Resolution 15765CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO. 15765
APPROVING THE CENTRAL AVENUE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT FINAL CONCEPT AND ADOPTING ENVIRONMENTAL
FINDINGS
WHEREAS, the Central Avenue Safety Improvement Project ("project") includes a
road diet with two motor vehicle travel lanes, a two-way left -turn lane as a center lane,
roundabouts, improved bus stops and bikeways as well as other safety measures, street
trees and pavement rehabilitation. The project is designed to improve safety and reduce
motor vehicle delays, and is part of and consistent with citywide efforts focusing on both
safety and climate resiliency; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, the City Council approved the initial design concept for the
project between Main Street/Pacific Avenue and Encinal Avenue/Sherman Street and
determined the project to be categorically exempt from review under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City Council directed staff to continue the design
development process with Caltrans and to work with the neighboring community to
provide safer improvements for the Webster Street area; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, the City Council adopted the Transportation Choices Plan,
which includes the Central Avenue Safety Improvement Project, and sets as primary
objectives to address the climate crisis and to increase the safety of all road users; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, the City Council declared a climate emergency, approved a
revised Central Avenue concept between Paden School and McKay Avenue extending
the safer two-way bikeway, passed the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and approved
a Vision Zero Policy to eliminate fatal and severe injury collisions; and
WHEREAS, the final concept for the project is the result of an eight-year public
planning process, which included in-person public workshops prior to the COVID-19
pandemic, online surveys, focus group meetings and virtual open houses; and
WHEREAS, on November 18, 2020, the Transportation Commission
recommended City Council approval of the final concept; and
WHEREAS, on April 20, 2021, the City Council conducted a duly noticed public
hearing and considered the final concept and the entirety of the record, including all
submitted materials and public comments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council makes the following
findings:
1. The City Council approves the final concept of the Central Avenue Safety
Improvement Project as recommended by the City staff/consultant team and
described in the corresponding staff report;
2. The City Council directs staff to revise the recommended roundabout for the
intersection at Sherman, Encinal and Central to reflect the alternative design
shown on slide 31 of the Council presentation, which eliminates the staff
recommended Sherman Street cul-de-sac, and
3. The City Council finds that approval of the project is categorically exempt from
environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15301(c) Existing
Facilities (Minor alterations to existing facilities including bicycle facilities) because
it consists of minor alteration of an existing public street to add bicycle facilities,
pedestrian crossings, plantings, and associated alterations involving negligible or
no expansion of use, and 15304(h) (Minor Alterations to Land) because it consists
of minor public alterations in the condition of land for the creation of bicycle lanes
on existing public rights of way, each as a separate and independent basis. In
addition, CEQA Guidelines section 15183 (Projects Consistent with a Community
Plan, General Plan, or Zoning) applies to the project, which is consistent with the
General Plan, Transportation Choices Plan, Climate Action and Resiliency Plan,
and zoning, and does not have any significant effects that are peculiar to the
project which are not addressed by uniformly applied development policies or
standards.
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and
regularly adopted and passed by the City Council of the City of Alameda in a regular
meeting assembled on the 20th day of April, 2021, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers Knox White, Vella and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft
—3.
NOES: Councilmembers Daysog and Herrera Spencer — 2.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of
said City this 21St day of April, 2021.
Lara Weisiger, City C er
City of Alameda
APPROVED AS TO FORM: