The URL can be used to link to this page

U-2013-09b , . OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK CITY HALL 10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255 TELEPHONE: (408)777-3223• FAX: (408)777-3366 CUPERTINO March 4, 2014 Re: Subject: Call for Review of the Planning Commission's approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow a weekly mobile food truck event in the parking lot of a commercial establishment Recommended Action: Uphold the Planning Commission's approval Descri�tion: Application No(s): U-2013-09; Applicant(s): Benjamin Himlan (Whole Foods Market); Location: 20955 Stevens Creek Boulevard; APN# 326-31-022; Call for Review of the Planning Commission's approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow a weekly mobile food truck event in the parking lot of a commercial establishment At its February 25, 2014, regular meeting, the Cupertino City Council took the following action: UPHELD THE PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL WITH A CHANGE TO MOVE THE EVENT TO THE FIRST PARKING AISLE CLOSEST TO STEVENS CREEK BLVD Enclosed is Planning Commission Resolution No. 6733. Any interested person, including the applicant, prior to seeking judicial review of any adjudicatory decision of the City Council, must first file a petition for reconsideration with the city clerk within ten days after the date of mailing of this notice. Any petition filed must comply with Municipal Code §2.08.096. Sincerely, �� Kirsten Squarcia Deputy City Clerk cc: City Attorney Planning U-2013-09 March 4, 2014 , Page 2 Off The Grid Attn: Benjamin Himlan Fort Mason Center 2 Marina Blvd, Bldg #2, #D290 San Francisco, Ca. 94123 SMP Cupertino, LLC 203 Redwood Shores Pkwy #200 Redwood City, Ca. 94065 Whole Foods Market 20955 Stevens Creek Blvd Cupertino, Ca. 95014 City of Cupertino , ,� 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertino,CA 95014 (408) 777-3308 C U P E RT 1 N O FAX (408) 777-3333 Community Development Department January 29, 2014 Off the Grid Attn: Benjamin Himlan Fort Mason Center 2 Marina Blvd, Bldg 2, #D290 San Francisco, Ca. 94123 SUBJECT: PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION LETTER-U-2013-09 This letter confirms the decision of the Planning Commission, given at the meeting of January 28, 2014, approving a Conditional Use Permit to allow a weekly mobile food truck event in the parking lot of a commercial establishment, located at 20955 Stevens creek Boulevard, according to Planning Commission Resolution No.(s) 6733. Please be aware that if this Permit is not used within a two-year period, it shall expire on January 28, 2016. Also, please note that an appeal of this decision can be made within 14 calendar days from the mailing of the notice of the decision. If this happens, you will be notified of a public hearing, which will be scheduled before the City Council. Sincerely, ZZ%�G Kaitie Groeneweg Planning Department City of Cupertino Enclosures: Resolution 6733 Cc:SMP Cupertino,LLC,203 Redwood Shores Pkwy#200,Redwood City,Ca 94065 Whole Foods Market,20955 Stevens Creek Blvd,Cupertino Ca 95014 g/planning/post hearing/actionletterU-2013-09 U-2013-09 CITY OF CUPERTINO 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertino, California 95014 RESOLUTION NO. 6733 OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF A WEEKLY MOBILE FOOD MARKET IN THE PARKING LOT OF AN EXISTING COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT LOCATED AT 20955 STEVENS CREEK BLVD SECTION I: PROJECT DESCRIPTION Application No(s).: U-2013-09 Applicant: Benjamin Himlan(Off the Grid) Location: 20955 Stevens Creek Boulevard (APN 326-31-022) Subject: Use Permit (U-2013-09) to allow the operation of a weekly mobile food market in the parking lot of an existing commercial establishment. SECTION II: FINDINGS FOR A USE PERMIT: WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Cupertino received an application for a Conditional Use Permit as described in Section I of this Resolution; and WHEREAS, the necessary public notices have been given as required by the Procedural Ordinance of the City of Cupertino, and the Planning Commission held a public hearing on January 28, 2014 in regard to the application; and WHEREAS, the applicant has met the burden of proof required to support said application; and has satisfied the following requirements: 1) The proposed use, at the proposed location, will not be detrimental or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity, and will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, general welfare, or convenience; 2) The proposed use will be located and conducted in a manner in accord with the Cupertino Comprehensive General Plan and the purpose of this title. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: After careful consideration of the, maps, facts, exhibits, testimony and other evidence submitted in this matter, the Planning Commission hereby approves Application No. U-2013-09 based upon the findings described in section II of this resolution, the public hearing record and the Minutes of Planning Commission Meeting of January 28, 2014, and subject to the conditions specified in section III of this resolution. • Resolution No.6733 U-2013-09 January 28,2014 SECTION III: CONDITIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPT. 1. APPROVED EXHIBITS Approval is based on the plan set received August 5, 2013 consisting of sixteen sheets entitled "Off the Grid: Cupertino @ Whole Foods" except as may be amended by conditions in this resolution. 