HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/19/2004, BUS 3 - MONTALBAN STREET BRIDGE, SPECIFICATION NO. 99616 council Mdig w Oct. 19,2004
j agenda Report �N
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Jay Walter, Acting Director of Public Works
Prepared By: Michael J. McGuire, Assistant Engineer ;,kl^
SUBJECT: MONTALBAN STREET BRIDGE, SPECIFICATION No. 99616
BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
To lower the ranking of the Montalban Street Bicycle Bridge Project in the Bicycle Plan from
Number 2 of 28 miscellaneous projects to Number 28 and not construct the project until such
time as there is adequate traffic control at the intersection of Montalban Street and Santa Rosa
Street.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
1. Confirm that staff should proceed with the design and construction of the Montalban Street
Bridge Project, Specification No. 99616, at its current proposed location.
2. If the City Council's decision is to not proceed with the bridge project on Montalban Street,
the City Council should direct Staff to return with a recommended alternative location for the
bridge.
DISCUSSION
Background
In 1993, the City Council, upon recommendation from the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC),
approved as part of the 1993 Bicycle Plan, the installation of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge that
would traverse across Stenner Creek at Montalban Street. The purpose for the bridge was to
provide southbound bicyclists a safer, quieter, more direct and improved route into downtown
San Luis Obispo than proceeding on Santa Rosa Street and having to pass over the freeway via
the narrow Santa Rosa Bridge. A secondary benefit was a link for pedestrians and bicyclists in
the Lincoln Avenue / Broad Street neighborhoods to access commercial facilities and park
facilities along Santa Rosa Street — linking neighborhoods and providing a more pedestrian
oriented City.
Then, later in the 90's, bus service was terminated along Chorro Street due to a new Short Range
Transit Plan that called for better service criteria. One mitigation, discussed at the time for this
change, was the budgeted Montalban Street Bike / Pedestrian Bridge that would allow the
neighborhood easy access to seek southbound transit to the City's Transit Center. From there,
service would be provided to any point in the City. Unfortunately, the proposed grant funding
J rI
Montalban Street Bridge Page 2
for this project never materialized (it had been budgeted assuming that grant funding would take
place).
Current Situation
However, the project didn't truly die. Staff continued to seek grant funding and was successful
in 2002 and the project was once again included in the adopted budget. Staff resources were
assigned; and thus, activity to move forward with this project has occurred. The design is almost
complete and the ARC review, neighborhood meeting and environmental review are ready to be
initiated. This activity has raised the visibility of the project to residents (some of which have
moved into the area since 1993) in the residential neighborhood west of the proposed bridge.
Some have expressed concerns about this connection being made at this time. The stated
objections to installing the bridge at this location have to do with concerns about transient traffic,
increased potential for noise and trash, and creating a dangerous condition by putting northbound
pedestrians and bicyclists at the non-traffic controlled intersection of Montalban and Santa Rosa
Streets. Some feel that what was approved over ten years ago doesn't apply to the present
conditions in this area and that the bridge and City funds could be better used at an alternative
location.
BAC Recommendation
At the BAC general meeting on August 26, 2004, after hearing the concerns and objections to the
Montalban Street Bridge Project from two neighbors, the Committee unanimously voted, as part
of the Bicycle Transportation Plan Update, to recommend lowering the project's ranking from
Number 2 (of 28 miscellaneous projects) to Number 28 until there is adequate traffic control at
the intersection of Montalban Street and Santa Rosa Street. The BAC felt the timing of the
connection may be premature since pedestrians and bicyclists would have to travel down to the
signal at Olive Street to cross Santa Rosa if they needed signal assistance to cross the street.
Currently, Santa Rosa Street is under the jurisdiction of Caltrans and there are no plans for any
increased traffic control at the Montalban intersection.
Staff Recommendation
Although the BAC no longer recommends the installation of the bridge at Montalban Street
without the installation of traffic controls at the Montalban / Santa Rosa intersections, staff
continues to believe there is a need for the project and recommends proceeding with project
completion.
The project is about more than cyclists. First, and foremost, a connection from the neighborhood
to Santa Rosa is needed. If the City is to "walk its talk", this is the project to connect
neighborhoods and actually create new pedestrian and bicycle facilities. The existing well-worn
path thru the bushes will be replaced by a safe bridge structure; and access during periods when
the creek is flowing will now be possible. Legitimate concerns for the neighborhood regarding
the transient population, noise, trash and safety can all be addressed in the design phase of the
Montalban Street Bridge Page 3
project. The only issue beyond the City's control is what, if any, changes can (or should)be made
to traffic control along Santa Rosa.
The neighborhood has no transit service currently and this bridge was envisioned as a means to
provide that service. As with most of the City, two-way bus service was not envisioned.
Southbound transit service to downtown was envisioned to replace the one-way southbound
service eliminated. The connection into the neighborhood would allow for a significant number
of residences to have r/4 mile access to the transit corridor without having to travel over the
current 1/2 mile route to access the bus system. Recently, SLO Transit removed its bus stop along
Santa Rosa in this vicinity due to low boarding numbers. Depending on actual use, a bus stop
could easily go back in along this area (probably near Olive Street) to provide better access to
public transit.
The Montalban Bridge project would provide the only connection for the Lincoln Avenue/Broad
Street neighborhood area to access the Santa Rosa Street commercial area between Murray Street
and Walnut Street on the northern side of State Highway 101. Southbound bicyclists would be
able to divert over to Chorro Street into downtown San Luis Obispo instead of negotiating the
stretch of Santa Rosa Avenue from Montalban Street to Walnut Street. Northbound cyclists were
never envisioned for this connection. A bike lane exists to Murray Street where access to the
neighborhood could occur. If you were already downtown and cycling, wanting to go to Morro
Bay, you could start out by using Chorro to Highland to Santa Rosa, or simply stay on Santa
Rosa. The 1993 intention was to give those coming from Morro Bay, or further north. an
alternative to Santa Rosa to access downtown. Along this section bicyclists must deal with
heavy automotive traffic exiting and accessing State Highway 101 and large volumes of turning
vehicles. In addition, while the connection would lead to pedestrians and bicyclists accessing at a
non-signalized location, this in and of itself is not problematic. A signal exists less than 350'
away that could be used to cross Santa Rosa if needed — but again northbound cyclists that
wanted to access the neighborhood would not be using this route, but some other easier route.
Complicating this issue of abandoning the project further is the fact that the City, as part of the
Foothill Bridge closure, has already purchased the bridge structure for use in the temporary
detour that has been in place for the last two years. If the project does not go forward at the
Montalban location, we would need to find a location for a similar project that would cost no
more than the current grant funded project, or consider other options. It is important to
emphasize that there is no "new" money at this point (unless Council allocates money from
reserves) to create a new bicycle project in order to simply "move" the bridge project. A more
detailed discussion of project alternatives is contained below in the Alternatives section of this
report.
For these reasons, staff recommends that Council affirm the need for the Montalban Street
project and direct staff to continue with design and construction of the project.
i
Montalban Street Bridge Page 4
FISCAL IMPACT
This project is included in the 2001-03 Financial Plan.
Budget Spent Budget Remaining Total Budget
Study &Design $14,200 $2,800 $17,000
Bridge Purchase 50,000 0 50,000
Construction 0 120,000 120,000
TOTAL $64,200 $122,800 $187,000
As the funding for this project is Urban State Highway Account (USHA) grant money, if the
project is relocated, $14,200 will need to be reimbursed to USHA from the General Fund. If the
project is abandoned altogether, an additional $50,000 will need to be reimbursed from the
General Fund or other grant monies.
ALTERNATIVES
The Montalban Street Bridge project is significantly funded by an Urban State Highway
Assistance (USHA) grant ($120,000). As such, transferring the money to another project would
not be solely under the purview of the City. The City would need to request approval from the
San Luis Obispo Council Of Governments (SLOCOG) for reallocation of the grant money to
another project. While this may not be controversial, there are no absolutes that we will receive
approval even though this has been allowed for other jurisdictions of the County under similar
circumstances.
If the City Council decides to abandon proceeding with this project, there are a. number of
alternative sites where the bridge, currently being used at the Foothill Bridge construction site,
may ultimately be utilized. However, almost all of these locations would need additional funding
to complete and some make connections to bicycle facilities that have yet to be built.
Relocate the Bridge. The following are potential sites that need a 100' clear span prefabricated
bridge as identified in the latest Bicycle Transportation Plan:
1. BTT-3 Over SLO Creek at Prado Road and South Higuera Street.
2. BJT-1 Over Prefumo Creek at the south end of the Wastewater Reclamation Facility.
3. BJT-12 Over SLO Creek adjacent to Elks Lane.
4. RBP-1 Over SLO Creek or across Johnson Avenue.
5. RBP-5 Over small creek in the Orcutt Road area.
6. RBP-6 Over Monterey Street.
7. ACT-5 Over Acacia Creek between Tank Farm Road&Buckley Road.
8. BRB-4 Over Tank Farm Creek at the west end of Buckley Road.
3
Montalban Street Bridge Page 5
Of all of these projects, only the spanning of SLO Creek near Prado Road would be a potential
project that could be completed any time soon. This project could be incorporated into the Bob
Jones Trail -Phase I project that is currently under design.
Create a new corridor. An alternative to the Montalban connection might be to create a
bicycle/pedestrian path along a corridor immediately adjacent to State Highway 101 linking
Olive and Chorro Streets. This connection would still have existing traffic control at the
Olive/Santa Rosa Street intersection but would cross a freeway on-ramp. While this may seem
like an easy link to achieve, this project is not in the Bicycle Plan or Circulation Element, it
would be expensive, and is potentially controversial from an environmental perspective. It also
would take years to implement. Property for the pathway would need to be purchased from
Caltrans and private owners and no funding exists for its construction. This project was debated.
during the 1993 BAC Bicycle Plan but it was determined that the Montalban connection made
better sense from a location and cost perspective.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Bicycle Advisory Committee Minutes of August 26, 2004 Meeting.
L//-Council Agenda RepoW2004 agenda repondEnginwrioy and Maiumowtm Services(Walter)/Capital Projects Design(Lynch)/Shumut to 99616-CAR Bridge Location
r�
_Y Y C
SAN LUIS OBISPO BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
August 26, 2004 THURSDAY 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Jean Anderson (Chairperson), Dixon Moore (Vice Chairperson), Darren
Brown, Kevin Christian, Ben Lerner, Glen Matteson, and Phil Reimer
STAFF: Peggy Mandeville (Principal Transportation Planner)
PUBLIC COMMENT: Jim Nett,Montalban Street resident, suggested that the BAC re-
prioritize their goals listed in the Bicycle Transportation Plan so that the community is
more aware of future projects.
MINUTES: Chairperson Anderson asked for clarification on the minutes of May 20,
2004. Page 2 paragraph 3 states "...the description of a Class I and Class II bike lane
don't match the description given on page 6. Peggy Mandeville explained that the item
described was a graphic that was switched and she would revise the wording to clarify
that. The minutes were unanimously approved as amended by Vice Chair Dixon and
seconded by Committee Member Lerner.
