HomeMy WebLinkAboutPortola Avenue Improvements CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
TO: CITY MANAGER, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY
COUNCIL
FROM: LAURI AYLAIAN, PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: 8 FEBRUARY 2001
SUBJECT: PORTOLA AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council, by minute motion, and based upon the Palm
Desert Traffic Model prepared by RKJK in June 2000, find that:
1. There is insufficient traffic volume to warrant widening Portola Avenue north of
Highway 111 to accommodate six lanes of vehicular traffic in the near future;
2. The section of Portola Avenue between Alessandro Drive and El Cortez Way
should be widened to four lanes in order to accommodate current traffic volumes.
In light of the forgoing, Staff recommends that:
3. The City withdraw the proposed General Plan Amendment GPA 99-2, which
would have modified the land use designation from Medium Density Residential
to Office Professional.
Staff further recommends that the City Council, with regard to the proposal to widen
Portola Avenue from two to four lanes between Alessandro Drive and El Cortez Way:
4. Accept and file the attached Portola Avenue Widening Feasibility Study by The
Keith Companies dated 4 December 2000;
5. Authorize Staff to commence consultant selection procedures for engineering
design; and
6. Approve the preliminary budget and preliminary schedule for the subject work.
Funding for the described scope of work was appropriated in the FY 1999/2000 and
2000/2001 Capital Improvements Program budget.
Background:
The City of Palm Desert's General Plan designates Portola Avenue as an arterial street,
which is defined as a minimum four lane street, intended to move people from one part
of the City to another with a minimum number of cross streets. Portola Avenue actually
has different cross sections in different areas, but it accommodates four lanes of traffic
in all areas except between Alessandro Drive and El Cortez Way, where it is reduced to
two lanes of travel. In 1999 the City of Palm Desert considered several issues
surrounding Portola Avenue north of Highway 111. Long-term zoning, including a
proposal to rezone some residential areas to office professional use, and a General
Plan amendment were studied. The zoning issues were continued indefinitely, and
Staff was instructed to investigate issues surrounding the need for, and feasibility of,
widening the street.
In 1999, RKJK and Associates was retained to create a twenty-year traffic model for the
City of Palm Desert. They measured current traffic volumes and projected future growth
in traffic through the year 2020 for all of Palm Desert's arterial streets. Their final report
was published in June 2000 and contained current and projected traffic volumes for
Portola Avenue. These numbers established that Portola is currently operating at Level
of Service (LOS) "C" or better in all areas except between Alessandro Drive and Fred
Waring Drive, where performance drops to Level of Service "F," and south of
Highway 111 to Haystack, which operates at LOS "F" during rush hour. The City of
Palm Desert has established Level of Service "C" as its standard for roadways within
the City. Although the 2020 traffic volumes clearly should be viewed with some caution,
they do predict that four lanes of travel will be adequate to operate at the limit of LOS
"C" for Portola Avenue from Highway 111 to the Whitewater Storm Channel. From the
Channel to Country Club Drive, 2020 traffic volumes predict LOS "D" for four lanes.
Based upon the findings of the traffic model, The Keith Companies was retained to
perform a feasibility study (Exhibit A) on widening the two-lane portion of Portola
Avenue to four lanes. This section of road was addressed first and as a standalone
project because it currently provides the lowest level of service, and it is a discreet
segment that can be relatively simply improved to provide a road facility adequate for
traffic volumes projected for up to twenty years. The consultant proposed an alignment
that optimizes the competing concerns of minimizing impact to private property and
maximizing public safety and facilities. The consultant also prepared a cost estimate
based upon the conceptual alignment, and provided input regarding duration of design
and construction activities for use in developing a preliminary schedule. The budgetary
estimate and the preliminary schedule are attached as Exhibits B and C, respectively.
The current Capital Improvements Projects budget has a total of $1,650,000
appropriated for this work. The budget developed as part of the feasibility study
exceeds that amount by almost $200,000. However, the appropriated amount is
sufficient to complete the preliminary design and right-of-way acquisition. At that point
the estimate will be updated and additional funding will be requested if it still appears to
be necessary.