2. ACCURACY OF PROTECT PLANS The applicant/property owner is responsible to verify all pertinent property data including but not limited to property boundary locations, building setbacks, property size, building square footage, any relevant easements and/or construction records. Any misrepresentation of any property data may invalidate this approval and may require additional review. 3. OPERATIONS a) The market shall be operated with the area delin eated on the site plan exhibit. b) The market is capped at a maximum of 9 trucks/vendors. c) T'he market is approved to operate on Tuesdays between 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., allowing for one hour set up before the market opens and one hour for break down and cleanup after the market closes at 9:00 p.m. d) The market shall be swept cleaned and all trash removed at the end of each market event. e) A parking atendent will be present to direct traffic for the first month of operation. f) The event shall not operate the week of Christmas and Thanksgiving. g) No alcohol shall be permitted unless approved by Planning Cossion. h) The location of the event shall not be in the first parking asile closest to Setevens Creek Blvd. for the first six months of operation. 4. NOISE CONTROL Noise levels shall not exceed those as listed in Community Noise Control Ordinance, Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 10.48. If there are documented violations of the Community Noise Control Ordinance, the Director of Community Development or Noise Control Officer has the discretion to require noise attenuation measures to comply with the ordinance. 5. SHARED PARKING AGREEMENT Should parking demand for the site exceed the parking supply the applicant is required to come back to obtain another Use Permit to create a formal shared parking agreement between Whole Foods Market and the adjacent Abundant Life Assembly of God Church. 6. TEMPORARY SIGNAGE The applicant shall apply for a temporary sign permit for any signage used in conjunction with the event. No signage is approved as part of this use permit. 7. BUSINESS LICENSE The business owners and individual vendors shall obtain a City of Cupertino business licenses. 8. PREMIT REVIEW A permit review shall be conducted by staff after six months from approval. If complaints have been received regarding market operations that have not been addressed immediately by the applicant, then the Planning Commission shall conduct a public hearing on the permit at which time, the approval may be modified or revoked. Resolution No.6733 U-2013-09 January 28,2014 9. CONSULTATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS The applicant is responsible to consult with other departments and/or agencies with regard to the proposed project for additional conditions and requirements. Any misrepresentation of any submitted data may invalidate an approval by the Community Development Department. 10. MODIFICATION OF MARKET OPERATIONS The Director of Community Development is empowered to make adjustments to the operation and location of the mobile food market to address any documented problem or nuisance situation that may occur. 11. REVOCATION OF USE PERMIT The Director may initiate proceedings for revocation of the Use Permit in any case where, in the judgment of the Director, substantial evidence indicates that the conditions of the conditional use permit have not been implemented, or where the permit is being conducted in a manner detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare, in accord with the requirements of the municipal code. 12. EXPIRAT'ION If the use for which this conditional use permit is granted and utilized has ceased or has been suspended for two year or more, this permit shall be deemed expired and a new use permit application must be applied for and obtained. 13. INDEMNIFICATION To the extent permitted by law, the Applicant shall indemnify and hold harmless the City, its City Council, its officers, employees and agents (the "indemnified parties") from and against any claim, action, or proceeding brought by a third party against the indemnified parties and the applicant to attack, set aside, or void this ordinance or any permit or approval authorized hereby for the project, including (without limitation) reimbursing the City its actual attorneys' fees and costs incurred in defense of the litigation. The City may, in its sole discretion, elect to defend any such action with attorneys of its choice. 14. NOTICE OF FEES DEDICATIONS. RESERVATIONS OR OTHER EXACTIONS The Conditions of Project Approval set forth herein may include certain fees, dedication requirements, reservation requirements, and other exactions. Pursuant to Government Code Section 66020(d) (1), these Conditions constitute written notice of a statement of the amount of such fees, and a description of the dedications, reservations, and other exactions. You are hereby further notified that the 90-day approval period in which you may protest these fees, dedications, reservations, and other exactions, pursuant to Government Code Section 66020(a), has begun. If you fail to file a protest within this 90- day period complying with all of the requirements of Section 66020, you will be legally barred from later challenging such exactions. SECTION IV: CONDITIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. TRASH