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30 President Darryl Honda San Francisco Board of Appeals 1650 Mission Street, Room 304 San Francisco, CA RE: Appeal No : Delbridge vs. DPW-BUF Response of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) President Honda and Members of the Board: Appellant Delbridge s rehearing request relates to this Board s denial of her appeal of San Francisco Public Works (SFPW) Order No authorizing a permit for the removal and planting of trees for the Van Ness Improvement Project, also called the Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit Project (Project or Van Ness BRT Project). The rehearing request is not based on new or different material facts or circumstances, but relies on factual and legal errors. Thus, under this Board s standards, the request must be denied. Appellant raises seven issues in the request for rehearing, four of which are again an explicit attempt to have this Board rule on the merits of the Van Ness BRT Project itself, which is beyond the jurisdiction of this Board. Item II.A.1. Allegation that DPW Plans to Cut 106 Trees on Sidewalk: The Appellant argues that the City had not previously disclosed information that it would issue an additional order to remove 106 sidewalk trees on Van Ness Avenue. This information is not accurate, nor is it new. And significantly, the plan to remove sidewalk trees along Van Ness Avenue is not part of the Van Ness BRT Project. It is a separate project, the Van Ness Streetscape Improvement Project, and will be subject to the same rules and process as the permit at issue here. The Van Ness Streetscape Improvement Project includes the removal and replacement of 97 (not 106) sidewalk trees that are currently in poor condition that would warrant 1

31 replacement even in the absence of the Van Ness BRT Project. These replacements are not required for implementation of the Van Ness BRT Project. For convenience, SFPW has proposed to implement these removals and replacements in coordination with construction of the Van Ness BRT Project. The existence of the separate Streetscape Improvement Project was disclosed in the Addendum to the Environmental Impact Report issued in March The Addendum disclosed this separate project s proposal to replace poor-condition sidewalk trees as a potential cumulative project. It then analyzed whether the new information about this separate cumulative project affected the conclusions reached in the Van Ness BRT EIR regarding potential cumulative impacts, finding that there would be no new significant cumulative impacts. SFPW posted notifications of proposed removals on sidewalk trees associated with the Streetscape Improvement Project (at the same time as BRT-related trees), with a different text for each project (Exhibit 1), on and before July 30, 2015, for a public hearing that was subsequently held on August 24, At the hearing, the City Arborist committed to reassess specific sidewalk trees, and the permit for the Streetscape Improvement Project has not yet been approved. Item II.A.2. Allegation that the LPA Center-running BRT did not Receive Public Review: Appellant alleges that the Van Ness BRT Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) was created in secret and without public review. The development of the LPA and the public process that it was subject to is well-documented, publicly available, and is thus not new facts or circumstances. Additional Outreach to Support LPA Selection" is described in the Final EIS/R section (Exhibit 2). The LPA was adopted at two public hearings (SFCTA and SFMTA) that included public comment: June 26, 2012, by 2

32 the SFCTA Board of Commissioners (Exhibit 3), and May 15, 2012, by the SFMTA Board of Directors (Exhibit 4). This is merely an attempt by the Appellant to revisit the merits of the Project itself. As fully explained in the SFMTA s brief responding to the Appeal, the time for challenging the Project has long since passed. Item II.A.3. Height and Nature of Replacement Trees: Appellant makes various allegations about statements regarding replacement trees at an open house on January 29, The Appellant also claims that statements that SFPW s Chris Buck made at the June 22, 2016, Appeal hearing were false (although these were corrected at the hearing). It is unclear what point Appellant is trying to make, because none of this information is new. Further, the Appellant's statement that Mr. Buck admitted that at least 106 sidewalk trees would also be removed concerns the separate Van Ness Streetscape Improvement Project discussed above, not the Van Ness BRT Project. Further, as mentioned above, any arguments regarding the adequacy of the FEIS/FEIR for the Van Ness BRT Project are untimely. Appellant also accuses the City of conducting private closed meetings with the San Francisco Arts Commission to select replacement trees. Not only is that argument one that could have been brought up in the Appeal, the statement is patently incorrect. There have been at least 10 public meetings for the public to weigh in on replacement trees, including meetings with the Urban Forestry Council, Arts Commission Civic Design Review Committee, Van Ness BRT Community Advisory Committee, and others. 3

