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<br />or through fault and landslide areas, he did not know if there was discussion about what <br />exactly is restricted. Is it housing or infrastructure? <br /> <br />Heidi Massie indicated her backyard is adjacent to Valley Avenue. Traffic and noise has <br />increased tremendously in the last six years. She opposed any lane changes to the <br />Valley/Santa Rita or Valley/Stanley Avenues that would funnel more traffic through Valley <br />Avenue. Most of her concerns had been outlined in e-mails contained in the staff report. <br />She highlighted certain points such as the decline in the quality of life in her neighborhood, <br />and the safety of children walking to Alisal School. She was very disappointed that the <br />Stoneridge Drive extension is no longer being considered. <br /> <br />Mayor Hosterman asked Director Wilson to address the safety concerns regarding <br />children walking to Alisal School. <br /> <br />Director Wilson talked about the ways to present concerns to the city through e-mails to <br />the traffic division or the School Safety Committee, which can be reached through the <br />school principal or the city. Staff would then go to the school to address problems. <br /> <br />Council member Brozosky said the message to the community is that citizens don't have to <br />wait until the end of the General Plan process to address safety issues. <br /> <br />Jereen Gilbert did not think the School Safety Committee process was working. She has <br />been on the committee for Alisal and Harvest Park for a few years and this issue is <br />continually raised as a problem. On another issue, she agreed there is a need for a <br />definition of cut-through traffic. She also agreed with Councilmember Brozosky that there <br />is a need to clarify the assumptions because they are critical in making sure there is a <br />good General Plan. In terms of the General Plan and the statement that when people buy <br />houses, they count on it. When the Stone ridge extension was proposed, those homes <br />were not built. All the homes being affected by traffic increases on Valley were already <br />built. What has happened is by postponing the Stone ridge extension, the traffic flow has <br />moved over. On Stoneridge Drive the lanes are nicely done, there is adequate middle <br />space and the houses have a greater setback than any of the homes on Valley or Stanley. <br />When people bought their homes, they knew Stoneridge would be going through. She has <br />followed the Planning Commission recommendations and if the city has a Planning <br />Department the taxpayers are paying for, then the Council should take their <br />recommendations. Many people can't come to the Council meetings. She originally voted <br />against the Stone ridge extension, but as she has become more educated on the subject, <br />she has changed her mind. She believed other people would too. She did not think <br />people using Stoneridge would be cut-through, but rather local traffic. She suggested <br />looking at school vacation schedules, and believed when school is out the issue practically <br />goes away. She felt there should be more credence in the traffic analysis since the staff <br />preparing them are professionals and have no vested interests. She believed this was a <br />sleeping giant issue; many people are going to wake up and become interested in this <br />issue and come to Council to express their views. She listed many neighborhoods that <br />are affected by this. Even if Stoneridge is extended she was concerned about future <br />development. Valley Avenue and Stoneridge will be filled up even before adding a Home <br />Depot, new houses, and a water park and a new hotel. She did not see how that was <br />feasible in any city plan. She believed there is a bigger safety issue on Santa Rita than <br />Council realizes. She has personally witnessed eight accidents involving children on <br />bicycles being hit by cars. She said there are trucks going 60 mph between Valley and <br />Stone ridge and that is unacceptable. Many accidents occur when vehicles turn right on <br /> <br />General Plan Workshop Minutes <br /> <br />10 <br /> <br />August29,2006 <br />