewalks,
parkways, separated bicycle facilities, and dedicated transit stops. The curbside should also support new mobility
services, such as passenger loading zones for ride hailing services (Lyft, Uber), and micromobility options like bike share and scooter share.

Table 3: East Avenue Q Traffic Operations Summary: Existing Conditions Intersection Time
Period
LOS (Delay) [v/c]
NB SB EB WB Total
Sierra Hwy
(Signalized)
AM B (14.3) [0.39] B (15.3) [0.35] - B (12.9) [0.28] B (14.2) [0.34] PM C (21.2) [0.47] C (25.8) [0.72] - B (18.6) [0.52] C (22.8) [0.71] 10th Street East
(Signalized)
AM C (26.4) [0.51] C (24.9) [0.21] B (16.9) [0.29] B (16.4) [0.46] B (19.2) [0.43] PM D (42.2) [0.77] C (32.8) [0.54] C (21.8) [0.67] B (20.0) [0.59] C (25.9) [0.62] 12th Street East
(Unsignalized)
AM B (11.8) [0.08] 0.0 - - A (1.1) [-]
PM C (18.6) [0.17] B (11.0) [0.01] - - A (1.5) [-]
15th Street East
(Unsignalized)
AM A (8.9) [0.12] A (8.7) [0.07] A (8.4) [0.22] B (10.8) [0.41] A (9.5) [-] PM B (11.3) [0.22] B (11.0) [0.18 C (16.1) [0.70] C (17.8) [0.64] C (15.2) [-] 20th Street East
(Unsignalized)
AM A (8.6) [0.18] A (8.6) [0.10] A (8.9) [0.27] B (11.0) [0.48] A (9.7) [-] PM B (10.9) [0.28] B (12.7) [0.20] E (39.2) [0.03] C (21.2) [0.82] C (24.7) [-] 13 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Figure 5: Parking from Sierra Highway to 10th Street East 14 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Figure 6: Parking from 10th Street East to 15th Street East 15 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Figure 7: Parking from 15th Street East to 20th Street East 16 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Connectivity
East Avenue Q provides a critical opportunity for improved connectivity in Palmdale – the corridor connects to or is in close proximity to important destinations like the Palmdale Transportation Center, schools, hospitals, and the future high-speed rail. East Avenue Q is also an alternate route to Palmdale Boulevard for access to CA Highway -14, Sierra Highway, and key regional destinations. A map showing the street, bicycle, and transit network, as well as traffic control devices, can be found in Figure 8.

Bicycle and Pedestrian
Connectivity
The location of East Avenue Q positions it as an opportune connector for multimodal travel, but the existing conditions on the ground do not yet reflect its potential as a key connective corridor. There are no bicycle facilities along the project area, but the corridor intersects with the Doctor Robert C. St. Clair Parkway, a shared-use off-street path adjacent to Sierra Highway. Bike facilities are proposed for the entire project area, as well as 10th Street East (which intersects with East Avenue Q) as part of the City’s Bicycle Master Plan. East Avenue Q has inconsistent sidewalks,
with gaps throughout the project area that may discourage walking to nearby destinations or connecting to transit stops.

Transit Connectivity
The project area is near the Palmdale Transportation
Center, which serves regional transportation needs and
offers multiple transit services: AVTA and Santa Clarita Transit bus service, Amtrak bus service, Greyhound bus
service, and Metrolink commuter rail service. East Avenue Q hosts several AVTA transit lines, but there are few people who primarily use transit to commute to work near the
project area when compared to other modes.

The most prominent AVTA route along the project area is Route 98, which has six stops (three stops in each direction) and operates very limited hours. This line is a special circulator route for commuters between the Palmdale
Transportation Center and Pete Knight High School, running in the eastbound direction during weekday mornings and
westbound in the afternoon. Boarding data from January
1, 2019 to January 31, 2020 shows low ridership, with
the highest-use stop along the project area being the
eastbound 11th Street East stop (55 boardings for the year), and westbound 10th Street East stop (46 alightings for
the calendar year). Route 98 was not in operation when
students were not in school during the COVID-19 pandemic, but service restarted once students started attending
school in person.

Route 3 and 51 also travel on East Avenue Q, but only from Sierra Highway to 10th Street East, with one stop on each side of the roadway. For the same time period per stop
boardings ranged from 1,569 to 2,438 and alightings ranged from 1,161 to 2,049. Route 3 operates with a frequency of 30 minutes on weekdays and 60 minutes on weekends, while
Route 51 operates approximately every two hours weekdays and weekends. More frequent east-west service in the area operates a half mile to the south on Palmdale Boulevard where Route 1 operates with a 15- to 60-minute frequency depending on time of day and week.

Motor Vehicle Connectivity
East Avenue Q is a major arterial in the City’s functional classification system, an autocentric grouping of streets based on connections to other street types and services they provide. Higher order facilities like arterials generally carry higher volumes of traffic and have direct connections to limited access highways like Sierra Highway while also connecting to areas of regional importance. While current volumes on East Avenue Q are relatively low, they may grow significantly as development occurs in the project area.

Motor vehicle connectivity on Avenue Q is continuous from Sierra Highway to 42nd Street East, but is bisected by the rail lines near the project area. Today, anyone living along East Avenue Q east of Sierra Highway would need to travel a roundabout path of at least a mile to reach the Palmdale Transportation Center or R. Rex Parris High School. Better connections would improve overall roadway connectivity
and potentially increase multimodal use of the corridor east of Sierra Highway.
17 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Figure 8: Project Area Transportation Network
18 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Safety and Comfort on East Avenue Q
The Project Team’s investigation of safety and comfort
focused on pedestrian and bicyclist separation from moving vehicles, safety at crosswalks, and comfort from the natural elements of the high-desert.

Collision History and
Areas of Conflict
From 2015 to 2019, there were 12 collisions within the project area. Eleven of the 12 collisions did not involve bicyclists or pedestrians – the one collision involving a pedestrian at the intersection of East Avenue Q and Sierra Highway resulted in a severe injury. Reviewing collision history is one approach to understanding street safety, but a more proactive approach looks at the systemic factors that may cause conflicts in the future. This may include long distances between marked
crosswalks, high posted speed limits, permissive turning movements, and low visibility for people driving. Along the corridor, there are multiple potential conflict zones between drivers and people walking and bicycling. Table 4 details the locations and potential conflicts within the project area.

Table 4: Potential Areas of Conflict along East Avenue Q Location Description of Conflict
Intersection of Sierra
Highway and East Avenue Q
The missing south crosswalk leg at this intersection limits direct connection to the existing dirt trail.

Intersection of 10th St East
and East Avenue Q
This intersection has protected left turns and signal phasing for pedestrians, but there is a potential conflict between drivers making eastbound right turns from Avenue Q onto 10th Street East. The geometry at the southwest corner of the intersection is not well defined today.

Intersection of 15th St East
and East Avenue Q
In addition to a long east-west crossing distance across 15th Street East, this intersection’s complex roadway geometry is unpredictable for all modes and can cause conflicts between drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Intersection of 17th St East
and East Avenue Q
The lack of traffic control devices at this uncontrolled intersection creates potential conflicts between drivers and people walking or biking.

Intersection of 20th St East
and East Avenue Q
This 4-way stop controlled intersection does not have marked crosswalks, which impacts pedestrian visibility and presence.

Along East Avenue Q
Large spacing between marked crosswalks and high posted speed limits create a street that encourages speeding. Paired with low levels of street lighting, this can be a significant safety issue at night.

