[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6664605,"mediaKeyId","2373794-575ced924f2af28f0779a2bd6039fc77","parentId",2373794,"title","BPAC votes to study adopting VTA bicycle technical guidelines as a Sunnyvale design reference","audioSeconds",4015,"startMs",15625000,"endMs",19640000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2373794-575ced924f2af28f0779a2bd6039fc77&start=15625&end=19640","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2373794-575ced924f2af28f0779a2bd6039fc77/thumbnail_15625000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6664605/Sunnyvale/Santa-Clara-County/California/BPAC-votes-to-study-adopting-VTA-bicycle-technical-guidelines-as-a-Sunnyvale-design-reference","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664605-c7c39f83a31df1ba2c9f63bc683f58c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176842&Signature=eJes9Kzlr~hEbYogbppQq83UtZrEa4klw-YgczDcINkhl9jv-7dSFT0pYvF~Enrlq4eaudED~BsLqqtXhe8unqrY883S3WDw9ETNotZfRFUyYBKW222NmEqrP6GDaDup301NnMPo7YnJlUBPZJFsMpGadjSSwY6yh1iOUsoHHlLDlKXnmC7EaS7zIyVzHldfUFhgcGoA8rI-D77xPMGs9ydsy9HblY8HySPhJfF0cbLEtNd8cgxZ3VT5PZ-vMzBHXh8lNahPLpzz1UuFL1bT6SJaCk3l7MradHocaUzXQKYUwACiFpKjzIUH2Yev0rtDI4CnivIT13uYrxGtsklQ2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-22T04:59:08.453Z","article","The Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission voted Feb. 20 to accept a study issue that asks staff to evaluate adoption of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle Technical Guidelines as a Sunnyvale design reference for bicycle facilities, and to develop a way to notify the public when projects cannot meet those guidelines.

What the commission approved: Commissioner Hageman proposed the study issue and the commission voted to accept it for study. During the debate commissioners and staff emphasized two distinct aims: (1) identify a consistent, local design reference that reflects best practices for bicycle infrastructure, and (2) define a transparent process to notify and consult the public when a project cannot meet the guideline’s recommendations because of field constraints or conflicting requirements.

Why it matters: The VTA technical guidelines were presented to BPAC as a locally produced, relatively detailed set of preferred practices for bike lanes, buffer widths and other design features. Several commissioners said adopting a locally focused guideline would give residents and advocates a clear baseline to review new project designs and would make tradeoffs more transparent when constrained conditions force compromises.

Content of the study issue: The proposed evaluation asks staff to examine how the VTA guideline would interact with state and federal standards, and to recommend how Sunnyvale should treat the VTA guideline (for example, as a required minimum, as a presumption or as a preferred standard). It also asks staff to propose how the city should notify the public — through council agendas, BPAC hearings or public outreach — when a project cannot meet guideline recommendations.

Vote and outcome: The commission’s roll call recorded five votes in favor, one vote against and one absence; the motion carried. Commissioners asked staff to consider implementation implications, including workload and coordination with Caltrans and other state/federal requirements.

Next steps: With study issue acceptance, staff will prepare an analysis of the guideline, including legal/technical implications, and return to BPAC with findings and recommended next steps.

