CCMIN021803 - Laserfiche WebLink

Jeff Goldstein, 659 Windmill Lane, said there was no information comparing how far traffic backs up now compared to what it would be after metering. He believed that traffic behind the 580 on ramp metering would back up into the neighborhoods. He related his experience on 237 where traffic backed up after metering began. Mr. Knowles said staff did not project any back up for the on ramps. Mr. Goldstein said once traffic is allowed into the city, it should be allowed to flow. Talking about cut-through traffic, he believed there are more cars going from Bemal to Windmill Way because Mirador does not allow tums, than those in Pleasanton Hills will ever see. He felt it was elitist to say "not on my hill, we are not Raley's." Everyone has to take a piece of the problem. He hears more traffic coming on Bemal and Windmill than Ms. Cartier on First Street. Once traffic comes into town, it should keep moving because it is stop and go traffic that makes the most noise. Shelley Cartier, 4444 First Street, said she wanted to give Council a little insight on what has been happening downstream from the metering. When it first started, there was an immediate impact downtown. Before, First Street was a parking lot, now there are fewer cars and it is easier to get in and out of driveways. However, with fewer cars people are speeding. With more speed comes more noise. She almost prefers the parking lot because it was quieter. She is certain metering does work and is in full support of continuing it and adding it to every other freeway exit. She believed traffic is not going to get any better and the City needs to start dealing with the increases now, not years later. She agreed it takes her five extra minutes to get through the Sunol metering. The population in the Valley has tripled in the last twenty years and everyone has to absorb that responsibility. It can't be just one neighborhood. If it is five minutes extra to get to your house for the good of the entire City, then that is the way it must be. In the long mn, the residents will all be better for it. A message needs to be sent to cut-through traffic that says if you don't live in Pleasanton or conduct business in Pleasanton, stay on the freeway. She truly believed metering works and urged Council to continue it. Vanessa Kawaihau, 871 Sycamore Road, spoke in opposition to the Sunol metering. People are forced to cut through Castlewood Heights or Happy Valley Road. It is faster to use Happy Valley Road even with the occasional detours on Alisal Street. The metering bothered her a great deal because it is to cut back on just 6% of the traffic. She has stopped going to downtown Pleasanton and using First Street. If she could, she would not use a bank situated in downtown Pleasanton. She believed that even when construction is completed, metering will still cause problems because of the increased traffic from the new business opening on Sunol Boulevard. She opposed metering. Cindy McGovem, 9206 Longview, wished to address the 580 on ramp metering. She believed everyone knows traffic is the number one concern of the residents. Staff is working hard to find solutions. She asked Council to stop dealing with this on a piecemeal basis and one small area at a time. She believed it was necessary to have a General Plan update. Pleasanton is approaching build out; it is likely there will not be a West Las Positas interchange; jobs have decreased, so there is less traffic to and from Silicon Valley; the state and federal governments Pleasanton City Council 19 02/18/03 Minutes