Pedestrian Crossing
Assessment
Today, there are very few marked crosswalks along East
Avenue Q, and the distances between existing marked
crosswalks are more than a quarter mile (Table 5). Studies show that people are more likely to cross at an intersection with a traffic signal or a pedestrian signal head (Walk/Don’t Walk signs). People are also more likely to cross at any location with a marked crosswalk than at those without.6 Although existing low traffic volumes and undeveloped
land use may justify the current infrequency of marked
crossings, a complete street must allow people walking
6 NCHRP Report 562: Improving Pedestrian Safety at Unsignalized Crossings. https://nacto.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/NCHRP-562-Improving-Pedes- trian-Safety-at-Unsignalized-Crossings.pdf
the opportunity to safely cross East Avenue Q, particularly at intersections and along travel desire lines. The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)
recommends marked crossings at 200-foot intervals for
dense city areas. Examining the context of East Avenue
Q, a marked crossing at every major intersection is
approximately 650-foot spacing, which would offer more
frequent crossing opportunities for people walking.

Table 5: Existing Marked Crosswalks along East Avenue Q Intersections (from – to) Distance (ft)
Sierra Hwy 10th Street East 1,635
10th Street East 15th Street East 2,595
19 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Figure 9: Roadway Collisions (2015-2019)
20 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Bicycling Level of Traffic
Stress (LTS)
The Project Team conducted a Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) assessment for people bicycling around the project area to identify the stress of street networks for bicycling based on built-environment, speed, and volume characteristics (Figure 10). The methodology used by the planning
team is adapted from criteria published by the Mineta
Transportation Institute (MTI).7 The LTS analysis scores streets on a scale from 1 to 4 as follows:
• LTS 1: Strong separation from all except low speed, low volume traffic. Simple crossings. Suitable for children. • LTS 2: Except in low speed / low volume traffic situations, cyclists have their own place to ride that keeps them
from having to interact with traffic except at formal
crossings. Physical separation from higher speed and
multilane traffic. Crossings that are easy for an adult to negotiate. Corresponds to design criteria for Dutch bicycle route facilities. A level of traffic stress that most adults can tolerate, particularly those sometimes classified as “interested but concerned.”
• LTS 3: Involves interaction with moderate speed or
multilane traffic, or close proximity to higher speed
traffic. A level of traffic stress acceptable to those
classified as “enthused and confident.”
• LTS 4: Involves interaction with higher speed traffic or 7 Low Stress Bicycling and Network Connectivity. https://transweb.sjsu.edu/sites/default/files/1005-low-stress-bicycling-network-connectivity.pdf close proximity to high-speed traffic. A level of stress acceptable only to those classified as “strong and fearless.” The LTS analysis (Figure 11) found that East Avenue Q is a high-stress corridor for people walking and bicycling today.

The street has a varying profile but high posted speed limits for a segment that only has one travel lane in each direction.

The absence of continuous sidewalks also contributes to the high stress nature of the street, though missing sidewalks were not a factor incorporated into the LTS analysis. Today, residents may not feel comfortable bicycling beyond
the limits of their immediate neighborhood because it
is hemmed in by larger, high‐stress streets like Sierra Highway, 10th Street East, 15th Street East, 20th Street East, and East Palmdale Boulevard, or cut off from the adjacent neighborhood by a high‐stress crossing of a major street.

Figure 10 illustrates how different types of riders are comfortable with different types of bicycle facilities. Shared use paths are more comfortable and less stressful for
children, while shared roadways may only encourage
advanced bicyclists. In general, collector and arterial streets with bicycle facilities are less stressful than those without, but many streets with bicycle facilities can still be high stress due to higher vehicular speeds and volumes. Bicycle facility planning and design thinking over the past decades has not included consideration of riders who may feel uncomfortable in these situations. East Avenue Q has the opportunity to serve as a low stress east-west connection and create a more comfortable way to connect neighborhoods to services.

Shared Use Path Separated Bike Lane Buffered Bike Lane Shoulder BikewayBike Lane Shared Roadway MOST SEPARATED LEAST SEPARATED
Figure 10: Bicycle Facilities Continuum Chart
21 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Figure 11: Level of Traffic Stress – Existing Conditions 22 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Example of a bus stop on East Avenue Q that lacks amenities like shade and seating
Transit Facilities
Six AVTA bus stops are located along East Avenue Q. Most bus stops on the corridor have accompanying facilities like seating and a shelter, which offers refuge from the heat and rain. Some, however, lack these amenities, creating an uncomfortable waiting environment for transit riders. One bus stop location (the westbound Line 98 stop at 10th Street East) has a cut out for buses to pull into, complete with a concrete pad. This cut out is located at the far side of the intersection, although the actual bus zone is located at the nearside of the intersection (east of 10th Street East) within a dedicated right turn lane.

Shade Analysis
The city’s high-desert climate warrants special focus on shade elements to enhance the thermal comfort of people walking, biking, and taking transit. The full corridor was organized into three distinct sections for the shade analysis – see Appendix A for all shade exhibits.

As typical for most California geographies, the northern section of the corridor is mostly exposed to direct sunlight and lacks sufficient shade. This largely undeveloped part of the corridor lacks sidewalk facilities and mature canopy trees, making it a prime area for shade investment as the area experiences new development. The northwestern
portion of East Avenue Q between Sierra Highway and 10th Street East, with the single-family units, has no street trees and therefore lacks sufficient shade throughout the year.

The south side of East Avenue Q from 9th Street East to 12th Street East lacks sufficient shade during hotter months due to inconsistent tree spacing. The south side of the corridor from 12th Street East to 15th Street East provides sufficient shade throughout the year because mature canopy trees
have been planted within eight feet of the back of the
sidewalk. The north side of East Avenue Q between 15th
Street East and 20th Street East (where the commercial
development adjacent to 20th Street East is located) provides pockets of sufficient shade; one of which includes a bus stop with a shade structure. While the tree spacing in this section is seemingly inconsistent, additional tree wells along the sidewalk create shade coverage that encompasses the
entire sidewalk in specific pockets, one of which includes a bus stop without a shelter.

Two bus stops out of the six along the corridor are
completely exposed and lack any shade from canopy trees or shade structures. The first stop sits on the south side of the East Avenue Q between 11th Street East and 12th
Street East, and the second is on the north side of East Avenue Q between Orchid View Place and 15th Street East.

The remaining four bus stops are in areas that maintain sufficient shade throughout the year due to the presence of shelters and densely planted canopy trees.
23 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Engagement and
Outreach
3 24
PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 3. ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH Chapter 3. Engagement and Outreach
Community outreach and engagement were critical parts of the entire planning process.

Overall, the goal of the community engagement for this project was to leverage a transparent and inclusive set of outreach activities that provide ample opportunities for meaningful engagement from the City’s diverse community. The intention was to foster a sense of participation, contribution, and ownership among local corridor residents and business owners, as well as the larger Palmdale community.

Outreach and
Engagement Strategies
A wide variety of outreach and engagement strategies were used to work toward the project’s engagement goals, with the hope of minimizing barriers to participation and inviting the broadest possible community input.

The first round of community engagement began in Spring 2021 and focused on gathering input on the community’s
experiences within the project area, understanding
current perceptions of the corridor’s existing conditions, and identifying future opportunities and the types of
improvements that community members would like to see.

Community input was collected and used to develop draft concepts. The second round of public engagement began
in the Summer of 2021, when draft concept alternatives for East Avenue Q were shared with the public for final input and confirmation.

Public input contributed to defining a shared vision for the corridor and a better understanding of future transportation uses and needs. Outreach activities to gather community feedback were conducted in both project phases and virtual activities were supplemented with tactics designed to reach people without internet or computer access. These activities included:
• Three Technical Working Group meetings
• One project survey
• Two virtual workshops with Q&A
• Two pop-up events (in-person)
• Youth outreach (one interview)
COVID-19 Approach
In alignment with public health guidelines for in-person gatherings, the Project Team implemented 100% virtual
public meetings. This format achieved attendance numbers that perhaps may not have been reached using traditional in-person methods. To promote participation in the project from those who had limited internet or computer access, socially distanced in-person pop-ups were hosted in or
near the project area to meet people using the corridor and solicit their feedback.