Ending: Commissioners and members of the public who spoke urged more predictable standards and clearer outreach when local tradeoffs are required; staff will present the study results to BPAC before any formal adoption is recommended to City Council.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Meeting - Feb. 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission voted to accept a study issue that would examine adopting the Santa Clara VTA Bicycle Technical Guidelines as the city’s reference for bicycle facility design and to recommend a process for public notice if projects cannot meet the guideline’s preferred standards.","taxTitle","Sunnyvale , Santa Clara County, California","taxId",2858,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6664610,"BPAC tells council: don’t bank TDA Article 3 funds, move Poplar sidewalks toward construction",3225,7605000,10830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2373794-575ced924f2af28f0779a2bd6039fc77&start=7605&end=10830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2373794-575ced924f2af28f0779a2bd6039fc77/thumbnail_7605000.jpg","/articles/6664610/Sunnyvale/Santa-Clara-County/California/BPAC-tells-council-dont-bank-TDA-Article-3-funds-move-Poplar-sidewalks-toward-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664610-a7d19af247189c8a701b8b563341b525/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176842&Signature=ab3XXJ1ZagCBtuHLWZdN8XM6IpHy7Cv~XptxLYkWIubYvdpb9WlN~TTJtdUf9mW5nHhbr9MhgganfrZcQlPqoKdOyc2Hh7HEMnjWpneyWOEnzokuEZyy~W9p145RQNpydSuTgyWC70oWFROfu4f7VS3oNLjGHr3ReLt0MDQSadL6RzqNIzUB8K~Mv5eHvQzFH748ToEoSbPyWn3-5I69JOezPt9vP3TlW4G-BGMwunCT2tJ6UD9jTTx-MmdjPluG87Ksaw2t4bGuZPvGWRgWGpGP8UCstuSLzXBdQrHrpvNGi7wUSjWUdhAWJXc4azIMrgbhTbjZzEgCSawbmzhd~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission voted Feb. 20 to recommend that the City Council not bank Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 funds for a future year and instead proceed with using the funds this fiscal cycle.

What commissioners decided: After staff outlined several eligible projects for the roughly $621,513 in TDA Article 3 money (which included $411,038 banked from the prior year plus returned rescission funds), commissioners debated whether to hold the funds for future years or push a long‑planned Poplar Avenue sidewalks project toward construction this summer. Commissioner Hageman moved that the commission recommend to council that the funds not be banked; the motion passed in a roll-call vote with seven commissioners in favor and one commissioner absent.

Why it matters: Staff told the commission there is a funding gap between available TDA funds and the estimated construction cost for the Poplar Avenue sidewalk project (staff listed an estimated construction cost of $895,000). The commission emphasized a desire to accelerate the Poplar sidewalk project rather than continue to postpone construction by banking funds again.

Projects discussed: In addition to the Poplar sidewalks, staff presented a prioritized list of candidate projects that TDA Article 3 funds could support, including:
- Rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) and curb extensions at two crossings (California & Francis; Sunset & Washington) — design+construction estimate: $700,000 for both locations combined (staff noted the California & Francis crossing is in the Active Transportation Plan and Sunset & Washington was resident‑requested and met warranting criteria);
- Supplement for Evelyn Avenue multi-use trail construction (to close a budget gap): $300,000;
- Pedestrian/crossing improvements near Gail Ave and Iris Ave (near a school): $225,000;
- Reduction of pork‑chop islands on westbound El Camino Real to improve bicyclist paths ($65,000);
- Converting on‑street part‑time bike lanes to full‑time bike lanes on Olmsted Road (signage and implementation signs: $63,000);
- Class 3 route treatments on Pastoria (signage/markings): $35,000.

Commission direction and next steps: By voting not to bank the funds, BPAC asked staff to advance the funding recommendation to City Council with the commission’s preference that the Poplar Avenue project be a funding priority for the coming construction season. Staff noted the final decisions and allocations are taken by City Council and that MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission) must approve TDA Article 3 applications; MTC typically finalizes allocations in the fall cycle.

Ending: The vote sends a clear signal to council that BPAC favors using the currently available TDA funds to push Poplar sidewalks toward construction rather than saving them for additional banking years.

","The Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission voted to recommend that City Council not bank Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 funds, signaling support for moving the long‑planned Poplar Avenue sidewalk project toward construction rather than saving the funds for later years.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6664614,"Sunnyvale unveils Caltrain station access study with safety and wayfinding recommendations",1348,1664000,3012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2373794-575ced924f2af28f0779a2bd6039fc77&start=1664&end=3012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2373794-575ced924f2af28f0779a2bd6039fc77/thumbnail_1664000.jpg","/articles/6664614/Sunnyvale/Santa-Clara-County/California/Sunnyvale-unveils-Caltrain-station-access-study-with-safety-and-wayfinding-recommendations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664614-601016d28016a24a4453f7db5eab52c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176842&Signature=McpvuPxN5k2cHY6PCyI19kre0jCTl6nUQUM1oi~DGoObpgWxmdgh9Se8STJ4-5MrJY0SAOBAl6J88U3hkahdqGU1QrjObbcg64N8pvmJor6-VFjYkkFPxDoXtsErhcULjtKgaqHumlr037Bb7bofDqiJSWVVtcYop8iTVZjOpXYy6Lr3m8VfIHEVvkMV5kputoz2Kboe2D2EtQBleXTc1koP669g12aAi~cJm2au1Td1Z2msn-FOMvf0GQctJ55wu-a-YY6swBcyvxzfQKpm3STl0bvrjS2zYB87rCn5aElJxQhd1JG65XWClvINkVl-1gDigv1958OODSCde6FjoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City transportation staff and consultants presented a conceptual plan on Feb. 20 to improve walking and bicycling access to Sunnyvale Caltrain Station, recommending changes to crossings, bike facilities and wayfinding that aim to improve safety and support grant applications.