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On July 6, 1999, in response to a perceived need to widen Portola Avenue, the
Planning Commission directed Staff to initiate a General Plan Amendment for the
properties that would be impacted by such a widening. This General Plan Amendment,
GPA 99-2, affected the following properties:
1. Properties located on the west side of Portola Avenue between De Anza Way
and 360 feet north of Catalina Way.
2. Properties located on the east side of Portola Avenue, from De Anza Way,
extending 180 feet north.
3. Properties located on the west side of Portola Avenue, starting 150 feet north of
Fred Waring Drive, extending 450 feet north of Rancho Road.
On 14 October 1999, the City Council indefinitely continued consideration of the
General Plan Amendment so that the issues surrounding the amendment and the street
widening could be studied in depth. Because the Palm Desert Traffic Model prepared in
June 2000 did not substantiate the need for six lanes of traffic north of Highway 111, the
Planning Commission's directive to initiate GPA 99-2 is no longer germane.
Consequently, Staff recommends that General Plan Amendment 99-2 be withdrawn.
Update and revision of the General Plan on a Citywide basis is beginning at this time;
modifications impacting the subject areas -- or any other areas -- may be considered as
part of that process.
Further study and long-range planning should also be undertaken to assess methods of
accommodating potential traffic volumes south of Highway 111 and north of the
Whitewater Storm Channel.
REVIEWED AND CONCUR:
Lauri Aylaian
Project Administrator Redeve pment Manager
kdd4
City Manager
Attachments: Exhibit A — Portola Avenue Widening Feasibility Study
Exhibit B — Portola Avenue Conceptual Budget
Exhibit C — Portola Avenue Preliminary Schedule
�At1115 11 A
The ith Companiesc
December 4, 2000
Ms. Lauri Aylaian
Project Administrator
Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency
CITY OF PALM DESERT
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Subject: Portola Avenue Street Widening Feasibility Study—Phase 2
TKC Job No. 40722.00.001
Dear Lauri:
The following Letter Report was prepared to summarize the findings of our feasibility study to
widening Portola Avenue to a four-lane roadway between Alessandro Drive and El Cortez Way. The
basis the alignment study was the preparation of conceptual street improvement plan showing the
widening of Portola Avenue to provide two travel lanes in each direction. The methodology used
to develop the conceptual improvements,the potential impacts of the street widening, a budget level
cost analysis to implement the improvements, and a summary of our conclusions regarding the
proposed street improvements are presented herein.
Existing Conditions
Portola Avenue is a north/south secondary roadway providing two travel lanes within the project area
and is posted for a speed limit of 40 miles-per-hour. Commercial properties abut Portola Avenue
from Alessandro Drive to San Marino Circle (South). Private residential properties and residential
community properties abut Portola Avenue between San Marino Circle(South)and El Cortez Way.
All intersecting cross-streets within the project area are"stop"controlled at they're intersection with
Portola Avenue.
Concept Plan Development
The conceptual street improvement plans for Portola Avenue were prepared based on the guidelines
set forth by City staff. The concept improvements were designed with a roadway cross-section of
varying width from Alessandro Drive to De Anza Way to accommodate transitioning of the
southbound travel lanes. North of De Anza Way,the minimum roadway cross-section of 54 feet
was provided on Portola Avenue. The 54-foot street width remains consistent from De Anza Way
to Fred Waring Drive.
Palm Desert Division
41-865 Boardwalk
Suite 101
•
Palm Desert
California 92211-9031
T:760.346.9844
F:760.346.9368
www.keithco.com
.MArill511 A
TKC
Acquisition of right-of-way within the project area on the east side of Portola Avenue encompassed
eight residential parcels located San Marino Circle(South) and El Cortez Way. The proposed right-
of-way on the east side was set at its ultimate width of 55 feet from street centerline.
