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G9 <br />that because he wants to build a quality neighborhood shopping center in con- <br />formance with community standards. He hired TJKM Traffic Consultants who pre- <br />pared an extensive report, working directly with city staff without any inter- <br />mediation from Connolly Development. 'They answered the short term needs and <br />well as prepared a long term master plan. TJKM came up with the facts, fig- <br />ures and projections so that city staff could come up with the recommendation <br />submitted in the staff report presented tonight. He added this improvement <br />will cost $300,000 more to build the shopping center but it will make a better <br />center and will attract quality merchants. Mr. Murphy concluded by stating it <br />is his opinion that the approved plan by the Design Review Board is for the <br />good of the many citizens of Pleasanton. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lou Helgeson, 872 Abbie, owner of business at 5587 Sunol Boulevard, <br />stated he is concerned about the safety of his employees; he felt a traffic <br />signal would be the most worthwhile and effective traffic control. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ted Fairfield, 2333 Woodthrush, with business at 5510 Sunol Boulevard, <br />stated he was the project manager when this area was first developed in the <br />early 1960's. Junipero was designed and built as a collector street, and the <br />reason that an intersection was not built at that time at Junipero and Sunol <br />is because the City had no traffic lights and it was City policy not to have <br />them. He stated the right turn compromise suggested does a lot of violation <br />to a lot of people; it will create many u-turns per day, and will create per- <br />manent short cuts going through parking lots. If a left turn at the shopping <br />center is approved it would be the same thing for people wanting to get into <br />Junipero from Sunol. He stated the traffic report is comprehensive. He com- <br />mended Connolly for being willing to spend money for this improvement. He <br />added that a full intersection will maximum safety and do away with u-turns. <br />It will not increase traffic on Junipero significantly, and will slow traffic <br />speeds on Sunol Boulevard. He supported the Design Review Board's decision. <br /> <br /> Mr. Alfred Letser, 227 Mission Drive, stated he supports the recommenda- <br />tion of the Planning Department. <br /> <br /> Mr. Chris Kinsel, TJKM TrafficConsultants, stated he was asked by staff <br />to prepare a study which took into account the long term needs of the City <br />along Sunol Boulevard, one in which improvements that would be appropriate at <br />this time would fit in. He was more concerned with the spacing of potential <br />signals, taking into account existing intersections and the proposed Valley <br />Avenue extension. Looking at all alternatives he felt Junipero is the most <br />logical location; it would not be in conflict with the Valley Avenue exten- <br />sion, would serve the shopping center, and would allow future access to prop- <br />erty on the west side of Sunol Boulevard. In his view, the plan will serve <br />the short term needs on Sunol Boulevard as well as allow long range consider- <br />ations. He felt the signal at Mission Drive needs to be upgraded to provide <br />maximum safety. <br /> <br /> Ms. Dorothy Vanbrakel, 230 Mission Drive, stated she is concerned about <br />safety at Sonoma and Mission Drive; if the frontage road is gone Council <br />should consider alternatives. She added that the left turn has always been <br />dangerous. <br /> <br /> Mr. Soby asked why Somona is so under-utilized. He stated that even if <br />the City goes with the proposed plan with signals at Junipero it will still be <br />a dangerous intersection at Sonoma and Sunol. He felt the best place for a <br />signal for now is at Sonoma and Sunol; it would slow traffic down. <br /> <br /> 6 - 11-17-87 <br /> <br /> <br />