Minutes 1994 0718 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - July 18, 1994 Page - 16 - PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued) Council Member Loeffler asked questions regarding the environmental documents that were prepared, and asked why an environmental impact report was not required related to the traffic impact. Steve Meyers said the initial study indicated that although there would be traffic impacts, they could be mitigated to a level of non- significance for purposes of a negative declaration. Steve Emslie, Planning Manager, said the initial study was prepared for a proposal for Walgreen's without a street closure. He said under recent court decisions, if the street is closed, additional environmental review is required. Council Member Kerr, asked if DFSI fees could be used to reduce the traffic impact and how much DFSI would be collected for this project. Mr. Kruger said DFSI and AB 434 funds could be utilized. He said the traffic signal improvements should be made with or without development of Walgreen's. He said signal improvements on Bancroft Avenue would not be likely to offset the total traffic in the Walgreen's area and he recommended other improvements such as traffic circles, speed bumps, stop signs and the closure of Haas Avenue. Mr. Kruger also said the closure of Haas Avenue would result in an increase in traffic on Haas Avenue east of Karol Way but not west of Karol Way because traffic would still come from the apartment buildings. He said traffic from the houses east of Ramona would probably result in an increase of 200 to 300 cars per day on Begier Avenue. Mr. Kruger further explained how utilization of traffic barricades on Haas Avenue would impact traffic on other streets within the area. In response to questions, Mr. Kruger said this type of use is considered high in terms of traffic generation. He said, as East 14th Street develops into more intensive uses, additional traffic will be generated and traffic mitigation measures will need to be implemented in the entire north area. Susan McCue, Economic Development Coordinator, responded to questions regarding marketing of the site. She said the commercial brokers have marketed the site over the last eight years. She said there are inherent development problems to be overcome, such as finding a business with deep enough pockets to develop the site. She said a developer must also be willing to be the first development in an unproven retail area. She said the office market is dead, financing is difficult, and a prospective developer must have $600,000 to $1,000,000 to make this site feasible.