Acquisition of right-of-way on the west side of Portola Avenue was limited to one residential parcel
located mid-block between Alessandro Drive and De Anza Way. The proposed right-of-way was
set at 44 feet from street centerline, providing a uniform right-of-way width on the west side of
Portola Avenue between Alessandro and De Anza.
Conceptual Street Improvements
The conceptual four-lane alignment of Portola Avenue between Alessandro Drive and El Cortez Way
is shown in Exhibit 1. Exhibit 1 identifies the impacts to existing facilities and details the proposed
improvements within the project boundary. A general description of the concept improvements is
presented below.
The proposed street improvements on Portola Avenue begin on the west leg of Alessandro Drive.
Widening of the west curb on Portola Avenue begins on the northwest corner of Alessandro Drive
and continues north to the southwest corner of De Anza Way. From Alessandro Drive,the west curb
is widened to provide a half-street section with 36 feet of roadway and an 8-foot parkway for
approximately 250 feet. The curb then transitions to a half-street section with 32 feet of roadway
and a 12-foot parkway south of De Anza Way. The west side improvements on Portola Avenue
allows for a smooth transition of the southbound travel lanes from the minimum 5 lane section north
of De Anza Way to the six lane section south of Alessandro Drive. The proposed street
improvements will require acquisition of right-of-way from on residential parcel, as previously
discussed.
East side street widening begins on the northeast corner of San Marino Circle (South) and extends
north for approximately 760 feet to the southeast corner of El Cortez Way. The street is widened
by 10 feet, (from a half-street width of 22 feet to a width of 32 feet), along the entire three block
section. The proposed east side improvements will position the new curb in alignment with the
existing east curb located north of El Cortez Way. Widening the east side of Portola Avenue with
in the three block area will require the acquisition of additional right-of-way. The proposed right-of-
way was set at its ultimate width of 55 feet from roadway centerline. Eight residential parcels are
effected by the right-of-way acquisition and existing structures on four of the eight parcels will be
impacted. (Please note that the City currently owns one of the parcels with an impacted structure).
The existing residential structures on three of the parcels, with one of the structures occupying two
parcels, lie outside of the proposed right-of-way. The remaining parcel is currently vacant.
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Cost Estimates
A detailed engineer's estimate of probable costs to design and construct the Portola Avenue
improvements as proposed here in was prepared for budgetary purposes. The cost estimate is
presented in Table 1.
The total costs estimated for each of the three primary categories are summarized below:
Category Est. Total Cost
Engineering Design & Survey $ 93,600
Right-of-Way Acquisition Costs $1,035,164
Street Improvement Construction Costs $ 720,702
Total Project Cost $1,849,466
The estimated cost to design, acquire right-of-way,and construct the proposed Portola Avenue street
improvements, as described herein, is $1,849,466.
Conclusions
Review of the proposed street improvements to widen Portola Avenue to a four-lane facility between
Alessandro Drive and El Cortez Way, based on the conceptual improvements shown in Exhibit 1,
generate the following observations and conclusions.
• Street widening will be required on both sides of Portola Avenue including widening the west
side from Alessandro Drive to De Anza Way and widening 760± feet on the east side between
San Marino Circle (South) and El Cortez Way.
• Acquisition of right-of-way to construct the improvements proposed herein will effect eight
residential parcels on the east side and one on the west side of Portola Avenue and one . Of the
eight east side parcels, four parcels require full take, three parcels require partial take, and the
last parcel is currently City owned. The parcel on the west side will require partial take.
• Implementation of the proposed street improvements as presented herein, combined with the re-
striping of Portola Avenue from Cortez Way to Fred Waring Drive, will result in a four lane
divided roadway along Portola Avenue from Highway 111 to Fred Waring Drive. Please note
that north of De Anza Way, the four lane roadway will have a curb-to-curb pavement width of
54 feet which results in less than desirable lane widths for a four lane divided facility.
• The total project cost to design, acquire right-of-way, and construct the Portola Avenue street
improvements, presented herein, is $1,849,466.
