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2007-03-06 5-C SubmittalsBarbara Hawkins, City Engineer City of Alameda, CA 950 West Mali Square .Alameda, CA 94501 Dear Ms. Hawkins, February 22, 2007 I am writing in regards to the proposed bus stop for #63 that you are considering placing in front of the homes of the Southshore Lagoon Condominium homeowner complex. We, the homeowners oppose the bus stop on the west side of Willow on Otis Drive for the following reasons: O It is Unsafe for Pedestrians. The bus stop is planned to be located right next to our vehicle entrance/exit, which is the primary entrance/exit for the South Shore Lagoon Condominiums, a 89 -unit HOMEOWNER complex. This entrance/exit is used by garbage trucks, contractors, roofers, painters, landscapers, and the various maintenance trucks that keep the SSL homeowner complex in shape. It is also the primary daily entrance/exit for 100 cars belonging to the property- tax - paying homeowners who live there. Additionally, it is used by the contractors hired by the homeowners for floor installation, window installation, painting, as well as by electricians (in trucks), plumbers (in trucks), and other maintenance staff (in trucks). The crosswalk is On the other side of this entrance/exit. Bus riders will have to compete for crossing rights with the cars and trucks using this exit/entrance. The security gate has timed closing (not motion - sensitive or weight -based closing) which means that those exiting our homeowner complex must do so promptly or else the swinging gate will hit their vehicle. Adding a bus stop next to the primary exit/entrance means that the vehicle owners simultaneously must watch for bus passengers crossing in front of them, for the gate swinging shut behind them, and for traffic on Otis Drive which they are trying to enter. 0 It is Unsafe for Traffic. Homeowner vehicles entering /exiting the SSL condo complex wi l l be making left/right turns onto Otis without adequate visual information to safely complete the turn. Also, Busses that do not pull all the way into the bus space on the street wi I I be blocking our right -of -way. The City will be faced with lawsuits for accidents caused by this poor placement of a bus stop. O Opposition by Homeowners. Attached to this letter is a petition signed by 62 Alamedans who are homeowners that live at Southshore Lagoon Condominium, are residents that drive vehicles into /out of the 89 -unit complex, are homeowners that live on Otis Drive, and others who OPPOSE placing a bus stop on Otis Drive west of Willow in front of the Southshore Lagoon Condominium homeowner complex. (see attachment) O Conflict with Street Furniture. Otis Drive (near the exit/entrance of the 89 -unit homeowner complex) is where we place the blue recycling bins (15 -20 bins) for emptying and pickup. It would be detrimental to our community and to the city if vandals were to turn over these bins and spew the contents into the street and our entrance /exit. By placing a bus stop so close to an easy target, you are inviting abuse. O It Will NOT Enhance Transit Access. One reason given by the Transportation Committee for the bus stop west of Willow on Otis Drive is that it would enhance transit access to /from Alameda Hospital and nearby medical facilities or apartment complexes. Re: Agenda Item #5 -C 03 -06 -07 Page 1 of 2 It would NOT. The proposed buss to p is 2/3 of a block down Otis and away from Willow. It would be in front of homes -- there a re no apartment buildings west of Willow on Otis. Some • they can reach the hospital by taking a shortcut through passengers mistakenly may believe y hospital through our homeowner complex. access to the hos our homeowner complex. There is no p by medical facilities transit access to the hospital and nearby bus stop that WOULD improve stop on the corner of Willow. (This bus stop was not would be the pre-existing westbound bus p indicated "Otis the Feb B �oD7 minutes.) The pre- existing on the ot�s Drive Corridor attachment #1 map i n th } • westbound bus stop on Otis at Willow is in front of an apartment ex�sttng and functional westb p building at 2101 Otis (it is on Otis on the east corner of Willow ). This bus stop is on the same multi-use apartment buildings. This stop is at the corner where side of the street as many mu p and directions and give the closest access to the hospital an crosswalks are in place in both g nearby medical facilities. Existing Bus Stop It is Unnecessary when an Exis � p Exists. There is an existing westbound east corner of Willow where the 50 and bus stop in front of 2'l01 Otis at the e W stop. 1 strongly rather than removing trees and parking spaces in front of suggest using the existing stop rath 9 homes on Otis and placing a second unnecessary bus stop. h p The #63 could have its route changed so that it stops by Mervyns and makes a right onto Southshore Center Lane. If the turn is too narrow at Mervyns, then use the proposed funds to traffic lanes in the traffic planning for the Center. A bus widen the lane. Or consider improved t . in more sense than in front of our homes. At the light, the bus can rest stop �n the Center makes mor existing Lane onto Otis (by Burger King) and then use the ex g make a left from Southshore Center . line could be painted a little further back from the light on bus stop at Otis and Willow. A white p __ This has been done in at least two locations in Alameda Otis for the Otis traffic going east. Thy Lincoln ?), and also on Sherman at Buena Vista. In on Park St near the Chevron station ( at }, if from Buena Vista (going east} that turns onto the one -lane on articular �f ou look at the left f . p you make this turn in a smaller space than Kerman (towards Marina Village }, HUGE TRUCKS m S believe the #19 bus four-lane street) from Southshore Center Lane. !also what is at Otis (a f } . . onto the one lane of Buena Vista (going east). If a bus can makes a left turn from Sherman make a felt turn from one lane to another one -lane street, then it certainty seems possible that a bus could make a left turn across a four-lane street with little difficulty. reconsider the placement of the bus stop to a more safe We strongly urge you to either re p on Otis to the 1 Zoo -ft guideline and to NOT place a bus stop o location, or, to make an exception g Drive west of Willow in front of our homes. incerely, Geri Kaman 2027 Otis Drive attachment: Petition to Oppose Bus Stop on Otis Drive west of Willow Page 2 of 2 col- l - Uripna,L IJe.liw..h'.a,z- +o /Jearnan,p, nawicina, a�.talo7, PETITION TO OPPOSE THE BUS STOP ON OTIS, WEST OF WILLOW. We, the undersigned, believe that the placement of a bus stop on Otis Drive west of Willow Street which is in front of the Southshore Lagoon Condominium would be detrimental to our community. Name 61424Ar 10 kik via t-toddi'corL_ ,Z \`xno- �S r,aF�q �.r� 13 A tZ5 /—I t, ir'iO ,, 11 16 tZ% Me-,S A-% c), 17 ITOth „gg 18 j d6'GJ 7F 19 t! � •Qa 20 Address Date (Z035 oh- 9X 4104 2 Roa\ 0.14cDr-44 r a035 QTr)4C A41 Off birtE 2M4( 6-(-C1 D4rJ 70;'? oi/J/),- # y aoa) 114C- .A0,2f / . 630 91-.14yriseellY-1214 01_0017 o/6 M -(Pc11 gifoa)cl CA-i5 a o 33 Or5 PrL±t:,4 ;&L) oT :s arc at /a ;i& b--,s 'isk 677s 4__ ()775 � ab �� C5rk (07 2.0a4; 6-1> 0.21 /7 /62 PETITION TO OPPOSE THE BUS STOP ON OTIS, WEST OF WILLOW. We, the undersigned, believe that the placement of a bus stop on Otis Drive west of Willow Street which is in front of the Southshore Lagoon Condominium would be detrimental to our community. Name 21aw„,,,it 22 23 Address Date i9`0 7 25C—V0471 e-es 6d 0 cbd► 26 27� S,icabv4P-..e% 30 A-4-0—t,q5 �G�G� O 31 �Q�l bT,Lf 32 pL0 � McOW'fi 33 c Mcov644 34 COY 35 5u-e-er, 36 37 38 ‘17-� /v1. 39 .5A Ac-ckf- 40 ‘1/1/W7, �63s &fr(5 ,bf a 211 g 40-7 d331 D 0Z-1,8--07 ceof tegi(06,) -67 2AZi' 64- 1Z. �oV \ -C 18 -07 ar,s P,& q' -vg 6� 2.-1 - �•l5-oJ Go 1 L.3t sT C-7 iR-D 3 ( Q j /S .01041-I ac�as� 0V73 DQ. #� a./8v7 g.W (MC I i.c• 33. Bar j)2 OZ ,OA. K aoa9 04, d�, F- ads.(-Pit 97ZS4/L ,&s7 v� Itk 0-0 7---oL; -44 2c ..41 1 - �rl n?-,s I/f,w/LZ 044'517Y, P -1,-Z 2 -65 PETITION TO OPPOSE THE BUS STOP ON OTIS, WEST OF WILLOW. We, the undersigned, believe that the placement of a bus stop on Otis Drive west of Willow Street which is in front of the Southshore Lagoon Condominium would be detrimental to our community. 41 Name 42 tzr lAtTheaf:e 43 Sheer 46(k\ R <tipw't 44 i:wr N&Uyfr 45 OM/ 46 Vf d fRE'pv F bted,i il).‘ 47 FW n VM 48 49 _aye, • so IAI „ 51 52 53 54 -)Weecg_, (4-614_t,t. 55 c20U4\.0 1 O+Ls �r�. 2•a� -o�- 56 ‘1(A-‘" 6(r '4/0 Address Date DtDtE, t:. kfvfvF 20q1 crti5 Dc. kuweoh QF' 2IIgI0'j ohs OV lctaia Al2:27 °Tr s Alesr -tEPfl- ett- A0017 Ctrs DP- h 0.2- � /°/ %- ,2oa9 o1"�h :i2i? � o2 /2,0%:f AL$#I, /5A((( �lacioff 646-- zi); tha) //2/1D ,60� 1 5't #-K a, 30. a7-.- 1 (Aq tAilb, 5 I. e' A 7 2.0 ale7 2-(1 ci 4 &-cf,i ciE1/ H ail/ -4 2-- z1'z, . farer 57 58 020 3s --A ms's ?It!, „..2 17 1,/ - 0 3.25 igt't 59 60 PETITION TO OPPOSE THE BUS STOP ON OTIS, WEST OF WILLOW. We, the undersigned, believe that the placement of a bus stop on Otis Drive west of Willow Street which is in front of the Southshore Lagoon Condominium would be detrimental to our community. Name 1,6tUA&CUA- 62 ?Fsittl---6—x-cirq-cl-PI 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 Address Zb3 3 CY\cti- (015-F Date 21. a/ 0 � City of Alameda: EFMHome Case Details Print Close Case Number: Customer: ire l https://clients.comeate.com/reps/caseDetail.php 15931 Status: Resolved Decker, Susan external customer 2145 Santa Clara AVE E Alameda CA 94501 -2816 (map) (510) 864 -8539 decker-comcate@avax.net Preferred Contact Method: Email Submitted By: Decker, Susan customer Topic: Mayor /City Council >E -mail the Mayor and Councilmembers Location of Request: Request Type: Primary Owner: Suggestion Baines, Christina Date /Time Created: 03/0 1/2007 20:16 Date /Time Closed: 03/05/2007 08:52 Original Request Dear Mayor Johnson, Vice Mayor Tam, and Councilmembers deHaan, Gilmore, and Matarrese: In reference to March 6th Council agendum 5 -C: Alameda Transit Advocates supports the installation of a new Line 63 stop on Otis at Willow, and the replacement of the 63 stop between Grand and Willow. The Otis and Willow stop would bring 63 riders closer to Alameda Hospital, and would better serve neighborhoods whose transit access is limited by the lagoons. Both stops will help bring Otis closer to conformity with the 1000 ft. spacing goal of the Alameda Transit Plan, and the 800 -1300 ft. recommended by AC Transit. All of the proposed locations for the replacement stop between Grand and Willow offer advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost and neighborhood preferences, but whether the stop is placed at Sandcreek Way, Pond Isle or another nearby intersection, it will help ensure access to public transit for both those who need it now, and those who may find they need it in the future. The former stop at Sandcreek Way, in front of Lum Elementary School, was originally removed in response to Alameda Police Department concerns over pedestrian safety at the intersection. Since then, crosswalk improvements at the school have adequately addressed the problem, according to the Police Department. ATA applauds those improvements, but regrets that the stop was ever removed. It is far better to enhance safety for bus riders and pedestrians than it is to discourage them in the name of safety. Every missing or inadequate bus stop and every closed -off crosswalk sends a message that Alamedans should neither take transit nor walk. The removal of the Sandcreek Way stop also seems to have given neighbors the mistaken impression that bus stops are a danger to pedestrians. ATA knows of no evidence that a bus stop near a school is a safety hazard. If accident statistics supported this view, protective parents would undoubtedly have called attention to them long ago. Some Lum School neighbors have argued that a stopped bus reduces visibility, and thus safety, at the crosswalk. When a bus is stopped, it is the responsibility of car drivers, pedestrians, and crossing guards to use extra caution and wait for the few seconds needed for the bus to move on. With only one bus per half -hour passing Lum school in each direction, there can't be many opportunities for students to be inconvenienced. They are in much greater danger from the large numbers of cars - many of them exceeding the speed limit - that fill Otis on Re: Agenda Item #5 -C 03 -06 -07 1 of 2 3/5/2007 9:03 AM City of Alameda: EFMHome weekday mornings. https://clients.comeate.com/reps/caseDetail.php In apparent contradiction to complaints of visibility problems, other neighbors have claimed that no one ever used the stop at Sandcreek (although a crossing guard said that at least one student used the stop