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StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudySteeringCommitteeMay2024Minutes StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorSteeringCommittee MeetingMinutes May23,2024,9:00AM HybridMeeting CityofSanJosé-CouncilChambersandVirtually TheStevensCreekCorridorSteeringCommitteewascreatedtoprovideguidanceandoverseetheplanningworkinvolvedintheStevensCreekCorridorStudy,acollaborativeeffortbetweentheCitiesofSanJosé,SantaClara,andCupertino,theCountyofSantaClara,andtheSantaClaraValleyTransportationAuthority(VTA).TheCommitteewillimprovetransportationoptionsalongthecorridorandincreasethecollaborationbetweenthecitiesandagenciesrepresentedtobringourresidentsamoretraversableandinterconnectedfuture. Attendees: ViceMayorRosemaryKamei,CityofSanJosé,CommitteeChair CouncilmemberHungWei,CityofCupertino ViceMayorAnthonyBecker,CityofSantaClara BoardMemberMargaretAbe-Koga,SantaClaraValleyTransportationAuthority
Absent:SupervisorCindyChavez,SantaClaraCounty CouncilmemberDevDavis,CityofSanJosé(alternate)MayorLisa Gillmor,CityofSantaClara (alternate)SupervisorSusan Ellenberg,SantaClaraCounty (alternate)
1. Introductions
a. RollcallofSteeringCommitteemembers.b. Committee ChairVice MayorKameiof San Joséled the introductionofparticipatingagencies.
2. SteeringCommitteeadministration- Fordiscussionandaction:Approvelast meetingminutesa. CouncilmemberHungWeimotionstoapprovetheSteeringCommitteeFebruary22,2024meetingminutes.b. ViceMayorAnthonyBeckersecondsthemotion.c. Motioniscarriedunanimously. 1 DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudySteeringCommitteeMay2024Minutes
3. DraftVisionStatement reviewandadoption-Fordiscussionandaction:StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStatementa. SeanDalyofIterisprovidesapresentationontheVisionStatementdevelopmentprocess.i. ViceMayorKameithanks formerViceMayorChappieJonesforhisworkontheVisionStudy.ii. ViceMayorKameimovestopubliccomment. b. PublicCommentonDraftVisionStatementi. CarlinBlack(in-person):Asa change agent intheautomobilebusiness,Carlinsuggests that theCommitteeconsiderthechangesthat willbemadeonStevensCreek,specificallywiththeautomobiledealerships.Asvehicleelectrificationcontinuesto progress, Carlinthinks that gasvehiclesmay nolongerbea viableoption,whichwillresultin emptydealershiplots.Thiscanprovideanopportunitytoconsiderdevelopmentopportunitiestoreplaceautodealerships.ii. YvonneThorstenson(in-person):AsaCupertinohousingadvocacygrouprepresentative, they are very interestedin thetransitvisionprogrambecauseit alignswithhousing.Duringthewalkandtransitaudit,theynoticedmanydealerships,whichissignificantasthecorridor'slayoutmaychange inthenext 50years.SheappreciatedtheDraftVisionStatementbutwantsit to recognize thefirst andlast-milejourney andemphasizesafety. Addingenvironmental sustainability, particularlyreducinggreenhousegassesandbetterlandusearoundthecorridor, wouldalsobenefit theVisionStatement. Lastly, sheis concernedaboutprivatebusinessesseekingexclusive accessto publicspacesofferingpublicresources.iii. JenniferGriffin(online):AsaCupertinoresident,sheexpressedconcernabouthavingtransitstationsalongStevensCreekBoulevard.ThelatestversionofthedraftVisionStatement suggestsdevelopinganewtransitsystemthat supersedesthecurrent systemoperatingonthecorridor,withexistingissuesthat must beaddressed.RoaddietsonthecorridorarealsoconcerningtoherduetotheincreasingtrafficthatstagnatestheCA-87andI-280.Itisimportant tokeepinmindthat theremust alsobeenoughroomfor emergencyvehiclesto have adequate roadways toreachtheirdestinations. 