SR 04-25-2017 8A
Ci ty Council
Report
City Counci l Meeting : April 25, 2017
Agenda Item: 8.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Director , City Planning
Subject: Design approval for the Lincoln Neighborhood Corridor Plan Streetscape
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council approve the final streetscape and transportation
concept for the Lincoln Neighborhood Corridor Plan.
Executive Summary
Since successfully taking over responsibility for Lincoln Boulevard from Caltrans in
2012, the City of Santa Monica has worked with local residents and businesses to
improve one of our community’s most important but neglected transportation and
business corridors.
The Lincoln Neighborhood Corridor Plan (the “LiNC”) consists of two main components:
enhancing the physical environment and pedestrian safety through streetscape
improvements and supporting the aesthetic transformation of the corridor by
incentivizing the remodel of existing businesses. The project has reached a milestone
with the completion of the final design concept for the streetscape and transportation
proposal. This rep ort provides information on the streetscape design effort, and
summarizes the various design components and programmatic changes that will be
implemented over time. Council is being asked to approve the LiNC streetscape design
and transportation concept n ow prior to the completion of the project’s business
improvement measures, which are being developed on a separate timeline.
The proposed streetscape and transportation enhancements would fulfill the Land Use
and Circulation Element’s (LUCE) policy dire ction to transition the busy commuting
corridor of Lincoln Boulevard into a pedestrian -oriented environment. Work on the
streetscape and transportation concept has spanned several years, and has identified
opportunities for new crosswalks, landscaped medi ans and pedestrian refuges,
pedestrian lighting, bicycle connectors and many other elements. Importantly, the LiNC
has integrated a peak commute -hour dedicated bus lane into the right -of -way (with no
net impact to vehicle flow) as a means to support Linco ln’s role as a transit priority
corridor and to increase transit ridership.
Recent work on the streetscape and transportation concept has involved identifying a
realistic phasing program for implementation that takes into account a variety of factors
such as construction costs, available funding sources, pedestrian and bicycle crash
data, emergency vehicle access and alignment of project purpose with the City’s
strategic initiatives. Two phases of work have been identified.
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At its February 15, 2017 meeting, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended
approval of the LiNC streetscape and transportation plan.
Background
The project area is located within three neighborhoods along 17 blocks of Lincoln
Boulevard from the I -10 Freeway (including the bridge o verpass) to Ozone Avenue,
approximately 1.25 miles long . The project boundaries include the vehicular right -of -
way, as well as the public sidewalk and the ground floor of the buildings that front
Lincoln Blvd.
Caltrans relinquished Lincoln Boul evard to the City of Santa Monica in 2012, which
stimulated public and private interests in addressing deferred maintenance issues and
in fulfilling the vision of the LUCE for a more walkable and aesthetically pleasing
corridor. In 2013, the Public Works Department and Traffic Engineering Division
conducted a street resurfacing and striping project that improved vehicular operations
and laid the groundwork for future transit efficiency by modifying right -of -way striping to
accommodate potential dedicated b us lanes. The resurfacing project improved the
visual condition of Lincoln Boulevard, but left more substantive streetscape
modifications (such as medians or crosswalks), policy recommendations and other
enhancements to be resolved by the Lincoln Neighbor hood Corridor Plan.
On June 10, 2014 (ATTACHEMNT G) the City Council authorized the City Manager to
negotiate and execute a contract (CCS #9651) with Community Design and Architecture
(CD+A) to prepare a detailed streetscape and transportation concept for Lincoln
Boulevard between the I -10 Freeway and the City limits at Ozone Avenue. The Council
Ocean Park Blvd.
Ocean Park
Sunset Park Pico
LINCOLN BOULEVARD
Pico Blvd.
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later authorized an amendment to t his contract on July 28, 2016 to provide additional
design development to address emergency access concerns from the Fire Departme nt.
Streetscape Plan Development
Beginning in August 2014, an interdepartmental team led by Planning and Community
Development began work on the LiNC to develop streetscape, transportation and
business improvement concepts. Leveraging relationships with neighborhood leaders
and members of the Lincoln Boulevard Taskforce, the planning team conducted
extensive outreach to address key concerns and develop consensus on a preferred
streetscape alternative. Outreach activities included two community workshops, dozens
of one -on -one and group stakeholder meetings, focus groups with local businesses, and
an online presence that included social media and civic engagement platforms.
Since August 2014, staff has presented LiNC concepts to the Planning Commission,
Cit y Council and other boards and commissions to further refine streetscape and
transportation enhancements. Feedback was used to direct resources to specific issues
that warranted additional research and investigation. Staff met with the Planning
Commission on three occasions: 1) on October 1, 2014 (ATTACHMENT H) to introduce
the project and obtain directional guidance, 2) on September 2, 2015 (ATTACHMENT I)
to solicit input about emerging plan elements and obtain direction on key policy
questions that had s urfaced during concept development, and 3) on February 15, 2017
(ATTACHMENT J) to finalize the streetscape concept and take action on a unanimous
recommendation for approval. Staff presented the LiNC project to the City Council on
one occasion on November 24, 2015 (ATTACHEMNT K). At subsequent public
meetings before the Recreation and Parks Commission, Architectural Review Board
and in community workshops, staff received additional guidance, and interdepartmental
team members helped the project team refine design criteria and implementation
options that informed the final concepts presented in this staff report.