Promotion and Notification
The Project Team designed a notification process that
aimed to reach all levels of stakeholders, including non- English speakers.

Spanish translation
and interpretation
were provided for
all project materials
and at both public
workshops. The
project’s database of
1,400+ contacts (City
officials/staff, major
employers, academic
institutions, business
associations, and
community groups)
was a key resource
for disseminating
project information
and encouraging
participation.

Figure 12: Instagram Post
25 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 3. ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH Promotion and notification materials and distribution methods are detailed in Table 6, and examples of promotional materials can be seen in Figures 12, 13, and 14.

Table 6: Promotion and Notification Materials and Distribution Methods Notification type Materials and Distribution Methods
Print notification
• Flyers and posters: Distributed at Palmdale Transportation Center, Marie Kerr Center, Palmdale City Library, Palmdale Community Resource Center, City Hall, Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, Legacy Commons, Palmdale School District, South Antelope Valley Emergency Services, Yucca House Community Garden, Domenic Massari Park, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Palmdale Water District, and other key business and high-traffic areas along Avenue Q • Postcards: Mailed to 2000+ addresses within a ¼ mile of the project corridor Digital notification
• Social media campaign: 8 Facebook and Twitter posts with almost 20,000 impressions • Geofenced online advertisements: Targeted online ads with over 250,000 impressions • Press releases: Antelope Valley Press and Antelope Valley Times • Palmdale Connections newsletters
• Weekly eblasts
• Electronic billboard advertisements
• Palmdale Minute video segment
• Extended outreach toolkit: A resource for 83 stakeholders and Technical Working Group members that contained copy-ready text, graphics, and links with details about upcoming engagement opportunities
Figure 14: Postcard Mailer (back and front)
Figure 13: Facebook Post
26 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 3. ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH Technical Working Group Meetings
The Project Team convened an 18-person Technical Working Group (TWG) made up of representatives from local and
regional organizations, Los Angeles County staff, and City of Palmdale staff. The TWG’s role was to review and provide feedback on key findings and recommendations throughout the life of the project, and the group met three times. • April 2021: The Project Team presented an overview of the project and described key findings from the existing conditions analysis. Feedback from the TWG included
the importance of connectivity for bike and pedestrian
networks, the need for improvements to support all ages and abilities, and a desire for improved landscaping and lighting.
• July 2021: The Project Team gave an update on public
input and presented multiple draft cross-section options for East Avenue Q. TWG feedback (see Figure 15) included support for one-way bike lanes and concern over having
enough space for bike and pedestrian facilities to shift where the right-of-way was limited.
• October 2021: The Project Team provided an engagement summary and presented the preferred design alternative
as well as new crossing locations. TWG feedback included support for a two-lane cross section, sidewalk-level bike lanes, and pedestrian-scale lighting.

Figure 15: Feedback from a TWG meeting captured in Miro (a virtual presentation/whiteboard tool)
27 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 3. ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH Project Survey
A bilingual online survey was available from March 29,
2021, to May 9, 2021. The survey asked respondents for
input on how they use the corridor, concerns, priorities for improvements, and overall vision for active transportation and a complete street on East Avenue Q. 551 people
responded to the survey.

Active modes are rarely used along the corridor – only

12.9% of survey respondents walk on or near East Avenue Q at least once or twice a week, and 78.5% stated they
never ride their bikes on the corridor. Transit use was also low among respondents – 81.8% never take public transit on East Avenue Q. In comparison, around a quarter of
respondents drive daily on East Avenue Q, while almost a third drive the corridor at least once or twice a week. These responses highlight the current car-oriented streetscape along the corridor, which creates a uninviting environment for people walking, biking, or taking transit.

The amenities/improvements survey respondents wanted to see most on East Avenue Q were lighting (66.2%), continuous sidewalks (61.7%), and improved pavement quality (55.3%).

Primary concerns for travel along the corridor included maintenance for vandalism, trash dumping, and potholes
(54.3%), missing sidewalks or crosswalks (51.9%), and an unsafe environment for walking (50.6%).

Virtual Workshops
Due to COVID-19, both workshops were conducted virtually using Zoom with live Spanish interpretation provided.

During the workshop, materials were shared using Miro,
a virtual whiteboard/presentation tool that allows for live note-taking and annotation of concepts and diagrams,
as well as additional collaborative features that allow participants to see their feedback captured in real-time.

Workshop #1
The first virtual workshop was held on May 28, 2021, from 6-8pm, with 24 people in attendance. The Project Team
presented a project overview, shared existing conditions findings, and identified opportunities for enhancements along the corridor. During polls conducted throughout
the workshop, 83% of attendees stated they neither walk nor bike along East Avenue Q, and 89% “strongly agreed” Figure 16: Survey results for desired improvements along East Avenue Q Wider crosswalks
Signals and crosswalks
Transit stop improvements
Marked crosswalks
Bike paths away from cars
Street tree shade
Improved pavement quality
Continuous sidewalks
Lighting
124
125
137
141
149
181
293
327
351
28 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 3. ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH that the corridor needs improvements. All
attendees either “somewhat agreed” or
“strongly agreed” with the opportunities for
East Avenue Q identified by the Project Team,
which included continuous sidewalks, more
crossing options, continuous bike lanes,
better connections for bicyclists, consistent
shade, and better bus stop amenities.

Workshop #2
The second virtual workshop was held
on August 25, 2021, from 6pm-7:30pm,
with 36 people in attendance. The Project
Team shared an overview of the project, a
summary of public input gathered so far, and
three draft concepts for East Avenue Q.

Figure 17: Sample slide from Workshop #1 presentation
Figure 18: Two “narrow” draft options presented in Workshop #2 in Miro

29 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 3. ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH Figure 19: A “wider” draft option presented in Workshop #2 in Miro During polls conducted throughout the workshop, attendees stated their most important complete streets elements
for East Avenue Q were safe crossing opportunities; new, wide sidewalks; and landscaping and tree canopy. All
attendees who responded to a poll on bike facility types preferred sidewalk-level bike lanes to on-street bike lanes along the corridor, and all respondents also agreed that they would be willing to spend a little more time while driving on East Avenue Q to ensure a safer environment for people walking and biking. Feedback on the draft concepts included enthusiasm for public seating, crosswalks, and landscaping/trees. Attendees supported a design option
with wider sidewalks and no more than two vehicular travel lanes (one in each direction), stating that additional travel lanes (as depicted in Figure 19) would encourage dangerous speeds.
30 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 3. ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH Pop-Up Tabling
Two pop-up events were held in August 2021 (one
at Palmdale Transit Center and one at the Palmdale
Community Resource Center) to further promote the project and encourage feedback. Participants were asked to review potential improvements and choose their top improvements.

Over 300 people participated in the pop-up events, and
the top two selected improvements at both events were
sidewalk level bike lanes and street lighting.

Youth Outreach
To gain feedback from youth stakeholders in the project area, the Project Team conducted an interview in August 2021 with members of Antelope Valley Youth Build, a
program that serves learners aged 16-29 years old. Five Antelope Valley Youth Build members participated in a
45-minute interview. They described their experiences
traveling on East Avenue Q as “fast and reckless” due to the lack of sidewalks and bike lanes and stated that walking and biking on the corridor felt unsafe and uncomfortable because of high driver speeds. Interviewee feedback on
draft concepts was divided – some interviewees preferred a wider option with four lanes of traffic since people are “used to driving fast”, while others preferred a narrower two-lane option to calm traffic, reduce driver racing, and allow people to slow down and “appreciate small businesses.”
Figure 20: Workshop #2 poll responses
Pop-up event at Palmdale Transit Center
Feedback from pop-up event at Palmdale Community
Resource Center

31 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | CHAPTER 3. ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH What We Heard
Community members who participated in the project’s outreach activities provided broad and detailed information about their needs and concerns while traveling on East Avenue Q. The following key themes came up most frequently in public feedback received about the project:

The current lack of pedestrian and bicycle
infrastructure creates a harsh and
uncomfortable walking and biking
environment. Sidewalk gaps, unmarked
crossings, and a lack of bikeways were
highlighted in feedback across all outreach activities. Many participants in the outreach activities were infrequent walkers, bicyclists, and transit riders along the corridor.