2 DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudySteeringCommitteeMay2024Minutes iv. BrandonBlack(online):As a resident of the Strawberry Parkneighborhood,heexpressedhisexcitement abouttheVisionStudyandtheworkthathasbeendoneonthedraftVisionStatement. c. SteeringCommitteeQuestionsandCommentsi. ViceMayorAnthonyBeckerexpressedhisappreciationtoChappieJonesforhisinitialworkonthecorridorandhowitallowedtheCitiesofSantaClara, San José,and Cupertinoto cometogether and create arelationship.Heacknowledgedthat ifyouremovethebordersfromeachcity, thecorridorhasmoreofaneighborhoodfeelthatconnectsallcities.HealsoexpressedhisappreciationtotheconsultantteamforalltheworkputintodevelopingthedraftVisionStatement andhowclearitistoseethedifferent perspectivesfromallstakeholderscollaborating.ViceMayorBecker understandsthat auto dealerships are a big partof theconversationandtaxrevenuesource,particularlyforSantaClaraandSanJosé.ii. CouncilmemberHungWeinotedthatthePurposeStatementdiffersfromtheVisionStatement inthat itreads“fromFoothillBoulevardtoDiridonStation,” whiletheVisionStatement reads“fromDeAnza Boulevard toDiridonStationinSanJosé.”ShesuggestedrefiningtheVisionStatementto "fromDeAnza Boulevard witha connectionto FoothillBoulevard."Cupertinoisfocusedonthisareaduetoongoingdevelopmentslikethepost office, golf course, retirement center, and AlanRow. Thesedevelopments couldbenefit fromtransit,makingDe Anza College apotentialmajortransitcenterwithaconnectiontoFoothill.iii. CouncilmemberMargaret Abe-Koga appreciatedtheVisionStatementand its valuesand guidingprinciplesbutsuggested revisions.Sheproposedchangingthesecondlineto "reliablyconnect"insteadof"reliability." Shefound“vulnerableroadusers” vagueanddifficulttounderstand.Shealsoquestionedthephrase“designforallages,”seekingclarityonthedesignelement.Additionally, shewantedmorecontext on“increasetheconvenienceof all travel,” askingwhichtypeof travel(pedestrians,bicyclists,cars, ortransit)is beingtargeted.IntheVisionStatement, sheemphasizedtheneedto includelanguage onclimatechangeandreducingcarbonemissions.iv. ViceMayorRosemary KameiagreeswithCouncilmemberAbe-Koga onhowwecannotjust lookatthisVisionStudyasacommuterareabecausethere are many otherusesthat thiscorridorprovides.We alsoneedto 3 DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudySteeringCommitteeMay2024Minutes keepinmindthat thecurrentusesofthecorridormaychange,especiallywith automobiles,so we needto start thinkingaheadof theopportunitiesthat canbegainedwiththesechanges.Shealsoaddedthattheword“station”canbeinterpreteddifferently,soclarityontermsusedthroughouttheDraftVisionStatementisimportant.
SteeringCommitteememberViceMayorAnthony Beckermotionedtoadopt theDraftVisionStatement andincorporate the feedbackthatCouncilmemberMargaret Abe-Kogasuggested.CouncilmemberMargaret Abe-Kogasecondedthemotion.CouncilmemberHungWei madeanamendment to themotiontoincludeFoothillBoulevardas a connectionin theVisionStatement, andViceMayorAnthony Becker accepted the amendment. Themotionwascarriedunanimously.
4. Phase3-Visionimplementationalternatives-Fordiscussion:Engagementreview a. ChristianOllano(WinterConsulting),StefaniaDiaz(WinterConsulting),andSeanT. Daly(Iteris)presentedanoverviewofengagementactivitiesduringPhase3oftheVisionStudyengagementprocess.Engagementactivitiesincluded:1. Communityleaderlisteningsessions2. 1Studentfocusgroup3. 1Biketour4. 1Walkandtransittour5. 1Webinar6. 1CommunityAdvisoryGroupmeeting b. SteeringCommitteeQuestionsandCommentsi. ViceMayorAnthony Beckermentionedthat cyclistscomplainedaboutstormdraingrates,tire-stickinghazards,andpavement issuesduringthebikeaudit.Heacknowledgedthebikingcommunity'semphasisonvariousbikingandsafetyconcerns.HenotedlimitedtreesontheSantaClarasideandhighlightedthat thetreecanopywillbeamajorissueontheStevensCreekCorridorduetoclimatechange.