33 Item II.A.4. Elimination of Bus Stops: Appellant s comments regarding the impact of bus stop elimination on the Van Ness BRT Project have nothing to do with the relevant issues regarding trees. Changes to the bus stops on Van Ness Avenue are a necessary element of the Project and were discussed and approved as part of the Project. The Appellant is again improperly attempting to have this Board rule on the merits of the Project itself and to reopen issues covered and decided as part of the approval of the Van Ness BRT Project in reliance on the FEIS/FEIR. Item II.B. Request for a Supplemental EIR (SEIR) under CEQA. In this section, the Appellant seeks to have this Board determine, under CEQA, that an SEIR is needed, claiming that the FEIS/FEIR is inadequate. 1. : Again, Appellant explicitly attempts to have this Board rule on the merits of the Van Ness BRT Project itself and to reopen issues covered and decided when the Van Ness BRT Project was approved in reliance on the FEIS/FEIR. Item 1 mischaracterizes existing decisions and attempts to relate these earlier decisions to this permit. Due to the mischaracterization, the cited case does not apply. 2. The Appellant contends that the inapplicability of Public Works Code 810A to the subject permit is new information that was revealed at the hearing on the Appeal. Actually, the SFMTA s brief, submitted to the Appellant before the hearing, stated that the permit-related trees are subject to Public Works Code Section 806 as Street Trees. Therefore, the Appellant could easily have addressed this issue at the hearing when Mr. Buck reiterated the City s view of the applicability of Section 806. What is relevant here is that the applicability of a code section is a legal issue, not a new fact or circumstance, and thus not grounds for a rehearing. 4

34 Item III: Conduct of Appeal Hearing. Project staff believes that the Appeal hearing was held in accordance with legal requirements and the rules of the Board of Appeals. Conclusion The SFMTA requests that the Board of Appeals deny the rehearing request. The rehearing request is not based on new or different material facts or circumstances. This response has demonstrated that the outcome of the original hearing would not be affected by consideration of Appellant s arguments. 5

35 Board of Appeals, Appeal No Rehearing Request for Delbridge vs. DPW-BUF Van Ness Avenue Corridor Tree Planting Permit No San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Exhibits Table of Contents 1. San Francisco Public Works, Tree Removal Hearing Notice, July 24, San Francisco County Transportation Authority, Outreach to Support LPA Section, Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR), July San Francisco County Transportation Authority, Meeting Notice, June 26, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, Calendar Item No. 11, May 15, 2012.