ACTION ITEMS:
1) Election of Officers
Chairperson Anderson expressed her gratitude for serving as the Chairperson of the BAC
for the past two years. Committee Member Lemer nominated Committee Member
Christian for Chairperson. After some discussion, Committee member Christian
responded that he could better serve the committee as Chairperson in the future after
having more experience. Committee Member Lerner withdrew his nomination and again
made a motion to elect Committee Member Christian as the Vice Chairperson. The
motion was seconded by Chairperson Anderson. The motion passed unanimously.
Committee member Dixon made a motion to elect Committee Member Matteson as
Chairperson. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Brown and passed
unanimously.
2)Funding for FY 2004/05 Bicycle Educational/Promotional Activities
Chief Deb Linden and Officer Jeff Booth of the San Luis Obispo Police Departmentgave
an overview and power point presentation about the Annual Bike Rodeo. The
presentation included information about: What is the Bike Rodeo; who comes to the Bike
Rodeo; cost; and which new businesses are involved. Chief Linden emphasized the Drug
and Alcohol Free message that is used by the stunt team that performs at all of the
elementary schools. Officer Booth gave a break down of the cost. $5,600 is the portion
that is being requested from the BAC. That cost would cover staffing, stunt team, safety
course materials, promotional materials, helmets and gift bags.
ATTACHMENT I
Committee member Christian suggested that the Police Department work with the Bike
Coalition to send a common message about bicycle safety. He would also like to have the
stunt team put more emphasis on safety and traffic awareness. Officer Booth agreed that
the Bike Rodeo would emphasize bike safety and traffic awareness.
Committee Members Anderson and Lerner agreed that the curriculum taught to students
should follow the "League" guidelines. Committee Member Anderson agreed to forward
information regarding the "League" so the Police Department can look into their training
program.
Committee Member Lerner stated that the Bike Rodeo is a great program.
Committee Member Anderson spoke about her past experience as a volunteer for the
Bike Rodeo and the problem she had volunteering. Both Chief Linden and Officer Booth
encouraged Committee member Anderson and anyone else who was interested to
volunteer.
Planner Mandeville explained to the committee that the Rideshare funds will roll over to
help fund the Bike Rodeo.
The committee discussed with Chief Linden and Officer Booth,ways to expand the
communication of bike safety and laws to the Spanish speaking community.
And the end of the discussion of this item, Planner Mandeville displayed a draft of the
new City bike map for the committee to review and make suggestions.
3) Bicycle Transportation Plan Update
(Montalban Bridge Project). Planner Mandeville introduced Tim Bochum,Deputy
Director of Public Works. Mr. Bochum gave a history of the Montalban bridge project
and explained that the Montalban Bridge project was included in the City's Bicycle;
Transportation Plan for many years. Mr. Bochum stated that if the committee felt
strongly against proceeding with the construction of this project that he would go before
the Council for their direction:
The Conunittee discussed their concerns regarding the Montalban bridge;
The bridge's exit onto Santa Rosa Street, which has no transit stops nearby
;• Santa Rosa Street is very busy_and dangerous for children to cross tego to the
_park
Increased"traffic" from transients
• Unwanted noise and disturbances for residents
Public Comment:
Jim Nett, Montalban Street resident, agreed with the committee and their concerns. He
also added that the bridge would link a residential neighborhood with a commercial area.
ATTACHMENT
Mr. Nett also looked into ten different sites that -could use-a bridge-with-the -s-a-me,
dimensions and suggested that it be moved elsewhere.!
Kathleen Dillon, Mo-n-tal-b- an--Street resident,-also---o,i-)P-ose--d-the- idea of the project,
stating
that this is not the best location for the bridge
- -— -
Nfr.-Roc�h-�explained bridge could serve-e- - -
as-a positive purposeive -
to pedestrians
trying tq_get from the residential neighborhoods to Santa Rosa Street:
-----------
Committee-Member—Lerner-stated-"-that h,-e--was-,concerned--about--encouraging bicycles to
use this bridge if they are traveling in a northbound direction. He also noted that Broad
and Chorro Street are not bicycle friendly streets.
Committee Member Brown stated that he uses Lincoln instead of Broad Street for bicycle
travel. He suggested that the Committee evaluate the project on its merits now and not
think about What might kappen to the grant funding
for the project
�
Committee Member Matteson askedif pedestrians de'stria"ns would benefit- -from the -bridge-."
Committee Member Lerner replied that he did not think so because pedestrians that want
to walk that way are currently doing so. He then made a motion to remove the,
Montalban Bridge from the Bicycle Transportation Plan.,
--------------------------
Mr. Bochum suggested that the Committee leave the project in the Plan and perhaps,
make it a lower priority:
_
Committee Member-Lerner withdre w-his motio ii.1
ComnutteeMe"mber Moore asked how elimi-, n---thi-s----
Tat_i_g _project would affect the grant.,'
Mr. Bochum replied that if the City chose not to pursue the Montalban Bridge project, he
would contact Caltrans and the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments to determine if
the_grant nqnqy ould be used for a bicycle bridge in another location.i
CommitteeMember Christianmadei'motio-n--todowngrade the Montalban—Bridgep-r-cj-e--c-t
to a#2 Citywide Bikeway Priority, bikeways that serve both commuter and recreational
cyclists (currently listed as a#1 priority bikeway that promotes bicycle commuting and
improves safety) and downgrade the project from the#2 miscellaneous project to#28 of
28,with the condition that the project not proceed until there is adequate traffic control.---at
the intersection of Montalban and Santa Rosa Street. Committee member Lerner
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously."
(Bicycle Transportation Plan Map) After reviewing and making changes to the bike map,
the Committee agreed to further discuss their ideas at the next meeting; including the
creation of a"Super II"bikeway classification.
ATTACHMENT
Joe Gilpin, Executive Director of the Bike Coalition, suggested either strengthening the
top priorities or revamping the entire priority system. Mr. Gilpin also introduced the
committee to the concept of"shared-roadway" bike lane concept.
By consensus, the Committee agreed to form a sub-committee to review and make
suggested changes to the current priority system. Committee members Anderson,
Christian and Lerner agreed to serve as the sub-committee,
The Committee was all in favor of having a Class I bikeway on Prado Road from Broad
Street to Madonna Road. The Committee also agreed to add a policy that allows the
addition of a bicycle lane or path not currently shown in the Bike Plan as a condition of
new development when a bikeway connection can be made. Finally, the Committee
agreed that Sacramento should be designated as a Class 3 bikeway. The Committee then
continued their discussion at next BAC meeting.
4)Discussion Items
Committee Member Items:
Planner Mandeville reported that she will be going to the City Council meeting on
September 7, 2004 to ask for their approval for the bicycle rack donation program.
Committee Member Reimer shared with the Committee ideas about a"bike station'.
Committee Member Anderson suggested having training for people in our community to
be a League certified cycling instructor. The cost for the course would be $175.00 per.
person. Committee Member Anderson would like to work in conjunction with the Santa
Barbara.Bicycle Coalition for these training sessions. The Committee agreed to include
this item for discussion at next rnonth's meeting.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING:
• Continued discussion on the Bicycle Transportation Plan Updat
• Recommendations for Council Goals for FY 2005-07
A Ideas for BTA Grant Applications
• Training for League instructors
The meeting ADJOURNED at 10:30 p.m. to the regularly scheduled meeting of
September 16, 2004.
v ,
- AD ArIets 237
•r,. `:.a ..•-.'-•., �Yr'--.^�-
States are Jamaica,B13I Bele,Goa-
` - temnia, Trinidad, and Tobago. In Asia,
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and the
- Philippines are big growers. In Africa
f and the Middle East, Morocco, Le-
~ baron(greatly reduced in recent years),
.` Nigeria, and South Africa produce
mostly Cannabis indica. In southwest
and central Asia,Pakistan and Afghan-
istan are the big producers(DEA,1994
The average street price of marl-
jnana in the United States rose steadily
from about $6 per gram in 1981 to a
peak of about $18 per gram in 1991
(Fig. 6-3). Retail prices feU over the
This indoor marijuana- next decade but began to level off to
growing operation was about$10 per gram from 1996 to 1998.
busted by JACN.ET a drug Since the common unit of sale for mar-
taskfo=trot by the 3hmffjs ijuana is one ounce(called a"lid's,the
Department in Jaclaon average street price by the end of the
Cotouy, Oregom Growers 1990s was about$300 per"lid"(Oram
can use grow lights or fd- 1999;Mama 1997).
tered modight to avoid deaec-
tion bylaw enforcement PffiktMACOLOGY
agencies or passers-by
.......... •< •^^•^ At last count researchers had dis-
covered some 360 chemicals in a single
Americans grow their own marijuana, (in waren)growing of marijuana has led _ Cannabis plant At least 30 of these
either a few plants for their own use or to very high-potency plants grown all chemicals called "cannabinoids" havebeen studied for their psychoactive ef-
hundreds, even thousands for large- over the United States, from Maine to
scale dealing. Because of stifr'er penal- Alaska(Mamcll,1997). Worldwide,mari- fects. The most potent psychoactive
ties and greater siuveillaace by law en- juana production is widespread Some chemical is considered to be the
forcementenciat' more �Jor are of the countries in the cannabinoid called A-9-tetrahydro-
gr° grog
moving their operations indoors. western hemisphere besides Meffico, cannabinol" or'=" When smoked
The indoor and even hydroponic Columbia, Canada, and the United or ingested, this potent psychoactive
chemical is omverted by the liver into
over 60 other metabolites, some of
which are also psychoactive.In addition
the widespread use of the shisemilla-
MazijuanaAvrragePrice,1981-1998 gnawing technique has increased the
(Average prim a*—no patency data) average concentration of THC from
1-3%in the 1960s to 6-14016 in the late
$15 '70s, '80s, and '90s (DEA, 1997). High-
... ; Nom:- Gonion THC marijuana has been
$10
�� :K arodnd for many yews--it just hasn't
Retail(10granaie amts} a .
been so readily available. What this
means is that a user would have to
$•5 - "�x,„,:0.Yv��`.f.�,--�:<, snnokeSml4ofthe weak`jointsfrom
the 1960s to equal just 1 of the stronger
r 'Joints” available in the 1990s. Unfor-
ttmately many of the early studies on
81 V 83 M 85 86 87 W 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
marijuana and many of the attirirdea of
Year the counterculture about the effects of
the drag were based on the weaker
fc ure 01-3 • plants.Luckily there has been a great in-
Maijuata became so expensive in the 1990s that heroin was used as a meats to spike cheap arease in research over the last few Yeats
marijuana "joirus,"so the buyer thirds it is the more potent vaiety(ONDCr 1999). using the higher-potency mati)uana.
