CC 09-03-2025 Item No. 19. Commission Oversight of Transportation Matters_Staff PresentationCITY OF CUPERTINO
commission Oversight of
Transportation Matters
CUPERTINO
Current Practice
• Bicycle Pedestrian Commission (BPC) sole commission to
review and advise regarding transportation matters
• Review includes transportation policy documents, as well as
conceptual and construction plans
• Focus on bike/ped, but input can extend to broader issues per
Muni Code charter:
• "...City transportation matters including, but not limited
to, bicycle and pedestrian traffic, parking, education
and recreation within Cupertino."
• Planning Commission not involved, as transportation projects
generally do not affect land use
• Exception: General Plan conformance
Why Are We Here?
• City Council has expressed interest in potentially involving
Planning Commission (PC) in review of transportation
matters
• This requires re-evaluation of structure of commission
review, to clearly define roles of PC and BPC in the review
of transportation projects
• Any changes require CMC modification to redefine
commission charters
Some Alternatives to Consider
Option 1 - Split responsibilities between BPC and PC
• PC reviews:
• Vision and Master Plans with longer term goals and defined project
lists
• BPC reviews:
• Transportation conceptual and construction plans; policy documents
focused on bike/ped that have little to no vehicle impact
• Pros:
• Retains BPC expertise on transportation construction projects and
bike/ped-related policy docs
• PC engagement on long-term docs provides broader planning lens
• Cons:
• May result in confusion regarding boundaries of responsibility as line
between vision studies and concept plans can blur
Some Alternatives to Consider
Option 2 - Expanded PC Role
• PC reviews:
• Broader planning docs, as well as conceptual and design plans for
projects that may impact vehicular travel
• PC would provide approval for projects and plans that don't require
CC approval
• BPC reviews:
• Remaining design plans focused on multimodal elements with no
impact on vehicular travel
• Pros:
• PC input on potentially impactful projects supports broader citywide
goals
• BPC continues role in multimodal-focused project review
• Cons:
• BPC loses ability to advise on bike/ped projects if the project has the
potential to impact vehicular operations
Some Alternatives to Consider
Option 3- Rename BPC to "Transportation and Mobility Commission"
• PC reviews:
• No transportation project review unless specifically requested by CC
• BPC reviews:
• All transportation matters, including projects relating primarily to
vehicular travel even if not focused on bike/ped
• Pros:
• Maintains current structure with minimal disruption
• Cons:
• May not address CC interest in broader PC engagement
Some Alternatives to Consider
Option 4 - Transition all transportation matters to PC
• PC reviews:
• All transportation matters. PC renamed as "Planning and
Transportation Commission"
• BPC reviews:
• None. BPC is disbanded.
• Pros:
• Centralizes decision making for land use and transportation projects
• Potentially improves coordination between planning and mobility
efforts
• Cons:
• Loss of specialized bike/ped advisory body, with potential impact to
active transportation grant eligibility
• Risk of reducing focus on multimodal projects
Additional Considerations
• Any single transportation project should ideally be reviewed by
no more than one commission. Multiple commission review
could result in:
• Confusion or conflict if PC and BPC offer differing
recommendations
• Disenfranchisement of commissioners whose input is disregarded
• Additional staffing effort and cost resources
• Clear criteria to differentiate which commission to review is
necessary.
• Assign CM the authority to make determination when unclear
• Changes to current review process could influence scope,
timing, and costs of transportation projects
• $5k -$30k potential impact per project, depending on complexity
Next Steps
• CC provides direction to staff this evening.
• If changes to current process are recommended, staff will
return to CC with necessary ordinances and/or policies to
implement changes to CMC.
Thank you