HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/13/2018 Item 2, Brooks
June 10, 2018
Dear Planning Commission Chair Fowler and Commissioners Stevenson, Dandekar,
Jorgensen, McKenzie, Osterbur and Wulkan:
Regarding June 13, 2018, agenda Item No. 2: Conceptual Policy Review of Two
Proposed Projects at 3985 Broad Street and 660 Tank Farm Road
I appreciate that the planning staff flagged this proposal for a conceptual policy review.
As the staff report states, this site is a Special Focus Area that places high importance
on the connectivity, safety and comfort of bicycle and pedestrian circulation. I share
staff’s concern that the proposed retail/commercial portion of the project layout appears
to be a traditional shopping center designed for cars.
The city’s goal is to increase trips by bike to 20 percent. The shopping center and
assisted living center should be designed to be as bicycle- and pedestrian friendly as
possible to provide residents, employees, customers and visitors with transportation
choice. Bicycle and pedestrian connectivity within the project site and to Broad Street,
Tank Farm Road, Industrial Way and the proposed Prado Road multi-use path are
essential.
The vicinity of Broad Street and Tank Farm Road is developing at a rapid rate.
Approved projects include San Luis Ranch, Avila Ranch, Righetti Ranch and job sites in
the airport area. Roadways are already congested with regional and local vehicle traffic
and it’s uncertain when and if the roads serving these projects, including Tank Farm, will
be upgraded.
People are not going to ride bikes or walk if they don’t feel safe on these roads or within
project sites. The intersection of Tank Farm Road and Broad Street is already
challenging for pedestrians and people on bikes. I have personally witnessed motorists
cutting off pedestrians in the crosswalks even though they have the right of way! As a
bicyclist, making a left turn in this intersection is challenging because it’s difficult to
cross the through lanes to the turn lanes. This intersection should be upgraded to
protected for pedestrians and bicyclists (https://nacto.org/publication/urban-bikeway-
design-guide/intersection-treatments/)
Tank Farm Road from Broad to Santa Fe should have protected or buffered green bike
lanes.
Sincerely,
Lea Brooks
1130 Islay St.
San Luis Obispo