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Council Members
As your Oversight and Outreach Committee heard in multiple public hearings, the public has many reservations about the thrust of our new Traffic Management Program. The largest - and unanswered - issue is that residents are looking for traffic relief, while staff and some city commission members are looking to restrict auto and truck movement. That remains the big inherent conflict as the TMP finally comes to you for consideration .
Meanwhile, there is an underlying flaw in the funding expectations embedded in the plan: whether it's the myriad bike improvements that dominate, or the more urgent traffic solutions - the funding per staff report relies heavily on "developer share” contributions. But that money comes primarily from proposed office and $8,000/month condo projects - projects that will only add to our traffic nightmare.
It appears the City is bent on further growth, despite the growing outcry for a pause. The craving for increased City revenue (from project fees and property taxes) has overwhelmed the cries for a better quality of life for current residents. This is a problem.
As you review the TMP, we suggest that you consider a policy that will deny all further office and high-end residential development until traffic is addressed - honestly addressed, unlike the masquerade of the TMP. If council turns the focus towards regional transit instead, land owners will be forced to do the same - resuming the flagging commitments to Dumbarton Rail, and putting pressure on Sacramento and DC to fund the transit projects we need that have been ignored for decades.
Until we have traffic relief, the residents are not served by further growth - or this TMP.
Respectfully,
Katherine Strehl
TMP OOC
former Planning Commissioner
Henry Riggs
TMP OOC:
Planning Commissioner