FACILITIES Per Public Works Department requirements, the property owner must ensure that all lids for trash, recycling, and yard waste bins remain closed when material is not being deposited into them. Bins are not to be overfilled; material is not perxnitted to be stockpiled alongside bins and the area in and around the bins shall be kept clean at all times. A yard waste bin is required at the property for food Resolution No.6733 U-2013-09 January 28,2014 waste and organics. Lack of compliance with the City's litter control measures will result in a notice of violation and a fine. 2. EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE FOAM Expanded PolyStyrene Foam (EPS Foam) will not be permitted for use during the event. It is the applicant's responsibility to inform the food vendors of this restriction and to ensure EPS foam is not used or distributed. 3. TRASH CLEANUP Within 24 hours of each event, the applicant is required to clean off trash and litter all on-site storm water facilities (the storm water treatment swales in the Whole Foods Parking lot), all areas within 25 feet of the event location, and the adjacent public sidewalk, curb and gutter areas. The applicant and vendors are not permitted to spray down the event area to address clean up or spills. On site storm water facilities connect to the public drain system which ultimately flows to creeks and the bay. SECTION VI: CONDITIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT 1. EMERGENCY FIRE ACCESS Location of food trucks shall not obstruct required fire department emergency access and fire applicances. SECTION V: CEQA REVIEW The conditional use permit is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per section 15301 (Existing Fac ilities) of the CEQA Guidelines because it involves a negligible expansion of use and section 15332 (In-Fill Development) because the proposed use occurs within the city limits and is surrounded by urban uses. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of January, 2014, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Cupertino, State of California,by the following roll call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Chair Brophy, Sun, Gong, Takahashi NOES: COMMISSIONERS:Vice Chair Lee ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS:none ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:none ATTEST: APPROVED: /s/Gary Chao /s/Paul Bro�hy Gary Chao Paul Brophy Assist. Director of Community Development Chair, Planning Commission G:\Plann ing\PDREPORT\RES\2013\U-2013-09 res.doc I � � �- T,:� � ,�.. � NBLE 1 ' S r ,.._.. _... �� . ', , ;/��/ NACE�f6B % _.. . .. �i.. . �... � � - _ f BlE ` % ... ._.._ !_r� � % Off the Grid: �� 1_ . � _�r, � ,�` � /� � �� I...loob°�oY'OO�oo 1181LI o�oA o0 0 00�0°o I.� Cu ertino �� Whole Foods I I I� � � � I �� Off the Grid is excited to create a pop-up gourmet �� mobile food markei highlighting Street Food.Our � J, 'I' concept is based around the idea of using open space �""' � �'"' �"`" � ' �' I �"" I �� I � �Y004EfO0D YO&IEFO00 YO&1EF000 YOBLLEFOOD YOlIIEFOOD T11UCK 111UCN 1XUCK to create a place for people to meet while focusing on chef-driving small business.Our markets would be � �� consisting of 8-10 mobile food vehicles once-per- __ _ __----- — ----- week.Off the Grid: Cupertino will be an alcohoi free � [� market operating rain or shine,year round and is » anticipated to launch in January of 2014.The market Stevens Creek Blvd � will rotate vendors on a consistent bi-weekly basis in ^ � order to keep things fresh and interesting,as well as offer an opportunity to maximize truck participation. local health permits,$1,000,000.00 liability insurance,proper auto All Off the Grid markets have at least two staff on site at all times insurance,a business license,a CA seller's permit and proper (one market manager and one event staff).These staff members commissary documentation.Off the Grid will manage all function to maintain the space,problem solve if issues occur, handle documentation and paperwork requirements to ensure that all set up,breakdown and cleanup of the event conclusion. vendors fulfill all necessary regulations.We communicate weekly with all Bay Area region health departments in order to ensure the We intend for our markets to become vital parts of any community good standing of all vendors we work with. we enter and as a result we are committed to creating spaces that encourage neighborhood interaction,activation of outdoor eating Sustainability and Trash: spaces and provide value priced high quality food items in a family Off the Grid encourages all participating vendors to try and use friendly environment.We believe that our once-per-week market organic sustainably produced products.In addition,all vendors will will help attract more foot traffic to the businesses nearby. be required to use only compostable and recyclable service materials. Vendor Relationships: Off the Grid works with a fleet of 175+trucks in the Bay Area and Off the Grid staff will clean the area immediately surrounding the has long-standing relationships with many business owners.Off the market and ensure that we leave the market space cleaner than we Grid is committed to coordinating,booking,and managing our found it.Off the Grid will provide two trash stations at the two exit relationships with these owners.We guarantee fulfilling all shifts points of the event.In addition,food vendors are required to that are booked provide a 3-part waste disposal system in front of their vehicles. Location&Hours: Amenities and Noise Directives: We will obtain all proper permits through the City of Cupertino and Off the Grid will provide and set up lightening to create a Santa Clara County to run a safe event.Off the Grid:Cupertino will comfortable an enjoyable ambiance.We will also provide and set up run from S:OOpm–9:OOpm on Tuesday evenings.Ideally beginning 200 chairs for customers to use while attending our market.In January of 2014.During the winter we will shorten or hours of addition to our amenities,we will provide live-tented music. operation.We require or��.