5. Reviewofalternativesapproach(fordiscussion)a. SeanT.DalypresentedanoverviewoftheoptionsandimplementationapproachinfluencingtheDraft VisionStatement. Hefocusedoncrossings,communityconnections,street layout,accesstotransitstations,transitspeedandreliability,transitgradeseparation,andeconomicdevelopment. 4 DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudySteeringCommitteeMay2024Minutes b. SteeringCommitteeQuestionsandCommentsi. ViceMayor Anthony Becker highlightedtheinterest in transitgradeseparation amongSanta Clara residents, whether elevated orunderground,andemphasizedtheneedforalternative transportationsystems.Regardingeconomicdevelopment, henotedthelossoficonicspotsin thecorridorandstressedincorporatingbrandinganddesignstandardsintotheVisionStudy. Healsoappreciatedeachcity'seffortstoimprovestreetconfigurations.ii. CouncilmemberMargaret Abe-Koga, whoservesontheMetropolitanTransportationCommission(MTC) andValley TransportationAuthority(VTA),appreciatedthealternativeapproachpresentation.Shenotedthatmany projectsdeemedfeasibleadecadeagoarenowunachievabledueto financialchallenges. Herfocushasshifted to near-term,low-costprojectsthat cancreatesignificant improvements.Sheprioritizedquicklyimplementablestudiesratherthanwaiting10-30years for projectcompletion.Shealsorequestedinformationondiscussionsaboutbusrapidtransitonthecorridor.1. SeanT. Dalyexplainedthat the523buslinealreadyprovidesrapidtransitservice.Theteamplansto enhancethisservicebyprioritizingtransitsignalsand identifying necessary stationimprovements.Initially, theywillfocusonimprovingthe523and23buslines.Oncethesenear-termimprovementsarecomplete,they will move towards long-termenhancements, includingconsideringtransit-onlylanes.2. CouncilmemberMargaret Abe-Kogaagreesthathigh-speedrailisbecomingmore popularandnotes that theairportconnectorshouldalsobeconsideredasthisVisionStudymovesforward.Regardingeconomicdevelopment,mixed-usehousingandaddingmoreconsumerswillsupportthiscorridor.iii. CouncilmemberHungWei expressedthat thisVisionStudyanditspotential improvements shouldincludeaccessible,frequent, reliabletransit.Withoutreliable,frequent transit,youwillstillcompete withsingledrivers.Thisiswhy thenear-termimprovementsmust bepiecedtogetherto fitinto the15-25-yearplan.TheVisionStudyshouldalsoconsiderfederalfundingsourcesforimplementation.1. SeanT. Dalyrecognizesthatfundingwillbeamajoraspectofthis,especiallyfora multifacetedprojectofthissize.Heemphasizes 5 DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudySteeringCommitteeMay2024Minutes that theimplementationplanwillhelppullthesmallerpiecestogetherandmakethemfunctionalforeachcity.2. CouncilmemberHungWei addedthat initialinvestmentsmightbesomethingtoconsiderforthesmallerimplementationpieces.3. SeanT. Dalyexplainedthat theimplementationplancanalsobeviewedasaprogramofvariousprojectsthatreachthevision.iv. CouncilmemberMargaret Abe-Kogaaskedaboutthefundingprocessforeachcityjurisdiction.SheusedtheexampleofCalTrainandhoweachcityjurisdictionhastaken a different approachto receivingfunding.Shethinks it may behelpfulforeachcityjurisdictionto worktogether. Sheinquiredifaleadagencywilltakethefundingon.1. SeanT. Dalyexplainedthat thesmaller-scaleimprovementsaredoneat thecitylevelandthat thelarger-scaleimprovementswillinvolve largerorganizationsanda more unifiedeffortwitheachcity.v. ViceMayorRosemary Kameiwantsanintegrateddesigneveryonecanagreeon.If theVisionStudymovesto implementation,agreementsonconnectivityimprovements shouldbe establishedand properlyintegrated. She advocates for a commondesignacross citiesandjurisdictionsforlong-termbenefits.vi. ViceMayorAnthony Beckernotedthat citieshire lobbyists at certaintimesoftheyearto seekfederalfunds.HeinquiredwhethertheVisionStudycoulddo thesameto obtain funding.If not,he suggestedpresentingtheissuetocitycouncilsforfullsupportandexploringfundingoptions.1. ViceMayorRosemaryKameirecognizesthateachcityjurisdictionhasitsownlobbyists andprioritiesforfunding.GiventhelargescaleoftheVisionStudy, we canuseitsresultsto alignourcitycouncilson potential improvements and begin collectiveimplementation.2. RamsesMadoudivisionmanager of planning, policy, andsustainabilityfor San José'sDepartment of Transportation,emphasizedthat theVisionStudy'simportanceliesinshapinganoverallvisionto secure funding.Presentingthisvisiontothecitycouncilforapproval iscrucialforobtainingprojectfunding.Ourcollaborative plansare essentialinmotivatingfundingbodiestosupportus.6. Next steps - For discussionand action:Future SteeringCommittee meetingdates/locations:
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StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudySteeringCommitteeMay2024Minutes a. Proposeddatesi. Meeting#5(ImplementationPlan):Thursday,September5,2024-9:00AM-11:00AM1. ViceMayorKameimentionedthatinthecasetheimplementationplanisnotfullyadopted,thatasixthmeetingshouldbetentativelyset,whichcouldberemovedifnotneeded. ii. SteeringCommitteeQuestionsandComments1. CouncilmemberMagaret AbeKoga notedthat shehasaconflictontheSeptember5,2024datebecauseshehasaCaltrainboardmeetingonthefirst Thursday. Shealsostatedthat sheisopentoanyfuturemeetingsthat needtobeaccomplishedbeforetheendoftheyear.2. ViceMayorAnthonyBeckerexpressedthatheisalsoopentoanyadditionalmeetings.a. ChristianOllanomentionedthat hewillsendanemailtotheSteeringCommitteemembers withDoodlepollstofinalize the upcomingmeeting dates for SteeringCommitteemeetings#5and#6.b. ViceMayorRosemary Kameiexplainedthat it wouldbeeasierto tentatively schedulea SteeringCommitteemeetingbyplacingholdsontheircalendars. b. PublicComment i. HarryNeil(In-person)emphasizedthattheVisionStudyreflectsalong-termvisionforthenext20,30,and50years.Therefore,theendgoalsmustgobeyondsmallstepsfromthestatusquo,urgingagranderapproach.ii. YvonneThorstenson(In-person)isanavidcyclistwhoadvocatesforbicycles,notingtheirlongerhistorycomparedtocars.Withyearsofcyclingexperience,shehaswitnessedthedangersofridingnearcars.Sherecommendsavoidingright-handturnsforvehiclesthatcrossbicyclelanes.iii. JenniferGriffin(online)expressedconcernthatthepresenceofcarsonthecorridorisbeingtrivialized.Shehasheardmanynaivecommentsaboutcars,makingherfeelthatthosemakingthesecommentslackdrivingexperience.SheisalsoworriedthattheCityofSanJoséis 7 DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudySteeringCommitteeMay2024Minutes neglectingSanJoséStateUniversityandshouldfocusonhowtoimprovetransportationforitsstudents.Additionally,sheemphasizedthatthestudyshouldstopfocusingonDeAnzaCollege,asitisonlyajuniorcollege. c. SteeringCommitteeQuestionsandCommentsi. ViceMayorRosemaryKameinotedthataswebeginimplementation,weneedto considerchanginghabits.She acknowledges that somecommunitymembersmaybeunhappy,butit'simportanttoincludethosewhohaven'tparticipatedinVisionStudyevents.Shiftingtheirthinkingiscrucial,aschanginghabitsisasignificantpartofthisVisionStudy.ii. CouncilmemberHungWei emphasized that an integrated designiscrucialfortheVisionStudy. Suchadesignwilleventuallyhelpthepiecesfall into place.Shealsobelieves it'simportant to have a five, 10,or15-yearplanbefore consideringtheproject'slong-termaspects,aidingeachcitywiththeirrespectiveimplementation.
7. GeneralPublicComment
a. JenniferGriffin(online)mentionedthat shebelongstothreedifferentgroupsinCaliforniafocusedonhousingelements.Shenotedthat SenatorWeinerandothers are promotingfouranti-coastal commissionbillsthat impacthomeconstructioninsensitivecoastalareas.Additionally,shementionedanupcomingauditofthehousingelement andeachcity'shandlingofthesixthcycle.ShepointedoutthatSB9isnotlegalinchartercities,whichwillaffecttransportation.
Adjournmentat10:56AM
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StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudySteeringCommitteeMay2024Minutes Note:
Pleasedirectcorrespondenceandquestionsto:
CityofSanJoséDivisionManager,Planning,Policy,andSustainabilityDepartmentofTransportationRamsesMadouCityofSanJosé[email protected]:408-975-3283 9