"/w°Masa then with a; We SHORT-TERM Ei F'k'Ei CT', sperm motility in chronic "pot- Ilse
meta/pipe and a Nits sack°f 6<9 Physical Effects (R'ains et al., 1998; Joy, Watson, &ansa
' rhroNic bud'and try t°suhow wwch 1999;Hornell, 199 .
rt/c°uldsmoktandbasira/ / ett° The immediate physical effects of
9 marijuana often include physical relax- Mental Effects
ePO1 "'ham/ '=/"'1% ,y°w ation or sedation, bloodshot eyes,
thefrear. %rey°ithepipeurmyhaNai; coughing from lung irritation, an in- . Within a few mutes of smokin
/cox barely keep my ayes open,and/ crease in appetite,and a Ioss in muscu-, maaluana, the user becomes a bit coo
assume drat dzd,s as huh as/m lar coordination. Other physical effects fused and mentally separated from tb,
° include an increased heart rate de- environment. It Produces a feeling U
creased blood pressure, decreasedpres I dela vu where everything seems hunilia
z�jrar aGrr xoraveyase sure behind the eyes(Marinol®capsules but really isn't. Additional effects in.
or marijuana,"joints"are used as a treat_ clude detachment, an aloof feeling,
Marijuana Receptors & ment for glaucoma), increased blood drowsiness,and&T=Ity concentrating
Neurotransmitters flow through the mucous membranes of p
In 1940 at Johns H ��resulting m conjunctivitis or red
Xs k nw like/' walr°uta'ober mi
°pions Umver- eye, and decreased nausea (capsules IhVUYk as kirrd°f�6 an esurpe Ns'
sity,receptor sites in the brain that were " ( P
specifically reactive to the THC in mar- and gullies are also used fur cancer pa- like.cvheN you-f°&slug,you f°r�ei
tients undergoing chemotherapy). about theNys /f's&6 every�rur9s
ijuana were.discovered(xawlet[,Evens,&
Houston, 1992). This discovery Manity to �� t'a'king ability dreamlike and there are no resiraixts
ery implied (the ability to follow a moving object, '�,,,�,,,rr��
that the brain had its own natural neu- such as a baseball)and causes a traiung an""�"'"f. You can have freedom to
rotr insmitters that fit into these recep- phenomenon where one sees an after- say what
YOU wank t°
for sites that affected the same areas of image.of a moving object. Impaired Y.
the brain as marijuana
In 1992 researchers at the National tracking abty,the trailing phenomena,
Institute on and sedatingeffects make it more diffi- Stronger varieties of marijuana can
Drug Abuse announced the cult to perform tasks that require depth Produce giddiness,stimulation with in-
discovery of anandamide, the natural perception and good hand-eye coordi- creased-alertness,and major distortions
neurotcansrnitter that fits into the re- nation, such as flying an airplane, and Perceptions of time, color, and
ceptor sites (1)evane tonus, Breve, et al., catching a football,or driving a car. sound.Very strong doses can even pro-
1992). Receptors for anandamide were duce a sensation of movement under
found in several areas of the limbic sys- Many can act as a stimulant as
well as a depressant dep=ding dependingon the . one's feet, visual illusions, and even
tem including the reward-pleasure cen_ variety,and amount of chemical that is hallucinations. One of the most fre-
ter. Other parts of the brain with anan- absorbed in the brain, the setting in quently mentioned psychological prob-
damide receptor sites are those which it is used, and the personality of lems with smoking marijuana is para-
regulating the integration of sensory the uses noia and a deeper depersonification
experiences with emotions as well as (detachment from one's sense of self).
those controlling functions of learning, ammr maxa cs w°t a downerforme,
motor coordination, and some auto- it's aspeed jhiNy./hareplew y°f "/'a�kam sw°kin3 ,w l kay sm°ki�
road'body functions. The presence of .
anandamide receptors means that these AWN`S who sw°ke waryuana anal andkeep sma"*and/dyetpara-
are the areas of the.brain most affected become 9 They carr?speak noise!/fy°cs'rend relaxed and h"iny
by marijuana It is important that there They buOme cmmabile.They're total d seems really mwme&keep
are less anandamide receptors in the `6_f*y°u lnawtsa6ony amund and d°Iy if.And/did keep Alain9
brainstem for marijuana, compared to cannot
move whereas/bec°ac�kmmem°re al°rrytzmcaftadstrutufdeve(°
enkephalin receptors for opioids, and a P"
norePinepbrine receptors for cocaine in
that part of the CNS (central nervous
gym). Since involvement of this area Marijuana also causes a small tem-
of the brain that controls heart rate,res- Like most psychedelics the mental
piration, and other bo functions is p°l disruption of the secretion of the effects of marijuana are very dependent
dy male hormone testosterone.That might
the reason dangerous overdoses on the mood of the smoker and the sur-
can be important to a user with hormonal roundings.Marijuana acts somewhat as
occta with cocaine and opioids,it helps imbalance or somebody in the throes of -a mild hypnotic. Charles Baudelair,the.
explain why it is so difficult to Pte- puberty and sexual maturation. The
'ally overdose with mari'uana nineteenth century French poet, re-
1 (smirk et testosterone.effect also results in a f=ed to it as a-mirror that magnifies"
�.199a).
slight decrease in both sperm count and It exaggerates mood and personality
All Aronmders 239
od makes smokers more empathetic to and/or leaves are harsh, unfiltered, ir- right behind dw maryuana.As soon
hers' feelings but also makes them regular inequality, and composed of /got q�one.witha�oisrt'ortwo, Irl
more suggestible. many different chemicals. Therefore, smoke a c fart#e&yd nd o f dw
when it is inhaled and held in the lungs,
`l hWan samclimes, in 50MC re(ation- smoking four to five joints" gives the smdL Then/d hide it from my wLA
64?4 it helps me to drink about nt and same harmful exposure to the lungs and andgo outside and smoke 019t34de on
„,gybe/come"P
,Aa solukorr far my mucous membranes as smoking a full the parch or outside in my wavAked u
problem ar wlratevu but somekines it pack of cigarettes according to studies
by Dr. Donald Tashkin at UCLA
Woman't so it's a vuy back and forth (T.W ,ginnnona, &Clark 1988, 1997). For In the series of slides, the normal
�rpedeanl Itcmddfaeitlrerway" these and other reasons,a major con- ciliated surface epithelial cells in the
n m„P„/s,w,„mg„aw050- cern of health professionals is the dam- mucous membranes of a nonsmoker of
aging effect that manjuana 91110kIng has either cigarettes or marijuana (Fig.
Marijuana disrupts short-term on.the respiratory system. Marijuana 6-4a) show healthy densely packed
memory but not long-berm memory. smoking on a regular basis leads to cilia that clear the breathing passages
symptoms of acute and chronic bron- of mucous,dust,and debris.
'l'd he doing dwjih and a!l o f a sad- chitis. In microscopic studies of these -me breadiing passage of a chronic
den IW(aok`p and freeze and not mucous membranes, Dr. Tashkn has smoker of only marijuana (Fig. 6-4b)
knowwhat to do./wouldhave a
found that most damage occurs in the shows increased numbers of mucous-
hand �die�iH,nylrandandjast lungs of those who smoke both song ice epithelial coils that do
tetter and marijuana. not have cilia, so phlegm production is
look at&C machine Ara while and j in�ed but is not cleated as readily
f° because most marijuana smokers also
hest think to ff!y f What is this and smoke cigarettes. from the breathing passages.The resrtlt
What!We I do with rt?' is increased coughing and chronic bron-
42�rar ofd rttovrsirywaraad�vi "/ts�ustlike cigarettrsmary /started chitis. Some of the changes involve the
The loss of a sense of time is re-
smoking clericals at ihea9e of 13 cell nucleus, suggesting that malig-
sponsible for several of the perceived
effects of marijuana. Dull repetitive rs9'
jobs seem to go by faster. in Jamaica
some cane field workers smoke"ganja”
(marijuana)to make their hard monoto-
nous work pass by more quickly.On the
other hand students who smoke man-
juma while studying get easily bored
and often abandon their books.
The effects of mental confusion,
distortion of the passage of time, im-
parred judgement, and short-term mem-
ory' loss result in a user's inability to
perform multiple and interactive tasks, -
like programming a vCR while under (a) (b)
the influence of marijuana (Wilkins, Frgrure 6-4
Conner, & Gorelick, 1998; Joy et al., 1999; (a)Heauhy mucous membrane of non-
Marnell,1997;Stafford, 1992). smoker.
(b)Mucous membrane of a marijuana
LONGTERM EFFECTS smoker.
Respiratory Problems (c)Mucous membrane of a marijuana and
cigarette smoker.
THC is a bronchodilator, it opens. Cmatesy of Dc DonaldTashkin,Chief;
up the airways, at least initially. As pWiaonary Research Dept,UCLA
smoking becomes chronic,so does irri- Medical Cenocr,Los Angeles
tation to the breathing passages.
Because marijuana is grown under a
wide variety of conditions and is utlre- (`)
fined, the "joints" made from the buds
nancy
mmay be a conseo• =of regular 9oi+r9 to yct stnxed b rel "Wel!a,/rex lased
juaua smotriag sin me of these y w /' oa kxo
changes are Precursors of cancer. /ronrework you re neveryoiky to yet A&-/was rea/l�
Your homework Waite" resscd/was jc
"/'sit sure J'veWaite some damaye 6 m HybAAWId"de„t �a"9r3'��U}'body--like M
/axys, /meas;you can teat&dknW ` df,yoK brow,,/"146/45f
ha*W&r Marijuana has been shown to slow an-ry, at /hated
oftardaamniyoarsysPers; hy
yorxy rxtoyoarsysiem cors Ing and disrupt concentration Part wanted to commit side/was so
of this influence comes from magi- bad.So/jastsmo '
23yearas ast"t here M14(4-5Y tliCM5' juana's effect on short-term memo
xnthixywroxyandxath' had Short-term memo memory. r�lofrr"Idx+ydads 'weeW'or
ry, in contrast to
IW,vexed Sardysosxdhrny Inas lig-term memory, is a Ired-five rt to me"
Processing of
go _ r q information to be retained for only a
short period of time, such as a grocery
a proper assortment of tools for a If users then come to depend
Finally breathing Passage of a certain Job, or facts crammed into the this method for gaining pleasure
chronic man head for an upcoming exam 'Marij�y avoiding Pain rather than learning h
marijuana cigarette smoker to receive(Fig. 6•4c) shows that then gr=dY Impairs a person's ability to re-, Pleasure and satisfaction n
oetely re tain this information. H orally or face up to and deal wi
face cells have been completely re- °�'� it hasp
Pl .)� UoUciliated cells resemb very little effect on long-term memory;. painfulituations directly,they will b
skin,d the smoker has to cough � which is the processing and storm of bitunte their minds and bodies to tt
MUCOUS from o I ugh to clear information for a long period of time, chemical solution.
ciliated since the cells aregone. This leads to acute and such as a theory in physics that has /
chronic been studied for several weeks.This ex- "l io do it mach� it's/iky
bronchitis-Mari)uana and ctga plains why some students have been why not do d?/c°a/dn't fi+rda reasox
rette smokers also have a greatly in-- able to maintain good grades while
creased risk-for developing r xot doing 14 It was too 01 ably
the ton l °f using marijuana on a regular basis /t was likU.Pa yand/oalcirry ix yaw
cancer of the lung
( of the.larynx, and while others and up fl out �/�
ung(Joy a aL 1999;Tashldq u (BrO1°II refn9eratoraxWseein a 661
1999;Tatiilon,1987;Willies et aL,1998).. � O°1996). (' y y of rGt
Although more research is needed Cream arida ALI P/H&N rSY)a
Immune System into what some researchers call an 4A="5 "P andyor"3
"amotivational syndrome,"a number of y°"y to have a hrax ma?rW ixstead'
Some evidence suggests that Patients treated at the Hai
use of marijuana heavy Haight-Ashbury Why. You can have ice cs-a. am,
Juana can depress the im- Clinic for marijuana addiction do show rlroco//ate•yru�o,man. That's what
mune system making users more sus- a lack of motivation. They have a ten-
cepnble to a cold the fhi,and other viralc7 to avoid problems. wairt WA}'don tyoa have rt?"
