HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/4/2025 Item 7a, Havas
Gary Havas <gphavas6953@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday,
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Item 7: I support for the Higuera Complete Streets Project as originally proposed
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Greetings Mayor Stewart, and Council Members Shoresman, Marx, Francis, and Boswell:
With 5 fatal collisions, an ATP Tier 1 project, an accepted Climate Action Plan, General Plan mode shift
goals, and a Draft Vision Zero plan in place, let us step up and begin this hard work here with the original,
robust Higuera Complete Streets Project.
It is time to reduce the allowance for maintaining LOS for the good of all roadway users. I respect the
concerns of the Chumash Villagers, and yet the original plan has features near their driveway that
accommodate a better sharing of the roadway with compromises from all. The striping for the bike lane
will provide an additional alert to those who would seek to improperly park there where it is an active part
of the roadway, improving sight-lines. Overall, if the roadway diet is allowed, it will feel “pinchy” and will
have the effect of slowing motor vehicle speeds, something so many of we who are motorists desire of
our fellows. For separation, concrete barriers are rather like curb and sidewalk features currently in
place, and will do damage to automobiles similarly if struck. That threat will slow motorists and increase
roadway safety and attractiveness for other modes of transportation. So, I support the diets and use of
concrete delineators as in the project. My truck is old and small and will be easy to keep away from
damaging collisions with these features. I understand the challenges others who have chosen larger
vehicles may face, however, and I know learning curves will be involved as roadway use begins to
accommodate all.
Reconfiguring LOVR/Higuera should be as the plans suggests with City Council accepting the lower LOS
rating and increasing rider comfort with a dedicated signal phase. In order to accomplish our City’s
laboriously and inclusively created safety, climate, and mode shift goals, motorists will have to see their
“level of service” entitlements diminish throughout the City. Here is a beginning, and “kicking the can”
down the existing roads will not demonstrate the commitments we, as a city, have made to these
important goals. And I thoroughly support looking into a separated bike path crossing of 101 on Madonna
Road as well as the currently proposed changes at the Higuera/Madonna intersection for the safety
enhancements it will provide, again understanding that I might have to wait a little longer there in my
automobile, or seek alternatives of route or schedule.
I stand with the ATC and an ATP that has been carefully and deliberately created to serve our community
of roadway users who are the mobility challenged, people who walk and bike, and motorists. I support
the City Council making this difficult decision to move on with the original plan on everyone’s behalf.
Gary Havas and Stoker
?? (who also enjoys trailer-time in the bike lane and tether-time on sidewalks
and in crossings)
805-458-0755
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