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The challenge of the project meeting all the intended goals became apparent when <br /> reviewing the available right-of-way and determining it is only 75 feet wide, compared to <br /> other segments that are 100 feet wide. To further complicate the design, a Kinder <br /> Morgan high-pressure gas line is located near the east property line, with many <br /> restrictions on what can be built on and over the pipeline. There is an over 4-foot grade <br /> differential between the east and west property lines in some areas, with the largest <br /> near Bernal Avenue. The adjacent property owners on the east have planted many <br /> trees that have matured and have maintained landscaping along the properties. The <br /> west property owners have utilized the area for access to the back side of their <br /> businesses and some of the buildings encroach into the actual right-of-way. <br /> The design consultant HMH developed parking lot alternatives in an attempt to meet the <br /> goal of maximizing the parking, developing a multi-use trail and create a linear park like <br /> the Firehouse Arts Center parking lot design. The parking lot alternatives ranged from a <br /> one-way drive isle with diagonal parking to the current design. The diagonal parking <br /> concept allowed for the full development of the multi-use trail and linear parking, <br /> however, the concept only provided an additional 30 parking stalls. To meet the demand <br /> of parking identified in the Downtown Pleasanton Parking Strategy and Implementation <br /> Plan, a perpendicular parking stall strategy was selected, providing an additional 81 <br /> parking stalls. The east property line was reviewed in detail to see if the parking lot <br /> could be shifted east to provide as much room as possible for the trail. Conflicts with the <br /> Kinder Morgan high-pressure gas line, and mature trees planted and maintained by <br /> adjacent property owners, prevented the parking lot from being moved any further east. <br /> The selected concept was thought to be able to provide a nearly 12-foot-wide space <br /> along the west property line to implement the multi-use trail, however, as the design <br /> developed, it was identified that some of the width needs to be repurposed as <br /> landscaping to overcome constraints associated with adjacent elevation differences and <br /> private property improvements. <br /> Extensive outreach to the adjacent property owners and tenants was conducted to work <br /> through the issues and develop a project that meets the needs of the community while <br /> being a good neighbor. This outreach led to allowing the City to help adjust grades, <br /> correct drainage and work beyond our right-of-way. Landscaping improvements will be <br /> made through existing beds to create a consistent look and to provide a more cohesive <br /> look with the corridor design elements. In addition, fencing and landscaping will be <br /> installed to promote access to safer locations. <br /> Although the trail width is minimum recommended in the Bike and Pedestrian Master <br /> Plan, it will provide three critical elements indicative of a trail in Downtown Pleasanton. <br /> First, it provides a "sense of space" by contributing to a more human-scale design <br /> comfortable for trail users. Second, the landscaped area increases safety by providing a <br /> buffer between vehicular areas and trail users. The landscape buffer also allows for <br /> flexibility in conformity to the adjacent properties and grading for consistent trail slopes <br /> without additional obstructions (curbs, walls, etc.). Third, the trail is the southern <br /> regional trail entrance into Downtown Pleasanton. As with all our gateways, it should <br /> include features that invite the user and showcase the intended use. This is consistent <br /> Page 3 of 4 <br />