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Mike Moran understood the need for more parking, did not believe speed is an issue and spoke in <br /> support of a ten-foot path with two-feet on both sides to allow for pedestrians and bicyclists. He <br /> asked Council to consider what downtown will look like if the City proceeds with adding parking <br /> places wherever it can be added. <br /> Susie Hofstader reported the railroad corridor is named on several plans as a regional trail <br /> corridor and suggested Council keep in mind it is a transportation corridor and that a regional trail <br /> is an asset. She disagreed that an eight-foot path will safely accommodate both pedestrians and <br /> bicyclists and felt a minimum twelve-foot path is needed to accommodate families and people in <br /> wheelchairs. She urged Council to keep the vision. <br /> John Houston commented on the need to cater more to people and less to vehicles. Noted <br /> dedicating corridor space for parking would make it difficult to repurpose it later and felt the City <br /> should think in terms of long-term objectives involving pedestrianization and removing cars and <br /> parking completely. He urged Council to rethink the plan, referenced studies showing the move to <br /> more pedestrians and less cars and felt the City should take steps in moving towards that <br /> direction. <br /> Adele Madelo stated she is a member of three bicycling clubs and often travels to Pleasanton. <br /> She commented on risks travelling First Street and on the importance of trails. She believed the <br /> trails should be twelve-feet wide for increased safety and encouraged Council to go with the plan <br /> with the twelve-foot wide trail. <br /> Steve McGinnis, Pleasanton Peddlers Bicycle Group, stated eight feet is not enough to coexist <br /> with pedestrians and bicyclists. <br /> Steven Dunbar felt the parallel compromise could be developed as a two-way and noted it is not <br /> about speed, but rather collision-ending speed. He agreed the Firehouse Art Center is nice but did <br /> not feel it should be emulated for something that will be long-term and will have connectivity <br /> across downtown. He encouraged Council to approve the parallel plan. <br /> Judy Wheeler, Downtown Business Owner and PDA Board Member, reported parking has been a <br /> priority downtown for many years and commented in support of the project. <br /> Vera Revelli, PDA Board Member, agreed with Ms. Wheeler, noted she owns property adjacent to <br /> the project and spoke in support of the project. She said it's not about adding parking, but about <br /> supporting a struggling retail segment. <br /> Mayor Thorne closed public comment <br /> RECESS/RECONVENE <br /> Mayor Thorne called for a recess at 9:32 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:37 p.m. with all <br /> Councilmembers present. <br /> Councilmember Pentin commented positively on the engineering and design but stressed this <br /> should have been considered as a transportation corridor first, and a parking lot, second. He <br /> believed there are other options downtown to support retail and provide more parking in various <br /> other locations. He did not support adding parking, all at once, on this piece of property. lif the <br /> City is going to use a cross-curve parking stall, he suggested removing the amenities, add <br /> another 50 parking spaces and reduce the cost per stall. Additionally, he suggested when <br /> planning such a project, it is imperative to consider other applicable documents, specific and <br /> master plans. He stated he cannot support the 65% concept, as presented but he could support <br /> the parallel plan. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 7 of 10 June 18, 2019 <br />