DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudy
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorSteeringCommittee MeetingMinutes September6,2024,10:00AM HybridMeeting CityofCupertino-CouncilChambersandVirtually TheStevensCreekCorridorSteeringCommitteewascreatedtoprovideguidanceandoverseetheplanningworkinvolvedintheStevensCreekCorridorStudy,acollaborativeeffortbetweentheCitiesofSanJosé,SantaClara,andCupertino,theCountyofSantaClara,andtheSantaClaraValleyTransportationAuthority(VTA).TheCommitteewillimprovetransportationoptionsalongthecorridorandincreasethecollaborationbetweenthecitiesandagenciesrepresentedtobringourresidentsamoretraversableandinterconnectedfuture. Attendees: ViceMayorRosemaryKamei,CityofSanJosé,CommitteeChair ViceMayorAnthonyBecker,CityofSantaClara
Absent:CouncilmemberHungWei,CityofCupertino BoardMemberMargaretAbe-Koga,SantaClaraValleyTransportationAuthoritySupervisorCindyChavez,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. ViceMayorKameihighlightedthat theSteeringCommitteecouldnotproceedwithanactionduetoalackofaquorum,butthatthemeetingcouldstillproceeda. Shealsoconfirmedthat norevisionswere proposedfortheMay 23,2024, 1 DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudy
meetingminutesandthat theCommitteewillformallyapprovetheminutesatthenextCommitteemeeting.
3. Reviewofcommunityengagementtodatea. ChristianOllano(Winter Consulting)andSeanT. Daly(Iteris)delivered acomprehensive presentationonthecommunityengagement effortsto date,emphasizingkey highlights fromeachphaseoftheengagement processanddemonstratinghowcommunityfeedbackwasintegratedintotheVisionStudy.i. ViceMayorKameiexpressedgratitudeto theconsultant teamandtheCommunityAdvisoryGroup(CAG)members fortheirextensiveeffortsinsupportingcommunityengagement throughouteachphaseoftheVisionStudy.ii. ViceMayorBeckerexpressedappreciationto theconsultant teamfortheircomprehensive presentationandacknowledged theireffortsinengagingwithcommunitymembers andstakeholders to gathercriticalinput.iii. ViceMayorKameiclarifiedthat noactionwasrequiredforagendaitemthree,andas a result,publiccomments wouldbeacceptedonthesubsequentitemswheretherewasanticipatedaction
4. VisionStatement andImplementationPlan- fordiscussionandaction:RecommendadoptionofStevensCreekBoulevard CorridorVisionStudyImplementationPlanbyeachagency a. SeanT. Daly(Iteris)providedarecapoftheVisionStudy’spurpose,emphasizingtheimportanceofaddressingjurisdictionaldifferencesandestablishingaunifiedvisionand roadmapacross all jurisdictions.He highlighted theconsistentfeedbackfromstakeholders andcommunitymembers regardingtheneedforshort-termgoals.SeanthenoutlinedtheImplementationPlan,focusingonitssixkeycomponents:1. IdentityandMaintenance2. BusSpeed,ReliabilityandExperience3. CorridorWalkingandBikingInfrastructure4. WalkingandBikingConnections5. IntersectionandCrossingImprovements6. HighCapacity,SeparatedTransit b. SteeringCommitteeQuestionsandCommentsi. ViceMayor Kameinoted that becausethemeetingdoesnotmeetquorum,there will be anotheropportunityin the next Steering 2 DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudy
Committeemeetingto providecommentsontheVisionStatement andImplementationPlan. c. PublicCommenti. JenniferGriffinJenniferGriffin(in-person)expressedappreciationforthecollaborative effortsacrossjurisdictionsthroughouttheVisionStudy.However, sheraisedconcernsabouttheinclusionofa20-minutewalkintheVisionStatement, notingthat many seniors andindividualswithmobilitychallenges may struggle with this expectation. Sherecommendedreconsideringthe20-minutewalktoensureinclusivityforpeoplewithdisabilities.ii. LeylaSalam(in-person)a long-timeuseroftheStevensCreekCorridorandDeAnza student, emphasizedtheneedfora walkable,safe, andcommunity-focusedcorridor. Shenotedthat publictransitisunreliableandslower thandriving, particularlyfor