From: Hillside Neighbors
Sent: Thursday, May 1, 2025 10:32 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: Council Special Meeting May 5 at 4:00 pm - City Goals and Objectives - Please include the following comments for the City Council Special Meeting on May 5 at 4:00 pm - City Goals and Objectives:
Comments re B1.4 Design and construct Second Street and Fourth Street intersection improvements:
Redesign intersection improvements to include the westbound left-turn lane on Second Street to Marquard/West End, in response to:
-the strong objection from neighborhood residents to the elimination of this left-turn lane and the large number of vehicles, 300+, using this left turn lane on a daily basis. -recognizing that there is no reasonable alternatives to rerouting of 300 vehicles to other intersections, whose rerouting will lower compliance rates and increase safety risks. -to include and respect the needs of all the various modes of transportation that use this intersection, including vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists -to maintain reasonable access for those living on Marquard in addition to those living higher uphill on Fremont, Upper Fremont and Trost, whose only access is from Marquard -to not compromise on safety for any mode of transportation, including vehicular -to eliminate the diversion/increase of vehicular traffic thru the intersection of Marquard and Fremont, whether uphill or downhill, due to the known impossible ability of most vehicles to successfully navigate this intersection given it's narrow, steep and backward angle, resulting in an unsafe and unreasonable burden on the inadequate infrastructure of this intersection to accommodate additional traffic.
-to recognize that emergency vehicles need unencumbered access to Marquard and by unencumbered access, it is understood that other vehicles will easily be able to use the unencumbered access, as well.
-to respect the professional opinion of the City's prior seasoned traffic engineer, Rafat Raie, who clearly stated in 2022 that he didn't want to "land lock Marquard" and "because of the location, this intersection needs to accommodate all vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles" and so, based on his professional opinion, the left turn lane on Second Street was added back into the plan for this intersection, at that time, and the left turn lane on Second Street should remain in any redesign of this intersection.
Please see my attached letter to the City Council from April 21, 2025. -Victoria
April 21, 2025
Mayor Kate Colin and City Council Members
City of San Rafael
1400 Fifth Ave
San Rafael, CA via: [email protected]
RE: Agenda item #6b. Second and Fourth Street Interseciton Improvements Project Closing off the westbound left turn lane from Second to Marquard blocks the main access to our neighborhood creating unnecessary hardship for residents. Alternate routes are less safe and prone to more congestion with more difficult access. I strongly oppose the closing of the westbound left turn lane from Second St to Marquard, for the following reasons:
1. Access, Access, Access…….
It’s all about access! Kimley Horn (KH) is looking at traffic volumes and not access issues, compiling data from the city’s camera footage, not indicating whether they made an “on-site” inspection. With an “on-site” inspection you gain insight not obtained from crunching numbers alone. For example, you will see that the house at 11 Marquard cannot be accessed from West Street because their driveway is angled toward the other direction and can only be accessed from the opposite approach.
In addition, KH does not address access issues for residents living above Marquard where homes on Fremont, Upper Fremont and Trost have only one access, from Marquard. Rerouting traffic to West Street makes it more difficult to access homes on Fremont and above because of the sharp steep turn from West to Marquard and the extremely sharp turn from Marquard to Fremont Road, where Marquard is only ~12’ wide, and Fremont is only ~8.5” wide (see attached photos). Smaller vehicles can barely make this turn, with most vehicles requiring a 3-pt turn and larger vehicles, like delivery trucks and construction vehicles, unable to make the turn at all. Note that the minimum width requirement for a public street today is 25’ (SRMC 15.07.030).
Marquard widens from ~17’ at Second Street to ~27’ as you drive uphill then narrows to ~12’ wide before ending at West Street (measurements exclude street parking). In contrast, West Street is steeper and narrower, at ~20’ wide, with only ~11’ available for 2-way traffic, after subtacting 9’ for street parking on one side (SRMC 14.18.100). West Street cannot accommodate 2-way traffic as well as Marquard. This can be particularly problematic at the intersection of Second and West Street where cars traveling in opposite directions can form a bottleneck, causing traffic to back up into the pedestrian crosswalk and bike path.
Larger vehicles, such as construction or tree trimming equipment, need the wide swing of the left turn lane on Second St to access Marquard which is only 17’ wide at the intersection. Driving up Marquard from Second Street is also the best option for accessing homes up the hill, with a more gradual incline, better capacity to maneuver 2-way traffic and an easier connection to Fremont Road for those needing to access homes higher up on the hill.
In the KH Memorandum dated February 21, 2025, they weigh the pros and cons of closing the westbound left turn lane at Second Street and conclude that delay is reduced for all peak travel time, by about 5-8 seconds. This small number is not perfect and probably has a mathematical variance associated with the calculation, rendering it insignificant. The report goes on to say “Some delay at the 2nd Street and West Street intersection and the 4th Street and Greenfield Avenue intersection may be experienced…”. However, they don’t calculate those delays or address congestion on these alternate routes or consider access to homes above Marquard, except to say “the changes to travel time due to these reroutes are minimal” and “will take an additional one to two minutes.” They also don’t address whether some vehicles may not be able to access Marquard from West End Avenue or vice versa, saying only that “Cons” include delays at the two rerouted intersections which “may” increase along with “reduced access to Marquard”. If vehicles, such as larger construction equipment, are not able to make the 90 degree turn from West End Ave to Marquard, which is only 17’ wide where it intersects Second, then what other option do they have? KH has not designed the traffic signal plan yet so we don’t know whether the new signalization on Marquard at Second/West End will cause delays, forcing smaller vehicles to opt to drive down West Street instead, resulting in an increased volume of traffic traveling down West St and with only 11’ width to accommodate 2-way traffic, could block traffic trying to come up West Street.