�o��.,fQr��n he qpenin�and. closing of markets for se up and breakdown. ; x' w�-��`x`� usic will perform from 6:OOpm–8:00 with limited ampli ication by facing the speakers to the center of our market. ri''�''�'"'' /� �(1 Nois levels created from the truck enerators will be a minimum. Liability and Documenta ion: �d � .•.�.�.:��`��`, ° �, g Off the Grid maintains cc�ies of all vendor documenta�b�f`;;F�.%= -•-_ �Ne r uire all our vendors to purchase the Honda EU3000is.This accountability.For all ev nts we will require all our vendors to hav gene tor is by far the most fuel efficient and quietest generator on � �`�'�air��►�'�arrn��sF�r: f�'�� ..�` rket. 3 ....4...�.a.=�.....e.. j!n:r �t��a4tit'�. ��..,. ..�.., Ga'."•C::3ii5�n .. t t � � , ... ..�.x�r,...�:..�..',r�e,•s �.w._��+.vw�-.....w•-�+-w...:+-.w...,.�._.r..� I � � . About Off the Grid Off the Grid Markets began in 2010 with the simple idea that grouping Street Food Vendors together would create an experience that would allow neighbors to connect with friends and families to reconnect with each other.Since Off the Grid has worked hard to develop markets that are both located in urban cores of cities and that utilize spaces that are not easily activated effectively throughout the day.Off the Grid is proud of its role organizing,promoting and managing all of its markets and the small mobile food businesses that we work with.Currently Off the Grid operates 25 weekly markets in the greater Bay Area and works with 175+vendors weekly.At its core,Off the Grid believes in the power of shared food experience to connect communities and we worked hard to create lively shared spaces wherever we serve. Vendor Facts: • 38%woman owned • 55%minority owned • 61%first time business owners • Use of local&sustainable food when possible Community Benefits: • Increased foot traffic per event • Increased property value • Broad attendee demographic • Food diversity • Creating culture in a food driving open space Off the Grid Planned Events: • Local Santa Clara Health Permit(weekly feedback if necessary) • $1,000,000.00 liability/auto insurance • Compostable/biodegradable materials • Sunnyvale Business License • CA Seller's Permit • Commissary Documentation Recognition/Publicity/Public Outreach: Social Media Outreach(50,000+Facebook followers and 35,000+Twitter followers).Off the Grid has been featured in hundreds of publications including:The NY times,The Guardian,The Travel Channe/and 7X7 Magazine for our expertise in Street Food management and urban place making.We currently manage and facilitate 25 weekly mobile food markets,numerous mobile food pods and 6-12 private large-scale Street Food events per week. Additional Operational Descriptions Food and Alcohol Food preparation is done at individual mobile food vendor's commissaries. Health perrr�its for individual commissaries is required for the vendor's mobile food truck to gain a separate health permit through the Santa Clara County Health Department. Each vendor is required to have a Santa Clara Health Permit to operate at all of our events.This documentation is kept on individual trucks and copies are on file in Off the Grid offices. Upon approval of permit for a reoccurring event,Off the Grid will contract, book and manage the food trucks that operate in this specific market.These health permits will be transparent if needed at that point. Mobile food trucks are all self-sufficient and will use power from a generator to run all electrical equipment on the truck.Some trucks will use propane to run gas-powered equipment.All fire inspections and requirements are incompliance with obtaining a health permit.All preparation and cooking is done on the truck. Portable Restrooms Off the Grid has written authorization to use the public facilities inside Whole Foocis. Off the Grid will ensure all bathroom standards,capacity,and the distance of 200'are compliant with Santa Clara Health requirements. Lighting and Sound(please see photos) Sound Off the Grid will provide live,amplified music from the hours of 6:OOpm—8:OOpm.We set up two speakers, and the artist/musicians under a 10'X10' pop-up tent.The point of the music is to provide background noise and some mil entertainment to encourage guests to spend time in the space.The music we book is what we classify as "Gypsy Jazz" and is very similar to the live music found at farmer's markets. Off the Grid will pursue a sound permit for this entertainment separately unless the sound permit is folded into the special event/use permit. Lighting Off the Grid provides in the upwards of 200'of string lighting held up by a sophisticated weighted bases and poles.The lighting runs of the same generator as the music tent.We bring two generators to each event in case on is not working to assure