PC 031412 - Laserfiche WebLink

Lastly, Mr. Coleman stated that while staff feels good about some of the assumptions. he would support an independent and pure review of the analysis and methodology regarding the 25 percent slope, given the circumstances and the traffic impacts here. Jimmy Ko stated that he is a new homeowner in the area and wanted to give his personal perspective. He indicated that his children go to the park all the time, and with the cars coming around the curve, it does seem like a ticking time bomb. He stated that he drives around that curve when he drops his son off to pre - school, and he finds that even going the speed limit is too fast. He expressed concern that with the existing traffic, plus any additional cars, and all the children in the park, that road is an accident waiting to happen if no changes in the traffic design or speed mitigation is made. He noted that the City staff did a speed detection there for a few days, which helped. He added that he wholeheartedly endorses what the Ventana Hills Steering Committee members have stated regarding the traffic, the park, and the green space. Doug Whistler stated that he did not know about these meetings until two days ago when someone brought him a flyer and that he was not planning to speak until he heard some of the issues being raised. He indicated that he lived for 20 years by Amador Valley Boulevard in Dublin which had a horrible cut - through traffic and speed traffic issues, and he did not realize that Independence Drive and Juniper Street has that much of a cut - through problem as well. He added that they had to go to the City Council also under many circumstances, just as these folks are doing here, to talk about their cut - through traffic and speed problems. He urged the Commission to listen to the residents and not just to the people who have an interest in this project. Mr. Whistler noted that Mr. Shafer raised an interesting point about water problems and drainage. He indicated that there is a drainage channel that runs between Junipero Street and Mission Drive which leaves his yards squishy especially during a wet winter such that he cannot even walk on them. He noted that additional drainage coming down the hillside resulting from additional paving and new homes up there would cause an even greater problem. He urged the Commission to take that into account as well. Matthew Nelson stated that he has lived in Pleasanton for 18 years, and three years in the property adjacent to Mr. Shafer, on the other side of the stream that comes through, the one with the old oak tree with pavers in front. He stated that the pavers are there not for decorative purposes but because of the tree's root system as the tree is extremely close to the street and may be harmed based on the amount of cars, pollution, and traffic accidents on the street. He indicated that the tree is irreplaceable and is the primary reason he picked that house. He asked the Commission to check on the traffic counts because he believes that was done during a bike -to- school or service day. which may have caused some of the numbers to be artificially low. He added that there have been two occurrences of car - versus -tree accidents in the area the past year that he is aware of. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, March 14. 2012 Page 21 of 35