To drive past Marquard to the intersection at Greenfield and Fourth Street and then backtrack to Marquard adds ~1/2 mile to the trip with no calculation from KH about real delays caused by increased waiting for the left turn signal to change and increased congestion at Greenfield/Fourth and Greenfield/West End Ave caused by diverting an additional 200 vehicles to this intersection on a daily basis, many of which will probably be large delivery vehicles. No analysis by KH about how many of these vehicles will decide to drive over the “mountable curb” as a better option to reach their destination.
By rerouting 100 vehicles to the 2nd/West St intersection, you are creating less safe and more difficult access for residents living uphill as well as increasing possibility of damage to adjacent properties.
When 2 or more vehicles going in opposite directions meet, someone must back-up on a steep narrow street until enough room can be had for vehicles to pass. I’ve had to replace my handrail twice due to vehicles backing up/maneuvering at this intersection. But no road improvements are being made to accommodate the additional traffic to make it safer.
I agree with Rafat Raie, the City’s prior traffic engineer, who said at a BPAC meeting in December 2022, that “because of the location, this intersection needs to accommodate all vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles.” After Rafat’s assessment, the westbound left turn lane on Second Street was restored on the plans, until now.
I know the City has a vision to create a modern intersection design but I’m concerned that, in the process, the City is turning it’s back on the importance of neighborhood access. The Marquard/Second Street intersection is the most important access point for our neighborhood and should be maintained.
2. Accident History
As part of the OBAG 3 grant application, April Miller completed the “Complete Streets Checklist” which includes accident history for this intersection. She reported 13 collisions in the last 5 years including two that involved motor vehicles and bicyclists. Neither collision involved a vehicle turning left from Second St. There were no accidents involving pedestrians.
The westbound left turn lane from Second Street provides wide and clear visibility of surrounding movements with adequate stopping distance to avoid collisions. I am aware of accidents along this stretch of roadway but mostly caused by vehicles traveling too fast along the Miracle Mile.
3. Mountable Curb:
Do you anticipate allowing exceptions for vehicles other than emergency vehicles from driving over the “mountable curb” that cannot navigate access any other way, such as PGE equipment, tree trimming equipment, COMCAST, etc? How do you plan to manage that? Do you plan to “charge” for a permit to access Marquard via the “mountable curb” whose cost will ultimately be passed onto residents needing to provide access for services?
I predict non-emergency vehicles will continue to drive over the “mountable curb” regardless of signage and create an unsafe condition.
4. Lack of Traffic Signal at 2nd/West St:
According to your staff report, dated April 21, 2025, Kimley Horn will provide detailed traffic signal designs for two intersection locations: 1) 4th and 2nd Street, and 2) 4th and West Crescent Dr. There is no mention in your report of assessing or designing the traffic signalization of the 2nd and West Street intersection where you plan to reroute 100 cars from crossing the bike path and pedestrian crossing at a “signalized” intersection (2nd/Marquard) to an “unsignalized” intersection (2nd/West St).
In the FAQs, in answer to the question about additional signaling at 2nd and West Street, staff answers that this is separate from the project. I received a similar answer from staff that this was outside the project boundaries but looking at the original application filed by Public Works for the OBAG 3 grant, the 2nd and West Street intersection is clearly within the “project limit” as shown on the attached diagram. So, signaling at this intersection should be included in project design and costs. In addition, the City has $4.7 million in Gas Tax Funds that can be used for this project, per staff report.
5. Utility Box blocking visibility:
The tall utility box on the northwest corner of Marquard/2nd Street blocks visibility of oncoming cyclists traveling east on West End Ave and should be moved. Bicyclists do not stop at the stop sign on West End Avenue unless they turn to cross the intersection to Fourth Street. Moving the bicycle crossing to the east side of the intersection forces bicycles across Marquard with greater risk of bicycle/vehicle contact. The tall utility box at this corners adds to that risk.
Public Works staff mentioned it would be very expensive to move the box and they may be able to have it shortened. Shortening the box would not be enough. I drive a subcompact sedan and my line of sight is at ~45”. The height of the box is ~82”. Lowering the height of the box would not improve visibility from my viewpoint unless it was lowered by greater than half it’s current height. But it’s not only the height of the box but also the width, being too close to the intersection, that blocks visibility. I have previously met with Public Works Staff on-site as well as recently communicated via email about this issue.
6. Pedestrian Safety:
I have lived on Fremont Road for 40+ years and one thing I like about living in this neighborhood is how walkable it is. However, as a pedestrian, I avoid crossing this large intersection, from Marquard to Fourth Street because I feel unsafe standing on the median between fast moving traffic. Moving the median to the other side of the street doesn’t make me feel any safer because I would still be standing in the middle of the same fast moving traffic. All that’s needed is for one vehicle to slam into the median and jump the curb. There needs to be a better design for pedestrian safety.
7. Future Community Meeting:
Exhibit A-2, Task 2 says Kimley-Horn will attend two (2) community meetings to answer questions.
The first meeting was 2/27/25 and the second meeting is yet to be scheduled. When do you expect this second meeting to take place? Can you provide better notification for this meeting to include all residents affected by this project, including property owners and occupants living on West Street, Marquard, Fremont, Upper Fremont, Trost, West End Ave and Sentinel Court. Residents I spoke with on West End Ave and Sentinel Court don’t seem to have been notified about the first meeting. Also, please use larger font for the notification. The small postcard mailed for the 2/27/25 meeting contained some very small print.
Thank you for consideration of my comments.
Sincerely,
Victoria DeWitt
San Rafael, CA
att: Drawing of 2nd & Marquard
Diagram of OBAG-3 Project Limit
photos: Marquard at Second
West at Second
Marquard / Fremont Road intersection
Car making 3-pt turn from Marquard to Fremont
West End Avenue