we always have lighting and music. Generators are filled with gasoline prior to arrival of the event and will not be refilled onsite.The lighting creates a romantic ambiance and provides visibility. In addition,all of the trucks have lighting under their canopies in front of the trucks. Signage: Off the Grid will produce signage to safely close the parking lane closest to Stevens Creek Blvd. Please see examples of signage in site-plan. In addition please see cross-promotional signage with direction to bathrooms. Waste Management Off the Grid treats each market with a "zero footprint" mentality. Off the Grid provides three compartment(trash, recycling,and compost)waste stations at each entrance into the event. In addition, Off the Grid requires each vendor to provide a three-compartment waste station in front of each truck.All the waste accumulated in the bins that vendors own packs out the garbage and manages it onsite at their individual commissaries.All the garbage accumulated in the bins that Off the Grid owns packs it out and pays the San Francisco Conservation Corp. (SFCC)to manage waste.Off the Grid is extremely responsible about managing our waste. We also require that all of our vendors use only recyclable and compostable service ware. �� r � i^"" ! �� "" To Whom It May Concern: 4:�� IM� . . II '` M� } = � B, V�Li�?,: . . iA, We are very much looking forward to working with Off The Grid to provide a fun, de(ieious event for our custamers to partake in. ��t�.�'�.��t'4�b?`�l; 5�� . �� ; �; We have ar�alyzed the customer caunts on every day of th�week for our store � and have determined that Tuesday nights from S:QOPM-9:OOPM experience the lowest customer count of any other r►ight of the week. In regards to our parking on Tuesday nights, we have determined that our parlcing lot can currently sustain the parking for customers during this time. We understand that the food trucks will talce away some parlcing for both our �ustomers and our emplayees. We have a verbal agreement with Abundant Life Church that our employees may park in their parking lot during peak times in our business so as to leave parking available for our custamers. _ ,_ ; Rlease let us know if you have any ather cancerns. Look forwa,rd ta warking � with you. ' � �,.;. ,� � , 1, �i � 0� ('� �� .... ?`�,i. i�g S �'.- - a` f 'j"\ `� �''�...�..+ � . �p,ti��``ti..� . .°q� � � . \,,.� Scatt Sherrrtan Store Team Leader Whale Foads Market � Stevens•Creek Scott.sherman�whoEefoodscam , ' �as-z�7-�o00 , � �� ; ` . n��. �0. ;;:. ,� ��; , � � � � � 1F�:�LE�t70DS?vIr"lRI£E'I,'.COIVt ?{)�1`�5 .`,lC�il7�; (_�t'i'��< 1>��;i1; ti.'tt}?ct'tl;tt� C_,:� �)i�;T-� � :i ',�, '�CiU."t� ' :}O� �17 IJ?� t;i.\ �� `� �I EXAGON TRANSDORTATION CONSULTANTS. I NC. October 22, 2013 Ms. Kaitie Groeneweg City of Cupertino Planning Department 10300 Torre Avenue City of Cupertino, CA 95014 RE: "Off the Grid" Special Event Traffic Observations Dear Ms. Groeneweg: Hexagon Transportation Consultants, Inc. has completed its review of the traffic impacts of an"Off the Grid" special event that was held at Whole Foods Market on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. This event was a mobile food market that was held in the Whole Foods parking lot at 20955 Stevens Creek Boulevard in Cupertino, California. The event took place between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM,with setup beginning at 3:30 and breakdown finishing by 10:00. A member of Hexagon's staff was present from 4:30 to 7:00 in order to observe the impacts of the event on (1)the operation of the intersection at Stevens Creek Boulevard and Stelling Road and (2)the queues that form at the parking lot entrances on Stevens Creek Boulevard and on Stelling Road. This special event involved setting up mobile food trucks in the second row of parking (see Figure 1), which is the second drive aisle parallel to Stevens Creek after entering the parking lot from the Stevens Creek Boulevard entrance. That drive aisle was closed to traffic, and food trucks were parallel parked along both sides, occupying the parking spaces in that aisle. Tables for people wishing to sit down with their food were set up in the center of the drive aisle. The intersection of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Stelling Road experiences heavy traffic volumes during the PM peak period. In addition, significant pedestrian and bicycle activity was observed crossing all four approaches to the intersection throughout the PM peak period. All four approaches to the intersection include bicycle lanes. The De Anza College campus occupies the southwest corner of the intersection, and the City of Cupertino's public tennis courts and other recreational facilities are located on the northwest corner. The northeast corner, immediately adjacent to the intersection, is occupied by a gas station. Beyond the gas station on both Stevens Creek Boulevard and N. Stelling Road is the Whole Foods parking lot, which has one entrance on Stevens Creek approximately 350 feet from the intersection. That access point allows right in-right out access only, due to the median strip on Stevens Creek. The parking lot also has two entrances on N. Stelling Road, one of which is approximately 160 feet north of the intersection and one of which is approximately 350 feet north of the intersection. Both of these driveways are also right in-right out only access points, due to a median strip on N. Stelling Road. Figure 1 shows the lane configurations at the intersection of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Stelling Road, and identifies each turning movement by a number, in order to facilitate discussion of the traffic issues observed. For example, vehicles turning right from southbound N. Stelling Road onto westbound Stevens Creek Boulevard are referred to as movement#1. Vehicles going southward straight through the intersection from N. Stelling to S. Stelling Road are referred to as movement#2, and so on in clockwise fashion around the intersection for all 12 possible movements. There were three turning movements(#3, #4, and#12)that did not always clear in one cycle during the peak period, and which are discussed below. All other movements generally cleared in one signal cycle. 