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the land to operate their train. The adviso~ vote, Measure DD, specifically said "at no cost to <br />the city". The five train alternatives were included in the scope of the EIR just to resolve some <br />of the issues. We know they don't have the money to bring the train to town at this point in time. <br />It is time to move on. The Master Trails Plan has many wonderful elements and it will take a lot <br />of money to implement the capital improvements. It is important to keep the vision in mind. <br />Staff feels it is important that a potential developer in the downtown area be given a document <br />that sets forth specifically what can and cannot be done. He urged Council not to put this to a <br />vote of the people because there is too much information and detail for the average voter to be <br />properly informed. Regarding Vervais Park and the Master Trails Plan, the vision there is fi.om <br />Bernal to Spring Street. The Trails Plan incorporates 368 parking spaces along with a trail that <br />would accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians. The Arroyo trail was designed to <br />go to Harvest Circle, and has been washed out. It was to be designed to be handicapped <br />accessible. The bridge at the northern end of Main Street will be enhanced and the park must be <br />designed to be handicapped accessible. These are all conceptual plans and it is intended that the <br />projects will be fine-tuned as they come forward. <br /> <br /> Jack Dove, 5250 Case Avenue, S110, believed that if the railroad station were located <br />south of Bernai, it would create problems with the use of the Senior Center and would impose on <br />the parking for the Senior Center and perhaps even the Raleys Shopping Center. It is not just <br />noise that is a problem with the train. He urged Council to make a decision and put this matter to <br />rest now. He said it was unfortunate that some people think if you don't support an item, then <br />you are against it. He comes from a railroad town and has visited English villages where steam <br />trains still run. It is a wonderful experience and he believed it is possible to reach some <br />agreement with the PLA and with the PDA. This is similar to the situation with the Busch <br />property. Years ago, everyone was polarized, however after more meetings and negotiations, he <br />felt an acceptable project has been produced. He felt a number of people would be willing to <br />further investigate the train issue to get some compromise to bring the train to town and not <br />disturb the parking and trail on the Transportation Corridor. <br /> <br /> Bonnie Krichbaum, 303 Neal Street, read a letter from Becky Durette, a neighbor on <br />Second Street. Ms. Durette opposed the train extension into downtown. It sounds romantic, but <br />in reality the train is loud, smelly and dirty. She did not want that downtown. She felt it was fun <br />to ride once or twice, but quickly gets boring. Parking and safety are huge concerns. An <br />excursion train bringing tourists to town reminds her of Fisherman's Wharf, Carmel and <br />Monterey. Pleasanton is our home, not a tourist attraction. Downtown and its neighborhoods <br />already have beauty and historical value. She felt creating a tourist attraction will only degrade <br />the neighborhood and community. She shops downtown as often as possible. Two things will <br />keep her coming downtown: more parking and more stores with character that sell goods she <br />actually uses, like Fleet Feet, Ace Hardware, Domus, Town Centre Books, GR Doodlebug, <br />Martial Arts America, and Coffee Roast Express. The train will not provide any of these things. <br />She likes the proposed Downtown Specific Plan because of the parks and trails. With over thirty <br />children on Second Street, the families spend time walking, biking and skating. The Friday night <br />concerts are very popular. The parks and trails will make downtown an even better place to <br />gather. Ms. Krichbaum believed the reason Council is not looking at the Parks and Trails Plan at <br />this time is that the majority of the property will be set aside for the train if it comes downtown. <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 13 <br />Minutes <br /> <br />02/05/02 <br /> <br /> <br />