pages: CityCouncil/2021-04-20.pdf, 21
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CityCouncil | 2021-04-20 | 21 | Vice Mayor Vella questioned whether the inclination is to direct staff to look at the intersection further and come up with another option. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she cannot support the matter as designed with a cul de sac at Sherman Street. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director stated if Council does not approve the roundabout at Sherman Street, staff will look at ways to improve the intersection; the intersection will not be taken out of the project; signal timing and striping options will be reviewed to try and make existing conditions safer. Councilmember Knox White stated the intersection does not work well for anyone at this stage; inquired how bicyclists coming down Central will get to the other side of Sherman Street if Council decides to keep the intersection the same; questioned whether cyclists will need to cross the travel lane into a special slip lane. The Senior Transportation Coordinator responded slide 30 of the presentation depicts the intersection; noted the slip lane is depicted on slide 31. Councilmember Knox White stated the option will make Sherman Street a higher volume street; the design will indicate people should continue down Sherman Street and is not a great outcome for the project; the option shown is an improvement to current conditions; the intersection is convoluted, complicated and is cause for concern among many; inquired whether staff has looked at the impacts on traffic if Sherman Street closes. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded GPS already re-routes people around the intersection; there is currently diversion from the area; staff's goal is to make the intersection work better and reduce the current diversion; creating a Sherman Street cul de sac will no longer allow north-south users of Sherman Street; drivers will use an alternate north- south street; there will be a change for 20 residents of the street; the network and Central Avenue works better with the roundabout and less people will re-route through the Gold Coast with the changes. Councilmember Daysog stated travelers coming down Santa Clara Avenue get to see Alameda at a desired pace; Alameda is a City built to the individual, pedestrian and bicyclist; Alameda is not suburbia, which is built to accommodate a fast-moving vehicle; Alameda does have fast- moving vehicles; residents should be proud of the fact that there is an abundance of 25 mile per hour signs; previously, he has not supported the Central Avenue project; Otis Drive has many cul de sacs which connect and have transformed it into a place that has slowed down; the project presented has some good coming out of it; expressed support for three of the four roundabouts; stated that he cannot support the roundabout at Sherman Street due to a feeling that Sherman Street should not be a closed cul de sac and should remain open; staff has provided and evaluated options; the other options provided also meet professional standards and are safe; staff needs to look at other ways of designing Sherman Street; the roundabouts can beautify different parts of Alameda and can be signature points; expressed support for seeing redesigned streets; stated the decision does not come without difficulty; some will lose parking due to the project; the bigger picture must be taken into consideration. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she is hearing some consensus on the project; expressed support for enough attention being given to people with disabilities, visual impairments and Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 16 April 20, 2021 | CityCouncil/2021-04-20.pdf |