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<br />r- <br /> <br />6. <br /> <br />Niles Canyon Railway <br /> <br />Commissioner Arkin asked for more information on the different options, and the pros and cons <br />of those options, such as stopping the train at Abbie or East Angela Streets. He stated that he <br />would like additional information on Alternative 3 in the EIR and more information on <br />alternative schedules, and using steam trains only. He stated that he feels there are a lot of <br />compromises that can be made. He advised that it sounds like if we eliminate the use of the train <br />we will be faced with some State issue about how the money was originally collected to pay for <br />the County right-of-way. He indicated that he feels the train should cross Bernal. He noted that <br />the Specific Plan Committee vote on this issue was close. <br /> <br />Commissioner Roberts noted that she voted for Measure DD and the language states that the <br />operation would be permitted "to" Downtown Pleasanton, not "through" Downtown Pleasanton. <br />She stated that she has difficulty with the wording that states there would be no cost to the City. <br />She advised that she would like to see the train stop before it comes through Pleasanton and it <br />should stop before Bernal. She suggested that this might revitalize the southwestern part of Main <br />Street. <br /> <br />In response to an inquiry from Commissioner Sullivan, Mr. Rasmussen advised that the <br />preliminary recommendation by the Bernal Property Task Force for the location of the ACE train <br />station is near the Pleasanton Middle School. Commissioner Sullivan advised that 75% of the <br />voters wanted the train, but there is no question that it will have some negative impacts for the <br />r people who live in the area and he is concerned about that. He noted that he is also concerned <br />about respecting the process that the Committee went through to come to the decision it reached. <br />He noted that even if the train comes as far as Bernal, it will impact the senior housing. Also if it <br />comes to Junipero, it will impact those houses that will be built in that vicinity on the Bernal <br />property. He advised that his biggest concern is about the people who live in the area. <br /> <br />Chairperson Maas stated that she concurs with Commissioner Sullivan's comments. She stated <br />that she also has had difficulty in trying to determine how the train would will be financed. She <br />noted that the ballot is written stating that there will no cost to the City, and staff time and funds <br />have been used to study this issue. She stated that she would like to see if the PLA has the funds <br />and resources to make this plan work. She advised that she does not want the Ridgeview <br />Commons residents to be disrupted. <br /> <br />7. OtherIssues <br /> <br />Commissioner Sullivan stated that he does not think Rose A venue should be extended, as he has <br />concerns about cut-through traffic. He noted that at the EIR hearing he asked for more <br />information about traffic trips that was not included in the Draft EIR and he still wants to see <br />that. He further noted that he asked for a study for that area. <br /> <br />,,- <br /> <br />Commissioner Sullivan advised that he supports what the Specific Plan is designating regarding <br />the transportation corridor issues, but wants to be sure that any parking that is placed there is <br />compatible with a functional trail system, and options are left open for the corridor in the future. <br /> <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES <br /> <br />November 28,2001 <br /> <br />Page 13 <br />