This is likely due to the current conditions of East Avenue Q, which is more vehicle-oriented.

Dangerous driver behavior is an issue.

Speeding and racing were brought up in
workshops and in the AV Youth Build
interview as factors that contribute to a
dangerous environment along East Avenue
Q. Traffic calming elements like medians could help address speeding issues, an idea that was supported by workshop attendees. Community members also generally supported a two-lane design for East Avenue Q (opposed to a four-lane concept) due to concerns about speeding and safety. There was also a willingness to sacrifice driving convenience for pedestrian and bicyclist safety -- all Workshop #1 attendees stated they were willing to spend a little more time driving along East Avenue Q in order to make conditions safer for people walking and biking.

High-quality bike facilities are needed
along the corridor. East Avenue Q is a
high-stress street for people riding bikes
– current speed limits range from 40-50
miles per hour along the corridor. There was
enthusiastic public input around adding bike facilities to the street, and huge support for a sidewalk-level bike lane (at pop-up events and in workshops) that would separate
people riding bikes from people driving cars.

Improved landscaping and lighting would
vastly upgrade the walking experience on
East Avenue Q. The high desert conditions
along the corridor can be hot and
uncomfortable in the summer and adding
trees or other shade-providing structures would mitigate the impacts of walking in hot weather. Community members pointed out the lack of lighting along the corridor, and street lighting was the most popular improvement recorded at the pop-up events.

Community feedback was incorporated throughout the
planning process, helping shape the Project Team’s existing analysis, draft design concepts, and final recommended
design alternative.
32 THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

Recommendations
4 34
PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS

4. Recommendations
The following project recommendations for East Avenue Q focus on street improvements that improve conditions for people walking, biking, taking transit, and driving, while incorporating projected land use and zoning along the corridor consistent with the General Plan Update. These recommendations represent a logical evolution of the extensive existing conditions analysis and stakeholder engagement completed for this project.

Land Use and Zoning Recommendations
8 City of Palmdale GIS, UrbanFootprint (2019-2021)
Key Land Use Issues and
Opportunities
Through the planning and community engagement process,
several issues and opportunities were identified. A series of key issues and opportunities pertaining to land use and urban design within the project area include:
• Suburban Development Pattern: Nearly all the existing development along East Avenue Q is oriented to vehicular traffic in a traditional suburban development pattern. This development type presents challenges for creating an
active, pedestrian-oriented mixed use and employment
corridor.
• Vacant Land: Approximately 55%8 of the parcels within the project area are currently vacant, mostly on the
north side of the corridor. While vacant land presents an opportunity to save on development costs, it also presents a challenge when individual projects develop at different times, leaving gaps in a street frontage.
• County Jurisdiction: A portion of the land within the project area - a “County Island”- is under County of
Los Angeles jurisdiction. While the City’s General Plan provides the vision for the County Island, the County of Los Angeles regulates zoning in the area. This affects
the City’s ability to further the intended main street
environment within the west end of the project area.
• Supportive of Large Projects: While large swaths of
vacant land can be challenging to develop at a similar
pace, the makeup of large parcels facing East Avenue Q
also presents a unique opportunity to support large mixed use and multifamily development projects, which will
encourage the active, pedestrian environment envisioned for East Avenue Q.
• Incomplete Frontages: Although a current constraint,
existing sidewalk gaps provide an opportunity to consider not only width and quality of sidewalks but how new
development interfaces with the public realm.
• Proximity to Downtown: The project area includes the
east end of the future Downtown, as envisioned within
the Palmdale Transit Area Specific Plan (PTASP). The
PTASP reconceptualizes Avenue Q as a “key” street with
vibrant retail and entrainment activity in a mixed-used environment. East Avenue Q is envisioned as a place
for commercial uses that serve daily shopping needs,
mixed-use development, and multimodal transportation.

The future multimodal transit station and planned
“main street” near the project area will bring needed
infrastructure, development, and activity to the corridor. 35 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Land Use Goals and Policies
The goals and policies presented below are consistent
with the draft Palmdale 2045 General Plan. Policies taken directly from the draft 2045 General Plan are marked with an asterisk (*).

Goal 1: Create an active, ground
floor pedestrian environment within
the three nodes along the corridor:
a mixed-use node at 10th Street East,
a residential node at 15th Street East,
and an employment/retail node at
20th Street East.
• Design the buildings facing East Avenue Q to reflect
the vision for a new “main street” – active uses, street- oriented entrances, tall floor-to-ceiling heights, reduced setbacks (unless adjacent to a plaza or park).*
• Implement urban design guidelines and features that
encourage pedestrian activity and reduce automobile
use.*
• Encourage outdoor dining for patrons within the mixed- use designations along East Avenue Q and 10th Street
East.
• Require corner treatments and special architectural
features for buildings at the three major intersections on Avenue Q at 10th Street East, 15th Street East, and 20th Street East.
• Expand use of street furniture including lighting,
benches, trash receptacles and landscaping to support
a comfortable pedestrian environment within the three
designated nodes at the intersections of East Avenue Q
and 10th Street East, 15th Street East, and 20th Street East.
• Allow for various job-producing uses within the
Employment Flex and Neighborhood Commercial
designations, as dictated by the Palmdale 2045 General
Plan, in pedestrian-oriented building types along East
Avenue Q and 20th Street East.

Goal 2: Increase housing opportunities
along the corridor.
• Promote new multifamily development within the mixed- use and standalone residential designations along East
Avenue Q.
• Urge varying unit size and type within the standalone residential and mixed-use zones within the project area. • Encourage affordable units that are seamlessly integrated into the overall residential or mixed-use development,
and that connect to and complement the planned bicycle
and pedestrian improvements planned in the project area.

Goal 3: Increase local job opportunities
along the corridor.
• Support a diverse mix of light industrial, information, film, makerspace, boutique food/wine/beer processing,
local food, and technology uses to provide jobs and
tax revenues for the community by allowing emerging
economic uses and industries within the Mixed-Use and
Employment designations.*
Recommendations
The overall land use and design framework for creating a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented mixed-use multimodal corridor along East Avenue Q is presented in the following sections. A clear framework provides visitors and residents with a strong sense of place, an understanding of how to find their way around easily and safely and to efficiently identify uses and activities. These recommendations are intended to integrate both private and public realm development by focusing on the types of allowed land uses and their relationship to the public right-of-way, while leveraging the Complete Streets improvements envisioned for the corridor. The framework also addresses the City’s desired objectives of achieving a new urban form that is more compact and complete, where a diversity of uses and amenities are located within close walking distance of residences, work, and transit.

The land use designations in the draft Palmdale 2045 General Plan, are also included to provide a high-level overview of the place types envisioned for the corridor. A description of the applicable zoning from the PTASP is also included.
36 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Land Use and Design Framework
Through the Palmdale 2045 General Plan and Palmdale
Transit Area Specific Plan (PTASP), East Avenue Q
transitions from a semi-residential and semi-industrial avenue to a mixed-use and mixed residential corridor. The project area, which includes the east end of the PTASP, includes mixed-use, multi-family, and employment land
uses. While not currently connected across the rail tracks west of Sierra Highway, East Avenue Q is intended to
continue the “main street” Palmdale environment from
Division Street (which is outside of the project area) through to 10th Street East. Avenue Q will also be connected across Sierra Highway in the future via an underpass.