111 W.St.John Street,Suite 850•San 1ose,California 95113 phone 408.971.6100•fax 408.971.6102•www.hextrans.com Off the Grid at Whole Foods � � T� � ACCEii � AItIE �, MOYII.F FO00 AiOMLE F00p YOYL[►OOQ I�M.E FOOp �tu f • � � �� MOi0.EF000 � MOML[fOOD lADplEfOOD / E9� iRUOK T1111CIC TRUdt TRUCK � � � � oro w»c ACCESSIBLE /�gg�� RAMP RAMP N Stevens Creek Blvd 0 �—��. Figure 1 Off the Grid Food Truck Setup �� `� uE�a�oaTeAnsPooranonConsutranTS.ln< Off the Grid at Whofe Foods �==�� Driveway � � . ��. �;� c�; �� Whole a,=. Foods •�, Market a�. �> � z �- 4 Driveway�_ � 5 3 t 1 2 3 Gas > I � 6 Station o Stevens Creek Boulevard � + � r �� 2 --1 ; � T � 11� � 9 8 7 10 —_► De Anza College Campus Figure 2 Lane Configuration at Intersection of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Stelling Road ►�r r..s u��a�an T��nsc��TnTion tonsu�rnnTS.Ir�c /� Ms. Kaitie Groeneweg October 22, 2013 " Page4of6 Movement#3(Left or U-turn from southbound Stellinq Road) The City of Cupertino requested that we pay particular attention to movement#3, vehicles heading south on N. Stelling and making either a left turn onto eastbound Stevens Creek or a U-turn. The left turn pocket for that turning movement is about 340 feet long, which is enough space for 13– 17 cars, depending on how closely they space themselves. Befinreen 4:30 and 5:00, there was always adequate space in that left turn pocket for all the cars wishing to turn left or make a U-turn at movement#3, and all the cars in the pocket were able to make their turn during the left-turn arrow phase of the signal cycle. After 5:00, however, sometimes not all vehicles wanting to complete movement#3 were able to clear in a single cycle, but they were always able to clear during the next cycle. That is,when the left-turn arrow for movement#3 turned red, there were often several cars remaining in the left-turn storage pocket(especially between 5:30 and 6:30)that needed to wait until the next left-turn arrow phase. The maximum number of vehicles observed to not clear during the left-turn arrow phase was nine cars, but usually there were 3 to 5 cars that needed to wait for the next left-turn arrow. No car ever needed to wait more than two cycles to get through the intersection from southbound Stelling Road. The left turn pocket on N. Stelling (for movement#3)was observed �o be full to capacity during several cycles between 5:30 and 6:30. Also, sometimes there were cars that could not access the left turn lane because the through lane (movement#2)had such a long queue before the green phase. Typically, about 11 – 13(although once as many as 15)vehicles made the left or U-turn movement during the left-turn arrow phase at movement#3. Of those, usually 2-5 vehicles were making a U-turn. Of those making a U- turn, the majority–but not all—then turned into one of the two Whole Foods driveways on N. Stelling Road. All cars wishing to turn into one of the Whole Foods driveways were able to do so easily. It was not possible for us to determine how many of the cars turning into the Whole Foods lot after making that U-turn were doing so in order to attend the Off the Grid event, as opposed to those who simply intended to shop at the market. Based on our observations, the City of Cupertino may want to consider lengthening the left-turn signal phase at movement#3 by a few seconds during the PM peak period, so that the left-turn storage pocket completely empties in a single cycle. During the peak hour of 5:30–6:30, the left turn storage pocket often held more vehicles than were able to make the turn during one cycle, since some drivers were not always alert to the initial change of the signal and roughly 25% of drivers slowed down as they entered the intersection to make a U-turn. Movement#4(Riqht turn from westbound Stevens Creek to northbound Stellinq) The farthest right lane on westbound Stevens Creek Boulevard includes cars turning right onto N. Stelling Road and cars intending to proceed straight through the intersection (a through/right lane). There is also a bicycle lane at that location, which is sometimes used by vehicles that squeeze into the bike lane in order to turn right. Because of the volume of pedestrian and bicycle traffic at that intersection, drivers wanting to turn right onto Stelling must often wait after the signal turns green before they can make their right turn. As a result, not all cars in the rightmost lane on Stevens Creek cleared on every signal cycle during the PM peak period, and a queue often formed from the intersection back towards the Stevens Creek driveway of Whole Foods. (Interestingly, the two lanes with through movement only(#5)vehicles