Agenda Item #13.6
For Council Meeting of: September 30, 2025
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ROB SPRINKLE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR - TRAFFIC ENGINEERING, TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: MULTIPLE MID-BLOCK CROSSWALK INSTALLATIONS
AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
The Transportation and Public Works Department recommends that the Council, by resolution, authorize the installation of multiple mid-block crosswalks at Giffen Avenue at R.L. Stevens Elementary, Dutton Meadow at Colgan Creek (both crossings), Burgess Drive at Colgan Creek, and Range Avenue at Paulin Creek.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This item authorizes the installation of mid-block crosswalks at Giffen Avenue at R.L. Stevens Elementary, Dutton Meadow at Colgan Creek (both crossings), Burgess Drive at Colgan Creek, and Range Avenue at Paulin Creek. The creek crossings will bring awareness to drivers of bicyclists and pedestrians crossing the street at mid-block crossings on creek paths and in front of schools. The crosswalks will be striped and signed with high visibility markings and signage to bring awareness to drivers that a concentration of pedestrians and bicyclists may be crossing at these locations.
GOAL
This item relates to Council Goal #2 - Invest in the Development and Maintenance of the City's Infrastructure and Council Goal #4 - Foster a safe, healthy, and inclusive community by improving infrastructure and encouraging walking and bicycling near our schools and along creek paths.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
The California Vehicle Code defines a crosswalk as a portion of a roadway included within the prolongation or connection of the boundary lines of sidewalks at intersections where the intersecting roadways meet at approximately right angles, or any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossings by lines or other markings on the surface.
This item requires a resolution due to California Vehicle Code Section 21106, Establishment of Crosswalks, which allows local authorities, by ordinance or resolution, to establish crosswalks between intersections.
ANALYSIS
Giffen Avenue mid-block crossing at R.L. Stevens Elementary Giffen Avenue is a two-lane local street located off Stony Point Road. The street provides access to residential single-family homes and to R.L. Stevens Elementary. The posted speed limit on Giffen Avenue is 25 mph. R.L. Stevens Elementary is a school that serves Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through sixth grade students. The school is located at 2345 Giffen Avenue. A Safe Routes to School Walking Audit took place on November 19, 2024. During the walking audit a mid-block pedestrian route to school was identified on the west side of the parking lot on Giffen Avenue. A solution to making the route more pedestrian friendly was to add a mid-block crossing. The concept was tested for a single day on May 2, 2025, and demonstrated positive feedback from the parents and staff. After the demonstration the school principal wrote a letter to the Traffic Department advocating for the mid-block crosswalk.
Dutton Meadow mid-block crossing at Colgan Creek both crossings Dutton Meadow is a two-lane collector street located between Bellevue Avenue and Hearn Avenue. The Street provides access to multi-family residential and commercial properties. The street will have a posted speed limit of 30 mph as per RES-2025-144 that was approved in the Council meeting on August 19, 2025. There are areas of the segment that are undeveloped. Our Storm Water and Creeks Division identified this location as a priority for a signed and striped creek crossing. This crossing has been identified in the Active Transportation Plan and the Creeks Master Plan. In addition to providing signing and striping of the crosswalk, since this is a multi-use path, the path will be signed to stop bicycles prior to crossing the street.
Burgess Drive mid-block crossing at Colgan Creek
Burgess Drive is a two-lane local street located between Bellevue Avenue and Rain Dance Way. The street provides access to residential housing, Colgan Creek and Elsie Allen High School. The posted speed limit is 25 mph. Our Storm Water and Creeks Division identified this location as a priority for a signed and striped creek crossing. This crossing has been identified in the Active Transportation Plan and in the Creeks Master Plan. In addition to providing signing and striping of the crosswalk, since this is a multi-use path, the path will be signed to stop bicycles prior to crossing the street.
Range Avenue mid-block crossing at Paulin Creek
Range Avenue is a two-lane collector street located between Piner Road and Frances Street. The street provides access to multi-family and commercial properties. The posted speed limit is 35 mph. Our Storm Water and Creeks Division identified this location as a priority for a signed and striped creek crossing. This crossing has been identified in the Active Transportation Plan and the Creeks Master Plan. In addition to providing signing and striping of the crosswalk, since this is a multi-use path, the path will be signed to stop bicycles prior to crossing the street.
All new crossings will meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act with accessible ramps and truncated domes. Pedestrian warning signs will be installed to warn motorists of the crossings. Some locations will be installed with pedestrian activated rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs). If necessary, parking will be prohibited on both sides of the crosswalk in order to improve visibility of the pedestrians near the crosswalks.
FISCAL IMPACT
No General Fund money will be used to install the crosswalks. Funds are available in JL Key 17678, Bicycle Facilities, which funds projects that improve the active transportation network.
The cost estimate to install a mid-block crosswalk with accessible ramps on Giffen Avenue is $12,000. The cost estimate to install two mid-block crosswalks on Dutton Meadow with truncated domes and pedestrian warning signs is $5,000. The cost estimate to install a mid-block crosswalk with accessible ramps on Burgess Drive is $8,000. The cost estimate to install a mid-block crosswalk with accessible ramps and a rapid rectangular flashing beacon on Range Avenue is $25,000. The total cost for improvements will be approximately $50,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The recommended action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), (Class 1 Existing Facilities) and Section 15302(c) (Class2 – replacement or reconstruction).
Section 15301(c) exempts the repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing streets, sidewalks, and similar facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use. The installation of mid-block crosswalks includes replacement of existing driveway aprons to meet ADA standards, minor repairs, the installation of striped crosswalk markings and the installation of signs. The alterations will not increase the capacity or alter the roadway footprint.
Section 15302(C) exempts the replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity. Any localized reconstruction or surface restoration activities associated with the mid-block crossings will involve replacement in kind, serving the same purpose and capacity as existing facilities.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Crossing Location Maps
Attachment 2 – Letter of Support
Resolution
PRESENTER
Alexander Oceguera, Active Transportation Planner
MULTIPLE MID-BLOCK CROSSWALK INSTALLATIONS
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