pages: TransportationCommission/2016-03-23.pdf, 3
This data as json
body | date | page | text | path |
---|---|---|---|---|
TransportationCommission | 2016-03-23 | 3 | Rochelle Wheeler replied no, this type of project was categorically exempt from environmental review. However, she said if the City is adding a mid-block crossing or implementing traffic signals, then the Commission would have to approve an environmental review. Thus, she asked the Commission to essentially approve the project concept including the portion presented that evening. Commissioner Bertken asked under what conditions was the project categorically exempt. Rochelle Wheeler replied it was categorically exempt under state law. Commissioner Bellows referred Commissioner Bertken to the staff report, Environmental Review, Section 15301. Commissioner Bertken stated that the attachment within the staff report indicated signaling and other items for the safety of the bicyclists along Atlantic Avenue and Constitution Way. He asked staff to explain the intention of the signaling. Rochelle Wheeler replied the design (Exhibit 1) is the same as presented in January. Commissioner Bertken replied in January staff did not exhibit a safety example for the bicyclists. Rochelle Wheeler replied staff is still developing the safety portion for the bicyclists and they will provide the Commission a fully formed example in May. She explained that staff would like to provide signal changes such as a dedicated signal for bicyclists. Commissioner Bertken replied that bicyclists could not move when other traffic is moving presumably. Rochelle Wheeler said that was correct and that would be studied. Commissioner Bellows opened the floor for public comment. Jim Strehlow, Alameda resident, stated that he did not see the bus stops analyzed and at the previously meeting he brought up the Main Street to Webster Street section of Appezzatto Parkway and asked how staff would place the bus stops in that design and no one had an answer for him. He felt he would have to wait for the next Commission meeting to see what is actually planned for this area. He said he continued to favor sharrows because cyclists would ride in the directional flow of traffic. He explained that he visited the state of Florida not too long ago and they use sharrows, so he wondered what makes Alameda so different. He went on to say that the City needs two lanes on various streets to get across town from Alameda Point. So, taking away a lane would be contradictory to the City's General Plan. He said the Commission should handle everyone's needs not just bicyclists' needs. He stated that he was interested in the earlier design with no right hand turns off Atlantic Avenue onto Constitution Way. However, he hoped that the Commission would allow right hand turns from Atlantic Avenue onto Constitution Way close to the designed cycle track because otherwise traffic will back up all the way to Webster Street. He explained further that if a right turn is not implemented then there will be traffic along Webster Page 3 of 13 | TransportationCommission/2016-03-23.pdf |