FAIR OAKS BOULEVARD
Marconi Avenue to Engle Road
MEETING SUMMARY
6:30 PM, Carmichael Park Clubhouse
Conference Room No. 2
December 11, 2002
PREPARED BY: Stephen V. White, Associate Civil Engineer
December 18, 2002
MEETING PURPOSE: The meeting was held to initiate SacDOT's public outreach
effort for the Fair Oaks Boulevard Improvement Project and to solicit suggestions,
comments, questions and concerns from the community.
WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS: Steve White opened the meeting by welcoming the
attendees and introducing the following individuals:
• Stephen White - SacDOT, Project Engineer
• Mike Penrose - SacDOT, Chief of Engineering and Planning
• Matt Satow - SacDOT, Senior Engineer
• Tricia Stevens - Sacramento County Public Works, Principal Planner
• Dick Barbar - Chair, Carmichael Community Action Plan Committee
• Bruce Mizer - President, Carmichael Chamber of Commerce
PROJECT HISTORY: Mike Penrose made a brief presentation covering the history of
the project as well as how SacDOT develops funding priorities. Mike's presentation
touched on the following issues:
• This project was originally supposed to begin immediately after the completion of
phase 1 (Fair Oaks Boulevard Improvements from Cypress to Engle).
• The project was delayed due to budget and staffing limitations.
• Funding and staff are now available and SacDOT is beginning to move forward with
the project as directed by the Board of Supervisors.
• Fair Oaks Boulevard from Marconi to Engle is designated as a six-lane thoroughfare
on the current County General Plan.
• At this time SacDOT does not have a preferred alignment or typical section. The
purpose of this meeting is to solicit comments and suggestions from the community
so that we can incorporate as many of their suggestions as possible while still meeting
our goals for capacity, safety and beautification.
• Street Section Alternatives A, B, C and D were presented. Mike stressed that these
sections were the result of the preliminary work SacDOT has competed to date and
that they are merely alternatives. As we continue with the public involvement
process, these sections can be modified or additional alternatives could be developed.
• Mike briefly discussed the environmental process. Since this project has federal
funding, both CEQA and NEPA documents need to be prepared. The environmental
process does allow for public input and comment and will take approximately two
years.

• Due to the length of the environmental process, construction is expected to begin in
2005.
CARMICHAEL COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN (CAP): Tricia Stevens then made a
brief presentation on the work of the CAP and how it relates to SacDOT's work on Fair
Oaks Boulevard. Tricia's presentation touched on the following:
• The CAP has been working for approximately 2 years.
• The CAP consists of five teams focusing on the following issues: transportation,
community identity, public safety, services and land use.
• After this 1st public meeting, SacDOT and the CAP will meet to further discuss how
SacDOT's process and the CAP process fit together.
• Dick Barbar then voiced his concerns that the CAP's work be incorporated into the
Fair Oaks Boulevard project. Dick wants to make sure that as SacDOT begins their
process, they maintain enough flexibility to incorporate recommendations from the
CAP.
COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS & QUESTIONS: After Tricia's presentation, a
number of questions were asked. The following list summarizes these questions and
SacDOT's response:
• Was Phase 1 considered a success? The first phase was successful. At the Fair
Oaks/Sutter intersection, the peak hour LOS improved from LOS D in 1993 to LOS
A in 2001. At the Fair Oaks/Manzanita intersection, the peak hour LOS improved
from LOS E in 1993 to LOS A/B in 2001. At the Manzanita/Cypress intersection, the
peak hour LOS was LOS C in 1993 and remained LOS C in 2001. In addition to
congestion relief, safety and aesthetics were also improved.
• What can be done to reduce delays at the Engle/Shirley signal? It may be possible to
adjust the timing of the signal to reduce delays. This is a difficult intersection
because Engle Road and Shirley are "offset" from each other. At this time there are
no plans to re-align these two roadways to eliminate this offset condition.
• Will this project underground all utilities? SacDOT can and will require utility
companies to relocate their facilities to accommodate roadway improvements.
Unfortunately, we cannot require them to underground their facilities.
• Will there be utility poles in the sidewalk like there were in Phase 1? It is too early to
know exactly what utilities will require relocation and where they will be relocated.
Like Phase 1, Phase 2 will be ADA compliant.
• How many fatalities have there been from Marconi to Robertson? These numbers
were not available at the meeting but SacDOT will find out and report back.
• What is the existing right of way width and what width is required for the widening?
The right of way width varies throughout Fair Oaks Boulevard. In most locations the
existing right of way is 80' wide. If a traditional widening with 12' median, 5' bike
lanes and 6' monolithic sidewalks were constructed, a total right of way width of 108'
would be required. The County already has sufficient right of way for the traditional
widening in front of the post office and in front of the shopping center on the
northeast corner of Fair Oaks Boulevard and Marconi Avenue. Assuming no
centerline shift, right of way takes would be required along all other frontages.

• Do we have to widen the road? The road widening is not necessarily a "done deal".
However, Fair Oaks Boulevard from Marconi to Engle is designated as a six-lane
thoroughfare on the current County General Plan and from a capacity/congestion
standpoint, the widening is warranted.
• The bike lanes shown on the proposed alternatives are not safe for children? Parents
will have to decide if they want their children biking on Fair Oaks Boulevard. The
bike lanes are provided for use by experienced cyclists who may use them to
commute or for recreational riding. SacDOT works closely with local cycling groups
and a 5' wide bike lane what is typically provided for thoroughfare roadways similar
to Fair Oaks Boulevard.
• If the road is widened, most of the businesses will lose some parking. Without
adequate parking, some of these businesses will no longer be viable. What will be
done to prevent/rectify this situation? During the acquisition process, the County's
right of way department will negotiate with local property owners to acquire the
required right of way. If it is determined that, due to lost parking a business is no
longer viable, the County would purchase the entire property.
In addition to the questions listed above, there were numerous concerns/comments voiced
by those in attendance. Among the concerns/comments were the following:
• The widening will further separate Carmichael. It will benefit thru traffic, not
Carmichael businesses or residents.
• Getting traffic through this area faster will actually hurt businesses on Fair Oaks
Boulevard.
• Speeding is already a problem in this area and widening the road will only make it
worse.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS: The meeting then broke up into three
groups. Each group was able to review and mark their comments on the opportunities
and constraints exhibits that were provided by Stantec Consulting. This
brainstorming/information gathering workshop lasted approximately 30 minutes. A
summary of the written comments obtained during the workshop is attached to this
meeting summary.
During this time, Stantec also distributed questionnaires to solicit additional information
from the group. Of the approximately 50 attendees, 31 questionnaires were completed
and returned to Stantec. The results of the survey are attached to this meeting summary.
NEXT WORKSHOP DATE: After the workshop session, the entire group was again
called together. SacDOT thanked everyone for attending and indicated that they would
be working with the CAP over the next three to four weeks and that an additional public
meeting would likely be held sometime in February. The meeting then adjourned.
ATTACHMENTS: The following materials are attached to these meeting notes:
1. Summary of Workshop Comments (compiled by Stantec Consulting, Inc.)
2. Questionnaire - Statistics Tally and Comments from 31 Surveys (compiled by
Stantec Consulting, Inc.)