nearly always cleared during one cycle. If more of the cars wishing to go straight through the intersection used the two through-only lanes and the right-hand lane were used only by those wishing to turn right, movement#4 would function better and experience less delay.) Occasionally, the queue in the right-turn lane of Stevens Creek extended so far back from Stelling Road that it went past the Whole Foods driveway, so that cars wanting to turn right into Whole Foods had to wait for the signal at Stelling to allow traffic to move forward so they could turn into the driveway. However, they were always able to make their right turn into Whole Foods after the signal cycle allowed the cars to /�� Ms. Kaitie Groeneweg October 22, 2013 " Page 5 of 6 proceed through the intersection ahead. In other words, the queue east of the Whole Foods driveway dissipated after the queue from the intersection proceeded through the signal. Further, there were brief periods when outbound cars from the parking lot relied on the courtesy of westbound vehicles to pause and allow them to enter the flow of traffic when they turned right onto Stevens Creek Boulevard. Although there were times when the heavy westbound traffic on Stevens Creek made it difficult for cars to exit that driveway, the outbound queue generally cleared within one or two minutes when gaps in traffic(resulting from the signal at Saich Way)appeared again after one or finro signal cycles to allow drivers to exit safely. Movement#12 (Left turn from eastbound Stevens Creek Boulevard onto N. Stellinq Road) Because there is only one left turn lane on eastbound Stevens Creek Boulevard, this movement(#12) basically never completely cleared in one cycle during the entire PM peak period. Of those cars turning left onto Stelling from Stevens Creek, the great majority were heading further northbound on Stelling and only a small percentage turned into one of the Whole Foods driveways,which they could easily do. Our observations suggested the City may want to study the possibility of adding a second left turn lane here in the future. Such a study is far outside the scope of the current review of the Off the Grid special event, but it appears there is room for a second left turn lane. Drivewav Queues on Stellinq Road and Stevens Creek Boulevard We did not observe a queue at either of the Stelling Road access points to the Whole Foods parking lot during the entire PM peak period. All cars wishing to turn into the parking lot from Stelling could do so easily. Cars were also able to exit from the driveways easily, since there were adequate gaps in traffic on every cycle. The access point on Stevens Creek Boulevard was somewhat more problematic for finro reasons. First, the queue in the right turn lane from the intersection at Stelling sometimes extended all the way back to the Whole Foods driveway. This created a secondary queue of cars wanting to turn into Whole Foods that needed to wait for the light to change at Stelling in order for them to get to the driveway. However, this queue generally cleared after one cycle. Second, this driveway has a very short throat length, so that cars turning into the parking lot from Stevens Creek pause almost immediately to see if parking is available in the first row of parking. For example, on several occasions we observed a car stopping to look down the first drive aisle and waiting for a gap in the outbound traffic lane in order to turn left into that row of parking spaces. When that occurs, because the car has stopped to look for parking only about 50 feet from the entry point, subsequent cars entering the parking lot must wait behind that car until it turns left into the first row of parking. This can cause a short queue of vehicles that spills onto Stevens Creek Boulevard. During the Off the Grid Special Event, the second row of parking was occupied by the food trucks(as shown on Figure 1), so that once a vehicle passed the first parking row, they proceeded further into the parking lot to begin to look for parking at the third row(or even farther). We believe the parking lot would function better if the food trucks occupied the very first row of parking and event staff waved incoming traffic past that first row and further into the lot. This would have the effect of lengthening the driveway throat length so that cars had no reason to slow down and start looking left into the parking rows for parking availability until they reached the second (or further)drive aisles. This would eliminate the back- up of cars that spill onto Stevens Creek when a car pauses at the first drive aisle to start scanning for parking. /� Ms. Kaitie Groeneweg October 22, 2013 " Page 6 of 6 Conclusion For the most part,we observed traffic operations to function adequately during the Off the Grid Special Event and most movements cleared in one signal cycle. Although the left-turn and U-turn queue from southbound Stelling Road (movement#3)exceeded the capacity of the storage pocket between 5:30 and 6:30 on a few cycles, no car waited more than two cycles to get through the signal, and most were able to get through in one signal cycle. The City may wish to consider providing more time for that left turn arrow phase, so that the left turn pocket completely empties each cycle during the PM peak period. No queues formed at the Stelling Road entrances to the Whole Foods parking lot during the peak period and vehicles were able