Reso 2001-021 RDA 2001-003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Pedestrian =Vehicle ~~ A key recommendation of the plan is to give pedestrians consideration in the public right-of--way equal to that given the automobile. The original down- town was designed before the introduction of the automobile and was pedes- trian scale, with access for slow moving carriages and trolleys. ``~1ith the in- troduction of the automobile, the quality of the pedestrian space has been diminished to facilitate easy and fast traffic flow. The plan proposes modest redesign of existing streets and parking areas to enhance pedestrian comfort and safety. These include: adequate sidewalks, quality paving materials, lighting, street trees, clear crossing points, interesting store facades, bike racks, signage, and furniture. All combine to create a street that feels safe and attractive to pedestrians. These pedestrian features can be achieved while also accommodating re- quired access for cars and trucks. The plan recommends, for example, that the redesign of East Fourteenth Street be considered to convert it from four lanes with parking on one side only to three lanes (center turn lane) with parking on both sides. The parking on both sides will tend to reduce traffic speeds while simultaneously providing a protective barrier between pedes- trians and traffic. It also allows for more people to use the street, since driv- ers become pedestrians once they park. Finely detailed, comfortable streets attract pedestrians, whereas streets designed solely to accommodate traffic speed and volumes tend to repel pe- destrian use. The plan proposes that each street and parking area be designed to balance the needs of both pedestrians and drivers, thus creating a more viable, comfortable urban environment. In this environment, pedestrians are willing to walk moderate distances from parking to shops, because the walk is pleasant and safe. In this way, also, the balancing of pedestrian and vehicle needs contributes to the overall economic viability of the downtown. It is crucial, therefore, to accommo- date vehicles with clear circulation and convenient parking, but to do it in a balanced manner that gives equal attention to the pedestrian experience. page 40 Ootober2000 San Leandro Downtown Plan & Urban Design Guidelines Pedestrians protected from traffic, large display windows, attractive signs, and pedestrian paving. Clear, separated pathways through large parking lots improve the pedestrian experience.