Public Participation and Community Outreach
In collaboration with multi -departmental staff, the project team has worked with a wide
range of const ituents to develop streetscape, transportation and business improvement
concepts. Neighborhood leaders communicate frequently with staff through the Lincoln
Boulevard Taskforce, which includes representation from the Ocean Park, Sunset Park
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and Pico neigh borhoods, as well as from the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School
District. The outreach effort has involved many different forms of outreach in which
participants have explored the range of issues, concerns and ideas surrounding the
Boulevard, and have wo rked with staff to develop a preferred alternative. Outreach has
involved two well -attended community workshops, stakeholder interviews and focus
groups, regular meetings with the resident -led Lincoln Boulevard Taskforce, and
technology and social media p latforms. A separate effort to work with Boulevard
businesses on any perceived impacts from the proposed commute -hour dedicated bus
lane has also been conducted and is described in more detail later in this report.
Discussion
The final streetscape and tra nsportation design incorporates elements that have been
identified by the community as important to connectivity and livability. Additional design
criteria have been established by various City departments who provide emergency or
maintenance services. C oncepts have also been aligned with federal and state
guidance on roadway design, and the landscaping proposal acknowledges California’s
historic drought.
During the design process, each block has been individually analyzed for opportunities
to accommodate the features that are desired by the community, and which support the
goals of the project. The final streetscape plan incorporates a balanced mix of new
features that result in a better performing, enhanced streetscape and transportation
environment for vehicles, transit , pedestrians and bicycles . None of the streetscape
elements being proposed results in the loss of a travel lane for vehicles. The
improvements are intended to make movement for all users and modes more
predictable by providing safe place s for pedestrians to cross the street , identify areas for
bicycles to maneuver, accommodate transit, and organize vehicle flow. The following
are brief descriptions of the design features incorporated into the final design.
Lincoln Boulevard Streetscape a nd Transportation Design Features (ATTACHMENT
A ):
New peak commute -hour 12 -foot wide dedicated Bus Lanes
New landscaped center medians, 10 feet average width, various lengths
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3 new crosswalks with pedestrian -actuated safety signals across Lincoln
Boulevard located at Grant, Pine, and Wilson/Pier Streets
4 enhanced crosswalks that integrate new pedestrian refuges at Olympic, Pearl,
Hill and Ashland
New crosswalk striping at 20 locations on side streets
ADA compliant dual -directional curb ramps at 90 locatio ns along the boulevard
125 new pedestrian lights spaced at 75 foot average intervals
13 new curb -extensions and bulb -outs at strategically located side streets and in
certain areas on Lincoln Blvd. north of Pico Blvd.
2 new bicycle connection improvements at Ashland and Pearl
48 new street trees in existing and/or future parkways and potentially in medians
32 bioswales for stormwater runoff
New bike racks, benches and trash receptacles
Eliminated unused curb -cuts and revised curb ramps
Wayfinding signage an d markers
The primary objectives of the LiNC streetscape are to guide the transition of Lincoln
Boulevard into a pedestrian -friendly environment and to improve transportation
conditions for vehicles, transit and bicycles. These objectives are helpful in d istilling the
many components of the project into a logical implementation sequence and funding
rationale. A careful review of the corridor concept was undertaken to determine which
elements would: 1) provide highly visible and effective improvements to e xisting
conditions for pedestrians, vehicles, transit and bicycles; 2) be implemented in the
short -term; 3) balance cost with benefit; 4) be cost -competitive against competing
projects; 5) require the least amount of disruption to traffic flow and to the l ocal business
environment, and 6) address locations where crash data identified the need for
additional attention. Out of this analysis emerged two implementation phases:
Phase 1 involves a discrete set of streetscape elements that target
“connections.” Th e estimated cost for Phase 1 improvements is approximately
$2.9 million and could be fully implemented by the end of 2018 if appropriate
approvals, funding resources and processing timelines are pursued efficiently.
For a list of Phase 1 improvements, plea se see ATTACHMENT B .
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Phase 2 includes a package of costlier upgrades and more intense construction
activities that would fully complete the streetscape proposal. The estimated cost
for Phase 2 improvements is estimated to exceed $10 million, and may take
several years, if not more, to accumulate funding through grants and internal
funding resources prior to full implementation.
LINCOLN NEIGHBORHOOD CORRIDOR PLAN PHASING
RECOMMENDATION PHASE 1 PHASE 2
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3 new crosswalks with pedestrian -a ctuated safety signals across
Lincoln Boulevard located at Grant, Pine, and Wilson/Pier
Streets
✓
4 enhanced crosswalks that integrate new pedestrian refuges at
Olympic, Pearl, Hill and Ashland ✓
New landscaped center medians, 10 feet average width, various
lengths ✓ ✓
New crosswalk striping at 20 locations on side streets ✓
13 new curb -extensions and bulb -outs at strategically located
side streets and in certain areas on Lincoln Blvd. north of Pico
Blvd.
✓
48 new street trees in existing and /or future parkways and
potentially in medians ✓ ✓
32 bioswales for stormwater runoff ✓
125 new pedestrian lights spaced at 75 foot average intervals ✓
Eliminated unused curb -cuts and revised curb ramps ✓ ✓
ADA compliant dual -directional curb ram ps at 90 locations along
the boulevard ✓ ✓
Wayfinding Signage and Markers ✓ ✓
TR
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NE
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New Peak Hour Directional 12 -foot wide Dedicated Bus Lanes ✓
2 new bicycle connection improvements at Ashland and Pearl ✓
New bike racks, benches and tras h receptacles ✓ ✓
Peak Hour Directional 12 -foot Dedicated Bus Lanes (Phase 1)
Based on in -depth analysis on the applicability and benefits transportation
enhancements, such as dedicated bus lanes on Lincoln Boulevard, staff recommends