Dear Council, I left some notes I intended to speak from last night at the Public Comment period of the City Council Special meeting. Unfortunately the agenda was specific that "only items on the agenda could be addressed." I was surprised to see the recording just now where Mayor Keith announced Public Comment for things "NOT on the agenda" and called my name. Sorry I missed the opportunity to address you on the Grade Separations. My viewpoint has not changed: I support an Alt A type separation built WITHOUT a Shoofly track. Since that's no longer an option due to Council's decision, I am disengaging from this topic. My handout shows my guess as to where the Shoofly track passes at the various cross streets and the fact road clearance during part of the construction phase at both Ravenswood and at Oak Grove is approximately 10 feet minus the thickness of the temp bridge underneath the Shoofly. At Glenwood this is about 12 feet minus the thickness of the temp bridge. I don't think this is enough clearance for an ambulance, so consider it unwise in the extreme. But the consultants should be a able to provide exact measurements and time frames for this situation. So we the public have received assurances that there are not limits in vehicle clearance or pedestrian/bike access. This is true looking at either the BEFORE picture or the AFTER picture of this project. Unfortunately this is NOT true in the DURING CONSTRUCTION picture. If you change your decision and add an alternative A without a Shoofly, I am happy to help in any way I can. Sincerely, Steve Van Pelt, a resident of Menlo Park Received on Thu Oct 05 2017 - 15:06:44 PDT
