Modesto Council approves Tivoli circulation changes, moves to 4-lane arterials with roundabouts

Modesto — The Modesto City Council voted unanimously Feb. 10 to amend the circulation element of the Modesto Urban Area General Plan and to advance Tivoli Specific Plan Amendment No. 6, reclassifying Oakdale Road (between Scenic Drive and Clarabelle) and Claritina (Clarentina) Avenue (between McHenry Avenue and Claus Road) from six-lane principal arterials to four-lane principal arterials and to add five strategic roundabouts.

Jessica Hill, director of economic and community development, told the council the traffic analysis by Kittleson & Associates (study dated 07/02/2025) found that a four-lane configuration supplemented by two-lane roundabouts with bypass lanes would meet future demand and reduce intersection delays compared with the previously planned six-lane, signalized design. "By putting in roundabouts at that intersection ... it provides for better efficiency and a movement of a larger volume of traffic," Hill said during the staff presentation.

Hill said staff is proposing to adopt future specific plan amendments by resolution for consistency with other specific plans and noted a Notice of Exemption (No. 2025-25) was prepared under CEQA, described in staff materials as a "common sense" exemption because no development is proposed tonight.

During council questions, staff said the roundabout designs include bypass lanes to increase intersection capacity and that modeling projects an improvement to a level of service C at the primary Oakdale/Clarentina intersection versus an expected failed level (F) under the full six-lane signal scenario. Staff also said the study addressed bus access and coordination with StanRTA, and that designs include acceleration/deceleration lanes and separated (Class I) bike facilities where appropriate.

Members of the public raised questions about bicycle safety through roundabouts, detour management during construction, and left-turn access for residences between McHenry and Coffee. Hill said the project favors separated bike paths to move cyclists off the roadway and that traffic control and detour plans would be designed on a project-by-project basis.

Vice Mayor Williams moved the resolution to amend the circulation element; Council Member Wright seconded. The council then voted to (1) approve the general plan amendment, (2) adopt a CEQA finding of exemption for the amendments (Notice of Exemption No. 2025-25), and (3) introduce and waive first reading of an ordinance implementing Tivoli Specific Plan Amendment No. 6. All votes were unanimous.

The council discussion noted the plan focuses on city limits and the Tivoli area; staff said future connectivity (including extensions east of the railroad and ties to the North County corridor) will be resolved as part of the upcoming general plan update. The ordinance was introduced and will return for subsequent readings as required by the city's code.

Votes at a glance: • Resolution to amend circulation element (Oakdale/Clarentina reclassification): motion by Vice Mayor Williams; second by Council Member Wright; outcome: approved unanimously. • Resolution finding CEQA exemption (Notice of Exemption No. 2025-25): motion by Council Member Wright; second by Council Member Escudia Brayton; outcome: approved unanimously. • Motion to introduce and waive first reading of ordinance approving Tivoli Specific Plan Amendment No. 6: motion by Council Member Bavaro; second by Council Member Alvarez; outcome: approved unanimously.

Next steps: Staff will incorporate the adopted boundary and circulation changes into the Tivoli specific plan documents and advise that future development projects must satisfy utility-provider application requirements (Hetch Hetchy Water and Power) noted in the staff report. The ordinance will return for further readings as required by municipal procedure.