Streets, including the Undercrossing at Castillo Street and US 101, and Haley Street between Castillo and De La Vina Streets. This effort included right-of-way research and a topographic field survey to verify the City’s and Caltrans’ right-of-way. After right-of-way boundaries were verified, City staff analyzed how safety enhancements could be implemented with elevated and separated bike paths, widened sidewalks with street trees, and new and enhanced lighting facilities.
Prior to holding community engagement meetings, City staff met with both Caltrans and the adjacent property owners (Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society and the Santa Barbara Historical Museum) to review the conceptual design as features would overlap with the Caltrans’ right-of-way and potentially require property acquisition along Castillo Street.
The grant funded planning effort was largely completed in December 2022, with additional coordination with Caltrans and additional community engagement occurring in 2023 and 2024.
Proposed Conceptual Design
The Project proposes safety enhancements to reduce the pattern of collisions and increase safe mobility along Castillo Street between Haley and Montecito Streets and along Haley Street between Castilo and De La Vina Streets. The Project will improve bike and pedestrian connectivity between West Downtown, coastal destinations, and SBCC. (Attachment 1).
Along southbound and northbound Castillo Street in the Undercrossing, the Project would create raised, shared bike and pedestrian facilities to remove cyclists from the water.
When the sidewalk in the Undercrossing is widened, Caltrans will repair the leaking slab as a separate, but concurrent project.
Between the Undercrossing and Montecito Street, the southbound bike lane will also be raised and will contain a dedicated bike signal and restricted right turn for vehicles at the Castillo and Montecito Streets intersection. On the northbound side, a Class III bike facility will be installed. A higher-level bike facility cannot be added due to the right-of-way constraint of the Union Pacific Railroad bridge.
Along the 300 block of Castillo, the sidewalk is proposed to be widened on both sides, which will require acquisition of private property at two locations. New street trees and lighting will be added. Along the 300 West block of Haley Street and near Haley/Castillo/US 101 intersection, the sidewalk will be widened and trees will be removed and replaced with new street trees.
A new Class II bike lane will be installed on Haley Street between De La Vina and Chapala streets in summer of 2024. This will connect to the existing Class II bike lane on Haley Street that connects through Downtown and to the Eastside neighborhood. This Project includes new bike facilities on Haley Street between Castillo and De La Vina Streets to Council Agenda Report
Castillo Street Undercrossing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Improvements Project [Resolution]
April 16, 2024
complete the final gap in biking connectivity along the Haley Street corridor. Specifically, the Project will include a raised, separated eastbound bike lane between on-street parking and the sidewalk on the 200 West block of Haley Street, as well as an eastbound onstreet bike lane on the 300 West block of Haley Street. A raised and separated bike facility and realigned sidewalk on the eastbound transition from Castillo Street to Haley Street is also proposed. Tree removal and replacement is proposed along the east side of Haley Street.
To fit an eastbound bike lane on the 200 and 300 blocks of West Haley Street, one of the westbound vehicle travel lanes will be removed near the intersection of Bath and Haley Streets. Absent mitigation, the removal of a vehicle travel lane will reduce the intersection capacity at Bath and Haley Streets.
Staff performed traffic studies to understand the traffic volumes at the Bath and Haley Streets intersection, and found the traffic is much heavier going northbound than southbound. Counts were conducted on a weekday, and 14 vehicles during the morning peak hour and 18 vehicles during the evening peak hour were traveling southbound on the 400 block of Bath Street, versus 422 and 454 vehicles traveling northbound during the peak hours.
To make up for the reduced intersection capacity, the 400 block of Bath Street will be converted from a two-way street to one-way (northbound) street, which will allow for a second northbound lane to be added on Bath Street at the approach to the intersection.
From a traffic flow standpoint, the change to a one-way would improve intersection capacity by 23 percent during the morning peak hour, 14 percent during mid-day, and 3 percent during the evening peak hour. This change will improve safety and traffic flow at the intersection. Prior to implementation, it will require approval of an ordinance amendment by the Ordinance Committee and Council.