36 Exhibit 1 San Francisco Public Works Tree Removal Hearing Notice July 24, 2015

37 City and County of San Francisco San Francisco Public Works GENERAL - DIRECTOR'S OFFICE City Hall, Room Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F., CA (415) Edwin M. Lee, Mayor Mohammed Nuru, Director DPW Order No: TREE REMOVAL HEARING NOTICE The Director of Public Works will hold a public hearing on Monday, August 24, 2015 commencing at 5:30 p.m. in Room 416 of City Hall, located at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, to consider the following: Removal of eighty-eight (88) trees maintained by Public Works within the Van Ness Ave. medians with replacement of two hundred ten (210) trees in the medians on Van Ness Ave. between Lombard and Market St. The removal of trees in the medians is a part of the approved Van Ness Corridor Transit Improvement Project. Removal of one hundred six (106) street trees with replacement of one hundred ninety-one (191) street trees along Van Ness Ave. from Market to Lombard St., as part of the Van Ness Ave. Streetscape Project. Interested parties are encouraged to attend. Persons unable to attend the public hearing may submit written comments regarding the subject matter to the Bureau of Urban Forestry, 1680 Mission Street, 1st floor, San Francisco, CA These comments will be brought to the attention of the hearing officer and made a part of the official public record. The Van Ness Corridor Transit Improvement Project includes: Construction of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system including dedicated, center-running transit lane, boarding islands, curb bulbs, median refuges; Overhead Contact System (OCS) replacement; traffic signal system replacement and upgrade; sewer replacement; water and Auxiliary Water Supply System replacement; streetlight pole replacement; and, street repaving. The construction of the project necessitates the removal of these median trees due to project conditions that will make the preservation of most existing median trees impossible. The Van Ness Streetscape Improvement Project will be installed at the close of the project and will include the planting of 85 trees in new locations and removal and replacement of 106 trees that are currently in poor condition or will not tolerate the amount of root disturbance that will occur during construction activities. The proposed removals may be phased to reduce the impact to the local community. Median tree removal 88 Median tree planting 210 Sidewalk tree removal 106 Sidewalk tree planting 191 Total removals 194 Replacement trees 401 For Van Ness Transit Corridor Improvement Project information, please visit sfmta.com/vannessbrt. For questions or comments about the Van Ness Transit Corridor Improvement Project, or to be added to the project mailing list, please vannessbrt@sfmta.com or call Further information about the Van Ness Streetscape Improvement Project may be obtained prior to the hearing by phoning (415)

38 Exhibit 2 San Francisco County Transportation Authority Outreach to Support LPA Section Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) July 2013

39 Chapter 8: Coordination and Public Participation Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Project Final Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report 49, and Golden Gate Transit Lines 10, 70, 80, 101, and 101x to reach out to transit patrons. On blocks on Van Ness Avenue within the project study area where there were not shelters, NOA/NOC posters were affixed to poles along the sidewalk. Posters containing information on the availability of the Draft EIS/EIR and the project website were also displayed on SFMTA and Golden Gate Transit buses. A postcard NOA/NOC was also mailed to properties within a 500-foot radius of Van Ness Avenue within the project limits and to properties fronting Gough and Franklin streets in the project corridor (i.e., Market Street to Lombard). This radius mailing included approximately 17,000 properties, which included various residential and commercial properties. The postcard NOA/NOC provided information on where the Draft EIS/EIR was available for review and how to obtain an electronic copy, hard copy, or CD copy of the document WEBSITE, SOCIAL NETWORKING, AND MEDIA OUTREACH AND COORDINATION The project website ( serves as a central point where stakeholders can obtain information about the project via the Internet. Website content includes a project overview; information about public meetings; collateral materials, such as fact sheets in English, Spanish, and Chinese; information about CAC meetings; briefings to neighborhood and other local organizations; and information about the public hearing and webinar. The Draft EIS/EIR was available for download from the website and provided a vehicle for people to submit formal comments during the public circulation period. The SFCTA also announced the availability of the Draft EIS/EIR on the agency s Facebook page and Twitter feed. Additionally, the Authority maintained a telephone informational hotline ( ), with information in English, Spanish, and Cantonese, that was advertised on project notices, informational materials, and the project website, and people could leave messages in any of those languages PRESS RELEASES AND DISPLAY ADVERTISEMENTS SFCTA put out press releases to the media and to the general public and placed display advertisements in the following publications that included Chinese and Spanish media: Central City Extra: November 2011 El Mensajero: November 12, 2011 (NOA/NOC in Spanish) The Examiner: November 9, 2011 Marina Times: November 2011 Sing Tao: November 7, 2011 (NOA/NOC in Chinese) Outreach to Support LPA Selection The project team conducted significant outreach pertaining to the staff recommended LPA, presenting at more than 15 public and stakeholder meetings prior to the SFCTA Board meeting on June 26, 2012, to select the LPA for inclusion in the Final EIS/EIR. Additional presentations regarding the LPA have been made since June 26, 2012, and the project team continues to perform outreach with numerous stakeholders. The project team made presentations on the staff-recommended LPA at the following public meetings and commissions: San Francisco Environment Commission s Policy Committee: Monday, April 30, 2012, 5:00 p.m.; Van Ness Avenue BRT CAC*: Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 5:30 p.m.; SFMTA Citizens Advisory Council: Thursday, May 3, 2012, 5:30 p.m.; San Francisco Planning Commission: Thursday, May 10, 2012, 1:00 p.m.; SFCTA Plans and Programs Committee: Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 10:30 a.m.; SFMTA Board*: Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 1:00 p.m.; Geary BRT Citizens Advisory Committee: Thursday, May 17, 2012, 6:00 p.m.; SFCTA Plans and Programs Committee*: Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 10:30 a.m.; and 8-6 San Francisco County Transportation Authority July 2013

