Chapter 7: Infrastructure

Transcription

1 CHAPTER 7: INFRASTRUCTURE Chapter 7: Infrastructure Overview Morgan Hill has a variety of infrastructure services including transportation, water, sewer, storm drainage, solid waste, and energy systems to meet the demands of residents and businesses. Much of Downtown is located within the floodplain of Upper Llagas Creek. Floodplain regulations must be met by development until such time that the Upper Llagas Creek Flood Protection Project (PL566) is constructed. The development anticipated from this Specific Plan will be served by the following infrastructure improvements, some of which already exist and some of which are planned for improvement within the next five to 10 years. Morgan Hill Caltrain Station near Third and Depot Streets VTA bus stop shelter July

2 Morgan Hill Downtown Specific Plan Transportation Existing Roadways Regional access to Downtown Morgan Hill is provided by Monterey Road. Local access is provided by Butterfield Boulevard, Main Avenue, Dunne Avenue, and Depot Street. Monterey Road runs north-south and is the main street in Downtown. Through Downtown it currently has four lanes with on-street parking, but is proposed for a reduction to two travel lanes (see Chapter 3: Multi-Modal Circulation and Streetscapes) so that a regional road facility does not intrude on the desired pedestrian-friendly multi-modal character desired for Downtown. To the north and south of the Downtown area, Monterey Road is a four-lane arterial roadway. Butterfield Boulevard runs north-south and is the easternmost street in Downtown. Through the Downtown area it is a four-lane roadway. Main Avenue runs east-west and is the northern boundary of this Specific Plan area. Through the Downtown area it is a two-lane roadway. Dunne Avenue runs east-west and is the southern boundary of this Specific Plan area. Through the Downtown area it is a four-lane roadway, with right-of-way for six lanes. Depot Street runs north-south and is in between the railroad tracks and Monterey Road. Through the Downtown area it is a two-lane roadway. While at one time Depot Street was proposed to be modified to remove its current connection to Dunne Avenue (by implementing a cul-de-sac at Fifth Street), this Specific Plan recommends retaining the existing connection to Dunne so that Depot remains a parallel north-south route in Downtown. Existing Transit Service Bus service in Morgan Hill is operated by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). Four bus routes operate in or near Downtown: Route 15 is a local community bus route that provides service between Saddleback and the Morgan Hill Civic Center, with limited service to Jackson Oaks, the Centennial Recreation Center, and Watsonville Road. In Downtown, Route 15 operates on Main Avenue, Butterfield Boulevard, and Dunne Avenue. This route services the Morgan Hill Caltrain Station. Route 16 is a local community bus route that provides service between Burnett Avenue and the Morgan Hill Civic Center. In Downtown, Route 16 operates on Main Avenue. Route 68 is a regional bus route that provides service between the City of Gilroy and the San Jose Diridon Caltrain Station. In Downtown, Route 68 operates on Monterey Road and Main Avenue. Route 121 is an express bus route that provides service between the City of Gilroy and the Lockheed Martin Light Rail Station in Sunnyvale. In Downtown, Route 121 operates on Butterfield Boulevard and Dunne Avenue. This route services the Morgan Hill Caltrain station. Express Route 168 provides direct service between the Gilroy, Morgan Hill and the San Jose Diridon Transit Centers, via the recently approved HOV (carpool) lanes on Route Public Review Draft

3 CHAPTER 7: INFRASTRUCTURE Commuter rail service, Caltrain, is operated by the Peninsula Joint Powers Board and connects to the Cities of San Francisco and Gilroy. Caltrain provides northbound service from Morgan Hill and Gilroy during the morning commute period and southbound service to Morgan Hill and Gilroy during the evening commute period. During the 2015 to 2030 timeframe, Caltrain service is projected to increase frequency and to construct double-tracking through Morgan Hill, which will better serve a reverse commute. This rail corridor also has the potential to accommodate the through route (no Morgan Hill stop is planned) of the California High Speed Rail Project. California voters will consider funding on the November 2008 ballot. Existing Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities Pedestrian facilities consist of sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals. Crosswalks exist at all of the intersections on Monterey Road between Main Avenue and Dunne Avenue. Sidewalks are provided on both sides of Monterey Road. Bicycle facilities consist of bike paths, bike lanes, sharrow markings (a symbol painted in the travel lane to establish a road shared by vehicles and bicycles) bike routes, bike racks and lockers. There are bicycle lanes on Main Avenue and Dunne Avenue east of Monterey Road. The Third Street Promenade includes sharrow markings. A more detailed discussion of bicycle facilities in included in Chapter 4 (Parking Resources Management Strategy). Streetlights are generally provided throughout Downtown; however, lighting and safety are some of the top concerns of residents and Downtown property and business owners. Depot Street has recently received new lighting at a pedestrian scale. Although some feel this street now has too much lighting, once the trees mature this street should have proper lighting. New pedestrian-scaled streetlights will eventually be provided along Monterey Road, East Third Street, and various side streets. Pedestrian paths linking parking lots to streets will also include proper lighting either by the City or by property owners as the areas are redeveloped. Transportation Projections and Improvements The Master Environmental Impact Report provides transportation projections and improvements for Downtown. Monterey Road is currently being studied for the feasibility of reconfiguring the roadways to include one travel lane in each direction after other parallel route(s) exist and after a trial period, as described in Chapter 3 (Multi-Modal Circulation and Streetscapes). Depot Street is currently being studied for the feasibility of maintaining the connection to Dunne Avenue and a study should be conducted to assess that feasibility of connecting Depot Street to Church Street via the Community and Cultural Center parking lot (see Chapter 3: Multi- Modal Circulation and Streetscapes). To create a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere along Monterey Road and to better connect to the train station, bus routes running along Monterey Road should be diverted to Depot Street or Butterfield Boulevard via Main Avenue and/or Dunne Avenue. July