This change will alter the vehicular routes to and from the properties on the 400 block of Bath Street. To access this block from Haley Street, drivers would need to turn south on De La Vina Street and turn right on Cottage Grove Avenue or use the alley between Haley Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. There would be no changes to access when driving from US 101 to the 400 block of Bath Street.
Community Engagement and Transportation and Circulation Committee Review The City conducted bilingual community engagement via webinars on September 29 and October 6, 2022, and an in-person meeting on October 8, 2022. Spanish interpretation was provided at all meetings. The community was notified of these meetings through bilingual signage in the neighborhood, mailed notices to all properties within and adjacent to the planning area, and online notifications through the City’s News In Brief, Instagram, and Nextdoor. Other stakeholders, such as SBCC, MOVE Santa Barbara County (formerly SBBIKE+COAST), and the City’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee were also notified directly.
Council Agenda Report
Castillo Street Undercrossing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Improvements Project [Resolution]
April 16, 2024
The webinar on September 29, 2022, was focused on how the future Project would require changing the 400 block of Bath Street to a one-way street (northbound) to make room for a bike lane on Haley Street. This change would also alter the vehicular routes to and from the properties on the 400 block of Bath Street. The residents who would be impacted by this change were notified with mailed notices and on-site signage, and no public comments were received about the proposed circulation changes at the 2022 webinars or at the in-person meeting.
The purpose of the webinar on October 6, 2022, and the in-person meeting on October 8, 2022, was to share the conceptual design and receive written and verbal feedback.
City staff also presented details of the Planning Effort to the Transportation and Circulation Committee (TCC) in October of 2022 (Attachment 2 - TCC Minutes).
In general, the conceptual design was supported by the community and the TCC. Both the community and TCC wanted staff to continue to work with Caltrans to see if the bike lanes in the Undercrossing could be raised to the sidewalk level due to the continued wet roadway surface resulting from the high-water table. City staff met with Caltrans on several occasions and presented a conceptual design to widen the sidewalk from 5 feet to 8 feet in the Undercrossing to create a shared facility. Caltrans staff provided support for this design, and it was incorporated into the conceptual plans (Attachment 1).
City staff conducted further bilingual community engagement with a webinar and an inperson meeting on March 13, and March 16, 2024, respectively, to share the proposed changes within the Undercrossing and to revisit the overall conceptual design, including the proposed change on the 400 block of Bath Street from a two-way to a one-way.
The latest community feedback received through this outreach is summarized below:
The community continues to show strong support for the bicycle and pedestrian facility improvements proposed on Castillo and Haley Streets. Impacted property owners have concerns about sidewalk widening in the areas where property acquisition is needed.
Concerns from residents on the 400 block of Bath Street about circulation changes from a two-way to a one-way street and the potential for increased traffic in the alley.
Residents from the 400 block of Bath Street also requested speed control from drivers coming from the US 101 off-ramp onto Bath Street. Preference for a raised and separated bike lane option on 200 block of West Haley Street over on-street bike lane option.
Some support for proposed widened sidewalk/shared facility within the Undercrossing and some have concerns about cyclists and pedestrians sharing the space.
Staff will incorporate speed control measures from the US 101 Bath Street off-ramp into the grant application. Staff will also incorporate best engineering solutions for the shared facility within the Undercrossing that will also meet Caltrans’ standards.
Council Agenda Report
Castillo Street Undercrossing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Improvements Project [Resolution]
April 16, 2024
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
The estimated total Project cost for implementation is $10 million. Grant funding is required to implement this Project, as the City does not have sufficient internal funding available. City staff is requesting that Council adopt a resolution to support the application for grant funding.
The most likely funding source is the State’s Active Transportation Program (ATP). The ATP’s next grant cycle, Cycle 7, has an application deadline on June 17, 2024. The ATP is extremely competitive, and Cycle 7 will likely have a reduced overall amount of funding available due to the State’s budget deficit. A local match is not required for this grant source but is likely needed to compete with other applications from around the State.