regularly). Assuming for a moment that the restored stop truly would get literally no use, the only change would be the re- installation of bus stop signs. If no one ever wanted to get on or off the bus at that stop, the buses would just keep going. Since the necessary red curb is already in place, re- instating this hypothetically unused stop would have no impact on pedestrians or drivers. In reality, of course, adding a bus stop will attract riders, some of whom might not use transit if they had to walk farther. Alameda should not remove a bus stop for lack of current use any more than it should remove a fire hydrant that hasn't been used for a while. In order to control pollution, global warming, and congestion, and to ensure mobility, it is important to provide public transportation options to as many Alamedans as possible. Well- spaced stops further that goal. ATA urges the City Council to bridge the Otis Dr. gap in our transit network as soon as possible, and to uphold the 800-1300 ft. spacing guidelines throughout the city. Susan Decker Alameda Transit Advocates advocates©alameda- transit.org (510) 864 -8539 Customer Communications Date From Text 03/05/2007 Weisiger, Details » Ms. Decker, A copy of your communication regarding the 08:52 Lara March 6 City Council agenda Item 5 -C as been provided to the City Council. Thank you for sharing your viewpoint with the Council. Sincerely, Lara Weisiger City Clerk Internal Activity Internal Notes No records for internal activities found Tasks Complete Due Subject Assigned By Assigned To Status Case Contacts Role Primary Owner Name Email Baines, Christina cbaines ©ci.alameda.ca.us Phone 510- 747 -4701 Secondary Owner Weisiger, Lara Iweisige©ci.alameda.ca.us 747 -4801 Attachments No attachments found Activity History Date Event Description 03/05/2007 08:52 Change Status status change during send email 2 of 2 3/5/2007 9:03 AM Albert Levy 613 Sandalwood Isle Alameda, CA 94501 March 5, 2007 Beverly Johnson, Mayor Lena Tam, Vice Mayor Doug Dehan, Council Member Marie Gilmore, Council Member Frank Matarrese, Council Member City of Alameda Alameda, CA 94501 RECEIVED 2001 HAR -5 P 12: 5'J CICITYOFALAMEOA LR IE RE: Installation of AC Transit Bus Stops on Otis Drive, near Sandcreek Way I hope you had the chance to review the entire above referenced file. Simply put, you have no authority to reverse Alameda Police Department decisions over public safety issues. (Emphasis given.) Sincerely, Albert Levy Re: Agenda Item #5 -C 03 -06 -07 Vi- -- - - -- — - - -� . - -��.. �- - _ - �.r -.rs. ..+ �. -. -: r..: _ ='i1: 7..R :R:.r•.�A.v. Stop .r:7c- ,ry'a{ip, :w =F.•.- .��F6��s•.L,...� ..-•i .se1:+3: 71a .+1e1A:. L•.1F�i�Ji:r -_ _ .. �..- -.. ...- •: ti�F. ti^_, n�T..' �'.=-+ h.` 4tii7 !- :_..i.:= •i ^.:..+CI.R•:•.: �1t] ,:•A -...'?; 1.c.r 4c. ,. ��� 1.. .: vvu;•��. .•'7.- SL�raS: •�.1'.l.fi.,.:9�.i 3 012007) Beverly Johnson - Proposed Bus Stop at Lum_ (Otis at Sandcreek ` Pa ,e 1 a._. 2n #.n.�.�•. , �. ,...., „. T.a+l.r. ... �r.••1. .. .Y f - -1 From: Annie Anderson <andertones@sbcglobal.net> To: <bjohnson CP ci.alameda.ca.us >, <Itam @ci.alameda.ca.us >, <ddehaan @ ci.alamed... Date: 3/6/2007 9:59 AM Subject: Proposed Bus Stop at Lum (Otis at Sandcreek) CC: <IumcrossingC googlegroups.com> Dear Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council Members, am writing on behalf of the proposed bus stops in front of Lum School on Otis Drive (at Sandcreek). I am very much opposed to the location and wanted to voice my concern at the placement. While I was PTA President at Paden School, I attended a safe school and walkable community event with Mayor Beverly Johnson and other city officials at Chipman School. We walked the neighborhood and discussed problems with pedestrian safety around the school. One of the first problems identified was the bus stop before the crosswalk on Pacific (in front of Chipman). It was identified as a hazard for children who crossed in front of the bus in the crosswalk. Cars cannot see them until they "peek” around the bus. (Please note...the experts with the walkable community noted the stop needed only to be moved past the crosswalk to allow more visabi l ity and safety for the children.) By placing the bus stop before the crosswalk on Otis (at Sandcreek), you