students. Salamurged forimprovements in thetransitsystem to make it more efficient andfrequent, whichshe believes will reducerelianceon cars, easecongestion,andlowerthecommunity'scarbonfootprint.iii. Kate Crocket (in-person)a 30-yearCupertinoresident, expressedherappreciationfortheVisionStudyandvoicedsupportforadedicatedbuslaneintheshort-termplan.iv. Harry Neil(in-person)highlightedseveral gaps in theImplementationPlan.Whilehesupportsprotectedbike lanesforreducinginjuriesandfatalitiesandappreciatestheinclusionofstreet treesandtransitsignalpriority, heemphasizedtheneedforbetterpedestrianimprovements,suchas reducingcrossingdistancesandaddingmedianislands.Heexpresseddisappointment that thePlanexcludesabus-onlylane,despite10,000dailybusriders,manyofwhomaredependent ontheservicetocommutefromEast SanJosétoDeAnzaCollege.Neilurgedtheinclusionofabuslane,notingthat current bustraveltimestodowntownSanJoséexceedanhourandshouldbereducedto30minutes.v. April(in-person)a SanJoséresident andrepresentativeoftheTransbayCoalition,expressedappreciationfortheprotectedbikelanesbutraisedconcernsaboutthelackofa dedicatedbuslane.They emphasizedtheurgencyofaddressingclimate change by shiftingcartrips totransitandhighlightedtheunreliabilityofthe23and523busroutesduetotraffic.Aprilalsonotedthatthecorridoroncesupportedstreetcarservice,whichwasremovedto prioritize cars,andarguedthat removingcarlanescanhelpreducetrafficcongestion. 3 DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudy
vi. JenniferShearin(in-person)representingWalkBikeCupertino,urgedthecommittee to adopt a more aspirationalapproachfor thecorridor'simplementation.Sheemphasizedtheneedforphysicallyprotectedbikelanes,as they enhancesafety for all users. Jennifer alsosupportednarrowingtheroadway to improve safety anduserexperienceandsuggesteda greencentermedianto providepedestrianrefuge,reducespeeding,andenhanceenjoymentforall.vii. ChrisGiangreco (in-person) emphasized that decisionsmadewillsignificantlyimpacthisneighborhoodandcommunity. Hecalledforasustained,collaborative effortamongjurisdictionsto addressroadwayoperations,maintenance,andutilization,ratherthanrelyingsolelyonlarge developments. He suggested forminga task force of electedofficials,municipalities,andthepublictoensurepropermanagement oftheboulevard.viii. Ryan (in-person)foundtheVisionStatement excitingandsuggestedincorporatingsustainableshort-termgoalsforefficientbikelanes.Healsoemphasizestheneedforadedicatedbuslanetosupportthosewhorelyonpublictransportation.ix. Sophia(in-person)advocatedforadedicatedbuslaneonStevensCreek,highlightingits potentialto encourage more voluntary busridership,reducecar congestion,andbenefit theenvironment. Sheemphasizedthat many currentlyusethebusoutofnecessity, anda bus-onlylanecouldattractmoreriderswhilesupportingVTA'scustomergrowth.x. Calley Wang(online)expressedappreciationfortheprojectteamandSteeringCommittee'sengagement andpresentation.WhilesupportiveoftheVisionStatement, shebelieves it lacks ambition,particularlyinaddressingdedicatedbuslanes.GiventheheavytrafficonStevensCreekCorridor, Calley seesbuslanesto incentivize ridershipandreducecarcongestion.Shealsoemphasizedtheimportanceofpedestrianboardingislandsto supportallusers, includingseniors andthosewithmobilityimpairments.xi. BetsyMegas(online)amemberoftheCityofSantaClaraandVTABicycleandPedestrianAdvisory Committees,expressedappreciationfor theworkdonesofar.ShethankedViceMayorBeckerforjoiningthebiketour,allowinghimto experiencethecorridorfirsthand.Megasadvocatedforconsistent, high-qualitybike laneswithphysicalbarriers throughoutthecorridorand encouraged theSteeringCommittee to considerboldsolutions,suchasdedicatedbuslanes,to improve safetyandincreasetransituse. 4 DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudy
