Chapter 10.50
INTERSTATE TRUCKS

Sections:

10.50.010    Definitions.

10.50.020    Purpose.

10.50.030    Application.

10.50.040    Fees and costs.

10.50.050    Retrofitting.

10.50.060    Revocation of route.

10.50.070    Appeal process.

10.50.010 Definitions.

The following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth, and if any word or phrase used in this chapter is not defined in this section, it shall have meanings set forth in the California Vehicle Code; provided that if any such word or phrase is not defined in the vehicle code, it shall have the meaning attributed to it in ordinary usage.

A.    “Caltrans” means the state of California Department of Transportation, or its successor agency.

B.    “City engineer” means the city engineer of Foster City, or his authorized representative.

C.    “Interstate truck” means a truck tractor and trailer or doubles with unlimited length, as regulated by the Vehicle Code.

D.    “Terminal” means any facility at which freight is consolidated to be shipped or where full-load consignments may be loaded and off-loaded, or at which the interstate trucks are regularly maintained, stored or manufactured. (Ord. 299 § 1 (part), 1985)

10.50.020 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish procedures for terminal designation and truck route designation to terminals for interstate trucks operating on a federally designated highway system, and to promote the general health, safety and welfare of the public. (Ord. 299 § 1 (part), 1985)

10.50.030 Application.

A.    Any interested person requiring terminal access from the federally designated highway system shall submit an application, on a form as provided by the city, together with such information as may be required by the city engineer and appropriate fees to the city of Foster City.

B.    Upon receipt of the application, the city engineer will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain whether or not the proposed terminal facility meets the requirements for an interstate truck terminal. Upon his approval of that designation, he will then determine the capability of the route requested and alternate routes, whether requested or not. Determination of route capability will include, without limitation, a review of adequate turning radius and lane widths of ramps, intersections and highways and general traffic conditions such as sight distance, speed and traffic volumes, as well as the capability of the roadway and any bridges to carry the additional loads imposed by this traffic. No access off a federally designated highway system will be approved without the approval of Caltrans.

C.    Should the requested route pass through the city to a terminal located in another jurisdiction, the applicant shall comply with that jurisdiction’s application process. Coordination of the approval of the route through the city will be the responsibility of the entity which controls the terminal’s land use. (Ord. 299 § 1 (part), 1985)

10.50.040 Fees and costs.

A.    The applicant shall pay a nonrefundable application fee, as established by the city by resolution, sufficient to pay the cost of the review of the terminal designation and the review of the route and alternate route. If the city engineer determines that the evaluation of the proposed route will cost more than the required fee, he may require additional moneys to be deposited prior to initiating or completing the evaluation of the proposed route. Where moneys in addition to the required fee have been deposited, the city engineer shall keep a record of all costs incurred, and the applicant will receive a refund of any moneys not required to pay for costs of the route evaluation.

B.    Upon the approval of the terminal designation and route by the city and by Caltrans, the applicant shall deposit with the city sufficient funds, as estimated by the city engineer, to pay for the purchase and installation of terminal trailblazer signs. Trailblazer signs will be required at every decision point in the city on route to the terminal. Upon completion of the installation of the signs, the actual cost shall be computed, and any difference between the actual and the estimated cost shall be billed or refunded to the applicant, whichever the case may be. No terminal or route may be used until such signs as may be required are in place. (Ord. 299 § 1 (part), 1985)

10.50.050 Retrofitting.

A.    If all feasible routes to a requested terminal are found unsatisfactory by the city engineer, the applicant may request retrofitting the deficiencies. All costs of engineering, construction and inspection will be the responsibility by the applicant. Except when the retrofitting of deficiencies is within the jurisdiction of Caltrans, the actual construction will be done by the city or by a contractor acceptable to it.

B.    When the work is to be done by the city, the applicant shall deposit with Foster City the estimated cost of retrofitting. Adjustments between the estimated and actual cost shall be made after completion of the work, and any difference between the actual and the estimated cost shall be billed or refunded to the applicant, as the case may be. When the work is done by the applicant, the applicant may file with the city engineer a statement detailing the actual costs of the retrofitting.

C.    If at any time within five years from the date of completion of the retrofitting by the applicant, should any applicant seek terminal approval which would use the route upon which such retrofitting was accomplished, any such applicant’s fee may include that applicant’s proportionate share of the retrofitting, as determined by the city engineer, which fee shall be disbursed by Foster City to the applicant who paid for the retrofitting, as well as to any applicant who contributed to the cost of retrofitting under this subsection. Nothing herein shall require the payment of a proportionate fee if the applicant doing the work failed to file the report with the city engineer required by subsection B above. (Ord. 299 § 1 (part), 1985)

10.50.060 Revocation of route.

The city engineer may revoke any approved terminal or route if the terminal or route becomes a traffic hazard for vehicular traffic. A “safety hazard” includes the inability of interstate trucks to negotiate the route, or said vehicles causing unsafe driving conditions for other vehicular traffic or pedestrians. (Ord. 299 § 1 (part), 1985)

10.50.070 Appeal process.

A.    If the city engineer denies terminal designation, route feasibility, or revokes a previously approved terminal or route, the applicant/terminal owner, within ten days following the date of receipt of the decision of the city engineer, may appeal said decision to the city council in writing. An appeal shall be made on a form prescribed by the department of public works and community development, and shall be filed with the city clerk. The appeal shall state specifically wherein there was an error or abuse of discretion by the city engineer or wherein its decision is not supported by the evidence in the record. Within five days of the filing of an appeal, the city engineer shall transmit to the city clerk the terminal application, the sketches of the revoked route and all other data filed therewith, the report of the city engineer, the findings of the city engineer, and his decision on the application.

B.    The city clerk shall make copies of the data provided by the city engineer available to the applicant and to the appellant (if the applicant is not the appellant) for inspection, and may give notice to any other interested party who requested notice of the time when the appeal will be considered by the city council.

C.    If Caltrans and not the city engineer denies or revokes terminal access from federally designated highways, no appeal may be made to the city council, but must be made to Caltrans, as may be permitted by Caltrans. (Ord. 299 § 1 (part), 1985)