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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/6/2018 Item 12, Brown Christian, Kevin From:Kerry Brown <kerryobrown@yahoo.com> Sent:Monday, To:E-mail Council Website Subject:Item #12 Anholm Bikeway Dear Mayor Harmon and Council Members, Thank you for the opportunity to provide my comments on the proposed Anholm Bike Boulevard. I live in the Anholm neighborhood. This proposed Bike Boulevard is located in a residential neighborhood, biking in a residential neighborhood should be a “low stress” experience (without creating a bike boulevard). If the Board Street 101 freeway on ramp was closed and commuter traffic through Chorro and Broad Streets (from inside and outside of the city) could be re-directed to Santa Rosa (where it should be), the Anholm neighborhood would be safer for bikes, pedestrians, and the residents; with no need for a bike boulevard. Of the two alternatives, I prefer the Lincoln Street alternative, because the Anholm neighborhood needs on-street parking. The Anholm neighborhood is an historic neighborhood (developed in 1920’s thru 1950’s). Back then households had one vehicle, and these residences were developed with that in mind (single vehicle driveway/single vehicle garage and some lacking both). Now households have two to three vehicles, (much more when occupied by students). We all use on-street parking to accommodate these vehicles. The parking demand has increased in the last two years, as more neighborhoods around Cal Poly are requesting and forming parking districts, students are using the Anholm neighborhood as a park and ride lot. My neighbor has asked the people that park on our street, where do you live and why do you park here? What we have found is that some of the people parking on our street live on campus. Cal Poly doesn’t let freshman park on campus, but that doesn’t stop them from bringing cars and parking them in neighborhoods. Many others simply can’t get a parking pass to park on campus, so they park on our street and ride the bus or bike to campus. The City has approved projects that lack adequate parking (22 Chorro and 71 Palomar), this will also increase parking demand. I lived in this neighborhood for 15 years and in the last two years things have changed dramatically. In fact, so much so that my street is currently requesting a parking district to deal with this parking problem. We have been told we have to wait and see what happens with the Bike Boulevard, as this will further exacerbate the problem. I support making the city a safer place for bikes and pedestrians, but there is an alternative that does not impact our neighborhood in such a negative way. This project also deserves a review by the City’s Planning Commission, as the project will greatly affect the circulation of our neighborhood Our neighborhood’s concerns should matter to the City and should not be ignored. Please vote for the Lincoln Street alternative or no project. Best, Kerry Brown 1