The East Avenue Q corridor offers three key activity nodes, one at 10th Street East, 15th Street East, and 20th Street East, all of which feature different land uses and feel. These nodes offer greater pedestrian amenities to support safe pedestrian crossings and encourage active transportation.

Detailed below and illustrated in Figure 21 are key features of each node within the project area.

Avenue Q Nodes
Mixed Use Node: The node at 10th Street East will be a
lively area with mixed use development on all four corners and a “main street” character and feel. This area also
serves as the eastern boundary of the PTASP. Within
this node, mixed-use development allows for multistory
multifamily residential with active ground floor commercial uses. Ground floor uses within the mixed-use node will
incorporate wide sidewalks with outdoor dining, large
shopfront windows with displays and or dining rooms,
street furniture and awnings to increase pedestrian
comfort. The environment within this node will be the
most active of the three intersections and will serve as the unofficial end of “main street” as indicated within the PTASP.

Residential Node: The 15th Street East intersection,
which is located at the center of the project area, will offer differing intensities of standalone residential uses on all four corners. The intersections at this node will offer enhanced
pedestrian
crossings with
additional
amenities such
as shade trees,
wide sidewalks,
street lighting, and
bicycle parking.

Residential
development
within this node
will integrate a
mix of landscaping
and hardscaping.

Employment/
Retail Node: The
20th Street East
node, which is
located at the east
end of the project
area, serves as
a commercial
and employment node. This node features different
employment-based uses that require different variations of public access, though all buildings will be oriented to the street. The environment at this node will be active with pedestrian facing commercial uses, and pedestrian
interface at the employment uses.

As shown in Figure 21, the land use setting along East
Avenue Q evolves from more intensive mixed-use
development near 10th Street East, to decreasing densities of standalone multifamily residential across the corridor to 17th Street East. From 17th Street East, the corridor moves east into employment, utilities, and retail related uses near the 20th Street East intersection, which is also the eastern project boundary. The residential development creates
continuous development along the street frontage. All non- residential development is also oriented toward the street with buildings situated close to the proposed sidewalk.

A lower intensity multifamily residential
building situated close to the sidewalk with
landscaping.

A retail building with pedestrian amenities
including a plaza and landscaping.
37 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Figure 21: Land Use and Design Framework
38 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Figure 22: Draft General Plan 2045 Land Use**
**Subject to minor change
39 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Example of RN-2 Example of RN-3 Example of RN-4
Land Use Regulations
Land use regulations provide descriptions of allowed land use along with character, intent, and interaction with the corridor. Below are descriptions of land use regulations that apply to the parcels along East Avenue Q and are illustrated in Figure 22. The Draft General Plan 2045 Land Use Map
in Figure 22 offers detailed, specific regulations for each parcel within the project area, while Figure 21 offers a high- level framework or vision of the intended place.

General Plan Land Use
The City of Palmdale is expected to complete the Palmdale 2045 General Plan in 2022. The plan will provide land use regulations for all parcels within the city’s jurisdiction. The Land Use Map and place types, which are listed below, are anticipated to be the final presiding General Plan land use designations, and therefore will regulate land uses within the project area. It should be noted that the land use map and place types are not yet adopted and therefore subject to minor change. General Plan place types, indicating land use, intensity, and character, are listed below for the parcels within the project area, as shown in Figure 24. The City of Palmdale is also in the process of updating its Zoning Code.

The updated Zoning map and accompanying districts will be consistent with and reflect the Palmdale 2045 General Plan Land Use Map.

Neighborhood Residential 2 (RN-2): This place type
is intended for a range of housing types with on-site
recreation and open space up to 20 dwelling units per
acre. Examples of building types within this designation include small lot detached houses, duplexes and low-rise attached houses, multiplexes, cluster housing, courtyard apartments and low-rise walkups. Buildings are setback
at regular, shallow distances from the street with narrow side setbacks. The main entrance to the development and individual units are oriented to the primary street frontage and accessible directly from the street. Site design for larger developments includes narrow residential streets, wide sidewalks (minimum of six feet wide), street trees, lighting, and integrated open space of varying sizes and scales.

Neighborhood Residential 3 (RN-3): This place type is
intended for “missing middle” or middle-density housing up to 30 dwelling units per acre. These neighborhoods
provide a transition in scale and intensity between lower- intensity residential neighborhoods and more intense
neighborhoods or mixed-use areas. Building types in this designation include duplexes and low-rise attached housing, multiplexes, garden and courtyard apartments, and low-
rise walkups. Buildings are oriented to the pedestrian, with shallow setbacks and narrow side setbacks. The
main entrance is located within the front façade and
directly accessed from the street. Site design for larger developments includes narrow streets, wide sidewalks
(minimum of six feet wide) street trees and lighting at regular intervals, and ample common open space for
residents.

Neighborhood Residential 4 (RN-4): This place type is
intended as a high-intensity, walkable neighborhood with a variety of types of housing, predominantly multi-family up to 50 dwelling units per acre. Areas with the RN-4 designation are located proximal to commercial, civic, employment
and recreational uses These neighborhoods are located
near the high-speed rail station and function as a buffer between lower-intensity residential neighborhoods and
intense mixed-use areas. Building types in this designation include townhouses or rowhouses, garden and courtyard
apartments, and mid-rise apartments. Buildings are
oriented toward the pedestrian, with main entrances on
the front facing façade and with minimal or zero setbacks.

Properties have common yards and high-quality frontages. 40 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Mixed Use 3 (MU-3): This place type which correlates to the PTASP Urban Center (T5) designation, is intended to create a high-intensity concentration of commercial businesses and civic amenities mixed with multi-family housing along major corridors and/or near major transit. Allowed density range is 30-50 dwelling units per acre. Allowed uses
include multi-family residential, retail and services, office and medical, civic, and research and development use.

MU-3 areas provide employment, shopping, and living in a horizontal or vertical mixed-use format. Ground floors are primarily office, light R&D, and retail with housing above or behind. Allowed building types include condominiums or
rowhouses, low-rise walkups, standalone commercial, and block-form low-rise and mid-rise buildings.

Buildings face a public street with minimal setbacks.

Frontages are defined with entrance lobbies, shopfronts, or active spaces with awnings to promote a comfortable
pedestrian environment. Sidewalks are required in all areas with a minimum of ten feet in width, with planting strips where possible, and include amenities like street trees, lighting, seating, among others, at regular intervals. Onsite open space typically includes plazas, mini parks, or internal courtyards. Vehicular access is encouraged to be off the rear or side streets where possible.

Neighborhood Commercial (NC): This place type is intended to foster convenience-type retail, neighborhood offices and service activities that serve the daily needs of the immediate neighborhood. Neighborhood Commercial areas are
primarily located near neighborhoods, with development
occasionally found on small corner parcels but more often in slightly larger configurations (5 to 10 acres). Allowed uses include neighborhood-serving retail, services, and office, entertainment, auto service, and civic uses. These designations provide gathering places for the residents of surrounding neighborhoods and are ideal locations for high-quality transit stops. Building types include standalone commercial, attached low-rise commercial buildings in
a walkable “main street” configuration, and block-form
low-rise buildings. Buildings support both pedestrians and vehicle traffic, with entrances direct from the sidewalk along Avenue Q and if needed, facing a rear parking lot.

Employment Flex (EF): This place type is intended to permit a mix of lighter industrial uses and more intensive service, incidental retail, and commercial uses. It is a transition zone that allows a mix of businesses that provide a wide variety of employment-generating activity. The uses allowed in
this designation will support job generation, focusing on fabrication, research, distribution, and similar operations conducted primarily indoors. Primary allowed uses in
this designation include light industrial, flex/makerspace, Research &Development, and office and medical uses.

Secondary and supportive uses include retail, services, and auto related uses. Building types in the Employment Flex designation include minimal setbacks, oriented to the street.