40 Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Project Final Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report Chapter 8: Coordination and Public Participation Transportation Authority Board*: Tuesday, June 26, *Included action item on recommended LPA The project team made LPA presentations at the following stakeholder meetings before the June 26, 2012, SFCTA Board meeting: Van Ness Corridor Association: Thursday, April 9, 2012, 5:30 p.m.; Pacific Heights Residents Association: Monday, April 30, 2012, 7:30 p.m.; Friends of the Urban Forest: Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 11:00 a.m.; Walk San Francisco: Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 4:00 p.m.; Japantown Better Neighborhood Plan Organizing Committee: Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 5:30 p.m.; Lower Polk Neighbors: Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 7:00 p.m.; Civic Center Community Benefits District: Thursday, May 10, 2012, 10:00 a.m.; San Francisco Transit Riders Union: Monday, May 14, 2012, 7:00 p.m.; Chinatown Community Development Center, Chinatown Transportation and Research (TRIP): Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 6:00 p.m.; Polk District Merchants Association: Thursday, May 17, 2012, 9:00 a.m.; Alliance for a Better District 6: Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 6:00 p.m.; and Middle Polk Neighborhood Association: Monday, June 18, 2012, 7:00 p.m. In addition to public and stakeholder meetings, two updates translated into Spanish and Chinese that outlined the staff-recommended LPA were sent to the project list on April 27 and June 5, 2012; a postcard containing similar translated information was mailed to constituents without addresses. A media advisory sent on May 9, 2012, and a press release sent on May 14, 2012, announced consideration of the LPA at the SFMTA Board and the SFCTA Plans and Programs. Both the media advisory and the press release were sent to multilingual media organizations. Information about the staff-recommended LPA was also posted in multiple languages on the Authority s project website ( Information about the proposed project and public meetings continue to be featured on the Authority s Web site and social media sites Cultural Resources Community Consultation As part of preparation of the Historic Resources Inventory and Evaluation Report (HRIER) and Archaeological Sensitivity Study, local historic preservation groups, as well as Native American tribes, groups, and individuals, were contacted and provided the opportunity to review these reports and provide input. Additional information is provided in Section 4.5, Cultural Resources Current and Future Public Outreach Efforts Information about the upcoming formation of the Final Design and Construction Period CAC and TAC, in addition to briefings to neighborhood and other local organizations, is made available on the project Web site: San Francisco County Transportation Authority July