Currently, the Streets Fund has a structural deficit and is not a potential funding source as a local match. Measure C cannot be used without significant impacts to street maintenance activities. To make the ATP application more competitive, City staff will apply for a Measure A grant this fall for approximately $500,000 and this funding can be used as a local match for the ATP application. This will increase the project score by two points and increase likelihood of a successful application.
Staff requests that Council authorize staff to proceed with a grant application. Given the important destinations this project will serve and the potential to improve safety, this should be a strong application. However, if the application is not successful, through the process the City will learn what could make the Project more competitive for future grant opportunities.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The Project is consistent with the Council-adopted Vision Zero Strategy, Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans, Circulation Element, and the City’s existing and draft Climate Action Plans. Implementing the Project will provide residents with a safe active transportation mode choice between West Downtown, the Waterfront, and SBCC, which will assist in reducing vehicle trips and greenhouse gas emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
If funded, the Project will require environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act and potentially National Environmental Policy Act review, if it is federally funded.
ATTACHMENTS: 1) Conceptual Plans
2) Transportation and Circulation Committee Regular Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2022
PREPARED BY: Sarah Clark, Downtown Team Manager/CAS/nv
SUBMITTED BY: Clifford M. Maurer, P.E., Public Works Director APPROVED BY: City Administrator’s Office
ATTACHMENT 1
ATTACHMENT 1
ATTACHMENT 1
ATTACHMENT 1
ATTACHMENT 1
MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
TRANSPORTATION AND CIRCULATION
COMMITTEE (TCC)
Zoom Webinar/Gebhard Room
Thursday, October 27, 2022, 5:30 P.M.
Committee Members: Andres Malovos (Chair), Hillary Blackerby (Vice Chair), Kathleen Rodriguez, Eve Sanford, Susan Horne, Sarah
Siedschlag
Liaisons: Mike Jordan (Council Liaison), Jessica Grant (Staff Liaison), Roxana Bonderson (Planning Commission
Liaison), J.D. Higgins (Planning Commission Liaison
Alternate)
AGENDA
TCC MEMBERS:
Andres Malovos (Chair)
Hillary Blackerby (ViceChair)
Kathleen Rodriguez
Susan Horne
Sarah Siedschlag
Eve Sanford
ATTENDEES:
Present
Present
Present
Present
Absent
Present
CITY STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Bosse, Downtown Team Manager
Jessica Grant, Supervising Transportation Planner
Nammi Vuong, Administrative Specialist
Chelsey Swanson, Project Planner
Derrick Bailey, Principal Traffic Engineer
Eric Goodall, Supervising Engineer
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Andres Malovos called the meeting to order at 5:33 PM.
ROLL CALL
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Barry Remis.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of Minutes from the August 25, 2022, meeting where a TCC quorum was present.
Changes to the Minutes from the August 25, 2022, meeting:
ATTACHMENT 2
1 - Committee comments on Item 5, “Committee Member Rodriguez expressed safety concerns with e-bikes being used by youth rapid cycling on e-bikes near pedestrians.”
- Committee comments on Item 6, “Committee Member Horne commented that input should be received by from the public as well, rather than solely from business owners.”
MOTION: Vice Chair Blackerby moved to approve the minutes from the August 25, 2022, meeting with the changes. A second was received by Committee Member Rodriguez.
Ayes: 5 Noes: Abstain: Absent: 1
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jessica Grant presented gratitude certificates to Eve Sanford, Susan Horne, Hillary Blackerby, and Kathleen Rodriguez for their last term and years of service with TCC.
Jessica Grant shared that Public Works received the staff recommendation for the Active Transportation Program, Cycle 6. The following projects were all recommended for funding: Cliff Drive – Urban Highway to Complete Street Transportation Project, Westside and Lower West Neighborhood Active Transportation Plan Implementation, and Milpas Street Crosswalk Safety and Sidewalk Widening Project.
