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VTA Light Rail - 1994-1999City of Campbell -Community Development Department 70 N. First Street, Campbell, CA 95008 MEMORANDUM To: Planning Commission From: Sharon Fierro, Senior Planner. Subject: Vasona Light Rail Station Design Date: October 12, 1999 The Vasona Corridor Light Rail Project was included for funding in the 1996 transportation ballot Measures A and B. It will provide a 5.5-mile light rail service extension from downtown San Jose to Campbell (see attached map). A future 2.0-mile extension to Los Gatos is part of the VTA Transit Plan but is currently not funded. Light Rail Alignment The alignment originates at the Diridon CalTrain Station adjacent to the San Jose Arena at the corner of Montgomery and Santa Clara Streets and travels in a southwesterly direction to a terminus at the intersection of Highway 85 and Winchester Boulevard. The initial phase consists of two segments. The West San Jose/Campbell segment will operate on the existing Southern Pacific right of way between the Diridon CalTrain Station and Campbell. The Arena/Downtown segment will travel between the Diridon CalTrain Station and Downtown San Jose. Freight operations will continue to use the existing rail right-of--way. Station Design The project has reached a stage in development where conceptual station design plans are available for review. VTA is proposing the use of the new standard station design being constructed on the Tasman Light Rail Line that serves North San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Mountain View. The design has incorporated improvements based on experience with shelters on the Guadalupe Corridor and from comments from patrons concerning such issues as protection from wind and rain. Each station will include a shelter, schedule display boards, trash receptacles and protective fencing to prevent accidents. Special floor treatments, ramps and assistive devices will provide access for patrons with disabilities. Elevations and site plans have been provided for Vasona Corridor station designs and are attached. Special design attention has been given to the downtown Campbell Station, acknowledging its location in Historic Downtown Campbell. The Vasona Line stations will be distinguished by the use of a pitched gabled roof in lieu of the curved roof used on the Tasman and Guadalupe Lines. Some flexibility will be available for fence design, trash receptacles and benches. VTA is standardizing the window treatment on new Planning Commission Report October 12, 1999 Vasona Light Rail -Station Design Page 2 stations to allow easy maintenance and replacement due to vandalism and graffiti. VTA is establishing a frosted glass, similar to that used in bathrooms, to deter and mask graffiti efforts. Staff believes that the frosted glass may be a security concern and will investigate alternative materials. The Downtown Campbell Station Design The VTA has advised Campbell staff that an enhanced downtown station while desirable, is not currently in the base project budget. VTA has indicated that it will be working with the County of Santa Clara and the City to identify funds so that an enhanced station can be constructed. The enclosed elevations of an enhanced downtown station were designed to blend with the historic setting of downtown Campbell and are unique in the system. VTA has provided three options for the downtown station. All of the options utilize brick walls. However, staff believes that Option C, with the fanlight window design at the roofline, blends well with the adjacent cannery building and would be appropriate in Historic Downtown Campbell. Review by the Historic Preservation Board The Historic Preservation Board reviewed the plans at a Special Study Session on October 5, 1999 and voted to support Option C. They also expressed strong support of the construction of the Winchester Station as a critical element in protecting and preserving the vitality of the downtown. The also requested that VTA be asked to incorporate wind protection into the final shelter design. Next Steps An Environmental Impact Report (required by the State) and Environmental Impact Statement (required for projects to be eligible for Federal funding) are being prepared for the project. Once approved, the project is scheduled to begin construction in 2002 and completion of the project is estimated for late 2004. VTA staff and design consultants will be in attendance at the Planning Commission meeting and will be available to answer questions and respond to comments by the Commission.