infections. If such were the case, it "
would be a mistake for people who are Yoa know how they 4dl/you yo to
already immune depressed, either as a school to yd an edyurtiosr so can Since marijuana can be"the mirror
result of AIDS or as a result of chemo- yet ayovdjoh?T/reydis(tes chow to �t Mies," smoking often exag-
gerates natural tendencies in the user.
therapy for for cancer, to smoke marijuana yeyra job,so that's ci9hthears a da�c Thus if a person really isn't interested
fnrthcr th� c purposes. The smoker is /'knee how iv sl that's hthnars m fig,
suppressing an already de- � ay shu having a re on-
Pressed immune system and exposing a day./hadanvaere�hihoars a day ship, or reading a book and smokes
and lungs to pathogens, such as fungi - AdIWidx?"awhow to/Viand/ Marijuana,his or her primitive brain is
bacteria found in marijuana smoke. asedni aarra{bf/ given the edge over the new brain and
Hoa'�5 the health impact ofmarijiuma hours �W~ � says, "You don't have to do those
on the immune system remains unclear �- o/drao things." So rather than the new brain,
from lack of definitive research(Joy ec >t� �" "�°D1NP` "�""°y°"�rako- the neocortex;giving guidance and say-
1999;xonisrcr,1992). ing, "These are necessary things that
The way this mechanism operates you're going to have to do,"the primi-
is similar to the effects of other.psy- five brain takes over.and says "Forget
Learning&Emotional
choactive drugs.What haPPenS is that a it,let's.not do this.-
�tm'ation drug can be used as a shortcut to a
"Ify°k yo frame axdha�he drug
to Plug Physical sensation or as a way e+T/fethiyh I tlroayhtl was me
l° ` x�htaxdyoa say, p,�I'm to counteract boredom or emotional . sm"i,s Verson in the wmi(d lAww/
pain. had the ensurer to eazrydriry axdoxe
AYL31Yunden 241
/sat dawn wdh the tape rrcorder pie who, after experiencing a bad trip, Marijuana---Blood Level Versus
dlstarted don't come all the way down and may
ratL(ixy oal(thi3 hrrY Urine Level(approximations)
have problems going on with their lives•
tWW that l had and the next day They experience continued confusion,
uAM!woke up in the mornury and/ concentration difficulty, memory prob-
#ed,t back d was almmst like/ lems,and feel as if their mind is always Blood
isn't even spea&f FJnglish.' in a fog.
ES
°'"3R S"10� °l was wmJjnjr wdh a r3)car-old
With manjuana many thoughts and Glttnt udr0 had NO preNtOW✓yNrp-
feelings are internalized. Long-term toys that could he iWMtirud prior to ve
vel
marijuana smokers feel that they're his 13th birthday when his friendserg, feeling, and communicating turnedhtm an toa -honeyhlurttbetter but often they're not. which is a uyarpacW wdh mari- zo so
'When/have worked with couples %uana soaked u+honey axd dried d Days afW smoking
where ane o f' in happened to be vtsy strvny suisemilla
the relationship has been asixy marl- and he exoerienad an aside axx&y . Ft9ure.6-S
jtraxa far afoxy period o f tune, the read�N followed by a pat-lwlluano- Thu chart shows the blood and mine levels
biyytst LONrplautt is drat fie never garw drug pertxptual d sm'der induct- of marijuana overtime The marijuana per-
a and d YtSSiox and ax car- sists in the urine longer.Most drug resting
says axythixg err Site never says arty- usually only measracs marijuana
fhinry abdt�'ta concentrate. We don't know in the urine.
We don't talk We dant comn+u-
nica4M,gut fin-the maryuana user, how long these prable►ns wi/llast"
t:ouwsdar Hit-.t.*l�baryDgftr +«c some physiological, mental, and emo-
fhatposon feels when theyre under tional functions for a longer period.
fhe ix f ce that they are fiytxy to Even seasoned veteran smokers
0mm4wiaq&So the r'xtentrons are who've been smoking some low-grade RrrthdraR,al
Ebert;fire mtt's a
are Mem�/de "pot" and then get some strong
`Buddha Thai"sinsemilla may feel that
andions are there bBecause is act the apid onset
ut ll iNterxal of withdrawal from marijuana as with
somebody has slipped them apsyche- people ItNerzrgets out to are otherpeYw#L delis like PCP or LSD. They begin to alcohol or heroin, many p ple
deny
jdm brbo 'tis v„nsd 14,v#-AAb-7beb experience anxiety and paranoia that that withdrawal occurs.The withdrawal
then create more anxiety than what from marijuana is more drawn out be-
they were feeling. Eventually they cause most of the THC has been re.
Acute Mental Effects could have an acute psychotic break twined in the fat.cells and only after a
period of abstinence will the with-
Lasting mental problems from drawal effects appear.
short-term use are unusual but in some- TOLERANCE,WITHDRAWAL,
6ne with preexisting mental problems or &.ADDICTION "Same people who've bean smok-
with latent emotional problems,particu- Tolerance rxy fur ft'vcyears decade to fust They
larly if marijuana with high THC levels 5sty one,tum, Three d ever a Werk
is smoked, acute anxiety or temporary Tolerance to marijuana occurs in a /r y
psychotic reactions can occur (NM, rapid and dramatic fashion. Although and they sgy(especially chase who
1997).Individuals believe that they have high-dose chronic users can recognize thunk mart to a is bexiyx), 'Waw,
lost control of their mental state-There's the effects of low levels ofTHC in their !A,/yreaL l ykr�mdffas xo prvb/ent.
often paranoia or a belief that they have systems,they are able to tolerate much /have no wAdrau al/tsnothim at
severely damaged themselves or that higher levels without some of the more all,Mex 61te `Y'ayaur They
their underlying insecurities are insur- severe emotional and psychic effects
mountable. These acute problems are experienced by a first-time user. neva'earpa'iexce wdhdrawa(. We
usually treatable but what is problematic One great concern about marijuana see that wdhdrrawa(sy"' Vm5 to
is when the symptoms persist. Coun- is that it persists in the body of a xnan�tsaxa arr Welaycdso►rreltiNes
selors at the Haight-Ashbury Clinic chronic user for up to three months fnrsevtral weeks to a marrth„7'"
era
have seen a number of cases of what though the major effects last only.four person stops.a
medicine calls a"post-hallucinogenic to six hours after smoking.These resid
drug perceptual disorder" where peo- ual amounts in the body can disrupt co ardor HWak-Ad&ry
The delayed`sithdrawa' Tects of mar- that marijuana depende.,'~'Sccurs
ij*tea include more rapidly than previo,.iy sus- biryirry, Bcc yeah, la idl m4/juste
0 angerorizzitabifi and Pected• This experiment, notsto .
tY agi cion; pressed the withdrawal tominutesin- �""-dW=mW"9^'W%�aidui
0 aches,Pains chills; stead of weeks, allowed the addictive
0 depression potential of cannabinoids to be more Fly all available researcl
0 inability to concentrate; clearly understood.(aceto,seatm Lowe manluana was based on a THC talc
0 slight tremors; Martin, 1995;Rinaldi-Carmona et ai., 1994; tion of 20 mg per marijuana cigar
0 sleep an Tson,Patrick,&Wa1ka,1995;HIAA,1995). (considered in the 1960s to t
Further, human studies have high-dose exposure). Current in
0 &-creased appetite; demonstrated rapid eye movement Nana`Joints"used for research con
0 sweating, (REM) sleep changes similar to those 40 mg of THC, still below most g
0 craving. seen in other drug addictions.They in- quality street'joints„but closer um
clude decreased REM while smoking me Past- (The marijuana for these
Not everyone will exlrerience all of marijuana and increased REM during perimental "joints"is grown at a g
these effects but everyone will experi- withdrawal. ernment farm in Mississippi-)
ence some of them, especially craving.
Recent human research demonstrated Addiction 4te main proh&m we're dealing we
that irritability,anxiety,aggression,and ret drat&415'potcntl°r""
even stomach pain caused by marijuana "/thought/could c°xiro/ctbeeause juaxa is causi►fy a(°t►rroreprob/ams
withdrawal occurred within three to when/woke i'p in the morning, / than we saw 01 the 19605. /never
seven days of abstinence. (gomi et al., didn't eth'h rMe houraxda treatedasinglemaryuana self
1999 Haney et al,1999). half./,fi"Yeq/h471ir a 114—f— adtrritteq�addut the G/rnic tlrror.9/
"/wvulWbreak into a sweat in&e Aa pYvvw me/m nae/1Op,6w°x this out die 605 nor die Jos andprray
shower./col/d not maintain my 56fhe4c".5c/d°n Erea//l need i4 By much drroKyh die Bos buthy the/ak
concentration f°rdieArd month or the same taken, once/smoked drat 804 we star tisq'searrg peop/e coming
Iwo. T°really treasure my s°hrrel}%it /° /WtWmat come back down m. Everyone°f drew lune in°H their
took me about three or four months ialtil/woke ufr." own v°(iban, saying Help ma/want
before/rea//ycame out°f thefay and 9•u•"sr a„„y„ .,s rz-.,gyp t°stop sm°kiny pot'/t is causing me
reallystartsq/getkng agrasp ewhat P' dreseproh/ems,caasiny me to have
waegorng on around me" The 1990s have made us take a dif- meme7prohleN14 causing we iv he toy
say�dwr=,a;,y„W;,,am Ovw ferent view of the addiction potential of JucedO"4 not t°/6ction in my work
this substance. Today many people /can'tcomp(ete tasks /ts causing me
The discovery by French scientists smoke the drug in a chronic, compul- to he sick in the nrorrun ax co ' /
in 1994 of an sive way and have difficulty discontm- y d ug
antagonist that instantly have wi444"wa/ ms. /want to
blocks the effects of marijuana enabled ling their use.Like cocaine,heroin,al- �`;�°
researchers to search for true signs of . cobol, nicotine, and other addictiveOi°a"d/caxtst°P.�{t°w^program
tolerance,tissue dependence,and with- kgs' marijuana does have the ability in Sax Franeisco,we now have ahold
drawal symptoms in long-term users. to induce compulsive use in spite'of the 100 patients every month who are in
Experiments negative consequences it may be taus- S fol , ,
�P demonstrated that cessa- t>rabsrurt5 r
tion of marijuana use could cause true ing in the user's life. 44Wwlion.5o people who e/arm drat
Physical withdrawal symptoms. Dr. "WAY am/Wain 66?Mae wron m Kana rss hamless have to sit
Billy Martin of the Medical College of g .%
Virginia g wide me?Why do/nava to keep douY dawn and lcstar to thasepeople who
g gave the THC antagonist are atewoundt4W11"dweatllthe
SR14176A to rats who had been ex- d17S?And/dult/rrs foragood8—f0
Posed to marijuana for four days in a veam/used t°huy it by Jure pound 1�king womi4d°r Jure easuafkes
row The antagonist negated the mflu- and thcn/folendafPera rufrile drat/ 1�vm"wY%xwur i`''ce Fvr tlrem mari-
ence of the marijuana Within 10 min- wanted to make itharder°n `oto /Una has tauuW s°yrtproh/ems—
�es the rats exhibited immediate phys- `9'% not ro anq(a°r°t/rer eo /e tell'.
mm
i�withdrawal behaviors that included S11O�So/startedhuyvng dune hags, p Pa9 p p 'xy
«�dog shakes" and facial rubbing, /�yif itwouldcostaid mare,,and its %prdh/ems but they
Vhioh is the int equivalent of with- their eventually, lgot to drep°urt themsehzs }'i`t.9 it's so.
