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Councilmember Brown commented on the number of proposed housing units near the subject <br />intersection, noted traffic will be high volume and wondered if the projections will really reflect the <br />massive increase in population. <br />Mr. Tassano reported the original design was "over designed," the project has been scaled down and <br />trips produced do not show increases with the modelling used by staff. <br />Councilmember Brown expressed concerns with people getting frustrated with waiting to cross the <br />intersection and running across. She wondered regarding the possibility of installing a pedestrian <br />overpass in the area. Mr. Tassano agreed it is a possible solution and explained related challenges. <br />It was noted that with ADA ramps, the distance across the street would be greater than what is being <br />proposed and pedestrians would likely not use it. <br />In reply to Councilmember Olson, Mr. Tassano reported the videos displayed were taken at 5:15 p.m. <br />Councilmember Olson reported experiencing the area at 4:30 p.m. and it was empty. He wondered if <br />staff has looked at the intersection over a 24 -hour period and Mr. Tassano responded affirmatively and <br />reported on the likelihood of increases in traffic volume and delays. <br />Councilmember Narum asked regarding the effect of diagonal parking and staff reported diagonal <br />parking is purely for retail uses and will be short-term. <br />Mayor Thorne opened the item for comment. <br />Bernie Tschirty said the City is giving the public right -of -way to the developer and commented on the <br />possibility of a pedestrian bridge. He stated the number of lanes has nothing to do with the number of <br />people crossing the intersection. <br />Meri McCoy- Thompson spoke in opposition to the proposed development, noting it is ugly and <br />expressing concerns that parking spaces are being given to the developer and with delays. <br />Jim Van Dyke stated his preferred mode of transportation is bicycling and noted there is no future in <br />planning everything around single - passenger automobiles. He hoped the City Council will consider life <br />versus death improvements needed for the subject intersection. He noted a difference between <br />convenience and losing life or limb and thanked the City for the changes it has made to improve <br />bicyclist and pedestrian safety. <br />Sowmya Ramineri reported many people cross the intersection, in the mornings, without waiting for the <br />signal that the situation is very dangerous and that traffic has increased substantially. <br />Gordon Stewart spoke regarding inconveniencing drivers and pedestrians, believed the current <br />numbers justify the current configuration but expressed concerns regarding future developments and <br />related challenges. He commented on the need for adequate notice of future developments. <br />In response to Councilmember Brown, Mr. Tassano commented on backups to 1580 noting that <br />volumes, during the peak hours, are increasing and there is greater throughput through the Pleasanton <br />corridor. Modelling did not include consideration of a failure on the 1580 but staff did address facilitating <br />mobility through the City. <br />Suren Gutti felt is unsafe for anyone to drive on Gibraltar because of vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle <br />traffic, and noted increased traffic on Owens Drive. He urged the City Council to address the matter <br />including speed differentials. <br />City Council Minutes Page 4 of 7 March 7, 2017 <br />