3
IT C
posed Widening
El Cortez Way
Schedule
'01 Jul'01 Aug'01 Sep'01 Oct'01 Nov'01 Dec'01 Jan'02 1 Feb'O2 Mar'02 Apr'02 May'02 Jun'02 Jul'02 I Aug'02
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Rolled Up Split External Tasks
Rolled Up Milestone O Project Summary glimimmi.
Rolled Up Progress
IABLE 1
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;INEER'S ESTIMATE OF PROBABLE CONSTRUCTION CO'
POR AVENUE STREET WIDENING FEASIBILITY STI PHASE 2
ENGINEERING DESIGN&SURVEY
ITEM DESCRIPTION QUANTITY UNITS UNIT TOTAL
NO. COST COST
1 DESIGN SURVEY
2 LEGALS AND PLATS
3 STREET IMPROVEMENT PLANS 1 LS $50,000 $50,000
4 SIGNING&STRIPING PLANS
5 CONSTRUCTION STAKING
6 APPRAISER 1 LS $28,000 $28,000
SUB-TOTAL $78,000.00
PLUS 20%CONTINGENCY $15,600
TOTAL ENGINEERING DESIGN&SURVEY COSTS $93,600
RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION
PARCEL PARCEL TAKE TAKE COST TOTAL
NO. DESCRIPTION AREA AREA APPRAISED PARTICAL TAKE COST
(SF) (SF) VALUE* @$6/SF
625-081-4 FULL TAKE-UNDEVELOPED PARCEL 5,914 5,914 $21,600 - $21,600
625-081-1 FULL TAKE-DEVELOPED PARCEL 5,914 5,914 $102,600 - $102,600
625-064-7 FULL TAKE-DEVELOPED PARCEL 11,914 11,914 $162,000- - $162,000
625-064-1 FULL TAKE-DEVELOPED PARCEL 5,785 5,785 $135,000 - $135,000
625-062-16 PARTIAL TAKE-DEVELOPED PARCEL-ONE HOUSE ON 14,310 3,138
625-062-15 BOTH PARCELS $18,828 $18,828
625-062-2 CITY OWNED PARCEL - - $0
625-062-1 PARTIAL TAKE-DEVELOPED PARCEL O 7,119 1,640 - $9,840 $9,840
627-183-4 PARTIAL TAKE-DEVELOPED PARCEL 6,149 692 - $4,151 $4,151
SUB-TOTAL $454,019
RELOCATION COSTS(@70%OF ROW COSTS) $317,814
NEGOTIATION COSTS(@20%OF ROW COSTS) $90,804
SUB-TOTAL $862,637
PLUS 20%CONTINGENCY $172,527
TOTAL RIGHT-OF-WAY COSTS $1,035,164
• Parcel appraised value supplied by the City and increased by 8%for 6-month adjustment
PORTOLA AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENT CONSTRUCTION
ITEM DESCRIPTION QUANTITY UNITS UNIT TOTAL
NO. COST COST
1 MOBILIZATION&TRAFFIC CONTROL 1 LS $20,000.00 $20,000
2 CLEARING&GRUBBING 1 LS $20,000.00 $20,000
3 CONSTRUCT AC PAVEMENT OVER AGGREGATE BASE 23,100 SF $1.50 $34,650
4 CONSTRUCT CURB AND GUTTER 1,000 LF $12.00 $12,000`
5 CONSTRUCT CURB ACCESS RAMP 8 EA $2,000.00 $16,000
6 CONSTRUCT BLOCK WALL 260 LF $100.00 $26,000
7 CONSTRUCT 8'WIDE SIDEWALK 8,930 SF $4.00 $35,720
8 RECONSTRUCT CATCH BASIN WITH DRY WELL 3 EA $20,000.00 $60,000
9 RECONSTRUCT CROSS GUTTER 6,450 SF $5.00 $32,250
10 CONSTRUCT DRIVEWAY DEPRESSION 680' SF $6.00 $4,080
11 STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENTS 1 LS $15,000.00 $15,000
12 SAWCUT EXISTING AC PAVEMENT 1,700 LF $1.00 $1,700
13 REMOVE EXISTING AC PAVEMENT 9,425 SF $1.00 $9,425
14 REMOVE EXISTING CURB AND GUTTER 1,000 LF $4.00 $4,000