Public Facilities (PF): This place type is applied to parcels that include public or private utilities and infrastructure.

Uses in this designation include water storage tanks and support facilities, powerlines and rights-of-way, railroad lines and rights-of-way, and electrical substations, among others. This designation permits support buildings that are required to operate and service public and private utilities.

Specific Plan (SP): The Specific Plan designation applies to parcels that fall within an existing Specific Plan in Palmdale. Those individual Specific Plan’s include allowed uses and regulations such as height, density, and floor area ratio (FAR). Portions of the East Avenue Q project area fall within the boundaries of the PTASP. The PTASP regulates all parcels with a regulating plan with zoning districts.

The zoning districts within the PTASP that affect the East Avenue Q project area are described in the following section in more detail.

Example of MU-3 Example of NC Example of EFExample of PF 41 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Palmdale Transit Area Specific Plan
A portion of the project area falls within the PTASP, which covers the region around the future multimodal transit
station and positions the segment of East Avenue Q between Division Street and 10th Street East as a future “Main
Street” for Downtown Palmdale. With a future connection across Sierra Highway, East Avenue Q will continue the main street environment as it transitions into residential and other employment uses along the corridor. Listed below are the PTASP districts that are also within the project area.9 These parcels are outlined in red within the Regulating Plan shown in Figure 23.

Urban Core (T6):
• Desired Character: The Urban Core Zone is intended to provide buildings with the highest intensity immediately surrounding the site of the future Palmdale Multimodal
Station. The focus of this zone is to provide jobs and
amenities near transit.
• Desired Land Uses: Ground floors may house retail,
restaurant, service, and office uses, while upper floors may accommodate office and residential uses. Residential uses are prohibited on the ground floor in this zone. Active pedestrian-oriented commercial uses are required along
Avenue Q, 4th Street East, 5th Street East, Palmdale
Boulevard and Sierra Highway.
• Allowed Intensity and Height: FAR range – 2.5 - 4.0;
Residential density: 50-80 du/acre. Buildings up to 85 feet are permitted.
9 A pending modification to the PTASP may impact the noted floor-area ratios.

Urban Center (T5):
• Desired Character: The Urban Center Zone is intended
for urban, mixed-use development immediately adjacent
to, and surrounding, the Urban Core Zone and along both sides of Avenue Q and Palmdale Boulevard.
• Desired Land Uses: This zone provides for residential or mixed-use buildings up to five stories. Active pedestrian- oriented commercial uses are required on the ground
floor along 4th Street East, Avenue Q and Palmdale
Boulevard. Other streets may have residential uses on the ground floor. Buildings within this zone are required to step down to two stories along portions of the parcel that abut single-family zones.
• Allowed Intensity and Height: FAR range – 1.5 - 3.0;
Residential density: 30-50 du/acre. Buildings up to 65 feet are permitted.
42 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Figure 23: PTASP Regulating Plan
43 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Corridor Development
The parcels on the north side of East Avenue Q are mostly vacant, providing an unprecedented opportunity for
developing consistent frontages and streetscape along the street. While private development may occur over time, the City may choose to install the public realm improvements at one time to ensure development of uniform streetscape.

Private Frontages
As described in the land use framework section above and detailed below, there are three frontage types in the corridor:

Mixed-use development on East Avenue Q will have active pedestrian frontages that maintain a continuous building line at the ground floor at or near the front property line.

Occasional setbacks are acceptable to incorporate outdoor patios and plazas. Mixed use frontages include primary
entrances facing East Avenue Q with shopfront windows and landscaping. Frontage types include shopfronts, arcades, and galleries. Awnings and other similar shade structures will be enlarged in order to provide shade for pedestrians.

Residential uses are located on upper stories or behind the buildings fronting East Avenue Q. At the 10th Street East intersection, mixed use buildings may be designed to include specialized corner treatments like angled corners and
architectural elements like plazas, towers, or domes. Upper- level balconies that overhang on the public right-of-way will be permitted with appropriate encroachment permits.

Residential development will contain frontage types that are oriented to East Avenue Q with windows to provide “eyes on the street.” These include porches, stoops, and small yards.

Buildings will be articulated to express the rhythm of the individual units. All buildings have at least one entrance on the front façade and directly accessed from the street. Entrances may be raised up to three feet above finished grade to provide privacy for residents. Buildings will incorporate windows and landscaping, encouraging four-sided architecture.

Commercial and employment-related development will be
designed to have frontages that are oriented to the street with parking located behind the buildings. While buildings may have entrances from the parking areas, primary
entrances will be oriented to the street. Setback areas will be landscaped to provide visual relief as well as privacy for ground floor users.

Public Realm
Placemaking is a key concept to creating a comfortable
pedestrian environment that supports and encourages
active transportation along the corridor. Listed below are descriptions of key elements of the public realm within the project area.
• Open Space: To support the mixed-use and residential
nature of East Avenue Q, new open space amenities must
be provided to complement and connect existing nearby
facilities like the Robert C. St. Clair Parkway on the west side of Sierra Highway south of East Avenue Q. Onsite
open space should be integrated into new multi-family
residential developments, in the form of tot lots, plazas, dog runs, and mini parks, among others. New retail,
commercial, and mixed-use developments must offer
small courtyards and gathering spaces to support outdoor dining and other public gatherings. New mixed-use and
residential development must connect to off-site parks
such as the nearby Melville J. Courson Park, Poncitlán
Square, William J. McAdam Park, and Desert Sands Park
(once a connection across the rail tracks is established) among others.
• Amenities: A key component of creating a welcoming and vibrant environment along East Avenue Q is to provide
supportive amenities for residents and visitors alike. See the Transportation Recommendations and Streetscape
Standards section of this chapter for additional details on public realm amenities like streetscape furniture, shade, and landscaping.

An active retail frontage with pedestrian amenities Sidewalk dining Multifamily residential development
44 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Transportation Recommendations
and Streetscape Standards
Key Transportation Issues
and Opportunities
• Existing street widths: The street has variable widths throughout the corridor, which creates constraints on
creating consistent, linear improvements throughout
the length of East Avenue Q. However, many segments
have enough width to provide opportunities for spot
infrastructure improvements like pedestrian refuge
islands, medians, or curb extensions.
• Unsignalized intersections: Only two intersections
within the project area are signalized, and the
other intersections throughout the corridor present
opportunities for installing new signals or other forms of traffic calming devices to control speed and improve safety.
• High stress environment for active transportation:

East Avenue Q is a high-stress street for people walking and biking. People riding bikes along East Avenue Q are forced to share the roadway with vehicles traveling at
high speeds, and sidewalks are inconsistent throughout
the project area, varying from five to eight feet in width, to missing entirely.
• Lack of shade: A limited tree canopy and many existing undeveloped parcels along East Avenue Q create a mostly unshaded environment for those traveling along the
corridor.

Design Goals and Objectives
The Project Team synthesized the existing condition
analysis, key issues and opportunities, input from City staff and stakeholders, and community priorities shared via public feedback, to create a set of design goals and objectives for the Project’s recommendations (Table 7).

Table 7: Design Goals and Objectives
Goal Objective Community Priorities
Connectivity
• Develop continuous sidewalks and bike lanes
along East Avenue Q.
• Create a direct connection to the future High
Speed Rail station.
• Increase connections to the existing and proposed
bicycle facility network.

Developing continuous sidewalks and bicycle
facilities are common feedback items from our
community engagement phases.

Multimodal
Operations
Rebalance East Avenue Q to better serve all road
users, including people walking, biking, taking
transit, and driving.

Balancing priorities for all modes was a key
response from participants who attended the
second workshop, as well as AV Youth Build
stakeholders.

Safety & Comfort
• Improve walking and biking conditions for people
of all ages and abilities.
• Incorporate recommendations to improve shade.
• Improve lighting.

