PC 040902 - Laserfiche WebLink

In response to an inquiry from Commissioner Kameny, Mr. Knowles advised that he understands r that after four years of the Committee process, funds were depleted and when additional studies for noise and pedestrian safety were requested by various members, there was no budget remaining. He advised that he feels the Caltrans standard has more requirements, and it does not exclude anything that the City may want to include in the report. Commissioner Sullivan advised that it sounds like what Mr. Pretzel is recommending be studied does not relate to the freeway itself, but to the impacts of traffic from the freeway on pedestrian safety, student safety, and neighborhoods. Commissioner Sullivan stated that he feels these studies could be done independently of any Caltrans process. Mr. Knowles stated that he feels these issues could be studied separately, but concurrently with the Caltrans study. Mr. Knowles commented that there was a typo in the date of when the pedestrian counts were done, and that they were not done during summer break. Commissioner Arkin questioned what would be the cost to complete the safety and neighborhood studies that some of the citizens are requesting as compared to the cost of the Caltrans study. Mr. Knowles advised that there is the possibility that the studies would need to be completed twice, because by the time the Caltrans process is completed the data from the first impact studies would be outdated, therefore, staff is suggesting that they be completed concurrently, in that it would be more time and cost efficient. The Planning Commission recessed for a break at 9:15 p.m. r Chairperson Maas reconvened the meeting at 9:25 p.m. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED r- Gloria Davis (Task Force Member), 6856 Vale Court, provided information regarding the consensus versus voting process used by the Advisory Committee, noting that the Committee realized that they would not be able to agree 100% on all of the issues. She explained her comments written on the Minority Report that was provided by Mr. Pretzel. She noted that she felt she offered a good balance on the Committee because in addition to representing her neighborhood, she was also serving as the President of the Newark Chamber of Commerce, and she also understood the issues from the business aspect. She advised that she went with the majority report because they were told by Mr. Homolka that the CEQAlNEPA reports that would be completed by Caltrans would get them the study for safety that they had asked for repeatedly. She noted that the PSR was completed because they were told that it would be required no matter what the outcome of the Committee's recommendation was and that it would save the City some money. She noted that during the last three to four months of the process the Committee understood that the CEQA process for Caltrans would be the catalyst for getting the safety study, but now she understands that Caltrans is concerned about how the ramps and freeways will be affected, not the City safety issues. She noted that members of the Committee are still recommending that they want separate studies on safety, and noise and air pollution. She stated that the Planning Commission has the ability and responsibility to make sure that the study is indepth and is clear on the ramifications on pedestrian and school traffic safety. She advised that the goal of the Committee was to find an alternative to the construction of the West Las Positas April 9, 2002 Page 6 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES