2022 AIA Communities by Design Reimagining Petaluma SDAT - Report - Page 15
Petaluma DAT
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The City can also take advantage of the ongoing
Petaluma Active Transportation Plan to develop
guidelines for selecting bikeways and crossing
treatments. For example, the City may choose to require
certain bikeway types by street type to provide safe
and comfortable conditions for new and less confident
bicyclists. This could include Class I bikeways (shareduse paths) and Class IV bikeways (protected bike
lanes) on arterial roads, Class IV bikeways and Class II
bikeways (standard or buffered bike lanes) on collector
streets, and Class II bikeways and Class III bikeways
(bicycle routes and bike boulevards) on local streets.
In the meantime, the City should use available national
resources such as FHWA's Bikeway Selection Guide
and FHWA's Guide for Improving Pedestrian Safety at
Uncontrolled Crossing Locations.
Critical Next Step
Review and update street design and construction
standards.
Create a neighborhood traffic calming
program
Residents generally expect their residential streets to
have low volumes of motor vehicle traffic and low motor
vehicle speeds. During the early stages of the COVID-19
pandemic when the need for additional outdoor space
was at a premium, Petaluma—like many other cities—
implemented "Slow Streets." These included temporary
barriers to reduce and slow motor vehicle traffic,
creating a more inviting space for people walking and
people bicycling. Even after the removal, the need for a
formal neighborhood traffic calming program remains.
Implementation
Building on the momentum of the recent installation of
a mini traffic circle at Bassett Street and Upham Street,
the City should create a program to manage, study,
and respond to requests for traffic calming treatments
in Petaluma's neighborhoods. The program would also
serve as a tool for the City to pilot design solutions and
implement bike boulevards, such as the one planned for
The current street design standards should be updated to reflect current best practices.
5th Street. In addition to more traditional traffic calming
treatments such as curb extensions and speed humps,
the City should explore or continue to explore mini traffic
circles, raised crosswalks, chicanes, and one-lane pinch
points.
Critical Next Step
Study the feasibility of creating a neighborhood traffic
calming program.
Create a downtown parking program
Motorists can currently park in one of the 660 on-street
spaces or 980 off-street spaces in downtown Petaluma
without paying a fee. Table 11.1 in Chapter 11 of the City's
Zoning Code presents required parking minimums by
use, including the following for a single-household
building: 1 covered space and 2 additional covered
or uncovered spaces. Free and abundant parking
contributes to the attractiveness and convenience of
travelers using single-occupant vehicle trips rather than
walking, bicycling, or using transit.
Implementation
To reduce vehicle miles traveled and its associated
negative impacts, the City must consider creating a
downtown parking program that charges fees based
on parking location. For example: to prevent motorists