4 Morgan Hill Downtown Specific Plan Water Service Existing Water Service The City of Morgan Hill provides potable water service to its residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers within the City limits. The City has 15 groundwater wells, 1 potable water storage tank, 10 booster stations, and more than 160 miles of pressured pipes that range from 2 to 14 inches in diameter. The water distribution system meets the needs of existing customers. Figure 27 shows the existing water system in Downtown. Water Service Projections and Improvements The vast majority of the proposed projects in the Water Master Plan consist of new or increased capacity pipelines that are needed to extend service. Because the Downtown area is predominantly developed, improvements primarily consist of upgrading the existing pipelines to the current 8-inch City Standards. This project is not on the list for impact fees and, therefore, will be funded by the Redevelopment Agency and private development (as a potential condition of approval). Additionally, the City will be upgrading the water main from Monterey Road to Peak/Main booster Station to 12-inch per City s Water Master Plan. The City has a program to implement these improvements and water infrastructure does not and will not act as a constraint to the intensity of development within the Specific Plan. The improvements will be paid for by the Redevelopment Agency and/or private development (as a potential condition of approval) in accordance with Chapter 3.56 (Development Impact Mitigation Fees) and Chapter (Street and Sidewalk Development). Sanitary Sewer System Existing Sanitary Sewer System The City of Morgan Hill has a sewer collection system that contains approximately 135 miles of 6-inch through 30-inch diameter sewers, and includes 15 sewage lift stations and associated force mains. This system also consists of trunk sewers that are generally 12 inches in diameter and larger, which convey the collected wastewater flows through an outfall that continues south to the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) in Gilroy. This WWTF is jointly owned by the Cities of Gilroy and Morgan Hill. Morgan Hill s sewer collection system meets the needs of existing customers. Figure 27 shows the existing sanitary sewer system in Downtown. Sanitary Sewer System Projections and Improvements The vast majority of the proposed projects in the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan consist of new or increased capacity pipelines that are needed to extend service. Because the Downtown area is predominantly developed, improvements primarily consist of upgrading the existing pipelines to the current 8-inch City Standards. This project is not on the list for impact fees and, therefore, will be funded by the Redevelopment Agency and private development (as a potential condition of approval). Additionally, City will be upgrading the sewer main from just east of the railroad tracks on Main Avenue to Hale Avenue to 18 inches per City s Sewer Master Plan. Refer to Figure 27 for further details. The City has a program to implement these improvements and sanitary sewer infrastructure does not and will not act as a constraint to the intensity of development within the Specific Plan. The improvements will be paid for by the Redevelopment Agency and/or private development (as a potential condition of approval) in accordance with Chapter 3.56 (Development Impact Mitigation Fees) and Chapter (Street and Sidewalk Development). 7-4 Public Review Draft

