South of Forest Neighborhood Association (SOFNA) SOFNA Streets and Sidewalks City Council Capital Budget Review 2007-08 Fiscal Year May 15 th , 2007 1
South of Forest Neighborhood Association (SOFNA) Streets and sidewalks in the South of Forest area have been neglected for as many as 46 years and are in substandard condition. As a result: 1. The safety of Santa Clara citizens and visitors is at risk. 2. Maintenance costs and property owner dissatisfaction continue to rise, as does the City’s liability. 3. Residents of “South of Forest” organized to address the deplorable street and sidewalk conditions. Request The City make it a priority to allocate Capital Improvement Funds to bring the streets and sidewalks in the SOFNA area to City standards, without creating an Assessment District. 2
South of Forest Neighborhood – Santa Clara SOFNA Represents a Unique Mix of Residential and Commercial Properties � 268 Residential Properties � 40 Commercial Properties � 11 Streets BAREC Winchester Stevens Creek 3
South of Forest Neighborhood - History City of Santa Clara annexed fifteen separate residential areas in the SOFNA area over 24 years from 1961 to 1985 4
Safety and Street Conditions in Santa Clara From the City’s Website: “Santa Clara has a long tradition of quality public services and a well- maintained infrastructure.” “Santa Clara's physical conditions continue to receive the highest rating in Santa Clara County.” http://www.ci.santa-clara.ca.us/community/commu_community.html “Inside Santa Clara” Newsletter – March 2006: Recognition from Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for the highest pavement conditions of all jurisdictions in the nine Bay Area counties. 5
A Picture Paints A Thousand Words… Tyler and Cecil Cypress and Cecil 6
A Picture Paints A Thousand Words… 3515 Cecil Street is Buckling Non-SOFNA Streets Are In Good Condition Westridge (North) Westridge (South) 7
A Picture Paints A Thousand Words… Cypress and Cecil Westridge and Forest 277 Bel Ayre Patching Not Feasible Weeds Indicate Insufficient or Non-Existent Aggregate Base 8
Asphalt Patching Does Not Address the Root Cause of SOFNA Street and Sidewalk Problems Ongoing patching is not the solution due to the serious deterioration of the materials that comprise the street and sidewalks. � Area was constructed in the 1940’s and 1950’s � Concrete and Asphalt is Beyond End-of-Life � Subsoil Expands and Contracts � Bed / Foundation Insufficient � Lack of Street Crown (raised center) accelerates deterioration Maintenance costs will continue to rise and will not address the liability risk exposure to the City. 9
Asphalt Patching Does Not Address the Root Cause of SOFNA Street and Sidewalk Problems • Asphalt is not glue. • Broken concrete will continue to “drift” which reintroduces the mitigated safety risk. • Asphalt is not city standard for sidewalk material. • Concrete is the standard for sidewalks due to smooth finish which is less likely to create hazards. The useful life of a concrete road or sidewalk is approximately 40 years -- American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA). The average life of concrete road is 30 to 35 years -- Federal Highway Administration. 10
Asphalt Patching Does Not Address the Root Cause of SOFNA Street and Sidewalk Problems The Useful Life of Asphalt is Shorter Than Concrete. End-of-Life Asphalt will Experience Accelerated Deterioration. “During Rainy Seasons, Water “Injected” in Cracks by Automobile Tires Contributes Significantly to Asphalt Breakdown.” – Tom Trumbull, Stevens Creek Quarry 11
Existing Vs. Standard � Streets and Sidewalks Have Not Been Replaced In ~65 Years. � SOFNA area was built to the old County standards, which are significantly less than City standards. � Existing Street Design Does Not Convey Rain Runoff Well. (City Engineer - Oct. 2006) � Insufficient Base Increases Rate of Cracking. � Street Design Inadequate for Modern Conditions. (City Engineer) � Required Aggregate Base May Be Greater Than 6”. 12