15 REMOVE EXISTING CATCH BASIN 3 EA $1,000.00 $3,000
16 REMOVE EXISTING CONCRETE SIDEWALK 5,545 SF $3.00 $16,635
17 REMOVE/RELOCATE TREE 9 EA $1,500.00 $13,500
18 ADJUST WATER VALVE TO GRADE 5 EA $300.00 $1,500
19 ADJUST SCE HANDHOLE TO GRADE 1 EA $300.00 $300
20 RELOCATE/ADJUST WATER METER BOX TO GRADE 5 EA $400.00 $2,000
21 ADJUST MANHOLE TO GRADE 3 EA $600.00 $1,800
22 RELOCATE SIGN 4 EA $100.00 $400
23 ROADWAY SIGNING&STRIPING 1 LS $10,000.00 $10,000
24 LANDSCAPE 9,825 SF $5.00 $49,125
25 TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION AT DE ANZA WAY 1 LS $175,000.00 $175,000
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26 SIGNAL INTERCONNECT-DE ANZA TO FRED WARING 1,825 LF $20.00 $36,500
SUBTOTAL - $600,585
PLUS 20%CONTINGENCY $120,117
TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS $720,702
•
TKC
The Keith Companies sincerely appreciates this opportunity to provide this street widening
feasibility study to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency. Please don't hesitate to contact Mr.
Kris Schulze or myself at (760) 346-9844 if you have any questions or if you require additional
information.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark S. Diercks, P.E.
Project Engineer
O:\40722\docs\Porto la-Report2.doc
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EXHIBIT B: BUDGETARY ESTIMATE FOR PORTOLA AVENUE WIDENING
ALESSANDRO TO EL CORTEZ
(ACQUISITION ON EAST SIDE ONLY)
PROPOSED CONCEPTUAL PROJECT BUDGET
Item Amount
ACQUISITION (see table below) 574,940
RELOCATION/SEVERANCE (see table below) 455,400
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 93,600
ONSTRUCTION (see note below)
BILIZATION, CLEARING, DEMO 152,260
r,AJING AND SIDEWALK 145,100
BLOCK WALL 28,000
LANDSCAPING 62,625
TRAFFIC SIGNAL & INTERCONNECT 211,500
STORM DRAIN & MISC. 80,600
CONSTRUCTION CONTINGENCY 135,617
TOTAL
A.•uisition and Relocation Bud.et
) ' ct 11 tt.t •7i.1 e1 if $. •• e1l r ..
t 1. :i l., ` '!ti lit( ''1.,!'"''..it ` .4,yi i''1�'1f} f t •.s 1 r '',..•S",`
625-062-001 Beauvais 11,200 13,440 0 15,000 0 28,440
Portola 625-082-002 Krause(City) 125,030 125,000 0 0 15,000 140,000
vacant Land 625-082-015 Krause Incl.Below 0 0 Inc!. Below 0 0
44630 Portola 825-062-016 Krause 23,000 25,300 0 150,000 15,000 190,300
74013 De Anza 625-064-001 Barker 125,000 137,500 103,125 0 15,000 255,625
74016 San Marino 62525-064-007 Romaine 132,000 145,203 108,900 0 17,500 271,603
74011 San Marino 625-081-001 Montoya 95,000 104,500 78,375 0 15,000 197,875
Vacant Land 625-081-004 Montoya 20,000 24,000 0 0 0 24,000
531,200 574,940 290,400 165,000 77,500 $ 1,107,840
Note: This estimate is based upon The Keith Comanies' 12/4/00 Feasibility Report for Widening Portola Ave. from Alessandro Dr. to El Cortez Way.
1 12/05/2000