TITLE
Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and adopt resolution approving an update to the Bicycle Master Plan as a technical appendix to the Mobility Element of the Long Beach General Plan; and
Accept Mitigated Negative Declaration No. MND 04-16. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On December 11, 2001, the City Council adopted a new Bicycle Master Plan to guide the development of a comprehensive bicycle network and support facilities. Subsequently, the City has installed over 78 miles of bikeways, completing many of the bicycle facilities identified in the Bicycle Master Plan. Some of the signature bicycle facilities completed include the downtown parking-protected bicycle lanes, Second Street green lane sharrows, and Vista Bike Boulevard. The proposed update builds upon those investments and will guide the creation of new bicycle infrastructure over the coming 20 years. An up-to-date Bicycle Master Plan is also a prerequisite for grants the City may pursue to fund those improvements.
On October 15, 2013, the City Council adopted an update to the Transportation Element (renamed Mobility Element) establishing a Citywide vision and policies necessary to achieve a balanced mobility system by facilitating an increased use of bicycling as a viable option for both work and non-work trips. The Bicycle Master Plan is one of several supporting documents recommended for updating to implement the multi-modal policies and complete streets policies identified in the Mobility Element.
On April 14, 2016, the Departments of Development Services and Public Works held a Citywide kickoff meeting for an update to the Bicycle Master Plan. The Bicycle Master Plan update was developed through a comprehensive and collaborative process that included community outreach, an analysis of existing conditions, City departmental coordination meetings and stakeholder interviews. Public outreach was organized around fun, innovative, and meaningful community events to solicit input from Long Beach residents, visitors, and business owners. Moreover, the project team took a thorough approach to reach parts of the City and population groups that are often absent from the planning process. To that end, community engagement included reaching these residents where they work, shop, and play - at farmer’s markets, concerts in the park, and in the downtown during the lunch hour.
On September 1, and November 17, 2016, the Planning Commission held study sessions on the proposed 20-year plan for bicycle infrastructure and policies developed based on national best practices and public input. The draft Bicycle Master Plan (Draft Plan), attached as an exhibit to the Resolution, establishes policies, programs, and design guidelines intended to make bicycling in Long Beach safe, comfortable, convenient, and enjoyable for all bicyclists. The Draft Plan calls for a comprehensive bicycle network of “8 to 80” bicycle facilities across the City, made up of a variety of bicycle boulevards and parking-protected bicycle lanes. The “8 to 80” network was designed to appeal to bicycle riders of different ages (i.e., 8 to 80 years) and abilities, with emphasis on providing protected, low-stress bicycle facilities for more inexperienced riders. The Draft Plan also includes bicycle strategies that identify implementation measures that the City should undertake to achieve its vision and goals.
On January 5, 2017, the Planning Commission conducted public hearings on the Draft Plan and recommended that the City Council adopt a Resolution approving the Draft Plan as a technical appendix to the Mobility Element (Exhibit A - Planning Commission Staff Report).
Since the Draft Plan is a Citywide document, a public hearing notice was provided through newspaper publication on January 21, 2017. No responses were received as of the preparation of this report.
In accordance with the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act, a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND-04-16) was issued for the proposed project (Exhibit B - Mitigated Negative Declaration).
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on January 11, 2017 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on January 18, 2017.
SUSTAINABILITY
The ultimate goal of this effort is to increase the number of persons who bicycle in Long Beach for transportation to work, school, errands, and for recreation. The benefits of increased bicycling include improved air quality, reduced emissions that contribute to global warming, improved traffic conditions, reduced dependence on non-renewable fuels, lower transportation costs for citizens, improved physical fitness, stress reduction, and reduced health care costs.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is not time critical.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Draft Plan is a policy document that lays out the City’s overall bicycle network and support facilities goals. The projects and programs identified in this plan indicate the type of activities contemplated by the City for the next 20 years. Although the Draft Plan includes projects and program descriptions, the details and designs are not yet known. Design details will be developed with the Draft Plan’s implementation. The Draft Plan does not constitute City approval of projects, programs or expenditures. As such, there is no fiscal or local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
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Respectfully Submitted,
AMY J. BODEK, AICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
CRAIG BECK
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER