|
Jack Witthaus, Traffic & Transportation Manager, presented the staff report and responded to questions pertaining to vehicular traffic and cyclist activities, traffic surveys, signage, off-street parking projections, expiration of grant funding for the proposal, and property rights on a public street.
Mayor Chu opened the public hearing at 8:11 p.m.
Anne Pattee, member of the public, indicated she supports Alternative 3 and asked that the voting rights be given to the property owner not to renters in residence in the project area.
Phil Eccles, member of the public, indicated he supports Alternative 1 to maintain the current quality of life of residents along Wolfe Road. He voiced concern regarding the hardship that will be caused by the elimination of parking spaces as proposed in Alternative 3.
Kevin Jackson, member of the public, indicated he supports the staff’s recommendation for Alternative 3. He voiced concern regarding the effects vehicles have on global warming, dependency on foreign oil products, and the use of “sharrows”.
Jill Arenson, member of the public, voiced concern over all the alternatives including the parking space reduction along Wolfe Road as proposed in Alternative 3. Ms Arenson indicated she could support Alternative 1.
Roger Rintala, member of the public, indicated he supports cycling as a viable and alternative mode of transportation and the use of “sharrows”. He expressed support of staff’s recommendation for Alternative 3.
Mi Mi Trusng, member of the public, indicated she supports Alternative 1 because Wolfe Road is a major street and adding bike lanes will not mitigate vehicular traffic on that street. Ms Trusng indicated she supported the purchase of hybrid buses for mass transit to help reduce pollution and traffic.
Dawn Rintala, member of the public, indicated she supports Alternative 3. She voiced her concerns about the aesthetics and the conditions of the roads when you drive from Cupertino down Wolfe Road and pass over Homestead, and the safety of bicyclists along Wolfe Road.
Rand Blakewood, member of the public, indicated he supports bike lanes in Sunnyvale and staff’s recommendation of Alternative 3.
Daniel Goldsmith, member of the public, indicated he supports staff’s recommendation for Alternative 3. He noted that more bikes lanes would encourage more cyclists and that the “sharrows” project promotes safety.
Ellen Imhof, member of the public, indicated she is not in support of reducing parking along Wolfe Road. She said she would support Alternative 1, if necessary; however, she would like to see it remain as is.
Catherina Lee, member of the public, indicated she is in support of Alternative 1. She expressed concerns regarding the outdated address and property owner names on the notification flyers, the narrow streets that have no sidewalks, the lack of parking spaces on the street and suggested that a similar “sharrow” project also be considered for North Wolfe Road.
Ralph Durham, member of the public, indicated he supports Alternative 3 as recommended by staff.
Barry Burr, member of the public, indicated he would support Alternative 3, noting that if you have clearly marked bike lanes you will have more cyclists using those lanes.
Don Dang, member of the public, indicated he supports Alternative 1, noting that the proposal to put bike lanes on Wolfe Road could be hazardous.
Lisa Leing, member of the public, indicated they need the parking spaces along Wolfe Road. She noted Wolfe Road is too dangerous for cyclists.
Tony Spitaleri, member of the public, advocated for bike lanes throughout the City and supported Alternative 1, due to traffic volumes on Wolfe Road.
Harriet Rowe, member of the public, following up on a previous comment, said that renters have as much right since they are registered voters and members of the community. Mrs. Rowe noted that since traffic volumes have increased on Wolfe Road, the City should consider reconfiguring the roadway to include parking, bike lanes, and allowing one-way thru traffic. Ms Rowe indicated she could support Alternatives 1 or 3.
Charles Bateh, member of the public, indicated he would support Alternative 1, and noted that parking is extremely limited on Wolfe Road.
David Simons, member of the public, indicated he would support Alternative 3, noting that the City needs a north/south bike route. Mr. Simons concluded by indicating this is a high priority route for the County.
Fred Wiesinger, member of the public, indicated he would support Alternative 3 because it would help reduce traffic and vehicular speed.
Jack Rowe, member of the public, proposed a 3-lane roadway with the third lane being a turn lane He suggested Council revisit and start the study over.
Tom Mayer, member of the public, indicated he supports staff’s recommendation of Alternative 3, and indicated that the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) supports it too.
There being no further public testimony, Mayor Chu closed the public hearing at 9:20 p.m.
Councilmember Hamilton moved and Vice-Mayor Swegles seconded to approve staff’s recommendation for Alternative 3, Class 2 bicycle lane (providing a bicycle lane at all times. A limited amount of on-street parking would be removed per block in order to accommodate the bicycle lane) as the preferred conceptual design for the Wolfe Road Bicycle Facility Project.
Councilmember Lee offered a friendly amendment that three months after the opening date of the bike lanes, the Planning Commission conduct a review of the impacts. The amendment was not accepted.
Motion carried unanimously.
|