Council clears CEQA hurdle and OKs $630,000 Caltrans funding for Canal active-transportation project

The San Rafael City Council on March 2 adopted findings that the Canal Neighborhood Active Transportation Enhancement Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the pedestrian- and bicycle-related statutory exemptions and approved a program-supplement agreement with the California Department of Transportation to release $630,000 in Active Transportation Program funds for project design and engineering.

April Miller, the city's director of public works, told the council the project bundles pedestrian improvements (crosswalks, sidewalk gap closures, curb ramps), bicycle treatments (bike boulevards, secure parking), transit stop upgrades at five locations and a new stop at Korner Boulevard and Novato Street, and potential lighting along the Starkweather Shoreline Path. “What's before the council tonight is CEQA findings and authorization to release funding for the next phase,” Miller said, adding that decisions about lighting, artwork and final plans will not be made tonight.

Gray, the project lead in public works, said LSA and the project engineer BKF analyzed the project and determined it qualifies for both the statutory pedestrian/bicycle exemption and categorical exemptions under CEQA guidelines. “LSA's analysis and memorandum was included in the agenda packet,” Gray said, summarizing the permitting work still needed with BCDC, the Water Board, Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Councilmembers and members of the public pressed staff on safety, community preferences and climate resilience. Councilmember Hill asked whether the CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) review translates into a numeric safety improvement; the staff reply was that CPTED supports design changes to improve predictability and visibility but does not guarantee a percentage reduction in crime. A Gray representative said the CPTED-based recommendation was that “better lighting would make the path more safe,” while also noting community concerns that lights could change nighttime use or affect wildlife.

Several residents urged caution on installing lights before long-range sea-level rise work is completed. One resident asked, “If there's going to be sea level rise, are we putting the cart before the horse?” Staff replied that raising the berm or pathway would require separate funding and permitting and that lighting could be relocated if the path is raised later.

Councilmembers then moved and voted on two related actions: a resolution finding the project exempt under the cited Public Resources Code and CEQA guidelines, and a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute the Caltrans program-supplement agreement releasing $630,000 for the PS&E phase. Both motions passed on roll call with councilmembers present voting Aye.

Next steps include continued community engagement (a public survey open through March 19), coordination with permitting agencies and work on plans, specifications and estimates for construction. Staff emphasized that lighting design and operational decisions (including proposed all-night operation in the CPTED review) will be brought back to the council for additional community input and final decisions.