2016/01/25 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee MinutesFINAL
011 I N F. A T 1,k
F... Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
5:30 PM, Monday, January 25, 2016
Rohnert Park City Hall
130 Avram Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Members Present: Tim Hensel (Chair) X Terry Gault (Vice -Chair) X
Stephen Gold Katie Musick X Carson Williams X
Non -Voting Participants: Mary Grace Pawson, Staff X Eydie Tacata, Staff X
1. Call to Order
Chair Tim Hensel called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM.
2. Introductions
Chair Hensel commenced self -introductions. Committee Members present were Tim Hensel,
Terry Gault, Katie Musick, and Carson Williams; City staff present were Eydie Tacata, Management
Analyst, and Mary Grace Pawson, Development Services Director/City Engineer; also present was Vin
Hoagland, Sonoma County Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission, Yd District Representative.
3. Approval of Minutes of Meeting of September 28, 2015
Committee Member Katie Musick moved to approve the September 28, 2015 meeting minutes;
the motion was seconded by Committee Member Carson Williams and was approved (2-0-2-1).
4. Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Scoping for State Farm Drive Project
Chair Hensel introduced the item. Staff member Mary Grace Pawson provided background on
potential street rehabilitation project on State Farm Drive, including a brief update on the Central
Rohnert Park Priority Development Area Plan ("PDA Plan") and Environmental Impact Report (E1R)
underway. She also mentioned features shown in PDA Plan that would impact bicycle and pedestrian
access and safety along State Farm Drive, such as a road diet, on -street parking, and roundabouts.
There was general discussion among the Committee members about road diets and support for a
road diet on State Farm Drive.
The committee also specifically discussed a roundabout proposed in the PDA Plan on State
Farm Drive at the southern entrance to Raley's Town Center to the west and entrance to the former
State Farm Insurance campus on the east. Committee Member Williams cornmented that with increased
traffic generated by the SMART station and redevelopment of the former State Farm, the roundabout
and road diet would calm traffic. There was general discussion about roundabouts and safety, and also
expression of support for them. Staff member Pawson mentioned that the cornment period for the EIR
was concluding, and she encouraged the Committee members to submit comments if they wished.
The Committee members discussed on -street parking along State Farm Drive. Staff member
Pawson said that the PDA process revealed that on -street parking is found to be critical in creating a
"downtown" feel. Chair Hensel asked about what combination of bike facility and car parking is being
Rohnert Park Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee DRAFT
January 25, 2016 Meeting Minutes
considered. There was discussion of a Class II on -street bike lane with standard parallel parking. A
concern raised about car doors swinging into the bike lane; it was suggested that a wider bike lane
and/or parking lane could be achieved with the road diet to mitigate the risks. A Class I off-street multi-
use (bicycle and pedestrian) path was also discussed; concerns were raised about bicycle and pedestrian
conflicts and discontinuity of the facility at Professional Center Drive.
Committee Member Musick said that something needs to be done to alert users of a change of
bicycle facilities at intersection of Professional Center Drive, especially if there will be Class II bike
lanes south of the intersection, but not north. Staff member Pawson suggested that a green bike lane
treatment or something similar could be used to increase the visibility of bicyclists' movements.
Also discussed by the Committee members and staff were a new bus turnout at the Sonoma
County Transit bus stop on State Farm Drive north of Professional Center Drive, completion of a
sidewalk gap in the same vicinity, vehicular speed on State Farm Drive, and a new traffic light at the
intersection of Commerce Boulevard and State Farm Drive as identified in the General Plan.
The Committee discussed the crosswalks on State Farm Drive at Hinebaugh Creek, expressing
interest in enhancing the crosswalks with in -ground pavement lighting.
6. New Matters for Future Consideration
Committee Member Musick mentioned the continued occurrences of pedestrians crossing East
Cotati Avenue between Sonoma State University (SSU) and Wolf Den Plaza. It was suggested that
Chair Hensel bring up the issue at the SSU Transportation Committee, of which he is a member. The
Committee discussed making the issue a standing agenda item at the Rohnert Park BPAC meetings.
Committee Member Musick suggested that the Committee identify specific projects or bicycle
and pedestrian facilities between the City of Rohnert Park and the City of Cotati which may of shared
interest to bring up with the committee that oversees bike and pedestrian issues at the City of Cotati.
5. Public Comments
Vin Hoagland announced a community meeting of the Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway
Campaign Committee on February 20, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa.
At the meeting will be presentation by the Sonoma Land Trust and other speakers on the acquisition,
potential uses, creation of a greenway on lands once slated for the Highway 12 Extension and bridge
across Spring Lake in Santa Rosa. Bike parking will be available at the event.
6. Adjournment
Chair Hensel moved to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Vice Chair Gault and
carried unanimously (4-0-1-0). The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:52 PM.
Eydie Tacata, Recording Secretary
Rohnert Park Bicycle Advisory Committee
Tim Hensel, Committee Chair
Rohnert Park Bicycle Advisory Committee