. These-experiments indicated where it gru/n't won;/ crst
r "
AnArounders 243
Is Marijuana a Gateway Drug? ,
In antidrug movies like Reefer
Madness and Marijuana, Assassin of vIllibt3rM� �.a
Youth, the claim was that marijuana
physically and mentally changed users,
so they started using heroin and co-
caine and became helpless addicts.The
ciggeration of this idea led to an in .
dermmirting of drug education because
people who smoked marijuana didn't `' a
become raving lunatics or depraved o 1
dope fiends. The experimenters who
had tried marijuana said, "I tried magi- A
juana and that didn't happen,so I guess
they're lying about all the drugs." y�
This exaggeration and resultant 0.7
ridicule, particularly by the younger — - — —
generation, of propagandistic or scare
films and books probably caused more r`SMOWE -No 301978 AND GALL_ ME ITA f11E MoR>�!1KG..17
drug abuse than it prevented.It also ob-
scured an important idea, that is, the BILL SCHORR Reprinted by permission of United Feanne Syndicate,Inc•
r
s..........•.........................................................
.................................. •......... e•
real role marijuana use plays m future
drug use and abuse.
snrokiny ioeec�'they're snwkiny cracly but it was just not very plentiful.)Just as
ve been in a 12-sten prnyram the refinement of coca Leaves into co-
�tVarcotizs Anonymous)fora fdrYe ordrinkiny.%m notsaytny drat tiny caine and opium into heroin led to
over sixyears and i, not9otatt to say am ba`� wple but thats�ust how itis. greaterabuse of the drugs, so have bet-
who
et-
you oldpalydrNy�whoAvd'dswa6v ter cultivation techniques increased the
like one and one equal tum hutjust y,�,yo yrs compulsive liability of marijuana use.
about em ybady I meet in the t2 sirp There is also an increase in the practice
Viewed from this perspective, it is
royra►n startsil out WA eiflrer of mixing marijuana with other drugs
P,
uanaoralcohol" not surprising that most users of other like cocaine, amphetamine, and PCP.
/ illicit drugs have used marijuana fust Some users even smoke "joints" that
but only after they began using alcohol have been soaked in formaldehyde and
Mari uana is a m the and or nicotine (Joy a al., 1999; Kander& embalming fluid ("clickems") or even
j y� Yamaguchi; 1993;KandeL Yamaguchi,&Chan
sense that if people smoke it,they will sprayed with Raid Roach Killer
1992). " for a bi er kick
probably hang around others who ( fid'� �
smoke marijuana or use other drugs,so MARLTUANA(Cannabis) & Marijuana,Driving,&Drug
the opportunities to experiment with THE LAW Testing
other drugs are greater. Incidentally
the history of most addicts clearly Marijuana is one of the drugs that In more.and more arrests for reck-
demonstrates that the first drug they has never been out of favor and is still less driving or tests at the scene of an
ever used or abused was either tobacco popular at the start of the twenty-fit accident, the driver is tested for man-
or alcohol—the more usual gateway century Internationally,marijuana is the juana and other drugs.Four of the prob-
dings. most widely used illicit drug in coun- lems testing for marijuana are that
No two people will have the exact tries such as Canada, Mexico, Costa
same reaction to marijuana but what Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Australia, 0 it persists for a number days in
has been observed is that those who the body and can still bea -.detected
and South Africa (NIDA, 199s). The days after use;
continue to use it regularly establish a biggest change in this drug is the in-
pattern of use and begin to find oppor- crease in fire availability of highly po- 0 the elimination rate varies radically-
tunities where drugs other than maxi- teat marijuana(up to 14 times as strong compared to alcohol that has a de
juana are available. as varieties available in the'70s)and the fined rate of metabolism
increase in price that has gone up 10-to ., 0 there is a scarcity of good data
' lie me &rdy of omple dtz�/know, 30-fold since the early '70s. (Higher- about the level of marijuana in the
that/hang arvand wilt,t f they atx It potency marijuana was always available blood and the level of impairment;
" .There are also le and lac
0 and most importan zd most �����.�,,` i�,�~-� • �r�, �rt;, �� PSP P
often),there is another_.g besides such as marijuana buyers clubs that pi
j system, �y 4 cure marijuana for those who are M.
marl uana in the 'ti.
alcohol, so even if marijuana has a „ ,_... addition, Marinol® a synthesized for
relatively small effect, it is magni- of THC, is theoretically available,f
feed by polydrug use and abuse. treatment of these and other health pro
lems but in practice is rarely prescribe
Added to the fact that 65% of i People say they prefer marijuana in i
heavy drinkers also use marijuana , !' ' smokable form because it worts fast,
(smNeasA,1999),it's no wonder that pos 'pl than Marinol®. If they smoke, they c.
itive polydrug test results are the rule J smoke just as much or as little as the
and not the exception in drivers ar- need to relieve symptoms, whereas
rested for DUI or DWI(Gieriam 1988). -• they take a premeasured Marinol®cal
ry � r
As with alcohol, driving impair- :` sole,it may not be enough or may be to
ment is directly related to the amount :':-. - .' much for their condition.A major obsta
of THC in the body. One study found - cle with smoking or ingesting madjuan
0 n!R`e3 ..�4"
that 60/o of smokers failed afield- +. for medical purposes is the great varia
sobriety test 2 1/2 hours after smoking . - tion in the amount of active ingredient
moderate amounts, while other tests in any given marijuana plant.variation:
have shown some impairment 3-7 in A-9-THC potency, the relative con•
hours after smoking, while even others A second major area is whether it centration of other active cannabinoids,
showed minimal impairment 34 hours should be available for medical use. and the inconsistency of other botanical
later(Reeve a aL 1983,smiley,1986,Hollister, Historically marijuana has been used factors make it difficult to rely On this
1986). Testing machines can measure substance to treat medical problems.For
minute amounts of THC but are gener- 0 to treat insomnia example,some forms of marijuana have
ally calibrated to start registering at 50 0 to calm anxiety, been shown to increase intraocular
nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) in 0 to cure venereal disease, pressure, making someone's glaucoma
urine samples. Some measurements 0 to relieve coughs(antitussive), worse, although normally most forms
have registered levels up to 800 ng/mL. 0 to calm whooping cough, of marijuana will lower intraocular
Generally if a person has been a long- 0 to control headaches, press=-
term smoker, it would take about 3 But beyond the physiological ef-
weeks before.they wouldn't register on 0 as a childbirth analgesic, fects, there are the mental effects of
a test with a 50 ng/mL cutoff and an- 0 as a topical anesthetic, marijuana that are the real issue. Like
other 3 weeks to be completely nega- 0 to control asthma, opium cure-alls, such as theriac and
tive. In a few instances it has taken 10 0 to treat nerve pains(neuralgias)and laudanum, it is the mental effects of
weeks for the drug to clear completely. migraine headaches, calming,anxiety relief, or mild eupho-
For someone who smoked a`Joint"at a 0 to treat withdrawal from opiates ria that make people feel good and
party but is not a long-time user, he or and alcohol, think they are getting better even if the
she usually tests negative 24-48 hours 0 as an antibiotic, drug isn't actually helping the illness.
after use. Theme is however reluctance in the
Generali marijuana 0 to control spasms and convulsions,
Generally tonna medical community to prescribe or
0 and to induce childbirth. even approve of marijuana for medical
0 impairs the ability to react properly WHIwiy% 1973;Aldrich,1997;Gvrley,Almm,, usefor several reasons,including those
to complex situations; &Kati,1998) already stated.
0 induces drowsiness and impairs Recently it has been recommended
judgment Wa*jzt%1996); for some types of glaucoma, nausea 0 Them are a number of drugs on the
O and appears in the blood and urine control, andto help a patient who has market that physiologically have
three to five times more frequently lost too much weight(wasting disease) the same therapeutic effects or even
in fatal drivers than in the general to gain it back by stimulating hunger. better effects than marijuana or
population(Cxierm m 1988). There is evidence.that marijuana Mmol®.
does reduce intraocular pressure, does 0 The THC content and even the po-
The Medical Use of Marijuana atm nausea,and does encourage people tency of all the other chemicals
to eat, though there are other drugs that vary from one`Joint"to the next,so
Controversy has always existed are as effective or in some cases better even if a few puffs worked a certain
'4° marijuana. Or= major area of Marry people smoke marijuana thera- way one time, there's no guarantee
mon is whether it should be le-. peutically for their glaucoma, cancer, the reaction would be the same the
� iminalized, Or kept illegal AIDS,or other illness even though it is next time.
245
0 Marijuana smoke contains anumber Base was released. It was commis--. 0 Withdrawal symptoms can be ob-,
of irritants, carcinogens, pathogens, sioned in August 1996 by the White served in animals but appear to be
and other chemicals,most of which House Office of National Drug Control mild compared to opiates or benzo-
have not been studied If marijuana Policy.The Office asked the Institute of diazepines, such as diazepam
is baked in brownies or otherwise Medicine of the National Academy of (Valium®)
eaten, the respiratory effects are Sciences to conduct a review of the sci-
avoided but the 360 compounds entific evidence and to do field re- Efficacy of Cannabinoid Drugs
contained in marijuana remain, search concerning the health benefits 0 Scientific data indicate the poten-
along with all their side effects. and risks of marijuana.We present,ver- tial therapeutic value of cannabi-
0 Marijuana does somewhat impair baton their major conclusions and rec- noid drugs,primarily THC,for pain
the immune system, thus making ommendations. We do this because relief,control of nausea and vomit-
the user more vulnerable to other when the report was originally released ing, and appetite stimulation;
illnesses in 1999, both sides of the argument smoked marijuana however is a
(pro-and antimarijuana forces)went in crude THC delivery system that
0 Marijuana is a psychoactive drug front of the media and translated the re- also delivers harmful substances.
with abuse and addictive potential, port colored by what they thought the.
which is particularly dangerous for report said. The result was that unless Influence of Psychological Effects on
those who are recovering from one read the original report, the public Therapeutic Effects
abuse or addiction. couldn't know what it really said. 0 The psychological effects of canna-
Contrary to popular belief,medical binoids, such as anxiety reduction,
sedation, and euphoria, can influ-
research about marijuana continues in Conclusions of the Re ort
Repence their potential therapeutic
many countries. Since the 1970s there value.Those effects are potentially
have been-more than 12,500 scientific Cannabinoid Biology vap y
studies conducted on marijuana.Yet re- 0 Cannabinoids likely have a natural undesirable for certain patients and
sults continue to be conflicting,making role in pain modulation, control of situations and beneficial for others.
it difficult to substantiate appropriate movement,and memory. In addition psychological effects
medical use of marijuana can complicate the interpretation of
0 The natural role of cannabinoids in other aspects of the drug effect
immune systems is likely multifac-
1999 REPORT FROM THE eted and remains unclear. Physiological Risks
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF 0 The brain develops a tolerance to 0 Numerous studies suggest that mar-
SCIENCES'INSTITUTE OF cannabinoids. ijuann smoke is an important risk
MEDICINE TO THE OFFICE factor in the development of respi-
OF NATIONAL DRUG 0 Animal research demonstrates the story disease.