Vice Chair Blackerby shared the State Street Master Plan has a dedicated website. Visit the website at StateStreet.SantaBarbaraCA.Gov. A survey will be available to the public next week asking constituents what their vision of State Street is.
REPORTS
2. Castillo Undercrossing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Improvements Planning Effort
RECOMMENDATION: That the TCC receive a presentation from City Staff on the Castillo Undercrossing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Improvements Planning Effort and provide feedback on the project design concepts.
Chelsey Swanson and Derrick Bailey presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Barry Remis.
COMMITTEE COMMENTS: Committee member Sanford suggested beautification near the vacant lot and bus stop near the intersection of Montecito and Castillo Streets. She is supportive of all pedestrian facility improvements, proposed raised bike lanes, and raising the bike path under Hwy 101 in the Caltrans right of way to create a shared path with pedestrians. Committee member Horne expressed support as well for widening the sidewalk on both sides of Castillo Street, having a raised bike path on Castillo to increase safety, and turning the 400 block of Bath Street into a way one street. Vice Chair 2 ATTACHMENT 2
Blackerby is concerned about the safety of the raised and shared path under Highway 101 between bicyclists and pedestrians. She suggested having a different pavement color to separate pedestrians and bicyclists as much as possible. She emphasized the importance of lighting, especially on the east sidewalk, south of the freeway interchange, to increase safety and visibility for pedestrians. She is supportive of turning the 400 block of Bath Street into a one-way street to address the queuing on the highway off-ramp. The tree on the corner of the 200 block of West Haley is a major safety concern to drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists as the roots uplift the surrounding area. Committee member Rodriguez concurs with most of the other comments. She emphasized the importance of bike education to ensure safety for all users of the raised path under Highway 101. Chair Malovos also concurs with most of the comments. In regard to the raised bike lane, or shared path in the Caltrans right of way under Highway 101, if possible, include bott dots extending off that intersection so eighteen wheelers can still take the radius for normal traffic.
PROGRAM UPDATES
3. Draft 5-Year Public Works Streets and Transportation Capital Improvement Program Summary and Draft Fiscal Years 2024-2025 Streets Capital Improvement Program Budget
RECOMMENDATION: That the TCC receive an overview and provide comments on the draft Public Works Streets and Transportation Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2024-2028 and draft Streets Capital Improvement Program Budget for Fiscal Years 2024-2025.
Jessica Grant presented.
COMMITTEE COMMENTS: Committee Member Horne was concerned about how Bicycle parking facilities were not included in the projects. Ms. Grant clarified that they are included in the Bicycle Improvements Project. There were no additional comments to the Draft Fiscal Years 2024-2025 Streets Capital Improvement Program Budget.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.
The video recording of this meeting can be found at the City of Santa Barbara’s website at: https://santabarbaraca.gov/transportation-circulationcommittee/transportation-circulation-committee-videos 3 ATTACHMENT 2
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA BARBARA SUPPORTING THE CASTILLO STREET
UNDERCROSSING BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITY
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, AND DIRECTING STAFF TO
APPLY FOR A GRANT TO FUND DESIGN,
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW, AND CONSTRUCTION.
WHEREAS in 2018, City Council adopted a Vision Zero Strategy committing to eliminating all injuries and deaths on City of Santa Barbara streets, and these facility improvements should significantly reduce injuries and collisions along Castillo and Haley Streets;
WHEREAS, these facility improvements would improve access to Santa Barbara City College and coastal destinations;
WHEREAS, well-attended public workshops and stakeholder meetings were held to review the facility improvements; and
WHEREAS, the community supports these facility improvements and funding towards design, environmental review, and construction.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Staff is directed to seek funding for the design, environmental review, and construction of these bicycle and pedestrian facility improvements that will include raised and separated bike paths, sidewalk widening, and street lighting; and SECTION 2. Staff is authorized and directed to apply for an Active Transportation Program Grant, or other eligible grants that would be appropriate for the design, environmental review, and construction of these facility improvements and to take all actions consistent with this resolution necessary or convenient for the implementation of these facility improvements.