The study area and purpose: Angela Wong, a transportation engineer for the city, said the study — funded through a Caltrain sustainable transportation planning grant — focuses on station access in the city right-of-way rather than modifications inside Caltrain’s own property. The consultants measured walking and biking “sheds” (10-minute walking and biking distances) to prioritize how investments would expand access to the station.

Key findings from outreach and data: Consultant Monica Tanner presented Caltrain onboard-survey data showing that nearly 30% of riders walk to the station and roughly 34% ride bikes to it (outbound ridership figures were similar). Tanner said the team found gaps in sidewalks close to the station, curb ramps that are not ADA compliant, missing wayfinding and instances of cyclists being exposed to conflicts with motor vehicles.

Collision history: Over the past five years the study-area crash review identified eight pedestrian collisions and eight bicycle collisions, including at least one documented pedestrian fatality and another recent fatality that occurred after compilation of the dataset. ‘‘We also saw locations where there are bicycle and auto conflicts and some places where there were no bike ramps,’’ Tanner said.

Recommended improvements: The study presents a set of on- and off-street improvements, grouped by north and south of the station:
- North of the station: extend an existing Class II bike lane on California Avenue; add pedestrian/bicycle ramps and an underpass connection near Matilda Avenue; consider traffic circles and a Class 3B bicycle boulevard on North Francis; add a rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) paired with a crosswalk on California Avenue.
- South of the station: better connect the planned Evelyn Avenue multi-use trail to the station; improve lighting and wayfinding under Matilda Ave; add buffered Class II lanes on Evelyn; consider a pedestrian scramble at Francis & Evelyn and raised crosswalks across Evelyn and Murphy to shorten pedestrian crossings.

Parking and operations: The consultants recommended retaining most on-street parking, with selective removal at locations to create dedicated pick-up/drop-off zones and space for buffered bike lanes. For example, on North Francis between Francis Ave and Murphy Ave the plan recommends a pickup/drop-off zone to address current informal behavior.

Station amenities and coordination: The report documents riders’ requests for more shade on platforms, restroom and food options, additional lighting and improved platform amenities. Because the station and platforms sit in Caltrain’s right-of-way, staff said the city will share station-focused recommendations with Caltrain for their consideration.

Next steps: Staff said refined concept plans will go back to the public in spring outreach, then to City Council in a study session in June, and an official recommendation to the commission and council in the fall in preparation for potential implementation funding requests in December 2025. Angela Wong said the team aims to finish the study by winter 2026.

Ending: Officials said the study is designed to be a grant-ready blueprint — a prioritized menu of feasible measures that the city can fund and implement, and that can be used to apply for state and federal construction grants.