CONTROL POLICY potential for dependence but this
potential is observed under a nar- Marijuana Dependence and
(ONDCP) rower range of conditions than with Withdrawal
In 1999 a study entitled Marijuana benzodiazepines, opiates, cocaine, 0 A distinctive marijuana withdrawal
and Medicine: Assessing the Science or-nicotine. syndrome has been identified but it
DooneSbury BY GARRY TRUDEAU
AA,Pe R7/NTS, hV CALIFORNIA.
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is mild and short-liv
The syn- ommended for long-termMica! 5. Clinical trials of marijuana use f,v drome includes restl._ .ass, irfi- use. N9netheless for cert--_,spa_ medical
tability, mild agitation, insomnia, tients h Purposes should be co,
sleep EEG disturbance and those with st as the terminally ill debilitating symptoms,s, ducted under the; �following lstances: be conducted in Pa
the long-term risks are not of great tients with conditions for whirl
Marijuana as a"Gateway"Drag concern. Further, despite the legal, there is reasonable expectation 0
0 Present data on drug use progres- social, and health problems associ- efficacy; be approved
bymsll
sign neither support nor refute the ated with smoking marllam, it is tional review boards; and rollecer
suggestion that medical availability widely used by certain patient data about eflicacy
would increase
drug abuse. Haw- grows- 6. Short-term use of smoked marl.
ever, this question is beyond issues Recommendations of the Report juana (less than six months) fat
normally considered for medical I. Research should continue into the patients with debilitating symptoms
uses of drugs and should not be a physiological effects of synthetic (sem as intractable pain or vomit
factor in evaluating the therapeutic and plant-derived cannabinoids and mg)must meet the following condi-
Potential of marijuana or cannabi- the natural function of•cannabi- tions:
noids. noids found in the body. Because failure of all
Y approved medica-
Use of Smoked Marijuana different cannabinoids appear to tions to provide relief has been
0 Because of the health risks associ- have different effects, cannabinoid documented;
ated with smoking, smoked marl- research should include, but not be • the symptoms can reasonably be
Juana should generally not be rec- restricted to, effects attributable to expected to be relieved by rapid-
THC alone. onset cannabinoid drugs;
2. Clinical trials of cannabinoid drugs ' such treatment is administered
Marijuana for symptom management should under medical supervision in a
� ari
11���� be conducted with the goal of de- manner that allows for assess-
Patch' May veloping rapid-onset, reliable, and meat of trsxtment effectiveness;
safe delivery systems. and involves an oversight strategy
Aid Cancer I Psychological effects of cannabi- cnmpatable to an institutional re-
noids such as anxiety reduction and view board process that could
ql�e�} sedation,which can influence med- provide guidance within 24 hours
Treatment ical benefits,should be evaluated in of a submission by a physician to
clinical trials. provide marijuana to a patient for
From gssoaated Press 4. Studies to define the individual a specified use..
ALBAIi`yl 1Q.y.A "inari- health risks of smoking marijuana (InahmteofMediciae,1999)
]tea patch.1 similar to the should be conducted, particularly (The full report is available from the
patches that help smokes among Populations in winch marl- National Academy Press,Tel: (800)
kick the habit could 'help re- juana use is prevalent 624-6242.)
lieve the pain and side effects
of ricer,researchers say.
The American Cancer So-
ciety is funding a three-year,
$361,000 grant for research
into g marijuana patch„ that
tndav at
T yH E
ALTH-SCIENCE Ilse>"Tnbmte.Friday,March 3. 2W 9C
Study: Pot makes heart attack more likely
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Oct 1S 04 05: 01p SLn`'OG 805, 781 5703 p. 1
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San Luis Obispo Council of Governments
Arroyo Gn ao
Regional Transportation Planning Agency n,ama,y,,,
Metropolitan Planning Organization ""M m;`a
Census Data Affiliate 11tualpohl0
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Pima Amah
Ronald 1..Det'rrli-fixa-ulivc I)imlM Jyp
Service Authorityfor Freeways and Expresswa ,-;;m 1yia`Obispo
Ys .San Luix Ohiapn county
October 19, 2004
RECEIVED
San Luis Obispo City Council Members OCT 1 9 7004
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 SLO CITY CLERK
Re: Montalban Street Bike/Pedestrian Bridge.
Dear Members of the Council,
Please be aware that the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments supports the
completion of the Montalban Street Bike/Ped Bridge for the following reasons:
• Consistent with City's Bicycle Transportation Plan and SLOCOG's Regional
Transportaiton Plan
a The level of effort expended to date and time since programming.
• To provide important, non-motorized connectivity in the community/region.
• To enhance the safety of pedestrians and cyclists by providing a connection off
of Santa Rosa Street
The Montalban Bridge was applied for in 1997 and awarded as an Urban State Highway
Account in the amount of $120,000 through SLOCOG to the City. These funds were
allocated for use in the near term and SLOCOG staff would like to see a completed
project.
SLOCOG believes that the benefits of community connectivity and non-motorized
transportation alternatives that are provided by the Montalban. Bridge outweigh the
concerns raised by the bicycle advisory community. The BAC has not recommended an
alternative location or project that could serve the community better at the limited cost of
the funds available. Given that, SLOCOG staff feel it is important to go ahead and
complete the project rather than reallocate the funds to a yet-to-be-determined project.
Lastly, should the Council decide not to follow through with administering the SLOCOG
grant at the Montalban Street Bridge, the City should propose an alternative use of the
funds for SLOCOG Board approval. Should you have questions regarding the details of
this project or our concerns, feel free to me at 781-4219 or you may contact Peter Brown
of my staff at 768-2104-
Respectfully,
RED FILE CouNCE .e CDD Dir-1
C -2 FIN DIR
MEETING AGENDA `Fe .CAO 2"FIRE CHIEF
Ronald L. DeCarlilTITEMu , °J ; F_ ATTORNEY ZPW DIR
�'
Executive Director Ja• E(o '/CLERK,iORIG :e--POLICE CHF
I [ DEFT HEADS %RFC DIR
C' Ken Hampian _'tom)Wll iiuTIL DirR'
l i C1 Ld�k$ r in D I
1 150 Osos Stroet, Ste.202,San Luiz Obispo,CA 9.3401 ♦Tel, (1505)781-4219 Fax. (805)781-5703
E-mail. slocog(fstocog.org ♦Internet. btip://www.slowg-(n,
i� Page 1 of 1
SLO Citycouncil - Pro Montalban Bridge
RECEIVED
From: Damon Noller <damon @ bobgear.com>
To: <slocitycouncil@slocity.org> OCT -1 9 2004
Date: 10/1.9/2004 4:56 PM SLO CITY CLERK
Subject: Pro Montalban Bridge
Greetings San Luis Obispo City Council Members,
This letter is in support of the City's plans for the Montalban Street Bridge project. It is important that we take
advantage of this opportunity to strengthen our bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, by following the staff's
recommendation to continue with this project.
The argument that transient's and trash will increase is made moot by the fact that a defacto path already exists
through which people now pass. If anything, the existence of the bridge should make the area safer, both for
cyclists and pedestrians, as well as the local residents.
Let us take advantage of this project to increase the connectivity of our neighborhoods in more silent, less
intrusive ways such as cycling and walking, and endorse your staff's plans for continuing with this project.
Best Regards,
Damon Noller
President, Board of Directors
San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition
878 Upham
San Luis Obispo, CA
RED FILE
MEETING AGENDA
D r�TE lf7 ITEM
#-b6--{?CDD DIR
CAO 42-FIN DIR
v 4CAG ,Z;-FIRE CHIEF
P ATTORNEY DPW DIR
LZ,-CLERK/ORIG e-POLICE CHF
I ❑ DFPT HEADS Z REC DIR
AVV - a j lJ l l LD!R
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Page 1 of 1
SLO Citycouncil - Montalban St. Bridge
RECEIVED
From: "Jon Clarke" <jclarke@blackgold.org>
To: <slocitycouncil@slocity.org> OCT 1 9 1004
Date: 10/18/2004 3:04 PM S�Q CITY CLERK
Subject: Montalban St. Bridge
City Council Members -
I would like to comment on the agenda item planned for 10/19 re the proposed
Montalban St. Bridge (no. 99616).
I live on Lincoln Ave. near Montalban St. and feel the negative effects of
this project would outweigh any improvements. The character of Lincoln Ave.
and its side streets would be lessened by a direct link of any sort with
Santa Rosa. That.sacrifice is not worthwhile, considering that few
pedestrians or cyclists would find the bridge very helpful for practical
purposes.
I bike and walk for much of my transportation within the city and therefore
I strongly support pedestrian and bike friendly projects in general. This
project, however, would be wasteful and unfortunate. < _ Q
Thank you, �-COUNCIL�.y. , COD DIR
Jon Clarke I1CA0 FIN DIR
350 Lincoln Ave. ICAO ? SIRE CHIEF
E ATTORNEY 2`t1W DIR
543-2928 1 CLERK/ORIG -? ?0LlCE CHF
❑ nEpT HEADS cREC DIR
F1ED FILE Z-UTIL DIR
PJ9E ING AGENDA 3
DaTEu to ITEM #
file://C:\Documents%20and%2OSettings\slouser\Local%2OSettings\Temp\GW IOOOO1.H... 10/19/2004
Laguna M .S . ID =5442449 OCT 19 '04 7 :33 No .001 P .02
RECEIVED
RED FILE
ME ING AGENDA CCT ! g 2004
®!ATE 1D ITEM # S 3 SLO CITY CLERK
October 18, 2004
Dear City council Members,
Dave RomeroJUNCIL TCDD DIR
i CAO .o FIN DIR
Christine Mulholland I'',.�ACAO AFIRE CHIEF
John Ewan jti?ATTORNEY Fe-PW DIR
Allen Settle 1,iE�CLERK/ORIG ,POLICE CHF
❑ DEPT HEAD -�REC DIR
Ken Schwartz _ t�'UTIL DiR
RE: Montalbarn Brift --`
Having read the Staff recommendation to you concerning the
Montalban St. Bridge project, I would like to point out several
misleading, or false assumptions on which it is based. I also find some
of the information In the report to be incorrect.
The staff report talks of "linking neighborhoods". This project does
not link any two neighborhoods, but links a quiet residential
neighborhood, with an unruly, congested, noisy, backside of a
commercial area. I do not think that this is what was intended by
our City's goals.
Many residents in the Lincoln/Chorro neighborhood have lived there for
more than 15 years, and strongly oppose this project, not just the few
recent arrivals, as the report suggests.
The City has no data or Information to demonstrate any need for this
crossing, or a desire by the residents of the neighborhood to have one.
There is no study or information of any kind that demonstrates such a
need. In fact, if the City had polled residents of the 70+ properties in
the area as I have, they would find that not one sees any need at
all, and does not want to seethe project happen!!I I have sent there
signatures stating such to the City Clerk for your review.
No member of the BAC stated that the timing of this connection was
premature, as the staff recommendation says. Several members
expressed that there is no need at all for this connection, and
wanted it removed entirely from the bicycle plan. Because not all
members were sure that it should be entirely removed, the committee
voted to change It's priority to the lowest level, and make it conditional
on there being traffic control lights at the intersection of Santa Rosa
and Montalban, knowing that this would never happen.
Laguna M . S . ID,:5442449 OCT 19 '04 ? :34 No .001 P .03
The staff report talks of a well worn path existing at this location. I
assure that it does notllil The person writing this report must have
seen the gullies at the end of the street on each side of the creek
where the water streams down the bank when it rains. The path that'
people used to use has become overgrown in the last decade from lack
of use, to where only a few local residents can even tell where it Is, or
used to be.
The concerns of the residents In the neighborhood go far beyond
noise, trash, and safety. Many see this bridge as a degradation of
their neighborhood, and a permanent change that will destroy it's
character. And aren't the issue of noise, safety, trash, and loss of
neighborhood character enough to prove a project unworthy in your
nelghborhQQd.?
The report alleges that these issues can be addressed In the design
phase. Surely, the concerns we have can not. The bridge creates.
Irreversible damage to the beauty and character of our neighborhood
by allowing the transient and unlawful practices, which happen
continually as a part of the backside of the commercial district on one
side of the creek, to flow freely over the natural barrier that has kept
them out of our neighborhood for decades. It.further increases traffic
congestion, as our culdisac becomes a parking area for people who
want to drive close, and then run across the bridge to the commercial
businesses on the other side.
The neighborhood has no transit service currently because the busses
were rerouted years ago when speed bumps were placed along Chorro
Street. Those bumps no longer exist. If transit access was the
issue, why aren't the busses coming to the neighborhood? The Transit
Manager of the City has expressed concerns about having a bus stop
at Montalban and Santa Rosa, citing safety Issues. There is no plan to
put one there, based upon no need for one.
The report tries to create a case for helping to divert southbound
bicyclists off of Santa Rosa at this point. The fact is, as all bike riders
know, everybody riding into the City from the North gets off of Santa
Rosa at Highland, Foothill, Meinicke, or Murray. Every street
connecting Santa Rosa to Chorro Streets, north of Hwy 101, is
already designated as a bike route to accomplish this purposee
The only cyclists on Santa Rosa at this point are those going into the
eastern part of the city that it feeds. This bridge would not help them.
Laguna M .S . ID :5442449 OCT 19 '04 7 :35 No .001 P .04
This bridge is not a link needed for pedestrians or cyclists to access
areas of the City that they do not already have easy access to. It does
create opportunities for our young children to ventureinto one of the
City's most dangerous intersections, unprotected by traffic control, and
risk their lives trying to get across Santa Rosa Street at an unguarded
intersection. Along with the transient.living in the creek , they seem
to be the only ones that might use the bridge, and parents are very
concerned about this.
The fact that the City has already purchased the bridge does not mean
that it needs to go here. The engineers working on this project have
told, me that, "there are a lot of other places that this bridge could be
used."
It is now sitting somewhere, waiting for a home. Please Instruct the
staff to find one that will do more good than harm.
When considering this matter, please take into account that this bridge
does not address any demonstrated need. The residents of the
neighborhood do not want it, because of the negative effects to the
neighborhood. There are much better alternative locations,
addressing demonstrated needs, where It does not have an adverse
effect on anybody or anything.
The City has misguidedly poured some money into this project, but it
Is still only In the design phase. SLOCOG routinely approves the
reallocation of grant money to similar projects. There should be no
reason why we should continue with a bad idea, simply because we
have started down that road (or bridge). I hope that you will place the
value of your residents requests, their quality of life (for which you are
guardian), and the Integrity of their neighborhood higher than the
dollars involved with finding a better and more useful location for this
bridge.
Respectfully..
!.w
Jim Nett
781-975
P.S. Attached are the signatures of 63 residents in the neighborhood
who are opposed to the project. I collected these in one day of
talking to the 63 people I saw. I have yet to find one resident
in favor of the project I I will have more by the meeting time
tonight.
Laguna M .S . ID :5442449 OCT 19 '04 7 :35 No .001 P .05
We, the undersigned, do not support the City's decision to
place a bridge across Stenner Creek at Montalban Streets
Full Name
Street Address
Ir
ITZ 2, C3
UK D t
Z,M&&
KE _09A& LE" Si—
h's Antele CJ . 350. ...� �Kc�� w..
ca
G ,4 CoMCA � v,cPN
�i&tis.c,A 3 .�,pt j i�+�/a•. -t.
- 1v 51 Sia
milli•►, V lib 13 70f
r3 V6L
Laguna M .S . ID :5442449 OCT 19 '04 7 :36 No .001 P .06
We, the undersigned, do not support the City's decision to
place a bridge across Stenner Creek at Montalban Street.
Full Name Street Address
..
x 577 Ce.hte� St
2-C
. - � riLQ 11
.L l NJ(.A L /-! ST
fSo. .. Ch �rr�
U
• JacApt-i , WAe,�WAAk 4foQ CXR.S';
Laguna M .S . ID :5442449 OCT 19 '04 7 :36 No .001 P .07
We, the undersigned, do not support the City's decision to
place a bridge across Stenner Creek at Montalban Street.
Full Name Street Address
-® L d
o /b L � s
&Pm. sit ._..._ -�_ -in... ,.._
��l M, .,. ,�3� M•ss i o� Ste: .....
S(olsta sT.
Ikk Lc-,4-q�L4Cq
_ Q
.�
v Mrs
rep Cj
kAA 5 . .
y
Page 1 of 1
C -
Allen Settle- Please don't ruin our neighborhood!! a f Ld.y C C rI
From: mary renzi <corenzi @charter.net>
To: <asettle@slodty.org>
Date: 10/19/2004 9:33 AM
Subject: Please don't ruin our neighborhood!!
Dear Mr. Settle,
I live at 283 Lincoln. Our house faces Montalban. I am very
concerned about the proposed bridge.
We love our home and neighborhood and realized a long time dream when
we were able to purchase our home on Lincoln. We loved the tree lined
street with its older and well maintained homes. We love that although
it is close to town it has a safe, lazy residential atmosphere. My
children walk to school and use the neighborhood park. I am recently
widowed. have taken solace in the knowledge that at least my kids and
I have our home in a safe and lovely neighborhood. Please do not take
this from us.
The bridge will change everything that we value about our
neighborhood. We stand in firm opposition to its construction. I
can't imagine what it is you hope to gain by allowing it. Please
respond.
Thank you,
Mary Cowitz
I
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Message _ Page 1 of 1
Allen Settle-Montalban Street Bicycle Bridge
From: "Eric Butcher" <eric @ coastalkites.net>
To: <dromero@slocity.org>
Date: 10/19/2004 12:05 PM
Subject: Montalban Street Bicycle Bridge
Dear City Council Member
My wife and I have shared one car for about three years.We both ride our bikes all over this town for transportation. Even though we
live on Lincoln St.(cross street to Montalban one block away from the projected bridge)we do not see how this would help the
bikers and walkers in this town get around. It seems like the wrong place to spend the funds. Please take the recommendation of
the Bicycle Advisory Committee and lower the ranking of the Montalban Street Bicycle Bridge Project in the Bicycle Plan from Number 2
of 28 miscellaneous projects to Number 28 and not construct the project.We oppose the Montalban St Bridge Project.
Thank you for your time and consideration on this issue.
Registered Voters
Eric Butcher
Natalie Butcher
219 Lincoln St.
San Luis Obispo,CA 93405
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r l
Page 1 of 1
Allen Settle-Montalban Street Bridge
From: "Kevin Duggan"<duggank@msn.com>
To: <kscwartz@slocity.org>,<asettle@slocity.org>,<jewan@slocity.org>,<cmulholl@slocity.org>,<dromero@slocity.org>
Date: 10/19/2004 10:53 AM
Subject: Montalban Street Bridge
Dear City Council Members and Mayor,
I want to express my strong opposition to plans to build the Montalban Bridge. I live at 210 Lincoln Ave,--the residential
neighborhood that would be affected by this brdige. It seems to me that our neighborhood would be NEGATIVELY affected by this
bridge. Increases in traffic,and noise would be great. In addition,I can't imagine why there is a need for this bridge.
It would seem to me that money and your energy would be much better spent in working towards affordable housing in the city.
Thank you for your time and attention to this issue.
Sincerely,
Kevin J.Duggan
210 Lincoln
SLO,CA 93405
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Page 1 of 1
Allen Settle - Montalban Bridge
From: "Sherry Stupar" <sherrystupar@msn.com>
To: <kscwartz@siocity.org>, <asettle@slocity.org>, <jewan@slocity.org>, <cmulholl@slocity.org>,
<dromero@slocity.org>
Date: 10/19/2004 4:44 PM
Subject: Montalban Bridge
Dear Council Members,
It is with great concern that I write to you concerning the possibility of a bridge being put up
to connect our quiet neighborhood to Santa Rosa St. This is very alarming to us. We love our
quiet neighborhood and are very disappointed that this is even being considered.
If you have not already, please take into consideration how this will affect us and our children
and speak up against this.
I am not able to attend the meeting tonight due to my husband being away on a trip out of
the country and I am staying home with my two daughters. I do hope that you will speak on
our behalf.
Sincerely,
Sherry Stupar
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�. Page 1 of 1
Allen Settle - Montalban St. Bridge
From: <vlongacr@calpoly.edu>
To: <kscwartz@slocity.org>, <asetde@slocity.org>, <jewan@slodty.org>, <cmulholl@slodty.org>, <dromero@slocity.org>
Date: 10/19/2004 5:19 PM
SubjectMontalban St. Bridge
City Council Members,
I am writing in regards to the building of a bridge on Montalban St in SLO. We
live on Lincoln St., very close to Montalban St. and DO NOT want a bridge over
the creek to Santa Rosa. Whose idea was this? What a waste of taxpayer money!
Has there ever been a study as to what this would do to the creek and the
riparian wildlife? Is there a study that shows that there is a need? By whom?
We don't go over the creek to get to Santa Rosa and wouldn't use a bridge if
there was one. The only people I can see using it would be the homeless that
inhabit the creek area. We already have a fair amount of foot traffic along
Lincoln St from the bar crowd walking home (thankfully, they do walk), after 2
am; I dont think we need to add more.
I urge to listen to the folks who live in this neighborhood and reject the
bridge. It can be more useful and appreciated in a different location.
Vivian Longacre & Frank Duncan
291 Lincoln St
San Luis Obispo, CA
805-787-0429
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Montalban ffrit:gefroject- thanks -- — � Page 1 of 2
Allen Settle-Montalban bridge project-thanks
From: Jean Anderson<.slohpver@charter.net>
To: John Ewan<jewan@slocity.org>,Christine Mulholland<cmulholland@slocity.org>,Ken Schwartz
<kschwartz@slocity.org>,Allen Settle<asettle@slocity.org>,Dave Romero<dromero@slocity.org>
Date: 10/21/2004 4:28 PM
Subject: Montalban bridge project-thanks
CC: Peggy Mandeville<pmandeville@slocity.org>,Tim Bochum<tbochum@slocity.org>,<kevinbikes@mac.com>,
<Benjamin_Lerner@Counnywide.Com>,Joseph Gilpin<jgilpin@slobikelane.org>
To members of the City Council,
Many thanks for listening to those in the neighborhood affected by this project and their concerns for something that was planned
more than a decade ago.I spent some time on Montalban,as well as across the creek on the Santa Rosa side-and could see no value
whatsover in putting a bridge across that creek.I applaud the residents who stayed so late to speak so eloquently.Had the project gone
ahead,the safety of the neighborhood and its residents(particularly the children)would have been severely compromised.
