CCMIN080492 - Laserfiche WebLink

170 John McWilliams, 1176 Santa Rita Road, spoke in favor of removing the wall. He presented maps to Council of the area in -- question from 1965 to 1990. He then read his letter addressed to the Public Works Department. He was generally concerned with the traffic flow into and out of the Jensen tract and the pedestrian and bicycle safety at Kolln and Valley Avenue. He described routes taken in this area using Santa Rita Road. He pointed out that Wheels Buses pick up and drop off passengers on the Santa Rita frontage. He further explained that the traffic congestion on Santa Rita Road was no longer limited to school hours. He stated that visibility is very limited at the barricaded area because of the height of the wall. He also pointed out that the handicapped ramps to the sidewalks tend to make bicycles veer towards the wall. He concluded that there was no question that removing the wall would create more traffic on Kolln Street but he believed that the positives far out weighed the negatives. Mr. McWilliams indicated the General Plan has always indicated that Kolln Street should be extended as part of a traffic loop. He stated that the Engineering Department, Traffic Division, Police Department and Fire Department all supported opening the street to provide better emergency access. Mr. McWilliams also cited a letter from the Pleasanton School District which was in favor of removing the wall in order to provide better access to Alisal School. Barbara Fowler, 1443 Groth Circle, spoke in favor of removing the wall at Kolln and Valley Avenue. She was involved with the General Plan in the 1960's. She agreed that the area in front of Alisal school is chaotic in the mornings and afternoons. She believed that additional traffic is put on Santa Rita Road because those who come from the Danbury Park area have to use Valley to Santa Rita to get to Jensen. Ms. Fowler added that at the time the General Plan was completed there was no stop light at Valley and Kolln. Betty Rose, 4152 School Street, supported that wall being removed. She wanted an option in accessing routes to Livemore and across town. She agreed that more traffic is being directed onto Santa Rita than need be. David Van Houten, 4168 Wells Street, agreed with the previous speakers. He too wanted an alternative to get out of his tract. He was concerned with safety of the area and the emergency access to the tract behind the wall. He reiterated that the traffic on Santa Rita was heavy and difficult at times to enter. He referred to the General Plan and believed that the City should follow through with it. He stated that this area was not intended to be a private cul-de-sac. He pointed out that there was a boat chained to the barricade at this time and he felt that this was improper use of the area. He respectively requested that Council make a dangerous area safer by approving the removal of the wall. 8/4/92 12