Safety Risks in SOFNA Area • Standards – Streets, curbs and sidewalks do not comply with the City’s standards. The standards were adopted to provide protection to pedestrians from vehicular traffic. • Accessibility – Sidewalks are not accessible nor safe for wheelchairs, walkers, and those with special needs. • Liability – There is a delay between the time a hazard is reported and when the condition is repaired. The City repaired streets and sidewalks in other areas that did not meet City safety standards The 2006/07 Capital Improvement Project appropriates capital dollars for the City’s "Street Rehabilitation Program," for damaged streets that "create hazards for both motorists and pedestrians which may become a city liability. Repair removes possible liability and enhances ride quality." 13
Lack of Safety Risk Mitigation Increases The Chance of Injury Occurrence Bicycle Injury Due To Pothole in South of Forest Neighborhood Bryan Mendes - 11 Years Old December 2006 14
Safety Risks in SOFNA Area � Children Play Here � Elderly Citizens Reside Here � Fitness Activities Take Place Here � Families Live Out Their Dreams Here � People We Love Are Here Please Make It A Priority To Commit To Our Safety Please Make It A Priority To Commit To Our Safety 15
Equity Concerns 1st Class Taxes; 2nd Class Standards Property taxes paid over the past 22 to 46 years have benefited other neighborhoods. It’s time for SOFNA. 16
The Misguided “Guiding Principle” SOFNA extensively investigated the City’s “guiding principle” for SOFNA. The City’s “guiding principle” of requiring an assessment district is inconsistent and the legally binding characteristics are questionable. Facts: • Only 3 of the 15 annexed areas had certified petitions requiring an assessment district for improvements. • Only 1 of the 15 annexed area city council resolutions contained requirements for assessment districts. • There are no public records or disclosure to new home owners about the assessment district requirement. • The definition of an assessment district was not documented at the time the petitions were signed. The “guiding principle” should not be binding. 17
An Assessment District May Be Inconsistent With State Law California Constitution Article 13D Assessment and Property-Related Fee Reform Beginning July 1, 1997, all fees or charges shall comply with this section. The properties in question must receive a special benefit over and above the benefits conferred on the public at large in order to be assessed. Only special benefits are assessable. To be assessable, the special benefit must be greater than the general benefit. From: California Constitution Article 13D Assessment and Property-Related Fee Reform “Special benefit" means a particular and distinct benefit over and above general benefits conferred on real property located in the district or to the public at large. General enhancement of property value does not constitute "special benefit." http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/.const/.article_13D 18
General vs. Special Benefits Streets and sidewalks benefit everyone -- especially near prosperous businesses and busy traffic areas. Improving streets and sidewalks in the SOFNA area is a general benefit to the public at large. The general benefit to the public is more than the special benefit to the property owners. Streets in SOFNA area Connect with 3 Arterial Roads Stevens Creek Boulevard 1) Winchester Boulevard 2) Pruneridge Avenue 3) 19
South of Forest Neighborhood – Traffic 4 Lanes Pruneridge Forest S Valley Fair Mall BAREC 4 a n Winchester L T a o n m e a s s Stevens Creek 6 Lanes Santana Row 20
General Benefits General Benefits Considerations - Government, Residents and Visitors Emergency Vehicles Access Arterial Roads � Streets are Highly Trafficked by Non-Residents � (Santa Clara Commissioned Studies) Improvements Enhance Ride Quality for Everyone � � Non-Resident Traffic Expected to Increase with possible development of BAREC and Westfield Valley Fair 21
In Conclusion Streets and sidewalks in the South of Forest area have been neglected for as many as 46 years and are in substandard condition. Summary � Issues with Safety, Accessibility and Liability Exist. � Concrete and Asphalt are Many Years Beyond End-of-Life. � 1st Class Taxes; 2nd Class Standards. � The “Guiding Principle” for an Assessment is Open To Challenge. � Requiring Assessment District May Be Inconsistent With State Law. � Improvements in the SOFNA area are a General Benefit to the Public. Request from SOFNA: The City make it a priority to allocate Capital Improvement Funds to bring the streets and sidewalks in the SOFNA area to City standards, without creating an Assessment District. 22
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