41 Exhibit 3 San Francisco County Transportation Authority Meeting Notice June 26, 2012

42 7/13/2016 San Francisco County Transportation Authority - June 26, 2012 San Francisco County Transportation Authority SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY - JUNE 26, 2012 PDF version of agenda (// AGENDA SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY Meeting Notice Date: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 26, 2012 Location: Legislative Chamber, Room 250, City Hall Commissioners: Campos (Chair), Wiener (Vice Chair), Avalos, Chiu, Chu, Cohen, Elsbernd, Farrell, Kim, Mar and Olague Clerk: Erika Cheng 1. Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes of the May 22, 2012 Meeting - ACTION* attachment (// 3. Chair's Report - INFORMATION 4. Executive Director's Report - INFORMATION Recommendations from the Finance Committee 5. Authorize the Issuance and Sale of Commercial Paper Notes in an Aggregate Principal Amount Not to Exceed $200,000,000 Outstanding at Any One Time and the Execution and Delivery of Amendments to Legal Documents Relating Thereto; Authorize the Authority to Obtain a Letter of Credit to Support the Notes; and Take All Other Actions Necessary in Connection with the Issuance of Such Notes - ACTION* attachment (// enclosure 01 (// m.pdf) enclosure 02 (// df) enclosure 03 (// ement.pdf) enclosure 04 (// Recommendations from the Plans and Programs Committee 6. Appoint Marlena Cannon to the Citizens Advisory Committee - ACTION* attachment (// 7. Select Center Lane Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with Right Side Boarding/Single Median and Limited Left Turns as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Van Ness Avenue BRT Project and Approve the Draft Van Ness Avenue BRT LPA Report - ACTION* attachment (// report (// 8. Appropriate $60,000 in Prop K Funds for the San Francisco Parking Pricing and Regulation Study, Subject to the Attached Fiscal Year Cash Flow Distribution Schedule - ACTION* attachment (// 9. Allocate $12,346,818 in Prop K Funds, with Conditions, for Nine Annual Requests, Subject to the Attached Fiscal Year Cash Flow Distribution Schedules, and Amend the Transportation Demand Management/Parking Management 5-Year Prioritization Program - ACTION* attachment (// enclosure (// Items for Direct Board Consideration 1/2

43 7/13/2016 San Francisco County Transportation Authority - June 26, 2012 San Francisco County Transportation Authority 10. Update on Authority Projects in Districts 4 and 8 - INFORMATION* Districts 4 and 8 Presentation (// D4 (// 20-% pdf) D4 Map (// %20Crestlake%20TC%20Plan%20-%20Map%20and%20Status.pdf) D8 (// 20-% pdf) D8 Buena Vista (// velt%20tc.pdf) D8 Sunnyside (// At the request of Chair Campos, at each Authority Board meeting, we will provide district-focused updates on the project delivery status of Authorityfunded projects and of San Francisco projects for which the Metropolitan Transportation Commission has asked the Authority, in our role as congestion management agency for San Francisco, to assist with oversight. We will provide an update on projects in Districts 4 and 8. Next month we will focus on Districts 5 and 7. The enclosed materials include lists of projects in these districts funded by Prop K and non-prop K sources. We have flagged projects that are at risk or shown indications that they may become at risk of missing a timely use of funds deadline and/or have delivery issues that could result in significant scope, schedule, cost and/or funding changes. We have invited project sponsor representatives to attend to answer any questions the Board may have. This is an information item. Other Items 11. Introduction of New Items - INFORMATION During this segment of the meeting, Board members may make comments on items not specifically listed above, or introduce or request items for future consideration. 12. Public Comment 13. Adjournment * Materials Attached Please Note: that the meeting proceedings can be viewed live at ( that evening at 6:00 pm on Cable Channel 26 in San Francisco, with a repeat on the weekend (either Saturday or Sunday evening). To know the exact cablecast times for weekend viewing, please call SFGTV at (415) on Friday when the cablecast times have been determined. In order to assist the City's efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, attendees at all public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products. Please help the City accommodate these individuals. To obtain a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to participate in the meeting, please contact Erika Cheng at at least two business days before the meeting. Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Requirements: Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance [SF Campaign & Governmental Conduct Code, Sec ] to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the S.F. Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness Ave., Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94102, telephone (415) ; or website ( 2/2