","City staff and consultants presented a Caltrain Station Bicycle & Pedestrian Access study that identifies sidewalk gaps, bike-route gaps north of the station, collision hot spots and a menu of north- and south-side improvements to improve walking, bicycling, and transit connections.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6664620,"Sunnyvale city manager flags federal funding uncertainty, preview of budget and library options",1297,263000,1560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2373794-575ced924f2af28f0779a2bd6039fc77&start=263&end=1560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2373794-575ced924f2af28f0779a2bd6039fc77/thumbnail_263000.jpg","/articles/6664620/Sunnyvale/Santa-Clara-County/California/Sunnyvale-city-manager-flags-federal-funding-uncertainty-preview-of-budget-and-library-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664620-4faf47a110063b73a357de482f2b7387/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176842&Signature=dwJlfi59myjc210H8sO94uf3I30Xsc0j65bydiYorGvQ1NUdduUBBXfqt9Hxa0UEF-kdNy4VfCzcmXM7tEkwPPZkFG-ZbGPvz1XWrrAaqG8XuU0R2JVdWj8~3k~d995~wQo~gAcav45cIryDJIdl6g2giECOlnvKO8ZxWLKXPzeudvIcdzaZEMny4RgUY80jnWUMX-gJxHm4Lz9bZU6Zpxid8NopTEWW~Ye0LSS01hIPw4rMorF5vzSo29IBrdN1FrnNUPnPCsnIP-mfWehrX2JGtYKjyf6d2-hCwHnFT-Y4vJAtohY9AoPjpZmU3tBnSpmJjBi03F~YgVJfOOW0zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tim Kirby, the city manager, introduced himself to the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission on Feb. 20 and used the meeting to preview the city’s budget timetable and to flag federal funding risk that could affect local human services.

Kirby, who said he has worked for the city for 30 years, told commissioners the city is following a council-directed calendar that includes a strategic priority-setting session on March 13 and a recommended budget release in May, followed by public hearings and adoption in June. “We’ll be planning out all the work that we do day to day plus building in strategic priorities,” Kirby said.

Why it matters: Kirby told the commission the city is watching federal funding closely because changes could ripple to local safety-net services. “The county receives a large amount of federal funding, billions of dollars,” he said, and reductions to federal healthcare or social-service grants could affect Sunnyvale residents who use county-run clinics and other services. Kirby also flagged Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, used to support local nonprofits that provide food and housing assistance, as especially vulnerable.

Kirby ran through specific federal-dependent programs: NOVA Workforce Services — a regional workforce board that receives about $9–10 million a year in federal funding — and the Sunnyvale Clean Water Program, which has more than $500 million in executed loans for the city’s sewage-plant renovation. He said the federal support for those large, executed contracts is not currently at risk but remains under watch.

On local priorities and staffing, Kirby said roughly two-thirds of city operating costs (excluding wholesale water, landfill, and major vendor contracts) are staff costs. He described the city’s use of consultants as a way to access specialized skills or to complete projects when staffing levels are full. ‘‘Consultants are used in a lot of different ways,’’ he said, and sometimes ‘‘we use consultants because we don’t have the expertise on staff.’’ Kirby said the city has started slowly growing staff after two decades of flat staffing, adding roughly 30 positions across departments in the past year.

Library and civic center: Kirby said the council is still evaluating options after voters rejected a previous library bond. Options under consideration include downsizing the library project and returning to the voters, reconfiguring service delivery with more branch work, or bundling the library with other civic needs (for example, public safety) to attract broader support. He said basic repairs to the existing library’s plumbing and facilities are planned while longer-term options are considered.

Local projects referenced: Kirby and commissioners discussed Fair Oaks Avenue safety and a council colleague’s memo that would allow consideration of removing street parking for active-transportation upgrades. Councilmember Mellinger, who attended the BPAC meeting, has pushed for smaller, faster signal or intersection upgrades along Fair Oaks as an interim safety step while larger “complete streets” work is evaluated.

What’s next: Kirby reiterated the calendar: strategic priority-setting in mid-March, a budget workshop in May, public hearings in June and budget adoption by charter deadline in June. He said staff will present specific proposals for council consideration and encouraged commissioners to raise questions as projects move toward design and funding.

Ending: Kirby closed by saying the manager’s recommended budget would reflect both the city’s ongoing, day-to-day work and the council’s strategic priorities, and that staff will monitor federal funding developments as they prepare the recommended budget.

","City Manager Tim Kirby introduced himself to the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission and outlined a city budget timeline while warning of potential federal funding shifts that could affect human services and workforce programs; council work on a downsized or combined library bond was also outlined.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

BPAC votes to study adopting VTA bicycle technical guidelines as a Sunnyvale design reference

BPAC tells council: don’t bank TDA Article 3 funds, move Poplar sidewalks toward construction

Sunnyvale unveils Caltrain station access study with safety and wayfinding recommendations

Sunnyvale city manager flags federal funding uncertainty, preview of budget and library options