xii. Michael(online)a student livingnearStevensCreekBoulevard andfrequentcorridoruser,expressedenthusiasmfortheVisionStudyandthelong-termplansforhigh-capacityseparatedtransit.Heemphasizedtheimportanceofshort-termimprovements to theexistingtransitsystem,notingthat adedicatedbuslanewouldnothindermotoristsbutinsteadencouragemorepeopletousepublictransit.Heurgedthecommitteetoprioritize theseimprovements for a safer, more efficient corridorthatreducescardependency.xiii. SiddharthKotapati (online)a SanJoséresident andAppleemployee,expressedenthusiasmfortheVisionStudyandImplementationPlan.Asahighschoolcoachalongthecorridor, he highlighted student safetyconcernsdueto closecallswithcars whilebiking.Hesupportssafetyimprovements butis disappointed that bus-onlylanesare notbeingconsideredintheVisionPlan.Siddharthbelievesdedicatingtwolanesfortransitis reasonableandcouldreduceoverall traffic,advocatingforbus-onlylanesintheshort-termplan.xiv. Andrew Siegler(online)a DowntownSanJoséresident andDeAnzaCollege student, supportstheImplementationPlanbutemphasizedtheimportanceoftrulyprotectedbikelanesanddedicatedbus-onlylanes.Hehighlights theseascritical forracialjustice,accessibility, anddisabilityrights,notingthat trafficdelays forbusesexacerbatetheseissuesalongthecorridor.xv. PhilipNguyen(online)a frequent transituserattendingeveningclassesat SanJoséState University, advocatedfordedicatedbuslanes.Withincreasinghousingdevelopmentsalongthecorridor, heemphasizedthatbus-onlylaneswouldhelpreducetraffic congestion,promote publictransit,andloweremissionsandthat“Ifyoubuildit,theywillcome.”xvi. KylieClark(online)expressedgratitudetotheprojectteamfortheirworkontheVisionStudybutvoicedconcernthatitfocusesmoreonthefuturethanimmediate needs.Sheemphasizedtheimportanceofpedestriansafety onbusy roadsandurgedtheconsiderationofpedestrianrefugeislandsandbus-onlylanesintheshortterm,highlightingthestrongbusridershipandthecriticalneedforwalkabilityimprovements.xvii. GeoffSmith(online)highlightedthat buslanescantransportfivetimesmore peopleperhourthanfive-carlanes,usingsignificantlylessenergy.SanFrancisco’s VanNessCorridorhasreducedtraveltimeby 30%andincreasedridershipby 50%afteraddingbus-onlylanes.Heemphasizedthat bus-onlylanesshouldbemandatory, notjust recommended,acrosstheBayArea. 5 DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudy
xviii. NeilPark-McClintick (online)President of Cupertinofor All, is anexperiencedtransituserandadvocatewholivesinDowntownSanJosé.Asa frequent busrider, cyclist,pedestrian,androllerblader, heregularlyusesthecorridorto travel betweenSanJoséandCupertino.HavingattendedDeAnza Collegeandoftenreliedonbuslines23and523,andsharedconcernsaboutthecorridor'scurrent safetyanditsfocusoncardealerships andshoppingmalls.Citingfrequentdelaysandunreliablebusservice,heexpressedsupportforbus-onlylanesasashort-termsolution.xix. Jordan Moldown (online)supportsenhancingthe Planby addingbus-onlylanesandpedestrianrefugeislands.WhileheacknowledgedthePlan’s strongelements,hebelievesit needsamorevisionaryapproach.Hehighlightsthat thecurrent visionof"easyaccessforall"fallsshort,asbuseswillstillbestuckintraffic,diminishingtheireffectiveness.Moldowadvocated for reducingcar lanesto prioritize busesandsuggestedincludingmid-blockpedestriancrossings.He urged for the swiftimplementationofprotectedintersections.xx. TuanTu (online)expressedsupportfor fullyprotectedbike lanestoprevent vehicleencroachment andendorsedabus-onlylane,suggestingtheremovalofacarlane.Hebelievesfast andreliablebusinfrastructurewillencouragepublictransituse.xxi. TracieJohnson(online)voicedsupportfor a dedicatedbuslaneandbarrier-protectedbike lanes,highlightingtheirbenefitsforcommunityaccessto key destinationsalongthecorridor. Shenotedthat