PC 040902 - Laserfiche WebLink

Interchange, and the Committee's recommendation is PLAN C. Ms. Davis confirmed that the r-- Committee has been asking for the safety study for five years. She also confirmed that minutes were taken during meetings for about the first year, but it is her understanding that because ofthe cost this effort was not continued. Mr. Homolka clarified that minutes were taken at the meetings through 2000, but not at every meeting. Mr. Lum advised that the Committee's work extended through the Project Study Report phase, which does not include environmental impacts. He further advised that he believes through the course of the study that there was a determination made that adequate safety studies could not be done until other kinds of information associated with the PSR was completed, and other issues with regard to safety and noise could be evaluated during the subsequent environmental studies. He stated that because of the extension of the study period for various reasons, the Committee never got to that point. Mr. Lum clarified that the Committee directed its own research, consultants, and the kind of effort through the facilitator. Mr. Homolka reported that minutes were no longer taken due to financial constraints, but a new draft of the report was produced on a meeting-by-meeting basis which reflected the direction from each previous meeting. He also reported that all of the consultants became volunteers during the last year, as the Committee members have been for the last five years. ,.- Phil Sayre (Task Force Member), 3644 Glacier Court North, noted that safety has always been the key issue and it is beyond him as to why a safety report has never been completed. He noted that the mission statement of the Committee was to study an alternate to the West Las Positas Interchange. He suggested that the braided ramp options be explored. He questioned when the pedestrian count was actually taken. He advised that the traffic study needs to be done on school days between 7:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. when students are going to school, and the safety of the students needs to be addressed. He expressed concern that Caltrans is only worried about the freeways and not local safety. Eric Semmelmayer (Task Force Member), 7429 Aspen Court, advised that the Committee was asked to come up with an alternative plan and that is PLAN C. He reported that PLAN C does all of the things the interchange was slated to do without the interchange or deferring construction of the interchange. He stated that he would like PLAN C to be the preferred plan for future studies. He noted that he supports the majority report, but he understands that Mr. Pretzel wants to take the work ofthe Committee further. He advised that all safety and environmental issues need to be studied, and suggested that the study that Mr. Pretzel is requesting be combined with the Caltrans study. He noted that he was dismayed by the presentation of a report by Mr. van Gelder that included a staff recommendation that the interchange be built, after the Committee had studied the issues for four years. Mr. Semmelmayer also questioned the date of the pedestrian count study. .'-- Judy Fox (Task Force Member), formerly of 3645 Virgin Island Court, recognized Bruce Brown for his service on the Committee. She commented that she believes the majority of cars will be going east to the Hacienda Business Park if the West Las Positas Interchange is built. She PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 9, 2002 Page 7