44 Exhibit 4 San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Calendar Item No. 11 May 15, 2012

45 THIS PRINT COVERS CALENDAR ITEM NO. : 11 SAN FRANCISCO MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY DIVISION: Sustainable Streets BRIEF DESCRIPTION: This item is a request for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors to approve a staff recommendation designating the locally preferred alternative (LPA) for the proposed Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. SUMMARY: The action requested of the Board is adoption of the staff recommended LPA for the Van Ness BRT project. The proposed LPA combines elements of Alternatives 3 and 4 as presented in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (DEIS/DEIR). A brief description of the staff recommended LPA is included. An LPA selection report is being drafted by San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) staff with assistance from SFMTA staff. This report is consistent with the recommended LPA in the current request, and will be incorporated into the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report (FEIS/FEIR), anticipated to be released in fall ENCLOSURES: 1. SFMTAB Resolution 2. LPA Plan View Drawing APPROVALS: DIRECTOR SECRETARY DATE _5/7/12 5/7/12 ASSIGNED SFMTAB CALENDAR DATE: May 15, 2012

46 PAGE. 2. PURPOSE The purpose of this calendar item is for the SFMTA Board to select a locally preferred alternative (LPA) for the proposed Van Ness BRT project, which is a necessary step in the federal process for the project to be considered for approval, including completion of the joint EIS/EIR for the project. GOAL The Van Ness BRT project would assist in meeting or furthering the following goals of the SFMTA Strategic Plan: Goal 1: Customer Focus: To provide safe, accessible, clean, environmentally sustainable service and encourage the use of auto-alternative modes through the Transit First Policy. Objective 1.1: Improve safety and security across all modes of transportation. Objective 1.5: Increase percentage of trips using more sustainable modes (such as transit, walking, bicycling, rideshare). Goal 5: SFMTA Workforce: To provide a flexible, supportive work environment and develop a workforce that takes pride and ownership of the agency s mission and vision and leads the agency into an evolving, technology-driven future. DESCRIPTION The proposed Van Ness BRT project is a large scale plan to implement full-feature bus rapid transit (BRT) on one of the busiest transit routes that is also a major north-south transportation corridor for all transportation modes in San Francisco. Once completed, it will be an integral part of the Muni Rapid network of transit service proposed in 2008 that will gradually be implemented on all major corridors in San Francisco. As recommended under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines (CEQA Section ; CEQA Guidelines Section 15222), there should be coordination of the preparation of environmental review documents whenever both a federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under CEQA are required. Staff has prepared a joint Draft EIS/EIR (DEIS/DEIR) for the proposed project. Prior to publishing the final EIS for the project, federal regulations require the selection of the locally preferred alternative. Once they have completed alternatives analysis and selected an LPA, project sponsors request FTA approval to begin preliminary engineering (PE). During PE, the project sponsor refines the definition of the LPA s scope, schedule, and budget sufficient to complete the federal environmental review process; that is to determine the environmental, transportation cultural, and social impacts of the proposed project and to develop (and commit to the implementation of) strategies for mitigating them. Accordingly, the selection of the LPA is requested at this time and will be identified in the FEIS/FEIR for the project. After reviewing four alternatives as presented in the DEIS/DEIR, staff recommends selection of: The Center-running BRT with Right Side Boarding Platforms/Single Median and Limited Left Turns for the Van Ness BRT project. This proposal combines elements of Alternatives 3 and 4 of the DEIS/DEIR.

47 PAGE. 3. Under this proposal BRT lanes would flank the center median except at stations where the BRT vehicles would transition to the center of the roadway and be protected by right side boarding platforms. This alternative would also eliminate all left turns from Van Ness Avenue between Mission and Lombard streets, with the exception of a two-lane left turn onto Broadway from southbound Van Ness, in order to gain the most transit travel time benefits. Staff believes this to be the best solution to further the identified goals of the project to ensure faster service and improved reliability, while also meeting specific needs regarding fleet flexibility, operations flexibility and continuation toward a zero emission fleet. Background and Previous SFMTA Actions Several past actions and studies by SFMTA and other government agencies over the past 25 years have led to recommending the proposed LPA for adoption. Some of the more noteworthy milestones are listed below Four Corridors Study Third Street first priority, along with Van Ness, Geary and North Beach 2002 SFMTA Vision for Rapid Transit Identified major transit corridors for future improvements 2003 Prop K identified Van Ness, Geary and Potrero as priority corridors for BRT service 2006 MTC Regional Transit Expansion Policy (Resolution 3434) Amended to include Van Ness BRT 2006 Van Ness BRT Feasibility Study is approved by the SFMTA Board of Directors 2007 Environmental Review (NEPA/CEQA) on Van Ness BRT is initiated 2008 Federal Transit Administration approved Van Ness BRT into the Small Starts program BRT Elements of the Staff Recommended Locally Preferred Alternative The staff-recommended LPA consists of: Semi-exclusive center-running bus lanes with passenger platforms designed for use by new low-floor BRT hybrid buses and low floor trolley coaches that load from the right side Increased stop spacing: reconfigured and reduced number of stops that are enhanced to become stations. (15 northbound / 14 southbound stops reduced to eight northbound / eight southbound stations) Transit signal priority, replacement of traffic signal system, replacement of streetlights / poles, and relocation of electric overhead wires and power supply for use by trolley coach vehicles Off-board fare payment options The retaining of a substantial portion of the existing median and greenspace Branding on all aspects of the project: vehicles, stations, signage, and other amenities. Performance The staff recommended LPA would be expected to provide significant improvements in transit performance in the Van Ness and Mission Street corridors. Approximately 30 percent faster run time on Van Ness Avenue between Mission Street and Lombard Street (15 minutes with project vs. 21 minutes today) Smoother and straighter transit vehicle ride for passengers than existing service Approximately a 25 percent increase in passenger capacity: Route 47 switch from 40-foot buses to 60-foot buses; both Route 47 and 49 to operate at 7.5 minute frequencies An estimated 60 percent increase in passenger levels (38,000 in 2007 vs. 61,000 in 2035)

48 PAGE. 4. Project Milestones And Schedule A tentative project schedule and milestones is shown below. Efforts will be made to condense the design and construction phases. Summer 2012 Commence Conceptual Engineering (CE) Fall 2012 Final Environmental Impact Statement / Report (FEIS/FEIR) Fall 2012 Federal Record of Decision (ROD)/Notice of Determination Fall percent design / engineering Fall percent design /engineering complete Winter 2015 Construction begins Spring 2015 New vehicles begin to arrive Spring 2016 Construction complete Fall 2016 Revenue service begins Project Plan View Drawing A plan view drawing of the staff recommended LPA is attached. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED The Van Ness BRT environmental review analyzed four alternatives. Alternative 1: No Build Alternative 2: Side Running BRT with Right Side Boarding from sidewalk bulbouts Alternative 3: Center Running BRT with Right Side Boarding from platform islands located adjacent to the exclusive bus lanes Alternative 4: Center Running BRT with Right and Left side boarding from platform islands located adjacent to the exclusive bus lanes The two center running Alternatives (3 and 4) also included a design option that eliminated all left turns between Mission and Lombard streets except for a double left turn lane from southbound Van Ness onto Broadway. After a long period of analysis by staff at SFMTA and SFCTA and after incorporating public comment received during the review period of the DEIS/DEIR, staff is recommending the particular LPA for the project because it best combines the key elements contained in Alternatives 3 and 4. FUNDING IMPACT Estimated Costs (figures rounded to closest million) The estimated cost of the BRT project (bus lanes/stations and platforms/landscaping) is between $125,000,000 $130,000,000. o $75,000,000 Federal Transit Administration Small Starts program funds o $19,000,000 San Francisco Prop K sales tax o $31,000,000 $36,000,000 Other regional and State grant programs OTHER APPROVALS RECEIVED OR STILL REQUIRED The SFCTA Board is also required to approve the staff recommended LPA for the Van Ness BRT project. The Authority Board will consider selection of the staff recommended LPA at the Authority s Plans and Programs Committee Meeting on May 15, 2012, and at the Authority Board meeting scheduled on May 22, 2012.