to enter and exit the lot easily. Short queues formed for very brief periods on Stevens Creek Boulevard at the Stevens Creek access point, but these were mostly related to the back-up in the right-turn lane from the intersection at Stelling. Because drivers wishing to turn right from Stevens Creek onto Stelling need to yield to bicycles and pedestrians, that turning movement sometimes doesn't fully clear in one cycle. Clearly, this delay had nothing to do with the Off the Grid Special Event that was being held. The other source of small back-ups at the Stevens Creek driveway is the habit of some incoming vehicles to slow down or even stop almost immediately after entering the parking lot in order to scan for parking availability in the first row of parking. We recommend that the food trucks occupy that first row of parking in any future events so that there is no reason to slow down to look for parking until at least the second row of parking is reached. We recommend that clear signage be posted to announce the presence of the food truck market in the first row and to instruct drivers to proceed further into the lot to look for parking. If necessary, an Off the Grid staff person can also stand nearby and wave cars into the lot so that cars do not pause at the first drive aisle. This will improve the function of that access point for both incoming and outgoing vehicles. We appreciate the opportunity to submit this report. Please do not hesitate to contact us if additional information is needed. Sincerely, HEXAGON TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS, INC. �..- C-�� 7��h--. � Jane Clayton, Planner � �aea�ceo� Mpe��",Ei F�� Y U 7 � F Y U 7 � F- � � � � � 7��RUCKRT II00�0�00�00 �MUSIC O�O�OD TRUCK FOOD I MRUCK FOOD I MRUCK FOOD I MRUCK FOOD I MRUCK FOOD Stevens Creek Blvd � �ACCESS AISLE ACCESS AISLE ACCESS AISLE ACCESS AISLE 00 � I �� I � � m I W ' I� ` � � OTGTRUCK ACCE�SSPIBLE /�j�i��/i��///. ACCESSIBLE RAMP CREATES LONGER CHOKE TO HELP WITH QUEUING ON STEVENS CREEK BLVD �____.. "�� "�� N � il � 20� , 1L�1111J��_1_LL ABUNDANT LIFE ASSEMBLY OF GOD -�I�� -�-�-�� -� � o � O � , O � , O x � � � � Z � -�.� � � � � , e� , � � � � � � � ---- -- '� - � � � � � � � � �- - --- Stevens Creek Blvd ■ N O I I 0 50' Dropbox-4.8.13_OTG_Beimont_GammaNine-7547.�� 10/31/13 11:57 AM � g� � �-� � ;� . � � �� A,y.� �. ��k; ��" ; _ _ a 1. �.�,,. �, _ �"dNw�+�ww��„ �u�„�, � �� '� , � F < � 4 � a_ „� wrr �.;� n,��. � 3 . . . ,. ,.d w.- � .. ,,,.. , y. �' , w....,- . � � ��.. ' �� . � ,yi -�.-� rs � . � y. . � � . „ r,i - y. . .� � ;��. �v , � s �' ,�. F.� . ,�� ... � . � �� t, � 1'r ..�a ��41#'. ' � . �.. ' • ,.� 5 �.. :. .�. �. ;c. 1 �. � ..> � ' � .. „ c . �� +'�� i ✓. ' }: , i'i'� ,.. y � ; � � .d�e��,.'�mP ,P . .. �� . ' .. «. . �� <�,. ,s,i ,�. ,. ��: ' .. � .,.,� . � ., _, k , ..�. � � . e, � ' i � » � �' � ' n -.,� ;.,, . .. , ., ..._._ . m� x :,� .� * . ,.. � � £ f r : .. � �' ��za Ey`' ��7 't"�',�,,�' � . a ,:v �.,��,,,..:.�. . . � c �,�n„-. . . �� ; , , �� 9 �. �' �� ¢ y� � .�,p': 2 �' ��rk'Sfd'�, .. � ��I 4�i e� ,� ?��„ :� : � "� �. "'��I uF.o°r� . . . . � _,. , , ��'..,^-�".�r �" k � � {( � �y � � r � �� ;.'rtd,�"!��'.� 4/ . �� a.. �w.,�,+w+�r <� ,;K : .�: �� ,�� , � � .. ;. . '; .� �� , _ _� ..�,. -; - ; � �.�, .. �,.. ,:�-., . , ; � � . ar <. _; , " . v :. �� . . ... . :,.. �., , ..,; . : „ . , . , ,;; ;' ,+. � �F� y- ,,.,,� y , � a �' s� A 1 p?.� wki. � https://www.dropbox.com/s/qsy9rdozrxkeayo/4.8.13_OTG_Belmont_GammaNine-7547.jpg Page 1 of 1 Dropbox- Belmont.)PG 10/31 j 13 11:56 AM .,. � , � , . , , � , . . , -. , ._ _ - � _- : iy �� ". . f ; ��b �� F.. . � � � . . � - }��ke "� ' . . . � . . �. . , � . .. .r„ ,4w ,; .. � . _: � � .:, . . ,:- � ... . ._. � , ,. i . . . . , a�: .� u � . . . .. _ . . . . . _. . '�'_, , ...� � ,, .. - - . . .. 4�Y�� I Te.� . _� . . . � . _ � , .. . .:y, : �' . . �LR� �I f I�. I I I . . � . . ... � � � . . • . I �� i �1 i I �� 'I�II II' I I I �.- �°� �u I �; r�.. � � � � � � � _ t. _�.. , �-�, �� $� f � �. .� �� '� ,��,,� � 7'°� ,�'c,� , � � � �� .��- �� : �,��r �, ,�� - : . i-: y� . a'"a� ,� . � � . � . . . . . . � {`�� at� �.� . . . >F, ,.F.9�Y,"Rk^. # {... y,�� *m.: `�'�c��"a v�,a,��. �,� f��;�' $��a� � � � •nn� ��''`��*,�^`��°�'"��2 rs�' " � � � �r��c � � :� �� '� ,i i'."!�,r �_��d�� !��II�. �'. ' ``� .;?,.,aa' �.,w G ��, r " . ,,� ;,,s ru� . ., �, t ' k ... � '�� ...,� ' 1!v� td�.� ,..,:, ,.,�... .�.. ,.�.�.. .. . . . «J . .. �1 , ._ , � �"� RiPT I I��a :� . . �� t � . — .. '�, �+w.- �` � . _ , „..,...,,. ::.„ .. ,. �� . , .� .. 4 f � . ., -�. ��.,: ��,e�_ , �s:� � ; _. . $ a � ». „ �-x��,� n zk� �.,� ..... � a '� ° � 7.; .�': . :,� �` � 7w . .�' x W�; °;-• .. . � , . ,.� , � ;.. .a�r w.�' .. .. .. ,. . . � J ' . �r*, �� . a . . . M - a�� . � � * �. � . � . � . . � � � -. ,. . .: ,: , # � � � � ;#� ., .; � , ii ; � k'�" i I�"„ .. ,. " � F �i . � ,�. i � � = � � M . , _' � � a �� _ q � � � � � , ; ��: � � `� � �� .; ,,�._ -�� j ,r''j � ri � -�'��+�"' , �t�< .t ` �,�� k'; a�� • ; 4 '' �s �. �. w� �- � � � ., , . u., », >. _� � . „ �, , ,. � ro... . �' z � ,� .� s sa=3n;'.�<>� .�,...�. F „ � ��5�`�.� "�� '{�':,a e�„�,,.��.� .. � � . .; '�'�-r t �.z r .� � ..z,�-,�� f" �'a � � . .. :_ ._.: a:,.. .-,`sq.�n�h.:: _.°..'�"xr� , ..- . --�-�...,JSe�r_xi�.�za....,..,.:�:x..�ti.x,�,��. � -.. . . -._.,. . . ._ . _ _ ,.s.,..,.,�r�.._m,-.�,—..,.-`.�,:�,..;.-_ _._....,� _ https://www.dropbox.com/s/mkfvus01u5g2sit/Belmont.JPG Page 1 of 2 � -