would be allowing the exact same situation that was frowned upon at Chipman. Yes, there are guards at the crosswalk at Lum, but they are only there at two times on the weekdays. What about the other times of the day and the weekends? Please do not allow this bus stop at the proposed location. Thank you for your consideration, Annie Anderson 2009 Sandcreek Way - pileira/k C` -o@ TRANSPORTATION COMMIS SIONMINUTES MAY 24, 2006 Chair Knox White called the Transportation Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL -- Roll was called and the following recorded. Members Present: John Knox White Jeff Knoth Michael Krueger Eric Schatmeier Robert McFarland Absent: Pattianne Parker Robb Ratto Staff Present: Barbara Hawkins, City Engineer Barry Bergman, Program Specialist II, Public Works Andrew Thomas, Planning Services Manager 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Schatmeier noted that his question at the last meeting what if the AC Transit advertising bus shelter program maintenance requirements are similar to the requirements of the City's maintenance contract. Commissioner Krueger requested some edits to the minutes from the previous meeting: • The motion regarding the bus shelter guidelines, reaffirming based on the results of the survey. • In the discussion of the results, he had pointed out that scores for protection from rain and wind are higher for the shelter that have walls than for the canopies. Commissioner Schatmeier made a motion to add the recommended additions. Commissioner Knoth seconded. Motion approved unanimously, 5 -0. 3. AGENDA CHANGES Chair Knox White moved Item 7C to the top of the agenda. 1 Submitted by Liz Cleves at the 03 -06 -07 City Council Meeting Re: Agenda Item #5 -C 4. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS The Multirnodal Circulation Plan sub - committee has not met since the last TC meeting and there is nothing to report on. The Pedestrian Plan will be discussed tonight. The Bicycle Plans update has not been started as of this date. 5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. 7C. CITY POLICY REGARDING SPACING BETWEEN BUS STOPS Staff Bergman presented the staff report. He noted that the Transportation Technical Team (TTT) had requested that the Transportation Commission provide more specific policy direction regarding bus stop location and how their benefits should be evaluated against any negative impacts. He distributed the AC Transit bus stop policy. Chair Knox White asked Staff Bergman to identify what the safety concerns were. Staff f�'Bergman said that a representative from the Alameda Police Department would speak on that issue. Officer Craig Rodri a said that there was a concern from the crossing guard Mr. Garlets on trying to cross a with the crosswalk located across Otis Drive which the location of the bus stops would hinder the safety of the children. With the amount of traffic they had to step out a little further past the end of the bus to look for oncoming traffic. There are also cars that creep up and keep going across the crosswalk without stopping. There are concerns of having a bus stop there in front of the school for both the children and the crossing guards. Qtfier Rodri a indicated that he had discussed this issue with Michael Margulies of the Public WorkUept. in the past. After the concerns were raised, the bus stop was bagged and removed. PUBLIC COMMENT Peter Muzic stated that it is 900 ft to Grand and a couple of thousand feet to the willow bus stop. The bus stop is not . in the middle of the block. He recommended putting the bus stop by the walkway, about half way between the two existing stops. Barbara Nemer stated that the proposed bus stop location is hazardous. She said that the crosswalks are not observed by drivers and the location is unsafe because of parents dropping off and picking up their children at the school. Elmer Garlets, a crossing guard at Lum School, stated that the proposed bus stop location is hazardous. He said that the bus stops right on top of the crosswalk, which blocks the view of the crossing guards of oncoming traffic and that vehicles cannot stop in time for the crosswalk. He 2 >,- W W ce V D Z co D Z w Ce 0 u) 1— 0 z O J t5. u) u) 0 Ce 0 CROSSWALK ON OTIS DRIVE AND SANDCREEK WAY L