Community members noted issues with
speeding along Avenue Q. They also noted
a willingness to spend more time driving on
Avenue Q to ensure a safer environment for
people walking and biking.

Aesthetics, Sense
of Place, and Land
Use Integration
• Beautify East Avenue Q, create a sense of place,
and promote economic vitality with amenities like
street landscaping, lighting, and signage.
• Complement proposed / future land uses along
East Avenue Q.

Community feedback indicated that lighting,
shade, and spaces for children are important
to include for the future Avenue Q.
45 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS The Complete Streets recommendations for East Avenue Q
include the following infrastructure changes/upgrades and streetscape recommendations:
• Continuous, protected sidewalk-level bicycle facilities along the length of the study corridor (Sierra Highway to 20th Street East).
• Continuous sidewalks and high-visibility crossings at intersections, with raised crossings at driveways.
• A center landscaped median for traffic calming where
possible, reducing points of conflict, and reducing the heat island effect, with gaps as needed for driveway access
and emergency access.
• Streetscape furniture to create a sense of place and add amenities for people biking and walking including lighting, shade structures, benches, trash receptacles, and bicycle racks.
• Landscaping and green infrastructure to reduce the heat island effect, capture stormwater, and provide shade for people walking along the corridor.

Public Right-of-Way
The available public right-of-way on East Avenue Q is a key factor in the concept alternatives developed for this study. The available right-of-way fluctuates from as little as 40 feet west of 9th Street East and as much as 104 feet immediately east of 10th Street. Most of the property line deviations occur in the western portion of the corridor where adjacent properties have already been developed,
whereas the corridor east of 15th Street East is consistently about 80 feet. The variability in the public right-of-way does have an impact on an overall cross section for the corridor, especially if existing properties and structures are not impacted or removed. However, the north side of East Avenue Q between 9th Street East and 17th Street East is vacant land and represents a more likely opportunity for the City to acquire needed frontage as these parcels develop.

Figures 24, 25, 26, and 27 highlight these varying right-of- way widths.
46 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Figure 24: Existing Right-of-Way on East Avenue Q between Sierra Highway and 10th Street East Figure 25: Existing Right-of-Way on East Avenue Q from 10th Street East to Orchid View Place 47 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Figure 27: Existing Right-of-Way on East Avenue Q from 16th Place East to 20th Street East Figure 26: Existing Right-of-Way on East Avenue Q from Orchid View Place to 16th Place East 48 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Basis of Design
Building on the previously discussed Design Goals and
Objectives (Table 7), design criteria were identified that best represent a street that is safe and comfortable for all ages, abilities, and travel choice. While constraints like right-of-way, emergency access, and adjacent properties, among others, may limit the size and scope of change on East Avenue Q, these design criteria represent conditions that should be met, regardless of these constraints.

These design criteria also adhere to the following design standards:
• City of Palmdale Safe Routes to School Plan, Bicycle
Design Guidelines
• California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Highway Design Manual
• Public Right-of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) • California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(CAMUTCD)
• California Building Code (CBC)
• Caltrans Design Information Bulletin 89-01: Class IV
Bikeway Guidance
Table 8 presents key design assumptions used during the development of design alternatives.

Table 8: Basis of Design Criteria
Design Criteria Value(s) Justification
Travel lane width
• 11-foot curbside travel lanes*
• 10-foot turn lanes
• 10-foot inside travel lanes
• 26-foot width for Fire
Department access
*excluding gutters
Eleven-foot lanes are sufficient to accommodate bus and truck traffic in curbside lanes and are narrow enough to discourage speeding by smaller motor vehicles. Ten-foot interior lanes further discourage speeding while still comfortably accommodating vehicles. This national best practice is supported in the NACTO Urban Street Design Guide.

Bike lane width
• 5-foot minimum (excluding
gutter)
• 6 to 8 feet preferred*
(excluding gutter)
*on arterials
Six-to-eight-foot bike lanes are preferred for bicyclist safety and comfort. Five-foot bike lanes are the minimum recommended one- way bicycle facility width per the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, 5th Ed. In constrained conditions, a four-foot bike lane may be applied near bus zones, for example.

Bike lane buffer
width
• 2-foot minimum
• 3 feet preferred (required
adjacent to parking)
Three-foot buffers are preferred for bicyclist comfort and safety.

Two-foot buffers are the minimum recommended width.

Sidewalk width
• 5-foot minimum
• 8 feet preferred
• 10-foot minimum preferred
at mixed-use nodes
• 4 feet at pinch points
Five feet is a standard minimum width for sidewalks. Eight feet is preferred to allow for side-by-side travel. Four feet is the minimum width at constrained locations, per PROWAG. Per California Building Code 11B-403.5.3, if the sidewalk is less than five feet in width, a “passing space” must be provided every 200 feet.

Landscaped buffer
width
• 4-foot minimum
• 6 to 8 feet preferred*
*reference City Approved Plant
and Tree List
Five feet provides sufficient space for trees to flourish without damaging the sidewalk and curb line; six to eight feet is preferred. It is possible to provide a four-foot landscaped buffer if needed.

Design vehicle
• 40-foot City Bus on city and
school bus routes
• SU-30 at other locations
These design vehicles will ensure that Regional Transit bus and school bus movements are accommodated by design alternatives at bus stops and intersections. Otherwise, the design will accommodate a single unit truck.

Land use context
Right of way design is reflective
of and sensitive to the
surrounding land use context
Pedestrian and cyclist amenities and need for on street parking will be different based on the adjacent land uses along East Avenue Q.

Driveway frequency and interruptions will vary based on land use.

Acquisition cost Wider right-of-way will require
more land acquisition
Most typical right of way width is approximately 80 feet along East Avenue Q with some pinch points that are approximately 40 feet. 49 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Additional design assumptions include:
• Signal timing adjustments may be warranted to
accommodate bicycle, pedestrian, and/or transit
improvements.
• Adjustments to existing infrastructure (e.g., signal infrastructure, light poles, drainage, curb lines, additional utilities) may be warranted to accommodate roadway
improvements.
• Accessibility upgrades such as installation of tactile domes at curb ramps, reconstruction of outdated curb
ramps, and construction of wheelchair clear zones at bus stops will be included in design alternatives.
• Right-of-way impacts will strive to be minimized but will not be constrained by existing right-of-way in areas that are currently not developed.
• A center landscaped median included where feasible in the design alternatives to improve aesthetics, calm traffic, reduce points of conflict, and reduce the heat island
effect. Emergency vehicle access requirements may limit some opportunities for this.
• A minimum five-foot by eight-foot boarding area is
provided at bus stops.
• Meeting current Americans with Disability Act
Standards for all new construction.

Alternatives Analysis
Three potential design alternatives for the corridor were developed based on the design objectives and goals
identified in the previous section. The alternatives included a 90-foot configuration with one vehicular lane in each direction (Figure 28), a 90-foot configuration with two vehicular lanes in each direction (Figure 29), and a 114-foot configuration with two vehicular lanes in each direction (Figure 30). In alignment with this Plan’s Complete Streets goals, all three configurations included protected bicycle facilities, ample sidewalk widths, along with space for landscaping, trees, seating, lighting, and shade.
10’ 8’
90’
10’ 6’ Varies6’ 2’8’10’6’6’2’ 8’8’Varies
SidewalkBike LaneTravel Lane
Frontage Zone
Buffer
Landscape
Parking Zone/Stormwater Landscape
Median Landscape/Left Turn Lane
Travel Lane
Bike Lane
Buffer
Parking Zone/Stormwater Landscape
Sidewalk LandscapeFrontage Zone
Figure 28: “Narrow Option A” Alternative as presented for community feedback 50 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Sidewalk
11’ 8’
90’
Bike Lane
10’ 6’ Varies
Travel Lane
Frontage Zone
Buffer
6’ 1’
Landscape
11’10’
Travel LaneBike Lane
4’
Buffer
6’1’
Parking Zone/Stormwater Landscape
8’
Sidewalk
8’
Landscape
Varies
Frontage Zone
Travel Lane Travel Lane
Figure 29: “Narrow Option B” Alternative as presented for community feedback 11’ 8’
114’
10’ 6’ Varies6’ 2’8’12’6’6’2’ 8’8’Varies 10’ 11’
SidewalkBike LaneTravel Lane
Frontage Zone
Buffer
LandscapeParking Zone/Stormwater Landscape
Median Landscape/Left Turn Lane
Travel LaneBike Lane
Buffer
Parking Zone/Stormwater Landscape
Sidewalk LandscapeFrontage Zone
Travel Lane Travel Lane
Figure 30: “Wider Option” as presented for community feedback 51 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS City staff and the Technical Working Group provided
additional feedback to help refine the alternatives, and the Project Team then conducted an evaluation of how each
alternative met the Complete Streets goals of the Plan.

