DATE: SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORATION DIVISION FROM: DAVID JACOBS, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
BY: ADRIANA ROBLES, CITY ENGINEER
GERARDO RODRIGUEZ, ASSISTANT ENGINEER
TITLE: 2024 SALINAS ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution adopting the 2024 Salinas Active Transportation Plan as a strategic planning document.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City’s current bicycle and pedestrian plans were developed in the early 2000s, and there is a need for an updated compressive active transportation planning document. The vision of the 2024 Active Transportation Plan is to create an accessible, high-quality network of walking and biking routes that connect all neighborhoods within the city. The 2024 Active Transportation Plan identifies transportation needs and prioritizes projects that will make walking and biking reliable, comfortable, convenient, and more connected for all users.
BACKGROUND:
With a mild climate and relatively flat terrain, the City of Salinas is well-positioned to increase walking and bicycling for transportation. Currently, there are 95 miles of connected bikeways. However, there are substantial gaps in the current bicycle network and much of the network is in relatively disconnected islands that create barriers to bicycling on streets with high speeds and volumes of vehicles, creating safety issues when people bike on streets without a dedicated facility. In addition, although the sidewalk network in Salinas is generally well developed, there are some pedestrian network gaps and the sidewalks in many areas are need of repair or replacement.
In 2022, the City of Salinas was awarded a Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant to develop a Citywide Active Transportation Plan. At its meetings, on December 6, 2022 and On May 16, 2023 City Council approved an agreement with Ecology Action and Kimley Horn Associates, Inc., respectively, to develop the Active Transportation Plan.
The City of Salinas Active Transportation Plan was informed by the 2018 Salinas Active Transportation Needs Assessment, the 2022 Safe Routes to School Plan, 2022 Vision Zero Action Plan, and other current planning efforts. The plan is intended to act as a combined update of the Pedestrian Plan (2004) and the Bikeways Plan (2002) and provide a strategy for citywide sustainable transportation growth and opportunities to support connection and integration into the regional active transportation network.
This Plan was developed with systematic, iterative community engagement, focusing on critical agency stakeholders as well as disadvantaged communities. The plan incorporates robust outreach efforts that used a diverse set of tools to meet people where they are, including a community-driven prioritization process to select projects for design and implementation, discussion and agreement on the policy and programmatic improvements to support the network, and a design process that resulted in concepts that are feasible and fundable.
This plan includes strategies to improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity and safety by expanding the existing bicycle network, improving pedestrian circulation, reducing vehicle trips, creating complete streets, and building a healthy and livable community. The plan also includes a list of priority projects that can continue Salinas’ success in supporting active transportation. This prioritization process has already been beneficial, with the City submitting a Cycle 7 Active Transportation Plan grant application in June 2024 to fund one of these priority projects, the John Street/Williams Road Safe Routes to School Project and Programming.
The 2024 Active Transportation Plan also includes the City’s Trail Master Plan, which is intended to guide the development of a safe, interconnected system of trails and shared-use paths throughout Salinas. Much like the Active Transportation Plan, the Trails Master Plan includes project recommendations to support walking and bicycling as safe, enjoyable, and realistic transportation options for community members. These projects provide additional opportunities for those who enjoy walking, jogging, bicycling, and skating for health and recreational purposes. The Trails Master Plan is focused on trails and shared-use paths, while the Active Transportation Plan covers a wider range of active transportation facilities.
Traffic and Transportation Commission
The Draft 2024 Salinas Active Transportation Plan was presented to the Traffic and Transportation Commission at its August 8, 2024 meeting. The Commission voted (4-2) recommending City Council to approve a Resolution adopting the 2024 Salinas Active Transportation Plan.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This action supports the Council’s initiative of Public Safety.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Public Works Department obtained grant funds to develop the 2024 Salinas Active Transportation Plan. The Public Works Department in coordination with the Community Development Department managed the plan development process.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact with adopting the 2024 Salinas Active Transportation Plan.
Fund
Appropriation
Appropriation
Name
Total Appropriation
Amount for recommendation
FY 23-24 CIP Budget Page
Last Budget Action (Date, Resolution)
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Attachment 1: 2024 Salinas Active Transportation Plan
Page | 3
Page | 1
2018 Monterey County Active Transportation Plan, Transportation Agency for Monterey County.
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