CCMIN03072017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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