49 PAGE. 5. Because Van Ness Avenue is a State highway, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is required to conduct a review process that is performed in parallel to the environmental review process. This activity results in production of a document known as a combined Project Study Report/Project Report (PSR/PR). Caltrans is expected to approve a PSR/PR for this project prior to staff finalizing the joint FEIS/FEIR for the project and FTA approving Record of Decision (ROD) and issuing a Notice of Determination. The FTA approval of the ROD will authorize the SFMTA to begin the detailed design phase of the project. Additional local, Caltrans, and FTA approvals and permits will be required to approve design and begin construction of the proposed Van Ness Avenue BRT project. The City Attorney has reviewed this report. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors endorse the proposed LPA and to adopt the LPA as the Van Ness BRT project alternative. Staff further recommends that the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors authorize the Director of Transportation to direct SFMTA staff to work jointly with SFCTA staff to complete the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIS/FEIR).

50 SAN FRANCISCO MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY BOARD OF DIRECTORS RESOLUTION No. WHEREAS, The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) and the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) are partnering in the development of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) for Van Ness Avenue; and, WHEREAS, The goals of BRT are robust and stable ridership, efficient, effective and equitable transit service, neighborhood livability and community vitality, and links to a citywide rapid transit network; and, WHEREAS, The SFMTA and SFCTA have completed a combined Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)/Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) which analyzes the environmental impacts of four alternatives for construction of the proposed project: Alternative 1: No Build Alternative 2: Side-running BRT with Right Side Boarding from sidewalk bulbouts Alternative 3: Center Median running BRT with Right Side Boarding from platform islands located adjacent to the exclusive bus lanes Alternative 4: Center Median running BRT with Right and Left Side Boarding from platform islands located adjacent to the exclusive bus lanes; and, WHEREAS, The DEIS/DEIR also provided comparative information on the need, feasibility, funding and cost for each alternative; and, WHEREAS, The SFMTA and SFCTA released the DEIS/DEIR for public review and comment from November 4 December 23, 2011, which included a public meeting where comments could be submitted, and information about the project provided at a webinar and neighborhood briefings; and, WHEREAS, After a long period of analysis by staff at SFMTA and SFCTA, and after considering the information in the DEIS/DEIR and incorporating public comments received during the review period of the DEIS/DEIR, the staff recommendation for the locally preferred alternative (LPA) for the project is The Center-running BRT with Right Side Boarding Platforms Single Median and Limited Left Turns, which combines key elements contained in Alternatives 3 and 4; and, WHEREAS, In this alternative, BRT lanes would flank the center median except at stations where the BRT vehicles would transition to the center of the roadway and be protected by right side boarding platforms; this alterative would also eliminate all left turns from Van Ness Avenue between Mission and Lombard streets, with the exception of a two-lane left turn onto Broadway from southbound Van Ness, in order to gain the most transit travel time benefits; and, WHEREAS, Upon adoption of the LPA for the Van Ness BRT project, the Director of Transportation will direct SFMTA staff to work with the SFCTA in finalizing the FEIS/FEIR for the project so that the proposed project can be presented to the SFMTA for its consideration; now, therefore, be it

51 . RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors adopts The Center-running BRT with Right Side Boarding Platforms Single Median and Limited Left Turns as the Locally Preferred Alternative for the Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit project; and, be it further I certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors at its meeting of May 15, Secretary to the Board of Directors San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

52 Van Ness BRT Adoption of LPA Aerial of Proposed Service Plan Recommended LPA Plan View Segment: Eddy St. Station

53