FacilitiesTransportation Highlights 2007 0627

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benefit the school in addition to the Senior Center. Austine summarized by stating that the project is going to Council for approval on July 2nd. Discussion ensued. Committee Member Gregory stated that he heard early in the week that it hasn't yet been decided where the entrance for the freshman high school is going to be. He suggested sharing the signal project information with the San Leandro School District as soon as possible. EIR for AC Transit Kathleen Livermore and Keith Cooke gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Environmental Impact Report and Statement (EIR/S) for AC Transit Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Kathleen explained that the BRT is a proposed bus rapid transit line connecting Bayfair Center, downtown San Leandro, downtown Oakland, DC Berkeley and downtown Berkeley along T elegraph Avenue and International Boulevard / East 14th Street. She stated that the EIR identified four alternatives for consideration. Keith presented traffic circulation issues and discussed conflicts with other San Leandro projects. He stated that the goal of the South Area Study is to make East 14th Streets a more pedestrian friendly environment and make the area thrive. He explained that the BRT Alternatives 1 & 3 would eliminate parking due to the introduction of dedicated bus lanes. Keith stated the dedicated bus lanes will most likely cause traffic delays, and could possibly detract from the proposed pedestrian friendly environment envisioned by the South Area Plan. He further explained that bicyclists will have challenges and will be forced to use San Leandro Boulevard and Bancroft Avenue as alternative routes. Kathleen discussed alternative comparisons for the AC Transit BRT. She explained that Alternatives 1 & 3 bypass the San Leandro BART station and include dedicated lanes therefore would not be the optimal solution for San Leandro. She stated that staff does not have a recommendation as to whether Alternative 2 or Alternative 4 is the best option and feels it would be best to defer to the AC Transit board to make a recommendation between the two. Discussion ensued. Mayor Santos stated that he received an email discussing BART paralleling the AC Transit system and that AC Transit may be better served to feed the BART system. Keith Cooke stated that BART stations are spaced approximately two miles apart and that it is not always more convenient than walking a block or two for a bus. Mayor Santos stated that there was talk of forming a committee consisting of Councilmembers between the City of San Leandro, the City of Oakland and the City of Berkeley to discuss the alternatives. John Jermanis noted that he will call the AC Transit Director to discuss. Committee Member Gregory stated that he has a sense that there are much bigger issues in Oakland and Berkeley after speaking to AC Transit representatives. He stated that he believes they took policy into consideration, but the City of San Leandro must make the determination right here. Mayor Santos stated that the City must respond to the EIR.