SR 06:204 - Laserfiche WebLink

Page I of2 Janice Stern From: Heidi Massie [hrmassie@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 1:16 PM To: Janice Stern Cc: Jennifer Hosterman; Steve Brozosky; Cindy McGovern; Matt Sullivan; Jerry Thorne Subject: General Plan meeting tonight: Comments on roadway changes/traffic With regards to tonight's Planning Conunission meeting and review of the "working draft" of the General Plan, 1 am concerned with the sections that propose roadway changes to Valley Ave at Santa Rita and Valley Ave at Stanley, that appear will increase traffic flow on Valley Ave in my neighborhood area (section of Valley between Stanley and Santa Rita). As 1 stated at previous Planning Conunission meetings (Home Depot project), this section of Valley Ave is already overloaded with traffic as it is the only roadway in Pleasanton that funnels traffic going to and from Livermore. By adding more turn lanes to access Valley from either Santa Rita or Stanley, traffic loads will continue to increase, not to mention the increased traffic that will result from the development of the Home Depot shopping plaza. And without the Stonerigde Extension going through, and any improvements to Hwy 84 and 1-580 a decade or more off, if ever, Valley Ave will not see any relief from traffic. Other than the decline of quality life in our neighborhood due to increased traffic noise and pollution, what needs to be addressed is the safety risk for people in my neighborhood that must cross Valley at Kolin, specifically school children. As I stated at a June Planning Conunission meeting, my sons and 1 missed being hit by drivers on three occasions while crossing in the crosswalk going to and from Alisal Elementary. My neighbors' son was not so lucky and was hit in the crosswalk, even though the crossing guard was present. Drivers do not obey the speed limit signs, run red lights, and fail to stop and yield to pedestrians when making right turns on or off of Valley at Kolln. With increased traffic on Valley, these problems will only get worse and our safety more jeopardized. Traffic calming measures need to be implemented along this section of Valley NOW! Here are the measures I outlined at the June Planning Conunission meeting that need to be implemented: · Install "live" speed limit signs at both approaches to Kolln (on island at Valley & Danbury, and at Quarry and Valley); . Create 500 ft clearances on either side of the crosswalks so that cars must stop 500ft back from the crosswalks; · Install "Yield to Pedestrians" signs at right-turn lanes from Kolln to Valley and Valley to Kolln; . Paint "Look" signs on the street at corner; . Give the crossing guard a taller Stop sign; · Install flashing yellow lights ( like those just installed in front of Harvest Park) that will flash when the crosswalk is being used. . To slow cut-through drivers on Kolln (those avoiding the congested Santa Rita/Valley light), install "live" speed limit signs at both approaches to Orloff Park, as well as road "buttons" to alert drivers to slow down. Existing signage does nothing to slow drivers through our neighborhood. Thank you for your consideration of these traffic calming measures. Heidi Massie Hall Ct. 8/2/2006