PC 06/11/97 - Laserfiche WebLink

Gary Schwaegerle, 189 W. Angela, stated that he supports the need for the station, but not at this site. He suggested that it be placed in the railroad corridor where it belongs. He expressed concern about the amount of existing traffic on First Street and that the location would not have sufficient parking. He asked about the location of a station on the San Francisco property, noting that this should be considered in that there may be a need for a second station. Robert Cordtz, 262 West Angela, questioned the noticing of the public hearing for the proposed station and stated that because the staff report was not available until last Friday at 4:30 p.m., ample time was not given to study the proposal. He noted that the City has been unsuccessful in working with the Fairgrounds and the County. He asked where in the staff report was there reference to the access from Bernal Avenue. Mr. Iserson responded that he had verbal communication that this was a proposed traffic pattern. Mr. Cordtz expressed his concerns about the traffic coming down W. Angela which is a sub-standard street, and the possibility that the project could grow eventually to 20 passenger trains, as well as freight trains. He noted that currently some of the trains have very long whistles and the neighborhood can not afford to have any additional noise. He doesn't see how this can go to City Council without more information and studies. He is concerned that this interim station will not relocate once it is established. In response to Commissioner Cooper's question as to where he would like to see the permanent station, Mr. Cordtz responded that he would like to see it on the Valley/Stanley site or at I -680/Sunol Boulevard. Mike Bivens, 443 St. Mary Street, expressed concerns about noise and traffic. He noted that currently when there is a long train, traffic backs up on St. Mary to Main and Hopyard, resulting in traffic noise and exhaust fumes. He expressed concern about using Pleasanton Avenue for access and about overflow parking. June Blanchette, 393 W. Angela, expressed concerns regarding the traffic and the noise impacts on the apartment residents. Freda Collins, 367 W. Angela, stated that she has lived on W. Angela most of her life, and it has become increasingly difficult to get up and down this street. She noted that residents can't move their cars because they lose their parking spaces. She also expressed concern for the children on this street. Earl Greenwood, 239 W. Angela, suggested that the City Engineers look at some of the streets in this area; they are not wide enough for two cars to pass and this project will cause a lot of traffic. Debbie Theodore, 374 W. Angela, reported that the residents along this street just got a sidewalk. She stated that this area is subjected to Fairground activities every weekend, and that residents lose the right to park on their own street, and are subjected to the noise of traffic and car alarms. She invited the Planning Commissioners to visit the neighborhood during the graduation events scheduled for the Fairgrounds on Friday. She asked if the parking would be free and Mr. Montgomery advised that as of now, it is free. PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED Planning Commission Minutes Page 11 June 11, 1997