Table 9 details the results of the alternatives evaluation:
• A full circle indicates the evaluation metric is met, • A half-circle indicates the evaluation is partially met, • An empty circle indicates the evaluation metric is not met.

Table 9: Alternatives Evaluation
Evaluation
Metric (goals) Basis of Evaluation
90-foot 2-lane
configuration
(Figure 28)
90-foot 4-lane
configuration
(Figure 29)
114-foot 4-lane
configuration
(Figure 30)
Connectivity
Continuous and consistent bikeway and
pedestrian facilities throughout the project area
Frequent and convenient crossings for
bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users
Multimodal
Operations
Minimized conflict points between modes (i.e.,
bikeway and pedestrian route conflict points
with vehicles and transit loading and unloading)
Vehicle delay
Parking availability
Safety &
Comfort
Wide pedestrian and bicycle facilities
Short crossing distances for pedestrians
Horizontal and vertical separation between
vehicles and bicyclists/pedestrians
Intuitiveness and ease of use of facilities
Accessible design throughout the corridor
Aesthetics,
Sense of Place,
and Land Use
Integration
Sense of a Downtown Street, a destination
Shade and “Greening” of the corridor with
vegetation and landscaping
Right of way design is reflective of and sensitive
to the surrounding land use context
Limited right of way impacts
52 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Recommended Corridor
Alternative
After review of the three alternatives and feedback
from City staff and key stakeholders, the Project Team’s final recommendation for the corridor includes a varied configuration of travel lanes and right-of-way widths
that maintains comfortable walking and biking facilities with space for landscaping and street furniture, while
acknowledging that automobile demand would likely
increase as properties along the corridor redevelop under the proposed Palmdale 2045 General Plan land uses and
zoning. Table 10 details the different configurations along each segment of East Avenue Q. The widest configuration (114 feet) recommended between Sierra Highway and
9th Street East is included as it creates a more logical continuation of the street section required within the PTASP.

Table 10: Final Recommendation Design Details
Street Segment Design Recommendation
East Avenue Q between
Sierra Highway and 9th Street East
• 114-foot public right-of-way
• Four vehicular lanes with turn lanes
• Landscaped median
• Sidewalk-level bike facilities on both sides of the street • Sidewalks and landscaping on both sides of the street • Parking on both sides of the street
East Avenue Q between
9th Street East and 12th Street East
• 90-foot public right-of-way
• Four vehicular lanes / turn lanes (as needed)
• Landscaped median
• Sidewalk-level bike facilities on both sides of the street • Sidewalks on both sides of the street
• Landscaping on the south side of the street
• Parking on the north side of the street
East Avenue Q between
12th Street East and 20th Street East
• 90-foot public right-of-way
• Two vehicle lanes with turn lanes (as needed)
• Striped and landscaped/striped median
• Sidewalk level bike facilities on both sides of the street • Sidewalks and landscaping on both sides of the street • Parking on both sides of the street
53 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Streetscape and
Green Infrastructure
Recommendations
The public right-of-way recommendations will be enhanced through use of shade trees, street furniture, and lighting at regular intervals. Detailed below are the specific amenities that will create a comfortable pedestrian environment
within the project area. These recommendations are an
extension of those for East Avenue Q within the PTASP,
building a more seamless experience as one travels along the corridor.
• Shade, Landscaping and Green Infrastructure:
» The Chinese Elm “Ulmus Parvifolia” is the preferred
deciduous tree variety along East Avenue Q, with
recommended spacing of approximately 40 feet on
center with four-foot tree wells at the nodes and
major intersections. Tree spacing intervals may
increase between nodes along East Avenue Q. Typical
spacing for large canopy trees located within curb
extensions and eight-foot+ wide planting strips would
be 30-40 feet on center, while medium canopy trees
located adjacent to parking zones and four-foot+
wide planting strips would be 20-25 feet on center.

While much of the northern portion of the corridor
is constrained by overhead utility lines, careful
placement of trees along with shade structures
can contribute to providing sufficient shade as the
corridor continues to develop.
» Engineered shade structures can support additional
landscaping as well as provide much-needed shade.

These structures should be placed in concert with all
proposed transit stop location as well as intersections with seating.
» Low-water use plants and ground cover should be
placed along sidewalks and in medians.
» Pervious pavement parking zones allow stormwater
to soak into the ground.
» Stormwater curb extensions capture stormwater and
support large trees and should be located based on
existing catch basins.
• Streetscape Furniture:
» Benches, trash receptacles, and bicycle racks should
be provided in high pedestrian activity areas, such as
the mixed-use and retail/employment areas. These
amenities must be appropriate for the high desert
climate and be consistent with the surrounding design
and architecture.
» Pedestrian-scaled lighting fixtures must augment
existing vehicle-scaled lights along East Avenue Q to
increase safety and security of pedestrians. Fixtures
should be spaced 40 to 60 feet apart within the
mixed-use areas, with intervals increasing along the
residential areas between nodes. Fixtures should be
15 to 20 feet tall, with LED bulbs, and adhere to the
Dark Sky Association lighting guidelines.
» All street furniture and lighting must have a
consistent look across the corridor regardless of
vendor or manufacturer.

Concept Design
The following concepts illustrate a plan view and cross- section to represent the four-lane configuration and the two-lane configuration included in the recommended
corridor alternative, as well as recommendations for
general placement of green infrastructure and streetscape furnishing elements. The full concept design is located in Appendix F.
54 PALMDALE EAST AVENUE Q COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT | 4. RECOMMENDATIONS Proposed Plan View of East Avenue Q between 10th Street East and 11th Street East 1 2
8 15
18 Proposed Cross Sec� on of East Avenue Q between 10th Street East and 11th Street East 5 6
7 8 9
10 11
11 11
11 14
15 18
20 21
10 TH STREET

AVENUE Q
Loca� on Key
East Avenue Q Recommended Alterna� ve
10th Street East to 11th Street East (Four-Lane Conﬁ gurati on) 12th
15th
16th
17th
20th
18th
8th
11th
10th
1 1
3 3
44 5
6 6
7 88 99
9 9
10 10
1111 12
12 13
13 114’
16’ 14’ 11’ 10’ 12’ 11’10’ 14’ 16’
1 1
2 3
4 4
5 11
11 11
14 15
17 19
19 11 TH STREET

AVENUE Q
Corridor Features
Stormwater Curb Extensions: Placed
at intersecti ons and midblock locati ons
to shorten crossing distance, capture
stormwater, and support large trees.

Pervious Pavement Parking Zones: Gaps
between interlocking concrete pavers
allows stormwater to soak into the ground.

Street Tree Shading: Large canopy Chinese
Elm trees are fast growing and can help
shade bicycle and sidewalk zones.

Mul� modal Pathway: Protected sidewalk-
level bike faciliti es and sidewalks provide
a safe and comfortable space for people
walking and biking.