Dear Planning Commissioners,
Many in the community are excited about the new Guild and it's quickly moving through our City's processes. It's extremely
important that as this project rapidly rolls ahead that parking/circulation-related issues that affect safety are carefully
analyzed and mitigated. Below please find some questions/comments related to the Technical Memo (Staff Report Attachment K): * The
memo states multiple times that events at the new Guild would typically start at 9pm, with doors to the facility opening at
8pm. From a quick look at music start times at Mountain Winery, Fox Theatre and The Fillmore, those venues appear to have many
performances beginning at 8pm, with doors opening at 7pm. Even the example given in the memo, the Sweetwater in Mill Valley has
shows at 8pm. Given that all of the parking and traffic data is based on a 9pm start time, how would an earlier start time of
8pm, especially on Friday nights, affect the analysis?
* Furthermore, what analysis has been done to determine the parking and traffic impacts for community events (since a main public
benefit of the project is an additional and discounted community gathering space) held during the week and at an earlier time?
It's doubtful that a local school concert/church event will take place at 9pm on a weekend.
* An assumption is made that 27 vehicles (10% of total assumed vehicles) will be departing the Guild via an Uber/Lyft-type
service. The memo further states that these Uber/Lyft-type cars will be be "uniformly" arriving and departing over a 30 minute
period after each show, therefore creating a steady flow of cars picking up; each only stopping for their passenger for 40
seconds. While the report shows an allowance of 1.1 minutes available for each car (30 minutes/27 vehicles), there a quite a
few assumptions built into this scenario. Rather than rely on one illustration, I would urge you to look at a couple of
different scenarios. What if 15 cars arrive within 3 minutes? What if more than 10% of vehicles pick up curbside? There is a
recommendation in the report that Guild staff could stand outside to ensure the movement of pick-ups. Please consider making
this an after-show requirement.
* The memo references the future possibility of the loading zone being removed due to the installation of bike lanes on El Camino
Real. Live Oak (300 feet to the south) is suggested as an alternative loading zone. Please carefully think through this
scenario. As we know from the recent experience with the development plans at 840 Menlo Ave. that punting likely loading zone
challenges to the future can cause confusion and major problems down the road. Thinking through the what-ifs, with neighboring
property dwellers, at this time would be wise. Another idea would be to make Live Oak the loading zone from the beginning,
keeping drop-offs and pick-ups off busy El Camino Real.
* There were two issues regarding parking and circulation that were not addressed in the memo. The first is regarding the parking
of the musicians' large tour buses that were previously mentioned in Guild discussions. Where will those go? The second is
regarding handicapped access/parking. How will that be addressed?
It's important that we think through these transportation related issues at this time so that impacts can be properly mitigated.
Safety must be top of mind when assessing development projects such as these.
Thank you for your consideration of these issues.
Sincerely,Jen
--
Jen WolosinParents for Safe Routeswww.parents4saferoutes.org [http://www.parents4saferoutes.org]jen@parents4saferoutes.org
[jen@parents4saferoutes.org]415.710.5838[https://docs.google.com/uc?id=0B5BGvPHdC67QVENja3JKVVJqZHc&export=download]
