SUBJECT: GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 96-2

PURPOSE: TO AMEND THE CIRCULATION ELEMENT TO DESIGNATE THE SEGMENT OF THE STRAND BETWEEN 24TH STREET AND NORTH CITY BOUNDARY AS THE PREFERRED ROUTE OF THE COASTAL BIKE PATH.

INITIATED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION

Planning Commission Recommendation

To amend the General Plan as described by adopting the attached resolution, and include a supporting implementation policy to explore design and funding options to improve this segment and connect the bike path to the Manhattan Beach bike path.

Background

The Circulation Element of the General Plan identifies the Hermosa Avenue route as the bike path from 24th Street north. This condition of attempting to separate bicyclists from the Strand has been in place since the late 1970's. Because accidents were occurring on the ramp at the end of the Hermosa Beach bike path due to the grade change between the Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach bike paths, the City Council at that time changed the ramp to stairs. In reality, many bicyclists use the continuation of the Strand even though they are aware that they must dismount and carry their bikes to traverse the stairs at the end of the Strand at 35th Street.

At the meeting of November 15, 1994 the Planning Commission directed staff to initiate this General Plan Amendment. Previously, at the meeting of February 25, 1992, the City Council considered initiating a similar General Plan Amendment and voted to receive and file the staff proposal. The proposal originated because the improvements to the Strand being considered at the time, to be funded by the County, could not extend north of 24th Street without a redesignation. The Council instead voted to request funding for an "alternative" bike path on the Strand with the stairs remaining. Improvements to the Strand paved surface and the wall were completed in 1994, but excluded the subject segment from 24th Street to the north city boundary because the County funding could not be obtained without a bike path designation on the Strand.

At their meeting of January 21,1997 the Planning Commission recommended approval of the subject General Plan Amendment, and concurred with Staff in recommending an Environmental Negative Declaration.

Analysis

The following summarize some of the reasons, many presented and discussed previously, for re-routing the designated bike path.

Safety: Currently bicycles which otherwise could be safely separated from automobile traffic on the Strand, are forced into a situation where conflicts with cars can occur. This presents a hazard to bicyclists and potentially exposes the City to liability. For the south part of this segment the designated bike path actually shares the pedestrian sidewalk directly behind several garages on Hermosa Avenue between 24th and 28th Street. The potential conflicts with cars are thus intensified due to poor visibility for bicyclists and for cars backing out of their driveways. Also, an MTA bus stop is located on Hermosa Avenue near 24th Street, and bicyclists must either stop or travel into the traffic lane to avoid any bus that stops there.

The current jog in the bike path at 24th Street creates a safety and vision problem both for bikes making the turn inland, and those entering the Strand. The turn inland is at a sharp ninety (90) degree angle, making the turn difficult and presenting the possibility of swinging wide into oncoming bike traffic. Bicycles entering the Strand at this location also have poor visibility.

Convenience: One continuous bike path along the beach front obviously would be more convenient for bicyclists. In fact, this segment of the Strand is used by many bicyclists despite the steps at the end of the Strand.

Scenic attributes: The Strand is the preferred route for most who use the bike path facility, and is the primary draw for most bicyclists because of the continuous ocean view. While the jog inland along Hermosa Avenue is only for short stretch, it has a negative impact on the experience of biking along the Strand.

Regional mobility: Improvements to provide a continuous route along the Strand would arguably make this route more attractive for use as a commuting alternative to automobiles for a small segment of auto users, and thereby improve mobility.

Availability of Regional Transportation Funding: Previous planned improvement to the subject segment of the Strand had to be abandoned because of lack of funding. Officially designating the Strand as the preferred alternative would make it possible to request regional funds in the next MTA call for projects.

The proposed designation for the Strand as the "preferred bike route" is not intended to preclude the possibility of maintaining the existing Hermosa Avenue route. The City Council can consider whether there should be an exclusive bike route on the Strand and/or whether to eliminate the Hermosa Avenue segment when design and funding options are more fully developed for the project.

RESOLUTION 97-

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, TO AMEND THE CIRCULATION, TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN TO DESIGNATE THE STRAND AS THE PREFERRED ROUTE FOR THE SEGMENT OF THE COASTAL BIKE PATH BETWEEN OF 24TH STREET AND THE NORTH CITY BOUNDARY AND ADOPTION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR SAID GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT.

WHEREAS , the Planning Commission held a public hearing on January 21, 1997, to receive oral and written testimony regarding the subject General Plan Amendment and Negative Declaration, and recommended amending the Circulation Element and adopting a Negative Declaration, and;

WHEREAS , the City Council held a public hearing on March 25, 1997, to receive oral and written testimony regarding the subject General Plan Amendment and Negative Declaration, and made the following findings:

A. Modifying the General Plan to designate the Strand as the preferred route for the subject segment of the coastal bike path, and to adopt an implementation policy to make the necessary improvements, will serve to improve circulation; improve the scenic qualities of the bike route; provide a connection to the coastal bike path in Manhattan Beach; and improve safety for bicyclists.

B. The Planning Commission concurs with the Staff Environmental Review Committee's recommendation, based on their environmental assessment/initial study, that this project will result in a less than significant impact on the environment, and therefore qualifies for a Negative Declaration.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach, California does hereby recommend the following:

SECTION 1. Amend the Circulation, Transportation and Parking Element of the General Plan by modifying the text in Section 3; Transportation as follows:

1) Modify Figure 13 which identifies bicycle routes to designate the Strand north of 24th to the north city boundary as the preferred bike route.

2) Add a statement to the text on page 42 Section 4.9, which currently describes two routes, to continue to identify both routes, but to also note that the preferred bike route would be a route along the entire length of the Strand.

3) Add an implementation policy to explore design and funding options to implement the preferred Strand bike route along the entire length of the coast including a connection to the Manhattan Beach Coastal bike path.

SECTION 2. That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original Resolutions.