HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/15/2022 Item 2, Wakeman
Delgado,
From:Kaylene Wakeman <kaylenewakeman@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, September
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Laguna Lane Stripes
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Dear Active Transporation Board Members,
Thank you for your willingness to listen to our concerns this week. I would have loved to attend the meeting in
person to share my thoughts, but my driving skills are required by my children this evening to get to their
various practices around town.
I'm wrting to respectfully ask you to reconsider the lane striping on Laguna Lane. A bike lane was recently
added for residents to use when leaving the neighborhood, but the result was a narrowing of lanes to the point
where a variety of new issues have been created: school buses cannot make the turn, delivery trucks at
Laguna (semi-trucks) cannot make the turn, neighbors have had close calls with near head-on collisions, and
the light has failed to recognize when cars are awaiting a green light (this has recently been addressed).
The bike lane does not make common sense for the usage of the intersection. I was curious to inquire for whom the bike
lane was intended? It does not appear to be for school aged kids as 1) they used the bike boulevard and the crosswalk to
get to/from school and 2) it would be incredibly dangerous for any of them to use that lane during schoool hours. In
speaking with staff, I learned that it was installed for the residents. As a cyclist and a resident, I'd like to say thanks for
thinking of us, but no thank you for this particular intersection. More often than not, this intersection is a sleepy little 3-
way point that has fewer than 1-2 cars per light (which exception of school drop off and pick up hours, and the
occasional school function).
I urge you to venture over to this side of town and see how the lanes are ultized during school and non-school hours.
Drive the lanes, and experience the challenges for yourself.
Try driving from LOVR and making a right turn onto Laguna to get the full effect of the strange bump that is related to
the drainage system. For nearly a decade I've swung this turn as wide as the lane would allow to prevent the passengers
(in my often-times full car) from getting bounced around, not to mention the extra wear and tear to my vehicle.
Try driving from LOVR and making a left turn onto Laguna, and then imagine trying to do that in a school bus, delivery
truck, waste disposal vehicle, street sweeper, recreational vehicle, fire truck, ambulance, etc. The lane is much too
narrow.
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In conversations with the city engineer, I've learned that a new line striping arrangement will be in place as
soon as black paint is available. This arrangement will restore the curb parking, while also widening the lane to
make it possible for larger vehicle traffic. If this new arrangement does not work, I urge to please
consider removing the bike lane and restoring the street striping to its original configuration which allows ample
room for street parking, plenty of space for buses to make their turns, and a little more breathing room for all
neighbors entering and exiting the neighborhood as was previously possible for many decades.
On a personal note, I am a strong advocate for bike lanes and access in our community. However, these lanes
appear to have been drawn without examining the nuance of our particular little community with only one
entrance/exit point, the fairly small amount of traffic at the light at any given time other than school times, and
limited street parking options for our neighbors. This change significantly affects the lives of our neighbors on
Laguna, it affects each of us when making a turn onto Laguna, and all residents of this town who have a child
who will attend Laguna.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Kaylene Wakeman
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