55C - RESO - BRISTOL ST IMPROVEMENTS

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Bristol Street Improvements, Right -of -Way Acquisitions, and Adoption of an Addendum to the Final EIS /EIR July 1, 2014 Page 2 adjacent Bristol Street segments and consistent with the Bristol Street Specific Plan and the General Plan, In 1990, the City Council approved the project improvements proposed in the Bristol Street Final Environmental Impact Statement /Environmental Impact Report (FEIS /EIR), EIS No. 89 -01 (Exhibit 1). Since then, the segment between Washington Avenue and 17th Street (Exhibit 2) has minor design modifications that have been identified as additional improvements. Adoption of the Resolution (Exhibit 3) approving the Addendum to the Bristol Street FEIS /EIR (Exhibit 4) authorizes constructing those improvements using project funds. The added improvements include a wider parkway buffer for sidewalk safety, a visibility wall to protect residents to the east, and a right -turn pocket for eastbound 17th Street to southbound Bristol Street to improve traffic flow. Approval of these recommendations would allow the City to proceed with finalizing the design to improve Bristol Street and widen the roadway from four to six lanes. Adoption of the Resolution would allow the City to complete the right -of -way acquisitions phase of the project. This phase must be substantially concluded by December 2014 in order to award a construction contract by June 2015, thereby meeting grant funding deadlines set by OCTA. OPTIONS / ALTERNATIVES Alternative A Full property acquisitions This alternative is the staff - recommended option as described above. The recommended full - property acquisitions would allow improvements which support Complete Streets and land use that conforms to set -back, lot size, and parking requirements. This alternative would also allow implementation of the Bristol Street Specific Plan and achieves the following: • Supports Complete Streets • Consistent with the Bicycle Master Plan • Consistent with the Pedestrian Master Plan • Improves walkability and enhances pedestrian safety • Supports implementation of Specific Plan Consistent with Bristol Specific Plan and City General Plan • Enhances traffic operations and reduces congestion (widens roadway from four to six lanes) • Creates superior street aesthetics - Built environment, landscape median, and parkways - Street trees, street lights • Enhances compatibility with adjacent improved segments of Bristol • Improvements which are supported by adjacent residents / neighbors including the Washington Square Neighborhood Association 55C -2