difficultparkingcurrentlydiscouragesherfromusingtheareaandaddedthatimprovedwalkabilitywouldbenefitlocalbusinesses.d. SteeringCommitteeQuestionsandComments:i. ViceMayorBeckerrecognizedtheStevensCreekCorridor'spotential,itsrichhistory, anditssignificance.HebelievestheVisionStudypresentsanopportunitytomodernizepaststrategiesandcreateadistinctidentityforthecorridor. Key prioritiesincludereducingvehiclespeeds,addressingurgent infrastructure needs,andenhancingthecorridor'sidentitywithstreet banners,especiallywithupcomingeventsliketheWorldCup.Asabusrider, he understandsthechallenges of coordinatingwithVTAschedulesandstronglysupportsimprovementstobicycleinfrastructure,busprioritymeasures,andtransitfacilitieslikequeuejumps,busislands,andphysicalbikelaneprotection.Healsoadvocatesformorestreettreesto addresssunexposure andisa proponent ofhighcapacity, separatedtransit,withapreferenceforbelow-gradetransit,butunderstandssuchasolutioncouldbecost-prohibitive.Hesupportsdedicatedbuslanesasa 6 DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudy
short-term solutionin the interim.He appreciates the thoroughengagementcompletedfortheVisionStudy.ii. ViceMayor Rosemary Kameirequested theprojectteamto updateabsent SteeringCommittee members to gather theirinput.Sheemphasizedprioritizingpedestrianrefuge islands,a dedicatedbus-onlylane,and fullyprotected bike lanesin the ImplementationPlan,highlightingthesignificant communitybenefitsofa bus-onlylane.Shealsostressedtheimportanceofongoingcoordinationamongjurisdictionsandcontinuedengagement withtheCommunityAdvisory Group(CAG)fortheirvaluableinput.Lastly, shenotedtheneedforcleareralignmentofcitypoliciesto ensure consistencyacrossthecorridors andpreventdisjointedimplementation.iii. ViceMayor Becker emphasized theimportanceof auditingcurrentpoliciesacross all jurisdictionsto ensure alignment and avoidcontradictions,aimingto prevent tensionswithcitiesinthefuture.HeexpressedsupportforViceMayorKamei'sefforts.
5. NextSteps - fordiscussion:Standard agencyresolutionapproach;foraction:FutureSteeringCommitteemeetingdates/locations(ifneeded)a. SeanT. DalyproposeddevelopingastandardresolutionframeworkforagenciestosupporttheVisionandImplementationPlan.Thiswouldincludeguidingstaffonresolutioncontent andfosteringsupport.Healsoemphasizedtheneedforongoingcoordinationbetweenelectedofficialsandstaff acrossalljurisdictions,alongwithcontinuousreviewandimplementationefforts. b. SteeringCommitteeQuestionsandCommentsi. ViceMayorBeckeriscommittedtofuturemeetings.ii. ChristianOllanonotedthat themeetingwillhappenwithinthenexttwomonthsandwillcoordinatewithSteeringCommitteemembers andtheirstafftoidentifyadate.iii. ViceMayorKameirecommendedtocompletethisbyDecember, beforecouncilmembershipchanges,andto holdthemeetingintheCountyofSantaClara,withtheCityofSantaClaraasaback-uplocationintheeventthatavenuewiththeCountycannotbesecured.
6. GeneralPublicComment
a. JenniferGriffin(in-person)requestedthenext meetingbeheldinSantaClaraorCupertino.Sheemphasized theimportanceof greater publicparticipation, 7 DRAFT
StevensCreekBoulevardCorridorVisionStudy
particularlyfromtheseniorcommunity, notingthat theirinputiscrucial.Shestressedtheneedforrepresentationfromallagegroups.b. JenniferShearin(online)expressedgratitudefortheprojectteam'shardwork,engagement,andparticipationintheVisionStudy.c. Harry Neil(in-person)expressedgratitudetotheSteeringCommitteemembersfortheirsupportofbikeinfrastructure,bus-onlylanes,andimprovedpedestrianaccess.d. ChrisGiangreco(in-person)suggestedthat acommunitypollbeimplementedtogaugecommunitysentimentonimplementingabus-onlylaneinthecorridor.e. Sophia(in-person)advocatedforusingasurveytogathercommunityinput.f. Betsy Megas(online)emphasizedtheneedforbiking, pedestrian,andtransitinfrastructureimprovements.g. MaxSiegel(online)expressedsupportforthebus-onlylanes.
Adjournmentat12:12pm
Note:
Pleasedirectcorrespondenceandquestionsto:CityofCupertinoDepartmentofPublicPublicWorksDavidStillmanTransportationManagerDavidS@cupertino.gov | Tel:408-777-3354 8