Minutes 1996 1118 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes - City of San Leandro City Council and Page - 11 - Redevelopment Agency Meeting - November 18, 1996 Council Member Galvan asked Mr. Carlson to clarify the aspects of the issue with which he is in disagreement; he noted that they can not make everyone happy. He said the Council is trying to strike a balance in order to slow traffic. Mr. Carlson said he wanted the circles to remain; he had thought that the existing circles would remain. Council Member Galvan said the combined circle and hump solution was successful; but at the circles cars were driving too close to pedestrians and creating a potential hazard. Mr. Carlson said the pilot program initiated a hump- circle -hump design, but they had not been installed in that manner; they did not work as a unit because they had been too spread out. He said the Council had directed that the devices be spread out in order to prevent vehicles from speeding in between the devices. 4.5 Margaret Carlson, 721 Joaquin Avenue, expressed concern for the neighborhood. She said emphasis is on the cars rather than the neighbors. She was offended by the comments pertaining to lower property values and humps as "undesirable." She applauded Mr. Kruger's coming into the neighborhood; she also congratulated the neighbors for taking the issue to this length - it had been longer than five years. 4.6 John 8onwell, 1904 Linwood Way, said he has been a resident since 1960. He said he had designed traffic diversions for the City of Berkeley. He asked why traffic is suddenly considered unbearable. He said, from his perspective, traffic is fine. He said, however, he sympathizes with the Joaquin Avenue residents and suggested a barrier to prevent entrance onto Joaquin Avenue. He supports the staff report to remove the circles. 4.7 Howard Kerr, 15388 Norton Street, commended staff on the humps, and said circles would not work due to the streets not being wide enough in the area. He commended' staff and the City Council for a lengthy study. He said he is a member of the Washington Manor Homeowners' Association, and they receive many complaints regarding speeding vehicles. He suggested that the City Council increase funding for future expansion of the program to other areas in town. He suggested the speed -hump program be prioritized by schools, parks, libraries, day care facilities, and senior facilities. 4.8 Mark Behning, 725 Joaquin Avenue, thanked the Council for considering the speeding issue. He summarized the process to date. He said it has been important to promote unity throughout the neighborhoods. He said the program has changed since its inception, without public input. He presented a petition from homeowners on Joaquin Avenue who are in favor of retaining the traffic circles. He understands safety issues are a concern. He suggested humps and stop signs or humps and smaller circles. He asked the Council to keep working with the neighbors and to direct staff to continue as well. 4.9 Jeff Kerry, 697 Juana Avenue, said he supports humps and bumps and any traffic device that will reduce speeds on the streets. He said people will want to live on streets where traffic is slowed down.