HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/21/2024 Item 4a, Pacheco
KURT PACHECO <
PM
To:Advisory Bodies
Cc:Shoresman, Michelle; Fukushima, Adam
Subject:Tank Farm Rd Paving Project
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Hello
I am writing concerning the Tank Farm Rd “repaying” project. My first comment is that this is not a “repaying”
project but rather a material alteration of the current traffic pattern that I believe is a detriment to the local area
residents and which I am very much opposed to.
I live in the Arbors neighborhood now over 27 years. Unfortunately the traffic has only gotten worse over time
with the additional growth in the city, which is natural. Way back when planners had the foresight to have 4
lanes on Tank Farm for the expectant growth that has now come to fruition. I’m not sure of the actual number
in but I believe around 300 units have been added in the Righetti Ranch development. I can assure you over
99% of these new units are using vehicles as their primary mode of transportation and now you’re proposing to
DECREASE the number of lanes for traffic. This does not meet the eye test for common sense.
I made a point of driving and observing the situation on Tank Farm from the railroad tracks to Broad. In each
direction there are turn lanes to allow people to safely turn into the adjoining neighborhoods. I am a biker and
the current bike lanes are sufficient, although adding the proposed plastic lane posts wouldn’t be a problem. I’ll
enumerate other considerations below.
1. Currently trying to get in and out of the Vons shopping center can be tricky during certain times of the day.
Currently people going straight or turning left onto Broad will be in the left lane freeing up some of the traffic.
Now ALL traffic will be funneled into one lane making for longer lines of cars and creating greater frustration for
those trying to get out or into the shopping center.
2. This appears to be a bait and switch proposal. This is not a repaying proposal, it is a material alteration to
the flow of traffic.
3. Previous planning for growth was spot on with 4 lanes. They constructed a 5 gallon bucket when only
needing 2 gallons. Now that we have the 5 gallons you want to go backwards and put 5 gallons into a 2 gallon
bucket.
4. I support having safe bike lanes as I am a bike rider. The current bike lanes are definitely adequate and
installing the proposed plastic barriers would help. But have you done any studies on the volume of bike traffic
versus vehicle traffic? I can assure you that the number of bikes is minimal and does not come anywhere near
requiring the reduction of lanes for vehicles in this proposal. This is a solution in search of a problem.
5. One of the other stated reasons for this project is speeding. I can’t argue that people do speed, myself
included at times. I would propose a much cheaper proposal being the installation of speed bumps similar to
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those on Broad street near foothill by California Fresh Market. This would accomplish the goal of managing
speed also allow for flowing traffic for the amount of cars in the area.
6. Certain periods of the day have very heavy traffic and this would make it worse by backing traffic up for
quite a distance. Mornings when school is in session are very congested along with work traffic. The “noon”
hour traffic around Vons on Tank Farm is crazy and this would only exacerbate the problem. The 4 lanes
helps keep some of the traffic flowing while there is a backup.
Finally I’m very concerned that this meeting for feedback is merely window dressing as your flyer states “
construction is currently scheduled to start in summer 2025”. This sounds like the decision has already been
made. Have bids already gone out?
I posted yesterday on Nextdoor yesterday to create awareness of this proposal and many people were
unaware of the scope of the project, many stating they thought it was repaving. You can view the comments
as it is under my name.
Please take a step back and realize you have the right number of lanes currently. Enhance the bike lanes if
necessary but don’t reduce vehicle lanes. Use this money on other projects where there may be a greater
need.
Thank you for listening to my feedback. I would be glad to speak with you if you’d like.
Kurt Pacheco
805-550-1976
Sent from my iPad
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