4A Public Hearing 2014 0902 - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 11, 2014 Planning Commission City of San Leandro 835 East 14th Street San Leandro, CA 94577 Subject: PLN2014-00007, Proposed Gates at Bayfront Drive/Lewelling Boulevard Dear Chair Abero and Commission Members: On behalf of the San Francisco Bay Trail Project, I am writing to support the recommendation by City staff to maintain unrestricted public access along Bayfront Drive and Lewelling Boulevard. The Lewelling Boulevard/Bayfront Drive corridor currently provides a major entry point to the Bay Trail for the public. The Bay Trail is a planned 500 -mile continuous network of multi -use bicycling and walking paths that, when complete, will encircle San Francisco and San Pablo Bays in their entirety. It will link the shoreline of all nine Bay Area counties, as well as 47 cities. To date, 335 miles of the proposed Bay Trail system has been developed. The Lewelling Boulevard/Bayfront Drive Corridor is an important access point to the Bay Trail for pedestrians, bicyclists, and people driving to the trail. It is one of only two access points to the Bay Trail within the City of San Leandro along with the San Leandro Marina. The Lewelling Boulevard/Bayfront Drive corridor serves as the main entry point for the large majority of San Leandro residents who live in the southern and eastern communities of the City. The Bay Trail Project is extremely concerned with the potential loss of the Lewelling Boulevard/Bayfront Drive corridor as an option to access the Bay Trail and shoreline open spaces within San Leandro and its vicinity. As envisioned, the Bay Trail is intended as both a recreational opportunity and a non -motorized commute option that is open 24 hours each day to the public. The importance of the Bay Trail as a commute corridor is emphasized by its inclusion in the Alameda County Transportation Commission's Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans as well as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Regional Bicycle Plan. The gates proposed under PLN2014-00007 would minimize if not effectively eliminate access to the Bay Trail via the Lewelling Boulevard/Bayfront Drive corridor. The proposal does not accommodate access for bicyclists or people arriving by car, and it restricts pedestrian access to daylight hours. The proposed vehicular gate and pedestrian gate would create a very "private" feel and discourage most pedestrians from attempting to access the pedestrian gate area. The proposed gates would also significantly discourage the use of the Bay Trail as a