5 CHAPTER 7: INFRASTRUCTURE Figure 27 Existing Downtown Sanitary Sewer and Water System Source: City of Morgan Hill July

6 Morgan Hill Downtown Specific Plan Storm Drainage System Existing Storm Drainage System The City s storm drainage system consists of curb and gutter facilities, curb inlets, underground pipelines, and bubblers. These facilities drain to the nearest creek or manmade natural retention areas that flow through the City. These are tributary to either the Monterey Bay or San Francisco Bay. The City s storm drainage system meets existing drainage needs. Storm Drainage System Projections and Improvements The City s Storm Drain Master Plan does not call for any improvements to the existing storm drain system in Downtown, except for the Upper Llagas Creek Flood Protection Project (also known as PL566). PL566 is intended to provide flood protection for the Cities of Gilroy and Morgan Hill and the unincorporated portion of Santa Clara County known as San Martin. The project will consist of a series of channels, box culverts, and bridges designed to protect the floodplain from a one-percent flood. The southerly, downstream portion has been completed which protects the City of Gilroy. The northerly upstream portion that will someday protect Morgan Hill is not complete due to a lack of funding. The Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) is the sponsor of the project and has been working with the Corps of Engineers (COE) to prepare environmental documents and preliminary design. The COE has maintained minimal federal funding over the past five years to keep the environmental process moving forward. The SCVWD has taken on the property acquisition portion of the project and has made some progress. The overall construction cost to complete the project through Morgan Hill is approximately $105 million. The full federal share has been authorized in the 2007 Water Resources and Development Act pending annual appropriations. Progress on the project has been limited to right-of-way acquisition and preliminary engineering. Upper Llagas Creek winds through the Downtown area from Main Avenue to W. Dunne Avenue. The PL566 project will be comprised of open channels in this area except at locations where the creek now runs under Monterey Road and under the Shopping Center located at the SW corner of Dunne Ave and Monterey, where it will become a box culvert. Floodplain Regulations A significant portion of Downtown is in the floodplain (see Figure 28). These areas are most susceptible to flooding and will require additional measures to protect the properties from flood damage. Development within the floodplain is required to comply with the Flood Damage Prevention ordinance (Chapter 18.42), which provides various standards for construction, subdivisions, utilities, and other issues. Standards for new developments include, but are not limited to: anchoring building structures; using appropriate materials; flood-proofing commercial buildings; providing drainage paths; elevating residential structures; and designing utilities to minimize infiltration of floodways. 7-6 Public Review Draft

7 WDUNNEAVE MONTEREY RD DEPOTST RAILROADAVE BUTTERFIELD BLVD CHAPTER 7: INFRASTRUCTURE Figure 28 Downtown Floodplain Legend ALE AVE WCENTRALAVE CALLE CERRO CALLE VERDE Downtown Specific Plan Downtown Core Unimproved Right-of-Way Creek / Easement Downtown Floodplain KEYSTONE AVE EMAINAVE WARREN AVE WMAIN AVE DEL MONTE AVE W1STST E1STST CALLE MAZATAN CALLE DEL SOL CALLE ASTA CALLE ATAVIO R W2ND ST W3RDST E2NDST E3RDST CALLE CABALLERIA CALLE CABEZAL CORT C W4THST E4THST MARKROSS CT W5THST E5THST DIANA AVE CREEKSIDE LN EDUNNE AVE CIOLINO AVE MYRTLE AVE MANOR CT CHURCH ST BISCEGLIAAVE RAILROAD AVE BUTTERFIELD BLVD ,000 Feet CORY DR SAN LUIS NOTE: Map is general and approximate. Consult an engineering map for additional and more precise detail. July

8 Morgan Hill Downtown Specific Plan Solid Waste Existing Solid Waste Service Morgan Hill residents and businesses receive solid waste and recycling services from South Valley Disposal & Recycling, Inc. (SVDR). SVDR transports solid waste to the Pacheco Pass Landfill, recyclables to recycling processing facilities, and yard waste to South Valley Organics, a compost facility located at Pacheco Pass Landfill. The Pacheco Pass landfill is expected to close within the next 5 to 10 years. Santa Clara County has landfill capacity to serve the City of Morgan Hill. Solid Waste Projections and Improvements Energy Existing Energy Service The City s Energy Service is being fed through overhead services. In the Downtown area, there are two locations where overhead utilities have recently been undergrounded: Depot Street from Main Avenue to Fifth Street; and Monterey Road from Main Avenue to Dunne Avenue. Energy Projections and Improvements Currently, the City is working to underground overhead utilities on Third Street between Monterey Road and Depot Street. The remaining overhead utilities in Downtown will be undergrounded at the time that street improvements are made. Fire Service Existing Fire Service Fire suppression and prevention services are provided by the Santa Clara County Fire Department. Fire Service Projections and Improvements A new fire station is proposed north of the County Courthouse along Butterfield Boulevard. A Fire and Medical Services Master Plan Update Prepared by DMG Maximus in 2002 identified the need for a station located in the area of Dune Avenue and Butterfield Boulevard (see Figure 3 in Chapter 2: Land Uses and Development Standards) to redistribute the call load (reducing the 60-percent call demand upon the El Toro Station), as well as to provide enhanced response time to approximately 30 percent of the systems present call for services. It was estimated that overall system response times would be improved by approximately 37 percent as a greater number of calls would be within a reduced travel time of a fire station and there would be a decrease in delayed responses caused by engines out of their districts providing ancillary services to the southern end of the City. The station with be constructed as operational funding becomes available (capital construction funds are available). 7-8 Public Review Draft