Savvy cyclists simply don't need that particular short cut.
One of the things that BAC members have noticed is that there are several projects okayed years ago that make no sense anymore for
a variety of reasons.Surely there must be a better way for staff to consider projects okayed many years ago that might not have
relevance today or in the future.Many items on many lists,not just bicycling concerns,do not seem to be coordinated with what is
happening "real world".Just because the city has a bridge doesn't mean that it should be poorly placed,especially when there are other
more pressing needs.
So many bicycling facilities are not only not necessary,.but are poorly planned-and many are built for all the wrong reasons-really
having nothing to do with bicycling safety. And,unfortunately,after they are built,they are not kept up;maintenance is a#1 priority
for safety,but neither the city nor Caltrans seems to agree.
Properly-educated and trained cyclists do not need bike lanes or Class I paths(really multi-use paths)to get around in many cities
and towns.Some of us on the BAC feel that proper maintenance of our roadways would make it a lot safer for cyclists who know how
to get around on their bicycles.
All cyclists in California(and in all other states)are subject to the same rights and responsibilities as are motor vehicle drivers.It is
also against the law in San Luis Obispo to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk-a practice that is dangerous on many counts,especially on
our narrower sidewalks.This law is rarely,if ever,enforced.Even our police officers break that law when there is no need for them to
be on the sidewalk-very poor role models.
Beginning now,and in the future,I sincerely hope that plans for all traffic-motorized,pedaled,and pedestrian-will be carefully
considered as a whole.Changes are coming to the MUTCD via the.NCUCTD-and I hope that staff pays careful attention to those and
the AASHTO guidelines,although neither is perfect.The following is from Richard C. Moeur,PE.
At 8:08 PM 10/15/04,rcmoeur@aol.com wrote:
The MUTCD,which is a national standard,specifies the signs
and markings used for bike lanes in the US.It doesn't contain
much information on detailed placement of bike lanes,other
than prohibiting really bad stuff(bike lanes to the right of
right turn lanes,bike lanes in roundabouts)or recommending
against other treatments(not a good idea to use posts to
delineate a bike lane).
The AASHTO Guide for Development of Bicycle Facilities is
the document most widely used by states to specify design
details for bike lanes,such as minimum width,configurations
at intersections,etc.
Right now,neither the MUTCD nor the AASHTO Guide contains
any significant discussion of bike lanes next to on-street
parking.So,it's not an issue of bike lanes within "door zones"
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having been approved by AASHTO-the previous editions
of the Guide just did not provide enough guidance or
recommendations on the subject.
As noted previously,there are people that are now taking a
hard look at this issue and developing recommendations.
Whether the recommendations will be in the next edition
of the MUTCD or the AASHTO Guide is not known yet,
but that's not to say that there won't be some push to include
good guidance in either or both of these documents.
And yes,if the AASHTO Guide took a strong stand against
door-zone bike lanes,many agencies might remove them-
but remember that the Guide has also condemned sidepaths
since the 1981 edition,and yet many agencies have chosen
to disregard this guidance and installed and/or maintained
sidepaths regardless.
Richard is a Traffic Engineer with the Arizona DOT in Phoenix,and chair of the Bicycle Technical Committee,NCUTCD(National
Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices).See http://members.cox.netlncutcdbtc/and http://www.ncutcd.org/
--Jean Anderson
Jean E.Anderson
Bicycle Advisory Committee
League Cycling Instructor#839
San Luis Obispo,CA
805-545-9003
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Allen Settle- Montalban Bridge
From: "Jim Nett" <]Nett@slcusd.org>
To: <asettle@slocity.org>
Date: 10/18/2004 5:27 PM
Subject: Montalban Bridge
Dear Mr. Settle,
Having read the Staff recommendation to you concerning the Montalban St. Bridge project, I would like to point out
several misleading, or false assumptions on which it is based. I also find some of the information in the report to be
incorrect.
The staff report talks of"linking neighborhoods". This project does not link any two neighborhoods, but links a quiet
residential neighborhood, with an unruly, congested, noisy, backside of a commercial area. I do not think that this is
what was intended by our City's goals.
Many residents in the Lincoln/Chorro neighborhood have lived there for more than 15 years, and strongly oppose this
project, not just the few recent arrivals, as the report suggests.
The City has no data or information to demonstrate any need for this crossing, or a desire by the residents of the
neighborhood to have one. There is no study or information of any kind that demonstrates such a need. In fact, if the
City had polled residents of the 70+ properties in the area as I have, they would find that not one sees any need at all,
and does not want to see the project happen!!! I have sent there signatures stating such to the City Clerk for your
review.
No member of the BAC stated that the timing of this connection was premature, as the staff recommendation says.
Several members expressed that there is no need at all for this connection, and wanted it removed entirely from the
bicycle plan. Because not all members were sure that it should be entirely removed, the committee voted to change it's
priority to the lowest level, and make it conditional on there being traffic control lights at the intersection of Sant Rosa
and Montalban, knowing that this would never happen.
The-staff report talks of a well worn path existing at this location. I assure that it does not!!!! The person writing this
report must have seen the gullies at the end of the street on each side of the creek where the water streams down the
bank when it rains. The path that people used to use has become overgrown in the last decade from lack of use, to
where only a few local residents can even tell where it is, or used to be.
The concerns of the residents in the neighborhood go far beyond noise, trash, and safety. Many see this bridge as a
degradation of their neighborhood, and a permanent change that will destroy its character. And aren't the issue of
noise, safety, trash, and loss of neighborhood character enough to prove a projecL unworthy in your neighborhood?
The report alleges that these issues can be addressed in the design phase. Surely, the concerns we have can not. The
bridge creates irreversible damage to the beauty and character of our neighborhood by allowing the transient and
unlawful practices, which happen continually as a part of the backside of the commercial district on one side of the creek,
to flow freely over the natural barrier that has kept them out of our neighborhood for decades. It further increases traffic
congestion, as our culdisac becomes a parking area for people who want to drive close, and then run across the bridge to
the commercial businesses on the other side.
The neighborhood has no transit service currently because the busses were rerouted years ago when speed bumps were
placed along Chorro Street. Those bumps no longer exist. If transit access was the issue, why aren't the busses coming
to the neighborhood? The Transit Manager of the City has expressed concerns about having a bus stop at Montalban
and Santa Rosa, citing safety issues. There is no plan to put one there, based upon no need for one.
The report tries to create a case for helping to divert southbound bicyclists off of Santa Rosa at this point. The fact is, as
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all bike riders know, everybody riding into the City from the North gets off of Santa Rosa at Highland, Foothill, Meinicke,
or Murray. Every street connecting Santa Rosa to Chorro Streets, north of Hwy 101, is already designated as a bike route
to accomplish this purpose.
The only cyclists on Santa Rosa at this point are those going into the eastern part of the city that it feeds. This bridge
would not help them.
This bridge is not a link needed for pedestrians or cyclists to access areas of the City that they do not already have easy
access to. It does create opportunities for our young children to venture into one of the City's most dangerous
intersections, unprotected by traffic control, and risk their lives trying to get across Santa Rosa Street at an unguarded
intersection. Along with the transient living in the creek, they seem to be the only ones that might use the bridge, and
parents are very concerned about this.
The fact that the City has already purchased the bridge does not mean that it needs to go here. The engineers working
on this project have told me that, "there are a lot of other places that this bridge could be used."
It is now sitting somewhere, waiting for a home. Please instruct the staff to find one that will do more good than harm.
When considering this matter, please take into account that this bridge does not address any demonstrated need. The
residents of the neighborhood do not want it, because of the negative effects to the neighborhood. There are much
better alternative locations, addressing demonstrated needs, where it does not have an adverse effect on anybody or
anything.
The City has misguidedly poured some money into this project, but it is still only in the design phase. SLOCOG routinely
approves the reallocation of grant money to similar projects. There should be no reason why we should continue with a
bad idea, simply because we have started down that road (or bridge). I hope that you will place the value of your
residents requests, their quality of life (for which you are guardian), and the integrity of their neighborhood higher than
the dollars involved with finding a better and more useful location for this bridge.
Respectfully,
Jim Nett
781-9753
P.S.The attached file is a list of neighborhood concerns for those
unfamiliar with the project site.
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r
As a member of the Lincoln-Chorro St. neighborhood, and being familiar with the area, I
am also have some concerns about the negative affects such a bridge would have:
Neighborhood Degradation:
West Montalban St. is a short, quiet, dead-end, residential street where many children from
the Lincoln-Chorro St. neighborhood come to play, and people walk their dogs, or recreate.
Because of its lack of traffic and quiet, closed-off nature, many people in the neighborhood
seek out its seclusion from the busyness of the City around it,
East Montalban St. is the backside of a commercial area on Santa Rosa St., where traffic
safety is a problem, cars and furniture are routinely abandoned, garbage is commonly
dumped on the ground, transients are camping every night, and where people hang out
until the early morning hours, often times drinking, smoking, and being loud.
To connect these two diversely different areas is to invite the atmosphere and influences of
one upon the other. This would have a tremendous negative affect on the quiet, secluded,
safe, nature of West Montalban St.
Public Safety:
The intersection of East Montalban and Santa Rosa Streets has repeatedly made the City's
"Most Dangerous Intersections" list, in recent years being in the top 5! The traffic
congestion there is so heavy, with cars changing lanes because of proximity to the freeway
interchange, and others entering the roadway from the gas stations and businesses, or the
freeway off-ramp on Montalban. To add bicycles and pedestrians, trying to cross the four
lanes of traffic, where there is no traffic signal or crosswalks, seems extremely negligent.
To place a bridge at Montalban St. would be inviting our citizens, actually directing them,
including the children and elderly, to attempt this extremely dangerous crossing. The
City's Transit Manager and the Bicycle Advisory Committee members see the danger
as so great, and the need so small, that neither support putting a bridge there.
Environmental Impacts:
This section of Stenner Creek is one of the few remaining "wild" sections of creek in the
City. We have seen hawks nesting in the trees along the creek bank, deer living in the
creek bed, egrets, kingfishers, ducks, turtles, crayfish, and many other wildlife species who
call this area home. A bridge will increase the foot traffic in the area, not just over the
bridge, but also into the creek habitat. This would surely have a negative impact upon the.
riparian wildlife, and threaten their habitat.
Though the planners expect the initial study will result in a mitigated negative declaration,
the plans include removal of 1 or.2 mature, riparian trees and a very large Prickly Pear
cactus. Because of the difference in height of the creek banks, a switch-back ramp will
i
have to be cut into one banK to gain access from one end of the bridge up to street level,
destroying more riparian habitat.
Over the past several years, large trees have fallen into the creek from the eroding creek
banks. If one of them should get caught on something during high water flows, severe
flooding of several properties would occur. This has happened in the past, causing
extensive damage. Placing a bridge amongst large trees, 3 of which have fallen in the last 7
years, seems to be inviting, and possibly creating another disaster.