PC 10/07/99 - Laserfiche WebLink

noted that there are things that can be done to mitigate the impacts the proposed project will have on the air quality in this community. Further, Commissioner Arkin noted he called the Alameda County Congested Management Agency and that the southbound Interstate 680 commute is the worst commute in the Bay Area and it is projected to get worse. He noted that a license plate survey and report sponsored by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission indicated that the traffic on the Sunol Grade consisted mainly of Pleasanton residents. He commented on what would be a fair amount for the City of San Francisco to mitigate the proposed project contributing 150 additional cars to the peak traffic on Interstate 680. He stated that he based his conclusion on the cost of a lane on the Sunol grade and came to the conclusion that $6 million dollars would be a fair amount for the City of San Francisco to contribute to mitigate traffic issues. Further, he noted that the City of San Francisco could also contribute money that could be placed in a fund to draw interest to mitigate traffic impacts. Further, he suggested that subscription buses could be utilized, in which a group of people buys a bus for commuting together, to alleviate traffic impacts. Further, he suggested that cameras are utilized on the Sunol Grade to record traffic conditions that could be broadcast on the public access channels, and this is a reasonable mitigation that the City of San Francisco could pay for. In conclusion, Commissioner Arkin noted that a lot of significant impacts have been identified in the EIR that are not being mitigated. Further, that the Commission's duty to the residents of Pleasanton is not being performed by not insisting that the applicant do a better job in mitigating these impacts. He noted that according to the license plate survey, 3200 Pleasanton residents utilize the Sunol grade and that the proposed project will impact that. Further, that it would be useful to examine mitigation suggestions to allow the project to mitigate impacts for Pleasanton's residents. Chairperson Roberts expressed appreciation to the City of San Francisco in conducting a study that was needed to alleviate concerns relating to immediate health hazards for the residents. She noted the importance of keeping this process within CEQA. She noted that CEQA demands further testing on this site and all of the reports received concur that future testing should be required. She noted that it would not be effective to do the complete testing at this point. She stated that the testing that needs to occur has to occur prior to grading and prior to a vested tentative map. She noted that due to the City of San Francisco's desire to expeditiously proceed with the project, the testing will be performed as quickly as possible. She stated that one of the reasons she considered recertifying the EIR was due to receiving additional comments from the public. She expressed appreciation to Matt Mordson for bringing this matter to the Commission's attention. She noted that staff has suggested, and the City of San Francisco has concurred, that there should not be further testing that does not include input from the public. Further, that independent testing should be conducted. She requested that Tri-Valley CARE be involved in the scoping of the project and that the comments made by the public and Mr. Widner's letters be included as part of the study. Further, that the City be as pro-active as possible in soliciting any further comments from other agencies as testing progresses. She noted that the Commission is concerned about not receiving public input and that public input will be ensured with staff s condition for future testing. Chairperson Roberts commented on the importance of future testing to ensure that the public's health will be protected. She expressed her concurrence that there are problems with the methodology that has been utilized in this report; however, the methodology is not being judged for the certification of the EIR and that the methodology will be addressed in future testing. She expressed Planning Commission Minutes October 7, 1999 Page 14