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,,-. comparisons do not include costs for any mitigations. Discussion ensued regarding costs and some of the discrepancies in the comparisons that have been previously reported. In response to questions from Commissioner Sullivan, Mr. Homolka provided clarification on the traffic numbers stated in the report. Mr. Homolka also presented information regarding data that has been collected on cut-through traffic, the "gateway" concept for the Altamont, and the traffic models and numbers used. Mr. Homolka described the potential funding sources and the amount of funds that may be available. Discussion also ensued regarding the funding that is available for Highway 84 improvements. In response to an inquiry from Commissioner Roberts, Mr. Lum advised that the only place where there is a disagreement between the Committee's recommendation and staffs recommendation is that staff wants to hold-off on the construction of specific traffic mitigations until the 2001 Baseline Traffic Model is prepared and proceeding with the recommended trip reduction measures. In response to a question from Chairperson Maas, Mr. Lum clarified that staff is not recommending any decision as to which option should be pursued and they are in concurrence with the Committee that the next step is to do the studies that everyone wants to have done, and they agree that those studies are needed before any decision is made. He further clarified that when the new environmental studies are done, the latest traffic projections will be used. --- Commissioner Arkin stated that he feels the Committee did not finish their work. He noted that he would like to see them continue their work in two areas: (1) look at the safety of the surrounding communities based upon what happens, and (2) integrate into the overall function and decision process ofthe Committee the residents that live across from Best Plaza. Commissioner Sullivan thanked Mr. Homolka and the Committee for five plus years of hard work, noting that this is the first time in Pleasanton that people have talked about alternatives to freeway interchanges to solve transportation problems. He also thanked the preparers of the Minority Report. Commissioner Sullivan stated that he believes that two myths have been exposed: (1) building the West Las Positas Interchange will not solve the traffic problems; and (2) the cost comparison that needs to be made is $76M versus $52M, not $29M. He noted that this is the information that needs to get out to the community. r Commissioner Sullivan stated that building the West Las Positas Interchange is going to have a major impact on the neighborhoods in that area and the students that attend the four schools. He further stated that if it is not built there will be impacts on the Stoneridge area which he thinks can be dealt with in a "win/win" situation that needs to be determined. He commented that the work of the Committee needs to be built-upon and fine-tuned, and the following items need to be addressed: perform a pedestrian and school safety study for both alternatives to determine the impacts; perform neighborhood cut-through studies and mitigation plans and determine the costs and sources of funding for those; complete the 2001 Baseline Traffic Report, especially in regard to intersection improvements and road widenings that are recommended by staff; complete the East Side traffic study and evaluate cross-town cut-through traffic resulting in the potential Stoneridge Drive extension to El Charro Road and 1-580, and West Las Positas and 1-680; PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 9, 2002 Page 11